As a private pilot, I'm held to the same standards and rules as the pilots who fly for the airlines when we're both in the air at the same time.
When we publish work for the general public's consumption, it doesn't matter whether we charge for it or give it away--it's out their for review, both good and bad.
I'm fortunate, in one sense, in that I come from the world of Madison Avenue where you either develop very thick skin in a hurry, or you get eaten alive.
For me, writing is a business. I keep score with money and not reviews. As such, I agree one-hundred percent about ignoring reviews--good ones or bad ones. That seems to especially apply to Amazon.
There is another facet that can be equally harsh and that is e-mails sent to you via your website or blog or publicity page. I've learned to just delete those without even opening them. They are the perfect Forrest Gump example of a "box of chocolates" considering most chocolate candies come filled with nuts. . .
When we publish work for the general public's consumption, it doesn't matter whether we charge for it or give it away--it's out their for review, both good and bad.
I'm fortunate, in one sense, in that I come from the world of Madison Avenue where you either develop very thick skin in a hurry, or you get eaten alive.
For me, writing is a business. I keep score with money and not reviews. As such, I agree one-hundred percent about ignoring reviews--good ones or bad ones. That seems to especially apply to Amazon.
There is another facet that can be equally harsh and that is e-mails sent to you via your website or blog or publicity page. I've learned to just delete those without even opening them. They are the perfect Forrest Gump example of a "box of chocolates" considering most chocolate candies come filled with nuts. . .