Usually I write a little fluffy post that talks about flowers, puppies, liquor or the like. This week, I took some time to cruise the discussion boards, something that I haven’t done in a while. On one hand, I see that I’m missing a lot while on the other, I think I’m not really missing anything.
I have been in the author business for about three years, and I think that I’ve come a long way in the way I approach the business. First it was all “write what you know”, then it was “write what readers want” then it was “write what you want” etc. etc. Every author is bombarded with mounds of advice on how to write, when to write it and what to write.
The veil is so thin between authors and readers that authors must be very careful to protect themselves. It is so easy these days to write a vicious, evil review that many Internet users take this opportunity to “rip an author a new one”. They don’t like the heroine, she’s too light. They don’t like the heroine, she’s too dark. Her hair is too straight. Her hair is too natural. She wears too much makeup. She doesn’t wear enough makeup. She has low self-esteem. She is too stuck on herself. She’s too fat. She’s too thin. She’s too short. She’s too tall. She’s too wimpy. She’s too kick-ass. She’s too bitchy. She’s a doormat.
Every characteristic I wrote in that last paragraph can apply to each and every person out there. We each have our own opinion about each and every person that we meet. For example, I may think that XXX character is too wimpy while you may think she’s just fine.
Which is why you can’t please everyone, so you know what?
Please yourself.
Write the book YOU want to read. You will not please every single reader. Each and every author is influenced by unique characteristics in their lives. Your experience will be different from mine. That’s what makes us human.
Authors, especially new ones. Stay off the discussion boards. You will NEVER please everyone, so stop adjusting your story, your characters, your settings. Your story is your ART. It is a personal expression that has absolutely nothing to do with anyone else.
Keep ya heads up.
Wow what a perfectly timed post for me. Thank you! I really needed to hear this today 🙂
I am so glad that it helped you! Writing what’s in your heart has to be the basis of writing, otherwise, why do it, right?
Awesome post Dahlia! I wish each and every author would read this and take it to heart! That is one reason I don’t let reviews influence me. I read a book for me. It’s MY experience with the book. If asked how I felt it about the book I share my feeling not what the masses think I should. I have loved some books that a good majority have hated. However, it’s my experience and my feeling and I own it.
Authors should write what they feel passionate about and be true to that passion. I agree, you are not/can’t please everybody!
Thanks for sharing! 😀
Belinda G
Hi Belinda!
It’s true not only in writing, but in real life. The only way to be happy is to do what helps/pleases you and yours. Thanks, as always, for reading!
I just finished crafting a post about reviews for the month of writing coming to my blog and I agree with you; you can’t please everybody in anything you do. Just please yourself and love what you put out there. Some might like it, some might not. Such is life.
This is such a great post. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
Hi Capri,
I just wanted to send a message to some of the beginning authors out there. I know when I began, I tried to find that “magic formula” that would satisfy the readers. Now, I’ve learn to do what I like, or it’ll be more work than play. And I always want to keep my writing “play”.