Writing a book review is a skill that can be helpful in influencing book choices for readers. For this reason, book reviewers are sought after in the writing industry by both authors and readers. However, in order for you to gain a good reputation as a book reviewer, there are certain areas to be avoided. Here is a list of NOT-to-do’s as a book reviewer.
If you’re not quite ready to make the final leap into becoming an Author, consider getting your feet wet as a book reviewer. Book reviewers tend to attract a lot of recognition in the writing industry because they have the authority (arbitrarily speaking) to influence the opinions of scouting readers. Another appealing benefit is that there are no barriers to entry for becoming a book reviewer. In fact, a simple browse through Amazon will affirm that millions have tried their hand at writing a book review. So for you, the goal becomes distinction. You have to make yourself stand out amongst the masses; and here are a few tips of what NOT to do in your quest for differentiation.
DO NOT Neglect to add a synopsis
Very often reviewers tend to start writing a book review without providing a short synopsis of the book. This is not the best approach. Readers need to know a little about the book before thrusting them into the details of your review. Offering a short synopsis about the book not only grabs the attention of prospective readers, but it also gives you more credibility by showing that you’ve actually read the book. The overview doesn’t need to be long; a short two-three sentence summary to kick-off your review will suffice. In the end you’ll find that not only will readers look forward to your book reviews, but Authors will come to recognize and appreciate the thoroughness of your work.
DO NOT Give away the ending
Everyone hates spoilers! Still, there are reviewers that have a habit of giving away the most intriguing details of a book in their reviews. Try not to make this mistake. If you give away the conflict, climax and resolution when writing a book review, then you’ll leave nothing left for the reader to look forward to. Instead, try and highlight what the reader can expect to gain from reading the book. This can be an emotional benefit or something insightful and educational. Your review becomes valuable when you’ve given readers an idea of whether or not the book can fulfill their own personal needs.
DO NOT Provide a superficial insight
Don’t be superficial in your reviews by simply providing a basic idea of the plot and characters. If you start rambling too much about characters, there is a good chance the reader won’t know what you’re talking about anyway (unless of course it’s a sequel). Your job is to dissect the book’s deeper meaning and transfer your analysis into a comprehensive review. You can even personalize your review by sharing what you gained from reading the book. The more insightful you are, the more you’ll stand out from other reviewers.
DO NOT Lose balance
Imbalanced reviews have the tendency to either be overly positive or excruciatingly negative. The overly positive reviews have “this is my relative” written all over them, and the brutally negative reviews scream “I’m a miserable loser”. Consider writing a book review that blends the positives and the negatives. By doing so you’ll help the reader make a well-informed book choice without damaging the Author’s character or self-esteem.
All-in-all you’ll be able to differentiate yourself from other reviewers by providing readers with an insightful and balanced review of what you’ve read, without giving away all of the book’s juicy details. More importantly, when writing a book review, keep in mind that your primary goal is to help the reader, not hurt the Author.
Creative Writing: Finding Your Inspiration
Every writer needs to find inspiration in order to produce inspired writing - whether it is in the form of a novel, short story, poetry, song or even a simple blog post or journal entry. You don’t have to live an extraordinary life to find sources of inspiration for creative writing. They are all around you. Below are some of the most common sources of inspiration that can be used to produce a masterpiece.
Co-Author: Writing a Book in Collaboration
These days, authors often collaborate with each other to produce the best work possible. By collaborating with another author of the same mind, the two of you may be able to produce a successful masterpiece that is esteemed by millions. The goal of producing a top-selling book may feel more reachable if you have the support of a co-author. Consider the following tips and you’re well on your way to the bestselling list!
A Discussion of the Self-Publishing Model
With the rise of self-publishing, a new niche of independent or indie authors has emerged. There are pros and cons to everything, and self-publishing is not exempt from this unwritten concept. Without the assistance of service companies, one might wonder if self-publishing has a broad scope. It’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. Once you decide which path to take, go for it and give it all you’ve got!
