Creative Reviews discussion
Tips and Tricks
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Tips and Tricks
Wow there are a lot of new posts on here! Where oh where have i been?? Oh wait. I was in the basement editing....and i have to go back.I will miss you all....... help me.
lol.
I've heard that before that a synopsis helps. I think it shows you've actually read the book and gives people an idea of what its about and why you liked it. Sometimes writers like bad reviews if they say something like: This book has way too much action and romance.
As far as sharing a synopsis of the book goes, I guess i can be a good thing, however, the review that you're writing for the book with or without including the book synopsis will still show that you've read the book. Otherwise, what's the reason for saying anything about it? lol. Sometimes I'll use the one from goodreads and give the credit for there with a link and sometimes I'll write my own little summary of the book. I don't think it's necessarily a bad review if you don't include a summary of what the book is about, because that's what the review is designed for.
i think that a synopsis is a nice addition because it gives the person reading the review an idea of what the book is about. Then they can see if it is a book that might appeal to them and then hear what the reviewer has to say about it.I don't think a synopsis is necessary but it is nice. :)
I think working a few lines of synopsis in is great, since not everyone who reads your review has recently read the book's description. I'm personally not a big fan of seeing an entire blurb cut and pasted from a book jacket, though. I prefer to read reviews that work in the info naturally, since I think when people look at reviews to click on on GoodReads, the ones with copied text probably all tend to blur together. At least they do for me when I'm looking for reviews to read. :)
Wendy Darling wrote: "I'm personally not a big fan of seeing an entire blurb cut and pasted from a book jacket, though. I prefer to read reviews that work in the info naturally, though."This is what I definitely agree with, because I never found it useful at all or necessary to put the blurb or synopsis of the book in the front of the review, when the whole point of the review itself is to tell you a little bit about what the book is naturally and what you did or didn't like about it and then the reader of the review can decide from there if they want to read the book or not. :)
Interesting points.... if you want it from an author's point of view (and assuming I can remember it all!!)Re links: As an author it's much more helpful to me to have at least a summary of the review attached to the book, even if it's a 2-liner, ie: Loved the plot, hated the writing style - 3 stars, for more details see . Don't in the least mind a link so long as there's enough there as well that the casual reader can get a rough idea of what you thought. I say this because as a reader, if there are 27 reviews I like to skim for overall consensus and if it sounds like a book that would appeal, maybe then go back and follow the links; but just "see what I thought at " vexes me (still with my reading hat on) enough that I probably won't look.
Synopsis: I'm so rubbish at these, and actually from gossipping with other authors, so are most of us. When people say "what's your story about?" your initial reaction is "I can tell you but it would take 200k words!!!!" So for me personally (and I can't say this is true for everyone), with either hat on (reader's or writer's) I like to know what stuck with the reviewer - as Wendy said, not the cut 'n' paste version, but your take on events. No spoilers please, but really interesting to see what events and storylines hit different people. Don't mind if it's not there but I personally consider it a bonus if it is!
Re writing style, I like the idea of that! Also a useful tool to help readers know if they'll like the book. Good call...
I've forgotten if there was anything else I wanted to add, though, so will leave it there for the time being....
JAC
I know I am terrible at writing a blurb or a synopsis of a book. On eof the reasons I started writing reviews was for more practice. The blurb i have written and re-written about 50 times for my own book is terrible! You are right JA I could tell you what my stuff is about in about 200k words!!!! lol.But yeah, cut and pasting the synopsis probably isn't a great idea....it gets redundant. I like to try and put it all in my own words.
Cambria, we are starting a support group for those of us who have tweaked our descriptions more than ten times and still hate them :).You are not alone!
BTW, reviewers, tell the reader about formatting problems in eBooks. There are almost always formatting issues, but sometimes they become intrusive and highly distracting.
There is one blog that I follow where spelling, grammar, and formatting get their own little rating like "nothing major".
Splitter
I include a synopsis when I post a review on my blog or somewhere like that. Most of my reviews here, Amazon, Smashwords, etc. do not include the synopsis because it is already there with the book description. I don't feel the need to repeat what has already been said on the page. I think it is important to give blog readers an idea of what the book is about. I don't always write extremely detailed reviews, so that may not be enough to convey what is actually going on in the story.
C.S. wrote: "Cambria, we are starting a support group for those of us who have tweaked our descriptions more than ten times and still hate them :).You are not alone!
BTW, reviewers, tell the reader about for..."
I always try to point out if there are a lot of errors and in what format I am reading for this very reason. I've only come across a few that were just really bad...
Cassie wrote: "I think it is important to give blog readers an idea of what the book is about. I don't always write extremely detailed reviews, so that may not be enough to convey what is actually going on in the story."The only point that I'm trying to make, is that whether or not you do or you don't include a synopsis of the book - that's up to the person who's writing the review. I, personally, don't feel as if it's all that necessary because that is what the review *I'm* or any other reviewer is writing, is supposed to be for in humble opinion. I don't think the review has to be extremely detailed in every single way, but I do feel like it should at least give you a good idea (without spoiling) of what the book is about, what you liked/didn't like, or what other issues (if there were any) that the book had. I think any good and honest book review will have that, without having to get extremely technical, over-analytical, or detailed down to the very last little minute detail. Personally, I feel it's up to the reviewer who's writing the review, to decide whether to include one or not. Sometimes, I don't mind including one, other's I just don't see the need to do it because I will be giving enough information in my reviews to tell you what's going on in the novel, without spoiling too much. Bottom line is, I don't think any reviewer should be told they have to include a synopsis by anyone else, if they don't feel it's necessary and they feel as if within their review they're writing will contain enough information.
Yes, one of the interesting things about reviews is how personal they are in style. But when you find a reviewer whose tastes mirror your own it can be both useful and very pleasing!TBH, as long as they're constructive and honest I don't think there's a right or wrong to it; only degrees of helpful and that will vary between one reader and the next anyhow.I suspect you have to write the review you'd like to read, just the same as when you're writing a book!
JAC
J.a. wrote: I suspect you have to write the review you'd like to read, just the same as when you're writing a book!This, I can definitely agree with, at least that's what I always try to do anyway as a reviewer and a book blogger. I'd like to write the reviews that I would like to see, for my followers to read them and then be able to decide if they'd like to take a chance on the book or not. Good advice.
Mod
This is just a fun little thread to give ideas out to people who may be looking for ways to switch up their review or maybe add that little something they didn't know was missing before! :)
I don't think that I'm confused at all, with the reasoning behind this thread. But, then again, I do feel as if some things that have been stated here, have had to do with me and with some of the things that I've been saying and I don't feel as if that's very fair. I was only stating an opinion, just the same as anyone else and it was an opinion that was on the topic that was being discussed - whether or not to add a synopsis of the book to a review that you're writing. If someone thought I was implying that people here are telling other's how to write their reviews, I can assure you that I wasn't. In this thread, I have been simply sharing a few tips/tricks, ideas, and reasoning's behind why I choose to either add a synopsis in my review for the book I'm reviewing or not. I just merely stated, that no one should be told how to write their review. It was an honest statement that wasn't meant to cause any trouble. Just my own personal humble opinion and I figured that I would be able to voice it, since everyone else is able to voice theirs.
No one is talking about you in code, Suz. I think we all get on here and post our opinions. They all vary that's why this thread is so cool. If you feel singled out, I apologize but no one is trying to make you feel that way. And if i wanted to say something to you or about you I would have enough respect to do it to your face or in private. Please feel free to keep posting your tips and tricks....but please stop implying that we are all talking about you. we aren't and your negativity is ruining the fun of this folder.
Suz, we are all opinionated. That's why we're reviewers and we will never all agree. I think you may be taking things a little too personally when they aren't meant that way.
Reviewing books is subjective, and any discussion about reviews will be, too. I certainly appreciate reading the discussions here, but in the end we all need to figure out what works best for us and for our readers. That's what I took away from Amy's statement.Generally speaking (because I've seen this come up in a number of threads in this group), anytime that people aren't responding to me in the way I'd hoped, whether it's on GoodReads reviews, blogs, or etc, I've usually find it's a good idea to try to figure out what I could be doing differently to encourage conversation or to figure out whether I'm coming on too strong in my stating opinions. But sometimes in a social situation, it really is just what it is and people will respond to statements that they find engaging. No one owes anyone else anything here. Well, except Cambria and Amy. We owe them respect and thanks for running this group!
Wendy Darling wrote: "Reviewing books is subjective, and any discussion about reviews will be, too. I certainly appreciate reading the discussions here, but in the end we all need to figure out what works best for us an..."Thank you for your insight Wendy! I think everything you are saying is true and you make very good points! :)
For anyone who is a writer!I have a facebook page dedicated to helping writers stay focused and inspired. I write on it multiple times a day and have over 1,100 followers so we get some great discussions going. If you or someone you know is a writer, you might want to check it out.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-La...
Elle
Ellelapraim.com
Hello to all my fellow writers!I have a facebook page dedicated to helping writers stay focused and inspired. I post on it several times a day and have over 1,100 followers, so we get some great discussions going. If you or someone you know is a writer, then you might want to check it out!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-La...
Elle
ellapraim.com
In the Olympics, they often give scores for technical and artistic merit. They are two separate things, at least to me.I could say something similar about a movie called "District 9". Very good premise, good special effects, and I almost couldn't sit through the whole thing. Everyone else seemed to love it. I'm pretty far from a prude, but every word word was the "F" word and the writing seemed lame.
I would give a movie like that a 3. On the technical side, it was very good and it DID have moments of interest for me. But over all, not really something I would ever watch again.
As for books...George R.R. Martin's "Feast for Crows" was a 3 to me. Technically, it was well written. Nearly exceptional. The story just didn't move. The book was like a long description of a wandering, pointless, camping trip for a couple characters (one in particular).
If you only get to give one score, you sort of have to average things out. I personally would always give more weight to enjoyability over technical achievement. It would probably be good, however, to mention your impressions of both the technical and the artistic (enjoyability) in your text.
Interesting subject. These were just my thoughts.
Splitter
Shane, I'd say that you get to address both points. If you acknowledge that it's technically very good, you should add that for some reason you just didn't get into it. People all have different tastes, so as long as your review has onjective points to it, people will also appreciate the subjective. Sometimes a thing is so perfect as to be soulless; but others it can be really flawed but still engaging. If you detail both sides of your opinion clearly in your review with reasons as far as possible, your reader can make up their own mind whether they agree or disagree.
After all, your review is a record of your opinion, but the reader is unlikely to take your opinion as their own without applying their own judgment as to the tone and impartiality of the review, as well as whether your tastes are similar to or different from their own.
JAC
Absolutely agree. Personal thoughts aside, you can comment on what you did like about the book, and then what you didn't. Much of a review is based upon your taste and I think most people reading reviews know that.
I think an opinion comes into play. Everyone has opinions and certain tastes but I think that regardless that other factors do come in to play. Like how well something is written, originality and characterization.I think that you can still give it a good review but say what you don't like as long as you can back up your words with examples.
And by the way I have seen lots of movies that make me wonder why everyone else seems to love it and i didn't. sometimes you like something and sometimes you don't. In a way it is all subjective. :)
I have a question, I just started a book blog and I VERY new to the whole reviewing world, even though I have been reading for years. How can I get writers to let me review thier books for my book blog without sound like I am hassaling them. I am wanting to be a big reviewer and I want more people to follow my blog. I am just in a pickle and I need all the tips I can get.
Cassandra wrote: "I have a question, I just started a book blog and I VERY new to the whole reviewing world, even though I have been reading for years. How can I get writers to let me review thier books for my book ..."I think it depends on who you go after. Traditionally published authors MIGHT not be as forthcoming, but we indie types LOVE giving out books for review. We NEED the reviews. You are doing US a favor.
So just ask. The worst anyone can tell you is "no".
Besides, no one can stop you from doing a review. You buy the book, you get to do a review if you like. If you ask for a free copy, you "owe"'the author a review...but that doesn't mean it has to be a positive review.
I think most of us indie types are willing to work with people like you.
Splitter
Mod
If you are looking for the authors to send you their books free of charge, that may be a little more difficult, but as Splitter stated, no one can stop you from reviewing ANYTHING that you have read.
We do have many authors here in this group that are very generous with sharing their work with you.
There is also another folder in here where you can list your blog and people will find you and follow!
Speaking as someone who has over 80 books on her to-review list at the moment, I promise you it is easier than you think ;-)!! I started my blog in what, April?...so ya...Do you have a Facebook page for your blog? (I am following you, but I haven't looked it over all the way). Connect to as much as you can: Facebook, Twitter, Networked Blogs, Book Blogger, Goodreads, Bloggers, Shelfari, LibraryThing...
Enter giveaways... Make sure you put your reviews where the authors will see them (Amazon, here, B&N, Smashwords, etc.). I've had several authors approach me after I had given them a review...maybe they've had something new coming out or whatever.
And when you start getting tons of books, make sure you stay organized so none slip through! ;-) I have a list with the date I received the book, if it was a giveaway win, and if they need it reviewed by a particular date (book release or whatever). The features (guest posts, interviews, etc.) get a feature date and they go up on the list based on the deadline.
In about a month you'll be overwhelmed! LOL
Cassandra wrote: "I have a question, I just started a book blog and I VERY new to the whole reviewing world, even though I have been reading for years. How can I get writers to let me review thier books for my book ..."Well being on here is a great start! Just put out there you want to review and they will come!!
Plus you can review anything you have already read and I even do movie reviews too. :)
Cassandra, indie authors are crying out for reviews! If you do an honest, objective review with fair criticism, you'll be bombarded with books and ebooks. Ebooks especially.Suggestion; as Cassie said, keep a page on the blog where you show the waiting list, and put an approximate waiting-time at the top.
Also, stuff like copying your reviews across to Amazon, Smashwords, the Apple iBookstore, Barnes and Noble, Librarything etc etc will gain you big brownie points - and if you email the link to the author when the review goes up, most will FB / Tweet / otherwise publicise it (esp if it's a good one!).
JAC
Amy wrote: "Exactly what Splitter just said! LOLIf you are looking for the authors to send you their books free of charge, that may be a little more difficult, but as Splitter stated, no one can stop you fr..."
Amy, THANK YOU FOR CREATING THIS AWESOME BLOG! :D I have gotten so much advice and help! Also, about getting a book for free to review, I have told authors that if I really enjoyed thier book I would buy it to support them. I don't want it all for free. LOL!
Cassie wrote: "Speaking as someone who has over 80 books on her to-review list at the moment, I promise you it is easier than you think ;-)!! I started my blog in what, April?...so ya...Do you have a Facebook ..."
This is such awesome advice! I never really thought of that, and I look at other's blogs and I am like "HOW DID THEY PUT THAT ON THIER PAGE! HOW DID THEY DO THAT!" So, I have a lot of learning to do.
I also noticed that there are some authors that have a list of people or something like that where you sign up and if you get accepted you can recieve thier ARC books. I had no idea what this is, or how to even find stuff like this. Does anyone know what the heck I am talking about? HAHA!
Mod
Thank you, Amy! I don't only wany ARCs, but I just recently learned of them and I thought that was pretty cool. Now I learn they cost more than the finished product which surprised me more than anything! I usually just buy book, or go to the library which always works for me. I just thought it would be cool to just get a few and see how that works out. Plus, this would give me the opportunity to help out Indie authors get their work out there! Anything to help! :)
Mod
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway
http://www.librarything.com/er/list
http://www.netgalley.com/
Amy! You are a goddess!!! Thank you so much for these links!Amy, your group is probably the best group I have joined thus far on goodreads! Haha. Swear I am not trying to butter you up haha! :)
Cassandra wrote: "Amy! You are a goddess!!! Thank you so much for these links!Amy, your group is probably the best group I have joined thus far on goodreads! Haha. Swear I am not trying to butter you up haha! :)"
Butter her up all you want ;-)... This IS the most awesome group!
Mod
Mod
Jelly goes good with butter, but it can't have seeds in it.
Mod
Do you mean we should have people look at them before we post them? I'm afraid that would skew my initial impression and feeling about a book. That's one of the reasons I usually will not read other reviews before writing mine. I'm just a sheepie at heart ;)
Mod
Creative Reviews
Books mentioned in this topic
Coming Home (other topics)On Dark Shores: The Lady (other topics)
When writing your review, you always want to give a small synopsis of the book. Be careful not to give anything ..."
Awesome comment! I never would have thought about including comments on the writing style.