paying it forward

Share Your Opinions: Why Book Reviews Matter and How You Can Help

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10-14 Hooked“Together we can change the world, one good deed at a time.”               ~~Anonymous

Share Your Opinions:

Why Book Reviews Matter and How You Can Help

 

Whether you’re an author or not, one of the kindest gifts you can give to any writer is a constructive honest review. It doesn’t have to be long or literary or quote specific passages unless you’re writing for a site that expects that.

Not only will your comments please the author, but your words might help her see her work in a whole new way. You’ll be helping readers who depend on reviews make a choice.  In addition your review could be a springboard for new writing for either of you. That’s good for everyone and a lot to get out of a few minutes of reacting to a story that grabbed you and/or made you think.

Quick, short reviews can be very effective—especially on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads. Simply tell why you recommend the book in one or two sentences. If you want to add plot summary, analysis of writing style, or who the ideal audience is, feel free. It’s nice but not necessary.

““Never Too Late is an honest, insightful look at one of life’s greatest mysteries: the ever changing and ever challenging relationship between a man and a woman. This book is one you won’t want to miss!” —Mary Eileen Williams, Host of Feisty Side of Fifty, author of Land the Job You Love!: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50

If you decide to write a more detailed review, start with the themes an author explores and then talk about how and why the story sheds new light on a familiar subject or opens your insights.  Often I start by articulating the questions that the author is exploring:

  • What if you have a gift that no one can accept?

  • Ever been puzzled by a partner’s behavior?

  • Ever wonder how others handle the costs of their bad decisions?

  • What happens when family and ambition compete?

  • What does it take to survive?

 

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Another approach is to tell people what the book intends to convey and how well it does its job. This works for a two-sentence review or a longer one.

I usually include a brief summary and identify the author’s strengths. If something bothers me I’ll mention it briefly as long as it’s not a story spoiler. If I can’t write something good and make the review at least 80% positive, I move on to the next book.

If you look at the reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads, you’ll see that lengths vary. I’ve written one-sentence reviews and I’ve posted reviews of 350 words or more. Generally, less is more. Many people have short attention spans.

Once you’re satisfied with your review, it’s easy to cut and paste into Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

  • Go to the site where you want to place your review.

  • Find the search box.

  • Type the book title and/or author and hit return.

  • When the correct page comes up, scroll down to the box that says, “Write a Customer Review” or “Add a Review.”

  • Click on the box. Amazon asks some questions to guide you. Barnes & Noble doesn’t. You can simply rate the book and paste in your review, because you are prepared.

Often the sites will notify the author when a review is posted. Not always. It’s all controlled by algorithms beyond our control. Here’s what’s within your control:

  • You can write a review.

  • You can read other reviews as samples.

  • You can post a review.

You can practice on the last book you read. Or the one you’re just finishing. The authors will love you for it.

10-16 Announcements

Another way to help authors is to recommend their books to your friends, writing peers, and book groups. Word of mouth is excellent publicity. Paying it forward matters. Right or wrong, the number of reviews you have on Amazon also matters, so the important thing is to write honestly and share your thoughts. They’re just as valuable as anyone else’s. You never know where a review might lead. Doing book reviews is a great way for writers to build community.

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Not sure where to start? Not even reading a book right now? I’d be delighted to have you review my memoir about love, acceptance, and much more. It’s called Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62. 

It’s a quick, easy read, and I’m perfectly happy with either a short or long review, as long as it’s honest. You can post it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or all three.

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The Gift of Writing Regularly

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The Gift of Writing Regularly

April 25, 2018 | By | Reply

 

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the process of writing. Thinking is great. Doing is better. To encourage you to keep writing, I’d like to share a few excerpts from an interview Carol Smallwood did with me about my new book, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62. The title says it all, but the memoir says it in so much more detail.

When I started making notes for the book, while Richard and I were dating, I was filled with “what ifs.”

  1. What if this wasn’t the real deal?
  2. What if I lost my identity and my money—not that I had an overwhelming amount.
  3. What if I couldn’t live with 62-years of being alone?

I journaled about these questions and much more. Writing gave me perspective and insight. We got married on February 17, 2012.

Once the book came out, it was time for interviews. Carol Smallwood, a prolific librarian, asked some great questions, and I was happy to answer them. I loved it when she asked, “From working closely with writers, what advice would you give someone struggling with getting started as a writer?

Real life doesn't have a script.
What are you searching for?

 

 

 

So here are A Dozen Flexible Rules for Struggling Writers:

  1. Write daily. Start by writing for 10-20 minutes.
  2. Give yourself permission to get lost in your writing
  3. Write about whatever you want, and if one day you want to write a list, start there.
  4. Go wherever the writing takes you. No one ever has to read it but you.
  5. When you are done, reread what you’ve written and underline 2-3 places that have energy for you.
  6. Pick one the next day that you really like and start there.
  7. Or write another list.
  8. Or write about whatever is on your mind.
  9. Can’t write? Read a story.
  10. Look at how professionals put a story together.
  11. Go back to your journal and say what you liked about the story.
  12. Let the writing go wherever it wants before repeating Steps 5 & 6.

Start anywhere! Writing daily matters. Your techniques will improve. So will the speed at which you get ideas.

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I’ve been writing Monday through Friday for the last 6 weeks or so. Theoretically, I write first thing in the morning—but I usually do some stretches, feed Eddie McPuppers, and pour a cup of coffee before I start. Usually, I write for 10 minutes, but I often go longer. Then polish for another 15-20. I started doing this to help me get back on track after publishing Never Too Late. I don’t consider myself a struggling writer, but this helps so much that I recommend it anytime anyone gets in a slump.

NOTE: If you defy rules:

  1. Quitting is not an option.
  2. Doodling is not an option.
  3. Checking the Internet or my e-mail is not an option.

If I could get going a little earlier, I’d start looking at the flash fiction, flash memoir, and potential for longer stories in this eclectic collection I’m building. You have to have the material before you can start shaping it, and I feel more and more ready to shape and sculpt my stories every day.

As a woman I heard speak recently said, “Write, revise, send, and repeat.” I think I’ve got the first two down. It’s time to start practicing send and repeat, and see where those steps take me.

If you’d like to read Carol’s interview with me and learn more about Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, go to www.writeradvice.com.

B. Lynn Goodwin owns Writer Advice, http://www.writeradvice.com. Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 was released in December. She’s written You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregiversand Talent, which was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award, won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and was a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award.

Goodwin’s work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com and many other places. She is a reviewer and teacher at Story Circle Network, and she is an editor, writer and manuscript coach at Writer Advice.

First appeared on https://storycirclenetwork.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/the-gift-of-writing-regularly/ and was reposted on http://booksbywomen.org/the-gift-of-writing-regularly-by-b-lynn-goodwin/

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#WorldBookDay

lgood673341 Comment

April 23, 2018

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  1. What are you reading? 

  2. How long since you’ve read a book by someone who is not from your country?

  3. How long since you’ve read a book by someone who is not in your age bracket? 

All of these are important questions to ask on World Book Day. While it’s mostly for students, you just might be a life-long learner. I know I am. 

Real life doesn't have a script.

 

Of course I want you to pick up a copy of Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, but today I also want to encourage you to also read other authors, share their stories, and enjoy the tales they tell.

Even more, I want to encourage you to read whatever appeals. Make time to read and enjoy it. 

What are you reading today? We’d love to know.

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Never Too Late Featured at Book Fair

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My book was published far from California, where I live. The company, Koehler Books, is in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and my editor, Lynn Moon, pictured below, displayed top books, promoted the company, and answered the questions of those who’d like to publish with Koehler.

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What does it matter?

One of the books she brought was mine. It’s the blue one on the far right side of the table. You can read Never Too Late on it.

She sent me that picture and this one:

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It’s really hard to miss the book in that one.

She said there was a lot of interest in the book and she sent lots of people to Amazon People can get there as soon as they are sent, if they have a cell phone, and who doesn’t these days? 

So my Amazon numbers were up.

You can keep them that way. Buy a copy for a friend, for a library, for a relative, for a group, or for your book club to look at. I’m happy to talk by phone with any book club, writing group, service organization, singles group, or Meet-Up group. There are face-to-face methods as well, and I’m happy to talk to you about it. 

Please help me share my story with any group you are in. You can tell me how below.

Never Too Late is Launched to the World

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never too late cover

Never Too Late

What makes this book launch special?

Truthfully, it’s the characters and their story that make this book special. It’s not about the launch. There’s no big party to celebrate. Our party is an ongoing, everyday life that we live together. Who could ask for anything better than that?

 

Why should you care?

 

Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. But don’t worry. We have plenty of conflict and uncertainty before we arrive at that conclusion. Rejoice with us in a marriage that worked. Pick up a copy today. Never Too Late

 

Richard and Lynn

December 20th Approaches

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Never Too Late

never too late cover

Can you help me get the word out that Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 launches on 12-20-17?

All you need to do is post this on your own blog, share it on Facebook, mention it on Twitter, or post to any Social Media.

Tell us where you posted it and you could win a free 1-hour consultation on a chapter, essay, or article.

We appreciate your help!

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