--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A bad review – or several— is, of course…" description: "\"“A bad review – or several— is, of course, one of the unavoidable pitfalls of being published.Some authors cry. Others get drunk. Most get mad. A few t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a01/c-w-gortner-23223_bad-review_a-bad-review-or-several-is-of-course-one_3127890.jpg" --- # A bad review – or several— is, of course, one of the… ![“A bad review – or several— is, of course, one of the unavoidable pitfalls of being published.Some authors cry. Others get drunk. Most get mad. A few take it in stride, or at least, pretend to. After all, it’s our book someone just skewered...In the end even a bad review is still a review. It means…” quote by C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a01/c-w-gortner-23223_bad-review_a-bad-review-or-several-is-of-course-one_3127890.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a01/c-w-gortner-23223_bad-review_a-bad-review-or-several-is-of-course-one_3127890.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a01/c-w-gortner-23223_bad-review_a-bad-review-or-several-is-of-course-one_3127890.jpg) > ““A bad review – or several— is, of course, one of the unavoidable pitfalls of being published.Some authors cry. Others get drunk. Most get mad. A few take it in stride, or at least, pretend to. After all, it’s our book someone just skewered...In the end even a bad review is still a review. It means someone cared enough to take the time to say: Hey, this sucks... Buy a DVD instead...So, how did I deal with bad reviews? How else? I cry. I get mad. I pretend not to care. Then I pour myself a glass of wine and call a friend to complain.”” [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bad reviews are inevitable; they show interest, even if negative, and can be handled with humor and perspective. **In simple terms:** Reviews show care, even if harsh. Key Takeaway Accept criticism, keep perspective, and find humor. Themes resilience humor criticism self‑care Mood reflective lighthearted Type personal motivational When to use this quote - writing career - book launch - media interviews - personal coping Key Concepts feedback loops emotional regulation public perception Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn a harsh review into constructive growth? - What habits keep you grounded after criticism? A Different Perspective Reviews may damage confidence if taken personally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad review](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-review/) [Bad reviews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-reviews/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ## Related quotes > [“Even a bad review is still a review. It means someone cared enough to take the time to say: Hey, this sucks. Don’t bother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/even-a-bad-review-is-still-a-review-it-means-someone-cared-enough-to/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [In my game, you get brokenhearted a bit. You do a play, get a bad review in the papers... actors are sensitive; you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-daniels/in-my-game-you-get-brokenhearted-a-bit-you-do-a-play-get-a-bad-review/) [Phil Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-daniels/) > [One thing I noticed over time is that if I got a bad review, usually the bad part of it was at the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-shaw/one-thing-i-noticed-over-time-is-that-if-i-got-a-bad-review-usually/) [Jim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-shaw/) > [A bad review may spoil your breakfast, but you shouldn't allow it to spoil your lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-amis/a-bad-review-may-spoil-your-breakfast-but-you-shouldn-t-allow-it-to/) [Kingsley Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-amis/) > [Whoever writes a bad review, I put their name on a list, and they're going to get taken care of one day down the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-ratner/whoever-writes-a-bad-review-i-put-their-name-on-a-list-and-they-re/) [Brett Ratner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-ratner/) > [I never expected to be in the papers. I personally never expected to be in the papers. The height of my ambition for these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-never-expected-to-be-in-the-papers-i-personally-never-expected-to/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [You know, you get a bad review as a writer, you remember it for 10 years. You get a hundred good reviews, you forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/you-know-you-get-a-bad-review-as-a-writer-you-remember-it-for-10/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [If I get a bad review, I dont take it personally because everyone is entitled to their opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/if-i-get-a-bad-review-i-dont-take-it-personally-because-everyone-is/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I was very vulnerable to criticism for many years. I could read a bad review and remember it my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-was-very-vulnerable-to-criticism-for-many-years-i-could-read-a-bad/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [One bad review doesn't ruin my day because I realize what a badge of honor it is to get a bit of criticism at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/one-bad-review-doesn-t-ruin-my-day-because-i-realize-what-a-badge-of/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I was in the original cast of 'Wicked', and that got a bad review in 'The New York Times,' and it's the most successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-leo-butz/i-was-in-the-original-cast-of-wicked-and-that-got-a-bad-review-in-the/) [Norbert Leo Butz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-leo-butz/) > [If I get a bad review, I don't take it personally because everyone is entitled to their opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/if-i-get-a-bad-review-i-don-t-take-it-personally-because-everyone-is/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [Since I got a really bad review when I was, like, 28 in 'The New York Times,' I don't read reviews anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-peet/since-i-got-a-really-bad-review-when-i-was-like-28-in-the-new-york/) [Amanda Peet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-peet/) > [A friend is someone I complain to about my other friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-benson/a-friend-is-someone-i-complain-to-about-my-other-friends/) [Doug Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-benson/) > [With every interview you feel like you lose a piece of yourself, and with every bad review you become just that little bit more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-march/with-every-interview-you-feel-like-you-lose-a-piece-of-yourself-and/) [Jane March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-march/) ## More by C.W. Gortner > [“The truth is, not one of is innocent. We all have sins to confess.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/the-truth-is-not-one-of-is-innocent-we-all-have-sins-to-confess/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“Youth is no protection; in the end, life scars us all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/youth-is-no-protection-in-the-end-life-scars-us-all/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“The world is only as small as we see it, my lady. Imagination knows no limits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/the-world-is-only-as-small-as-we-see-it-my-lady-imagination-knows-no/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“There are moments that define our existence, moments that, if we recognize them, become pivotal turning points in our life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/there-are-moments-that-define-our-existence-moments-that-if-we/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“You may come as a proud prince today young Habsburg. But you shall travel many more roads in Castile in death than you ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/you-may-come-as-a-proud-prince-today-young-habsburg-but-you-shall/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“You'll fare beer without love. We Medici always do." As soon as I spoke, I regretted it. I'd remembered Papa Clement's phrase exactly, used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/you-ll-fare-beer-without-love-we-medici-always-do-as-soon-as-i-spoke/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“Even a bad review is still a review. It means someone cared enough to take the time to say: Hey, this sucks. Don’t bother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/even-a-bad-review-is-still-a-review-it-means-someone-cared-enough-to/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“I’m married already—to my work.” I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/i-m-married-already-to-my-work-i/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“Was it worth it?" she sighed "I have found it is always worth fighting for what we believe in, regardless of the outcome. Risk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/was-it-worth-it-she-sighed-i-have-found-it-is-always-worth-fighting/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“having someone I could belong to was a lure I’d always both fought against and gravitated to. I did not like the idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/having-someone-i-could-belong-to-was-a-lure-i-d-always-both-fought/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“Vote for me, Adolf Hitler, and I’ll restore Germany to its rightful glory.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/vote-for-me-adolf-hitler-and-i-ll-restore-germany-to-its-rightful/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) > [“Love is a treacherous emotion. You will fare better without it. We Medici always have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/love-is-a-treacherous-emotion-you-will-fare-better-without-it-we/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) [Explore all 13 C.W. Gortner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) ## More Bad review quotes > [With every interview you feel like you lose a piece of yourself, and with every bad review you become just that little bit more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-march/with-every-interview-you-feel-like-you-lose-a-piece-of-yourself-and/) [Jane March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-march/) > [One bad review doesn't ruin my day because I realize what a badge of honor it is to get a bit of criticism at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/one-bad-review-doesn-t-ruin-my-day-because-i-realize-what-a-badge-of/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Writers are funny about reviews: when they get a good one they ignore it-- but when they get a bad review they never forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-buchwald/writers-are-funny-about-reviews-when-they-get-a-good-one-they-ignore/) [Art Buchwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-buchwald/) > [Since I got a really bad review when I was, like, 28 in 'The New York Times,' I don't read reviews anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-peet/since-i-got-a-really-bad-review-when-i-was-like-28-in-the-new-york/) [Amanda Peet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-peet/) > [I was very vulnerable to criticism for many years. I could read a bad review and remember it my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-was-very-vulnerable-to-criticism-for-many-years-i-could-read-a-bad/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [If I get a bad review, I don't take it personally because everyone is entitled to their opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/if-i-get-a-bad-review-i-don-t-take-it-personally-because-everyone-is/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [If I get a bad review, I dont take it personally because everyone is entitled to their opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/if-i-get-a-bad-review-i-dont-take-it-personally-because-everyone-is/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [With all of my films if I get one bad review and a bunch of good reviews the bad one is the only one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-farrelly/with-all-of-my-films-if-i-get-one-bad-review-and-a-bunch-of-good/) [Peter Farrelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-farrelly/) > [I prefer a good review. A bad review that dismisses us... I take it with a grain of salt. I go, 'Okay, they didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benji-madden/i-prefer-a-good-review-a-bad-review-that-dismisses-us-i-take-it-with/) [Benji Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benji-madden/) > [I don't read my reviews. Unless I'm unfortunate enough to catch something by accident, which happens, and it's always a bad review. Always, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-knightley/i-don-t-read-my-reviews-unless-i-m-unfortunate-enough-to-catch/) [Keira Knightley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-knightley/) > [I was in the original cast of 'Wicked', and that got a bad review in 'The New York Times,' and it's the most successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-leo-butz/i-was-in-the-original-cast-of-wicked-and-that-got-a-bad-review-in-the/) [Norbert Leo Butz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-leo-butz/) > [You know, you get a bad review as a writer, you remember it for 10 years. You get a hundred good reviews, you forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/you-know-you-get-a-bad-review-as-a-writer-you-remember-it-for-10/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [I never expected to be in the papers. I personally never expected to be in the papers. The height of my ambition for these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-never-expected-to-be-in-the-papers-i-personally-never-expected-to/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [The only thing worse than a bad review from the Ayatollah Khomeini would be a good review from the Ayatollah Khomeini.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/the-only-thing-worse-than-a-bad-review-from-the-ayatollah-khomeini/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Even a bad review is still a review. It means someone cared enough to take the time to say: Hey, this sucks. Don’t bother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-w-gortner/even-a-bad-review-is-still-a-review-it-means-someone-cared-enough-to/) [C.W. Gortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-w-gortner/) [Browse all 43 Bad review quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-review/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A bad review – or several— is, of course, one of the unavoidable pitfalls of being published.Some authors cry. Others get drunk. Most get mad. A few take it in stride, or at least, pretend to. After all, it’s our book someone just skewered...In the end even a bad review is still a review. It means someone cared enough to take the time to say: Hey, this sucks... Buy a DVD instead...So, how did I deal with bad reviews? How else? I cry. I get mad. I pretend not to care. Then I pour myself a glass of wine and call a friend to complain.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "C.W. 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