Review Dang it!
Occasionally, I get an incredibly flattering review or email from one of my readers. One of the first things they say is that they don't usually review, but they've been reading my stuff and they love it so much that they can't keep silent any longer. I like getting these letters, but more than that I wish that they would review from the start.
I don't read online very often, but if I read something (a chapter) to the end, I always drop the author a line and say what I think of it. I've read a few things online that really impress me, and for them I write long love letters saying what I liked about their work. For everyone else, I take the time to write something - even if it isn't fantastic. Usually, it's just a note to say that I read their chapter to the end and I at least found it interesting enough not to quit. Personally, I think that's quite a lot because of how little I read and the narrow range of things I'm interested in. I've also sent comments like, "There's nothing wrong with this, but if I were a publisher, I wouldn't publish it, because somehow it just isn't enough. Not enough spice, not enough human interest - I'm not sure.' Other times, I write and tell them they need to review a certain rule because they make the same mistake over and over again.
The point is, if you don't say what you think when you read - the poor sap devoting their time to writing it will just go on making the same mistakes over and over again.
However, there is something to say for numbers. Back when I was writing 'Slayers' fanfiction, I knew that there weren't a lot of people who liked my writing, because I didn't get that many reviews. When I write 'Escaflowne' fanfiction I do much better, but my writing is a lot different. I've learned a lot since then.
Anyway, the point is - even if you're thinking something bad - say it anyway. Authors like the number of reviews even if they're not wild about what you say. BUT! I still disagree with fanstory.com paying readers for reviews. I think their reviews are phoney an unknown percent of the time, just because the readers want member dollars. BUT! If you read something on fanfiction.net or mediaminer.org or fictionpress.com or writing.com - at least send a little note that says you read it to the end.
Sheesh!
I don't read online very often, but if I read something (a chapter) to the end, I always drop the author a line and say what I think of it. I've read a few things online that really impress me, and for them I write long love letters saying what I liked about their work. For everyone else, I take the time to write something - even if it isn't fantastic. Usually, it's just a note to say that I read their chapter to the end and I at least found it interesting enough not to quit. Personally, I think that's quite a lot because of how little I read and the narrow range of things I'm interested in. I've also sent comments like, "There's nothing wrong with this, but if I were a publisher, I wouldn't publish it, because somehow it just isn't enough. Not enough spice, not enough human interest - I'm not sure.' Other times, I write and tell them they need to review a certain rule because they make the same mistake over and over again.
The point is, if you don't say what you think when you read - the poor sap devoting their time to writing it will just go on making the same mistakes over and over again.
However, there is something to say for numbers. Back when I was writing 'Slayers' fanfiction, I knew that there weren't a lot of people who liked my writing, because I didn't get that many reviews. When I write 'Escaflowne' fanfiction I do much better, but my writing is a lot different. I've learned a lot since then.
Anyway, the point is - even if you're thinking something bad - say it anyway. Authors like the number of reviews even if they're not wild about what you say. BUT! I still disagree with fanstory.com paying readers for reviews. I think their reviews are phoney an unknown percent of the time, just because the readers want member dollars. BUT! If you read something on fanfiction.net or mediaminer.org or fictionpress.com or writing.com - at least send a little note that says you read it to the end.
Sheesh!
posted by Sapphirefly at
4:31 p.m.
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