Ah broccoli, that leafy green veggie that has as much calcium as a glass of milk, yet can still manage to smell like a gym sock when cooked. There are only two real opinions about broccoli: You either love it (like my daughter does, with ketchup) or you hate it (like myself). Love or hate. That’s it.
Broccoli, I think, is how people react to how I write. They either love the dark twisting edges that engulf it, or they hate the bitter taste it leaves on their tongues.
Now that my books are starting to climb up the charts, more and more broccoli haters are jumping into the mix. And they are being vocal about their hatred of my style and, I’ll admit, it doesn’t feel great. I know it comes with the territory, but I still have feelings. I think reviewers forget sometimes that there is a real human being that you’re attacking when you write bad reviews. Or maybe they do, and they just don’t care.
Personally, if I don’t care for a book, I just don’t leave a review. So their writing didn’t appeal to me? Big deal. It doesn’t mean that others won’t, so why bother to tarnish another persons reading experience with my hateful thoughts on their style?
So, the question becomes, what do you do with the new batch of broccoli haters that have showed up in your garden? You can’t ignore them since their bad reviews affect your ratings. Do you try to smother melted cheese on them hoping to make your style go down better?
I guess what I’m trying to say, is that if you read a book and love it, rate it on Amazon or Goodreads or Nook, or where ever. Give some love to the person that really needs it: the Author! If you pick up a book that starts to taste wrong, don’t finish it. Don’t even bother to review it. Just pick a different book from the garden. There’s a ton out there to choose from!
For now, however, there are more good reviews then bad. Which means I’ll keep writing. If the scales start to tip the other way, it may be time to call it a day. Maybe. Probably not though. Better get used to the taste of broccoli. After all, it’s good for ya!
Danielle Bannister, Author 
By your line of reasoning, I suppose that I love your writing, because broccoli is one of my favorite food groups. and remember that a passionate negative review is just as much a testament to the writer’s ability to spark an emotional reaction as a positive one…perhaps even more.
ha. always looking on the bright side, Jay!
For starters….Let me say I of all the things I red both Pulled books were wonderful. I am at the point now where I can get bored with a book easily. If I could count how many books on my book shelf that are collecting dust with the book mark stuck in there just in suspended animation. LOL! As an aspiring writer you are one of my heroes. Basically put haters gonna hate your work is incredible. Much love and respect. To me your work is like candy you want to eat the all of it in one sitting if you can (LOL!! I’m working on my medophors ) which is a rarity for me.
My thought are I have never read a book where I couldn’t find something good about it. I love to write, not published but I know the work that it takes and respect all those who put themselves out there like that.
Thank you darling. I needed to hear that. 🙂
Don’t let the haters get to you. You have a God given gift that is to be shared with the masses. I love your writing and many, many others do as well as evidenced by the huge amount of positive reviews you get. So forge on, don’t stop writing. Your fans look forward to reading more from you.
So I can’t smother people with cheese? Darn. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words. Forge on I will!
If you do happen to engage in any cheese smothering, give me a call. I’ll give you an alibi.
That’s my girl!