How to Write a Good Review
the Capella Morningside way

In my days on Fictionpress I have, just as any author that submits a lot of work, received a lot of reviews. I would like to make a few points concerning this:

Please, do not give what I call “censorship” reviews. I get a lot of people telling me things such as “you should have warned about (insert thing here) as it may offend some people”. I don’t mean to sound rude in doing this, but I don’t care. If you’re not mature enough to handle the subject matter of my work, your opinion is not relevant to me. I warn about some things right off-hand, but that’s because even I like to be, sometimes, aware of what I am getting into when I click that title. (Not to mention, warnings seem to catch more attention when they are present in a summary, because some readers look for material like that.)

I do take “request” reviews. I do not have the mindset of a lot of writers/artists/etc. that I am above listening to requests about the progression of my storylines and characters. I listen to other people’s ideas when I have the chance. However, many times the storyline is already set in stone and as I may appreciate the request, I cannot use it. One of these days I will write an entirely interactive story, the storyline molded almost completely by popular polls. And another thing-- if you do submit a “request” review, please at least say something else worthwhile besides the request.

Asking questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about something you don’t understand in any one of my stories. Sometimes this leads me to find plot holes and breaches in logic that I sometimes commit when my mind is working faster than my fingers can type. I am happy to answer anything that anyone has to ask.

On the subject of flames. I’m not going to make any silly puns relating review flames to actual fire, but I would simply like to say that flames are just as welcome to me as positive reviews. Any serious author that is so put off by flames that each one causes them depression needs some toughening before they can handle the real literary world. Rejections and frighteningly rude criticism are just something anyone that wants to “make it big” have to get used to. I do request that you not type in all caps, use vulgar language (because that implies to me that you have not formed a better vocabulary), include excessive spelling and grammatical errors due to rushed angry typing, and just overall, don’t be silly. Least you could do is tell my why you hated it so.

On the subject of praise. Ah, the opposite of flames. Praise is a lovely thing to get. Every author loves it. But, alas I must even get nitpicky here. If you “liked it and it was a good story”, tell me why. Tell me what you liked about it, who you liked character-wise, whatever you thought was good enough to make me deserving of your lovely review. And as much as it really brightens my day to get kind words, I would just like my readers, please, please, tell me more.

Constructive criticism. It rests in that uneasy, professional-sounding grey zone between flames and praise. And I love well-thought out, constructive, thought-provoking reviews more than anything else in the world. Things that tell me what I am doing right, as well as what I am doing wrong, in a neutral, yet polite, manner. It is reviews such as these that help me develop the most as a writer. I do, after all, understand that there is always room for improvement.

FP’s review submission systems. As I do request anonymous reviews, I would really like it if you could possibly give me some idea of who you are when you review, because I am the type that contacts people to thank them for taking some of their precious time to read my work. Also, if at all possible (and it’s very possible, because my e-mail address is no secret), email me your reviews/questions/whatever rather than simply posting it on the site. It’s much more personal that way, since the review does not go through a third party.

Thank you, anyone who takes these things into consideration, not only towards me but towards any author on the entire network.

P.S. Did anyone know this site doesn't allow you to use the site name in things you submit?