Ranunculus Turtle
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. James B. Conant
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Now available in print and Kindle ebook
Available in print and ebook.
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
ABOARA
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Splashdown Books
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Helping Writers Become Authors
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deCOMPOSE
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An Unfinished Life
No, I (Probably) Won't Sign Your Non-Compete Agreement
Finding Kat Heckenbach
Bringing the Focus in on Middle Grade Fiction
DIY Cozy Home
Hand Print Christmas Tree Craft With Glitter Dot Awesomeness
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Kristen Stieffel
How to Go Deeper into Characters' Emotions
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Into the Mind of Deanna Fugett
Just Another Pretty Farce
The Cursed Child
Reflections in the Dark
Dogs, Who knew?
What's Bubbling At Cauldron Craft Miniatures?
The Making of a Miniature Pyramid Roombox
Grace Bridges - Space Kiwi
Philemon 6 NIV
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
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Anomaly Forum
Dear Readers, you've been pestered by authors you know to not only read their book(s) but to write a review for it.
How scary!
You're not a writer. You got C's in English and that was because the teacher liked you. You can't remember the last time you wrote a thank-you note, let alone an essay. Best just to nod politely and scuttle away when your author friend is distracted, right?
Wrong. It doesn't have to be hard to write a review. It doesn't have to take all day, or even require spell check (which Amazon may actually have).
A review is for another reader. They don't expect you to write a treatise on the book. They don't expect you to sum it up for them. In fact, they'd rather you didn't. Amazon prefers reviews be fewer than 300 words. This post will be longer than 300 words.
Think of it as a "comment" about the book.
Just tell one thing you liked and one thing you didn't. That's not hard. The more specific you are, the better, unless you give away secrets. That's no fun for anybody.
Some examples: "I liked how the main character was always cracking jokes at the worst time." "I keep thinking about the story and wondering what they're doing now." "I loved the dragon! He was so cool!" Well, that one isn't terribly specific, but sometimes that's what you've got.
What you didn't like? Some examples: "She kept using 'like this' or 'like that.' It got on my nerves." "The story got pretty complicated in the middle. I had to stop and reread a couple times to make sure I understood." "I hated the ending. I prefer happy endings." OK, that's almost a plot-spoiler but it counts.
See? Simple. You're looking at 15 minutes, tops. Unless you get carried away. You may find you like writing comments about a book. Just keep in mind - no spoilers. Save those for that blog you're going to start for book reviews.
Give it a try. Amazon is really easy for review posting and it is the biggest online seller of books. You'll never have to avoid your writer friend again.
Posted by Robynn Tolbert at 7:07 AM
Kessie June 28, 2012 at 10:01 AM
I've been reading Christian fantasy ebooks when they go out for free on Amazon. I've left some depressingly bad reviews lately. Wandering plots, vague characters, and telling, telling, telling.
Kat Heckenbach June 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM
I think when some readers are asked to review books they feel like they're being shoved back to fifth grade and told to write a "book report." Their brain screams and begins to shut down. Panic! What if I fail????
Robynn Tolbert June 28, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Ah, but, Kessie, you're a writer. You're not afraid of writing.
Kat, that's why I wrote a "how-to." Reviews don't have to be scary. Just showing a normal person read the book is helpful for the author.
James 1:5-6 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.