When A Reader Gets It

Here's the thing: I know I probably should take reviews with a grain of salt, but I think a lot of writers are like me: we live and die by these reviews. Over the years I've tried to curb my need for affirmation via reviews, and I think I've done okay, but at the same time, when a great review comes in, I've decided I'm just going to let myself celebrate. 

 

The way I look at it, we need that affirmation, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it. It's what helps us get from project to project. Especially when it comes from a complete stranger. That, to me, is way more empowering than a blurb from an industry heavyweight, or even a review from a fellow writer. That an absolute stranger would pick up not only one of my books, not just two, but three in a row and read them, and then review them...that's just music to the writing soul, man.

Also, too...it's so very wonderful when a reader "gets it," which is another thing I'm sure my writer friends can attest to. I know a lot of readers probably don't find my horror very...."horrorish." And that's totally okay. There's a lot of horror out there that, while well written, simply isn't my cup of tea. That's only one of the wonderful things about the horror genre; it's amazing diversity. 

Admittedly, though, I think the kind of horror I've written the last few years tends to draw fewer readers. And that's okay, too. I've made my peace with that. So, when I come across reviews like the following, from a Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell on Goodreads, it's like tonic for my writer's heart. My type of horror may not be drawing in hundreds and thousands of readers, but it does resonate with some folks, at that means the world to me.

Here's her amazingly in-depth review for Things You Need. My favorite bit is:

"I absolutely devoured this book. It was compelling and so wonderfully familiar, even though this is only my second visit to Clifton Heights, I love recognising names, events, places and faces. It is a testament to Kevin Lucia that he has a beautifully deft touch in his work, and these characters he so easily but faultlessly creates, are so well drawn you feel you have known them all your life."

 

 And here's her likewise detailed review of  Through A Mirror, Darkly. A snippet:

"I massively enjoyed this collection of weird, macabre and somehow almost familiar tales - the touch of a truly brilliant Author, in my opinion. You walk straight in, sit down, and everything feels like you are right at home. There's no awkward 'getting to know you' period to have to work through in the reader/writer relationship, before you know you don't need to fill up any silences; the writer has crafted such an honestly believable place to be, that you simply fit right in without needing to do anything more than listen to what he has to say."

 

Everyone needs affirmation that they're on the right path; that what they're doing is worthwhile. Writing can be a very lonely pursuit, and reviews like these are more than just "attaboys!" and ego-strokers. They're confirmation that somewhere, someone is listening to what you're saying, and they want to hear more.