Reviews and Unreasonable Fear

He who fears something gives it power over him. ~Moorish Proverb

Yay me! Another great review for "Kitchen Matches" -- this one is a five angel one from Fallen Angels Reviews, which says in part:

From the first few paragraphs I knew I would love this story from Marianne Arkins. She weaves humor and sexual tension with ease and had Cori and Micah heating up even after the (real) flames were doused.

And this reviewer isn't the first person to say this:

I’m hoping Ms. Arkins has plans for some of Cori’s brothers; I’d really love to visit this great family again.

So... hmmm.... better put on my thinking cap. But, it's a quandary. Do I write the sequel to "One Love For Liv" (Geoff's story), or a sequel to "Kitchen Matches" (probably Zach's story... he's just begging to be brought to his knees)?

And... let the nice words being said about this story be a lesson. "Kitchen Matches" was rejected more than once before I finally sold it. Persevere!

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I think there are few things as sad as kids who are terrified of dogs. Cautious is okay... that's not a bad thing, because not all dogs are sweet (like my loopy but harmless one). But terror? We have a neighbor whose daughter is absolutely so fearful she can't function. Worse, her fear isn't just dogs... it's pretty much anything that moves. And it was passed on by her mother (also afraid of dogs) who got it from her mother (incapacitated with fear of dogs).

It's not justified... none of them were ever attacked or bitten. It just is. And it affects their ability to live. My neighbor would like to walk on a daily basis, but we (unfortunately) have some folks who are irresponsible dog owners and let their dogs roam around footloose and fancy free. These dogs aren't going to bite you, however. Annoying, yes. Vicious? Not in the least. But, unless I can walk with her, or her husband can, she stays locked in the house. As do her children.

I've seen this more than once when taking my dog to the park. I took Dakota once when was still a little fluffy puppy and there were a couple of kids who all but climbed their mothers when they saw her -- and it wasn't as though she was close.

Sad. Sad. Sad.

You don't have to love dogs, but that kind of fear is just sad. Although, fear of anything that is that incapacitating is probably not particularly healthy.

But that's a post for another day.

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I rec'd a thank you note from an author for one of my reviewers the other day. And, perhaps I'm naive but I was surprised when her compliment included words to the effect of: it's clear that your reviewer actually read the entire book, and not just the first and last chapters like so many other reviewers do.

Really? Wow. After all, the reason we can't release as many reviews as I'd like is just the sheer amount of reading time involved. All of my reviewers read the stories from cover to virtual cover.

I'm still just ... shocked (?), flabbergasted (?), surprised (?) to even think that any other reviewers would do something like that. Do they? Really? I hope not.

On a side note, I've seen on more than one author loop that authors don't know if it's appropriate to send a thank you for a review. IMHO, it's absolutely appropriate -- with one little mention of a no-no: DON'T defend your story or attempt to explain something that the reviewer didn't like.

We don't mind when you tell us we've misspelled your heroine's name or your name... but if the reviewer didn't like something, she didn't like it. Remember, reviews are just one person's opinion.

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You Are Pasta Puttanesca

Compared to most people, you have a sexy and wild personality. So it fits that you're like a pasta popularized by street walkers! You like food with interesting, contrasting, and spicy flavors. You live an exciting life - and you wouldn't ever go for anything bland.

What Pasta Dish Are You?

Did they just say I'm a hooker?? LOL....

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