CloverReef

I look at old summaries and die inside while laughing at myself, because I am that bad. I gave up after a while and just chickened out with : "Response to AFF Challenge Prompt [whatever] and then tags. VERY creative of me.

I can't imagine going through a real professional editor. Christ on a cracker, Bronx, that must've been hard.
Every single time I post a story - hell, even when I post to a thread or in the shoutbox - I'm a bundle of nerves. Even when it's something I'm proud of, that I've gone over a dozen times with a fine toothed comb and came out the other end loving the finished product. As soon as I click that submit/post button, the anxiety hits me. "Did it sound too stilted? Too clinical? Was that sentence too long? Did I start too many sentences with the same word? OMG is that what I call a transition?!"

I usually end up doing a bazillion post-finished-product-edits. In case anyone's wondering: yes, it is entirely possible to over edit.

I sympathise, KoKoa.

I can't imagine going through a real professional editor. Christ on a cracker, Bronx, that must've been hard.
Every single time I post a story - hell, even when I post to a thread or in the shoutbox - I'm a bundle of nerves. Even when it's something I'm proud of, that I've gone over a dozen times with a fine toothed comb and came out the other end loving the finished product. As soon as I click that submit/post button, the anxiety hits me. "Did it sound too stilted? Too clinical? Was that sentence too long? Did I start too many sentences with the same word? OMG is that what I call a transition?!"

I usually end up doing a bazillion post-finished-product-edits. In case anyone's wondering: yes, it is entirely possible to over edit.

I sympathise, KoKoa.

My favourite reviews are the ones full of analysis. Where they ask questions or ponder events that occurred, or when they question motives or make guesses at what will happen after a cliffhanger. I love it when they say why they love or hate characters and who they think the chars should hook up with. Those are the reviews I go back to years later for a little motivation when I'm lacking. Of course, I love the concrit, the blatant praise, and the quick li'l, "plz rite more"s too.

My favourite reviews are the ones full of analysis. Where they ask questions or ponder events that occurred, or when they question motives or make guesses at what will happen after a cliffhanger. I love it when they say why they love or hate characters and who they think the chars should hook up with. Those are the reviews I go back to years later for a little motivation when I'm lacking. Of course, I love the concrit, the blatant praise, and the quick li'l, "plz rite more"s too.

I have been beta reader for years. Mostly for friends, but I did a couple projects for writers on AFF years ago. You tend to see your own mistakes in the writing of other people. As a writer, it's difficult not to compare your own writing skill with the one you're correcting, especially in the case where it feels like they're leagues above you, but that's an excellent opportunity to have a little of that skill rub off on you, right?
Betaing definitely made me more aware of conscious comma use and language barriers. It's tricky sometimes to see the difference between something that should be reworded and something that's simply stylistically different than your own. Recognising that difference, I think, made me more open-minded. Though I did go through a time where I took a lot of things apart that I probably could have relaxed about. On that note, betaing is also an excellent way to learn tact!

Dear Valued Reader,
Over the past few years I have been pretty vocal about the problem of ever declining reviews across a number of fanfiction sites. I have sought reasons why reviews have declined and solutions to boost review activity; however I have never before explained publicly why reviews are so important to me as a fanfiction writer. So below I would like to tell you why reviews matter to me.
First you have to understand that I never intended to become a fanfiction writer. The first story I ever wrote (7 years ago) was meant to spark activity in one of my favorite but nonexistent (at the time) fandoms. (I was a reader of fanfiction way before I started to write). With a shocking lack of confidence I transformed the basic outline of what I wanted to see someone else write into a coherent story. Still lacking confidence and sure that I would be told how much the story sucked I posted it, thinking it would inspire people to improve on what I thought was pure garbage.
The next day after school, I nervously checked my email. My heart pounded when I saw their were not one but several reviews to my story. I was sure they had only written in to tell me how bad the story was. Nervous I opened the first one.
“This was one of the best stories I have ever read. Please write more.”
I couldn’t believe it. Surely this review was a fluke. Then opening the other ones I found much of the same. People loved my story. Wanted more even. Suddenly I began to swell with a feeling of pride. Something that I had created had caused someone else who I didn't even know joy. So much so they were willing to write in and ask for more. At that point I completely fell in love with the feeling of being able to please other people with my writing. I began to think of other plots I could write. At that moment a fanfiction writer was born.
It’s been a long time since that first story. I have written dozens if not hundreds of stories across multiple fandoms, on multiple sites, under several different pen names. But one thing remains constant. The feeling I get from reading that someone enjoyed my work keeps me writing. It keeps me up till 1 am when I have work the next morning. It keeps me involved in the fanfiction community.
In my opinion it’s really not that much to ask. I create work for the enjoyment of others at no charge. All I ask is that you leave a few words telling me what you thought. This is my payment so to speak. A way for fans to tell me their opinions of the story while keeping me motivated and even giving me ideas for the future. I know you’re not purposefully not reviewing. You have a busy life, but so do the writers who are creating these works that you enjoy. Most in their spare time after a long day of work or on the weekends. So please the next time you enjoy a story please take a moment to write a short review. That short sentance or two will really brighten up that writers day. It might even inspire a new chapter or another story all togeather. Sometimes all it takes is a short “That story was great! Keep going” to inspire someone or rekindle and old flame.
Thank you for listening and please pass this letter on to your friends, family and anyone else who reads fanfiction.

Well said. Though I'm not sure I completely agree that the act of writing is worthy of praise... (for the most part I do, it's just... the relativist in me can't take that leap with undefined circumstances). I know I personally wrote a lot of crap. When I started in the fan fiction world, I remember my friend linking me to a story she wrote with some other people. The story was in parts, poking fun at all the terrible stories in our fandom. And lo and behold, there was one of my stories roasting on chapter three. It had been a while since I had written it, so I was able to see in retrospect that it was bad, and not take the insult too seriously. My point, though (assuming I have one and am not just rambling aimlessly >_>) is just to support, really, what I quoted from you above, KH. I think most writers - at least those who started young, like I did - have a lot of crap to write out, as part of the growing process. I don't know how it is for people who begin writing as adults. Personally, I started when I was 11. Now I'm 28, and I was a terrible writer! Until about a week ago! Well, the jury's still out, I guess...
Wait, I forgot what this topic was about...
...
Oh yes, readers.
My two cents: I believe a lot of readers who don't review, simply do not know what to say. A reader said something of that nature years ago in these forums. It's understandable, but of course, a little disappointing. A simple "I liked it" would go a long way for me. Of course, more detail would go much longer, as most of you have said. But I like the clutter better than the silence. Silence, for me, is a breeding ground for insecurity. I'm not going to comment on the self-entitled readers who insult stories just on the grounds that the author can't read their minds, because I think we all agree that they just plain suck. In the bad way.
Anyway, I like your rant, HK. You made a lot of valid points. I'm slightly disappointed though that this thread didn't magically spawn a million readers to enthusiastically and constructively review all our stories. You should work on that...