The first thing asked for in a rating is ‘how do you rate this item?” This is what the star system means to Amazon.

1 star - I hate it
2 stars - I don’t like it
3 stars - It’s ok
4 stars - I like it
5 stars - I love it

Amazon has tips for what makes a good review. I thought I would add a few of my own:

- Read the excerpt and write your own review before you read the others. That’s hard to resist. But, think how heavily you are influenced if you go to a movie that all your friends have seen and discussed before you’ve seen it.

- What are your initial impressions? Did you enjoy what you read? Were you drawn in or did your attention wander? Did you gain something from reading it? Would you recommend it to a friend?

- If you liked something, let the author know. Praise is much appreciated when it is truthful, from the heart. Constructive criticism is like watering an author. We need it to grow and value your insights.

- Penguin is looking for reviews that other reviewers found helpful. If one was (of course, reading it after you write your own), click the box where they ask that question.

- Read other semi-finalists’ excerpts. What a gift to an author to receive an unsolicited review. You can find other excerpts at http://www.amazon.com/abna

Tips on the craft of writing:

Characters – Do you care about the characters? Are they memorable and why? What does each character want? Need? What is standing in the way of getting that?

Plot – Do the scenes go anywhere? Is there a sense of tension? Does something or someone change?

Sense of Place – Do the details convey a sense of where of you are? Are more or less details needed?

Dialogue – Is it believable? Does it fit with the style of the piece? Help to round out characters?

Theme – What is the story about? Do the elements from above contribute to the theme?