Let's review... which one are you?
Updated: Apr 1, 2019
Hi there!
You're probably wondering what I have in mind by the title of this blog post. Okay, maybe it's a wee bit misleading. Because, yes... we are going to review. But what we will be reviewing, will be the subject of reviews. The reviews you see posted everywhere online. On Blogs, websites and just about every possible retailer out there. All in the attempt to simplify our life by helping us make up our minds.
Wait! Don't do it... don't push that button. Don't run away just yet. This could be more interesting than you think. Ot at least make you smile a couple of times.
I've come to the conclusion there are four different kinds of people when it comes to giving a review.
First, we have the I-hate-to-review-anything type of person. This person ignores any request they receive for a review. They hit that delete or end button and merrily go on to check the rest of their emails. Nor do they read reviews. They don't have the time. They're busy and who reads reviews anyway? As you can imagine, they may also be the biggest complainers.
Next, there is the person why instantly goes into a panic when they're asked for a review. They don't want to do it, but they feel obligated. They're a person who takes their purchases very seriously. Maybe they've spent countless hours on the internet searching for the perfect what-ever-it-is they ordered. But when it comes to writing the review, they spend more time working on the correct punctuation and wording of the review, rather than the reason they're even giving the review.
Heaven forbid they come across as someone who's not too smart. After all, their name will be on the review. Millions of people will see this. All of this is more than enough to discourage the faint of heart.
Let's go on to the next reviewer, who is ecstatically happy with the purchase they made. Let's say that purchase was a book. Let's be even more specific and say it happens to be the renown and most coveted romance novel out right now, A Million Decembers by L. B. Joyce. This reviewer sat down and read the book from cover to cover as soon as it was delivered, almost bursting into tears when they came to the last page. They seriously start thinking of moving to London. Or maybe Chicago. Or they have the urge to put up their Christmas decorations, while constantly scanning the sky for snow. All because they'd become so immersed in the story of Anna and Nicholas and the happy way their story ended.
They want more... So, they run to their computer and order the next three books of the series. (As you can see, I have a very vivid imagination.)
This reviewer is filled with praise. They have nothing but good to say about the book, the author and how they're dying to read the next books in the series. (This is why I decided to write a series. The reader knows they need only be patient and wait for the next book for the story to continue.)
Authors love these reviewers. Authors live for their reviews. This is what makes authors want to write more. A win, win situation.
And finally, we have the person who I think, and I may be wrong about this, has always wanted to be a writer. They have lots to say. Their review is very long and very detailed. They almost wind up giving away the complete plot of the book.
(Ah, yes... again, for reference, we'll use a book. How about For the Love of July, again by L. B. Joyce. A book fitting for this time of year. Who doesn't love a story where a hometown girl is swept of her feet by a professional baseball player? A successful one, at that. With another happy ending. Do the math... Baseball + Love = Everybody Wins!)
These reviewers work for a long period of time, perfecting their review, to finally hit that send button with a sense of triumph. Like they mean it. They've done their part to make the world a much better place.
Just between you and me, I've never been able to read one of these lengthy reviews. I can't help but wonder how a person can have the time to go into such detail. Unless they've been paid to do this. A very disheartening thought and one that makes me doubt their credibility.
The moral of this post? Reviews are very important. To everyone.
And which reviewer are you? Don't worry, it really doesn't matter (well, let's scratch the first one, the I-hate-to-review-anything reviewer,) What's really important is you take a few minutes out of your life and give a review... an honest one. For an author, this means so much more than you could possibly know.
It doesn't have to be long.
And it doesn't have to be perfect.
It only needs to come from your heart.
Thanks for your time and take care!
Linda
P. S. This is a public service announcement for those who have ever read a good book and are dying to tell everyone about it. Go ahead... share the love.
