Raine Balkera - Romance Author

It probably isn't a good idea to write a poor review about another author's work when I'm trying to make a living as one myself. Right? Yes, and no. Maybe? I've struggled with this for awhile now, and then came to the conclusion that yes, I should keep my opinion to myself if that opinion isn't going to be helpful. And no, there are times when I am more of a reader than a writer and my opinion needs to be heard, too. Maybe it is fine to voice an opinion when I am so moved to do it that it can't be helped, like honest, positive, or glowing reviews that will help generate sales for that author . . . or like today, when I stopped struggling through a Kindle novel and simply had to say what was on my mind in the form of a review -- because AS a writer, I'd like to know these opinions (good and bad) about my own work so that I can improve my craft. I won't give the author's name or the book title here because that would be mean, and I...

Your comments, thoughts, suggestions, issues, and insight are always welcome. Please feel free to reply to any or all of my posts. The other day I came across an interesting post: No one appreciates more or adores the obscure like yours truly. However, it was the comments below this post that had me wondering about readership capabilities and the author's responsibility towards them. A few, like me, appreciate these handy tid-bits of information and would like to use them in their work while a majority of the respondents said nay, that if the word is obscure, then the reader will turn away. What got me riled up was a remark about not wanting to send their readers to a dictionary -- ever. As a child, I remember a 5th grade reader that had a glossary in the back. I poured over that thing like it was diamonds and rubies and pearls. Later, I would write down every word that I wasn't familiar with and then go home to open our family dictionary and look them up...