Quote Originally Posted by 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).
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