It has been approximately a month since I began writing on MS. I don’t know if this qualifies me to write a review about writing reviews, but I will go ahead and try. After seeing starry_eyes’ review on how to write reviews, I thought to myself - 18 reviews, numerous friends, and dozens of comments later, what have I learnt?
Quite a lot, although that may not have come across efficiently in my reviews. I still remember my first review about Fair & Lovely whitening cream. It started out as a rant - a short, brief, opinionated piece that conveyed no information about the product whatsoever. My next few reviews - Sweet Home Alabama, Survivor, et al, were much the same. I ranted and expressed my opinion, but it didn’t amount to much in the end.
That brings me to some unwritten pieces of advice I have gathered - advice that can be used not only on MS, but for any writing that you produce.
To write, you must read
Out of curiosity more than necessity, I clicked on some ’Star Writers’ and read their reviews. Then I started discovering the network and pulling up the lines. I read reviews on my favourite products, reviews from my favourite writers, reviews from people who commented on my less-than-mediocre reviews. And I learned a lot.
An open mind sees more than a closed one
I’ve continued to read reviews on MS, and I’ve noticed a couple of people (mostly newcomers) who expect to jump to instant stardom after one review. Perhaps they are good writers in real life - but that doesn’t really carry over to the realm of MS. You might have to start all over again, but it will be worth it. My advice - take the advice given to you. Most of it comes from people who were new, and people who are now considered the unofficial ’yardsticks’.
Follow the rules
Writing on MS is like eating over at a friend’s house. You are a guest, we all are. You have to respect the property, the people, and the services just as you would in somebody else’s house.
Opinions, opinions
This is my major pet peeve with writers. Yes, people have the right to express any opinion they want - but express it well. An opinion is like a shaky chair - you need something to back it up and support it. Write your opinion, by all means, but don’t criticize others for stating their’s, and don’t shove your opinion down people’s throats. It’s a free world, after all.
Don’t butcher the language!
How many times have I said that? ;) It’s hard to recall, but I must admit that this is one of my weaknesses. I can’t seem to tolerate people who write ’’u’’ instead of ’’you’’ and ’’dat’’ instead of ’’that’’ - but if you do, I’m not stopping you. I rarely stop to correct people; that’s pretty rude, but at the very least, make your review understandable. That means using paragraphs and sentences, and reasonably correct spelling. The language will thank you for it, and so will I.
Oh - while you’re at it, spacing out paragraphs is an excellent idea. I don’t know about you, but when I see one big, long paragraph staring at me, I lose the inclination to read it.
Write what you know
This is one of those standard rules about writing - don’t write for the sake of writing, or for the sake of making money (!). Write because you have a purpose in doing so - and write what you know.
I’m sure I’ve made many of the mistakes that I’ve mentioned above, but I honestly am trying to practice what I preach. I’m sure I’ll learn more as I go along - so a big thank you comes in here to those of you who regularly read, rate, comment, and encourage. It helps! Thanks. :)
Comments and criticisms always welcome,