Happy Tuesday, BGs.
Don't forget to keep reading Charis Connection this week. Today is Jim Bell's version of the one man/two women scene.
A quick update on Violet Dawn and its marketing. (1) Within two weeks of its release, Violet Dawn went into a second printing. (2) Its corresponding character blog, Scenes and Beans, written by the fabulously clever SBGs (Scenes and Beans bloggers) for the rest of this year (and later written by general readers of the series), got a long paragraph in the August 28 issue of Publisher’s Weekly. That issue featured various articles as a “look at faith in fiction.” The article on writing series talked about Scenes and Beans as a marketing tool that uses the Web to keep readers involved in the lives of characters between books.
Nice plug. Even if they did say the first book in the Kanner Lake series is “Violet Lake.”
Journalists.
Now for today. We’re going to tackle a new topic. A couple weeks ago I kinda laid it on the line with my take on the whole endorsement thing. Now I want to take up the topic of . . . drum roll please . . . those dreaded Reviews.
I know there’s been a lot of talk lately about reviews on e-mail loops, other blogs and such. But I’d like to approach the topic from a different angle. I’m not going to focus on who should write reviews, and why, and how, and when, and the ethics involved in the process. Instead I’d like us to take a hard look at just what the heck reviews are. How should we view reviews as consumers/readers? How should we look at reviews of our own work as writers?
Perhaps, after the discussion is over, you might look at reviews in a different light than you do now.
Here’s a kick-off challenge for you. In the fewest words possible, give us your definition of a review. I’ll see where y’all are coming from and will add my definition tomorrow. It may not be quite what you expected. (Although if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’re used to that unexpected thing.)
And we're off: “A review is . . .”
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Read Part 2
18 comments:
A review is one person's written opinion of something in particular, usually a form of media.
A review is
'This book sucks because...' or
'This book is yummy because...'.
A review contains a teaseer about the book as well as the reviewer's opinion of why they did or didn't like the book. There will also be a sprinkling of strengths and weaknesses if you're on a site like epinions.
An overview of the book/cd/movie/video games/comics/insert your own item that will, hopefully, entice the reader/listener/movie goer/gamer/comic book reader/anyone else that's left to research the featured item on their own and make up their own mind about said feature.
A review is...
a few interesting summary paragraphs telling an opinion about a product.
A review is an informed opinion that examines the strengths and weaknesses of a product and informs a interested consumer on if the product of interest is worth spending their money and time on.
A review is an opinion of the strengths, weaknesses, and likeability of the product.
A review is a critical report of a media , art, or product that is intended to help a consumer decided whether or not to spend money and/or time on the reviewed item.
A review is an opinion. Period.
When my husband Milton and I went into the ministry, a wise older minister said, "You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all the time."
I think that's great advice for writers.
A review is a judgment of the author's ability and the quality of this particular story, as well as enough information about the plot to know if this story would appeal to the reader.
A (book) review is one person's recommendation to readers based on the reviewer's analysis of the work's strengths and weaknesses.
[Now how will Brandilyn turn this topic on it's head?
A review is gold to marketers. No, too obvious.
A review is a pat on the back or a slap in the face. Naaa, too cliched.
A review is the word that mouths repeat. Too cutsey, and probably not true.
A review is grease that oils the marketing machine. Hmm. Wonder if that's true.
A review is a catalyst that makes others read to see if they agree. Now that's probably more like it.
Well, whatever, I can hardly wait!]
Becky
A review is just enough information about a book to stir the reader's interest without giving away any important plot points that might spoil the read. Knowing BC she will probably come up with a mixed metaphor! rose
PS I forgot to add that I loved the twist yesterday on Charis Connection! I figured out from the sub-texting and body language which one he really loved, but having the wife framed for the murder was great. See how twisted I've become reading this blog! LOL rose
PPS. How about this for a twisted metaphor: a review is a partial spider web spun to entice the reader to enter and eat the whole spider! rose, who hasn't posted in days, but is making up for it now!
I agree with Kristy. It's an opinion. Period. And I try to mention that when I review. This is my opinion, not necessarily anyone else's. But I do say whether I recommend it or not.
An opionion colored analysis of some form of artwork
A review is like a refrigerator. Some cheap and unworthy full of sour milk, some with bells and whistles and T-bones.
Figured a refrig saleswoman would agree.
Either...
...an informed evaluation.
Or...
...a song and dance number based on many of a novel's main characters and major plot points. Canes and top hats preferred, but not a must. And smiles, everybody, smiles!
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