Intermissions: On Why I Review

It's been a month since I started this blog and I wasn't really expecting to last that long in this (ahem) business. There were times when I wanted to put down a book midway, `cause I could feel my hair slowly going white as I go on reading, but then I thought to myself,  "what kind of person would call herself a reviewer and just review a book half way?". It was tempting to just use the straightforward approach and rant about my pains in reading this book and that (try reading random books, and you'll know why some reviewers get carried away and channel Hulk), but I guess I'm still in control of myself. LOL.

Bakit ba namin `to ginagawa? Para lang ba manlait ng bagong writers at pigilan silang magsulat? That's laughable. WHY would we stop them? WE WANT TO READ TAGALOG ROMANCE, and new writers are the FUTURE of Tagalog romance. Gawa man ng bago at beteranong writers, gusto naming basahin silang lahat. Pero gusto namin ay iyong may QUALITY. I understand that mass production favors the publisher and the authors. But for authors: IS THAT REALLY ALL YOU WANT?

Writers are given a great opportunity, and responsibility, to inspire change in the world, not just to entertain. That's what a writer is for me. Sounds like something a literary snob would say, huh? But if I was one, I wouldn't bother making this blog. Magpapakalunod na lang ako sa gawa ng mga akademiko at ni Stephen King. Pero malapit sa puso ko ang romance. At dahil ang romance ay isang genre na sobrang laki ng impluwensiya sa mundo, at ang PHR ang pinakasikat na local publishing company pagdating dito, natural lang siguro na umasa kami sa may kaledad na libro kahit paano. Gusto rin kasi naming ipagmalaki ito sa mundo. Gusto naming dumating ang panahong maraming local romance novels ang maisasalin naman sa ibang lengguwahe o magiging pelikula. How cool would that be?

"Authors, don't you dream about that, too? Don't you aspire to reach your writing potential?"

Hindi naman namin kailangan ng mga nobelang sobrang focused sa kalaliman ng human nature na nakakaantok nang basahin. Pero ayaw rin naman namin ng pampalipas-oras lang. Balanse, kumbaga—may aral at excitement. Bukod doon ay iyong maayos din ang pagkakasulat at pinag-isipan naman ang plot. Gusto namin iyong mga nobelang tipong worth it na ipaglaban mula sa mga kasambahay namin na makakita lang ng libro ay gusto nang sunugin.
 

I haven't mentioned this before, but I think it's obvious that I only review authors who are new and those in the middle of their careers. Those I consider veterans and have proven themselves already, I don't think they need to grace this blog. And there are other bloggers who review veteran PHR, MSV, or LM works anyway. I did this because I want newbies to realize that WE ARE WATCHING THEM. You are the future of Tagalog romance—future Gilda Olvidado, future Rose Tan, future Martha Cecilia, etc., but that depends on how you satisfy your readers and take care of your career.


Of course, you will still grow up and experience new things that will help you improve and achieve your writing potential. But if you can grow up now, why delay? Natatakot ba kayo na mawala ang fans ninyo na nasanay sa gawa ninyo? Don't be. if you do your best, every good thing will follow you. Don't be afraid to experiment. Staying in your comfort zone will only make you stagnant. You'll eventually have to get out of there and do something better. Always aim for maturity. Even children's books have it. They're not childish. They're just written in a way that children will understand their moral lessons. You can also do that with romance.

And for those who didn't receive favorable reviews and ratings, don't get angry at us. We have the right to say these things about your books. Even if you have loyal fans to save you, attitude will take you much higher up your goals. That is, if you have goals. And whatever you say, I know writers write because of something greater than money. You also want fame and respect. So, don't fool yourself. It's not just about the money, baby. 

------

That concludes my first ranting. And I think, once I get to review one book from every new writer (whew), I might retire. That is, if I don't get a stroke before that day comes. 

I want to thank the Facebook page PHR New Writers for providing albums for new (and not so new) writers. I snatched the photos and teasers from them. Like their page HERE.

Also, support the blogs and FB pages of reviewers, if only to find out the latest gossip and trending topics. You know you want it.

To the authors, I hoped I helped you guys in some way. I know writing is hard, but not writing when you have the itch is harder. Take care of your careers. Keep growing and you'll bloom in time.

And watch out for the next reviews. Ciao.