What I learned from reading negative reviews...

What I learned from reading negative reviews...

This might sound odd, but I spent my morning reading negative reviews, the 1, 2, and 3 star reviews on Amazon of other books similar to my own Work-in-Progress in the same genre. The reason I did this is to discover what readers disliked about the genre so I can avoid it in my own work. And if you do this often enough, you’ll usually see a pattern, and the same criticisms on repeat.

For instance, I know I nag my CPs and clients about setting details, and one of the most common complaints I read in reviews in almost every genre is a lack of setting details / world-building. I always think of the setting as a character itself. So make sure your settings are vivid, colorful, and detailed. This is so important in fantasy, Sci-Fi, and any supernatural type books. 

Also, readers dislike a lack of character development (no real emotional connection to character), not enough backstory (which is so tricky to write and know where to add it!), and if the story ends with a cliffhanger (no warning in the blurb). Character development is something that I preach to my clients and CPs because I feel a fleshed-out POV character is vital to good storytelling. 

 

In my opinion, character is king and plot is queen.

Adding a character's backstory can be difficult to do in any genre without creating an info-dump. But without it, the characters won't seem as real or have as much depth. Writers must find an organic place to incorporate backstory into the narrative. Nailing down the backstory is all about being clear about the events that brought these characters to the place they are now so that you can weave their history into the present action by either showing the backstory through action, conflict, or dialogue. (The last suggestion is my favorite way to learn about a character’s backstory). 
 
I find the 3-star reviews the most insightful. Most of these reviews seem to hate insta-love and/or insta-sex, which I loathe, too. I guess this means that most readers prefer a slow-burn romance. So as far as any romance elements are concerned, the number one thing that readers have a strong dislike for is romance without any build-up or one that seems forced. Like most readers, I like to be "shown" the characters falling in love and their developing friendship through dialogue and actions throughout the course of the storyline. 

One awesome tip I got from one of my former CPs was to give the love interest some redeeming qualities beyond just his/her looks. And the POV character(s) must have some likeable traits as well.

One thing I found interesting in several reviews was that readers didn't like it when the hero didn't have any real friends or a sidekick/best friend to bond with, or offer some comic relief. So does that mean readers aren't fond of loners? (And comic relief can be tough to add, but I feel it can be included in almost any genre, no matter how serious the tone of your novel is.)

Do you ever read negative reviews as a writer? Let me know in the comments!

Storytelling in Film post by author S. A. Soule

 

Most of you who know me, know I'm a true horror fan. I have loved scary movies since forever. I don't read much fiction horror anymore, but I do read its subgenres like UF. But a good spooky movie? Oh, yeah. I'm so there. 

A good writer can learn a lot by studying different methods of telling a story. And this is one example of amazing writing...

I watched HEREDITARY, a 2018 supernatural horror film written and directed by Ari Aster, the other night with my son. And I'm still thinking about it. 

Plot: When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

I have to say, it is one of the best horror films that I've seen in years. Usually while watching something, I like to predict or guess what's happening or will happen. I pride myself on being able to figure out the plot. But I couldn't figure out a single one. This movie had so many twisty turns that were totally unpredictable that I was on the edge of my seat. 

I love great storytelling and when I'm watching something and think, "Holy crap. Did that just happen? I so did NOT see that coming."

I admit, I was bit confused by the ending so I had to look it up online, and when I did, it made sense but I wish it had been made a little clearer in the movie. 

And normally, not much creeps me out, but after watching this film, I wanted to sleep with a nightlight and hold rosary beads. LOL

If you watch it, please let me know what you think and if it gave you chills, too. If you thought the plot twists were unpredictable. If you enjoy a good story that leaves you thinking about days afterward... :-)