Because NaNo (just under 13,000 words so far) is eating my brain, I’m even less prepared than normal for a Friday post. So I’m once again turning to John Irving’s interview in The Paris Review back in 1986:
“Reviews are only important when no one knows who you are.”
What say you?
6 Responses
I agree with that statement. Once I love an author, I don't pay attention to the reviews. Heck, I'll only read them (especially the one-starred ones) if I want to be entertained. Of course, I don't pay all that much attention to reviews to begin with, but some people do, so therefore I like having reviews (preferrably good ones). 🙂
Good job on your NaNo writing. Hope you're having fun!
Yeah I'll take any review that is honest.
As a reader, like Stacy, if I love the author, I don't even bother looking at reviews.
Very true. Once an author's famous, he only needs advertising, and even if he's written crap (and gets awful reviews), it'll sell tons.
Yeah, I don't think reviews matter after a certain level.
Congrats on the NaNo progress!
Thanks for the comments, all. I may have more to say on this subject down the road. Or not. We'll see.