For the last two years, in my mostly adult-laden neighborhood, around this time of year, a fun practice has emerged. A surprise package appears on your doorstep. Usually contained in a plastic pumpkin bucket or a white bag resembling a ghost, it sits there awaiting your discovery. Inside, you open it up, your heart beating with excitement. My own delivery consisted of a seasonal oven mitt and matching dishtowel, two glittery decorative pumpkins, a handful of Halloween candy and the piece de resistance … a bottle of white wine! (My ghost knows me pretty well, evidently)
Included in the package are some written instructions: a sign to post on your front door that says, “We’ve Been Boo’d!” which will prevent you from being boo’ed twice. And brief instructions and more “We’ve Been Boo’d” signs to pass on. You are now responsible for “boo’ing” two more neighbors with fun gift packs of their own.
It’s a fun way to celebrate the Halloween season when the vast majority of us don’t have little trick or treaters to make or buy costumes for. My husband and I were among the first of the neighbors to be boo’d this year so we had the luxury of choosing two of the few homes with children. When we went shopping for goodies to fill the packages, we knew kitchen items wouldn’t do. We bought fun skeleton toys, battery-operated witches that cackled and a pumpkin to light up and display in their rooms, along with lots of candy.
Now, as I take my twice-daily walk around the neighborhood with my dog, Weezer, it’s fun to see how this practice has spread. We walk along and almost everyone in the neighborhood has the “We’ve Been Boo’d” sign displayed happily on their front door.
In this context, being booed is a good thing — a fun thing, a desired thing. But that’s not usually true. I was never an athlete, but I raised two athletic boys, and I’ve sat through more than my share of baseball, basketball and football games. We’ve all heard the stories of parents who take their observation of children’s games to the extreme — in a negative way. I always cringed while sitting in the stands, when someone’s parent would BOOO and yell derogatory comments at the performance of a player. C’mon people, these are kids!
I noticed it was usually one of the prominent players on the field who had the chance of impacting the outcome of the game. You know, the pitcher in baseball. Or the quarterback in football. The minutes are running down, the game is on the line, and instead of pitching that last strike, the ball sails right over the plate, resulting in << crack! >> a homerun! And a lost game for the defensive team. BOOO! You stink!
Or, the seconds are ticking down on the gridiron, the score is tied, and the quarterback launches a beautiful pass … right into the arms of an opposing team member — interception! BOOOO! You stink! My maternal heart always wanted to stand up, turn around and scold those adults who so easily expressed their disapproval of someone’s dear son who was putting himself on the line to play this game. Did they really think the player made this mistake on purpose? Of course not. And who knows what negative impact these words of criticism will have on that child as they move through their sports career … or God forbid, their lives?
Because I’m a published author, when people “booo” me, it comes in the form of written reviews. An author can be likened to the quarterback or pitcher of that book. Any time I introduce one of my “book babies” into the world, I know that it’s no longer mine, really. It’s the world’s. And because it’s out in the world, anyone can push the Review button and say anything they want about it.
I’ve been blessed with mostly positive reviews. I thank God for that. Because I consider my writing my ministry to the world, I write to spread God’s message of love and inspiration. With His help and partnership, I write the books that He guides me to write so that His people can be inspired by my stories.
But that doesn’t mean that occasionally someone takes issue to them or thinks “they stink!” Fiction is subjective, and that’s something I usually comfort myself with when I read a negative review. And I can prove it: for everyone who hates a book of mine, someone else loves it.
For my August book, Finding Love for the Workaholic, one reviewer left 2 stars and said, “This was an okay read for me, but to be honest I didn’t like Isabelle for a lot of the book. She started off super shallow and selfish. Zach was definitely the star of this book for me. He was a great guy, friendly, helpful and handsome.”
While another reader left 5 stars and said, “Zach and Isabelle’s story had my interest from the very beginning and I think I finished it in less than 24 hours! The storyline was good and the characters were so down-to-earth.”
Book 1 of my Murrells Inlet Miracles series, Sanctuary, had a few negative reviews, including this 1-star: “Typical pattern of a woman of supposed intelligence with a
good job goes weak in the knees for a man.”
Which made me wonder: first, did you realize this was a romance? And why shouldn’t an intelligent woman with a good job experience the excitement of going weak in the knees for a man?
Developing a thick skin is very important for a published author, or else negative reviews would send you hiding under your bed with a box of Kleenex. After 25 books published, I don’t mind them so much, especially if there’s a vast number of positive ones among the bad. I see them as a potential learning tool. It’s a way to see what readers are thinking, and determine if there’s a way to fix it without compromising my view of the story.
For example, my Book Seized, the finale of my Murrells Inlet Miracles series, came across to one or two readers as containing too much alcohol. It started out as a “gal-pal” book, and I unintentionally had them opening up a bottle of wine whenever the two friends got together. I didn’t intend the wine to indicate that they were problem drinkers, or that they were drinking to excess. The story wasn’t about that; it was just incidental. So I did some thinking about it, and praying about it. Is the social drinking that these two characters are doing, creating a barrier to the strong message of faith and forgiveness that was my intent for the story? By taking out the wine drinking and replacing it with good ole southern sweet tea, would I lose anything about my story? No? Okay, fine. I did a re-edit of that book about four months after it was published and I eliminated many of the scenes where the gal pals drank wine. It didn’t hurt the story one bit and hopefully it removed the objection that some people experienced.
So, getting booed can be helpful!
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Here’s some thought starters: Have you ever received public criticism about something? Did it hurt your feelings? Did it lead you to make constructive changes? As a reviewer, have you ever left a negative review for a book or product? What was your intent in doing so? As a reader, if you were interested in buying a book, what would you think about the negative reviews?
One commenter will be randomly picked on Halloween Day to receive a Kindle ebook of one book in my Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church series — any book of your choice.
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
I am one who struggles with negative criticism as I have suffered with low self esteem.
I try not to leave negative reviews for books and won’t leave below a 3 star which I think still says the book is ok its just not the best of the best. I will read low reviews depending what the item is.
I have left negative reviews for some items recently it was for a buyer who turned up with a $100 for an item costing $4 and asked for change. It was either a counterfeit or she was doing it to get something free. You have to ask at the bank for a $100 so it was sus so I gave a low rating more as a warning.
Another time recently was when I had bad service for an issue with the home phone. The guy didn’t listen and then he made fun of me cos I couldn’t say his name. I was sent a survey asking for feedback on the call and what I would give so I gave 1 out of 10 and explained what had happened. Ironically my issue was fixed thanks to the survey. I will always give a reason why I give a low rating and will be polite.
Hi Laurie! Thanks for sharing your neighborhood Halloween You’ve Been Boo’d tradition. I was debating doing that for our new neighbors with children, but in Michigan it has rained every day for the last two weeks. As a retiree I haven’t had the chance to purchase any fun items, since I limited my shopping. I am sending some photo Halloween cards to family and friends.
Laurie, I really enjoy your Matchmaking Mom series, but have not read them all. As Ausjenny mentioned I am more likely to leave a 2 star review for the book that I paid $10 or more. My pet peeve is with traditional publishers that charge as much for an ebook as a paperback and then publish a poorly written book filled with cliches or long descriptive passage that this avid reader know was added to add pages to the manuscript. Or isn’t true to the setting or time period. After receiving negative feedback from authors after leaving a 2 star review, I am very cautious leaving a low review. Yes, as a reviewer I have been boo’d. Best wishes and happy writing. Enjoy the fall.
Wished I received your package. Have lived in our house for 20 years and this is the first year I will not be handing out candy for Halloween. Sad not to interact with kids.
What a lovely tradition you have!
I try to be nice and helpful when I leave negative reviews, sometimes mentioning things that some readers might find offensive. I always am honest, though. I have worked hard to build an Amazon reviewer account where they know I will give an honest review, whether I’ve received an ARC copy or not. I don’t just give out 4 and 5 stars. When I first started reviewing, it took Amazon 2-3 days to approve any review. Now Amazon trusts me to the point where they approve my reviews almost immediately.
Also, I hope that authors realize the amount of time it takes for in-depth reviews with favorite quotes and constructive criticism, especially if I have to go back to the highlights to show editing errors or typos. As a proofreader, I could charge them an arm and a leg, but I am trying to help them make their book babies as professional as possible. It’s never to “boo” them. It’s always to help them.
Oh yes I will definitely share a bad customer service experience when asked to complete a survey. My hope is that the company can make changes to improve for future customers.
Ironically, sometimes negative reviews on my books lead me to make changes. Not always, but if I think it’s warranted.
Thanks for your thoughts! I know, I feel bad for the changes/reduction of trick or treating this year. Another 2020 casualty!
It is really fun!
Oh Lila, that sounds awesome and very helpful! And we all know there’s a hurtful way to criticize and a constructive way to share that same feedback. You do it the helpful way. :)
Laurie, such a fun thing to do for your neighbors.
Yes it sure is!
What fun! And such wisdom in taking negative reviews with a grain of salt (sometimes a whole shaker full) and seeking the helpful within the noise.
Happy non-occult, harvest season, candy distributing costume wearing celebration of your choosing!
You’ve got a fun neighborhood!! I’ve left a couple of three star reviews, and explained why I gave them that. I won’t give less, especially if it’s an ARC. I have had a couple of those that I couldn’t finish, and I let the author know before hand, and told them I would not be leaving a review. It’s not fair to the author if I can’t get into the book, and I’ll push myself to finish; however, there were those few that I just could NOT finish.
Haha Lincoln. Love it!
That’s a really great approach for ARC team members! Even if you love an author generally, you may not like all books from that author. Fiction is subjective. Nice approach.
I will check reciews for sometines but often take then with a grain of salt because I know people perceive things differently and what is an issue for someone else may not be for me. One of my weaknesses is accepting constructive criticism. I’m not totally sure why, but it is a struggle for me. I’m glad you’ve been able to develop a thick skin and have learned to take the negative reviews along with the good.
Oh Jessica I didn’t mean it was easy! Lol. But self survival to prevent myself from crawling into a corner at every negative review. It gets easier with time!!
I really like the idea of “booing” someone and giving them gifts and then having them give others gifts. Thats a nice idea. As to leaving a negative review, I havent really left one yet, bit if I do I try to make it more constructive if there was something that could be improved upon. I dont like it when people leave negative reviews just to trash a book and for no other reason.
What a fun thing to do for Halloween. No, I don’t leave bad reviews, the books I have read have all been very good books. (not entering the e book giveaway, but thank you.)
I have left negative reviews before (nothing under 3 stars though). But I always find positive to say about the book too and state that this is my opinion and other readers may not agree with me. I try to make it sound like the story wasn’t my cup of tea or whatever. I NEVER tear down the author and “sandwich” a negative between positive thoughts. If I think a story is less than 3 stars, I just don’t leave a review. If it’s a book that I’ve received from an author to review, I will contact said author and state why I can’t leave a review. Thankfully, I haven’t had to do that very often!
My intent is always with the thought that the author can improve something in their writing. :-)
P.S. I forgot to add, don’t enter me in the contest because I am reading your Oceanview Church series through Kindle Unlimited.
Megan, I agree! :)
Hi Alicia! Yes it’s a really fun practice even for empty nesters!
Thanks for the comment Trixi!
I love the idea of spreading fun and encouragement through being Boo’d. I have receive public criticism. I retreat into my shell and want to disappear. I have not given a bad review on any book. If I do not like a book, I do not finish it or review it. It maybe my style maybe different from someone else. The author put themselves out there by sharing their talent. No one should be boo’d for being themselves.
Sounds like a fun idea to share with neighbors.
I have, but I don’t feel it’s right to discuss it here.
To clarify, I have been publicly criticized.
I’m struggling with leaving a negative review for a book. I would rather not to – someone might actually like it, right? On the other hand, I might be thankful to a negative review if I share the same values….Hard topic :)
Debra, I love this attitude! I tend to follow that myself! What good could come from me putting negativity out on the internet? None.
Yes it sure is!
Yes it sure is!
Not a problem at all!
Exactly! I think it goes back to HOW the negative message is delivered. Productively, vs. mean-hearted. Kindness always goes further than meanness.
Hi Laurie, I love the idea of the ‘Booing Surprises’ for adult neighbours. That would be so much fun.
Yes, reviews are sometimes a difficult thing. I will never give a bad review because I don’t like a character, and I have only once never finished a book because the plot was so difficult to read. I rate a book on the basis of how well it is written, how much research seems to have gone into it, how well it flows, how well the characters were developed, and whether the writing was believable and/or fun, scary, sad, heart-breaking, intriguing, or whatever the author’s intention was in the beginning. Most of my reviews go from 3-5. I am torn between something less than 3-star, but I do think if a book has been badly done, it is only fair to other readers to let them know, and give the specific reason or the low review. I don’t think reviews should be on whether a reader liked the characters or even on inappropriate words based on my opinion. Let’s face it – I would never say ‘kick against the pricks’, but the Bible says it. :) It is the reader’s responsibility to check the genre, the clean category, other reader’s reviews, etc.
As a review a reviewer I do my best not to leave negative reviews. But if I ever do leave a negative review I try to explain why so that other readers know that it may not be for me but they may like it.
I appreciate all the thought that goes into your reviews Sandra!
That’s a really good approach!
Hi Laurie, Halloween isn’t big in Australia and I loved hearing about the ‘booing’ concept as an alternative. Your neighbourhood sounds like a fun place to live! 😊