When you get a bad review, eat chocolate and keep writing

Yesterday my editor sent me the Kirkus review for THE DAY BEFORE.

Now, we all know Kirkus is known for being harsh, although some have said they've softened up the past year, since the sale. Still, they remind me a bit of this guy.

Well, I skimmed through the review quickly, with one eye practically closed, because I knew more than likely, it would be a bit painful. Mostly, I was looking for something nice. Something I could use in a quote on my web site. Just a little something. The closest thing I could find was:

"Sometimes the poetry just tells the story, and other times it is almost too precious."

That's not really a compliment though. It's like the reviewer is saying between the lines - give me a break! Haha. Beyond that, there's not a thing. It's just... not a good review.

A few years ago, I probably would have been upset by this review. But now, not so much. Part of it might have to do with the fact that I went to Lisa's memorial service on Saturday. For months, my thoughts have been filled with cancer, loss, and grief, and I've been so very aware of how precious life is. There isn't any time to be upset about a silly review from Kirkus! I have so many other things to do - things that matter.

But part of is just... I get it now. I understand these basic principles that come along with the business of being published:

1) Not everyone is going to like your book. No matter who you are, what you write, it's impossible to please everyone.

2) Some books are going to be more universally appealing than others. It's just the way it is, and my books are a bit different, in style and format.

When I go to schools and speak to kids, I tell them, "Don't be afraid to be different. In fact, dare to be different! We may get some flack for it, but we are being true to ourselves, and that's the most important thing." At the end of the day, I know my books speak to some kids in an important way, and I'm proud of that.

3) It is better to be reviewed with a not-so-great review than no review at all. I know librarians are smart people. They're going to be able to read through the reviewer's opinion and see that the premise is unique and surely some teens are going to want to read this book.

4) It is possible to get so-so reviews and still find success. It is also possible to get lots of wonderful reviews and have your book die a painful death. Reviews don't really guarantee anything. Yes, good ones are nice to have. But they aren't necessarily essential. I bet if I tried, I could find lots of NYT bestsellers who didn't get any rave reviews.

5) It seems I quote Sara Zarr all the time, but I love this thought she shared with Cynthia Leitich Smith in an interview: Can you separate your identity as a writer from your popularity as a writer? Because they are not the same thing.

Okay, so what if you're reading this thinking, but Lisa, it HURTS! They said mean things about my book!

Repeat after me. It is just ONE person's opinion. Just like not all agents liked your book, not all editors liked your book, neither will all reviewers like your book. It doesn't mean you're a bad person! And it certainly doesn't mean your book is bad.

Tuck it away, eat a bit of chocolate, move on, and KEEP WRITING. It'll be okay. It really will be. Write more books!! PROVE THAT REVIEWER WRONG!

 That's what I'm going to do.

My favorite part of the royal wedding

As the mother of two boys, I've watched Harry and William over the years with a special interest. My heart broke for them when their mother died. And watching as they walked behind Diana's casket? So, so sad.

As they walked into the church together today, I got teary, remembering that day. Here they are, years later, all grown up and such fine young men. Diana would be so proud.

So, my favorite moment? This one. Harry turns around and takes a peek at Kate (their backs were turned) and then says to his brother "Wait 'til you see her" with a very boyish grin. Oh Harry. I adore you.

Things I'm contemplating today

After watching Good Morning America this morning for a few minutes: Is this whole Donald Trump thing a joke? Like, is someone going to jump out at some point and say - gotcha?

After scheduling a couple of college visits in May: Will the anxiety ever go away about the whole college thing and my first-born? If I think going somewhere local and living at home would be best for a year or two, should I make him do it or not?

After realizing my cell phone contract is up this month: How is a simple person like me supposed to figure out which smartphone might be best to get?

After talking with friends yesterday about going to NYC: What are the must-sees in NYC when you only have a few days, and part of that time will be spent meeting people?

After a few e-mails yesterday: What would I do without my wonderful, wise writing friends?

After my long walk with the dog yesterday: Is there anything better than standing underneath a blossoming cherry tree and just breathing?

Monday Motivation - Battling the pre-release angst

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you *think* about it.  ~Mary Engelbreit

I know of writers who are paralyzed while writing, afraid of what others will think of their work. I'm usually able to get past that fear by turning up the music, turning off the noise of the internet, and letting myself get lost in the world of my characters. I've come to accept I'm not as good of a writer as I'd like to be. But I do my best. That's all I can do. Some people will like my writing and some won't. And that's okay. My job isn't to write a book *everyone* will love. My job is to write a book to the best of my abilities in an only a way I could tell it. I'm not saying it's always easy. Hell no. But I seem to be able to push through the fear, most of the time, and do what I need to do. 

In THE BREAKOUT NOVELIST, Donald Maass says, "Having something to say, or something you wish us to experience, is what gives your novel force. Identify it. Make it loud. Do not be afraid of what's burning in your heart. When it comes through on the page, you will be a true storyteller."

I love that. "Do not be afraid of what's burning in your heart." Mmmmm... I will have to play that line on repeat when I eventually dive into revisions on my latest YA.

For me, the fear and worries come along after the writing is done. Long done. Usually, when the book is about to hit the shelves, which is sort of ridiculous, because at that point, there isn't anything I can do.

I'm trying hard to battle those fears and worries as the release date of THE DAY BEFORE draws near. How?

1) By limiting my time on social network sites. About now, twitter starts to make me crazy. Every tweet about a fantastic book trailer reminds me that I don't have one and makes me anxious that I should. Every tweet about a book released in June reminds me there are lots of good books coming out in June and makes me wonder how mine will ever get noticed. Every tweet about a starred review makes my heart long a little more for one of my own. I could go on and on. When social networking starts to hurt me more than it helps me, it's time to let it go and not feel bad about it. 

2) By focusing on the good stuff, and saying thanks for them. Thank you for another book published. Thank you for my loyal readers (whether there are 4 or 4,444) who are excited about another book from me. Thank you for the opportunity to spend my days writing, and making an income off that work. Thank you, always, thank you.

3) By reminding myself of what I have accomplished instead of always thinking about what others have accomplished that I haven't. Easy to say. Harder to do.

4) By doing things that feed my soul - exercise, nature walks, movies, spending time with loved ones, and yes, writing. It seems some authors deal with the angst by being on-line more. Tweeting more, blogging more, giving stuff away, etc. etc. I don't find that works well for me. But you know, that's me.

5) By reminding myself that my worth as a human being is not tied up in how well my book sells. If my book doesn't sell well, it doesn't mean I am a bad person or even a terrible writer. There are too many factors at play for poor sales to really mean any ONE thing.

6) By celebrating the success of others. It is REALLY important to be happy for the success of other authors. I want to put that positive energy out there. It's good for everyone, me included. 

7) By finding ways to help other people. I find when I'm stuck inside my head too long, the best thing I can do is look for an opportunity to do some good in the world. There are so many people with far bigger problems than I have, and I should be spending time trying to help some of those people.

8) And finally, by reading this quote, from author Sara Zarr, over and over and over again:

"A book is a wonderful, miraculous thing, but in some sense, it's also just a book."

Anything you would add to the list?

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful that two more of my books will be in Scholastic fairs and clubs starting in the fall! YAY - this makes me all kinds of happy.

2. I am thankful that I had a fantastic conversation with my YA editor yesterday. She is so awesome and I hung up feeling incredibly blessed.

3. I am thankful we are supposed to have a sunny and warm day tomorrow! I have a house to clean and lots of shopping to do, and I am much more energized when the sun is shining.

4. I am thankful for a hair stylist who said to me yesterday, "Oh, I think you should, let's do it" when I told her I was thinking of growing out my bangs. She told me it will get really annoying for a while, which I knew, but that I MUST STICK WITH IT! I really sort of love it when people get firm with me in regards to very important matters.

5. I am thankful for the care my publisher has put into this book - I think it is so beautiful.

6. I am thankful for this movie that I can't wait to see. It's bittersweet though, because Lisa and I were supposed to watch it together. My husband said he'll go with me sometime in the next few weeks. The previews look great, and I just loved the book so much.

7. Most of all, I'm thankful for Easter. I have so many wonderful memories of family gatherings, Easter egg hunts and church services. I always wake up on Easter Sunday singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" and pretty much hum it all day long. I love it.



Have a great day!

It's April 19th - do you know what that means?

These two books are now available in paperback!! I found IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES at Barnes and Noble yesterday. If you go searching for one of them and the bookstore you're in doesn't carry it, remember, you can always ask to order it.

This latest edition of IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES has a little taste of SPRINKLES AND SECRETS at the end. And CHASING BROOKLYN has a sneak peek of THE DAY BEFORE.

Happy reading!

Things I like about being traditionally published

There is talk all over the internet about the pros and cons of self-publishing. If you think it's right for you, than by all means, do what you think is right for you.

But it bothers me when people start knocking those of us who have chosen traditional publishing and are continuing to choose, in this changing landscape, traditional publishing. So here is my top ten list of things I currently like about being traditionally published. Could this change in six months, a year, or two years? Of course.

I like:

10) Working with an agent, who is my business partner and so much more. I love having someone in my corner all the time, no matter what. Working with an editor, who is invested in my book, to make my work the very best it can be. The editor-author relationship is a special one. I think it's a little like having a really good personal trainer, who pushes you and makes you work hard because he/she knows the results are worth the hard work. Every editor I've had has made me a better writer, and has taught me something. Those are no small things.

9) Having a design team with people who are experts at design, and have studied what sells and what doesn't. I'm not artistic at all, which makes me appreciate what they do all the more. I've had so many people tell me I've been blessed in the cover department, and I couldn't agree more.

8) Having a publishing house that looks out for you and your books and submits them for awards and lists. I think it's wonderful to win awards and to be on lists! FAR FROM YOU and CHASING BROOKLYN were both chosen for the Texas Tayshas high school reading list. IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES was recently chosen as a 2011 Bank Street College of Education Best Book for 9-12 year olds.

7) Having an agent and/or publishing house who works hard at getting my books noticed overseas. CHASING BROOKLYN will be released in Korea soon and in Germany next year. I love that!

6) Getting picked up by Scholastic Book Fairs/Clubs. IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES has done extremely well in the book fairs and clubs. I'm positive that many lower-income kids, who wouldn't have otherwise had access to my book, were able to buy and read it because Scholastic picked it up after my publisher submitted it to them.

5) Having a sales team who works on my behalf to get my books in bookstores, and talks up my book to the necessary people so I don't have to worry about distribution at all.

4) Having a marketing team who sends books out to get reviewed, posts those reviews in relevant places,   and does some work on my behalf to get the word out about my book.

3) I can do as much or as little promotion as I want to. It's really the publisher's job to try and sell the book, so I think of most of the burden as being on the publisher. I do what I can, which is not a whole lot when you really get down to it. And the truth is, I don't want to do a whole lot. I really don't care for the sales part of the publishing business - it's definitely not my strength.

2) Doing school visits where kids can purchase books for me to sign so they can take them home with them. Which leads me to the number one reason.

1) Doing events where kids come with one of my books clutched tightly to their chests, the pages dog-eared, as they smily shyly and tell me how much they loved the book. Sometimes they tell me they've shared it with friends, and I like thinking about that book being passed from one set of hands to another, while the words, "You have to read this" are whispered.

I will respect your reasons if you choose to go the self-publishing route. I hope you will respect mine for choosing not to.

Wishing everyone much success, whatever path you choose!