So many readers so few reviews

[Alex Bragi]

How is it you can have 5,000 people read a story in a month and get maybe one or two to review it? Is the review proscess really that hard or is it something else. I mean it really is incouraging when someone takes the time to let you know what they felt about your story.

Yes, I agree, however, I didn't have to look further than the past two month's top reviewers to find an answer for you - your name isn't on either list.

It's disappointing for sure, particularly for those authors who have received no rating/feedback at all for their efforts. Your stories, I see, all have a least a couple of reviews - good high ratings too - well done!

Many readers are just that - readers not writers. I feel that quite possibly many just simply don't feel comfortable, or qualified, to comment. I agree it's unwarranted but I'm sure I'm right.

[Mad Lews]

I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound like I'm complaining. I really am wondering if it's something to do with the process. I've actually gotten e-mails from people who tried to leave a review and for one reason or another couldn't. Is it the drop down menu selection? I really don't know. And yes I'm a guilty party too. I hereby swear to do at least three a week FNO

[Alex Bragi]

I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound like I'm complaining. I really am wondering if it's something to do with the process. I've actually gotten e-mails from people who tried to leave a review and for one reason or another couldn't. Is it the drop down menu selection? I really don't know. And yes I'm a guilty party too. I hereby swear to do at least three a week FNO

All men whinge and complain, Mad Lews, so why should you be any different.

[Ruby]

A challenge to all would be / not so frequent reviewers

Review one story a week. That's 4 a month and with that you could make the top ten reviewers list. One a week - you can do it!

(You'll find it becomes a habt whenever you finish a story and you'll do more if your not thinking about it.)

Your reward - bragging rights, the right to complain that others aren't reviewing, satisfaction knowing that you helped others...whatever motivates you.

Review writing made easy:

Rate the story based on the description given in the numbers.
Those descriptions are very helpful.

One to three sentences will help the author and future readers. So without giving away the plot or story twists (spoilers) fill in some of the sample sentences. Strive for quality of comments instead of quantity.

The plot was _____ (believable, unrealistic, wonderful, well conceived ....)
The visual descriptions were _____
The characters were ___
I liked this story because ____
I thought this story could use a bit of work on ____ (dialog, grammar, ...)
My favorite character(s) was/were _____ because ____
Needed a warning - please add code ____

Or go with your gut - and tell everyone what you felt/thought:
Samples below - I'm sure you can create your own.

Great writing style kept me wanting more long after I was done.
The story had me reaching for my vibe.
This story was so hot I had to grab my partner.
A perfect story for reading to your partner while they are tied and waiting
in anticipation.

There's nothing to it

Just be polite, have fun and do your best.

[Mad Lews]

A challenge to all would be / not so frequent reviewers

Just be polite, have fun and do your best.

Thanks Ruby
Great suggestions and advice, I'll get right on it. (also a nifty way to procrastinate when the writing muse is on strike)
.

[Spectre]

I'm afraid I tend to avoid reviewing a story if;

a: It is not what I enjoy. If a story has elements I do not care for, I will not review it. I would rate it lower than it might deserve just because it is not my prefered "kink"

b: I tend to follow the "tar baby" rule. "If ya can't say sumpt'n nice. don't say nuttin at all" I have reviewed stories I do like and made comments on stories where I like the theme, but the writing leaves something to be desired, but I tend to avoid leaving negative reviews.

Just my 2¢

[Alex Bragi]

Spectre, you're not alone. I won't review a story I haven't derived at least some enjoyment from either. Why should I?

And, I totally agree there's nothing more frustrating than seeing reviewers give a poor rating simply because the genre wasn't to their liking.

BTW, here's a threads on this very topic. A Question of Standards - JakBird There are others, but this is one has the most responses.

[Jadetiger]

A challenge to all would be / not so frequent reviewers

Review one story a week. That's 4 a month and with that you could make the top ten reviewers list. One a week - you can do it!

(You'll find it becomes a habt whenever you finish a story and you'll do more if your not thinking about it.)

Your reward - bragging rights, the right to complain that others aren't reviewing, satisfaction knowing that you helped others...whatever motivates you.

Ruby,
This is a wonderful challenge. Authors should receive feedback on their work. So I have accepted the challenge. I am being pretty pity about what I read. I still avoid the hardcore extreme stuff unless I am requested to read it by the author. Stories I have read and reviewed.

Blood and Betrayal: Taking an Amazon by Ruby Bloodstone
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/stories/s...p?storyid=3234

A Pirate's Life for Me by Domination King
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/stories/s...p?storyid=2951

Breakfast with the Doctor by Dr. Wellhung
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/stories/s...p?storyid=3248

JoAnna Smith - Seaman Apprentice by Sailor 861
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/stories/s...p?storyid=3250

P.S.
I found this site when an Internet friend sent me a link to a story on the site. I must admit that the story was extremely hard-core for someone unfamiliar with this life style. I found it upsetting. I couldn't even finish it. While the story excited my friend I found it only angered me. I never read another story but did join the forum.

I can’t remember the name of the story but it involved a girl who was sent a plane ticket so she could spend 2 weeks with a couple. She is tricked by the sadistic couple and their plan was to turn her into a mindless slave by the end of the 2 weeks with the help of an ex con that they employed. If anyone remembers this story I would love to finish reading it now that I am more comfortable with myself. The character’s name might be Mary.

[Tiger]

A challenge to all would be / not so frequent reviewers

Ruby, I think you did a great job getting the little challenge together here. I included your text in the faq section of this site and I hope you won't mind that:
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/faq.html#8

If anyone have any suggestion about this, feel free to let me know.

Jinn

[emmacd]

Ji Jinn, I am still trying to get the use of all you offer. I am trying to become involved with all the Forums. Whereas I know that is a dom orientated group and I am on the fringe group (crossdressers) I have a lot of experience in the S/M world. I will still put in my two cents to encourage other writers. I do enjoy their stories as well. Emmacd

Ruby, I think you did a great job getting the little challenge together here. I included your text in the faq section of this site and I hope you won't mind that:
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/faq.html#8

If anyone have any suggestion about this, feel free to let me know.

Jinn

[H Dean]

Jinn, you might want to put the "Do's and Don't's" on the actual review page. Most people are just going to review a story without bothering to read the help sections. Consequently, you will get some reviews that are the exact opposite of what you want.

For example; I recently saw a review where the author got a low rating due to content. It seems that the reader didn't like snuff tales, so he gave it a bad review.

Something similar happened to one of my stories almost immediately afterwards. That is, I got a low rating because my tale went "too far" and because the story was "depraved" - but "the writing was fine". That is an absolutely asinine criteria for a low review rating.

Reviews are nice. But they can be annoying when they aren't constructive or if they are based upon the reader being too stupid to pay attention to story codes.

[bee]

Many readers are just that - readers not writers. I feel that quite possibly many just simply don't feel comfortable, or qualified, to comment. I agree it's unwarranted but I'm sure I'm right.

This is very true for me, because english is not my mothertongue, I feel I'm not qualified to comment on the (many) stories I read.

[caligirl{Rob}]

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

[Mad Lews]

All men whinge and complain, Mad Lews, so why should you be any different.

I may be few things but diffrent is one of them. Still I've never learned to whinge,If you'll describe it in graphic detail I'll try my best, or not.