So many readers so few reviews

[Mad Lews]

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 process really that hard or is it something else. I mean it really is encouraging when someone takes the time to let you know what they felt about your story.

[ProjectEuropa]

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.

You are right to complain but I have to admit I am guilty as hell. I have read several stories where I have thought I must write a review and haven't. I've actually finished a story determined to write a review and haven't. I think I will start making a habit of writing a review even if I am critical of the story. I think constructive criticism is worthwhile even if one struggles to find something positive in a person's work.

You have touched my conscience and I will start writing reviews. A review is so so encouraging. It really does make all the effort worthwhile.

Oh and thanks for the review!

[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]

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.

[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.

[truckinnhorsin]

i can't make the review thingy work!! least, i couldn't last time i tried. it says i wasnt signed up/ logged in. so i would go log in. and come back.. and it still wouldnt let me. after a few tries, i gave up.


Teni

[Mad Lews]

i can't make the review thingy work!! least, i couldn't last time i tried. it says i wasnt signed up/ logged in. so i would go log in. and come back.. and it still wouldnt let me. after a few tries, i gave up.


Teni

I actually started this thread when I heard that same complaint from a friend. He never did figure out what was wrong. You are a registered user according to your profile so it should work for you. Can you send e-mail to the author? That's the other underlined option available from the story page. I do hope you can figure out the problem.
Good luck...Mad Lews

[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.

[banderson]

I agree that it would be nice for authors to have more reviews of their works. That way, they could improve and be encouraged to write more. I'd review more myself except that it takes a certain amount of time to give a good review and I'm a bit lazy in that regard.

Of course, it also doesn't encourage me when my review is attacked...

banderson

[Tiger]

I had put a link on the review page. It will be too long to fit the full text there. I hope people will read it before reviewing. Sometime readers do not realize how their reviews will affect the authors and the authors may also keep other reviewers away by giving some negative remarks. So I believe this is a great idea to let both reviewers and authors understand the need of others. If you think I can improve it in any way, feel free to let me know.

Jinn

[emmacd]

Hi Jinn I know how you feel. I have out up messages on what I should write about. They are ignored and I would be happy if they wrote negative about what I wished towrite. This is quite different from other groups that I have been in. Just hang in and kep on writing. Emmacd :help:

I had put a link on the review page. It will be too long to fit the full text there. I hope people will read it before reviewing. Sometime readers do not realize how their reviews will affect the authors and the authors may also keep other reviewers away by giving some negative remarks. So I believe this is a great idea to let both reviewers and authors understand the need of others. If you think I can improve it in any way, feel free to let me know.

Jinn

[H Dean]

I had put a link on the review page. It will be too long to fit the full text there. I hope people will read it before reviewing. Sometime readers do not realize how their reviews will affect the authors and the authors may also keep other reviewers away by giving some negative remarks. So I believe this is a great idea to let both reviewers and authors understand the need of others. If you think I can improve it in any way, feel free to let me know.

Jinn

Maybe you should put a disclaimer - Don't give a bad review because the fetish or kink was not to your taste! - I have a seen a lot of bad reviews because it didn't fit the reviewers genre. Pardon - I said bad reviews. I meant stupid.

[General_Dom]

Two other trends I have found in reading other's reviews that should be, IMO, Big Don'ts:

1) Harshly judging a first chapter because it doesn't have enough of the "good stuff" (whatever you're into) - As a writer, I always try to start a story with a bang. I know that's important. But, let's try to cut the newer writers a break in this department. Effectively achieving balance between plot and character development is difficult to master. I don't know if slamming newbies with 1 and 2 star reviews is the way to get the message across. I am surprised many victims of this haven't just given up (and some have, unfortunately... look at all the one chapter stories out there). Lastly, if you feel your preliminary judgement is warrented, at least do the author the courtesy of re-reviewing the story once more content is added.

2) Laying down arbitrary rules like "a story should be 'x' pages long." Says who? Hey, the size is posted on every story link here. If it's beyond your attention span or interest level, then don't read it. Sorry for flaring, I was just thinking of a certain reviewer (who shall remain nameless).

[Mad Lews]

Two other trends I have found in reading other's reviews that should be, IMO, Big Don'ts:

1) Harshly judging a first chapter because it doesn't have enough of the "good stuff" (whatever you're into) - As a writer, I always try to start a story with a bang. I know that's important. But, let's try to cut the newer writers a break in this department. Effectively achieving balance between plot and character development is difficult to master. I don't know if slamming newbies with 1 and 2 star reviews is the way to get the message across. I am surprised many victims of this haven't just given up (and some have, unfortunately... look at all the one chapter stories out there). Lastly, if you feel your preliminary judgement is warrented, at least do the author the courtesy of re-reviewing the story once more content is added.

2) Laying down arbitrary rules like "a story should be 'x' pages long." Says who? Hey, the size is posted on every story link here. If it's beyond your attention span or interest level, then don't read it. Sorry for flaring, I was just thinking of a certain reviewer (who shall remain nameless).

Write on General_Dom!
Don't mind me I'm still smarting from my first review under 7, a 2 no less. Now don't get me wrong the story might suck but the reason given was she didn't find anything erotic about it. So I check out the other reviews she's done. They vary between 2 and 5 for every story except 1 author who gets straight tens. Comments are all pretty much the same " It didn't turn me on". I mean you can tell people the rating scale isn't an arouse-o-meter but you can't make them listen. The same reviewer mentioned that the story should grip her from page one and be no more than 25-30 pages. I thought of asking for a word count because I don't know the font size she uses and I'd hate to leave her dangeling with a 35 page story, but I figured I'd said enough.
Vent closed! Hatches secured, I'll plunge on now.
Mad Lews

[H Dean]

Bad pun, I know. I would apologize but I enjoy bad jokes.

Regarding the low review you received: I have fallen victim to her reviews, as well, Mad. In reviewing her reviews I stumbled across your comments regarding her review of your own tale. Apparently this did not sit well with her as, about an hour later, she had reviewed two new tales and gave them glowing reviews. Call me paranoid but something doesn't smell right with that one.

As for her other comments regarding the length of stories, etc...well, those have to be the stupidest comments I have ever read.

[pejanon]

I will not even bother to comment blatant missuses of review option. Those thing just happen.
(Like - story gets three A+++ reviews 15 minutes after being posted.) I will also not bother to comment on things like: length (and breath) of story being relevant (really?) or content or font type...
However arouse-o-meter IS relevant but - it's nice when you see "This isn't hot BECAUSE..."


No I did not have any problem posting/pasting a review. Actually I registered because I wanted to rate a story, found out I had to write something - so I did.

No I do not understand bad reviews here. I mean - you are reading a story, you don't like it - you drop it, read something else ... what's a big deal? Read it all the way so you can kick it around? Bah.

Oh... you mean you DON'T read it all but STILL write a review? What a NOVEL idea - perhaps I should test it out on Mad's latest extravaganza? NO?

Generally if I don't write a review on something at once - it's gone. Too bad. I think it happens all the time. And people just want to read the stuff - not bother writing something about it.

Perhaps some incentive for reviewers. Like the best review (NOT most prolific) get a trip to Bangkok with guided tour of ahem sights. The worst - same thing but on South Pole.

All kidding aside, why not a contest of sorts? I've seen a lot of story contests - but a review contest? Hmmm silly?

P

[Mad Lews]

Perhaps some incentive for reviewers. Like the best review (NOT most prolific) get a trip to Bangkok with guided tour of ahem sights. The worst - same thing but on South Pole.

All kidding aside, why not a contest of sorts? I've seen a lot of story contests - but a review contest? Hmmm silly?

P

Pej,
You are a sicker man than I....
and I like that in a person.
Still I think maybe I should stick to sappy romance BDSM storys, it seems to be what the public wants .

Mad

[pejanon]

Pej,
You are a sicker man than I....
and I like that in a person.
Still I think maybe I should stick to sappy romance BDSM storys, it seems to be what the public wants .

Mad

Wow cumming from the certified madman this is high praise indeed.

Sappy? naw
romance? why not - THAT is not the point!
however more detals on ehem action pieces will be appreciated - and bring you higher ratings (if that pleases you) - just check those well meant reviews you get from time to time.

And nno ofcourse wedon't need heat from the world go ... but some OK

so my ide is lunatic raving?

fellow madman

[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.

[Dododecapod]

Even if you don't want to make a big, formal review (I tend to write screeds, but I have some formal reviewing training) you can always say "I liked x aspect" or "I didn't like x aspect". At least the writer then knows you read it and cared enough to acknowledge his work.

[TheChairman]

Even if you don't want to make a big, formal review (I tend to write screeds, but I have some formal reviewing training) you can always say "I liked x aspect" or "I didn't like x aspect". At least the writer then knows you read it and cared enough to acknowledge his work.

We as authors also have a responsibilty to reply to our reviews and fan-mails. I know I have written private notes to more than one author and never heard jack back. That tends to discourage me as a reviewer/fan-mailer.

And to echo what others have said: I don't read most of the stories posted here, and don't review most that I do read. I generally only review tales that turn me on. It is not easy to disambiguate my dislike of a story for reasons of content from my dislike of a story because it is poorly written, so I generally don't bother. But that's just me.

[General_Dom]

Ah, yes! We are talking about the same reviewer, and I believe it was their review to your story that set me off.

Keep writing your epics..... they're very cool and in need on this site....

GD