I recently read a blog post that said authors should never read the reviews for their books. My first thought was, You mean I have to stop obsessively compulsively checking Amazon and Goodreads every day for new reviews? I know I do this because I’m newly published and it’s overwhelmingly exciting. Good chance after my third or fourth book, the novelty will wear off and I’ll stop. But, I also feel that reading those reviews has made me more aware of my shortcomings and strengths as a writer.

I have to admit, it feels great to get a glowing four or five-star review full of praise for Tranquility. However, I also appreciate a good, solid, honest three-star review that points out the good, but also takes note of things that could be improved in my writing. It’s the same reason I attend writing workshops and participate in writing groups. Feedback is important to me. I’m not perfect. I’m still learning, and I want to continue learning and improving, so that each book will (hopefully) be better than the last.

So, keep the reviews coming and, for now, I’ll keep acting like a kid on Christmas morning every time I see a new one.