if you could tell a beginner just *one* encouraging thing...

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

... what would it be?

[Darkpool]

The thing that made me start writing more reviews (but I'm still not very good at doing so) is the thought "who cares what anyone else thinks of what I write?" Instead, I started writing my reviews for myself, what I thought, and stopped worrying about what I 'should' think of a particular book. I find it a very important thought when I hated a book that is considered literary genius, or if I love a book that is widely scorned.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Tx Darkpool - I like that - I've seen some reviews that are fun to read, that I like a lot, that were obviously not written to an audience. We should all feel free to write what we believe, and what we want to write.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

The one thing I would tell a beginner is to not be afraid to say something - anything - more than just your star rating.

Even as little as "This book kept me up all night" or "I hated the main character" can help someone decide whether or not to read a book. And believe it or not, once you've cut your teeth on writing one or two sentences on a book or two, writing a bit more the next time will get easier and easier.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

That is *so* true. A first step is a great one! Even if someone only has time and energy to write that kind of 5-6 word sentence, their contribution is valuable to potential readers!

[Sarah]

Uhm.. I would say not to be afraid of being controversial. That's not to say mean, but sometimes you need to say if you think a book is racist or sexist or, going the other way, if it tackles some interesting issues about gender or sexuality. Whenever I write things like that sometimes I think, am I soapboxing? Does anyone care if this book has some interesting themes about class and social justice? And then I think, whatever, I care! Maybe if they read that with the rest of the review then they'll be able to enjoy the book more when they notice what I'm talking about!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Sarah, I very much appreciate negative reviews. I just want to know *why* you didn't like it. I might not agree with you, but that's beside the point. It helps me decide whether I want to read the book or not.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

And controversial opinions are terrific - I love reading people talk about how books address Issues. So long as you're on a soabbox, and not frothing rabid, I (personally) want to read your words! I totally get more out of a book if I read other's reactions to it.

[Iset]

I'm going to say the same thing as everyone else. Write reviews for your own pleasure first - to help or entertain others second. Write without fear - don't be scared that other readers will lampoon you for loving a widely panned book, or that authors and their fanbases will rail against you for giving them their only one star review after 5000 five star reviews.

[[deleted user]]

Writing reviews is an organic process and I would advise letting the evolution of the eyes to brain to final paper/keyboard step come naturally. Eventually you will find a voice and style that is comfortable and comes easily.

[Almeta]

Write about how the book affected you personally.

No need to respond to other reviewers, no need to apologize for having a different view.

Gather confidence in your OWN opinion.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Your opinion is just as valid as the next person's. If you didn't like a book that seems to be everyone's favorite, don't worry that you're going against the grain. Not every book is for every person. Speak up! Someone else will appreciate your position even if they don't tell you so.

[Tammy]

This is more technical advice than anything else:

Write your review using whatever software you use for word processing and save it, THEN copy it onto GR and post it.

Trite advice, I know, but I almost cried more than once after losing an entire review and having to start over.

[Almeta]

Tammy wrote: "This is more technical advice than anything else:

Write your review using whatever software you use for word processing and save it, THEN copy it onto GR and post it.

Trite advice, I know, but ..."

I'll second that! (I did something other than cry, though.)

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Also, that gives you a better chance to organize your thoughts and check for typos... :)

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

My One piece of advice is, "Don't think of it as a review, or even as an opinion, if you don't want to. Think of it as your Reaction to the book."

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "My One piece of advice is, "Don't think of it as a review, or even as an opinion, if you don't want to. Think of it as your Reaction to the book.""

Cheryl, this is so good that it needs to be repeated. I think the term "review" is way overblown here. At least it is for what I say about a book. I post my impressions, my reaction, how the book made me feel or think, sometimes what I learned.

[Lisa]

Anything you write is fine!: If you're expressing your own feelings, thoughts, opinions about a book, anything you write, whether one sentence or a long review, is more than okay; it's a contribution to the Goodreads' community/giving back to Goodreads.

I particularly like what was said in the Feedback group (sorry, I forget who first wrote this) about writing as though you're talking about a book with a friend.

[Lisa]

On third thought, I'd tell a beginner to do just what I did that got me writing reviews: read a variety of reviews from many Goodreads' members, especially of books you've already read. The different kinds of reviews will give ideas for writing one's own reviews.

[Kit★]

Tammy wrote: "I almost cried more than once after losing an entire review and having to start over."

I did cry. I was screaming at the computer, and the router, and the ceiling, and I cried, sobbed "I can't believe it just lost my whole entire review!" It was terrible having to go back and try and remember the brilliant phrasing I had used, and the thoughts I'd gotten across. I was very upset lol. I'm glad no one was home that day :)

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Kit★ wrote: "Tammy wrote: "I almost cried more than once after losing an entire review and having to start over."

I did cry. I was screaming at the computer, and the router, and the ceiling, and I cried, sobbe..."

Oh Yes...its happened to me as well..(goodreads having one of their bugs) and it didnt take the review! Good thing I live alone..if these walls could repeat what was said..oh boy :/

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Isn't it funny, my verbal abuse normally goes towards electronics behaving badly. Words I would never use at other times come flying out. Once I get it out I feel better, but stay clear of me until then.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Dawn wrote: "Isn't it funny, my verbal abuse normally goes towards electronics behaving badly. Words I would never use at other times come flying out. Once I get it out I feel better, but stay clear of me until..."

LOL!! Your not alone Dawn :D

[Dawn (& Ron)]

So glad to hear I'm not alone, maybe we should start a electronics behaving badly support group, ha-ha.
I just had an e.b.b. episode with the blasted digital cable box, but I'm much better now.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

:)

[Dawn (& Ron)]

I breath and refocus after I've vented at the badly behaving technological wonder. Then I feel worlds better!

[Lisa]

At this point I'd tell them not to feel intimidated by all the discussion threads in this group. That most of the people participating here are avid review writers, but we all started somewhere. There is no right or wrong way to write reviews. Different reviewers and review readers find different types of reviews valuable, that anything you write is fine. Just mark your spoilers please.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Quite agree, Lisa. I started writing a review for every book a couple of years ago. But today's review was just about a stinko. I liked the book, I just couldn't figure out how to express that. So don't be afraid to just plug away at it. Like with any endeavor, some days are better than others.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

(Sometimes I admit I don't know what to say about a book, or how to say why I liked it or didn't. I don't mind seeing 'reviews' like that, so I'm not shy to write them when stuck.)

Good point Lisa! That's why I made this topic thread sticky, and gave it as clear a title as I could. :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Just write a review for you. What you thought about the book, and your feelings on it. Don't worry about what other people might think.

[The Pirate Ghost]

I read a bunch of reviews, and realized that there are so many different review styles, that "my way" is just as valid as anyone elses "way." It's a matter of "what did I want to say about the book?" and "how did I want to say it." Some people brake a book down to parade rest and feild strip it like a military side arm, others write shorter reviews that talk about the impact the book had on them. I'm not sure one is more valid than the other.

Different is not wrong. It's just different.

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

Be true to yourself and write down your gut impressions and don't worry about what anyone else is doing and have fun with it.

[TJ]

DON'T compare yourself to anyone else. We all have a unique voice, find yours, enjoy others but never feel less, no matter what!

[Sarah]

Read some things that you're not sure you'll like. You don't have to finish it and you don't have to write a review on it. But I've found that reading outside my box helps me to
a) find out what I don't like
b) find new things that I do like! This can be helpful for other people because if you say, I usually like (blank) and tried this even though it's (blank), that's valuable information for another genre reader.
c) It helps broaden your horizons. Sometimes its hard to have the write words for certain tropes and styles if you have nothing to compare them to except other things in your genre.

Also I just believe that variety is good for the soul.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

ooh... good idea, Sarah!

[Zaira's Bookshelf]

^^ I agree Sarah! I almost decided to change a review because I thought it was mean and everyone would look down on me. Then when I read over it, I was like, "What the crap was I thinking, my review is amazing!" (Sorry about me not being to modest, but hey, that's what I was thinking.) Just don't care what other people think of your review, just say, I'm telling how it is, and if they don't agree, that's their problem.

[[deleted user]]

I would suggest, if you listen to audiobooks, don't forget to review the narrator!

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Thank you Dorothy; I agree that's important!

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Hi, ag. Welcome to Goodreads!

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

Welcome to goodreads and to this group, a.g.! I'm glad you're diving right in. And that's good advice - I've definitely found, lately, that if I hold off a bit I write better reviews than when I'm impatient.

[The Pirate Ghost]

First, I'm a beginner so, I'm not sure I rate being a big advice giver here... but, I'm not a newbie anymore.

I would say, and some may know more about why I say this than others, that it is important to remember what you are about...

by that I mean, if your new to goodreads you will see some really entertaining reviews that are fun to read with lots of tricks, bells and whistles. I mean they really look good and like they will be fun to read, and they are! The problem is, they aren't always constructive, especially when they are negative reviews.

Now, there are those who may think otherwise of me, but I'm not about sparing an author from getting honest feedback...but...really look at those "flashy, Fun" reviews. Sometimes, especially for those just getting started, when they try to write a review like that, they lose focus on what they goal is, and the review becomes more about them, and their skill at being entertaining and funny and likable, and less about the book they are reviewing.

If you want to write a review like that (with all the creative pictures and gimmicks) there are some people who do that very well and are able to keep focus, and some that aren't. There is nothing wrong with learning by reading others reviews. Find somebody who writes reviews, who is able to keep focus. (Stephen comes to mind, though, that's a personal judgement based on my personal perception).

You will hear about author-reviewer blog fights and such... I would suggest that the people who do "it" right tend not to get in those kinds of frays very often, even if they thought a book was horrible. That doesn't mean that it never happens to them, but, most of the time if the reviewer isn't as skilled or polished as others. A lot of time, that's because he's trying to be funny and entertaining and is no longer thinking of being informative and constructive.

Lastly, remember, you don't have to do all of that stuff. However you write a review, as long as it's respectful, yet, honest it will most likely be a good review. (your opinion is your opinion, you can state beyond a shadow of a doubt how you feel about a book and as long as it's clear that it's your opinion it works out.)

Some people write long reviews, those are fine, if you have that type of style, mind set and it works for you. Others have a unique ability to sum up everything in a few sentences or a couple of paragraphs (obviously not me). Those may seem the easiest to miss on the update list, but, they are often the best because everyone will read a short review...some don't like flash and glitz, and others won't bother to get into a decade long essay (like this post).

Write it like YOU write it and it will work. Hone your skill and your style and it will get better. Enjoy the funny glitzy posts but if that doesn't fit you, stick with what does fit you.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Ok, yes, it was a fairly long post. But it was worth reading through - you make good points. I bet you write good reviews, too.

[The Pirate Ghost]

Feel free to look, I always accept honest feed back. (and would like some). I think Grammar and spelling are my worst problems and most often because of poor proof reading and over reliance on spell check.

I have had an author or two PM me and give me praise for my review of their book, and strangely enough, it was for books I rated ad mediocre and discussed some problems with. (and one who was a new author who read a review for someone elses book and stated they thought the review was helpful and hoped they got reviews like that.

So have reason to puff my chest out and strut around like a rooster... until my kids put me in my place or my wife laughs at me... lord, it's hard to be humble...

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

giggle
Since your profile is set to private, we can't peek at your reviews unless we add you as a friend, though.

[The Pirate Ghost]

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "giggle
Since your profile is set to private, we can't peek at your reviews unless we add you as a friend, though."

I think I have corrected that now. If not...I take friends... I don't bite... well, there was that time once ...but... she got her shots... it's okay now.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Ok, I'm following you now, so I'll be reading your reviews. :)

[The Pirate Ghost]

Great! ... I hope... (now I gotta be real careful, cause teach is watchin'!)

[The Pirate Ghost]

and this is my second favorite book review.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...