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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11472-Make-Reviewing-a-Regular-Activity-Pt-1.html
Contests & Activities: July 20, 2022 Issue [#11472]




 This week: Make Reviewing a Regular Activity! Pt. 1
  Edited by: JayNaNoOhNo Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hey, it's Jayne, one of your regular Contests & Activities editors. I've reflected on reviewing over the last few months, and thought it was time to revisit this important activity. Since series have become my thing, ta-da! it's another series.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

I’m going to be upfront with you: I’ve been a terrible WdC reviewer.

My reviews themselves are competent. I adapt my style to the type of item and purpose of the review, and do my best to be honest, encouraging, and helpful. I’m always striving to get better at what I do, quality-wise.

Quantity-wise? After four years on the site—my review numbers are downright embarrassing.

There, I said it. I own it.

Only, I didn’t understand why.

I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time these last few months contemplating reviews and reviewing. Time, that, yes, I could have used to review things instead. But that’s not how my brain works. I wanted to figure out why I wasn’t reviewing.

To be clear, I’m not projecting my issues onto anyone else. There are many reasons you may not review, provide brief reviews, only give positive reviews, or rate nothing less than four stars. Time crunches, group affiliation, review purpose, and familiarity with genres and writing styles all affect what’s getting accomplished by any one reviewer.

However, I discovered some weird things about myself:

1)I didn’t believe I had the right to ‘critique’ anyone’s work. It’s not exactly imposter syndrome, but it has set up shop in the same Writer’s Insecurities outlet mall.

2)I really don’t like getting hate mail. I’m far from a people-pleaser, but I also don’t believe in tearing people down. So, when I complete a review in good faith, and get a rabid negative response from the writer, I can’t say I enjoy the experience.

3)This led me to want to give watered-down reviews. I dared not make a mistake in a mechanical point or subjective understanding. I certainly did not want to risk a potential argument over what I saw on the page.

4)Watered-down reviews were unappealing to me. I didn’t like 1 and 2, but I liked 3 and 4 even less.

Narrowing it down to these four critical points, I discovered my compromise was to not review at all.

I suffered from review avoidance.

Thinking this through further, I realize fixing this issue has nothing to do with anything or anyone external to me. I had to draw the line of what was acceptable for me within the expectations of Writing.com’s guidelines.

First, I gave myself permission to admit to not knowing everything about writing. News flash: I won’t continue to learn if I don’t push past my current capabilities. Might I make a mistake? Oh, I will definitely make a mistake somewhere. It’s not the end of the world.

Second, I accepted if I keep up my end of the bargain, and provide a thoughtful, kind and encouraging review that is also honest - I cannot be responsible for the writer’s response to it. Most importantly, I don’t have to engage with hostile replies.

With all that in mind, and a little help from Satuawany Author IconMail Icon, I devised a reviewing philosophy. I understand some folks can keep this stuff straight in their head—but for those of us who can’t, I consider my document a roadmap of sorts:

This is the type of reviewer I am. If I fall into old patterns, I have my trusty map to get me back on course.

Maybe you suffer from review avoidance like I did. Perhaps your reasons are different, but the avoidance is the same. You could be in a reviewing rut and want to change up how you approach the activity. If finding time is an issue, what about a new template can help you focus on your greatest reviewing strengths? It can reduce how long you spend on each review. The same is true if you want to branch out into new item types or even new genres.

Whether you have review avoidance, time constraints, or simply want to up your reviewing game, I hope this new series will provide you with the tools you need to take part authentically in this important WdC activity.



Editor's Picks

 
STATIC
I'll Explain, but not Disclaim Open in new Window. (ASR)
My thoughts on reviewing - a non-disclaimer disclaimer.
#2276028 by JayNaNoOhNo Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#698741 by Not Available.


GROUP
WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group Open in new Window. (E)
Join the fun! We inspire reviewers through kindness and learning! Winner of eight Quills!
#1300305 by Maryann Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
Cross Timbers Novel Workshop On Hiatis Open in new Window. (E)
Looking for solid NOVEL feedback from other novelists? The NW is BACK & better than ever!
#2088228 by Carol St.Ann Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Anniversary Reviews Open in new Window. (E)
Celebrate Writing.Com member account anniversaries with reviews.
#1565040 by NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
I Write: Enter the Second Decade Open in new Window. (E)
A special round of tens for the decennary of I Write
#2263836 by NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
*starts again Sept. 1 2022

Looking for contests to enter?

STATIC
Contest Clues Open in new Window. (E)
List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed!
#2221492 by GeminiGem🐾 Author IconMail Icon


Don't forget to nominate great work for a Quill Award!

SURVEY
Quill Nomination Form 2024 Open in new Window. (E)
Nominate someone for a Quill!
#2145930 by Lilli voted early.🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Is there anything specific about reviewing you'd like to see covered in the series? Let me know with a comment or suggestion!

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This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
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Removal Instructions

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