I'm Struggling.

With what, you ask?

No, not money or health. Maybe it's my age catching up with me, I'm not sure.

The problem is writing the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery. Part of the problem could be because I don't even have copies in hand of #13 in the series--Spirit Shapes. Oh, I know it's getting close, if I haven't heard by the time this post is being read, I will be able to order copies soon.

When I get them, I'll be offering some free for people to read and offer reviews.

And maybe that's my problem because I found a not so wonderful review of #12 in the series, Raging Water. It was the first 2 star review I ever received. I shouldn't even pay any attention to it was there are nine 5 star reviews and one 4.

What happens I think, even if it is only one, it has rattled my confidence a bit.

What I need to do is forget it. After all, we don't all like the same books. Some of the things the reviewer criticized me for are elements that are in all of the Tempe books--a touch of the supernatural. And wow, Spirit Shapes is all about a haunted house full of ghosts and bad spirits and more. I hope my naysayer doesn't pick that one up--she said she wouldn't and I hope that's true.

Ideas are forming for the one I need to be writing. It will be set in Bear Creek as usual and on the reservation again as a movie is being made there. Because the tribal council will not allow the stars or the movie crew to bring their motor homes and trailers onto the reservation, they have set up at the campground on the lake, renting rooms at the Bear Creek Inn, and the female star has her huge motor home in the parking lot of the Inn.

Oh, and guess what, Miqui Sherwood has done it again--she's sheltering the director and his assistant.

Though I know there will be something about the trickster--not necessarily the coyote, and perhaps a flap over a sacred campground--I really haven't thought it all through. But the ideas are coming. And that's what has to happen.

The more I think about what may happen, and the more I start writing, the less I'll struggle. At least that's what I'm counting on.

Marilyn


Comments

Anne Gallagher said…
Don't let the negative review rattle you. I have had my share of them and I usually rage, cry, and then move on. They're not worth the paper they're written on.

Love the sound of your new book. Sounds fun. Best.
Thanks, Anne, I know better, but it's still hard.
I can't imagine anyone writing a two-star review for "Raging Waters." I loved the book, actually the whole series.
I've had my share of negative reviews - most of them by people who are lucky they can spell their own names - and I choose to ignore them. You can't please all of the people all of the time. :)
Madison Johns said…
Ignore those reviews. I try not to even read them. Maybe it's an independant author part, but I get some that are pretty scathing. Plus the more books you sell the more possibility that someone might not like your book. You can't please everyone!
I know not everyone likes the same type of book, Patricia, but it still made me wonder. And Madison, I'm not all that independent, I have a publisher for that series, Mundania, and Oak Tree Press for the other.
Tom Johnson said…
Marilyn, just put that 2-Star review aside and full steam ahead. Some people shouldn't be writing reviews. I had one fella write a glowing review of one of my books, all peaches and cream, then slapped on 3 Stars (gee, what's wrong with a 4 or 5, fella?) LOL. But the poor reviews are bound to surface every now and then. I review books for a number of publishers, and try to find a 4 or 5 rating for them, even if some are kind of weak. Visit my Blog at http://pulplair.blogspot.com/
Marja said…
Wouldn't it be nice if people only reviewed the books they really like? But it doesn't happen that way, and who knows, maybe the reviewer was just in a bad mood when they wrote the review. Your books are so very entertaining. Don't let one review throw you. The next book in my TBR stack just happens to be Raging Waters, and I can't wait to get to it.
Marja McGraw

Popular posts from this blog

Need to Catch Up With My Blog Tour?

Meet Morgen Bailey from the UK

The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries By Heather Haven