any media reviewers?

[dharmama]

i've recently been asked to review some books and cds and i keep procrastinating about it because i've never written a media review before.

i am generally an essayist and features writer so when i start to write i keep injecting myself and how this particular book/cd etc. relates to my life, but the media reviews i see in magazines and newspapers are not like that at all.

anyway...just wondering if anyone has experience or could point me to a good model for writing them.

thanks!!

[lisarussell]

Does the site you're writing for have requirements or a standard? When I write reviews, I write it out as I'm thinking, then when I edit, I neutralize the text. Instead of "My 15 yr old thought it was boring" I say "Teens might not find it stimulating enough" So my advice would be to just write it up however you experienced it, then at least you'll have something to edit into shape.

I hope that helps, good luck.

[dharmama]

That's actually extremely helpful. Thank you.