I was disapointed to see this story updates cease. It was well done with lots of detail and imagination. I love "slave island" type stories. Will we be seeing more of it?
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I was disapointed to see this story updates cease. It was well done with lots of detail and imagination. I love "slave island" type stories. Will we be seeing more of it?
With apologies to Eli Wallich, but I could not resist. Speaking as one who started out in the BDSM as a reviewer, and graduated into being a scribbler in self defense, I think I'm well qualified to speak on this subject. I've written over 500 reviews and have 33 stories listed on this site. After more than 3 years giving and taking all sorts of comments, some good, some bad, some purporting to be reviews, others just the ravings of someone who belongs in a home with rubber rooms, I've concluded that reviews are sort of like a vestigial organ, they contribute very little. What I'm trying to politely say is that reviews aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell!
Reviewers fall into various classes. Some are friends and fans of the writer.
Have you ever wondered how a story that should take one at least half a day to read can have five glowing and very similar reviews within one or two hours of its posting? Others are what I call quick hitters; their reviews are terse and communicate little about why they either love or hate the story. The next class is my favorite,the ones with an axe to grind and guess who they want to decapitate? Most reviewers seem to be content driven, and will sacrifice editing, grammar, lack of plot, cookie cutter characters and the like as long as they get their buzz satisfied. Some are honest about it,but most aren't.
After a time, when I reviewed a story I tried to be constructive, once I figured out that most authors ignored whatever I said and continued on their merry way regardless. It did not take long to discover that most authors were only interested in hearing praise, and woe to anyone who dared suggest that anything they wrote was less than perfection personified.
What finally got me into scribbling was the shibboleth that most of the hacks, not writers, would hurl at me. Since I was not one of those exalted class of beings known as a WRITER, how dare I have the nerve to criticize their deathless prose? Then to make it even more entertaining I started reviewing under my new author name. It took some time for me to realize that in most cases my reviews were still ignored by a large segment of the printers, hacks, finger painters, scribblers and writers.
As a scribbler I make it a point to always respond to any review that I receive. That is just good manners! I note that most of my peers and betters evidently choose not to acknowledge any comments from those deemed unworthy.
About six months ago I took a hard look at all the reviews my stuff had received and then compared it to the number of hits each story received. The results were rather astonishing. There was little correlation between the two! In fact, what really counts is the hits!
So to those authors in waiting who expect someone to drop whatever they are doing and write a detailed review of your first offering, don't hold your breath! I tried emphasizing first story reviews for a few months and found the new authors just as impolite as the established hacks.
All is not lost if you are a budding author. Here are some simple rules to increase your readership without too much exertion. As Parker once put it so bluntly. "Write what you want to write!" Have those words tattooed across your forehead, perverted of course, so every time you look at yourself in the mirror you can be reminded. Learn to write simple declarative sentences. Learn to walk, you can do your running once you get the hang of staying on your feet. Make damn sure that your story is free of typos, misspellings, poor grammar and the like. If need be, go to the library and take out a book on the subject of grammar so you will at least know what the average educated reader is looking for when he or she tries to wade through your epic. Try your best to have something novel or unique in your story. This way you may be able to separate yourself from the hordes of scribes, which is what I call those who merely copy someone else's plot, characters and the like. Don't submit chapter 1 of your story unless you already have a first draft of chapter 2! This site is littered with many very good first chapters that never amounted to a hill of beans because their vision had no depth.
I hope those of you who are just getting started in this exciting avocation will take what I said to heart. Pay attention to how many people are at least taking a look at your stuff, and act accordingly. Realize that we have a very strange readership in that the great majority are lurkers. A lurker is someone who reads and then goes on his or her merry way, leaving no trace. My educated guess is that over eighty percent of the site's readership are lurkers. They are akin to the dark matter that many scientists posit must exist to make the universe behave in the manner that it does.
With apologies to Eli Wallich, but I could not resist. Speaking as one who started out in the BDSM as a reviewer, and graduated into being a scribbler in self defense, I think I'm well qualified to speak on this subject. I've written over 500 reviews and have 33 stories listed on this site. After more than 3 years giving and taking all sorts of comments, some good, some bad, some purporting to be reviews, others just the ravings of someone who belongs in a home with rubber rooms, I've concluded that reviews are sort of like a vestigial organ, they contribute very little. What I'm trying to politely say is that reviews aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell!
Reviewers fall into various classes. Some are friends and fans of the writer.
Have you ever wondered how a story that should take one at least half a day to read can have five glowing and very similar reviews within one or two hours of its posting? Others are what I call quick hitters; their reviews are terse and communicate little about why they either love or hate the story. The next class is my favorite,the ones with an axe to grind and guess who they want to decapitate? Most reviewers seem to be content driven, and will sacrifice editing, grammar, lack of plot, cookie cutter characters and the like as long as they get their buzz satisfied. Some are honest about it,but most aren't.
After a time, when I reviewed a story I tried to be constructive, once I figured out that most authors ignored whatever I said and continued on their merry way regardless. It did not take long to discover that most authors were only interested in hearing praise, and woe to anyone who dared suggest that anything they wrote was less than perfection personified.
What finally got me into scribbling was the shibboleth that most of the hacks, not writers, would hurl at me. Since I was not one of those exalted class of beings known as a WRITER, how dare I have the nerve to criticize their deathless prose? Then to make it even more entertaining I started reviewing under my new author name. It took some time for me to realize that in most cases my reviews were still ignored by a large segment of the printers, hacks, finger painters, scribblers and writers.
As a scribbler I make it a point to always respond to any review that I receive. That is just good manners! I note that most of my peers and betters evidently choose not to acknowledge any comments from those deemed unworthy.
About six months ago I took a hard look at all the reviews my stuff had received and then compared it to the number of hits each story received. The results were rather astonishing. There was little correlation between the two! In fact, what really counts is the hits!
So to those authors in waiting who expect someone to drop whatever they are doing and write a detailed review of your first offering, don't hold your breath! I tried emphasizing first story reviews for a few months and found the new authors just as impolite as the established hacks.
All is not lost if you are a budding author. Here are some simple rules to increase your readership without too much exertion. As Parker once put it so bluntly. "Write what you want to write!" Have those words tattooed across your forehead, perverted of course, so every time you look at yourself in the mirror you can be reminded. Learn to write simple declarative sentences. Learn to walk, you can do your running once you get the hang of staying on your feet. Make damn sure that your story is free of typos, misspellings, poor grammar and the like. If need be, go to the library and take out a book on the subject of grammar so you will at least know what the average educated reader is looking for when he or she tries to wade through your epic. Try your best to have something novel or unique in your story. This way you may be able to separate yourself from the hordes of scribes, which is what I call those who merely copy someone else's plot, characters and the like. Don't submit chapter 1 of your story unless you already have a first draft of chapter 2! This site is littered with many very good first chapters that never amounted to a hill of beans because their vision had no depth.
I hope those of you who are just getting started in this exciting avocation will take what I said to heart. Pay attention to how many people are at least taking a look at your stuff, and act accordingly. Realize that we have a very strange readership in that the great majority are lurkers. A lurker is someone who reads and then goes on his or her merry way, leaving no trace. My educated guess is that over eighty percent of the site's readership are lurkers. They are akin to the dark matter that many scientists posit must exist to make the universe behave in the manner that it does.
what i find myself doing if i really like a story, is to email the writer instead of reviewing it. most of the times i get an email or two back. and Madlews and i have been corresponding on yahoo. his stories are terrific. a few times i havent received any email back from the author, which i find rather rude. i usually email them via this forum or the bdsm library. does it help the writer to review it rather than emailing them?
isabeau
I always enjoyed a private message more than a review. The best one I ever got ran two pages and it was astonishing what that reader had caught onto and how much entertainment had been derived from the little jokes that I usually bury in my stories. Personally I believe authors who ignore everyone should have the favor returned.
I speak for myself, isabeau.Quote:
Originally Posted by isabeau
If you want to help a writer and don't want to give them a bad review, it is ok to email them.
As a 'writer,' I like feedback. It tells me if I'm on the right track or not. Also, it is a guilty pleasure if the review is good. Either way, I still consider the feedback.
Reviews are acknowledgements of my efforts. So yes, it is important to leave your 'Kilgore was here' comment.
I've received email from people who loved the stories but didn't leave a review. I don't like that particularly, because if it was good, they should say so, in front of everybody.
Looking forward to seeing your name on story reviews.
Nikita
PS. I review A LOT of stories...
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikita
thank you Nikita i will start reviewing those stories then. i enjoy reading them especially since i am a bdsm virgin, meaning i have never lived this lifestyle, but it soo interests me.
isabeau
In addition, it’s not only the author who will read your review. Sometimes I enjoy reading other people’s reviews quite a bit. You get to their review lists by clicking on their name on a review page. If someone else liked what I liked, I tend to browse their lists, looking for recommendations.Quote:
Originally Posted by isabeau
I’d like to point again, as posted earlier in this thread, to the Library’s FAQ where you can find the useful suggestions Ruby wrote on ‘How to write a review?’:
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/faq.html#8
And if you post a few you’ll make it to temporary fickle fame on the top reviewers page:
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/topusers.php
I only write reviews of stories I read that interest me in one way or another. If a story is not my cup of tea or if it just makes me stare blankly into space and think ‘Well... maybe someone likes this...?’, I simply move on. Sometimes I also review a story which hasn't got any content that tickles my personal erotic interests, because I simply like the plot, the style, the storytelling.
Anyone who enjoys fiction can review stories. Real life experiences with BDSM may occasionally give a different outlook on some of the content, but the point of a review is really appreciation of well-written fiction. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranai
ahh i so agree with you and thank you for helping me to find out how to place a review. i will only write reviews of stories that i find well written with a plot other than inflicting pain, humiliation or the like. its not that i dont like reading about those, but i find stories with a plot within the main story to be much more my cup of tea. i think of myself as rather a bookworm. meaning i not only read a story or book once, but over and over. i consider myself a pretty good judge of what is well written or not. if i dont like a story i will also just pass it by, i would never ever think of critiquing a story that i dont like or criticize it in any shape or form at least not without some suggestions, and since i havent written anything myself, i dont feel i would be the best judge of that.
isabeau
You’re welcome. And by all means critique away! Constructive criticism is a good thing. Many people post their stories because they are looking for feedback, on content and on form. Whether any of it is actually taken up or not - that's always Author's Prerogative. ;)
And if you give an author suggestions of things you believe might be improved, it tells him or her that you found the story interesting enough to think about it.
thank you again and i also like alice in wonderland.... your quote from the jabberwockyQuote:
Originally Posted by Ranai
isabeau
Ah well, I salute the double post elves.
I don't think I've ever once written a review of a story, if & only if I like something, I just send the author an email. 'Do unto others' & all that.
Myself, I was blown away by the reviews from my two humble contributions. Not to mention the emails...
More reviews? You've got to be joking! I don't want 500 to read through...
All said & done, most of my stories are written for a particular person, they don't always want to share them with the world. If I can please that person, my work is done.
Sadly I've lost touch with 'Jessie' & feel unable to continue that one, which I feel had the most potential.
Good point about the poor grammar & spelling in many stories- I don't even read posts if they just 'don mak sinse' I cringe at their efforts.
I left school at the age of 15, yet can manage to go back & read what I've written & make changes. We all make mistakes, but some of us fix them afterwards- what else is a WP for?
Thanks so much for all the kind words re my stories, I can feel the inspiration coming back. :ty
Tojo
Not sure if this thread is still being followed, but I wanted to add my thoughts on reviews.
I too am amazed at the number of people who read and don't review, but still the number of people I have had reading my stories has thrilled me. I am still just a new writer and I must admit I do take note of what a reviewer says, whether they have liked the story or not. I also try to reply to my reviews, thought I really don't know if the reviewers read my replies. It just seems the polite thing to do.
I have found the reviews in general very positive and they certainly have made a difference in how I write. I sit down now with my idea in my head but also a better notion of what the reader might be looking for, though I know everyone is after something different.
As to writing reviews, since I have begun sending my stories in, I have tried to write more reviews. I really love this site and the freedom it offers to both new and established writers to have your work published but still be allowed your privacy.
Thanks
Aussiegirl1
I think the majority of regular visitors to most forums just hit the 'new posts' button each time they visit. Therefore any new comment comes up, no matter how old the thread is.Quote:
Not sure if this thread is still being followed
I still feel I've had enough reviews of my stories, more than enough really!
The feedback is most inspirational. Thanks to all, especially to my newest fan.
And hi to a fellow Aussie- owayagoingmate?
Tojo
g'day to you Tojo,
it is good to see an aussie name, though I imagine there are more of us out there then we might realise.
Aussiegirl1
hi aussiegirl--
I've read and enjoyed several of your stories. but I've never written a review of them because, when I first started coming to the library, I wrote e-mails to quite a few authors whose stories I liked, and none (zero) of them ever responded. so I stopped writing. I think you would do the same if you had the same experience. write on, aussiegirl!
--Sandcastler
As someone who has submitted stories, I can say that it is encouraging to know someone thought enough of my story to write a review. If it's a positive review of course I'm delighted, but even if it's negative (and I've received a few), it spurs me on to do better.
Sandcastler, I can understand how not getting a reply back from authors when you email them would be disappointing, but do try reviewing a story. It is a much more public way to praise the author of the story you like or offer some hints on how to improve a story. I for one really look forward to seeing what my reviewers say. It is ok to try to email the author too but as you have discovered they may not always respond. I hope you decide to review one of my stories and let me know what you like (or dislike) about it.
I have to agree with DungeonMaster, it does spur you on to write more when someone takes the time to review. I don't write just for reviews, I write first and formost for my own enjoyment, but I do get a buzz each time a new story starts to get reviewed.
Ranai luvQuote:
Originally Posted by Ranai
Yes,Yes I know I owe you a Fem Dom story with a boy toy in chains....:whip:
I'm just cleaning up a backlog of ideas. Perhaps that's my problem of late writing from ideas and not senses. :confused: In any event I'll get to it fairly soon.
Honest
Mad Lews
Don't let it bring you down, it's only castles burning...there I go, launching into song.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandcastler
Seriously, don't let the few non-responses halt your comments to authors. Some of us - me included - enjoy those things and will always respond.
Also, don't forget that some people have spam filters that knock stuff out. Or maybe they don't recognize your e-mail address and delete it.
I can tell you that, there is an author who I wrote to. He did not respond to me. But, when I commented in the review section, he did respond. You noever know what happens between you and them on this vast internet.
So, don't give up. Keep sending those E-Mails. Post comments in the review section. And, I promise, if you ever send me an E-Mail, if I don't respond it was because I didn't get it. Promise.
Some good points there H D- I deleted an email yesterday for the simple reason it looked a bit suss.
Yeah don't give up Sandcastler- I haven't always gotten a response from emailing someone, but the important part is to do it.
I mean if you say hello to a couple of people in R/L, & they don't respond you wouldn't give up?
I've met some of the nicest people ever online, you're not stuck with any tin pot town full of rednecks here, we go all over.
Hell I had a lovely email back from one of the foremost bondage models once. That was lovely. :)
Tojo
Mmm - I used to not respond that much, because I'm always a bit embarrassed when people compliment me. However, I've decided to start responding to every email I get now on my stories - I even went back over some emails I got last year and gave belated and apologetic thanks. I regret not doing it sooner - people want feedback on their feedback too, frankly.
I am as guilty as anyone and promise to do better when I read...as I have enjoyed so many of the stories here to the point of being lured back to my desire to write again myself...
hugs and licks!
cali
I know I like to read the stories, but it takes time for me to come up with a suitable review. I will put in a couple of reviews soon.
Totally understandable, but don't let it stop you either. You can add to, or edit your reviews later, and that's completely fine, but just a quick rating and a brief "good, will write more later" is really appreciated. Right now my main story has 14,000 reads and an underwhelming 6 reviews -- which led to my ceasing writing for a couple months due to lack of motivation. So while you intend to write something, it's hard for the author to get motivated by that.Quote:
I know I like to read the stories, but it takes time for me to come up with a suitable review. I will put in a couple of reviews soon.
I know I was guilty of not reviewing stories before I began to write my own. As an author, I do take note of any reviews I get and try now to at least review the stories I get time to read.
One of the ironic things I find though is that the more stories I write and the more I get involved in the forum, the less time I have to read and review! I guess it is a case of just trying to find a balance and I will always try to do that, as writers deserve the feedback.
Is there a missing chapter 21?
yep the author for some reason submitted chapter 22 before he did 21 so I can only publish what the author sends me ---it has been corrected nowQuote:
Originally Posted by RhondaLee
Its good to post a review for the authors. There is nothing more depressing than sending a story off to be read and recieve little to no feedback. Authors need praise, constructive critisism anything, just to let them know someone read what they had to say.
One reason why I send very few reviews despite parsing through almost all BDSMlibrary's production is the limited format. Also you're not sure the review will be read at all.
Specific hints: I think the scale for assessing is wrong in putting 'could be printed in a mainstream magazine (or something to that effect) as the top notch mark. To me that's no distinction! Magazine stories are soo boring and vanilla anyway! I like stories to be wicked to the extreme. The HAVE to be readable, but my reading committee is not a boffins' club - it's my clit and finger.
AND the review form should include a question whether the reviewer would welcome further exchange w/ the writer. The writer than chooses whether to pursue or not. Less intrusive than email, and (s)he still gets the public praise (s)he wants!
(I abstain from negative reviews. Sorry. I know some would be needed.)
Reviews are very much read -- if not by the author, then by others looking over stories. And honestly, I don't think there are many people who would put the effort into writing a story to publish for free and not care about response. If they didn't, they wouldn't put it up. Also, an email is sent to authors every time there's a review...so it is DEFINITELY noticed.
I hear the issue with the top ranking...but I think the idea is, is it ready for publication ie, is it polished, perfect, nothing at all could be improved. At least, that's how I treat it, but then I give out very, very few 10s.
As for further exchange, the author can always respond to comments and it's up to the reviewer if they ever want to come back and say anything more.
Absolutey, but how many authors actually acknowledge feedback? I got a 'thank you' email this morning from an author who I've noticed always responds to feedback. Maybe that's why that author gets more feedback to begin with?Quote:
Originally Posted by ElectricBadger
Also, I'm often amazed at authors who will actually request feedback, at the end of their story, but then criticise the critique. Maybe this puts some people off?
Quite right - it is important to acknowledge the reviews. I am also much more apt to offer repeated reviews if I know an author actually pays attention. I review for the author, to help him/her to improve. After all, as an author, I want to know where I need to improve.
Besides, it is rude not to offer someone acknowledgement if they took their time to offer a review.
I am a newly contributing author (i use the term loosely) and have had the same things happening. It really hurts the readers in the end and heres why. In my case being new to this i wasnt sure if the stories were that great and wasnt sure i wanted to submit more of the two dozen stories i am sitting on. I was waiting for people to let me know. If more people took the time to say something one way or another just once in a while more stories would get submitted by people like me. I think if they allowed anonymous feedbacks more people would do it. i think folks may be afraid to say something because they dont have stories submitted to qualify their remarks. Maybe they think people will pick on their stories in return... I think anonymous feedbacks would solve alot of this.
There are pros and cons to each method, Jon. The con to what you are suggesting is anonymous flaming of stories. I think that would be far more common.Quote:
Originally Posted by JonMaddux
Furthermore, and I am sure this sounds somewhat arrogant, not knowing who offered a positive or negative comment would not allow you to take the proper consideration. For instance, there are certain reviewers who offer incredibly good reviews for stories that are complete crap. The converse is also true. I find it far more helpful to get a scathing review from someone of intelligence than to get a wonderful review by an idiot.
In other words, I completely disagree with your suggestion to allow anonymous reviews.
Finally, if you want reviews - ask for them. Create a thread asking for a review. You will get reviewed. Also, check the reviews of other stories. Find a few critics who seem to make fair, clear and explanatory reviews and who seem to really care about writing. E-Mail that reviewer and ask them for a critique. I think you will get what you are looking for - well, sort of, anyway.
Well, that's my dollar and a half - long winded bastard that I am!