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Post by justinjoesherman on Mar 23, 2012 7:49:28 GMT -5
I'm really enjoying this thread and wanted to put in my two cents: I try to force myself to write a review (although I don't usually share my reviews) after every book that I read. It helps me to reflect on what worked and what didn't for my own writing, of course. I borrowed the following method, which I'll share here: Hook: Does the story pull you in right away and then hold your interest? Conflict: What is at stake in the story, and how is the tension used? Characters: Are these compelling, real people whom the reader cares about? Setting and Mood: Does the story make the reader feel like they are really there? Pace and Style: How well does the writer use the words to move the story along? Resolution: Does it have a satisfying ending? Grammar and Spelling: Overall Enjoyment: Was this a story that you’d not only buy, but would buy more of this author?
This is from a book on writing by the author J.A. Konrath, and I've found it very useful for focusing my own critiques. You can even score each from 1-5, although I would feel kind of funny using the actual scores in an internet critique.
I currently keep critiques mostly to myself. I appreciate the comments in this thread, though, and now would like to share them more in the future.
...Okay, three cents?
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Post by newburydave on Mar 23, 2012 8:33:54 GMT -5
Welcome Joe;
If you haven't already, start a "Hello, I'm ....." message in this thread and let us know a little about you.
Well met Brother.
SGD dave
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Post by j2starshine on Mar 23, 2012 16:19:38 GMT -5
Thanks justinjoesherman for sharing your method of critiques. I will refer to that list to guide my reviews. I attempted at writing up review for every single book I read for the purpose of professional development, but I didn't get far Its like pulling teeth. Dave thanks for your insights on this subject. I will have to do some more chewing on the topic and practice, practice, practice reviewing.
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Post by Kessie on Mar 23, 2012 20:41:20 GMT -5
Gee, you guys go into such depth with your reviews. I review stuff on my blog, and my criteria is:
Summary of what it's about What I liked about it What I didn't like about it Closing comments
But that's just on my blog, and it's not affecting their Amazon rankings. Usually if I review something, though, I'm recommending it to other peoples.
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Post by j2starshine on Mar 23, 2012 21:53:12 GMT -5
oh, not me. If you see any of my reviews on Amazon its similar to what you wrote...and I don't think I've ever posted a review of anything I didn't like. But what Dave said has me thinking though. I would like to be able to review a book and determine why I like or didn't like and be able to recreate what I like in my own works without plagiarism. Those kind of reviews I don't want to post, but to be able to grow in my craft. Karen Hanock mentioned how she did that when she started writing and I think I've read somewhere about how analyzing the works you like will help you become a better writer.
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Post by justinjoesherman on Mar 28, 2012 22:38:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the invitation, Dave. It is very nice to meet you, as well! I checked in a few weeks ago and spilled a little about myself, so I'll recap: I have been writing sporadically over the past decade and published a few short stories in small press mags, most excited about one in Golden Visions Magazine. I'm really liking the vibe I get from this board and appreciate the comments. Christian suspense is definitely my kind of stories! By day, I'm your friendly, neighborhood pharmacist. Cheers! Starshine: very glad you like my method of critiques. I hear you about not being able to write one for every book I've read. I try, but then get to reading an even better book and don't come back even to finishing the critiques! Where could I find your blog, Kessie? Sounds interesting!
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Post by Kessie on Mar 29, 2012 13:15:52 GMT -5
Justin: My blog is netraptor.org/blog. The article on there right now is one of my weirder ones. Usually I post artwork and stuff. :-p
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Post by justinjoesherman on Mar 29, 2012 21:48:09 GMT -5
Thanks, Kessie. Great sketches - you have quite the talent! Love the showcase of pictures. I'll have to keep checking back!
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Post by Kristen on Apr 1, 2012 19:06:48 GMT -5
Justin, thanks for sharing Konrath's review outline. Concise and helpful.
Kessie, I like yours too. I tend to not go into what the book is about, and do sort of a critique, like Dave said.
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Post by newburydave on Apr 1, 2012 20:00:22 GMT -5
IMHO the most important part of any review for the book buying public, our fellow readers, is the number of stars we give it. This number should reflect the the answer to the question: "Would I buy this book again if I didn't already own it?" er...well; or maybe: "Did I like this book well enough to recommend that YOU buy it if you don't already own it?" Well something like that; a combination maybe. The feedback/review part is in reality a justification for the stars you gave/didn't give it. IMHO The goodness of the logic in the linkage between Y-(the number of stars) and X-(the attractiveness/ plot goodness/ literary style/ grammar/ authorial workmanship/ or other) is the thing that will make or break our reputation for being a good reviewer and hence good at literary pursuits (ie. writing). ;D Most people will appreciate a well reasoned Rating and Review. If we don't have too many titles in the for sale, or for loan list, this could be a way to get positive name recognition in the book seller websites; And that my siblings is one of the ways to sell more of the titles that we do have up in the lists. Write on, Write better and Market smarter beloved Sibs. SGD dave
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Post by Kristen on Apr 5, 2012 16:48:10 GMT -5
Dave, that's very true. I oiften make buying decisions based on "this book has four and a half stars and that one only has four." Of course, you also want to look at the number of reviews, because three 5-star reviews are less reliable than 567 reviews that average out to 4 stars.
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