Of Critics and Cavemen : Ginn Hale
February 27, 2014 by ginnhale
We are delighted to welcome Ginn Hale to LYLBTB. She has been an amazing friend to the site, and we are thrilled that she has agreed to share some thoughts with us every now and then. I love how her mind works – so I am sure these posts will be fun to read, but also very insightful. Welcome, Ginn!! ❤
I imagine that when the very first human—let's call her Og— slapped up a little charcoal, ochre and mud on a cave wall, maybe intent upon depicting some great hunt, other early humans voiced opinions about the work.
Maybe Oop the hunter loved it. "You genius, Og. You too beautiful for this world!"
But Gup, flint-chipper, disagreed. "Image derivative of real hunt, lacking in depth and make cave smell like dung!"
Perhaps Og felt tempted to heft a rock at Gup in response, or maybe incite super-fan, Oop, to do the dirty work.
But possibly Og possessed the sort of good nature that allowed her to consider Gup's critique in a more balanced way; ignoring commentary that went counter to her personal vision of the work but respecting Gup's right to an opinion—even acknowledging the solid points Gup made.
Gup obviously not grasp symbolic thought. Still, Gup right about use of ox poop for stunning yellow color. Smells bad!
In that case Og's next work might well have turned out even more refined—and less malodorous—than the first. Between the support of Oop and the critical eye/nostril of Gup, a genuine work of art might have been inspired.
History—or my absurdist version— obviously does not relate the outcome of the first meeting of creative and critic. However, in the ages that have passed since we first flung dung as both creative expression and criticism, authors and reviewers have refined their callings. If my version of history is to be believed, then at the very least, we've all gained a much greater grasp of pronouns.
Nowadays, we authors (should) understand that every person is entitled to an opinion and most of us feel flattered and delighted when reviewers appreciate our books and then take the time and effort to share that appreciation with the world at large. We get paid royalties from the sales those reviews generate. To a great extent our livelihoods can be attributed to reviews of one kind or another. By contrast, most reviewers put in long hours and lots of thought simply because they love the genre they review.
Of course, not all reviews are good. And what would be the use of them if every review labeled every book ever printed as, "Best Book in the Whole F*cking World!" Empty praise is as meaningless. But honest praise can make all the difference for an author.
Though a negative review—particularly if it's insightful— can feel like a straight razor cutting out an author's heart and then slashing her wallet to bloodied shreds of overdrawn credit cards and expired cup noodle coupons.
It is in this moment when even the most mild-tempered author may, for an instant, discover herself hurtling back to the mental state of that primordial Og. She may find herself clenching her dung-slathered fist and preparing to hurl a nasty mass.
But as a fellow author I would advise against this. And not just because one is likely to end up spattered in a mess that does not wash out easily or cleanly. No, I would argue a more esoteric reason for authors to indulge and endure. No matter how harsh the review, no matter how terrible it feels, it's never acceptable to attack a reviewer for voicing an opinion. Not just because it makes one seem petty, controlling and possibly crazy, but because the heart of our own art is about freedom of expression.
If all the wide varieties of folk who call ourselves authors could be said to possess a higher purpose, it has to be to advocate and protect the right of every human being to tell a story and to voice an opinion—even if that opinion is that one's book felt derivative, lacking in depth and stank up the whole cave.
A bit about Ginn :
Ginn Hale lives in the Pacific Northwest, donates blood as a pastime, and tinkers with things.
Category : Ginn Hale, Read All About It!
Tags : ChitChat, GinnHale
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31 thoughts on "Of Critics and Cavemen : Ginn Hale"
Barb on February 27, 2014 at 11:36 pm said:
Gah!!! seriously… your way with words is wonderful!! Thanks sooooooo much for this!! ❤
ginnhale on February 27, 2014 at 11:43 pm said:
You're too kind!
I'm really glad you enjoyed it.
Megan Derr on February 27, 2014 at 11:44 pm said:
I wish more authors took this kind of advice. Everybody would be less stressed ^^;;
I think my favorite comment about my writing to date was the one that said my writing is 'far from Valhalla'. I still don't know what that means :3 Every time someone's review or comment starts to get to me too much, I remember the Valhalla bit and for some reason I chill out and let it go. Probably a weird talisman, as it were, but I'm good with weird 😉
ginnhale on February 28, 2014 at 12:18 am said:
'Far from Valhalla'… That really is strange and awesome. I kind of want to be able to work it into everyday conversation, like as a response to any random question.
"How are you today?"–Far from Valhalla
"Where do you think you're going?"–Far from Valhalla.
"Where did all the ice cream go?"– Far from Valhalla.
Truly you've been blessed with this turn of phrase, Megan! 😀
Barb on February 28, 2014 at 12:20 am said:
oh man… you just made me snort my coffee… far from Valhalla!! 🙂
Megan Derr on February 28, 2014 at 10:44 am said:
Ahaha, how did I never think of doing that? You're awesome
I really love the illustration! It's like a little bit of my inner Og got out! 😀
That's a snap chat of me first thing this morning! ! 🙂
And here I was thinking that she looked a bit like me before my first cup of coffee!
You don't think we were separated at birth do you?!
julio on February 28, 2014 at 12:39 am said:
Reblogged this on julio-alexi genao and commented:
ginn hale on dung-flinging book reviewers.
ginnhale on February 28, 2014 at 2:56 am said:
Thank you, Julio!
I'm really happy that you liked the post!
julio on March 3, 2014 at 1:26 am said:
please don't directly address me again
I get really excited, and I just changed these sheets this morning
Barb on March 3, 2014 at 2:56 pm said:
*snort*
BookSmitten on February 28, 2014 at 3:56 am said:
Another wonderful, eloquent voice of reason. Thanks so much for this post, Ginn 🙂 Not only is it excellent advice for authors, as a semi regular reviewer the support is very much appreciated.
The appreciation is mutual. Reviewers are often the only reason that small press books and LGBT books get noticed and picked up by a larger number of readers.
pjfaste on February 28, 2014 at 9:10 am said:
Thanks Ginn, hysterical start to an insightful article ;-D When I review books on Goodreads or Amazon I do try to be mindful to keep it constructive & not say things to cut the author to pieces if I don't like something. I have hopes of publishing something myself one day, so it's not hard to see myself in the writer's shoes. But I did once do a very strong, bad review I'm still ambivalent about. Not sure if it qualifies as a rant, but it might be close. It was about a 4 book series I felt a pulled a bait & switch on readers. Started with a free book, a cute gay-for-you m/m romance, but subsequent books take the reader on a journey of pain, thru the date rape, subsequent alcoholism & homelessness of one guy, leading to breakup of the relationship, then redemption & making up, the same poor guy ends up unjustly convicted of murder & sent to prison. And that's all fine, painful but fine. But then, after putting us through 3 anguish filled sequels, after the poor guy endures all manner of awful in jail, the only things getting him thru being his boyfriend's support & hope of getting out some day, the series pulls the rug out ½ way thru the final book : He gets a Dear John letter from the boyfriend "Sorry, but I've moved on" – What?!!! And no, they never get back together. The guy finds a new love interest in prison & the series ends with his release into an uncertain future. But I was beyond furious, having sobbed my way thru the other 3 books for this?! (Still makes me mad, can you tell?) In my review I stated I was sorry I'd bought the book & forewarned potential readers, but did give props for the gritty/realistic depiction of prison life. I just felt it shouldn't have been marketed as "romance" or needed some sort of warning/disclaimer about the lack of anything resembling an HEA or HFN for the couple. I don't know. I was angry when I wrote it, not so smart, but I still didn't just scream & yell, I tried to make it as balanced as possible between constructive criticism & serving the interest of fellow readers, but still felt bad after. I wondered if I should delete the review (if I even could?). To this day I still feel torn about it. I hate the idea of hurting the author's feelings/income, yet don't I have sort of a fellow-consumer's duty to other readers?
It sounds like you weren't going out of your way to slander that author, nor were you being dishonest about your reaction to reading the books.
And here's the thing, reviews aren't out there to stroke the ego of an author, (nor to chastise her/him). They should be written for the sake of other readers. I think you wrote a review that you would have wanted to have seen before you started the series to give you some kind of warning.
Nothing wrong with that.
faye01 on February 28, 2014 at 9:34 am said:
Yes, it's always the truly insightful comment that is the worst. It's horrible when our deepest fears about our work are laid bare and all the suspicions we harbored about our potential failures are proven real.
My kids go to Valhalla High School. I do live near it. I am never far from Valhalla.
Hey, we've got "the Vikings" just a few block away–a university football team. I'm pretty certain that after certain muddy, rainy weeks they might feel that Valhalla is all too near! 😀
I think it's really important for authors to realize that reviews aren't personal, but just responses to a work. A reader can say that a book seemed shallow or boring, but that doesn't mean that same is true of the author. I find it very helpful to keep that in mind and look at reviews as information about what did or didn't work in a story.
We aren't our books anymore that a cookie is the cook who baked it. (I mean,unless there's some very messed up voodoo going on in the bake shop!:D)
d.blue on February 28, 2014 at 9:48 am said:
Thank you for the wonderful thoughts. Well said. Now I will also be thinking of ways to work in "Far from Valhalla" into conversations.
Valhalla is catchy, isn't it?
Whit!!!!!!!!! on February 28, 2014 at 12:57 pm said:
I love the visuals created in this post! I actually laughed out loud. Very insightful, too. Also, appreciate the reviewer support and love your work!
ginnhale on February 28, 2014 at 1:15 pm said:
I'm so pleased that I got a laugh!
–hey, and a good review! ;D
Nicole Kimberling on February 28, 2014 at 1:34 pm said:
Picture of Gup look funny. Where Barb get it?
PS–Nice column Ginn.
I really like the picture too, but I think Barb's sources are secret–I'm pretty certain some kind of top-secret time travel is involved. 😀
KC on February 28, 2014 at 2:21 pm said:
Heh, love little Og, so cute 🙂
Wise, and also fun, post – you have such a way with words, Ginn!
Thanks, KC!
I'm right there with you, loving little Og.
louharper on February 28, 2014 at 2:28 pm said:
Great post, Ginn! I agree whole-heartedly; the stupidest thing an author can do is argue with a review. It never ends well.
No, it never does.
Astrid Amara on February 28, 2014 at 4:37 pm said:
Is it masochistic that I love the bad reviews almost as much as the good ones? I'm mostly amazed by how the same work can make one person thrilled and another one bored. Reading the reviews of Irregulars on Goodreads is fun for that – people rate the various stories in the anthology and some people are like "Astrid's story rocks!" and others "Astrid's story was the WORST!" and its a great example of how wide the spectrum is. I adore that.
I just hope that Og, despite her amazing talents, doesn't take to making poo art in my house. I have enough poo in my house as it is, thank you.
Poo so rarely transcends the medium to become enjoyable art!