You don't have to take notes while you read. You can with a paperback place highlight tabs that will remind you after you've finished what you were thinking when you read it. This sort of addition will be, as I said, very valuable both to us as writers and to the group to provide examples of excellent, poor, and average writing. With any valuable lesson, it won't be easy, but with efficient execution (using notetabs or highlighting on your ereader) the small extra effort can produce greater reward.
How do you get from being a poor writer to a great one? You do so by studying craft and noticing the steps and small mistakes that when improved take you to the next step. I've read and heard countless authors suggesting reading books first for fun and then for craft. I'm trying to provide a fun system that encourages us to study the craft of writing Christian Fiction. That is why we're here, aren't we?
I looked back at the categories, and I think it will be easier actually to provide examples for the -1 and+1, if not just as easy as the -2 to +2.
For example: A -1 plot has convenient circumstances. All you have to do there is say, Bob needed a magic staff and it fell out of an eagle's talons right when he needed it. Such an event may have made such an impression that you'll remember it till the end and when you evaluate the book you can provide this example in a quick sentence. Having an action scene that really flowed tabbed for later reference is a great resource when trying to improve your own writing, and all it takes is reading with highlighter strips.
There may be times when it is hard to pinpoint why you give them such a rating. Just write the first honest thing that comes to mind. That should be sufficient. (edited to sound less pompous  )
Once you do one or two like this it will seem easy and the benefits will outweigh the minor extra effort you put forth. If you plan on taking English classes in college, this will help prepare you.
The purpose isn't just to read for fun, but to grow as writers through observation, and to promote their writing through professional opinions. If we go and give everyone a four or a five because we "liked it" then this award idea isn't really going to help anyone.
I'm very thankful for all who have expressed interest in rating. Would you please just trust me on the benefits and give it a shot?
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Ratings for HW Book Awards.doc [41.5 KiB]
