Seasoned Reviewer vs. Second Grade Exhortation

It's an interesting experience to self publish books. There have been several ups and downs. Yesterday for example, I received a negative review for Tiny Garden, Big Trouble (Angel Garden Series) from Kirkus Reviews -which I actually had to pay for (more than a car payment and less than a purebred puppy).

The day prior to receiving my review, I read my book to nearly sixty children at church. Of course there were a few who were not interested in the book -as shown through exaggerated eye rolling and laying across the chairs or holding their heads in their hands as they obviously were feeling that being read to equaled punishment. In all fairness, when I took a "hand raising poll" of those who enjoy being read to, they shared eagerly how much they do not like being read to. However the majority of the children enjoyed the book and couldn't wait to receive the free copy I distributed afterwards.

One boy had several questions for me: What I had written already? Was this my first book? Would it actually be sold in a bookstore? How much would it sell for? He respectfully asked if he could have a second free copy to give to a friend -which of course I did find one for him. Then he tapped his pointing finger on the book and with much determination told me that I have to keep writing books -and further insisted I write exactly five more of the Angel Garden Pals Series.

As for the paid reviewer, yes, I will admit to the lack of professional editing -but the rest of the review avoids or does not mention the value of the lessons of God's love in our lives. It occurred to me that if a non Christian reads Christian fiction they may skip over the intent or blessings of the book. As such, you can imagine how it might read or come across if you removed God's love and Bible lessons from the book --then yes, it is quite horrid.

This leads me to make a comparison with my previous review and subsequent advice from the boy. He is a second grader, who struggled to read some of the words in an opening quote about angels. He said, "I love your book. It's really a good book!" He took the initiative to pull me aside and insist that I write five more books.

It is not easy to let go of a negative review. I did not think about negative reviews when I began writing. Certainly focusing on the negative sways us to stop listening to God who tells us who we are and who he is -thereby missing out on sharing the gospel with others.

Equally it is not so easy to accept that my young fan's opinion is of equal value to that of a professional review. The comparison begs the question of why we value adults more than children when it comes to matters of opinion. Is it that we value the adult more -or that we erroneously believe that children don't know what they are talking about? I do not want to take my young friend's words for granted.

It is, for each of us to determine -everyday...will we listen to the naysayers? Will we overlook those who we may take for granted? Or do we take in every moment of our blessings and look for God inside -hence valuing that which the world may not value. Yes, valuing what God values...for Jesus said:

"Let the little children come to me, 
and do not hinder them, 
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matt 19:14

By now you must surmise, which opinion I shall hold in my heart. I will only listen to the encouragers -such as my new second grade friend. I must not resort to believing that a professional review outweighs that which comes from the heart and soul of my fans. It is because you -my fans- -God led me to write each of these books.


~Lara Hensley Garno has also published, Meek and Journaling with God.