Singer, songwriter, and all-around remarkable musician Charlie Puth, while speaking on the podcast Smartless, said this:
“Any artist that says that they’re not reading reviews or scouring the internet for reviews is lying.”
Sorry, Charlie.
I’m certainly not as talented, popular, or successful as Charlie Puth, but when I publish a book, as I’ve done ten times, many reviews are written.
Newspapers. Magazines. Online journals. Websites like Amazon and Goodreads.
The New York Times has reviewed some of my books.
I occasionally read those reviews, especially when my agent or editor sends them my way or someone in my life directs me to one, but scouring the internet?
Actively seeking and reading reviews of my work?
No, Charlie. I really don’t.
I never go out of my way to read reviews. I do not scour the internet for them. In general, I try to ignore them.
I don’t need the negative reviews to bring me down.
I don’t want the positive ones to inflate my ego.
Instead, I need to keep working.
Writing stories.
Telling stories.
Recording stories.
Writing jokes.
Consulting with clients.
Finding new stages.
Teaching.
Chasing.
Planning.
Dreaming.
Building solo shows. Preparing stories for the stage. Creating online courses. Writing magazine columns and blog posts. Performing standup. Writing novels and nonfiction. Looking for my next great adventure.
I don’t have time for reviews. I don’t have the mindspace for others’ praise and criticism. I don’t need, nor should I need, the opinions of others to build me up or break me down.
I told this to friends last night, and they think I’m a unicorn of sorts. They believe that most people seek out and read their reviews whenever possible.
I suspect most do, but I think a significant portion of people creating things like books, film, music, art, live entertainment, and all other creative pursuits are just like me:
I’m ignoring the opinions of others whenever possible.
Focusing as much as possible on the net thing.
No, Charlie Puth. Some of us are not scouring the internet for reviews. I recommend you stop this insidious behavior, too. I can’t imagine you garner much from actively seeking the opinions of others.
But maybe I’m wrong.
Maybe this is hugely beneficial to your craft.
I’m not denigrating this behavior if that’s how folks want to spend their time.
I’m just far too busy for that.
