Recently, I've given some thought to the concept of reviews and I keep coming up to one thought.
Asparagus.
When I go to a brick and mortar store (vs shopping online), I don't ask other shoppers for their opinion before I make my purchases.
In all the times I've been to a Barnes & Noble or lingered in the book section of a Target or Walmart, only one person has ever asked for my opinion of a book to help them decide whether or not to purchase it.
I remember thinking they were rather odd.
After all, what one reader comes away from a story with is not the same as what another reader is going to receive, even if they typically read the same genres, same authors, etc.
Which is where the asparagus comes in.
Say you're in the produce section at the grocery store and another customer asks if you think they'll like asparagus.
You can tell them what you like or don't like about it but they really won't know if the texture, consistency, and taste are actually to their liking until they've actually tried it themselves.
Just because two people are shopping in the produce section doesn't mean they both have the same tastes in fruits and veggies.
So, by all means, read reviews, write reviews.
But remember the asparagus.
You'll never know if you like it if you never actually try it.
~L
Asparagus.
When I go to a brick and mortar store (vs shopping online), I don't ask other shoppers for their opinion before I make my purchases.
In all the times I've been to a Barnes & Noble or lingered in the book section of a Target or Walmart, only one person has ever asked for my opinion of a book to help them decide whether or not to purchase it.
I remember thinking they were rather odd.
After all, what one reader comes away from a story with is not the same as what another reader is going to receive, even if they typically read the same genres, same authors, etc.
Which is where the asparagus comes in.
Say you're in the produce section at the grocery store and another customer asks if you think they'll like asparagus.
You can tell them what you like or don't like about it but they really won't know if the texture, consistency, and taste are actually to their liking until they've actually tried it themselves.
Just because two people are shopping in the produce section doesn't mean they both have the same tastes in fruits and veggies.
So, by all means, read reviews, write reviews.
But remember the asparagus.
You'll never know if you like it if you never actually try it.
~L