tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post1323142507784094260..comments2024-01-09T17:48:45.910-06:00Comments on Travis Erwin: Stormy Waters.Travis Erwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09420879160702098979noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-90459706055365598012010-05-04T17:10:47.193-05:002010-05-04T17:10:47.193-05:00Well, Travis, there's no accounting for taste ...Well, Travis, there's no accounting for taste or brains when it comes to reviews. Too bad that the reviewer is apparently clueless about what women like to read. I liked what I read and I am ready and willing to buy and read the rest when an intelligent publisher sees the work and snatches it up. Then you can thumb your nose at the idiot who didn't know when he had a good book in his hands.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01814808165711870147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-87124292900699740792010-05-04T15:34:04.800-05:002010-05-04T15:34:04.800-05:00Guts for garters, as Mark Terry said. I think tha...Guts for garters, as Mark Terry said. I think that's a weird barter, but okay.<br /><br />Obviously the judge knows nothing about women's fiction. But anonymous has a good point, too. Sometimes things can be learned. Sometimes, of course, the judges are idiots.<br /><br />I read it, wanted to read the rest of it, am ticked not to be able to read it. <br /><br />And I can't wait for the feedstore chronicles. Man, how many trips did I make to Mr. Joel's store for horse & mule feed in bags so heavy they made my rear springs groan and threaten lawsuits? Can't wait.Texannehttp://texanne.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-73158588115480933592010-05-04T15:07:53.678-05:002010-05-04T15:07:53.678-05:00Okay, they didn't like it, and that's alwa...Okay, they didn't like it, and that's always hard on the ego, but it's not a bad review--in the sense that they aren't shredding you, and they did include comments that could prove useful to you.<br /><br />Their opinion was:<br />- needs more tension (slow read)<br />- emotional payoff didn't seem believable<br /><br />Some of this could just be an issue of personal taste, but it's always useful to go over a piece and try to see what the reviewer was seeing. Sometimes you start noticing things you realize could be improved.<br /><br />That said, getting a mediocre review hurts, but Travis? You have talent, a wonderful writing voice, and heart. Keep working at it; you ARE going to get published someday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-75425104919238461772010-05-04T12:40:43.037-05:002010-05-04T12:40:43.037-05:00Critics blow.Critics blow.March2theSeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824771918572184205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-11282692557932730702010-05-04T12:40:30.686-05:002010-05-04T12:40:30.686-05:00Ah, hell with them, Travis. You are a great writer...Ah, hell with them, Travis. You are a great writer; don't let them make you believe otherwise!<br /><br />I'm waiting for you to get published, and I will definitely be a customer!Dizzy Ms. Lizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089738977432199662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-68262851813037544412010-05-04T10:42:52.745-05:002010-05-04T10:42:52.745-05:00Travis,
I'd read a book by the pirate. He'...Travis,<br />I'd read a book by the pirate. He's cool!Danette Haworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13220718895967380788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-82131335975026829042010-05-04T10:13:22.812-05:002010-05-04T10:13:22.812-05:00Has the reviewer never read a woman's fiction ...Has the reviewer never read a woman's fiction novel before? It sound like it, given they complain about about the time you devote to the development of the relationship. Hello! Reviewer, the relationship is the point of women's fiction!<br /><br />And I agree with the others that the person must be young, too young to have experienced enough of life for these characters to have any resonance. <br /><br />Don't get tied in knots about the review, Travis. It wasn't THAT bad, and clearly the reviewer is not a member of your intended audience, so their opinion doesn't matter.Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-82833904149055365762010-05-04T09:46:16.783-05:002010-05-04T09:46:16.783-05:00Sometimes I think those PW people just like to run...Sometimes I think those PW people just like to run authors over a cheese grater for kicks. It seems they do everythign to try to discourage writers and promote pap. In the words of John Wayne, don't let the bastards get you down.Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-31948580016834679242010-05-04T09:07:36.551-05:002010-05-04T09:07:36.551-05:00One day ye'll take their bloody ship, and then...One day ye'll take their bloody ship, and then they'll be a swabbing the decks while ye walk with muddy boots back and forth above them.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-9053968023918524462010-05-04T08:35:39.577-05:002010-05-04T08:35:39.577-05:00Well Travis, I'm sorry things didn't go be...Well Travis, I'm sorry things didn't go better for your entry. But rest easy knowing that you're out there and still plugging away at it. You're ahead of the game than I am, so as far as I'm concerned, that's pretty awesome. Keep at it bud - you'll get there when it's time.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07823808700523297184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-66550486697929000412010-05-04T08:24:54.638-05:002010-05-04T08:24:54.638-05:00Ye'll have their guts fer garters.
Eh, one op...Ye'll have their guts fer garters.<br /><br />Eh, one opinion and a snarky one at that. Apparently many others disagreed, which is how you made it as far as you did. Do you believe in the story? Then give it a little bit of time, see if there's a way to rewrite it, do so; or, if you still believe in it as is, start marketing.<br /><br />Success, matey, is the best revenge. And we pirates loves our revenge.Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-90075701443640925612010-05-04T07:59:05.271-05:002010-05-04T07:59:05.271-05:00Like Publisher's Weekly knows anything. They l...Like Publisher's Weekly knows anything. They love a lot of stuff I think is total drivel. . .you can't let one person's opinion stop you. <br /><br />I liked it.jerseygirl89http://jerseygirl89.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-55522945869968700182010-05-04T07:39:47.153-05:002010-05-04T07:39:47.153-05:00Ah hell, what does Publisher Weekly know anyway?
L...Ah hell, what does Publisher Weekly know anyway?<br />Last year, when I remembered to enter, I got the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde response. One reviewer gushed over my book and the other wanted to murder me before I further polluted the earth with my genes.<br />Remember one word: subjective.alex ketohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08003786334665677107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-47553671864374863902010-05-04T07:34:37.114-05:002010-05-04T07:34:37.114-05:00Travis, Both my girls are in the arts, and it has ...Travis, Both my girls are in the arts, and it has been a real education for me. Entering lots of contests and winning some, losing some, we've had to learn to tell ourselves that, after a loss, it was that person's opinion that day. Doesn't make it true or real in general - just that judge's opinion that day. Anna had one painting that one THIRD place in a podunk county show - THIRD PLACE. The same painting went on to win STATE grand champion over all entries, including tomatoes, for 4H entries. Goes to show, don't pay attention, do it because you know it is what you do and do it the best you can, and don't worry about those that don't like it - worry about those that do.Junosmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13855881312654998692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-63425516210977431212010-05-04T07:19:23.398-05:002010-05-04T07:19:23.398-05:00Hang in there, Travis. I think it's awesome t...Hang in there, Travis. I think it's awesome that you even enter these things. (I've never had the courage.) And finishing in the top 250 means you've really got something good - even if the PW reviewer panned your work. Keep up the good words and sooner or later you'll be making that reviewer eat his words.B.E. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04336115135400388268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-41847246895507414562010-05-04T07:14:31.828-05:002010-05-04T07:14:31.828-05:00You really did awesome getting as far as you did!!...You really did awesome getting as far as you did!!! Don't be so hard on yourself:)) You did great!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-48215314476222675852010-05-04T07:07:20.592-05:002010-05-04T07:07:20.592-05:00Don't get mad; get even: Revise and find a pub...Don't get mad; get even: Revise and find a publisher. Sorry about the crappy review, Travis. But placing in the top 250 is great!Tena Russhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08630397939303203418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-80205300638160163122010-05-04T06:31:52.125-05:002010-05-04T06:31:52.125-05:00If your novel made it to the Top 250, it’s good. ...If your novel made it to the Top 250, it’s good. Don’t let one review get to you – you know better! Tweak it if you will, but keep sending it out to publishers. <br />And good luck. :)Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14110235078325434919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-38479123147728821872010-05-04T03:47:42.547-05:002010-05-04T03:47:42.547-05:00For what it's worth, my best-selling graphic n...For what it's worth, my best-selling graphic novel (and the one that most people still seem to remember today) received MUCH more savage reviews. To say critics hated it would be an understatement. <br /><br />There might be something in that review you can use-- or they might just be off base. It happens.<br /><br />In the end, just keep writing, right? :)Steve Malleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17561234111786788616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-35470352845297811822010-05-04T03:17:55.518-05:002010-05-04T03:17:55.518-05:00Hi
You will find your treasure soon enough, don&#...Hi<br /><br />You will find your treasure soon enough, don't you worry. And it won't be in a map marked x either because you know in your heart where it's buried and how to dig it out!<br /><br />:-)<br /><br />You can do this.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-30398237428772164032010-05-04T00:49:54.042-05:002010-05-04T00:49:54.042-05:00As Jennifer said, phooey on the PW Reviewer. My P...As Jennifer said, phooey on the PW Reviewer. My PW review was awful. The others have been good or great. Don't let one opinion get you down, especially when it's from a nobody trying to bolster her low self esteem by taking shots at writers; someone who reviews for a slowly sinking journal trying to resuscitate itself through snarkiness. Trust your talent, your guts, and your manuscript.<br /><br />Yes, I enjoyed writing this comment.Stephen Parrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16883165490847664389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-7263175018647095162010-05-03T23:35:05.501-05:002010-05-03T23:35:05.501-05:00it is all in the taste...of course I have a vested...it is all in the taste...of course I have a vested interest because I am breathlessly awaiting the full manuscript for The Feedstore Chronicles....BUT I have to say they were a little harsh...I picture in my mind some little twenty somthing intern they paid to write this review...gotta remember they don't know their elbow from their ass and think lettuce is a food group so what do you expect???deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06867497703560796092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-67339615251700701322010-05-03T21:42:08.419-05:002010-05-03T21:42:08.419-05:00If I'm not mistaken, I once judged RIVER in a ...If I'm not mistaken, I once judged RIVER in a contest before I knew you and the names of entrants weren't included anyway. I believe I gave it 1st place. Am I remembering this correctly? I do recall that I loved what I read. So phooey on the PW Reviewer. In my humble opinion he/she has very poor taste in fiction.Jennifer Archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15620692454770703140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174721864572618040.post-51657004405384253332010-05-03T21:39:44.084-05:002010-05-03T21:39:44.084-05:00Man yer musket, Travis. I know you won't be a ...Man yer musket, Travis. I know you won't be a Minuteman! You'll outlast yer critics!Debra She Who Seekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01845703092794695023noreply@blogger.com