When someone reviews your book and gets the facts wrong? I know, I know, authors aren't supposed to complain about reviews. Many would have us pretend we don't know they exist and leave people free to say whatever they like. Blah. Blah. Blah. I'm not calling any names and I'm not posting any links. The way I see it as long as I don't point a finger directly at someone, I have a right to complain about their words as much as they have a right to complain about mine.
If someone hates a book and complains about things that actually happened, that's one thing. (Now, I'm not talking about spoilers. People who post spoilers in "reviews" are jerks. Period.) Not everyone will like the same things. I get it.
But to complain about a character doing things that never happened? Um, maybe they are reading too much or too quickly to know what happened in which book.
Another thing that recently chapped my ass was a reviewer complaining that the main character suddenly couldn't handle her day to day activities. (She was a monster hunter.) First of all, she didn't even fight any monsters until well into the story after meeting BOTH her love interests. How the hell would anyone know what she could do before then? The conflict was already introduced. Second, it's called CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. If she just sailed right through everything like Marry Poppins just gave her a spoonful of sugar and made all her decisions without ever being affected, why the hell would anyone read THAT?! That's not a story it's utopia. Of course she had trouble doing things, she was conflicted. Her world had been torn upside down. If that makes her "weak" then so be it. Personally, I think that's the most ridiculous complaint I've ever seen. That's just like saying, "Well, I was really hoping for no conflict in this story and just lots and lots of sex."
Something else I think is ridiculous is people complaining about free reads. Seriously, it was FREE. I don't get that one at all. Or, complaining that the free read is short when it's clearly labeled as a short story.
I thought long and hard about posting this. Then I figured, I've got lots of writers who read my blog. Some of you are new to the business and some aren't. Those who've been there and done that will be able to relate to what I've said. Those who are new should be warned in advance that this type of crap will at some point happen to you. Just know that you aren't alone.
While I don't leave comments on the blogs (or wherever the reviews are posted) I will occasionally rant on MY blog. Some reviewers seem to live in a world where they think we don't read this stuff. It's about my work, of course I'm going to read it. *sigh* Anyway, all my rants ever amount to is it makes me feel better. And hopefully, it helps others to know (like I said) they are not alone.
Okay, this stupid soap box has gotta go. I've got other things I need to do today.
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