Your best bet is to be kind, honest, and supportive. Before you meet with him or talk with him, write down what you liked and what you thought you could improve on. When you do see him, bring up those points, especially what you really liked! Don't overdo it, just generalize on the things that you thought could've been much better. If you hated the the dialogue between certain characters at certain moments, mention that he could improve on the dialogue in general. If you thought the ending was obvious, then tell him why, in a nice way of course. For support say that you've seen these types of things in the best of them, like "I could see you tried to pull a Steven King or Patricia Cornwell and mention how he should try to make it more his own thing rather than follow the norm. Or mention an author that he resembles or admires and tell him to look to those for guidance. The important thing is to be supportive instead of critical!
Good luck!
2006-08-19 14:11:16
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answer #1
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answered by stormymidori 2
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If you care about this person, and dont want to hurt his feelings, then convince yourself that it is only your opinion, and there may be some loonies out there who would actually go for it. Support his efforts by telling him that you enjoyed it, but that you are not really a good critic, and did badly in close reading exams in school - but you liked the tale.
Actually, the simplest way out is to get him to do all the talking. Somewhere in the book there must be an event or a character that if it had been written well may have got u a bit curious - ask him to elaborate. Then you can get into a real conversation, as it will be his thoughts and extrapolations, not the guff printed on the page. You often find folk have great imaginations but are terrible writers! This could be your salvation!
And have a good bottle of malt on hand - it will numb both your senses!
2006-08-19 14:03:58
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answer #2
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answered by Allasse 5
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Hilary Duff have been given a fortunate wreck.she would be able to't sing and neither can 0.5 the human beings on Disney Channel.She's no longer even that super of an actress.Plus to authentic all of it off she appears like an anorexic.She additionally desires to end with all that surgical treatment otherwise she will have the means to finally end up finding in basic terms as undesirable as Micheal Jackson.in actuality she is going to finally end up like Jessica Simpson,and all the different wash-united statesif she would be able to't get it at the same time.
2016-09-29 11:13:58
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answer #3
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answered by alisha 4
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If someone has to resort to the 'vanity press' then it has usually been the only way the novel has of ever being published. Some ppl will resort to this just to see themselves in print. It's a hard decision to make whether to be brutally honest or save his feelings. Maybe he'll give up once the novelty of this wears off because its not cheap to get things published!! I suppose you could find some pieces that are interesting as you say. Maybe you could explain that you're not the best person to act as a critic !!{hopefully you're not in the business}
2006-08-21 06:47:43
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answer #4
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answered by xbkw46 4
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Tell him the truth, he should already know without you telling him! Your really not doing him any favours giving him a load of BS.
I've written a couple of books, the first was crap, but I knew that without having to ask any one, and with my 'friends' I know they would tell me it was crap, (even if it was good)!
The second book was an autobio' and I wrote it as a sort of 'legacy' for family and friends, it's published and I'm quite happy with it.
But to get back to your question. Tell him it's crap.
2006-08-19 16:23:25
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answer #5
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answered by budding author 7
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Tell him it's not really your cup of tea genre-wise, but you thought that X was good and Y was really interesting, X and Y being any two of the best points that you can comfortably blather about. You could even say it reminds you of Z, Z being a legendary author or book.
Then stick it on your bookshelf to look like a proud friend :-)
2006-08-19 14:01:56
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Tell him the good points, but say it is the type of book that would have a very @particular and narrow@ audience and probably would not be popular in the mainstream.
2006-08-19 13:59:22
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answer #7
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answered by Donna : 4
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Encourage him to write another. Don't go to town on the criticism of the first but give them an idea how to write a better one
2006-08-19 14:00:48
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answer #8
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answered by thecharleslloyd 7
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Be truthful but don't be too harsh. Just say what you really feel. You love to read, but personally, his novel is not of interest to you. Good luck.
2006-08-19 13:59:36
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Find something about it you liked. Anything. Comment on that. If he wants to discuss it, let him do most of the talking!
2006-08-19 13:58:57
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answer #10
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answered by christian_lady_2001 5
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