Two headlines caught my attention this morning. A UK medieval city has been detected at Salisbury without the use of an archaeological dig. And another: A Mediterranean diet keeps us genetically young. Both worthy of another look although I might not be able to share any experience about either subject.
However, today, I thought I'd conduct an exercise in writing a review for a book I recently downloaded for free from a fellow Solstice author. Now, we authors need to support one another—that's a given. But, the person writing a review also needs to remain true to what they believe.
However, today, I thought I'd conduct an exercise in writing a review for a book I recently downloaded for free from a fellow Solstice author. Now, we authors need to support one another—that's a given. But, the person writing a review also needs to remain true to what they believe.
The very short novel was easy to read—no bother there. But I wasn't impressed enough to give it a 4* rating. There's the quandary.
What I did was to send a message to the author, notifying him that my review might not be welcome, although I stressed that sometimes a 3* review captures people's attention. The writer replied that he welcomed all honest reviews, and that everyone has different expectations. What a darling.
So, I lay bare what I jotted down, which will be followed by the final review. http://solsticepublishing.com/dead-on-the-floor/
1st draft:
* * * *
Dead on the Floor by Rocky Rochford.
Is the main character likeable? No.
Did I enjoy the plot? No.
Did it have a satisfying end? No.
Did the writing style capture my attention? No.
An exercise in futility.
A man sets about a course of action, giving all the reasons that started him on the path to his own destruction. There's never really any hope that he will change his mind, which is the very thing that is warped beyond redemption.
A fascinating study into death without meaning. He takes his own life to prove that his word must be upheld, even if it leads to the dissolution between him and the person he loves—the woman he wants to impress, and spend a lifetime with.
* * * *
Right. Now, I'll attempt the final, being that I don't want to spend days on a very short read. (I might as well have written the book at the way I'm wasting time.)
Final:
* * * *
Dead on the Floor by Rocky Rochford.
Ever wondered what it would be like to take your own life without having to suffer the pain or getting the chance to change your mind? Well this short story is for you. The character might not be particularly likeable, we hardly get a chance to know him, and his character certainly doesn't develop. Heck, there's no time for that. His death is a forgone conclusion.
Before he lost the woman he loves, he promised he would die for her. Rather than break his word, he does. As his blood slowly seeps away, he reveals a few memories. We don't feel his pain as he inflicts more savage cuts into his arms, which makes the experience all the more surreal. When he slumps, he's kept his end of the bargain—he's died for her—but to what end?
* * * *
When you write a review, remember that the author has taken time, effort and skill to produce the novel. Treat them with respect.
And here's a couple of questions for you: Have you ever written a review? Which version do you like best? Would you be offended if you were the author?
What I did was to send a message to the author, notifying him that my review might not be welcome, although I stressed that sometimes a 3* review captures people's attention. The writer replied that he welcomed all honest reviews, and that everyone has different expectations. What a darling.
So, I lay bare what I jotted down, which will be followed by the final review. http://solsticepublishing.com/dead-on-the-floor/
1st draft:
* * * *
Dead on the Floor by Rocky Rochford.
Is the main character likeable? No.
Did I enjoy the plot? No.
Did it have a satisfying end? No.
Did the writing style capture my attention? No.
An exercise in futility.
A man sets about a course of action, giving all the reasons that started him on the path to his own destruction. There's never really any hope that he will change his mind, which is the very thing that is warped beyond redemption.
A fascinating study into death without meaning. He takes his own life to prove that his word must be upheld, even if it leads to the dissolution between him and the person he loves—the woman he wants to impress, and spend a lifetime with.
* * * *
Right. Now, I'll attempt the final, being that I don't want to spend days on a very short read. (I might as well have written the book at the way I'm wasting time.)
Final:
* * * *
Dead on the Floor by Rocky Rochford.
Ever wondered what it would be like to take your own life without having to suffer the pain or getting the chance to change your mind? Well this short story is for you. The character might not be particularly likeable, we hardly get a chance to know him, and his character certainly doesn't develop. Heck, there's no time for that. His death is a forgone conclusion.
Before he lost the woman he loves, he promised he would die for her. Rather than break his word, he does. As his blood slowly seeps away, he reveals a few memories. We don't feel his pain as he inflicts more savage cuts into his arms, which makes the experience all the more surreal. When he slumps, he's kept his end of the bargain—he's died for her—but to what end?
* * * *
When you write a review, remember that the author has taken time, effort and skill to produce the novel. Treat them with respect.
And here's a couple of questions for you: Have you ever written a review? Which version do you like best? Would you be offended if you were the author?
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