Reviewing
Rule #1 - Take the high road.
Everybody has their favorite genre. If you review a new novel from your chosen genre, it's easy to be positive. You already like the premise of most of the stories. You have a general idea of how the characters will appear and what their motivation might be. Reviewing will be easy and positive remarks seem to flow.
If you choose a genre not on your favorites list or new to you, positive comments skitter to the corners of your mind.
Let's set some ground rules.
You made the choice to review the novel. The author has put a great deal of time and effort into what you have before you; months, possibly years, in the making.
Don't zip through the book. Read it. The author deserves it.
Give a critical eye to the story structure, character construction, but don't skewer the book.
Give the author something positive; compliment the way the writer describes landscape or writes dialogue.
If you don't like the work or story, find something positive to say. You might include a comment about how you'll be interested to see the writer's work after a couple more books but don't be negative.
I've had reviewers give me two paragraphs of positive only to make a negative point about something rather inconsequential in a final two or three sentences. Slap in the face.
Think before you write. The next review could be about your work.
Sable Angel
Give the author something positive; compliment the way the writer describes landscape or writes dialogue.
If you don't like the work or story, find something positive to say. You might include a comment about how you'll be interested to see the writer's work after a couple more books but don't be negative.
I've had reviewers give me two paragraphs of positive only to make a negative point about something rather inconsequential in a final two or three sentences. Slap in the face.
Think before you write. The next review could be about your work.
Sable Angel
Good points, Sable.
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