Of course it happens, it's only a matter of time. And if you are a well-known author receiving hundreds of reviews of your latest book, there will be more negative reviews than if you are an unknown author inspiring only a few. Still, it does provoke a reaction.
I liken it to pushing a buggy down the street when someone approaches you and says: 'Oh, what an ugly looking little creature,'
as your beloved one beams his most alluring smile. 'Still,' the critic continues, 'Who knows, with the right care and attention he may well improve and become someone worth looking at.'
You feel as if you've been punched in the stomach or kicked in the teeth. All that work.
The conception of the baby/book: wonderful, exhilarating
The months of working hard writing/being pregnant: par for the course, difficult at times, but worth it for the end result
The labour/final editing of the book: hard going, scary
The publication/delivery of the baby: euphoric
Post giving birth/publication: so much attention, all those heartfelt 'congratulations'
And the crunch point: the person who doesn't like your novel/your baby.
Quicklyish you recover. You try not to "trash" the person in your thoughts.
You remind yourself of all the lavish compliments bestowed on your book/your child. You remind yourself that everything is subjective. After all, what appears to someone as a functional and easy-to-keep kitchen might seem to someone else to be a cold and unwelcoming space. What to one woman is a cheap and tacky dress might appear to another as a sexy and fun garment.
And yes, from time to time I will have to remind myself of all this.
Jane
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