Being asked for an honest opinion

I think I would suggest to the hobby group that they each write on a piece of paper, anonymously, one thing they liked about the book and one thing they didn't.Tell the Author that everyone felt a little embarassed giving one to one praise or criticism, so this is the method you have adopted. She gets HONEST opinions without turning it into personal affront or argument and everyone else is saved from awkwardness and embarassment.

Describe something you liked in the book and WHY it worked. eg " The chapter where ...happened worked well because ..." " The plot twist where ...happened was great because ....."

Then say "I wonder whether if you used that technique in the chapter on ...would that work well? "Maybe cutting back on ....would make it as exciting as..."

Another way is gentle questioning. " I read the section on ... What was your thinking on including that?. Maybe Im missing something but I wasnt sure"

Be prepared if you are truthful as if you do all give feedback and are negative she will be hurt. It’s finding the right things to say. Start with the bits you did find interesting (if any) and be kind on the negative

You could just say it’s not your kind of book but how well she did it write it - not simple task

nanna8

Point out the good things first ( assuming there are some !) and then say you found it a little bit long ?

Do the usual coaching circle. Good stuff first, Ask her what she would like to improve on and then tell her what you think could have been better. Finish off with a compliment about the best bit about her writing.
She needs to go away feeling positive which this usually enables if done well.
It is harder to write a review but you could just write what you found good about her first novel.

Rocketstop2

I think I would suggest to the hobby group that they each write on a piece of paper, anonymously, one thing they liked about the book and one thing they didn't.Tell the Author that everyone felt a little embarassed giving one to one praise or criticism, so this is the method you have adopted. She gets HONEST opinions without turning it into personal affront or argument and everyone else is saved from awkwardness and embarassment.

this is a good way around it for sure.

Macaydia

Quercus

No writer ever wants a totally honest opinion, not ever, even if they say they do.
Do the 'sandwich' feedback: make positive comments about anything that even vaguely merits it, then one minor criticism, and finish on another positive note.

The forum that Quercus described as a three part method is the proper way to critique and encourage. You are but one reviewer. Be honest so that she reaches new levels with each attempt. It is not that she is good or bad. It is that you are honest and she strives to improve.

This reminds me of one of my most excruciating evenings - going to an "off-West End" production of a play written by a friend. It was absolutely terrible. We ran out afterwards desperate not to be spotted by her.

I didn’t know that JKR was once self -published. I heard (largely via my agent) that after so many rejections she was taken on, with a very small advance, by the agent who eventually kicked her career off. He was once pointed out to me at a big writers/agents/publishers’ do - a very suave looking older man with silver hair and a quietly pleased with himself expression.
As my agent also said, some of the publishers’ editors who were also there, who’d rejected the first Harry Potter, were quietly crying into their Chardonnay!

I would be honest and say you could not get into it, she asked for honesty.

Nanna8 says it in a nutshell.

Personally, I would be honest, because she risks writing another very long and boring book otherwise. It is much better to say, "in my opinion..." then give an honest answer, as it was so long. You
will all face yet another reading ordeal if length of next book is not appropriate, and you don't say anything now. Good luck.

I would not offer praise if it is boring.
That is unhelpful and dishonest.
She needs to know it is far too long (even after the apparent cuts).

I still wonder if it's historical or otherwise based on "truth".
That is SO hard to get round!

I am still happily married to same husband, and I always wear my ring. The only times I take it off are for fear of it getting caught in machinery. I did wear other rings, but had a few close escapes, wigh one large ring getting caught in weldmesh fencing (whilst playing tennis!), mh wedding ring got caught on a radiator...whilst running past, both times the ring broke fortunately. I had to have them all (5) cut off after an accident, and flying home, the next day at hospital they told me later that I could have lost my fingers, which had all swelled up! So that has really put me off wearing lots of rings. I just wear 3 now, including my wedding ring.

This isn't the "ring" thread StTrinians

Oops. Thanks NotSpaghetti. Not sure how that happened. Very odd. I must have returned to the Honest thread. Must concentrate more in future!