RogueMudblood
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Posts posted by RogueMudblood
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I never said to leave destructive criticism. I do not feel that any of the examples I left were destructive. However, in order to be able to leave the second review that you typed, you would have had to have read significantly farther than the first paragraph.
I've already said, and Bronx has said as well, that we may just have to disagree here, because I don't think that telling someone that they need to work on the construction and presentation of their story, in polite terms, is in any way destructive.
Instead of
You contradict yourself on the time-line here, here and here, on the settings here and here, on the character background here and here
I would probably type:
I notice that in this scene you have X say this, but in this scene you have X say that. I felt that this was contradictory and weakened your plot as it is presented at this point. If this is something that is resolved in a future scene, then that's certainly something you might wish to indicate with a bit of foreshadowing. You might also want to be cognizant of where your characters are within a scene. If you intend to have them move around a lot during a scene, don't forget to convey that to your readers. I appreciate a change of scenery as much as the next reader, but knowing how the characters arrived at B when they were just at A strengthens your storytelling.
Instead of
The characters seemed flat, with exception of "Character", which seems a bit of a Mary Sue to me
I would probably type:
I noticed that Y was dynamic, and s/he was able to help forward your plot. The remainder of your characters, however, seemed a little lacking in depth. I would like to recommend a reference to help you to understand the different types of characterizations.
http://www.k-state.edu/english/baker/english320/cc-static_vs_dynamic_characterization.htm
This article may help you to understand the benefit of more dynamic characters. As a character changes, in the way that Y does, they draw your reader more fully into your story which strengthens your tale overall.
There is a means of saying what you said that's constructive, even while pointing out the flaws in the story. I'm not telling the writer that the entire story is garbage, and though your version would be harsh, it isn't either. I noticed that even though you said that it was an instance where you said you had nothing positive to say, you still did. You said that "character" wasn't flat the way the others were. So that's still something positive, something to point them to as a model for developing their other characters.
Bronx and DG are saying that if they can't make it past the first paragraph then they won't leave a review, which is an admittedly different scenario. I recognize that this
"I'm sorry, I was unable to read this story because I was mentally correcting the grammar the entire time. Please obtain a beta and make use of your spellcheck feature."
would be destructive by your definition. Though it only took less than a minute to type.
That's why I tend to note on stories like that
I apologize but I'm not able to give you a good content review of your tale. I was distracted by the grammar and spelling errors. I feel you may benefit from the services of a beta. You can peruse the forum here:
http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/forum/83-become-a-beta/
for those offering their services.
Happy writing to you.
I understand they don't feel it's worth their time, but that's a stock review. Much like "I enjoyed this story a lot, can you add some more chapters?"
(edit for typo)
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I don't do polite lies, and if I couldn't get more than a paragraph into a story before I walk away, then I also feel no obligation to leave a review. What could I say, after all? "I read a paragraph of this story and was unable to continue." Anything further delves into the realm of being unnecessarily unkind, and as a member of the staff here, it is both inappropriate and inexcusable for me to leave such reviews.
Point taken, and agreed. What I have done in those instances is tell them why.
Examples:
http://manga.adult-fanfiction.org/review.php?set=read&no=33
http://xmen.adult-fanfiction.org/review.php?set=read&no=169
http://movies.adult-fanfiction.org/review.php?set=read&no=600093924
http://inu.adult-fanfiction.org/review.php?set=read&no=600096693
http://xmen.adult-fanfiction.org/review.php?set=read&no=600005268
The manga one is the best example, but the others aren't exactly positive reviews, either. I take the time mostly because I would want the same courtesy. If someone can't make it through a paragraph of one of my stories, I need to know that, else I can't improve. I personally try not to post anything that I can't make it through myself, and I'm very demanding as a reader. I demand the same quality of myself as I would of any other writer.
I'm not saying we need to be "mean," but I am simply saying that if those stories that I consider "lacking" are never left any type of review that lets them know what needs to be worked on, then they'll never realize that the story could be improved. It could simply be an issue with personal preference, and if that is the case, I will note that (as I did on X-Men ID 600005268). But it could also be an issue with someone not speaking the language they are choosing to write in (the manga review), or choosing to write poorly (the movies review).
I don't consider those reviews mean. I consider them constructive criticism.
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Aw, thankee! I really am glad you're enjoying the tale. I do intend to come back to it here shortly.
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To be fair, I don't think that there's any room to complain about reviews on a fic all being positive when what's being said is that you won't leave a negative review.
I understand DG is blunt as a spoon - and generally, so am I. Bronx is one of the most diplomatic individuals I know when it comes to saying something that needs said.
While we may have to disagree on the point of leaving the review, I appreciate your point about "tilting at windmills," though I've left enough concrit to know that there's about a 60/40 ratio - with the larger percentage being the ones who leave the review and will possibly learn from it. As for the 40, when they delete my review, or continue writing poorly, I stop reading their work.
As to the writers who want fanpoodles, yeah, we're all familiar with them. And they get the fanpoodles with their all of three recycled plot lines because they write in a popular genre. Those writers can usually be identified very quickly by their diva tendencies.
That being said, some people actually like being bad writers, because they see "everyone else" doing the same and think it's perfectly fine, and those of us who want more are the ones who are out of our gourds.
Well, I haven't gone 'round the twist - not just yet. But with the response to even the idea of leaving concrit on bad stories, I can answer the question originally asked "Can we trust good reviews?" with "No. Not unless they tell you a particular positive aspect of your story."
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silverlining990 - Thank you for taking the time to read and review!
I'm glad that I was able to write a story that pleased you, and I am glad that you took the time to let me know! I'm glad that I was able to effectively capture the sexual tension while keeping the story relatable.
It was my intent to have the scene as something that could whet the reader's appetite, and I'm very glad that I was able to do that.
I do intend to continue the tale, and I hope you will continue to enjoy it.
Happy reading! -
anesor: Thank you for taking the time to read and review. Yes, as it is listed as a WIP, it is just beginning. I have been busy with some RL things recently, and have not come back to this piece yet. I promise I do intend to revisit it.
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Again, though, I have to point out that not leaving reviews to let the author know that their work needs work only perpetuates the idea that their writing is perfectly acceptable.
Without anyone telling that author, even in a friendly or civil way, that they really would benefit from using the spell-check on their word processing program, that their plot was cliched and could not hold your interest, that their characters were boring, or even that there is a massively gaping hole in their story which makes the entire premise impossible, that author will go merrily along, without ever considering that their work could be better than it is.
As to it not being worth your time, if it was worth your time to click the link and read as far as you did, why is it not worth your time to leave the author a few words about why you feel finishing the story isn't worthy of your effort?
Apathetic reading leads to complacent writing. I never want to see a world where sub-standard becomes standard, and without someone speaking up, that's the direction in which we would clearly be headed.
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It seems Fanfiction has a small glitch, it shows 0 stories on the link for LeoZodiac when you do an author search, but when you click the author link all the stories are really there
This is not fanfiction.net. This is AFF. We are not affiliated.
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On this site, I don't have any worries reviewing something I didn't like.
I know that I'm not overstepping by telling them what I thought, because I always try to do so in a courteous manner. I give points in their story to back up my opinion, and I always try to point out something about the story that I did like - even if it's just the use of active voice instead of passive voice.
One reason I don't have to worry about what I say within the boundaries of civility on this site is simple: flames aren't allowed. So if I review your story with actual viable criticism, and you flame mine in return? I report. The end.
On FFN I have the option to block a user, and I use it quite frequently. Here, I don't have to worry about slow mod response, so I don't need to block users. I don't just say that because I'm a member of the staff, I say that because we actually care about our readership, and anyone that's flamed would get the same treatment, as long as they had abided by the terms of service themselves.
I can say that I haven't had the issue of retaliation reviews on this site. Most of the users here (not all, mind, but most) will either simply delete the review if they don't like it, and ignore you, or they'll accept you have an opinion and respond to you. Some will just ignore the review.
I don't have a problem in the world telling someone what I thought of their story, especially when they make it publicly available. I understand the hesitation, but rest assured, retaliation would not be permitted as a response to true concrit.
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If this is your profile then I'm showing that you've already validated under the new system.
It's important to note that the password is case sensitive, so you'll need to be sure if you typed PassWorD initially, that you type it that way again.
If you tried to reset the password and it was reset to the same thing it was before, it would have blanked the password in the DB. You would need to change it again in that case.
You're getting the error messages you've pasted because you're using the center login, which you shouldn't do. Those are only for validation of new members, which you've already done.
Please reference this screen, and use the login only in the upper right:
Make sure when you click login that you're clicking the one up at the right, not the one in the middle of the screen.
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If it was by founderschild, the story was removed from the archive as it was posted when the user was 17 years old.
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Of Subs and Sandwiches
Tom's visit to the sub shop may not result in the sandwich he had intended to pick up. 3Plus, AFFO, Anal, Bi, ChallengeFic, F/F, Fingering, M/F, M/F/F, Oral, PWP, UST, WIP
Erotica > Threesomes/Moresomes
Melrick - thank you for taking the time to read and to leave a review!
I promise there are more chapters coming, so you will get to "see the action!"
Don't expect any plot on this one, though. This is an experiment in pure erotica.
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http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/forum/24-original-writing/
There's General and Slash.
I need a 3M section to start a review reply thread, please, ma'am.
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Pen Name: RogueMudblood
Story link: http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600106575
Review replies link: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/53063-of-subs-and-sandwiches-review-replies/
Type of fic: Flashfic
Rating: Adult +
Fandom: Original
Pairing: N/A
Warnings: 3Plus, AFFO, Anal, Bi, ChallengeFic, F/F, Fingering, M/F, M/F/F, Oral, PWP, UST, WIP -
I hardly ever review something I don't like at least a little bit, though, because I'll have stopped reading it before the end in that case, and I generally only review it if I've read the whole thing.
The problem with this is that the person sees that their hit rate keeps going up, and their review count is stagnant. So they think they're doing just fine in their writing, that there's no problems at all with it, and that they can't possibly improve it, because the only ones leaving reviews are the ones saying "I liked this!" and "When's the next chapter?"
Yes, I've left reviews on works I didn't like. I do it all the time. But I do always try to find something positive to convey about the work as well.
One issue that crops up because of finally getting a concrit review when all they've received to that point is fanpoodling is that suddenly, someone is making them think about their work objectively, and the author gets extremely defensive. I am firmly of the opinion that if more readers would at least tell the author what they liked and what they didn't, there would be less question of "is this a good story?" when one sees numerous "I liked this!" reviews because there would be concrit on that board to balance it out.
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Gypsy Caravan by WitchdragonGC ?
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To address the comment about the 'stripping out' of formatting - on this site, this is how to prevent that:
How To Add A Story using RTE
In regards to not knowing the rules of writing:
Useful/Helpful Links
There is an entire section of the forum dedicated to help writers who want to learn how to become better:
Writers' Corner -
To answer the first, please read this FAQ. Now, if it's just a title change, and not a rewrite otherwise, then you can change that in your control panel.
You would go to your control panel, then scroll down to the sub-domain where your story is located, then click edit.
In your case, you can click this link:http://anime2.adult-fanfiction.org/userpanel.php?edit because your story is in Anime2.
You would then choose the story from the dropdown, and then from the next drop down you would select "Edit Details". That will bring up a screen that has your title, summary, rating, etc.
On the second, availing yourself of a beta is always a good idea, but never consider that there's "something wrong" with your story. It can always be improved - any work can be improved. As much as I love Harry Potter, there are places the work can be improved.
If we stop improving, we stop growing as writers.
One reason for no reviews is simply that there may be no audience for your story. However, yours has (as of this moment) 353 hits, so that's likely not the issue.
There are any number of reasons why someone chooses not to leave feedback on a story. Having said that, reviewing other users' works will generally cause them to look at your own (and I don't mean advertising your work on their board, I just mean reading theirs, leaving thought-provoking feedback, and then generally they will check o see if you've posted something they wish to read as well.
In all fairness, your story has not yet been up a month; I have one that's been up for almost two with no reviews on this site. I don't think there's anything wrong with the story, simply that no one has anything they wish to share with me about it.
In light of your request, however, I will direct you to some forums here:
Request a Beta - to post your own request
Become a Beta - to peruse the posts for those wishing to have stories to work on
Promote a Story (self explanatory
)You are welcome to format your chapters however you choose. Your comment that your story is "all over the place" does indicate that you think it needs some modification.
Everyone does some form of time skip. Reading about how Johnny went to the bathroom, then washed his hands, then did up his britches, then went to get breakfast.... You can see this would get boring very, very quickly.
So this is an area where, yes, a beta could help you tighten up your style so that your story is presented in the best possible light.
I hope all of that helps!
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But you don't capitalize the whole word, you capitalize a letter. It therefore appears random and inept.
However, this debate is easily settled: I will no longer read your work. Take that as you wish, but it is a simple fact that I will not enjoy a story wherein I'm constantly mentally correcting the grammar, punctuation, and other nuances. When I read for leisure - yes, even on this site - I look for stories which show a certain level of ability, or a writer's desire to grow.
You've made it clear you are happy with the skill you already have, and don't wish to change any of the issues that you have in your writing. You've given several excuses for your mistakes, indicating to me that you choose not to accept concrit. That's your prerogative.
Understand, however, that by posting work which has such errors in it and refusing to fix them, you are simply asking for readers to repeatedly comment on the same mistakes.
By the by, all caps is considered screaming. It's impolite and bad form at best.
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Why I hate the star/plus rating system:
- Friends will up-vote their friends' stories. No matter how atrocious the writing.
- Pairings are down-voted just because someone doesn't like them, regardless of how good the story was.
- Drabbles and Twitfics are down-voted simply because of what they are, regardless of their content.
- It is utilized as a form of retribution for any number of things.
- Users will leave a "rating" rather than a review.
The last one doesn't bother me so much because I thrive on praise, but because if it sucked, tell me why. I can't get better at writing if you don't tell me what I did wrong.
(Having said that, please, by all means, tell me what I did right as well so I don't keep trying to improve something that is in an acceptable place, but neglect something that is in vast need of improvement.)
Seeing as how I don't write, I'll still answer as a reviewer. As busy as I am on any given day, if I take the time to read your work, I'll ALSO take the time to review it. Being the sort of person who tends to answer things short and to the point to begin with, I don't think I've ever left a super long review.
Case in point of that:DemonGoddess061 2013-04-29 id # 3000030718
Squeeeee! You wrote something! Good usage of the prompt by the way.
That review meant the world to me. It told me one thing I needed to know: did I convey what I intended?
And, Daye, I can honestly say that I didn't get a "more" review on any of my stories until 2013-09-05. The story was Published [2013-05-11]. Even then, there was a bit more to it, and it was spelled correctly as well as being a complete sentence.
I will say this - I generally won't 'vote' on a story in the archive (can't say I never have). I will, however, leave a review that will offset the "MOAR" reviews by leaving actual concrit. Anyone who is looking for a solid review would hopefully see that and consider it before simply clicking on the link and being disappointed by a five-star rating.- Kurahieiritr, Melrick and BronxWench
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If you're on this forum, you need to be 18. Otherwise, you shouldn't be here to even see that link.
Mistrust of Good Reviews
in Reviews
Posted
I don't actually think that this is off topic for the original question of whether good reviews in general can be trusted. Your general 'good' review of "more please" is so prevalent because readers tend to be afraid to say exactly what they think about a piece. So I do think that a discussion of why you wouldn't leave a review of how the story needs work fits into this conversation, given that it directly highlights why the question needed to be asked in the first place.
Why should we be concerned over whether we can trust a good review? Because even the crap stories get them. And generally they're exactly the same.
The last quote in my last post you can Google and come up with a lot of reviews. Because that's exactly what that person types on every single story they read.
So if every story they read warrants a "good" review, then obviously they like everything, regardless of content. But what if you didn't know that? What if it was someone who changed their reviews enough - using a base stock formula? Say they left a review on your story that says "Good job! I really like this. When's the next update?" and one on a story that has clearly never seen spellcheck that says "I really liked this! I hope your next chapter comes soon." - can you trust the review you got from them? No. You can't. Because they leave that on every story.
If what's being agreed upon is that it's not worth the time to leave a review - and DG, I understand your reasons, I'm not debating that point - telling the posting user that they could benefit from some grammar lessons (but more nicely, obviously), then we're also agreeing that the general "good job" "great fic" "this was nice" review cannot be trusted.