Feel-good Reviews

Confession: I have a tendency to buy things that represent how I want to better myself without actually going through the effort to use them.

Reading:

• The Van, by Roddy Doyle

Writing:

• "Ferian Fetlock Cures a Horse"

Revising:

• "Dolly Hobbles"

Today, I received a really incredible compliment. Someone told me that my review made her day.

I didn't give a 100% positive review. In fact, it was a little severe in places. But I told her what I thought worked, and what I thought didn't work, and offered suggestions for improvement throughout.

And she loved it. Her reaction was over-the-top, almost effusive, and it made me want to put her response up as a poster on my wall. I had made a difference to her as a writer, and because of me, she was going to submit the story and actually work towards starting a writing career.

I think that is the true power of a review. It has the potential to cut down a story while building up the writer. And I feel honored that my review was thought of so highly.

It's not always like that. I have a very detailed reviewing style, and occasionally I'll get a response in which my review is countered, point-by-point. I have no problem if someone disagrees with a comment I make, but sometimes it feels like stories get posted on these writing forums to show off, rather than to improve. I say, don't ask for comments if you don't want to hear them.

Reviewing others can make you a better writer yourself, because you learn how to think critically. I guess the trick is to be just as hard on yourself as anyone else, but not to forget to build yourself up, either. And there's one more thing. When writing a review, you can't fix the story for them. When critiquing your own work, you can.