Negative Reviews: Constructive Criticism is the Key

I don’t think any of us enjoy writing negative reviews.  I can’t think of anyone who goes into it thinking ‘I can’t wait to put this author down!’  Doesn’t happen that way.  

Negative reviews, however, can be a constructive look at what a reader did not enjoy.  They give other readers an understanding of what to expect in the book and come to their own decision about whether it is something they like, dislike, or feel indifferent about.  It also gives authors an understanding of how to hone their craft by getting a variety of feedback.  But more on this in a minute.

NEGATIVE REVIEWS FROM A READER’S VIEWPOINT

Think about it this way: do you appreciate knowing a book had some issues for a blogger whose taste are similar to yours?  Are you interested in what aspects of the book were an issue for the blogger?  If you appreciate reading them, then so do those who come to your blog.

I’m not saying you HAVE to write them by any means!  It is up to you.  It’s your blog! However, if you do go back and forth about whether to write about a book that didn't impress you, it’s okay to do.

Readers on your blog are looking for your opinion on books to decide whether to read them or not, or whether to run out and buy it right now or wait it out.  If you don’t tell your readers this book missed its mark, how will they know?  If someone has very similar tastes as you and you read a book you don’t like then don’t tell them why you didn’t care for it, they could very well waste their time reading the same book. 

But we don’t want to just know you didn’t like it, we want to know why.  What aspect didn’t work for you?  Were the characters not believable?  Was the story boring?  Did the author tell you  instead of showing you?  Were there blocks of narrative in an otherwise dialogue-centric book?  Was the flow off?  Did the author just make you mad with a viewpoint?  Let us know specifics so we can determine whether what offended or bored you with the writing or story would be offensive or boring to us as well.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM V. BASHING

You may feel apprehensive about writing negative reviews because lately some authors haven't taken their negative feedback about their book well.  We get it, you know, it’s their baby.  But not every baby is cute and clever, and neither is every book.  

There are, of course, ways to word negative feedback that will come across as constructive rather than a bashing.  If you just write “I hated it”, “It’s awful”, “one crappy idea after another”, and that's it, all we know is you hated it, but that's all we know.  On top of that, it's not constructive.  It is the written equivalent to throwing the book across the room.  Everyone has a book they want to throw across the room (or have!) but sit back and think if that's what you want to put out there to the world, you know?.  Would you rather be the bash-it blogger or the professionally critiquing blogger?  

On the opposite hand, constructive criticism values the book as a finished product and gives positive feedback along with the negative feedback. There is something about the book that is good, whether you like a character, you like the pacing, you enjoyed the plot line- something worthy can be found.  When you are writing, write it in the spirit of friendliness- as if you were critiquing an acquaintance’s work- rather than in direct opposition- as if you are on Project Runway and you are looking to cut down to make it seem more dramatic. 

THE SANDWICH EFFECT

As a teacher we often have to give feedback to parents that is less than stellar.  The way we were taught in school to do this was the Sandwich Effect- sandwich a negative comment in between two positives.

You won’t be able to always use the Sandwich Effect, but it is in that spirit that you should write criticism.  The book is the author’s baby and their automatic reaction to it is to get defensive.

 

With that said, there is no pleasing some people.  It’s just a fact of life.  With some authors no matter what you say they will take it to heart and it will feel like you criticized their entire lives.  I, personally, cannot claim to understand that reaction because if they want to put their work out in the world they need to be prepared that not every single person will like it.  Even huge authors like Stephen King, James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, and Philippa Gregory get negative reviews- it’s just a part of being an author. 

IN CONCLUSION

So, to wrap up, write those negative reviews if you want to.  Don’t let bad behavior intimidate you.  Just be constructive in your feedback and point out the good parts of the book, too.