Reviews and Reviewing

[AJRoald]

As writers, we all (I think) thrive on reviews. We all want to know we have done a good job; illicited an emotional response; or even if we have made some horrible faux pas (although this one is admittedly harder to take).

So what type of reviews do you like to get? Do you want the typical "That was great, update soon", or do you really look for the well thought out review that pinpoints certain things the reader found interesting? Do you accept constructive critisism well or do you want people to keep their idea's/opinions to themselves? Do you look for reviews from certain people and are disappointed when they don't review? If you don't receive a good response, do you continue with the story?

On the other side of the token, as readers we have all read that story that just made us fall out of our chair laughing, or that was so bad the back button was flashing neon orange just begging you to get out of that story.

So how do you review? Do you leave reviews like you want to receive? Are they well thought out and point out specifics? Do you leave reviews of stories you didn't like (constructive critisism or a flame)? Are there certain writers you feel obligated to review? What do you do if you don't like their story? Do you review everything you read? Only what you like? Randomly?

And on a side note to all of this mayhem, do you feel obligated to read stories of people who have reviewed you? Left you a particularly sweet reveiw?

[mrsnilescrane]

Umm... I like helpful reviews. I loff constructive crit, but if people flat-out tell me what to do I get pretty ticked.

As for reviewing other people's stuff... if it's good, I tell them so, but if it's really bad and everyone else is telling the author what a good job they're doing, I try and leave some kind constructive crit, especially if it's the person's first somewhat-negative review of that story.

I do feel obligated to review other people's stuff sometimes...

[aikakone]

I should respond to this, too, since I've thought about it quite a lot.

When giving reviews I try to find at least one positive thing to say, even if I really didn't like the fic at all. I consider that a throw-back from my music training. I know because of music and performing that it is possible to critique without getting personal. No "You suck!" here, even if I really, *really* dislike a piece.

AJ has said that she notices when I really like a piece that I get verbose. When I take the time to write, I am verbose usually anyway, but I know what she means. I write a lot and use details.

For the most part, if I read a fic I will review it. I know not everyone is that way, but I consider it the right thing to do.

Now, about receiving reviews, like any writer I do love getting them! Often, though, I find myself looking for the opinions of a specific few, people whose opinions are important to me. As I've told AJ recently, the rest of the reviews are just icing on the cake.

I do write primarily Harry Potter fan fic, and Remus/Ginny couple fic within that. I have other couples and other fandoms, but it isn't as much as this. I have enjoyed when I write other things, though, that the review crowd isn't the same. It's nice picking up new readers who seem to honestly like something and not because they are expected to like it out of loyalty to a coupling.

Of recent mind-bogging event, I wrote a Ginny/Blaise fic. When I originally wrote it, I just sat out and typed it in about the space of 2 hours, maybe less. As of this mroning, it is my 2nd most reviewed fic at Fiction Alley with 61 reviews/posts, and it might eventually take over my Niffled fic "Goodnight, Mr. Potter", which has currently 64 reviews.

I am pleased with it (very!), but yet there's part of me that wonders about it. Of all the stories I have ever written, and some of them are particuarly good (if I can say that about my own stuff), why is it *that* fic that is so popular?

[AJRoald]

Since I'm on a working computer (home computer took a nose dive last night )...I'll answer this one as well.

I love to recieve reviews, and will take them in any form I can get them (even the 'I love your story, update soon' ones)...but I really like reviews that someone has taken the time to really let me know how they feel about my story, things they liked and didn't like.

There are certain people I like to receive reveiws from, who's opinions really matter to me...and like aikakone said, the rest are just icing on the cake.

Leaving reviews...

I will rarely leave a review for something I absolutely don't like...although there have been occasion I have felt obligated, and tried to be as general as possible. I try to leave thoughtful reviews, pick out a point or two that really caught my attention, made me laugh, or provoked some sort of emotional reaction, point out any inconsistancies, or ask about something I perhaps just didn't get.

[Madame Wolf]

Well, I like reviews of any sort because it means people are actually reading it. Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.

To be brutally honest, I'd like gentle pointers to improving my writing. My ego is fragile enough as it is, yet I still want to get better. Yeah, I know I have to develop a thicker skin if I want to get anywhere but I can procrastinate. I'm only 15!

When it comes to reviewing, I'm not very good. I won't leave a review if I didn't like it, but I'll leave a review if I loved it (saying exactly that and trying to spark up a conversation at the same time. I'm hopeless). If it can use some improvement and I won't look like a prat by saying how to fix it, I'll try. I did that once and people I respected once were falling over themselves to commend the person. Oh dear. I looked like a total idiot and cut back on the reviewing from then.

[Spunky]

Hmm, the review issue....

When receiving reviews, I like any kind I get. I don't think I've ever been flamed, but it's always nice to hear that my fic wasn't absolutely horrendous. I will agree though that those that pinpoint specific parts of my story are very nice, and even more so if there's some constructive criticism.

Now, on the other hand, when giving reviews, I am horrible. I think I've reviewed at least one thing done by most of you, and you know what I'm talking about. I'm the 'great fic, can't wait for an update' reviewer. I try and pick out a part I liked most and put it down, but I've never been a very in-depth reviewer.

Do I feel obligated to review stories by people who reviewed me? Well, I do try and read their stuff, and leave comments if I like it, which I usually. I've been blessed to have been reviewed by people who are such great writers themselves, that I've never really had to review them just out of obligation. It's a part of my motivation, but not overwhelming so. Do you get what I'm saying?

~Spunky

[lupus]

Er... I love to get contructive crit since English isn't my first language. It helps a lot to be told what kind of mistakes I make with grammar and stuff like that, so I can learn and develop. And I of course love to hear if the story was any good and if I should continue writing.

I'm not very good at giving reviews though, if I had been able to give them in Swedish that's another story. But since no one would understand me if I do, I don't - smart, eh?

Ylva

[aikakone]

I used to know a lot more Swedish than I do now. I relied on that primarily when I first moved to Finland because it being a Germanic language with ties to English. As I learned better Finnish, the Swedish left me completely.

I still know the random food word and train directions/instructions, but those aren't the makings of a fan fic review!

[sandylupin]

I like any kinds of reviews. I dont give so much of them. As lupus said I am also Swedish and if I could send them in Swedish it had been a lot easier.