*How to write a review of a book you didn't like...Without causing a s***storm*
Hi Brats :)
I decided to take some time & write a post I wouldn't normally do but I hope it will help all of you in some way :)
Discovering bad reviews isn't anything new but I feel like it's getting worse - it's shocking to see how many people would take the time to openly castigate an author & their work, rather than taking the same amount of time to write something that will help them improve their shortcomings.
Not too long ago, I recieved an ARC for a book (the title & author of will remain nameless) & for the first time since I started blogging about books, I actually didn't finish it. You may ask "How's it possible to review a book you've never finished?" & to be honest I asked myself that exact question when it was time to write my review, but I realised it was important for me to say what needed saying. This brought me to the point where I had no idea how to write a review for a book I didn't enjoy, let alone finish. I have read a lot of reviews of books that people didn't like & I was afraid that I would be just like most of those reviewers - snarky, mean & just plain nasty! There have been times where I've read a bad review of books written by my friends & it took every bit of self-restraint NOT to openly declare war.
So I've compiled a list of tips to help you write a positive review for a book you particularly didn't like... without getting yourself caught in a s***storm with other people who disagree with you.
1. Provide Context - Give a reason for why didn't enjoy the book. Have enough reasoning to help people understand your perspective & respect your opinion. At the same time, use reassuring words like 'I really wanted to enjoy this book but it just didn't meet my personal expectations.' When I write a review, I substantiate why I loved it or why I didn't enjoy it. The point isn't to get people to NOT buy the book, but at the same time it's important to be honest.
2. Cut the writer some slack - Especially if it's their debut novel or if they only have 2 or 3 books published. You do not determine whether their careers will be successful or not & the book you give a bad review may become #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. You'll never know what it took for the author to write their story & fiction or not, writing a story you love is emotionally, physically & mentally exhausting. All the best authors will tell you what it takes from you to be so completely invested in their projects & characters.
3. Don't EVER review a book of an enemy - The writing world has become competitive, more so with the introduction & development of self-publishing, and there is no guarantee that you will be friends with EVERYONE. More importantly, if you think you'll be objective when reviewing the book of someone you don't like, THINK AGAIN. Objectivity flies out the window & then all bets are off. SAY NO... There's no need to bash the book just because you dislike the author. (I've been tempted many times but in the end it's a bad reflection on MY character, not that of the author)
4. Don't be an a**hole - Yes, I said don't be an a**hole. Have the maturity to have perspective & remember that it's not about YOU. Besides, do you think its a reflection on the author when you're a douche or a reflection on YOU? Exactly. I'm sure your parents have used the term 'If you don't have anyhting nice to say, then don't say anything at all.' There is no need to publicaly humiliate or belittle an author or their work. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY BEFORE YOU SAY IT.
5. Be HUMBLE about your opinion - If you don't like the author or their work then mention what it is that other people may like about it. Preferences in books is subjective & while you may think a book stinks worse than a horse with diarrhoea, someone else might think it's the greatest thing since Peanut butter!
6. Have balance - If the book was bad, don't use your entire review to talk about ONLY the bad points, balance it out by mentioning some redeeming qualities in equal measure. That way you don't look like an idiot & the author can still use your review to improve their work.
7. Add something you DID like - If you loved the characters or thought the writing was great then SAY THAT. Something small like that can make a big difference to a review, regardless of how much you disliked it.
8. Lastly, to the authors who have recieved a bad review - sit down, drink a beer & say "So what?'".. E.L James recieved some pretty shocking reviews for Fifty Shades but those didn't stop the rest of the world from falling in love with Christian & Ana. Don't allow a few sucky people & their sucky reviews to stop you from doing what you love. It's possible that the person reviewing your book can't do a better job than you can! And remember, not everyone will love your work, but as long as you ALWAYS disagree with the bad reviews then you have no reason to ever put your pen down.
In the end, we're all part of a global village of authors, striving for the same goals. It is because of this that we should support each other & offer constructive criticism respectfully. As bloggers & reviewers, we also have a reputation - authors trust us to give open & honest critique of their work, not show them what it looks like after being shoved through a mincer.
I hope this was helpful in some way & that writing a review for a book you didn't like will be less daunting after reading these tips :)
Tamsyn
xxx
I decided to take some time & write a post I wouldn't normally do but I hope it will help all of you in some way :)
Discovering bad reviews isn't anything new but I feel like it's getting worse - it's shocking to see how many people would take the time to openly castigate an author & their work, rather than taking the same amount of time to write something that will help them improve their shortcomings.
Not too long ago, I recieved an ARC for a book (the title & author of will remain nameless) & for the first time since I started blogging about books, I actually didn't finish it. You may ask "How's it possible to review a book you've never finished?" & to be honest I asked myself that exact question when it was time to write my review, but I realised it was important for me to say what needed saying. This brought me to the point where I had no idea how to write a review for a book I didn't enjoy, let alone finish. I have read a lot of reviews of books that people didn't like & I was afraid that I would be just like most of those reviewers - snarky, mean & just plain nasty! There have been times where I've read a bad review of books written by my friends & it took every bit of self-restraint NOT to openly declare war.
So I've compiled a list of tips to help you write a positive review for a book you particularly didn't like... without getting yourself caught in a s***storm with other people who disagree with you.
1. Provide Context - Give a reason for why didn't enjoy the book. Have enough reasoning to help people understand your perspective & respect your opinion. At the same time, use reassuring words like 'I really wanted to enjoy this book but it just didn't meet my personal expectations.' When I write a review, I substantiate why I loved it or why I didn't enjoy it. The point isn't to get people to NOT buy the book, but at the same time it's important to be honest.
2. Cut the writer some slack - Especially if it's their debut novel or if they only have 2 or 3 books published. You do not determine whether their careers will be successful or not & the book you give a bad review may become #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. You'll never know what it took for the author to write their story & fiction or not, writing a story you love is emotionally, physically & mentally exhausting. All the best authors will tell you what it takes from you to be so completely invested in their projects & characters.
3. Don't EVER review a book of an enemy - The writing world has become competitive, more so with the introduction & development of self-publishing, and there is no guarantee that you will be friends with EVERYONE. More importantly, if you think you'll be objective when reviewing the book of someone you don't like, THINK AGAIN. Objectivity flies out the window & then all bets are off. SAY NO... There's no need to bash the book just because you dislike the author. (I've been tempted many times but in the end it's a bad reflection on MY character, not that of the author)
4. Don't be an a**hole - Yes, I said don't be an a**hole. Have the maturity to have perspective & remember that it's not about YOU. Besides, do you think its a reflection on the author when you're a douche or a reflection on YOU? Exactly. I'm sure your parents have used the term 'If you don't have anyhting nice to say, then don't say anything at all.' There is no need to publicaly humiliate or belittle an author or their work. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY BEFORE YOU SAY IT.
5. Be HUMBLE about your opinion - If you don't like the author or their work then mention what it is that other people may like about it. Preferences in books is subjective & while you may think a book stinks worse than a horse with diarrhoea, someone else might think it's the greatest thing since Peanut butter!
6. Have balance - If the book was bad, don't use your entire review to talk about ONLY the bad points, balance it out by mentioning some redeeming qualities in equal measure. That way you don't look like an idiot & the author can still use your review to improve their work.
7. Add something you DID like - If you loved the characters or thought the writing was great then SAY THAT. Something small like that can make a big difference to a review, regardless of how much you disliked it.
8. Lastly, to the authors who have recieved a bad review - sit down, drink a beer & say "So what?'".. E.L James recieved some pretty shocking reviews for Fifty Shades but those didn't stop the rest of the world from falling in love with Christian & Ana. Don't allow a few sucky people & their sucky reviews to stop you from doing what you love. It's possible that the person reviewing your book can't do a better job than you can! And remember, not everyone will love your work, but as long as you ALWAYS disagree with the bad reviews then you have no reason to ever put your pen down.
In the end, we're all part of a global village of authors, striving for the same goals. It is because of this that we should support each other & offer constructive criticism respectfully. As bloggers & reviewers, we also have a reputation - authors trust us to give open & honest critique of their work, not show them what it looks like after being shoved through a mincer. I hope this was helpful in some way & that writing a review for a book you didn't like will be less daunting after reading these tips :)
Tamsyn
xxx
No comments have been added yet.
