Well, I'd like to think we all don't make "lousy reviewers", but I'm sure most of us do. This is never more apparent to me than after blog tours where the featured novels are reviewed by mostly readers. Readers who generally read a lot of fiction. Readers who look forward to the next book like a child grins while anticipating a piece of candy. Readers that digest story and don't dig into the plot holes or potential writing mishaps.
We writers are a critical lot – forced to be as we scour our work for "bad" writing errors. What ultimately happens is we see every downside of others' works right along with our own except that if they're published and we aren't, we want to tear apart the author for his/her choices in words, style, and/or message (or lack thereof). We become less and less satisfied with what we read. Sometimes a little bitter. Sometimes a little jealous. Sometimes a lot frustrated. Aw, c'mon. You know it's true.
But reviewing novels maybe should be divided into two groups: the readers' reviews and the authors' reviews. I guarantee the results would be dramatically different. And even then sub-categories wouldn't be a bad idea. Because readers of literary fiction won't be satisfied with a lot of commerical fiction and vice versa.
I've learned a few things from attempting to write reviews in recent times. If I choose to review a novel, I have to remember who the audience for it is. I have to remind myself someone will love it even if I don't. And I have to be reasonable if I criticize it. I'm sent various novels for review. Most of them I requested. This means – to me – an inherent fairness is required. I thought the stories would be interesting, good, satisfying – something like that. So if the books aren't any of those, reviews should say either why I didn't find them that way without crucifying the authors and their words or why a certain kind of reader will – or both.
Writers tend to examine the actual writing of the story moreso than the story itself. We look at how the characters develop, all the technical aspects of putting words together, and we decide if the methodology works. Sometimes readers have no idea what we're talking about and find these factors non-essentials. And that, my friends, is why writers can make lousy reviewers – as far as readers are concerned.
Father, let us be kind even if we must point out faults. Help us to look ourselves square in the mirror before making claims about others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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