You fill in the blank because I haven’t figured that out yet!
When Jenna invited me to guest blog she gave me only one rule. I could write anything as long as it was legal. I’m trying to think of what the heck I could write that would be illegal! I guess I could bribe you with a brand new yellow Corvette if you’ll only give me a five-star review. Bribery is illegal, but you’re above that. And my banker would tell me [my means] are below that.
A true sad story:
In the beginning…I was on the prowl for an agent for my first manuscript. I gained the interest of two big agents. Both knew they were getting a full that was in the hands of one another. The agent on the east coast told me he loved my writing but didn’t like the story. The agent on the west coast told me she loved the story but wasn’t swept away by my writing. She used those exact words. One doesn’t forget these things.
What to do? I had three choices. One, I could clone the two agents and throw out the two bad parts. Two, I could toss a dart into the middle of a map of the United State and hope I’d strike a balance. Or three, I could keep writing and keep trying.
Once I landed an agent I soon had a request for a full from a big publishing house. During a
painfully long time my manuscript eked its way to Level Seven in their eight-step review process. At Level Seven they submit your work to their paid reviewers. My agent called me back and wondered if they had read the same manuscript! One reviewer said she “would read anything and everything by this author”. The other reviewer said one couldn’t drag him through the first chapter. Sadly, it was the same manuscript.
We have friends that own a magnificent home with breathtaking views of the city. This home is a showstopper in the art of perfection. And I wouldn’t want to live there. Let’s just say they’re not afraid of color and I prefer a sanctuary-like ambiance with subdued hues and a splash of color here or there.
Is this true in our writing? Of course it is! For heaven’s sake, one person may not like your book because a character has the same name of his ex-wife, and even he isn’t sure why he feels this way but that your writing stinks.
I just took a look at my reviews for my two novels, Widow’s Row and CoverBoy. Bad idea. Same thing. Some people love them. Some people had some pretty nasty things to say about them.
OK. So here’s my bribe. I mean, incentive! Read Widow’s Row or CoverBoy, post a review on Amazon, then email your mailing address to me: Lala@lalacorriere.com I have a gift to send you! It’s not a Corvette but if you like Jenna’s books then I KNOW you will like this! Make sure you advise me if you post your reviews under an alias/odd name so I know it’s you!
Offer good through May 31, 2012
I don’t think I’ll go to jail for this, will I, Jenna?
I think you’re safe with this one, Lala. Thanks so much for your great post today! Now, isn’t this an offer you can’t refuse, readers? Go for it!
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
How true it is. I’m fortunate to have found and agent who loves my book and my voice.
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Great post and oh so true. Off to find out more about your books. Thanks for sharing
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Great post, Lala. 🙂
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WONDERFUL AND ME WITH OUT A GIFT CARD! WAAAAA BUT MUCH SUCCESS!!
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Thanks, Linda!
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Thanks so much, Patricia. I’m so grateful to Jenna, too!
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Wonderful post Lala. As we all know reviewers are SO subjective and we can’t please them all the time. Which, when you think about it isn’t all that bad. As authors we write different genres and even within the same genre styles between authors are different. This is what makes us unique and can drive a reviewer to frustration (substitute MAD if you want). And not even our readers are going to like what we write all the time. Yes, it would be nice to please everyone but where is the challenge in that.
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I’ll go with MAD as H****!!! But sometimes MAD is a good place to be, along with those challenges! Thanks, Lindsay.
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As finicky as readers are with their choices, so are agents and editors. I’m glad you pressed on and found the perfect fit. Great post.
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Thanks, Sheri!
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*sigh* In a perfecrt world everyone would absolutely LOVE every word I type on a page. In a perfect world readers would swear gold comes from my finger tips. But alas, this isn’t a perfect world so that means some like my writing and stories and some don’t. But that’s life….*sigh.*
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That’s life, indeed, and I guess it is what makes the world go round! Thanks for commenting!
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Thanks for sharing your publishing trek.
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You are so welcome, Maggie. And thanks for taking the time to comment.
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You don’t even have to get to the level of reviewers to see how subjective taste is. Enter a contest. I have gotten scores from 50 to a perfect 100 in the same contest. Good post, Lala.
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LOL. Oh, that’s a whole other story. Sadly, I have that one, too! Thanks, D’Ann
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I guess its good that people’s tastes are so diverse, but, man, it can be hell when it comes to reviews! Great post!
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Hell. There’s a book in this somehow/somewhere. Thanks, Sharon.
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Fascinating interview – it’s wonderful you putting this out there – it is what we deal with in this business – from the begining point where one critique partner rips every other line a part and the other barely makes a suggestion up to the level of paid reviews who say diametrically opposed things.
We have to go with our guts as to which viewpoint if correct.
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I’m growing my thick skin one scale at a time, Daryl. Thanks for commenting!
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I’ve always said writing is subjective – because I’ve had people say the same things to me (and other author friends I know). What one person loves, another will hate. I think the hardest part of writing is realizing that not everyone will love our babies…I’m still trying to get used to that! Nice interview, Lala and Jenna!
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Thanks, Kristina!
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Great post and thanks for the offer! You are so right. What one person loves another will hate. But that won’t stop us from writing what we love!
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We are invincible! At least to the writing what we love part! Thanks, Jennifer!
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I downloaded Coverboy and will try and get to it as soon as I can, Lala!
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Whoo hoo! Thanks, Jerri!
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Hi Lala! Wonderful post. Sad, but true, that writing is subjective. It’s a hard lesson to learn and understand in the beginning. Funny how one person can absolutely love something and someone else hates the exact same thing. And when you are talking your writing, it makes that even harder.
Love your incentive and I have both of your books. I’m looking forward to reading them because the blurbs really caught my attention and I’ll definitely leave reviews…no bribe needed….lol
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Well, much thanks Christine! On all counts! But a deal is a deal, and boy–do I have a gift for you! 🙂
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All I can say is: I recently did a presentation on JK Rowling – 12 houses rejected good old Harry – so call it what you will. writing is an art form, no different than fine art. (so there!)
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Exactly, Sue! Exactly! Thanks for leaving a comment!
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Great post, Lala. And so true. When you solicit people’s opinions (and sometimes when you don’t) it’s amazing what they come up with.
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Totally startling sometimes, isn’t it? I’ve been in touch with one of my bad reviewers. I checked their other reviews and they were all dreadful, but most were for products like shavers and computer parts and dishware. I suggested that I hope he/she realizes we are not Norelco shavers. There are real humans at the other end of their negativity. We still chat. Amazing.
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Great post–and so true! I think all writers need this reminder when the world feels like rough and tumble place.
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Yup. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a rock tumbler. But the good news is I should come out all smooth and shiny!
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What a great guest post! I don’t work with an agent, but I did for a while. It’s amazing what gyrations you can be forced into. It was nice getting to know you a bit, Lala. I’m glad Jenna had you over.
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