~The main thing is to be ridiculously active, and R&R like mad. People are almost always willing to return the favor, we're nice people.

~This one may be a given, but write good stuff, and use grammar in your stories (poetry is subjective here).

~Don't steal others' work, it ain't cool; last time I checked, it's illegal and against the TOS that you accepted.

~Don't put 'PLZ R&R' (or any other equivalent statement) in your description, it's unprofessional. Some of us avoid reading those submissions right away.

~R&R like mad, also R&R newer stuff, have your way with the 'Just In' button. New stuff means active members who'll return the favor.

~If you submit A LOT at once, don't expect it all to get R&R'd, because it's a lot, not all people have that kinda free time.

~Fabi (Soulshifter)

I've only been on here for a few days, but I've been on fanfiction.net since July. Usually on FF I get reviews and hits as soon as I post, but on here I've only gotten one hit! Are there less readers on here or does my story just sound horrible? I know my story so far probably sounds not so great but I know everything thats going to happen until the end and I even know the sequel (I've had this all planned for about a year) and it really does get better.

Hey, just because I'm curious and I have no idea how to start a new topic or anything, what do you do to help yourself write? Like, say you have a story that you really want to work on, but you're just too lazy to turn on the computer (which is weird, because you would be on the computer anyway if you were reading this), or MicroSoft Word for that matter, what would you do to... I don't know, bribe yourself and make yourself write? Give yourself a deadline? I've tried that, but I never do any better with those. DO the immature thing and ask for five reviews or whatever and tell them you'll put up the next chapter after that many reviews, and write your next chapter real quickly before anyone reviews, because you know you'll get so many responses because your story is oh-so-cool? I don't do that, and I don't think that's a healthy habit, anyways. (Haha, I know Mekiah agrees, if you'll look at his profile) But yeah.

The reason I find a hard time writing is because I'm just too lazy to turn on the computer (I actually write on a different one than this one, because the one I write on doesn't have internet). When I was a chapter away from finishing a story, I told my sister to turn the computer on for me whenever she went by my room, so I could just open Word and type. Yeah. So there.

i have found that when i review someone elses poem/story they'll usually return the favour, i do the same thing.

i have only got one story posted, and one poem, and i haven't got that many readers or reviews but i'm not overly concerned as i am only new and i figure that over time more people will stumble across my story. though, to tell the truth, i am a bit embarrassed about people reading my stuff because i just know that i'll look back on the story i am writing at the moment in a couple of years and just cringe at how bad it is.

i am one of those readers every author secretly hates because even though i read a whole heap of stories on this site i only review about half the time. but this isn't because i don't love what i am reading, just that i have no idea as to what i should say. so i understand readers who don't review.

Much love and BIG KISSES,

Steph

As for not knowing what to say in a review, you should just give out some good constructive critisism. Tht's the most important and valuable thing a writer can get, I think. For example, if there were some misspelled words, tell the author to slow down and go over the chapter before he or she puts the chapter or poem up on our dear Fictionpress. Just help with whatever you can think of, as you go through the piece of work. Or, if you can't think of anything to say as far as constructive critisism, tell them you can't, and tell them how much of a great job they're doing. Stuff like that can make a writer's day. It's made mine, once or twice. If you give an author respect, they're going to appreciate it. Just be polite in whatever you say, okay?

--Ss.

Much love and BIG KISSES,

Steph

O.k this is kind of off topic, so feel free to ignore it... but don't you hate it when you look at your hits and you see how many people actually READ your story (I'm talking consistent hits here, not the accidental ones) and then you go to look for reviews and you have none?

I mean AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It is really frustrating to know that people are reading it but not know what they THINK of it!

So I have decided to review every story that captures my fancy because I know how annoying it is to have readers but not reviewers.

*pulls sympathetic face and clicks out of forum*

I have a very similar situation to FallenAngel-long time member of fanfiction.net, but I just recently joined fictionpress. I agree with Burnt Bread though.

But here's a question that I've been debating alot- what kind of summerary is better-a cryptic one, or a starightforward, descirptive one. Which one gets people's attention better? I suppose both have their good points- a cryptic one will make people be like "What is this about? Perhaps I should try it..." and a straightforward one will make someone think "Sounds likea good plot. I might read it..." But which one is more effective? Does it depend on the type of story? (headdesk) I hate debating with myself-I'm too good at it and never get an anwser....

But then for your other genres, you don't want to just give them the entire plot for what's going to happen. Just a little slice of it; a two-sentenced prologue, if you will.

Of course, I am terrible at writing summaries, so this is just what I think. I hope it helps.

As for the three reviews over nine chapters, that could be because of your summary, or something. I wouldn't know, I haven't looked at your story or summary or anything. But that's why, when I review, I put down exactly what I think should be fixed, and when there's nothing I can think of, I compliment them on what they did right, which I'd do while giving them constructive criticism. But then, I'm a helper kind of person.

Olivine.

A lot of it has to do with the summaries people write or rather don't write. I hate it when people just give up and write "I suck at summaries so just read inside". That is not a hook, it is an admission to your own poor writing skills or lack of self confidence. I know summaries are hard, especially for your own work, which is why most published writers have book jacket writers to write summaries for them, but by not trying at all you are only hindering yourself. In the same corner, I think just writing "a poem/Short story I wrote" is also a cop-out since the reader already knows that you wrote it as it is on your site (or at least that should be the case).

I also find poor grammar or spelling in summaries to be a major turn off. I know that summaries are not uploaded, but you can cut and paste it to a word document to at least get the spelling write. When an author doesn't take the time to look over their summary for flaws, it makes me think they don't take the time with their stories as well. I know I am not that great with either grammar or spelling, but I do try and hope that any mistakes I do make will be caught by reviews who take the time to actually review instead just spaz typing.

Summaries that just list random things that occur in the story are not my cup of tea, but I like to think that is a personal preference of mine since I am not really drawn to those types of stories.

I shy away from 'angst fiction' as I think it is mostly abused by people trying too hard to be misunderstood. In all honesty I thing the whole genre shouldn't even be an option as angst is really an emotion and most stories could easily go under tragedy or drama. They could even replace it with 'Dark fiction' which is far less self-contained. But there I go with more of my personal opinions again so I digress.

One of my biggest pet peeves right now has nothing to do with summaries, but with people who log jam the just in section with a billion stories. I've noticed some people even do it at least once a week. It is unsightly and I straight up refuse to review any of there work. I mean it is one thing to post one or two things at a time, but another thing entirely to basically spam your work.

So yeah, basically once I click on a story or poem I will review it, but there is just a lot of things people just don't think about that keep me from reading at all.

Are other people finding this to be true? What are the things that keep you from reviewing? Or am I just weird?

Then again, those stories always end up having quite a few reviews, all saying, "Great! update plz!"

I agree with the grammar and spelling thing, too. I mean, to me, that's just a spoonful of what's inside the jar. You know what I mean? If they can't spell words in a few sentences right, how is the rest of the story going to look?

I hate that, too. "Hot jocks, hot cheerleaders, and.... the loner? Uh oh! See what happens next!" or whatever those types of summaries usually say annoy the hell out of me. Whether it's about high school stuff or not. I mean, what kind of a summary is that? Listing the cast? Well, that's nice. At least I know there's a character named Sam. And then sometimes you're left wondering if a character's name is a boy's or a girl's. Sam could be either, for example, and then that leaves you wondering if it's a slash fiction. Luckily most slash fictions tell you in the summary if it is or not....

I don't like angst fiction, either. Earlier today, I was looking through some random stories, and I glanced at the genres, and when it said 'angst' I skipped over it, thinking "oh, there's going to drama, whatever." I don't like drama. That annoys the hell out of me, too. It's like the author can't get enough of people crying or being in pain all the time, and usually the characters act kind of stupid. That goes for drama, angst, and tragedy, by the way. And I agree with your opinion, sincerely disregard.

I haven't been to the just in section in a while, but I know that people put tons of their stuff up at once. I hate that. I don't encourage that, not only because it's annoying, but also because it shows a lack of self confidence, at least I think so. I mean, it's like the person is saying "Oh, if you don't like this, you'll like this, I swear! Oh wait, maybe you'll like this one, too! Oh, to hell with it, why don't I just put everything up! I'm sure you'll like... something! At least I hope so... oh, boy, I better write some more, in case they don't like that one poem/story...." I mean, really. Put one thing up and watch for a reaction. Post once a week, even if it's old poems or chapters or whatever you're putting up. Not only is it jamming the just in section, but also my email inbox, if it's an author I have on alert.

I don't exactly follow the same reviewing policy that you do, though. I look for a story that seems interesting, but if it's not what I thought it was, I go back and find something else instead of reviewing it. Especially if it turns out having more drama or adult content than I expected. I mostly review when I have something good to say or suggestions on how to improve the story, and both times it's if I like the story.

I don't review or read stories for the same reasons that you don't, to be honest. So I'm finding this to be very true. And if you're weird, then I'm weird, and I don't think that would be a big problem or anything. I've been told I'm weird many times, before. People really should think more about how they advertise their stories, because that's really what they're doing with their summaries. They're advertising their work. By putting no summary or a poor summary (looking at grammar and/or content), then they're showing very little for their work. It's astonishing how they don't think about this, isn't it?

I've never seen that infamous log jam of the just in section. But there could be other explanations for that - maybe they only get on the computer once a week and they need to post everything together. Either way, I disagree with you on that point and say that anyone who can post 25 works in a row can have that space.

And cheer up, mate. I mean, sure lots of crap soppy generic romance stories get lots of reviews, but also, lots of not crap generic romance stories get reviewed too. I've worked it out statistically, getting reviews is 84% random and has little to do with your ability initially. It has a lot more to do with exposure than quality. So try not to get bogged down by the hits but no reviews thing. It's not a reflection of your work.

So true.

Fanfiction gets more reads because as the word suggests, the stories are actually works of fans, using preexisting material.

Also true.

On another note: I have only been a member of FictionPress for 4 months, but I was at FanFiction.Net for nearly 3 years.

We could say reviews and hits don't matter, but then what does? Do we just ignore everything then? Then you could sale books with many sales don't mean anything. Television series with high ratings don't either. At least they mean a high number of people are interested in it. Maybe you won't like it, but you can't ignore that it's bad. It has an audience it appeals to. I'm sure not all of them mean it, but hey everything's like that - you can't get perfection on it.

For one, those that seat there waiting for people to come and things to happen is like sitting at home thinking money will come to you. In a way we're trying to sale our product, and besides making it the best, we have to attract people to it. It's hard to get the first customer and then you have to build on. Perhaps once you've established yourself, then there will be no need for it, but until then keep working.

Completely off topic, I always check the "Keep me logged in for 3 days" box and it never keeps me logged in for 3 days...does anyone have the same problem, or is it just me?

Yeah, there seems to be a lot more new authors. Well people come and go I guess and things can never be the same. Time changes everything. I've been around for a bit and plan to be around. It's also that maybe years back a lot of us were young and had a lot of freetime, whereas most of us from the previous years that may have been around are a lot older and are occupied in life by other things, so can't be around as often.

It's to say a country can't always be healthy. Everything has up and downs, so maybe you witnessed and golden moment and it could be a bit of a decline now, but that doesn't mean we should give up hope it. There's still definitely good stories around and all.

I completely agree, Lady Glass. None of the people who were here when I joined about two years ago are here now. But part of that could be that they're deciding to do different things with their stuff. Like trying to actually publish it. New faces are good, and for a while I think there will be a time where you don't find familiar names anymore. I'm seeing a few here and there, though not in my reviews. I don't read poetry very much at all, I just write it, so for me, my reviews for poems come at random. I recognize some of the names, but not a lot of them, of course. I had people who reviewed faithfully, too. It was always "great job, update soon!" but when even those stop coming, you just feel kinda lonely, don't you? Of course I haven't posted anything in a long while, so that could be part of it....

"It's to say a country can't always be healthy. Everything has up and downs, so maybe you witnessed and golden moment and it could be a bit of a decline now, but that doesn't mean we should give up hope it. There's still definitely good stories around and all."

That's true. I actually haven't seen many good stories around lately (especially in the fantasy section), but they'll come soon enough. And anyways, isn't that what C2s are for?

I kind of disagree with Burnt Bread, on that last paragraph. I don't think reviews are random at all, and I definitely think that whether you get reviews or not has to do with the quality of the work. I mean, only a few people are going to read and review something that's not very well written, right? More people will flock to a story/poem that has them interested and is written well. No randomness there.

I do think, and I'm agreeing with whoever said this first though I can't remember who did, that it also has to do with personal taste. There are all these stories that get hundreds of reviews, but they're about things I'd never even look at. Like those high school stories, where he said that and she did this, and that unlikely girl gets together with the unlikely guy, or whatever. I know people like those, but I honestly don't, and these are stories that get hundreds and hundreds or reviews. In my C2, there are stories I haven't read because I wouldn't like them. Of course the people who have subscribed to it that do like it, and that's the only reason they're there. Personal taste has a hand in it.

Sincerely disregard, all I'm going to say is at least you're not without dignity, with your summaries.

Burnt Bread, there really is an art to summaries. They have to be done perfectly, but the main idea is to get the gist of the plot out there, in an attractive way. NOT listing the things that will happen, or whatever. That's just annoying. The title of the story also has a hand in it, though not as big as the summary. I don't even think you have to put the name of the main character in the summary; it saves space if you don't, and I don't think it'd be a problem if you didn't put it in there, anyways. I'm also border line with "Reviews Returned." At least they're making an attempt to sound professional, and not like a two year old who's really hoping for some candy (reviews).

Off topic, but has anyone else who gets alerts, been getting them from fanfiction.net? I mean, they're from fictionpress, but the sender says fanfiction.net. It's not really a big deal, just weird....

Also, I've never been on fanfiction, lol.

Well, fictionpress is kinda like armature hour really. I don't think it quite compares to published books or television, but if we want to look at it that way, the initial part of the process doesn't involve ratings and sales either. The first step to success is to proverbally f every body you can which, in less cruder terms would mean to know as many people as you can. If you want reviews, you gotta have a strategy. I'd like to write more about that, but it takes too long to structure and I have to catch a train soon, I will post something here later though. You did make a couple of very valid points towards the end of the post. I think everyone should read that.

Are there a lot of new authors? I can't tell.

I noticed with poems of mine that the longer they stay on the just in section the more new reviewers that piece gets. With poems or in my case sections of poetry collections that do not even get to the just in, they rarely get looked over at all.

This sounds a bit like you basing your argument on your resentment about not getting reviews.

I completely agree, Lady Glass. None of the people who were here when I joined about two years ago are here now. But part of that could be that they're deciding to do different things with their stuff. Like trying to actually publish it.

I think I would like to retain this account even if I do get stuff published. Information should be free - I don't see the point in leaving to publish. Unless of course, you really don't have time anymore for fp and in that case :P.

I mean, only a few people are going to read and review something that's not very well written, right?

...right? If only that was the case! I disagree. Humor definitely gets a lot more hits. So does badly written romance. Cheap thrills. People just can't stay away.

The title of the story also has a hand in it, though not as big as the summary.

How true. My eyes bleed when I see stories like "Heaven and Hell" or "

I've been on this site for well over three years.

I honestly only read from the romance section. I've never seen a terribly written story from the romance section get that many reviews. Maybe we've been looking at different stories or something...?

That's my opinion, of course. I'm just stating and explaining it.

2) Regarding generic titles - I can't help it, I'm not a fan. :P I know sometimes it seems unavoidable, but as Olivine said, creative titles better catch my interest than a boring and/or common one.

Oh so same as titles and summaries. If you can be bothered spending so much time writing the chapters, why not spend an equal proportion on title and summary. No excuses. If you can write a good story you can do a good title and summary. If what you need is practice then go for it.

I'm not claiming to be unbiased. I am biased through and through, but it doesn't change my opinion on the matter. Though I don't really like to think of it as resentment presay, maybe more like a deep questioning of my own abilities to write. I don't know.

The only reason I care about reviews is because I put my stuff up here so I could replace peer reviews and learn what I'm doing wrong. I don't get anything out of this if no one reviews and far less if no one reads it at all. So in that way review do matter to me, A LOT.

I agree with the whole judging a book by its cover, I do it all the time and not just with books either. But I think all that is just human nature.

Everyone looks for different qualities in stories. I don't read in the romance section at all. I find that if there enough badly written romance overflowing into other genres, then I can't imagine what the actual section will look like. I get the greatest delight in reading from an author who has read widely and reflects deeply. The most recent example of this that's kinda related to FP is that I read some article submissions (because Stop the Press is drastically understaffed...moan mutter mope) from this writer called Disturbly who just blew me away. I haven't read any of her stories, but I seriously intend to. I don't know how good the stories are but she wrote some seriously killer articles and I'm torn because I want to use them as an example, but I can't post them until October and.... and... But yeah, everyone looks for different things.

Reviews totally matter. They do really motivate me to keep writing. BUT they can't really be so easily compared to book sales and ratings and such because on FP all we get is a list of titles and summaries.

I think it's a real problem when reviews become the motivation to write. I mean, most reviews are pretty empty. I for one don't get much joy out of receiving one line reviews that tell me to "keep going, it's great". Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the motivation of writing would be better if it came from yourself, and also a small and close group of literate friends or critiques who genuinely care about writing. I don't think reviews by themselves facilitate motivation (or if it does, it doesn't provide for a particularly strong base of motivation), rather, the appraisal of my writing is definitely something I look forward to. I don't like the idea that reviews (in n fp sense) are used almost synonymously with support. Having a few close writer friends/critics is a gazillion times more important than reviews. I mean, the only reason we want reviews is to know what other people think, right? I think we can all bypass that superficial need for reviews and hit numbers if we have a few people who can spend time with our work. I mean, anecdotally, I've found myself caring a lot less about review numbers and more about the people who review after exchanging PMs with a few.

RE: Reviews - I should have been more specific: GOOD reviews motivate me :P They tend to remind me that I want to keep writing. I have horrible willpower and find myself bored easily. If I wrote for only myself, I would NEVER finish anything. Writing for people who want to read to the end reminds me why I want to finish what I am writing. Whenever I get reviews like, "Great, please update," I usually pay no mind and consider writing more at some point. If I get a long paragraph with some great feedback, I'm like, "Yes! Someone likes it! I should write more!" However, I don't write only for reviews :P They just help.

Concerto, sometimes the book covers are done by illustrators or photographers or whatever that have a certain style. I mean, I've never thought that the Harry Potter book covers were that great, but the books themselves are really good. Same with a ton of other books. But it's just the style. I do agree with you on the "if you can write a good story, why can't you write a good summary" thing. Summaries are a reflection of the author's work. If they can't write one, let alone spell things right, why should we look at that story?

Burnt Bread, the thing is, people could specialize in certain genres and try their hand at other genres at the same time, and it may not work. I mean, yes, there are TONS of crappy romance stories in the romance section, but they usually don't get much attention. Sometimes they do, and I can't understand why, but it isn't very often, and the other times it happens, it's because there's drama and all that stuff in it. I don't like drama. I roll my eyes and sigh when I hear the word. But anyways, there really are good romance stories out there.

For another thing, Bread, some people don't have friends who are interested in their writing. I sure don't. My friends don't even care that I've started piano lessons. They wouldn't care about hearing one song I write, which wouldn't take long to play, let alone a chapter of a story I've been working very **. Some people don't have that. And that's why they're here. That's exactly why I'm here, and although the good reviews are hard to come by, the ones that actually help you, there are people on this site I go to and ask if they could look at my work. Formerly is a good person to go to. He used to be Max Krugman. And tons of people hate him, but his reviews tell you exactly what he thinks and he doesn't soften anything so you know he isn't lying. But you get the point. There are other people, too. So not only do those reviews help me, other reviews encourage me because although they're those brainless 'omg, update soon,' reviews, you know someone's interested. I don't thrive off of them, but they make me happy.

I think that's all I have to say. For now.

There can't always be good reviews. Like the world can't be without crime. I mean imagine crime did not exist. It might not be for the better of society.

Usually the covers are decided by the publishers, especially if a book's being pimped to another country. I remember seeing the Seven Ancient Wonders cover of Matthew Reilly's book for America release. Not only did they have this cheap looking volcano on the front, but they also changed the title to "Seven Deadly Wonders".

They wouldn't care about hearing one song I write, which wouldn't take long to play, let alone a chapter of a story I've been working very **.

Dude, it might be flippant, but I have to suggest that maybe you're hanging around the wrong people? I've thought of something crazy if you want people to hear your song though - stand up in the middle of a boring class, announce that you're going to play it, then play it. It worked for me when I was drafting a stage production and I wanted to test some jokes out.

And on a side note, I'd certainly like to hear your song. Plebeians who can't appreciate creativity aren't ever going to get anywhere - you should befriend other people.

And I think I might be coming around on that review makes people happy point. Normally my stance would be that your happiness shouldn't rely on other people, but if I said that now I would be such a hypocrite.

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