Guest Author: Danica Winters

An Author's Golden Rule

A friend of mine, who is a fresh writer, asked me a question the other day.  She wrote, “I want to write a [review] on a published book…The thing is, it is kind of negative.  Can I do this?”

I am of the solid belief that if you are a writer or a reader, you shouldn't put down authors.  It is incredibly hard to create.  I don’t think there is a single writer out there who has written their first novel, published it, and later called it a masterpiece.  This is a craft that one learns as they go, every novel a person writes they get better and their voice becomes stronger.  However, if they are crushed by negative reviews, some will become crippled by the public outcry against them.  I’ve seen it time and again and I don’t blame them.  It’s a rough day when an author receives a poor review—it is crushing.  (Who knows how many great novels would have been written if the author had only been treated with a higher level of courtesy.)

That being said, you should give an honest review—it will help the author to see the weak and strong points in their writing.  However, it is a thin line between helpful criticism and negativity.

We will read books we will not like, we will read books that we love, but we must remember to treat authors with the same level of respect in which we wish to be treated.  

Too often I see writers, so absorbed in their own grandeur that they begin knocking authors down.  Writing is a personal struggle, a battle against life, a battle against self-doubt, and an occupation that requires a tremendously thick-skin, but authors do not need to have other’s egos become major antagonists in the war that rages within them.  

If you feel that you must say something negative, send the author a personal message—your opinion does matter and it may help strengthen the writer.  It is easy in the Facebook age to be discreet and respectful.   Most importantly, please listen to our Mother’s advice, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  

*I am a positive person and if you choose to request a review from me, I can promise that I will focus on the positive aspects of your work.  I only wish to help raise other writers and I never break someone down.    

Alexis: For more information on Danica, go to http://www.danicawinters.net/

For a chance to win Danica's book CURSE OF THE WOLF leave her a comment :-)

CURSE OF THE WOLF:

For cursed, shape-shifting Veela, Gloriana, following her heart and giving her body to sexy, tortured werewolf Alexander means one thing-he will die and it will again be her fault. 

Once only a man, Alexander finds himself scarred by the memories of his former life and the deceptions and lies that surround him. When a glimmer of light breaks the madness, he must let go of his misguided preconceptions and the hatred that consumes him. 

On a mission for blood, they find unity in their desire for revenge, but are driven apart by their pasts. Traveling the darkest paths and fighting the very people they think they can trust, they draw closer to one another's hearts and further into danger.

Will the curse prove to be unstoppable... or is there hope in forbidden love?