I didnt really know under which category should I put my review in. Since Mouthshut.com under WEBSITES was the safest bet, I went ahead with it. The later portion may make it seem it is better suited for Five best reviewers on MS but please bear with it.
It isn’t my 50th review yet. But my 41st. Yet today I felt like giving my opinion on one of my favourite websites.
Mouthshut and me: There were these group of friends of mine who used to often discuss recommendations of latest movies on a site called Mouthshut. Yes, as usual its movies which are discussed most at this website. I, at that time, had never even visited the page as I didn’t have internet at my place. Finally, I got lucky to have it installed in July 2005, typed https:// mouthshut. com in the address window a couple of days later and wrote my first review in September that year.
Yes, its an obsession, but a much better one than calling up your girlfriend at 3 am in the morning and asking for kisses. After all, a passion invlving practising your writing skills can’t be bad, right?
On writing reviews at Mouthshut: The problem for me arises when it comes to reading. To be honest, I do go through some difficulties while deciding whether to read about a product or not. I would want to read anything and everything as long as the review involves something related to Bollywood films. Books can do too. But often I face troubles in reading opinions on other products as some of them aren’t properly presented. For example, long paragraphs with unhighlighted words and sentences pose big problems, no matter whether the writing skills are excellent or no.
And thats why I say there are few members whose reviews turn out to be VU for me even if their writing skills aren’t that good - coz the purpose is served for me if I get what Im expecting from a review - simply written, and to the point.
Do long reviews mean better reviews? Not necessarily, at all. But long reviews are not necessarily bad ones too. Its the way you present them. If you have a formal style of writing, I would say either your reviews should be short and concise or there should be enough paragraphs to not let the reader feel as if he is under pressure to prepare for an exam 12 hours away.
And of course, if you have a great sense of humor and it reflects on your style of writing, write as much as possible :)
Members at Mouthshut: I am often too late in reading the most popular reviews, possibly coz I don’t use the facility of Review Alert (I have activated it on mail though.. Its just that I never bother to check these mails). So please forgive me for that :) But there are many members in Mouthshut whose reviews I really love, but here are a handful of them which stand out for me---
jbz7879: His amazing n wacky sense of humor makes all his reviews very much readable. Of course, thats not the only aspect worth talking about in them. He seems to write them with a lot of passion, that I tend to believe only Usman can write such a piece.
nandeetaoberoisharma: I read her review on Mouthshut saying it may be her last coz some people seem to have a problem with her. I believe her reviews are not copied at all. Searching for facts from internet and mentioning them in your review; I dont think anyone should have a problem with that. That apart, she does write on a variety of topics and her tips n remedies are very useful to say the least. A very warm person as well, and too senstitive.
jaideepkhanduja: There’s no fixed style of writing you can associate with Jaideep Sir’s reviews. If they are out n out poetry one time, they are strictly systematic and technical (?) on the next product. His style of writing, it seems, depends entirely on his mood.
angel25: One word which describes her reviews is: Entertaining. And thats all what I need. No matter how long they are, her pieces of writing leave me wanting for more. I still remember laughing my guts out at her "Just Married" review.
Parnil: His reviews are amongst the most organized ones at MS, and strictly to the point. They always give you a general idea of what to expect from that product.
Other reviewers whose syles of writings I admire: Paulsb02, mai_chup, alk_ranjan, The_Reviewer, nitesh1104, bekool, envyram, flyingelephant, itikasharma, amateurabe, jayaghosh (Though she doesn’t come on Mouthshut often these days, she was the first MSsian I got in touch with)
Sorry to those whom I left out. But there’s a saying: If you try to please everyone, you’ll eventually lose your.... umm.. neva mind!!
Conclusion: Thanks to all members who read my reviews and find them useful/very useful.
Thanks to few friends I made here.
My sincere thanks to the Mouthshut team for choosing me as the latest Star Writer :)
And a special thanks to Jasmine for always helping me with my queries.
Pranay