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| dragonflydreamer 2008-04-21 ch 1,  | abuseI liked your essay. I don't know why, but I love reading these. Hmm... I'm not quite sure what to comment on since it's not a typical essay. I think this was pretty informative. I like your idea of stock reviews. It's very rare that you find new ideas in this type of essay, but I've never seen that one before. I'll try it out! It would have been nice if you explained that a bit simpler, though. I had to read it through twice before I got it ^_^' I also wish this were a bit longer. You deffinately touched on some important points, but to a new writer reading this I think they could have used a bit more. Yay! Concrit! Thanks for the essay. I think a lot of people will benefit from it. |
| Sixth 2007-11-12 ch 1, | abuseI meant to drop in your profile to see what I can review on before someone slammed my table with more paper work labelled with a sticky slip which says: computing exam tomoro* Anyway... give me suggestios? Or what would you like me to look at? :) Now back to the review! This is quite entertaining and humorous XD I've read a few pieces regarding posting reviews/how to write good fantasy. They are just so... fun to watch (sadistic I am sometimes, if you know what I mean). This is not a bad guide, I agree with most of your points(I shall not elaborate since I threw up a mouthful about it in my profile). There is one way I might want to add to your list though- if authors reply their reviews, reviewers are more likely to return and give you another. It takes away the rotten feeling of talking to a wall. Points I gathered: 1. Get your point across WITHOUT emotions. 2. Distinguish flaming from concrit before you decide to drop a review. Note: there is a HUGE difference between flame and concrit. 3. If you wish for reviews, 3 things you can do(there's more, but I haven't thought of it): 1. produce quality work(meaning the sort that captures attention and stays attractive for as long as it lasts). 2. Ask for it like: would you review this if you have the time? Or join forums to advertise your story. 3. Return kindness. Adopt the: what kindness done unto me shalt be done unto thee. In short, RETURN reviews. By a sadist(close)- Sixth |
| Laura Schiller 2007-10-19 ch 1, | abuseThanks for posting this. I have just the problem you described in the beginning ^_^ And I can see that in your case, it obviously helped. You have like 10 reviews for every story! Since you like concrit, though, I'm going to say that things like "for the love of cheese" and "x is a drunken banana" don't really belong in this essay, they sound a bit silly and unprofessional. But your advice sounds good and I'm going to try to follow it. By the way, if you'd like to "concrit" some of my own things, please feel free! |
| Stella-Polaris 2007-10-14 ch 1, | abuseHey, this helped me out alot! But I still don't want to sound fluffy and tell you that there was nothing wrong and it was great! P.S I need a bit of concrit on my new piece which I think you might like! Feel free to review! |
| Ladybugg13 2007-10-11 ch 1, | abuseVery nice. I liked how you incorporated humor, but I don't like... how bad I am at giving concrit. Lol. but I'm reviewing, so I get half point right? -Bugg |
| Stella Grimshaw. 2007-10-09 ch 1, | abuseI found this piece rather charming. It was just almost humorous in a dry way like HEY! you're so desperate for reviews READ THIS because I am that amazing. I just giggled a bit, but I loved it. How to give a review is such common knowledge I didn't know I'd wind up reading how to. It was just very witty, good job. |
| Bubbles the Kitty 2007-10-08 ch 1, | abuseFirst of all, very inventive idea. Had a lot of new ideas I had never thought of, although I am going to agree with the majority on the disapproval of some of these tactics. Primarily the C/P review idea, and the good/bad begging. Reviews are meant to be personalized according to each specific work. All works are different, even if some of them may not seem it. They each need a personalized view specific to the particular story. And the begging thing is just ridiculous. I hate it when I am reading a review and get a litte comment saying 'Read my work' no matter how 'subtley' it may be written. It doesnt matter how you dress it up, begging for reviews is still begging for reviews. If you have the decency to write a good, well-thought out review on somebody's work, karma should take care of the rest. If it doesn't that person was a review munching prude and you wouldn't want their input anyway. On a good hand, I will take away a few good tips on writing a good concrit. I will admit to sometimes writing the lazy 'good story, update soon' reviews that are meaningless. In my defense I usually put that when I can conceive no good concrit on said story but there are several occasions where it comes from sheer laziness. Still, good essay. I did enjoy it at least for the humor in it. |
| JJSLAM2129 2007-10-06 ch 1, | abuse*restrains forehead from hitting the keyboard* I'm not gonna lie, there are some parts to this essay that are completely true, like trying to pull out both the positives and negatives of a work. Reviews with no helpful content just make me cringe. I do however have a few points of contention: - The whole "stock reviews" idea: Well, sure that seems fine at first, but what if you come across a story you actually *like* and you can't find anything wrong with it? Every work is conditional and should be written individually, otherwise (if someone sees the same structure for another review) it's just gonna look like you didn't bother to take the time to look at the story personally - more like another review notch on your belt. - Begging for reviews is begging for reviews is begging for reviews, no matter what you want to call it. If you have confidence in your work, you shouldn't even have to ask someone. After all, if you "ask" someone to review your work, they'll feel *obligated* to review in return instead of *wanting* to do it. If all you want is reviews, then fine, sure, beg subtely or otherwise, but that rarely gets you concrit. The point being, get over yourself and review someone because they deserve it, not because you want to waste their time plugging yourself. - "There is indeed a very, very fine line between concrit and flames." You say it's a fine line, then you go on to make a huge distinct comparison between the two. Nothing really wrong with it, it's just a little paradoxal. - "If you get flamed, laugh and use it to fan the fires. If it’s a signed flame, post “X is a whiny bratty idiot with the intelligence of a drunken banana” on your profile. See? Win/win. Moving on." No, no, a hundred times no. This kind of thinking leads to pointless online fights. When it comes to flames, just friggin' igonre them; they deserve as much attention as a whining nine year old. Fire, unfortunetly, does not fight fire. All that said, I think you made your point clear, even if I don't agree with everything. Keep on writing! ( :: ) |
| Luny Loona 2007-10-05 ch 1, | abuseNice, I loved your 'flamer' example. I'm also glad that there weren't any...language inappropriate for little children, shall I say, because I find many authors tend to throw some in. I still think that the 'subtle' review part is a little suspicious though...it's nicer, I suppose, but it still sounds weird. 'Stock reviews' is an interesting idea. However, I tend to find it more useful if you actually point out where the error is, because usually, if the author doesn't see it, they wouldn't know about it. It's boring re-reading your own work. Anyway, I loved the humour in the post! |
| Jeannie-Redd 2007-10-05 ch 1, | abuseIt's a nice essay on how to get reviews but I find your point about "subtly asking for reviews" to be completely desperate. Asking for reviews in a review is about as low as one can get when writing a review other than an outright flamer. If you want concrit reviews then it's all about reciprocation and not "subtly asking" or "bad begging". ~Jeannie-Redd |
| Burnt Bread 2007-10-05 ch 1, | abuseIn my opinion, the ‘how to get reviewed’ instructions in this guide should be disregarded. Trust me, you don’t want to be cheapening your reviews by asking for reviews in return. I recommend that anyone who reads this guide does it for the entertainment value and takes away the lesson that being desperate for reviews (begging, blatant advertising) is very déclassé. It's bad manners to ask for return reviews in a review. It's criminal to use a space that’s supposed to be related to reflection on a fictional work to plug yourself. I mean, the concept is much like bad graffiti. It defecate public space. It abuses the reciprocity norm. Asking for a review inside a review perverts the intent and purpose of the review – it’s not what a review should be doing. The idea of a review is to provide feedback or comment about a work. Through writing reviews, one might gain notice from an author or community, however, this should be seen as a side effect and not the main intent of the review. This guide takes review asking to an even lower level by providing a repeated structure. Thoughts should not be copy-and-paste-able, they should be fluently lucid. I hate this growing culture on fictionpress to ask for readership in reviews and hope that you, dear reader, have the basic courtesy to review a work properly. Bread |
| friend 49 2007-10-04 ch 1, anon. | abuseI'm sorry. I'm not going to listen. I AM TYPING, AT THIS MOMENT. YEAH THAT'S RIGHT. :) Sorry. I just had to. :D So funny story. Today in my English class, this kid spelled of wrong. It was kind of great. Except then my teacher started yelling. Which was very mean. D: Yeah but lovely essay. Your sentences are bit on the short side and lacking in variety. You don’t have to repeat HAHA every few words to get your point across. Maybe you could consider lengthening your sentences, by using semicolons for example. Short sentences make the story sound a bit choppy, while longer ones make it flow nicely. However, I did like YOUR ENGLISH ACCENT. Adding more of that in your works could be a big plus! Don't you love haikus? I absolutely love them. Aren't they so great? Have a lovely now Don't wait, I'm stuck in last year I am now breaking all the rules For a properly done haiku. :D |
| TheUnknownMarauder 2007-10-04 ch 1, anon. | abuse/can't be bothered to sign in/ "Marauding angels" do not exist. Deal with it. Yours truly, Me. |
| Girlbrainiac 2007-10-04 ch 1, | abuseThe "stock reviews" idea is interesting, but I much prefer to write personalized reviews, each one different. However, to each their own, I suppose. :P I must agree with you on the annoyance at reviews with no substance (whether flame or praise) though. Those make me wonder if the person even bothered to read my work. On your last point, about begging for reviews, however, I disagree. I don't think that a review is the place to beg for the author to go and read what you have written, even if it is a so-called "subtle" self plug. (It's rather obvious what you're doing, though not NEARLY as annoying as the "bad begging" you listed.) If you want the author to know who you are and what you have written, review under your username. The review is supposed to be about the author's work, not your own. If you want to beg for reviews, there are plenty of forums out there for that express purpose, as well as ones for discussion of writing in general where you may bring up your stories/characters/etc. as legitimate examples and, therefore, generate interest in them. Of course, that is merely my opinion. :P All in all, I would say this is a quick and enjoyable read, straight to the point with no digressions. You manage to keep it informative without making it dry and uninteresting. Girlbrainiac |
| HipSafeDeadGrunge 2007-10-04 ch 1, | abuseThere is an error I saw. If the "Bad Beggar" (or the annoying one)is never going to review you again, how can they flame your work? It doesn't make sense. Anyhow. You did a good job on this. My poetry is terrible and almost always has a mispelled word, but nobody comments on it. I want to improve!! As does everyone.. so..Have a nice day :D |