[HPFGU-OTChatter] A Word on Reviews

[Sheryll Townsend]

--- shanti_50130 <seuferer at netins.net> wrote:

> On one of the Yahoo Groups to which I belong, a
> fanfic reader asked 
> a question about how to leave a review. Her
> question, paraphrased 
> here, was basically, "I don't know what to say in a
> review, or how 
> to be specific with my comments. I don't want to
> leave just a 
> short, 'I liked this' sort of review because so many
> fanfic authors 
> disdain those sorts of comments as being unhelpful.
> What should I 
> say in a review? How important is a review, really?"
> 
> As this is a topic near and dear to my heart, I
> answered her, and 
> then decided to post my 'essay' about here and
> there, as 'reviews' 
> and the questionable 'importance' of them, is a
> common topic for 
> discussion among many authors/artists and
> readers/viewers among 
> fandom.
> 
> My answer then, is thus:
> 
<snip essay>
> 
> I know I am not alone in this, but in my opinion, it
> is merely a 
> courtesy. If you read it/look at it, it seems to me
> the only polite 
> thing to do is to take a moment to 'feed' the
> author/artist. It 
> really is the only "payment" that the author/artist
> receives. For 
> the vast majority of us, reviews mean a great deal.
> 

I'd have to say that I don't understand why someone
would read a story and not review it. 

I used to read a lot of fanfic, back in the days when
I had more time. Now, I barely try to keep up with the
ones I originally started reading. Not because I don't
like them. In fact, I've stopped reading fics in
progress that I like very much. Why? I just don't have
time. Sure, I could read skim through chapters
quickly, but where's the pleasure in that? 

When I read, I *want* to review. Reviewing is a long
process for me. I keep a page open on my computer and
track comments/suggestions as I read, then compile
them into a coherent review. Personally, if I don't
have the time to do this as I read a fic, then I don't
read. 

Sheryll, who knows she's missing lots of good fics for
lack of time :)

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