The best feedback should sting a little!

So, I got my review from Kirkus Reviews today. You can see it here, but that is not the real reason for this post.

Kirkus, for those not familiar with it, is a top-quality and respected review service. They are not these “iffy” review services that tell you how great you are.

As I looked at the sub-headline of the review, I was like, OUCH, that stings.

The murky world of gambling is impressively portrayed, but as literary drama the novel is underwhelming — Kirkus Reviews

Underwhelming.

Ok, so now what?

Well, this is my first novel, and I knew going in that I was not a good writer. Good storyteller, sure, but I lack the skills needed to create solid literary drama. It might hurt to hear that out loud, but the real question should be what I am going to do with it.

That is the point of this post. Feedback that is nothing but flowers and sunshine is nice but not really helpful. Feedback that stings is a gift that one can learn from. So, as the book says — sometimes, YOU’VE GOT TO LOSE TO WIN.

Here is what I am going to do:

I am going to take the good stuff from the review and build on it, add to it, and make sure that I do not lose it as a strength in my next novel.

I am going to dig in and learn more about creating that Literary Drama that was missing from the first one.

Know this my friends and readers, I WANT your feedback; your honest feedback. It is how I will learn and get better at this newfound love of mine!