Yes, I read the reviews. The good ones make me do a little happy dance (which counts as exercise, so thank you for that!) I'm still new to publishing and I haven't received any written bad reviews (yet). However, I have been told personally that my book is not a particular reader's cup of tea. I listened carefully and realized that there was no criticism of my writing, but just a difference in reading styles and genre preferences. That's fine. Not every book is for every reader.
For legal purposes, obviously the answer is: no, I never incorporate anything from my real life into my novels. Naturally, that's said with my fingers crossed behind my back. The truth is that my real life is absolutely the main source of my inspiration, ideas, and scenarios.
