So many readers so few reviews

[Mad Lews]

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

Chapter 3 of said epic just got posted though it's not mentioned on the front page. ( another temporary glitch I think) delves into the lighter side of Dolcett. Now I'll have to write an ending to this epic....

Thanks for the encouraging words GD
Mad Lews

[MrsBambi]

I get so excited when I find a story that is 'on topic' for me... then I wait and download it and when I open it, CRAP!
The author cannot spell (witch for which) run-on sentences, poor grammar... Who edits these? ..and in defence of some authors... There are great stories out there... but the slap dash writing of many, leaves this reader bummed.
PLEASE learn to use spell check.... and Proofread, proofread, proofread!

[Mad Lews]

I get so excited when I find a story that is 'on topic' for me... then I wait and download it and when I open it, CRAP!
The author cannot spell (witch for which) run-on sentences, poor grammar... Who edits these? ..and in defence of some authors... There are great stories out there... but the slap dash writing of many, leaves this reader bummed.
PLEASE learn to use spell check.... and Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Hi Mrs. Bambi,
I've got to add my 2 cents worth. The writers are working for less than peanuts, some though not all are ESL writers, they're usually pretty easy to pick out. English spelling varies from country to country (try telling an Aussie the proper spelling of tyre). Any third party editing is strictly voluntary (are you available my dear?) and in any event a lot of readers are more interested in arousal quotient than the niceties of grammar and punctuation. Given all that take the stories for what they're worth not for what they cost you.
Just a thought,
Mad Lews

[Spectre]

There are several stories on this site that match my interest, but are either unreadable or difficult to follow. Nothing breaks my mood faster than having to pause and try to decipher what the word should be or what the author is trying to say. I have gone to the effort of copying the text into WORD so I can run a spellcheck on it to make an otherwise enjoyable story readable.

While I understand that English may not be an authors first language or spelling may be difficult for various reasons, most text editors have a spellcheck if not grammar check. I use them because I find myself reading something I wrote and knowing what I wanted to say, then having spellcheck catch items I missed.

I have seen others offer (and I would be willing) to proofread stories for authors. It may take time and effort, but if you are willing to take the time to write a story for others to read, why not spend a little time to polish it up?

Just my 2¢.

[Spectre]

Sorry. Double post

[csr]

There are several stories on this site that match my interest, but are either unreadable or difficult to follow. Nothing breaks my mood faster than having to pause and try to decipher what the word should be or what the author is trying to say. I have gone to the effort of copying the text into WORD so I can run a spellcheck on it to make an otherwise enjoyable story readable.

While I understand that English may not be an authors first language or spelling may be difficult for various reasons, most text editors have a spellcheck if not grammar check. I use them because I find myself reading something I wrote and knowing what I wanted to say, then having spellcheck catch items I missed.

I have seen others offer (and I would be willing) to proofread stories for authors. It may take time and effort, but if you are willing to take the time to write a story for others to read, why not spend a little time to polish it up?

I just have to echo this statement. I don't understand how so many stories exist on the site with major flaws in the spilling end thuh grimmer. All these authors would have to do is post a request on the forum for a proof-reader and they would be guaranteed willing volunteers.

I have seen stories with great potential have their meanings completely obliterated by the language. I've actually emailed authors and begged them to let me proof-read their next story, but got no answer. It's as if people just don't care.

The other one that really gets me--lack of paragraph breaks. I won't review a story that consists of one long paragraph simply because I won't read it.

[learningtopleez]

I don't understand how so many stories exist on the site with major flaws in the spilling end thuh grimmer.

Lmao! I don't know if you meant to make your point so well or not! But I am loving it!

[Aliquis]

Hi all!

Maybe thisisn't the appropriate place to complain but I have more than 1300 readers on my story's page but only ONE vote and zero reviews.
Perhaps you people here can say me something about my story. This is my first one and I had a lot work in it.

http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/stories/s...p?storyid=3967

Sorry if I was out of topic.


Aliquis

[Alex Bragi]

Do you review?

[buttins]

There is a place i know of that does reviews.... They seem to be sticking with pretty much one source for their stories, but I did see one or two from here... Maybe if they heard from you, they would start doing more stories from here. Anyway, the link is: http://indianpilot.tripod.com

Hope it is of some help.

buttins

[sgte5]

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?

[lex ludite]

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.

[lex ludite]

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.

[isabeau]

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

[lex ludite]

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.

[Nikita]

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 speak for myself, 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...

[isabeau]

I speak for myself, 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...

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

[Ranai]

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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

[Ranai]

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.

[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 jabberwocky

isabeau

[Ranai]

Ah well, I salute the double post elves.

[Tojo]

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.

Tojo

[Aussiegirl1]

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

[Tojo]

Not sure if this thread is still being followed

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.

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

[Aussiegirl1]

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

[Sandcastler]

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

[DungeonMaster6]

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.

[Aussiegirl1]

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.

[Mad Lews]

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.

Ranai luv
Yes,Yes I know I owe you a Fem Dom story with a boy toy in chains....
I'm just cleaning up a backlog of ideas. Perhaps that's my problem of late writing from ideas and not senses. In any event I'll get to it fairly soon.
Honest
Mad Lews