So...you wrote this review theory a very long time ago; I wonder if you even remember what it says (In 2003 I did not even have an account. Way to be a dedicated writer.) I always feel bad when I read these things, becuase I have a lot of reviews. It makes me wonder if my writing is cliched or stupid...

But I agree with it. It was well written without sounding like a complaint or rant- just stating the facts and what you thought the explanation was for it. I didn't look closely, but there was nothing grammatically incorrect that stood out to me, and your style fit the point that you were trying to get across. No errors in formatting, either.

How did I find this theory? I'm one of those crazy people who go searching through the archives. I don't think any of your other reviewers have said this before, but I *love* reviewing, almost as much as writing itself. It's so fun to help an author, or to stumble upon some amazing story. Sure, it's easy to get lost in all the bad stuff, but I found out that the more you spend time looking, the more you can find some publishable novels hiding out here. Using the Favorite Stories lists are a good idea.

I think that your theories are very helpful writers here. I have to say that the thing that caught my interest the most was your comments on cliched plots and overused characters. Just the fact that you mentioned these things shows me that you are a dedicated writer who cares about creating a good story. Your mentions of your story Tim Stone's Path... piqued my interest, especially when you said that the main character was overweight.

So, I guess the point(s) of this long winded review is this: there are people out there who review and enjoy doing it, and by writing this theory you have effectively gotten another reader who is going to take a look at your other stuff.

good job.

Hi, it's me! I like to review the stories of people who review mine, because I fit in the 3rd category, lazy. I also fit into the cliched category too, but I like to think my writing's a bit better than most cliched writing...-hopeful face- I like this, and its so true. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to review some more stuff.

Well written. You supported your points well and the sentences and grammar was very good. I enjoyed it very much.
Bleh.
What you just read was the type of review I usually leave. If the story has serious problems, then I'll try to weave in constructive criticism without offending anybody.
I agree with a lot of what you said, and I'm glad I decided to read it because now I think I can understand why some people don't review. It was helpful, and I meant what I said in the beginning.
I like to leave long reviews too, but recently, I've felt burdened almost because I need to leave reviews. It's really discouraging when you leave so many really long reviews and you yourself only get sentences. I am more active on fanfiction.net, and leave a lot of reviews, but then in return, what do I get? Next to nothing. And that's one of the reasons why I often don't want to review. (Although I still force myself to do so)
Ok, I definitely agree with what you said in your second point, Appeal.
It's true! Some stories have wonderful plots and well constructed characters and actually good grammar, but are hardly noticed! It's horrible. I feel like that sometimes. I've ready stories that are unrealistic to the point that I can't understand them. Not that they're unrealistic in their setting, but in character development. It just doesn't make sense!
I know how much reviews mean to the author, and that's why I always feel bad when I consider not reviewing. Especially when I read really badly written stories, having maybe just one review. I feel so sorry for them, and in the end, I will have left a review.
I personally write really realistic stuff, and a lot of it is really personal and I can really connect with it. LIke my Cinderella. A lot of her feelings and experiences are built up from things that happened to me. I find that a lot of people like stories that are just the opposite of what they write, and that's sometimes true for me.
Another thing I think about fictionpress stories is that, of those I've read, they're not as well constructed as those on fanfiction. The thing is, fanfiction already has a plot and developed characters and setting, so its easier to write. Sometimes original fiction can go really awry, because they don't seem to have much of an outline. Also, stories and poetry on fictionpress tends to be really dark and personal. Often stories I wrote that I personally really liked weren't attractive to the public. That's what I've observed anyways.
This was a really clever idea, to write this, and also subtly weaving in hints to read your other story. I'll be reading it now.
And thanks so much for reviewing my story. I always make an effort to thank those who review my stories by either reviewing theirs or just acknowledging them. so...want to read more of my stuff?

Props to you. I wholeheartedly agree with every sentiment, and WILL read Tim Stone. Sounds interesting.

I don't know much about the shortage of reviews on FictionPress unfortunately. Mainly because I *personally* don't write for reviews - even though they make me happy! I mean, i was writing before I came on FictionPress and I never got feedback then.

I guess I kinda do ReviewSwaps though, if someone reviews me then yeah, i will probably go and read something of theirs (unless all of their stuff is about 30 chapters long, in which case i just back away from the computer!)

If I read a story that i don't really care about, i feel it's my "duty" to leave a review - even if its just a one liner. But, I'm also on FanFic and I think you need to be careful with reviews on FanFic because even if you just leave some "constructive critism" then the writer can get scary and come chasing after you!

I think I've definately been guilty of writing typical characters - the characters in both my stories are in their teens, they both have powers and one of them is set at school. I'm sorry! I have failed as an original writer...

I think I'll go and look up thew story you spoke about though, unless its too long for me to read all of it.

I hate when something doesn't get a review and it's a good story - it really ** me off. Sometimes I will find an awesome writer and there will be NO reviews on any of their work. So, if I have the time, I will sit down and review as much of it as I can.

I also use the review swap method (it's in bold on my bio...like anyone reads that long, pointless rambling anyway) and it DOES work. And another thing I do to make myself more well known is go to the just-in list and read/review all the work that's on there.

Another way to get more reviews is to have more than one story. I have over 200 - which is probably why so many people have been able to find me.

This was well-written, however, and makes a good point. You really do have to appeal to the readers to get your stuff read...which is probably why my old fanfics are sitting and rotting, and my original stuff (other than my poetry) is doing the same. ;P

Keep writing!

~Namir Swiftpaw

I totally agree when it comes to point #1 and if you ask me, the only thing that can really be done to fix this is if Fp.com can do subcategories or if people update more frequently (the people who don't have much time to update, please don't take that as an insult because it's not...I'm just saying it would be easier to get reviews).

#2- I don't know about you, but usually the stories that I read and I notice get a lot of reviews are those that *are* well written and have a nice plot. True, some of these might be totally unoriginal, but they do have different twists in them that can make it interesting. It's not always the plot that can dictate whether the story is good or not, but whether the story was well written and have depth and details beyond the plotline. I read a lot of romances just because I like them and they appeal to me, it's not a crime to like the cliche lines...afterall they wouldn't be cliche if the plotlines weren't loved by many.

#3 I only review those stories that I like or those that I think have potential. Rarely do I read past the first chapter if the story has poor grammar, poor writing or both. I also don't have the heart to tell these authors that their stories suck...I just don't know how to say it. Even when I have to point out some mistakes or give some comments in some of the stories that I do like, I find myself telling the author that I'm not trying to be mean.

#4 I think the real way to get reviews is to try and improve your style of writing. No one wants to read anything with horrible grammar or writing that just sucks or makes no sense. Review swaps do work, but time to time I come across a piece of work that I promised that I'd review that just sucks. Being me, I don't know how to say that I don't like it or that it could be drastically improved. One could also work on making the title and summary sound a little more interesting because I know that I pick the stories I want to read from reading the titles and summaries.

Lastly, I think of myself as an okay writer. I stick by the rules of grammar and try to make the story sound as interesting as possible without over-repeating or making it sound stupid. But there is a chance that I *just* think this about myself and therefore it wouldn't be fair for me to be making all these judgements when I should be accused of them as well. So if anyone comes across any of my writings and believes that I am guilty of any of the above, please let me know and in advance I apologize.

Reviews are meant to help writers get feedback on their stories, afterall many if not most, write to please an audience and themselves in the process. Please don't set a limit on how many reviews you want before posting another part of your story, this is just a stupid practice and it doesn't help to force people into doing it. I will admit that I *love* getting reviews. I like to read other people's comments and what they think of my stories but I will never ask for a certain amount of reviews before posting because it ultimately makes people stop reading. Those that are reading this, I urge you to review once in a while and help writers develop. It doesn't have to be for every story that you read...just the ones that you think could use a little help or those stories that you love.

That's enough of my babbling...lol. I hope that no one took this review the wrong way because I didn't mean it like that. It's only meant to be something to help and a way tosubmit my opinion.

I pretty much left a review there in the Friggin' name box. In my reviews, I ramble, so forgive me, for my nonsense ramble. Alright: Numero Uno,Xandra... I lub it! and Numero dos... NONE! HAH!

this is really good. i also find reviews are hard to catch. my best way is doing lots of reviews. when i first joined, i didn't read much stuff but just posted my stuff, now i am leaving probably 10 reviews a day. i came over from ff.net where i didn't write much, but rather read and reviewd and aded to my favs lists and all that stuff. but i lvoe this, its really well written and fav list worthey

Personally, I don't understand the big deal with the review system. I'm beginning to find it annoying when an author practically begs you to review. A whole ago, I found myself disgusted at a friend I was chatting with online because she refused to post new chapters on the account her story barely has any reviews. Yeah, I admit, it feels good when I post a new chapter and receive a couple reviews for it a few hours later, but I have better things to do with my time then stare at the computer screen and push "reload" every hoping that maybe, just maybe someone else reviewed. A review to means two things to me:
a. At least one person out there has read my story.
b. Whoever reviewed my story has caught my attention. That means I'll check out their profile and give at least one of the reviewer's story. Most of time, the reviewer has an interesting enough story to read.
Well, that's all I have to say.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thank you for writing this. And thank you for pointing out how it's usually the cliché stuff that gets reviewed. (Isn't it annoying how a lot of the greatly-reviewed stuff is badly written? >.> That's a real turn-off for writers who actually grasp the English language.)

Frustrating, it is. Now see, your story about the slightly overweight actor interests me because it's *different* and *original*, not because of some romance. And hurrah for characters who aren't Mary Sues or Gary Stues! Cheez whiz. >.> I'll admit to having succumbed the apathy thing. If there's nothing to say, why say nothing with a lot of words? ...I'll stop now. I'm just so glad you've written this. ^_^

I just HAVE to respond to some girl that reviewed this post a little farther down.

First and foremost, I write because it satisfies me. But the reason I chose to post my work on fp is to see what others think of my writing. It's simple. To say that wanting reviews is selfish, that's ridiculous! That's like saying you never want anyone to see what you write. Real writers want opinions, in order to improve.

And yes, you had a lot of good points here. In case you don't already know, I'm the co-author of blueplatespecial's "Rusted Aluminum." We're writing it together.

Now go and give me a review! :o)

-Leighann

I have to agree that most of your points on reviews are very valid. I mean, you can upload something, and an hour later, it's not even on the first page of the category anymore! :-)
I do agree with Alyx that being a member does have it's advantages. The spotlight feature earns me reviews sometimes weeks or months after I've posted something, which is always nice. Also, it's true that more people read than review. 10% is a pretty accurate estimate.

I do review a lot of what I read, but of course, I don't review everything. I find that I tend to review either 1.) stories with multiple chapters that hold my interest, 2.) the rare one-shot or poem that speaks to me or 3.) the pretty good story that could be great with just a little work. I usually completely ignore anything I think is truly terrible. I don't want to hurt someone's feelings, and I've not yet found the knack of being that tactful! :-)

Also true is that the favorite author/stories links do work! I find that if I really like someone's work, that I'll also tend to like what they like. I guess similar styles appeal to certain people.

Anyway, don't let lack of reviews discourage you from writing! Sometimes, the only person you need to please is yourself.

Thanks for writing this...it helped out. I've been freaking out about not getting any reviews v_v. most stories can't hold my attention long enough, but i always try my best to review if i finish reading a chapter and usually i don't know what to say besides "good job. write more." review swapping sounds like a good idea

Okay, so I'm one of these people you are complaining about who doesn't review things, often because I fit into the "nothing to say" category, so i thought I'd start reviewing more by reviewing this.
It was interesting, and I've made a few resolutions on points you have made (that I will keep inside my head, in case I fail).
Sorry you don't like the whole "angsty-potry" thing. Since I joined FP.com (only a few days ago, to be fair to myself) all I have been doing is churning out badly-written angsty-stuff. But whatever. Thanks for this article.