The Non Reviewer

[Egg Drop Soup]

Yes, we've all had our luck to meet them. They are one of the many 55 viewers when only at least 4 post a reply...In all honesty…I can’t say that they don’t know that we wait for their reviews…I mean…I’ve seen many traces of the whole ‘please read and review’ on many fics in my time, so…they do know that we actually look forward to their posts of criticism or praise.

Its rather obvious, but I must admit, even I have trouble with noticing the obvious….

But in all seriousness, authors do indeed require reviews to continue writing. I myself look for the replies to questions such as: Is it good? Bad? How can I make it better?

And sometimes I may even get a reply…. but other times…not a one…

It truly makes me cry when that happens to my posts…. its just common sense! And decent courtesy I might add, that when reading something you at least give your input on what they have to say.

It especially happens whenever, like other authors, I ask them to ‘read and review’ they don’t do it anyway… Just like when a parent tells a child to not eat from the cookie jar…*muses to self*

Its times like those that I often look up and ask some higher deity, “Where did I go wrong?”

Very few answer to posts, and it’s thanks to them that I continue to write. I just love those guys!

I’ve read stories by other authors to, and they have the same diagnosis. People do read but they don’t bother themselves to review. I make an effort to reply when upon reading other stories, especially when I can tell what hard work it must have been for the authors.

You feel a sort of joy when posting something, and even greater joy upon receiving a review from those who read it. It doesn’t matter what kind of review it is. It could be a bad one, and still you’re happy because it shows you where you can improve your skills. All these feelings are mirrored by a sense of accomplishment.

The only disappointment in writing fanfics is not enough reviews. Many times it might just be that the person is to lazy to press a button, but other times it might be that they don’t take you seriously.

I don’t think that any author, whether the story is good or bad, writes without a sense of seriousness. The story themselves are conducted of words and inspired passages of what that writer feels and wants you to see.

In my opinion, even the slightest effort, should be praised, but then again…its just my opinion…

So…if you read this…or know at least what I’m talking about...think of the non reviewer, the one who reads and never voices a reply…think…well…at least they read it…that just proves that somehow their curiosity was attracted by the appearance of your fic. Just maybe, and I mean maybe…that non-reviewer is reading this post now…and maybe, just maybe…he’ll review.


Love,
Egg Drop Soup

[angel222]

yeah, I've got that too sometimes. Thought I don't have the time to read fics myself only to write em and school

[Egg Drop Soup]

angel222, i just love ya! You're the first one to reply! *hugs* thank ya's!

[angel222]

*hugs back * you're welcome

[trekkiexb5]

I shall review this story...


Okay, okay! I think we have all been guilty of non-reviewing. Now as an author, I hate non-reviews! Granted some of the people can't review (being they are not members) However...

Fanafiction.net is worse. At least here you can see how many read your story!

As for myself, I try to review every story I read. But with 2400+ pages a day reading speed sometimes it is difficult, but I am getting better!

There are some who wait to the story is completed before reviewing it. THough chapter by chapter might be asking too much, we authors really REALLY need the encouragment.

[Mellie]

I agree that some people are not members and that is why they may not review. Or someone may only have time to read a small portion of a story. Or they could accidently have gone into the wrong story. I know I don't always review a story. Some times it is because it would be pointless to leave something. If I don't like, I don't review. I mean, I know reviews are very nice, but you first have to learn to like your stories and let yourself be your inspiration. As you continue, you may not get all the appreciation you may think you should get, but you have to some times you can't go by views and reviews. I mean some of my stories get a whooping one review. And only a few views, but I started something and I push on to finish it. It will feel better in the long run.

I know it is nice to receive a bazillion reviews. But most reviewers here at BI go by "if you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say nothing at all." So, don't pressure people into reviewing, it will be a worthless review if they do. Wait for the few and priceless reviews. They are the true reward for writing.

[melodrama]

As an 'author', I'm going to start by saying this... Reviews are nice.

But as a reader... in all seriousness... if I open a fic and the author begins with a note saying that they won't write more unless they get so many reviews I respond the same way every time.

I hit the back button. And nine times out of ten, I won't read anything by said author again. I DON'T like being blackmailed or 'threatened'. It gets my back up. And I know I'm not the only one. Readers need to be given a little respect too, you know. It's not all just about the author.

I have personally NEVER demanded reviews for further chapters. Because frankly, I know that if I start a story, and then POST it, it means I'm making a commitment to finish it. Sure, it may take a while sometimes as real life is pretty demanding, but I WILL finish it. It's one thing to encourage feedback. Another to downright demand it.

I write for me. Pure and simple. I enjoy it. My muse assaults me with a story idea, and I can't rest until I've nutted it out and got it on paper. It's theraputic and fun. And of course it's enjoyable to share that story with others.

It shouldn't just be about the reviews. Step back a moment and think carefully... are you really going to get anything out of a 'OMG, that wuz grate, pleez right more' besides a bit of an ego stroke? My favorite reviews are the ones where the review tells me WHY they enjoyed it/didn't enjoy it. It's the person's emotional response that I like. I want to know if the feelings I was trying to get across met their mark. For example...

Your scenes are set with such an air of clarity, that reading it, I felt like I was sitting there watching it unfold. The scene between Heero and Relena *drooool* was so perfect that I'm STILL sighing. Probably will be for days! Love, lust, call it what you will- HE'S HOT! Relena is WAY more restrained than I would be, let me just say that!

And the bond between Hilde and Duo, and the way she explained it, actually had me in tears. I wish I had a little Hilde plushie, because I would have been squeezing her, too! How tragic!

I'd take one of those over fifty of the others.

As for the 55 - 4 thing... keep in mind, that doesn't particularly mean 55 individuals hits. Or that those hits have resulted in the reader reading the whole thing. I'm chronic for starting a fic and then having to come back later. Or if the fic doesn't grab me in the first paragraph or two, is full of grammar mistakes or is poorly formatted I won't read it either. My time is limited, and I know I'm not the only one. That's why there are beta readers out there. It's simple courtesy on behalf of the writer to present their work in a style that allows ease of perusal by the reader.

I think what it comes down to is, while there is no doubting the effort and time that the author puts in to their work... receiving feedback and critique from the reader is not a god given right. It's a privilege that should be respected.

Or you may have to get used to getting no feedback at all.

[Mellie]

well put, Mel. BTW, do you have the story titles for those reviews or did you make them up? Because I now feel compelled to read those stories!

[blackrose]

My problem is that I just don't get the time I want to have to read all the fics I'd like to read. I run BI so that there is a place I and others like me can come to read great fanfiction, but then don't get to be here as much as I really want to.

Whenever I DO read, however, I review. 9 times out of 10. I figure it's the least I can do for all the kind people who review my fics. And feel it is a very small way I can contribute to others.

HOWEVER

There is a great dichotomy when it comes to reviewing and receiving reviews. We've all heard that "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything", so that means that some people who read will not review - to be nice.

That means there are people who might have reviewed, but didn't like the fic so they didn't (that's not to say that all people who don't review don't like it, but there are bound to be some people who do not like a fic, any fic, even one of my fics).

So, it has always seemed to me that people who ask for and complain about not getting reviews are really just wanting people to tell them good things, and never tell them bad things.

That's not how it works. Personally, if there are things I can improve on, I would like to hear them. If it's a flame, that's different, and flames are a waste of cyberspace and time. But criticism - where the story was good and where it fell short - is, to me, very worthwhile. It should be good natured and intended to help the author improve. But when explaining what didn't work, honest feelings are appreciated. And sometimes, honesty isn't "nice".

People write for different reasons. I won't lie. I like reviews. I like to know people are reading. But I don't write for reviews alone. I've never bothered to count how many hits to reviews I'm getting. I certainly don't measure myself or my 'ability' by such a ratio. I invite others not to, either.

I don't think I'm better than anyone that I don't demand reviews. I don't think it's right or wrong to demand or depend on them. I can say that I don't demand them. I can tell you that I don't dwell too hard on how many I receive. I don't let the number of reviews dictate what I write. And I've never broken down into tears for lack of reviews. Or some of the criticism I've received for my stories.

The reality is, to expect or demand more than you get is to set an expectation that cannot be filled. I invite you and others that are disappointed by a 'lack of reviews' to ask yourself "Why do I write?" And ask yourself "How many stories do I review?"

Because the best way to get people interested in seeing what you've written is to be interested in what someone else has written. There are exceptions to that, but rarely. Most people read authors they know. And they get to know other authors by receiving reviews from them.

And when I say "be interested", I don't mean writing a bunch of "Oh, great, write more" reviews. I mean leave a somewhat intelligent review that shows you read the story and are genuinely interested. It requires work, but so does leaving your story a review.

[simmer]

I've been one of those.

Part of it is laziness, as Rose mentioned at the end of her post. It's hard to write an intelligent, helpful review. It takes thought, depth and understanding, and goodness knows that I'd often rather write a vague, if genuine, "Great job!" than take the time to point out details. I'm usually scared that I've missed a major point, or that I'll offend someone, or (mostly) I'm afraid of being the reviewer who everyone reads and goes "ugh, why would anyone think that?"
But then, whenever I do review, I like to point out things that I particularly liked. And whatever those are, I feel strongly about.

Granted, I don't write. Have no talant for it, rather. But I am incredibly appreaciative of those who do, and who have guts to share. As scary as I think it is just to post a review, I can't even imagine the confidence it takes to post a piece of writing.
So thank you for this post, Egg Drop. It has put the lazy part of me to shame. Hopefully, other people like me will take the hint, too.

So suck it up, lazy-scaredy-cat non-reviewers!
I bet the author's encouragement from that vague, genuine "Great job!" is well worth the ten seconds it would take to post.