An Author Confesses
As most of you know, my first teen novel came out earlier this month, and when a novel such as "Playing the Field" is released, it is routinely reviewed by the various trade publications that cater to this genre.
To say reviewers have hated my debut novel would be sugar-coating things considerably. School Library Journal said, "[f]lat characterizations, dated slang, and wholly unbelievable scenarios prevent this novel from being anything close to a homerun." Kirkus Reviews wrote, "[t]oo improbable for realism, not sharp enough for farce and simply unconvincing." And VOYA even parenthetically wondered, "[h]ard to understand how it got published."
The reviews have stung. A lot. I admit it. In the past, I've said I don't care about what the critics say, but this time around, I have cared.
Until this weekend.
Over the weekend, more and more e-mails from teen readers continued to flood my inbox. And flood is the right word. The feedback I've received has been nothing short of overwhelming. Candid and inspirational responses from my intended audience -- teenagers -- reminding me why I write.
I write because I have something to say. I write because I have something to share. I write what I know, I write what I love.
I don't write for adults. For good reason. Speaking in general terms, they're too set in their ways. They want to be heard, but they don't like to listen. I like hanging out in the food court or on Myspace or in the skate park or in the student lounge a whole lot more. Those settings make a lot more sense. That's living in the real world.
Thanks for helping me keep my groove, and I do hope more of you get the chance to experience "Playing the Field."
Peace
Phil Bildner
To say reviewers have hated my debut novel would be sugar-coating things considerably. School Library Journal said, "[f]lat characterizations, dated slang, and wholly unbelievable scenarios prevent this novel from being anything close to a homerun." Kirkus Reviews wrote, "[t]oo improbable for realism, not sharp enough for farce and simply unconvincing." And VOYA even parenthetically wondered, "[h]ard to understand how it got published."
The reviews have stung. A lot. I admit it. In the past, I've said I don't care about what the critics say, but this time around, I have cared.
Until this weekend.
Over the weekend, more and more e-mails from teen readers continued to flood my inbox. And flood is the right word. The feedback I've received has been nothing short of overwhelming. Candid and inspirational responses from my intended audience -- teenagers -- reminding me why I write.
I write because I have something to say. I write because I have something to share. I write what I know, I write what I love.
I don't write for adults. For good reason. Speaking in general terms, they're too set in their ways. They want to be heard, but they don't like to listen. I like hanging out in the food court or on Myspace or in the skate park or in the student lounge a whole lot more. Those settings make a lot more sense. That's living in the real world.
Thanks for helping me keep my groove, and I do hope more of you get the chance to experience "Playing the Field."
Peace
Phil Bildner