When bad reviews happen to aspiring writers: a pep talk

It's finally happened...every writer's worst nightmare. The time when someone who doesn't know you has something negative to say about your book. Or, in my case, gives a 1-star rating without a review (yet) that affects the overall star average on Goodreads. For those of us who have spent our entire lives dreaming of becoming writers, this can be tragic.

Or is it? On the one hand, negative book reviews can provide opportunities for growth. If something about my plot really was weak, a constructive critique can help me improve as a writer. But sometimes there is nothing helpful to be gleaned, and that is a time when I need to realize that I can't please everyone. What some readers hate about my book(s), others may love the most about them. There are negative reviews for JK Rowling, Stephen King, Jane Austen, and other writers that the majority of society considers "great." But then there are books that many bibliophiles admit are not very well-written, yet they still sell in droves (even Snooki from Jersey Shore is a "best-selling" author now).

So this raises a valid question...what is good writing, and how can I learn it?

The answer to that question is highly subjective, and always will be. But part of solving that mystery lies in what genre you choose to write about. Certain genres demand certain expectations. As a YA writer, that's not easy to pin down, as young adults can find themselves in mysteries, romances, fantasy, etc. I know what I like, and it's rare for me to read a book in a genre I enjoy and hate everything about it. But clearly, not every enjoyable book is classified as a favorite.

For me, "good writing" is more about the author than the structure. If the author really enjoys what they do, it will show up in their work. Guaranteed. It's the difference between having a teacher who truly loves her students, and an older, tenured professor who keeps showing up just to collect his retirement. Writers see the world differently, and hopefully our books will attest to that fact.

There's no such thing as a truly original plot; only repeated plots with unique twists. I enjoy those books, but I also enjoy books that are more focused on character development than plot, and affirm the human experience...books that expertly capture love, loneliness, anger, and personal growth as only someone who has been there can. A book doesn't have to be "original" for me to enjoy it; if I can relate to a character, and close the book with a comforting sense that I'm not alone, the author has done his/her job well.

It's easier for me to characterize "good books" over "bad books." Obviously I'm biased when it comes to my own. I write about what's important to me, which is all I can do. All books have traits that are quirky and interesting to some readers, and complete turn-offs to others...just like people do.