Book clubs, book publishers, book buyers, book browsers all rely on reader reviews to decide what fiction they’re going to pile onto their to-be-read lists. Amazon lists a book’s blurb on each book page, but we all know it’s the comments by actual readers that swing us into action, clicking on that Buy-Now button. Among the best writing advice I can give is to write your reviews of books you like, and think about what makes you read a book, and how you want to write books in that way, to garner readers of your fiction.
1. The dialog was snappy and the locations were edgy.
–> Edgy locations? As in cliffside, on top of a skyscraper, in a prison cell?
2. The only trouble is finding the town. Then finding out she’s a witch and the being told she’s not a witch but a fairy. What exactly is she? To add to her problems she finds out that a recent murder has taken place and the killer is still at large.
–> Wow, that’s a lot of plot setup. I’d have picked just one, but then I like a slow read. And witches and fairies, but really, pick one.
3. A quirky cast of characters and possible big foot sightings
–> Okay, I’m in. Wouldn’t we include Bigfoot as a quirky character? I would!
Whether or not you choose to write a book review for your favorite recent reads, definitely give yourself the pleasure of reading many reader reviews. If you’re a writer, it may inform your shaping of characters and plot. If you’re a reader, you’ll discover some amazing books.
The Renaissance Club, a time travel love story by Rachel Dacus
Favorite reader review comment: “I think I now have a crush on Bernini. But what I really want to know is, how can I book a tour with George?”