A Word on Reviews + Some Shameless Self-Promotion

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "shanti_50130" <seuferer at n...>
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?"
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> My answer then, is thus:
> 
> As a fanfic writer, I have to say I *love* */ANY/* review, even a 
> brief, "I really enjoyed this chapter" or "This chapter seemed a 
> little rough" or even "luv it, more soon plz!" Specifics HELP, but 
> they aren't necessary.
> 
> As a reviewer, when I leave a review (and because of my own 
> experience, I *ALWAYS* leave a review of anything I read) I try and 
> comment on whatever still sticks out at me by the end of the 
> chapter/story. If I notice a typo or something, I'll mention that, 
> too, because I LOVE it when my reviewers catch something I've missed 
> so I can fix it. A recent review I left for a Snupin I read was 
> something like, "I really enjoyed this story. Snape was very in-
> character and yet I could still believe him to have tender feelings 
> for Remus, just good at hiding it."
> 
> If I'm in a hurry, I'll leave a very short review, but I do still 
> review. "I really enjoyed this!" is often all I'll leave if nothing 
> stands out as needing specific comment.
> 
>...edited...
>
> Sincerely,
> 
> Shanti
> http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/story.php?no=25336

bboyminn:

Well, to the original person, let me say this, the fact that you WANT
to leave a review tells me that you have something to say. The story
impressed you, or you found some flaw in the style, or whatever. The
point is you must have something to say, or you wouldn't have the
desire to say something. So, say it.

Even simply little 'I enjoyed this' reviews are nice. If the way a
particular character was portrayed, or perhaps a certain scene moved
you then mention it. Remember a reveiw is just your opinion, and
that's all you have to give. 

Many reviews ARE very techinical in their reviews. They understand
literature and it's criticism and it shows, and that can be a little
imtimidating. Well, you don't have to be them, you just have to be you.

If you see a little mistake that bothered you, mention it. If it
really is a mistake the author will probably try and fix it. Or if
something was worded a little odd, and you can remember specifically
where it is, then mention it, the author will probably appreciate the
help. 

As always, even when you are being critical, try to be polite. Trust
me people who leave reviews that simply say 'Nice!' are appreciated,
and people who have nothing more to say than 'You Suck!' are seen for
the fools they are. But something like "this didn't work for me
because..." is fair, contructive, and welcome criticism.

As an author I really can take criticism, if it's fair and honest, and
backed up by intelligent observation. I had one reviewer who read
everything I wrote, sometimes leaving chapter by chapter criticism
(and that in itself is an honor) and he criticized it strongly. 

Well, I admit I have a few bad habits, and I didn't have a beta
reader, so it was probably deserved. Then he read another of my
stories, and while he still criticized my basic form and structure,
but he like that story, and THAT WAS A GREAT REVIEW. Since he was very
critical of all my work for him to be moderately impressed by that one
story ('Brothers') was a thrill.

So, really a review doesn't have to be a big complex techincal
analysis, it's just your opinion, feel free to express it.


For my published works-

-The milder writings at FanFiction.net-
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/173864/

A slight gay bent, but nothing usual and a couple of very nice general
stories. Some stories so mild I let my mother read them.


-My Personal Website - all the mild stuff that also appears at
FanFiction.net and the more extreme ADULT very gay bent (or twisted)
stories. 

For reference, I'm a strong Harry/Ron shipper with an occassional
taste for Harry/Draco. Many of these are works in progress upon which
I'm making very little progress.
http://www.homestead.com/BBoySlash/files/warnslash.html

On my personal site, all stories are CLEARLY rated, and to some
extent, for your protection, over-rated, and summarised.

The first 6 stories listed are part of the "Awakening" series which is
complete and although very slashy, is still a good read, as well as an
interesting take on how Harry and Ron might accidently end up together.

The next three chapters (7,8,9) follow the first 6 in time, but really
aren't an extention of the same 'Awakening' story. By the time these
occur Harry is very much Awakened. "Brother" is a story that I am
expeically fond of, only very very slightly slashy, and this is the
one my greatest critic liked. "Of these three, "The Tower" is an odd
but sexy take on Draco, although I admit the writing isn't very smooth.

"Friend to Fame" and "The Chess Club" are also a couple of my
favorites and are general, and generally good, stories, although a
good beta wouldn't hurt.

"Dragon's Breath" is a deep and short writing excersice on the inner
landscape of Harry and Draco.

"Respect" is a very fun, slightly unbelievable tale in which I manage
to get the Dursleys into Diagon Alley (really!), as improbably as it
seems, it's a fun story. Again, it could us a beta reader.

"Ginger Ale King" isn't a deep story, it's what I call a
day-in-the-life, and the whole story is really based around the waiter
calling Ron a queen (of sorts).

The Novel "Coming Home" is half my written work, currently at 53
chapters with many of those chapters written in several parts. This
represents about half the story I have to tell in this novel. I'm told
this is a heart wrenching tale.

-"A Novel: Coming Home - Grace, Loss, Love, and Redemption."-
'Story of searching for all the right things in all the wrong place. A
tragedy with it's foundation in child abuse. A story of love and
affection, heartache and joy, damnation and redemption, fear and
courage, a fallen angel, and lots of sex.'

"The Cavern" is a somewhat unlikely story in which Harry lures Draco
into a trap; a hot sweaty naked naughty sexy trap. Also, WIP and about
a third to a half finished. This also provides an opportunity for
Harry to show Draco the err of his ways, and how hopeless the
Voldemort cause is. Part of this is an excersize in multiple viewpoints.

Side Note: on my personal page, the links to [Reviews] no longer
works. But somewhere in the mess is my email address.

My writer's name is BoyBlue, and my personal sites email address is
Asian_lovr2 at Yahoo. I would appreciate reviews, but remember the
[Review] link on my personal site doesn't work, so email only.

Steve/bboyminn

My homepage-
http://www.homestead.com/asian_lovr/files/index.html