Originally posted by boccaccio2000g

This train of thought has concerned me, too. My reviews have ranged the gamut from 1-10 and I have been tempted at times to score a little higher out of concern for people's feelings. I am sure that the people's stories which (in my opinion, only) didn't succeed so well are just as nice, and just as sensitive, as those whose stories I preferred.
I like to be objective about reviewing stories and so don't review stories that don't interest me or that I didn't enjoy. However, if there is a story that I did enjoy but needed work, I would say so, but not in the manner I've seen some reviewers do it. I know I would want an honest review because I'm here to sharpen my skills, learn what turns people on and advance my writing skills. Being told something is good just to avoid hurt feelings is worse than hurt feelings -- it's undermined my attempts at writing!


But inflating the grades is unfair, isn't it, to the authors who have gone the extra mile, who have spent extra hours making their sentences flow nicely, their language crisp, et? If we give everyone 9's and 10's, the scores won't mean anything to anyone.
Inflating grades is unfair, for everyone, especially those that receive them! And it does penalize those that have done excellent work. You lose both ways.


My impression it that in the past -- most people (Hyphen 666 being a notable exception) didn't review the stories they didn't care for -- they just went on to the next one, hoping for something more to their liking. And that is certainly polite, but not very helpful to the next potential reader. So, since I suggested that we writers take the lead in writing reviews, I've reviewed almost all of the stories that I've read. And read more than formerly (and my writing has slowed as a result!).
That raises an interesting issue, that of our obligation to both readers and other writers. However, I would find it hard to objectively review a story if the story is not one I find interesting. If anything, let the reviewers each focus on the kinds of stories they like, by genre or story code. I could never rate a snuff story highly no matter how well it was written. The subject is totally non-erotic to me and I could not give a balanced review.

Having your own writing suffer as you've worked on reviews doesn't seem a positive solution either. I personally would rather see you write stories than write reviews. You are in effect sacrificing your own writing in order to give reviews to potential readers who may or may not be interested? Don't forget, some people read just to get off. I've even done that. *grin* I rarely read reviews because I know I can make my own judgment about the story and rarely does my opinion match that of the reviewers. I say, let those that WANT to review review and those that want to write should write. Once it becomes a chore, everything will suffer.



To those who found my reviews overly critical - it's only my opinion, and my taste -- don't take it too much to heart, if you were disappointed. If my review criticized grammar, spelling, syntax and so on -- (which is usually the reason for low scores, I hope you will take that as constructive. All of those things can be corrected with a little extra effort. Some of the writers I have 'panned' have wonderful imaginations for conceiving stories; and no one wants to stifle that. But you would do your readers a great service by taking a bit more time with story A before moving on to story B.
Exactly. If one is adult enough to post a story here, then one must be correspondingly adult enough to have constructive conversations with the readers and audience.

Which takes me to how to review a story ...

It's hardly helpful to get scathing reviews with no content. It's easy to just pan anything for whatever reasons, it's a bit harder to offer praise for good work, and encouragement or examples on the faults of the story. We aren't professional writers here and I personally know where my own weaknesses in writing are. I want someone to notice these and pass on that information because sometimes, I do overlook some things in edit after edit. It happens. That's why an entire profession exists ... that of editors. *grin*

In my own case, being given a low rating because it was the introduction was a waste of my time and the reviewers. I honestly hadn't expected any reviews until other chapters appeared. I was more curious if something other than a quick wanking story was wanted here and that is what I asked for feedback on. Being told that my attention to detail was lacking, was a positive thing for me, though Marcus, I was hoping to have one example pointed out so that I could 'see' it and check the remainder of the chapters for similar lapses.

I know I tend to forget the details and often, I have to incorporate what my husband has written as well. We work on different chapters and often have to spend time comparing the detail to make things 'match up' but it's fun to do.

So, that was my own long winded way of saying honest reviews are essential, even 'negative' reviews can be positive and let's be careful that we don't make review writing a chore that will ultimately make the quality of both writing and reviewing suffer.

I don't comment on really bad stories. It isn't worth my time -- especially in the case where they have not used readable English and grammar. I don't mind the occasional lapse, typo, incorrect word, but when the entire story looks like it has been written by a third grader, what's the point in commenting? If they didn't take the time to do that, then I don't have the time to comment. Some have been atrocious and no comment of mine will make a difference.

Pooka