She cries at good news. She laughs at bad. by Katherine Govier

Why do I cry when I get a terrific review? Really sob, with tears. This review is over the moon. “Lavishly researched and brilliant”  “astonish(es) with her ability to write about epic themes intimately” “emotionally wrenching”. I want to celebrate this moment. I want to tell people. I want to talk, but I email them. Because I can’t speak without tears.

I’m so shaken I have to go for a long walk in the rain. I want to understand this. Here’s what I come up with.

There is a lot of keeping a brave face in the (my) writers’ life.  There is a lot of saying that it’s okay only five people turned up for the reading (“We didn’t realize it was Earth Day when we booked you!”) There’s a lot of making do with okay reviews that say some nice things but don’t really GET the book. More and more often there is shrugging off the reviews that don’t happen,.

This is my ninth novel. I’ve been here before. I’m a seasoned professional, a big girl. I don’t pout over prize lists. I always say I know when I’ve succeeded or not, that I write for my readers, that I’m happy for any media, positive or negative. Etc and so forth.

But this is an amazing review!

And it’s a relief to let down the defenses.