This week: Review, Review, Review! Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Reviewing the works of others is a nice thing to do. The best thing is, it can also help you become a better writer!
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter, then, is all about reviewing!
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Do you review the works of others? If so, has it benefited you? If not, what’s holding you back?
When I first joined Writing.Com I loved receiving feedback on my work, but I felt unqualified to offer my own feedback. I had thoughts and opinions, of course, but I didn’t dare share them because who was I to ask questions, or offer suggestions? I’d never had training. Never published any of my works. I didn’t even know what a stanza was! I wrote by feel, in my second language. I had a lot to learn.
Thankfully, some kind members told me that everyone is qualified to write a review. It doesn’t matter how much of an amateur you are, you can still let the author know how their work made you feel. If you’re offering feedback on a story, you can tell them what you thought about their characters. Were they believable? Could you relate to them? What about the plot? Did it make sense? Did the pacing feel right? Did the beginning of the piece draw you in or leave you cold? Did it have a satisfactory ending? When reviewing a poem you can comment on the emotions, the imagery, the rhythm, rhyme and flow. Writers want to know if their work connects with their readers, so as a reader you’re the perfect person to comment.
Once I realised this, I began to enjoy writing reviews. And the more reviews I wrote, the more I understood that it benefited me, too. When you’re reviewing an item, you’re taking a deeper look at it than when you’re intending to read and move on. You’re studying what works, and what doesn’t. When formulating your suggestions you’re automatically pondering how you would change this, structure this, resolve any gaps in the plot. When you’re reviewing a poem written in a specific form, you’re learning about that form, and you may well feel inspired to try it out for yourself.
That’s exactly what happened to me. I’ve picked up on various poetry forms through my journeys around the site. I’ve encountered genres I hadn’t written in before, nor had I ever thought to purchase a novel in those genres, but I enjoyed other members’ items so much that I had to give it a go. Sometimes this worked; other times it didn’t. Regardless, I’ve learned, and grown as a writer.
It can be daunting to send a review. Some people are sensitive about their work - they've put a lot of effort into it, and they may feel just as worried about receiving feedback as you may be about giving it. Whenever you feel nervous, it helps to remember that people tend to sign up to this website to learn and improve. The key to assuring a good reception rests in how you offer your feedback. Be polite and encouraging. Highlight not just what you feel could do with an edit, but also what you enjoyed. Be honest, but kind. If you are, your review will no doubt be appreciated.
Writing reviews can also benefit you in other ways – by earning you gift points, for example. Some writers offer gift points to anyone who reviews a specific item in their portfolio. If you make your review public, you may receive review credits. If you review for certain groups and activities – several of which will be linked below – you’ll receive extra gift points, and may well earn Merit Badges in the process.
Indeed, you will be awarded a Merit Badge for each month that you make it into the top 100 of Writing.Com reviewers. And if you submit any qualifying reviews you write to "Good Deeds Get CASH!" [E], you may even win cash!
There is every reason, then, to write a review. And if, on your reviewing rounds, you spot an item that you feel is excellent, and it was written this year, please consider nominating it for a Quill award here: "Quill Nomination Form 2024" [E]. It is always nice to receive that added recognition.
By the way, there’s a reviewing category in the Quills. Who knows, the next one to win the Best Reviewer award may be you!
NaNoKit
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Some reviewing groups and activities:
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A group for those dedicated to writing and reviewing speculative fiction.
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To nominate excellent works, blogs, groups, contests, activities, reviewers and more for an award:
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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!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team
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Action/Adventure: July 19, 2023 Issue [#12076]
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