 For Authors: July 24, 2024 Issue [#12654] |
This week: Reach for the Stars! Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕  
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"Most book reviews aren't very well-written. They tend to be more about the reviewer than the book."
~ Tibor Fischer
"I started to write book reviews as a means of recording my thoughts about what I'd read before all memory of them vanished."
~ Debra Hamel
"If I like a book, I tend to read the author's entire collection. But I choose mainly through personal recommendations, general word of mouth, and book reviews."
~ Randa Abdel-Fattah |
| ASIN: B01MQP5740 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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This week we will talk a little about the “star rating system” within WdC. Members have often asked me why they received a “one-star review” when the review itself was glowing and did not explain the poor rating. There are several reasons people receive bad star ratings and they range from revenge and jealousy to a basic misunderstanding of what the stars mean.
Let's start by reviewing what the 'stars' actually mean.
 A one-star rating means the item needs a lot of work
The item is riddled with spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax errors that make it hard to understand and read
One-star items imply that there are so many errors that it's difficult to list them all
The item would benefit from a complete rewrite
 Reasons you should not give one star:
One-star should not be given because you 'just don't like it'
You don't like the genre
The person you are reviewing gave you a one-star rating
You prefer a bigger font and wider line spaces (These are personal preferences and should not reflect on the author.)
Not quite as bad a one-star, but the item does need work
Spelling, punctuation, and grammar need attention
Subject-verb agreement issues
Numerous incomplete sentences or sentence fragments
Perhaps few grammatical and spelling errors; but there are other issues
Weak plot: Lacking a clear conflict, rising action, climax, and resolution
More 'telling' than 'showing'
Issues with clarity and style, keeping the POV and/or tense straight, etc.
This item may have a small handful of errors
Plot and storyline are done fairly well
There might be an instance or two of 'telling, not showing'
Easy to read and understand
This means the item is nearly perfect! Very few or no corrections are needed.
Spelling and grammar is correct
Plot and storyline are strong
Reasons you should not give five stars:
The author is your friend and you don't want to hurt their feelings.
In hopes the author will return the favor and give you the same rating.
To encourage the author. (A better way to encourage would be with a fair and honest review by offering suggestions.)
Please keep in mind, I am only giving a brief overview of the star-rating system and these suggestions are not set in stone. I am merely offering examples as a way to explain and help us all understand it better. For more information, please refer to "How Should I Rate Items on Writing.Com?" by The StoryMistress  .
One thing I will say is that the content of your review should reflect the reason for the rating you gave. It doesn't help the author when you give a one, two, or three-star review without an explanation for it.
In my next "For Authors" newsletter we will discuss the Content Rating System. If you have suggestions or comments, please drop me a line below on the "Ask and Answer" section. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
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Comments from my last For Authors Newsletter, " Newsletter (Spare)" :
Write_Mikey_Write!  wrote:
Good examples all, Lilli. Also, I just had to wonder how long Rachel & hubby have been married. There's gotta be some correlation between the decibel level of her sighs and the length of time they've been bound in holy matrimony.
 I'm willing to bet the 'honeymoon' period is over!
Beholden  wrote:
Horses for courses. On average and according to your examples, it seems that Show takes four times as many words as does Tell. Which is fine until you come to flash fiction requirements. The truth is that there is no law in these things and that, usually, a mixture of the two is the best way to go. In a world that is also telling writers to keep it brief to retain the reader's attention, it's unfair to insist also on the longest route to say something.
I certainly cannot argue with this logic. You're right, especially when we have to consider word count limits. Thank you for your comment!
NaNoNette  wrote:
Your examples were pretty good. They gave me something to think about. I feel like checking out some of my stories for show don't tell issues.
Thank you, Annette. I'm glad to hear you found this helpful. |
| ASIN: 197380364X |
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Amazon's Price: $ 15.99
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