Book Titles

Just popping in early Sunday morning to break out a discussion regarding titling books. As you know my book titles are:

My Daughter's Boyfriend
My Husband's Girlfriend
My Best Friend and My Man

Now, cutting to the chase: some readers LOVE my titles, think that they are catchy and are intrigued enough to put the books on their shopping list, etc. Others, as I am starting to find out, are wondering what the heck is going on and why do I name my books in this manner, yada yada.

One lady wrote me and said that the titles don't leave room for imagination and am I going to consider changing how I do things.

Which brings me to this -- titles sell books. An author or a publisher is trying his or her best to choose a title that will immediately click with a potential reader. You want your titles to stand out. You want it to perfectly convey the gist of your story. I am 100% aware that my books reach a certain target market so, of course, there will be readers that automatically pass up my books because they may be turned off by the content, titles, etc. And that's fine. I don't believe there is any book that every single person on earth is going to want to read. Not even Harry Potter and these sell millions (yet I've never read an HP book).

So I know my audience. And it is true that it takes several books before your readers find you. It takes years to build an audience. And usually the way to do that is by carving out a niche in the literary world -- a niche that identifies you as an author. Carl Weber, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Zane, Noire, Shannon Holmes, Victoria Christoper Murray, and countless others (well maybe not countless) but lots of authors have successfully managed this. I think it is too risky to write 7 books and all of them are drastically different from one another. You're dividing up your audience when you do that. So long story short, in order to build your career, in the beginning you're looking for consistency so people can know who you are, what you write.

A little history - when I was unpublished and first wrote My Daughter's Boyfriend, I had no idea that anyone would want to publish the book. It wasn't like I purposely said "I'm going to write lots of books that start with the word MY". That wasn't the case. I knew that MDB was a catchy title from the jump. The agent loved it and so did my publisher. And that is the reason I got my foot in the publishing door in the first place.

My second title My Husband's Girlfriend was actually created by my then editor. So I didn't name the book. My title was The Arrangement. But she actually started this trend for my books and I am grateful. It works! My books consistently sell. No, maybe not 100,000 per title but I have sold 100,000 copies collectively (or at least 100,000 are in print). The point is the publisher knows how to market my books. They know what they are doing and I am glad about that.

Now, at this point I have no idea what a 7th or 8th title would be. Not there yet. Hope to be there, but we'll see. I love writing books, love meeting fans, love it when people email me and say how much they enjoyed my books, how they are addictive, and how they connected to the story. These are the people that inspire me. I write for them. The ones that get it. Now, for the ones who don't, I'm sorry that they read the books and take it so seriously. They act like the characters existed in real life (LOL) and have a major attitude. But that's fine because my books are very emotional. You're going to feel pissed off when you read my books. And that is an amazing feat to me -- to take unreal people, fictional situations -- and cause readers to experience a myriad of strong, (STRONG) emotions, that sometimes sends them over the edge. Whew! Scary!

And the title, the cover, the storyline are what makes a reader pick up my book in the first place.

The next novel My Best Friend and My Man, same thing. You kinda sense what the book is about, but it won't be 100% predictable. (Hope not anyway, that would be scary too).

I'm currently reading a book called Why Black Men Love White Women. Hey, I love the darned title. It drew me in. And the book is fascinating and not what you think, it has surprises. The title is catchy. Some will write it off immediately without having read one word. Their loss. Take a chance though. Pick up a book with a title that makes you upset. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Signing off now...to finish reading a book with a controversial title.

Trapped in Blogger Hell

I am so excited because I haven't blogged in a year and the reason why is so silly it is embarrassing. Since Google took over Blogger, it confused me something terrible. And I never could remember my password --- until just now. Yayyyyyyyyy! So I haven't nothing special to talk about. Just excited that I cracked the code and got through.

While I'm here I want to mention that my third novel MY BEST FRIEND AND MY MAN will be released on June 3, 2008 in trade paperback. It is another taboo relationship novel that deals with men's and women's issues. I like the book and pray that you do as well. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Best-Friend-Man-Novel/dp/0307393771/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197286758&sr=8-1

Pre-sales book orders by bookstores are good and that is exciting to me. I was told by my agent that it takes several books before you can build an audience, before readers find out who you are. Thankfully, I am not sick of the writing business or anything like that and I still have a strong desire to write books, be published, connect with readers, all that.

Please let me know what you've been up to. Oh, before I forget, join me on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/cydneyrax). I have been having a good (and interesting) time on this site too.

Take care.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas (it feels good to say that), and Happy New Year.

Ignorant Readers / "Reviewers"

Woo, I hope I do stir up some discussion for what I'm about to drop in this post. One thing I do not like or understand is so-called 'reviewers' who really aren't reviewers because they haven't even read the book or seen the movie but yet have opinion. STOP! Stop it now. It is sooo annoying for people to blast a book they've never ever read, or don't plan to read yet they can voice their viewpoints?? WTF? Reviews should be done by people that have read the entire book. Not by someone that figures upfront it won't be worth their time. If it's not, get to stepping and let a true reader do his or her thing.
Another thing, please do not post every single plot twist in a review. WHY?? LOL. When you do that, you take away their desire to read a book or see or movie. Why should they at that point? They already know everything that's going to happen. The suspense has been removed. Ugh!
So do us authors a favor. Don't past judgement on things you don't know about it. Don't post reviews on what you've heard someone else say. Do read the whole book not just the first chapter and give it a rating. You aren't really qualified to post a rating based on a chapter. And if you don't like something, that's fine, but never tell someone 'don't waste your money.' That's an ignorant statement. Why? Because why would you care what other people do with their money. It's not yours. You don't have the right. I know that is a statement that some people tend to put in their comments, but it is totally irrelevant and unnecessary. :)
Okay, I'm about to get off my soapbox. Right now I'm reading Hood Rat by K'wan, my introduction to this author's work. I'm also working on my third book titled How To Be His Number One. And thanks to each of you that do read my books and have listed them as favorites. Thank God someone out there is feeling me!!! :)
Take care,
CR

MySpace.com

I don't know much about MySpace.com, but I just wanted to send a shout out to those folks that set up shop on that website -- and who have also mentioned My Daughter's Boyfriend as a book they've read and/or recommend. I really LOVE seeing my mentioned book on these personal sites, but I have no way to thank the people unless I join/sign up/create an account, and that's not about to happen. LOL. Sooooooooo thanks for making me smile. My readers always sprinkle some sunshine my way. Kisses to ya!! ---cydney rax

I finally have some good news

On the author tip, I learned today that my first lil book MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND has finally earned out its advance and I will be getting a royalty check. A nice unexpected chunk of change. This is absolutely one of the best things that can happen to a writer. And one thing I've never wanted to do is cause my publisher to lose money because I wasn't able to earn out my advance. But thank God, folks have been buying the book, especially the paperback edition and it's now in its second printing. So again, thank you to everyone that has been so supportive of MDB. I have really enjoyed visiting a few Houston area book clubs -- these ladies make me laugh sooo hard. Like The Sistah Hood Book Review, Brownstone Book Club, and others. We have so much fun and I love hearing the ladies diss my characters and talk about what they did, and how Tracey was so hated etc., It is amazing how readers look so far into a book in a way that an author doesn't intend and they pick up on things that even I hadn't thought about. Soooo, I am counting my blessings today -- and to me, earning royalties is a nice bonus because I try not to worry about how my book is selling. I don't hustle (shhh, don't tell anybody), I try not to get caught up. I just depend on word of mouth, and pray, and que sera sera. You simply can't control every aspect of the author life. You gotta let go of things and just enjoy each experience good or bad. And that's what I'm doing and what I hope to continue to do for the rest of my life.

Win an Oscar, Get a Divorce

Academy Award Winner Hilary Swank and her hubby Chad Lowe are separating --- another couple standing in the snaking line of the Hollywood Divorce Court. I just wonder what is it about Hollywood, or success perhaps, that makes it seems a relationship's demise is inevitable. Yes, I was shocked when Nick and Jessica split up (I really hate believing the tabloids and I rejected all their juicy little know-it-all rumors). I wasn't suprised by the break up of Gabrielle Union and her husband. And like most others, yeah, I was shocked that Brad Pitt would leave Jennifer. What's the world coming to? And God forbid, the February issue of Ebony Magazine just hit the street - the issue where they proclaim the 10 hottest black couples. I really detest that type of story because a lot of times we don't know what is going on behind closed doors when it comes to a famous couple's relationship. We are in awe of their love, we envy how he treats her like a queen, but is he beating her like a fiend when no one is looking? Oh well, I guess that's the point of this all. Never assume that a couple is truly happily in love. Next thing you know, you'll be reading about their busting up in some newspaper. It happens!

I've Been Tagged About Writing

Author Nikki Woods (Easier Said Than Done) tagged me about my writing/reading life. My assignment is to provide interesting facts about this aspect of my life.

WRITING

1. I always have a Super Thesarus right next to me whenever I write.
   
2. For me a lot of the writing involves thinking. Hearing dialogue in my head, pondering characters.
   
3. I'm probably one of the few folks that doesn't go by that 'write every day' motto.
   
4. I like writing very early, 5am, when it's totally quiet in the house.
   
5. There's definitely an inner critic that likes to follow me around and whisper things in my ear.
   
6. I never try to be like someone else. Like in the early days I would pretend like I was so-and-so. What would he do if he were writing this scene? Trust me, it doesn't work, trying to be someone else. So from now on, I'm just me. I write how I write, allow what is inside to come out, and know that I can only be the best Cydney Rax; that's my job.
   
7. I typically do not listen to music while writing a boo, especially when doing the first draft.
   
8. It takes me two years to work on projects. I'll have an idea years before I actually get to write the book; I have never 'thrown' a book together.
   
9. When I write I feel like a reader, not a writer, meaning I am surprised, disgusted, intrigued by my characters' actions, just like a reader would be.
   

READING LIFE

1. Man oh man, the year 2005 has been the year that I DIDN'T read alot of books. In past years, I could get to 3-4 books per month. Now it's like one book every few months. This year has been incredibly busy, distracting, difficult for me to concentrate. Awful. Once I finish up on my 2nd novel (My Husband's Girlfriend) I plan to read quite a few books in late December early January.
   
2. You know, even though I don't read a lot of novels, nothing keeps me from newspapers and magazines. I love Essence, Today's Black Woman, Sister2Sister, Charisma, US Weekly, People (Love entertainment news), Jet, Ebony, Writer's Digest, etc.
   
3. Sometimes I avoid reading other people's manuscripts because 8 times out of 10 they have written a scene or have character names that are identical to mine and I don't want anyone to think I'm copying their idea.
   
4. I miss the good old days of reading, when I was discovering some of the authors that are now quite successful. I miss going to this black bookstore called Main Street Books, when I first grew hip to black novels. I felt so very excited, like I walked right into heaven, just looking at the books with wide eyes and happy to know that there were a lot of black authors out there that I didn't know about.
   
5. I get tired of reading my own material. When you write books and work on them for months and years, by the time it comes out, your mind is really focused on the NEXT book.
   

Why do some people refuse to believe?

Okay, this is a post that might make some people uncomfortable, but I LOVE these type of topics. If you want to know who I am, read this blog. You see, I attend a wonderful church in Houston, and lately the series topic is called, IN GOD WE TRUST. And the pastor asks, do we really trust in God, or is it something that's just inscribed on dollar bills. Now, the reason why I really want to bring up this topic of believing in God is because I was looking at the news yesterday. And, as usual, a group of atheists are demanding that the government remove the words IN GOD WE TRUST off of our currency. I got mad. Turned off the TV. And pretty much forgot about it. But today, I am thinking, pondering within myself. Why do some people refuse to believe in God? Why do they expend so much energy claiming that He doesn't exist. And that when people pray, they're wasting their time, talking to the air, etc. One part of me feels sorry for unbelievers. And, to me an unbeliever is different from someone who is weak in faith. A weak in faith person believes in God (in general), but maybe they don't practice their faith on a daily basis. God isn't consuming their heart or mind, but they believe in the Higher Power. On the other hand, an atheist is a person that believes in his heart that there is no God. These people are considered FOOLS according to the Bible. Fools is a strong word.

Now, I for one KNOW that God is everything He says He is. For me it is a JOY to know that the very God that created heaven, earth, everything in it, including man, is alive. He talks to me, he answers prayer, he delivers me when I'm in trouble, he comforts me when I feel afraid, etc. It is a real, powerful, life-changing relationship and I love having that. And I wonder, why wouldn't everyone want this? This is sooo cool. It's fun. Because true believers in God have a special relationship; we have awesome benefits that can't be matched by any Fortune 500 company. I mean, I get chills when I realize all the great things we have by trusting in God. (Eg. I will never leave you nor forsake you; casting all your care on Him for he careth for you;I can do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think; My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory). And it goes on and on and on.

The fact that we can enjoy all these great benefits brings me to this -- some people, atheists, refuse to believe. Why? Because belief means responsibility. It means accountability. In a way, I understand that. No one wants to be accountable these days. We want to do what we want to do, and blame everything else when stuff won't go our way. If we kill someone and it's captured on videotape, we plead Not Guilty. If we lie and claim we are victim of Hurricane Katrina just to get a FEMA check, we say we needed that money. If we fall and slip on a banana outside Wal-Mart, we file a multi-million dollar lawsuit (except people don't realize until later that we planted the alleged banana).

If we are a kid that doesn't something our parents don't like, we lie, or admit we did wrong, but who the heck wants to get a spanking, or be put on a two-week punishment? Very few. So in a way, this is how an atheist thinks. He thinks that if he refuses to believe in God, no matter what, then he won't be accountable. He can live his life however he chooses without consequence. Ha ha. I wish that were so. The laws of God are like this - whether you believe in His existence or not, He is. You can refuse to believe till your brain explores. Nothing changes who God is. Kinda like what goes up, must come down. That's a law. And even if you refuse your best to believe it, it still IS.

I don't know, call me crazy but I think it's much easier to give in and believe in God and find out how awesome He really is, than to spend your entire life doding Him, fighting against Him, just to take your last breath and, well you know the rest. Losing my soul isn't worth it. My soul is too valuable to waste my time hoping that something as critical as believing in God is just a fairy tale.

Now, MTV, that's a fairy tale. People Magazine, the Weather Channel, the Lotto, and all these other things that people put their trust in, those kind of things are nothing, you can't stand on them. They won't save you. Bragging about your $5 million dollar party on South Beach, bragging about how you sold a million books, being proud of the fact that you own 25 buildings in Manhatten (al la Trump), none of that means a thing when you're about to meet your Maker.

I don't know about you but I want to go to heaven when I die. Nothing else is acceptable. LOL. So on this day, for the rest of my life, I choose to believe, I want to believe and even if I do something I shouldn't do (and that will happen), I can let the Lord reprimand me now instead of finding out what the big punishment will be later on down the road.

Think about it.

When it comes to men and women, who should pay what?

Okay,

If you are with a guy, either married or living together, how should the bills be split? Are couples still doing things the old-fashioned way (he pays rent, car notes, major bills); she may buy clothes, groceries, setting money aside for emergencies. What if she makes more money than he does? Does that automatically mean it's her job to foot the majority of the bills? What if both folks want new cars? Do you pay your own car insurance and car notes? Help a sista out...Times is hard. Gas is high. And a loaf of bread don't cost what it used to. LOL.

10 Things You Need to Know About Men

I was casually reading Redbook Magazine tonight and came across an article that cracked me up. Written by a sex columnist named Anka Radakovich, here in a nutshell, are her 10 intriguing discoveries about men. I'm paraphrasing what she says (don't want to take away her credit but you can find the true article in the Oct. 2005 mag).

(I love men, don't understand them, they drive me crazy, and I thought you'd get a kick out of this).

1. Men can't resist the tease - In other words he loves to be visually stimulated through strip teases; one thing can definitely lead to another.
2. Men are big kids and proud of it - No matter how old they get, don't they resort to childish behaviour. Cute, but childish? They like buying toys -- so they can play with them instead of handing the toys over to their children.
3. Men can't help but stare at other women - I guess this is good, if you're a woman that likes to be the center of attention. Being admired by ogling eyes is good for the ego - and yes, married men will stare you down too so don't be shocked. And they probably enjoy being stared at too -- as long as the stare doesn't say "Eww you are so gross." The article states that even male gorillas stare at female gorillas. So staring females down just comes naturally I guess. So if you catch a man staring at you, just say, "Eww you remind me of a gorilla" and watch him give you a blank look.
4. Men would love to cheat - Now I believe this one. Most men want a wife and an affair. Isn't that ideal? They would be willing to cheat more as long as they are guaranteed not to get caught. Well, who wouldn't want this? Surprisingly, some men just won't be interested even if given the perfect opportunity.
5. Men are perverts - Hmm. Pervert. Sexually freaky. Secretly unhibited. FREAKS.
6. Men want us to worship them - Okay, this is true, even if the guy screws up big time, he wants you to think he is a genius. In other words, LIE!
7. Men love oral sex - I guess men want their fairshare of the good times too, huh?
8. Men don't take hints - Now this is the one thing I know for a fact. I don't care how old the man is, what kind of degree he has, has many sisters he has, he is going to be very dumb when it comes to taking a hint. You will get very discouraged if you try to slyly suggest something to a man and expect him to get it. In other words, do yourself a favor-S P E L L it out. Otherwise you are wasting your time and he'll wonder why you have such a rotten attitude. It's maddening but reality. They just don't get it sometimes.
9. Men love their penises - Hmm, maybe this fascination starts when they're toddlers and are discovering different body parts. And I don't care how small the man is, he thinks he has it going on. Sometimes attitude and confidence make up for other shortcomings huh?
10. Men don't get Valentine's Day - most men won't get it. They underestimate the importance of a woman feeling valued through him going out of his way to buy her a card, flowers, box of candy, etc. A man thinks it's silly but a woman takes his gestures as a measure of his thoughtfulness and concern about her. I've seen so many men, with frowns on their faces, scouring the greeting card aisle every Feb. 14th - and he's probably buying a card so he won't have to hear his wife (or girlfriend, or mistresses) mouth.

http://www.redbookmag.com

I'm a Looter, Not a Finder

Okay, which news organization(s) were the first to depict black folk as looters and white folk as finders? And they say that black people are overly sensitive about race issues. I wonder why...?

I Know What It's Like to be Rescued From Water

Some things you never forget. It was a hot summer day in Michigan. A slew of family members, including uncles and cousins, decided to spend the day at the lake. I was four years old. My brother Michael was around 6, and the youngest daughter, Adrienne, was 3. From what I can recall, my parents and the rest of the kin hung out on the beach. Then my Uncle Mike suggested we all go for a boat ride. My dad was the one that stayed behind. At first being in the boat was fun. It was fast, we were moving. But then the movement stopped. My Uncle said the boat was sinking and everyone needed to stand up. I can still remember this. Four years old; one minute you're in a big boat, the next minute you're tossed into a lake. I remember going under, hearing sounds that resembled the beating of a drum, then coming up for air and screaming "Help". My eyes were closed. I was scared. I couldn't swim. But I had on an orange life preserver. It seemed we were in the water for so long, but after a while an elderly white couple rescued us. I was cold and shivering but glad to be out of the water. My mother lost her shoes, glasses and purse; maybe it sunk to the bottom of the lake. Everything was okay until Mom realized someone was missing. "Where's Adrienne?" My 3-year-old sister was the only one we couldn't find. Mom was frantic. My brother last saw her under the boat; apparently when the boat turned over, there was space enough to breath and talk. My brother was with her until he couldn't hold on any longer and he told her, "See you later."

We returned to the beach, wet and wild-looking, so funny looking that my father started laughing at us. His laughter turned to tears once Mom told him we couldn't find his daughter. I can barely remember what happened immediately after that, but at some point, my uncle and some others turned over his capsized boat and that's where they found Adrienne, unconsious but alive. She was rushed to the hospital and her stomach was pumped of the water.

Once we survived that boat accident, our family started attending the neighborhood baptist church. I never did learn to swim; the fear of the water stole that from me. And every now and then I think of that incident, and can still hear the sound of the drum beats.

The children that survived Hurricane Katrina won't ever forget their ordeal either. And even though I can't swim, and I'm not too crazy about boats, I am happy that the Lord saved me that day. And you can best believe the survivors will be happy they were saved too.

What's It Like at the Houston Astrodome

I'll be honest. Life feels very different right now. It feels different when you drive by the Houston Astrodome five days a week to go to work. And inside your mind you are well aware that they are there. The evacuees. The terrified mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers. Kids, so many kids, that fled for their lives from the effects of a hurricane that no one will soon forget. And so...your heart is torn. And you feel numb. And you want to see for yourself. And you say your prayers. And you drive down South Main and make a right turn on McNee street. You slowly drive through the gates of the great Reliant Park, the complex that houses Reliant Stadium (where the Texans play football), Reliant Arena, Reliant Center, and the now famous shelter, the Astrodome. You walk in and you shiver. It looks just like it does on CNN. Yet it doesn't. It feels more real. You smell the water. The after effects of that water that changed so many lives. You see the people. So many black folks. Some walk as if their mind is so far away. You wonder what they are thinking. You want to be friendly and smile, but you don't want to offend anyone. You see so many men. They walk with a swagger; they strut in a way that lets you know they don't want to be there. They are proud. They are strong. They don't want to believe they are displaced, away from their home, maybe disconnected from their families. You can hear it in their voices, you can see it in their eyes. They are hurt. They are mad. Breakfast is being served. Twinkies. Cold cereal. Granola bars. Donuts. Where are the grits? The sausage? I'm from Louisiana. I can't eat this stuff. You nod and laugh. You don't blame them for wanting a hot meal. But they are still thankful, polite. Some want coffee, but there's none to be had. I'm not sure why. The people try to keep up their spirits. If you ask their name, their eyes enlarge, as if they're shocked anyone would care enough to want to know them. Some don't want to talk; they look down, and mumble. But others, they give you a smile, they'll ask how it is to live in Houston. They'll make small talk, but then they move on. To where, I don't know. There are many TV monitors structured throughout the Dome. MTV, the news, all kinds of channels. Some folks are trying to sleep in a facility where the lights never go out. So you see crumpled bodies lying in cots with blankets covering their head. You see a kid now and then (on the 4th floor), but you know most of the kiddies are on the ground level. Just like on TV. You want to tell people to have a nice day, but that sounds so stupid. So meaningless. And you pray for these people. That they won't be there in the Dome for long. You pray that their families will be found. You pray that the peoples' lives will be restored. You pray that they will smile again with genuine joy. You pray this nightmare will soon be over. Because life feels so very different right now.

I've Been Tagged...and I've tagged Tayari, Shelia, Cherlyn, LadyLee and Angela Henry

Shelley Halima tagged me to see what 10 songs I've been listening to. As you can see, Jackson songs rate high in my life. They just make me want to shake my butt and I CANNOT dance at all. My steps rate kinda like the Peanuts gang. ROFL. Also love listening to the Mike Jones crew which is SOOO hot right now in Houston. And I started looking at the Waiting to Exhale movie, which made me want to listen to the soundtrack.

So these are the specific songs I've been listening to:
1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. ABC - The Jackson 5
3. The Love You Save - Jackson 5
4. Waiting to Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Whitney Houston
5. Gotta Be - Jagged Edge
6. Butterflies - Michael Jackson
7. Sittin' Sidewayz - Paul Wall
8. Sugar Daddy - Jackson 5
9. Count On Me - Whitney Houston and Cece Winans
10. Truth - Janet Jackson (from the All For You CD)
7:14 AM

CydneyR said...
Oops, I'm supposed to tag some folks and they should post their lists too.
Okay how about:

Tayari Jones
Ladylee
Shelia Goss
Angela Henry
Cherlyn Michaels

The Good Thing About Bad Reviews

I surf the Net a lot and from time to time I come across negative reviews of My Daughter's Boyfriend, a novel which seems to have irked countless numbers of people for many reasons. I really do not read entire reviews anymore (only the good reviews), but here is a link that someone took the time to post. It's an entire blog about my little book.

http://onthenightstand.blogspot.com/2005/06/my-daughters-boyfriend.html#comments

Now, everyone is going to have a different opinion, but one thing about bad reviews is this:

Sometimes, especially when people are very angry in their reviews, well, it only makes others curious and want to know what's going on with that book. An example is Confessions of a Video Vixen. So much anger. So many comments. Scathing reviews. And tons of controversy = book sales. People either shy away from the book or they want to see for themselves what's going on. So, in my opinion, that's a good thing. I want as many people as possible to know about My Daughter's Boyfriend by Cydney Rax. Don't let others scare you out of reading a book for yourself. Form your own opinion.

Also, it cracks me up when people say, "Don't buy this book." Well, all that does is make people buy it. Why? Because they get curious! Why shouldn't I buy it? What's in that book that I'm not supposed to see?... And folks still end up getting the book. It's the equivalent of telling someone not to do something, and that's the very thing that they're going to do. So thanks, seriously, to all the people that post the negative reviews. It can have positive results. And I do appreciate anyone that has heard of my book and read it anyway. I love it when people check the book out from the library. A library book is still a sold book. And when you tell someone to check a book out from the library, it's still an endorsement, right? And the more people that read your book and tell others about it, the more people become aware of you and your book. Not a bad thing.

Soooo, all of this stuff is just part of being an author. I read my contemporaries Amazon and BN.com reviews and so far no one is exempt from negative comments. I mean the million sellers get them. The mainstream, self-pubbed, literary folks, street fic writers, romance writers, all of us. But us authors must keep on keeping on. Everyone will not get what you do, haven't been where you been, or don't understand what you were striving to do with your story at the time you wrote it. It's okay. Write the kind of book you want, the book that makes you feel passionate, and surely there will be folks out there who do enjoy and appreciate what you do. They will tell you the total opposite of what others have said. They will ask when the next book is coming out. They will make you feel good inside with their kind words. And this, my friends, makes everything we endure as an author, worth the journey.

Peace out.

Cydney Rax
Author of that controversial book called MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND. Get the book and see for yourself what everyone is talking about.

P.S. Other books that get scathing reviews, that people tend to read just because of the reviews are:

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

And one of my favorites
High Maintenance by Jennifer Belle