writers community – WRITE TIME AND AGAIN

I sing to you my Lord
and praise your Holy Name,
Dance with me my Jesus,
may the music sweep us away

Today I lay on mountains high
and breath your breath’s wind,
The trees they sway and leaves they sing
the notes of my Savior’s hymns.

I rest my weary head on you
and hear all life’s long rhythms,
My sins may interrupt my song
but you conduct their collapse.

In your name I bow down
and humble at your feet,
My hand you take and draw me near
to dwell in your home so sweet.

Chorus

Hear the Lord calling to you,
His voice a sweet melody,
Listen, my child, I am your God,
My love an ovation do dear.

Sometimes we’re asked to write a review of a book. At first you smile and agree to do it. You’re excited to finish it so you can write it, so you set out reading. You read it cover to cover and loved it. You loved it so much you couldn’t put it down. However, there were some parts you felt could have been improved upon. So you jump onto Amazon or some other book venue to leave your review. Once at the appropriate page to write your review, the cursor blinks back at you in rapid succession. Your brain goes blank. What do you write?

For starters, whenever you are critiquing someone’s writing, it’s best to start out with the positives first. What did you like about the book? What worked really well? What was your favorite part and why?

After you finish the positives, you get into the negative aspects of the writing. Now, when I say negatives, I DON’T mean rip it apart with nasty, rude comments. That won’t get anywhere with anyone and it isn’t mature or professional. A better way of putting this is BE HELPFUL. Tell the author what it needs more of. What did you not like about the book and why? Point out a few places in the text that didn’t quite work and why.

Lastly, sum up your critique with a conclusion. This doesn’t have to be lengthy. A few quick sentences that reiterates your overall impression, is fine.