tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post5339400461113592832..comments2023-09-06T06:58:32.684-07:00Comments on TO WRITE IS TO BREATHE, TO LIVE, TO DANCE: Gladiator: An Author's Thoughts on Reviews...C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-83995162117574020362011-04-08T18:57:38.642-07:002011-04-08T18:57:38.642-07:00Thanks, thanks, Tess!
I agree with your outtake on...Thanks, thanks, Tess!<br />I agree with your outtake on it 100%.<br />Hugs, lady!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-11248120006731743372011-04-08T15:57:28.727-07:002011-04-08T15:57:28.727-07:00You're absolutely right, C. You can't writ...You're absolutely right, C. You can't write to a review. That should never enter your mind. There will always be one review in the mix that just has to point out something. At least one. And you'll end up brushing it aside once you read all the others that take a story just for what it is and try not to add a superior spin and rewrite the author's book. <br /><br />One thing you missed here, C, is that sometimes a reviewer just plain gets it wrong, too. <br /><br />Great post. Great attitude! You'll go far in this business for sure.Tess MacKallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00066240659271231596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-39457805202779954182011-04-08T12:19:02.868-07:002011-04-08T12:19:02.868-07:00Hello, Celtic Chick! (LOVE that title!).
Yes, you ...Hello, Celtic Chick! (LOVE that title!).<br />Yes, you are so right. You have to accept that you truly cannot please everyone. <br />And...oh...I love Gladiator, too! In fact, I think it's time to get that out and watch it again. Sigh. Loves me some Russell.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-24300056938333790332011-04-08T12:16:57.194-07:002011-04-08T12:16:57.194-07:00Thank you, Laura! I LOVE what you said about it ta...Thank you, Laura! I LOVE what you said about it taking a few days to reach that 'zen'. And, boy, are you right! A pouty spell first, then it settled in and I stood back to think about it. <br />Hugs to you, lady!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-8325586659694361182011-04-08T11:50:25.420-07:002011-04-08T11:50:25.420-07:00I love Gladiator too. My favorite scene is the ope...I love Gladiator too. My favorite scene is the opening battle scene. I get goose bumps whenever I watch it. <br /><br />Reviews are subjective. Sometimes a reviewer just doesn't get the story or maybe they prefer m/m to m/f. <br /><br />You can't please everybody. <br /><br />Great post.Kelley Heckarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05673342477988998070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-87669065403925806172011-04-08T10:37:54.847-07:002011-04-08T10:37:54.847-07:00Great post, C. Zampa! Very honest and heartfelt. I...Great post, C. Zampa! Very honest and heartfelt. I applaud the way you handled the review and the way you veiwed the review itself. You're right, reading criticism is tough...but if you can take a breath and reach for objectivity, then you might learn something. But sometimes, it takes a day or two to reach that objective zen. LOL<br /><br />Nice job! Hugs!Laura G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07924762936902862532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-41162077773272581882011-04-08T05:02:18.204-07:002011-04-08T05:02:18.204-07:00Fiona, thank you so much for visiting.
And, you kn...Fiona, thank you so much for visiting.<br />And, you know, I never thought about it that way---that even reviews can sometimes reflect events in a reviewer's life that we are not privy to. Oh, that makes so much sense. <br />They're only people. And how nice it would be to think everyone would like our book, but it's just not going to be that way...because readers and reviewers ARE people, individuals.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-78782408420669379052011-04-08T05:00:07.754-07:002011-04-08T05:00:07.754-07:00Joylene. With those words, from you, I'm honor...Joylene. With those words, from you, I'm honored. I mean, truly honored.<br />Here I go again, I know, but you were my very first supporter when I started writing. So anything I learned and can pass down, I'm only paying it forward from when you reached out to help me.<br />Thank YOU.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-9699489681269476072011-04-07T22:07:23.029-07:002011-04-07T22:07:23.029-07:00Very sage advice. Like you, I try not to write fo...Very sage advice. Like you, I try not to write for reviews and really, you can't because every reviewer is reading your words through the prism of their own life experiences, which you are not privy to. When life throws unpleasant stuff your way you can laugh or cry...laughing leaves nicer lines on your face.Fiona McGierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495707848048468428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-71523529153751685292011-04-07T20:46:26.983-07:002011-04-07T20:46:26.983-07:00Damn--I'm proud of you. I'm also inspired ...Damn--I'm proud of you. I'm also inspired and motivated. You are a mentor to so many. I know you don't realize that, but writers are going to read this blog, for reasons you and I don't get to see, and they're going to come away feeling better. What a wonderful legacy. I'm so proud to know you.Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-28113347969320647242011-04-07T19:14:51.057-07:002011-04-07T19:14:51.057-07:00Hello, Damon!
I enjoyed your comment! Such good t...Hello, Damon! <br />I enjoyed your comment! Such good thoughts, and all so true!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-49405848299187308442011-04-07T17:01:15.027-07:002011-04-07T17:01:15.027-07:00Vive Zampas Maximus!
A lovely post... and true i...Vive Zampas Maximus! <br /><br />A lovely post... and true in so many ways. Anticipation IS the worst part of any form torture. Anticipation is how governments break political prisoners and children are broken in abusive homes.<br /><br />I think gladiatorial combat is a phenomenal metaphor because the flip side to combat of course is the raw spectacle of slaves fed to carnivorous beasts. Gore always draws the eye and in a world of bread and circus we have to expect the bloodlust of the mob.<br /><br />Being a slave to other's opinions chains you to the ground as firmly as any manacle and leaves you just as vulnerable. As you say, the difference between a gladiator and a slave chained for slaughter is the honor with which they face the attack, and the possibility of advancement. Only warriors can stand up and fight again. A slave in the ring is only a meal. Bravo to you to standing up and walking forward.<br /><br />As an agent once said to me, "You don't have to love the process, but you have ot learn to live with it."Damon Suedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16030863949197265863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-67668514772156540862011-04-07T15:57:16.475-07:002011-04-07T15:57:16.475-07:00Harlie, would you believe I looked for a LONG time...Harlie, would you believe I looked for a LONG time today on google for a pic of Russell. But every one of them, no kidding, every one of them was bitmap and would not download. Waaaggghhhh.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-50025655593273822702011-04-07T15:56:16.810-07:002011-04-07T15:56:16.810-07:00Hey, Harlie! I suppose it is hard to delve into wh...Hey, Harlie! I suppose it is hard to delve into what's not right in a book, and it would take quite a bit of tact. And I agree with you that some don't take the time to get to know the book, either. And there are those, too, that do NOT say anything good, as though they pleasure in negativity somehow.<br /><br />Nice to see you, girl!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-9704648355604756882011-04-07T14:54:20.561-07:002011-04-07T14:54:20.561-07:00Should have put a pic of Russell up on the blog......Should have put a pic of Russell up on the blog.......just saying. LOL!Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-56643931408798020032011-04-07T14:53:40.025-07:002011-04-07T14:53:40.025-07:00As a reviewer, I alwasy post the positive aspects ...As a reviewer, I alwasy post the positive aspects of the book that I have read. If I see anything that I didn't like, I will tell that in the review but I don't dwell on it. I respect the author's time it took to write the book, and the publisher for putting it out there for the world to read.<br /><br />I have learned reviewing that there are bad reviewers out; some that just don't care, some that only look for the bad and some that just take the time to read the book honestly. That just makes reviewers that take their job seriously...ticked off.<br /><br />Great post and I love Russel Crowe, too.Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-12116365263310712032011-04-07T12:23:08.168-07:002011-04-07T12:23:08.168-07:00Hello, Cassie!
I do agree with you! Even I, as a r...Hello, Cassie!<br />I do agree with you! Even I, as a reader, don't base a purchase from a review.<br />There are too many best sellers out there with poor or mediocre reviews. I'm just sayin'...LOL.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-11644726939921563652011-04-07T11:41:56.494-07:002011-04-07T11:41:56.494-07:00I want to hug you for this excellent blog post. Th...I want to hug you for this excellent blog post. That "incident" upset me for days and for many reasons. I felt her pain and yes, her reaction was a big, big no-no, but I understood. <br /><br />A review is only ONE person's opinion. Reviewers should be open minded readers. If they are not, they shouldn't review stories. There are some excellent review sites with excellent reviewers, I used to work with one of the best. And there are some nasty reviewers who clearly don't have a clue.<br /><br />In the end, I will be the judge if I want to read a book or not, a review good or bad isn't going to make me buy or not buy a book. It's my money and my call.Cassie Exlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032720662086516954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-77655730681627105452011-04-07T11:30:52.472-07:002011-04-07T11:30:52.472-07:00Hey, Cooper! I was fortunate enough not to have ma...Hey, Cooper! I was fortunate enough not to have many hecklers. But I've seen them and know that, for me personally, it would have been hard not to shout back. LOL. But somehow it seems to make you stronger by not letting it faze you.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-15466207037764812562011-04-07T11:28:47.737-07:002011-04-07T11:28:47.737-07:00Hey, Sarah Ballance! Thanks for visiting!
You know...Hey, Sarah Ballance! Thanks for visiting!<br />You know how scared I was. And it's a scary time as you wait for it to be posted. If, like me, you were unfortunate enough to know ahead of time that it was coming! LOL. Thanks for being there.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-44673283235808488422011-04-07T11:14:30.645-07:002011-04-07T11:14:30.645-07:00I really like your comment about how useless it is...I really like your comment about how useless it is for the gladiator (or the actor, or the writer) to turn to the audience and tell them to stop laughing/criticism/etc., because it really is pointless. Worse, it makes you look like a fool -- professionals have to stay focused on our goals, be they lions in the ring or the next novel we're working on.<br /><br />Great post. Thanks!Cooper Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429729583272600891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-81608358546150081352011-04-07T11:08:14.452-07:002011-04-07T11:08:14.452-07:00Very insightful as always, and words certainly to ...Very insightful as always, and words certainly to be taken to heart. You've got a great outlook - yet another reason I'll be sure my shelves always boast your latest release. ;c)Sarah Ballancehttp://sarahballance.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-3036333690056621202011-04-07T11:08:04.685-07:002011-04-07T11:08:04.685-07:00I agree 100%, Julie, about the unecessary use of c...I agree 100%, Julie, about the unecessary use of cruelty in reviews. I've seen some reviews and their subsequent comments that were beyond cruel, they were merciless. And, to me, that is unacceptable, and I will not--even when they're doling out good reviews--EVER take them seriously as reviewers. <br /><br />Thank you for visting!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-41989747344274722712011-04-07T10:56:32.715-07:002011-04-07T10:56:32.715-07:00You make some very valid points. Although it's...You make some very valid points. Although it's hard not to take a review personally, you have to, good bad or indifferent. It's an opinion, and everyone's entitled.<br /><br />At the same time, no one is entitled to be deliberately cruel, which some reviewers seem to find their prerogative.<br /><br />If you can learn from a review, you should - good or bad. But don't let it keep you from writing.<br /><br />Great blog!Julie Lynn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com