Crystalandra

I guess I am part of the minority here that as a writer I do appreciate any reviews that I get. Whether they be negative or positive, I do not delete them from my posts since they are very much like trophies to me. I'll give you an example, a story that I have posted elsewhere received quite a vicious review--the individual did not like my main character stating that she was too powerful, snotty, and even went as far to criticize the name. I took this all in stride--I didn't get angry in fact it helped me to sit down and re-evaluate the character that I created. *shrugs. It's a shame that some authors are insensitive to honest reviews and have spoiled it for others who appreciate them.

I would like to share two bad reviews that I have received but they were not on this site. They are quite comical in my view...Okay, the first review that I had received, the individual was puzzled about the way the characters spoke. Basically what they said was from my Avatar (I had used Storm), they are assuming I am Black. So if I am a Black person then how come my characters don't speak "ghetto"? *sighs. I mean really...I am an educated person of colour so why would I?? And besides what does colour have anything to do with writing??!!! This, of course had me laughing--people can be so incredibly stupid.
Okay, now for the second review I have printed it below:
"If you want to write something that is dark, you need to remember that less is more. Using large or uncommon words does not create a dark atmosphere; often, it does the opposite, making the material unintentionally comical. Instead of enjoying what you wrote, I found myself unable to follow along at times. Lose the melodrama and shoot for more realism. Allow your characters to talk like normal people because your readers are going to get stuck on how they're saying it rather than what they are saying. If your reader has to have a dictionary then you have lost them. Keep it simple and show, don't tell."
Here is another person who isn't a fan of the dictionary...I just thought it was common knowledge that people knew what words such as, syncopated, blithering, and cacophony, all meant. And as for keeping things simple, I always remember my English teacher in University telling me that detail is the key to painting a picture for the audience to visualize--simplicity is boring, dull, and unimaginative. Oh well...

I guess I am part of the minority here that as a writer I do appreciate any reviews that I get. Whether they be negative or positive, I do not delete them from my posts since they are very much like trophies to me. I'll give you an example, a story that I have posted elsewhere received quite a vicious review--the individual did not like my main character stating that she was too powerful, snotty, and even went as far to criticize the name. I took this all in stride--I didn't get angry in fact it helped me to sit down and re-evaluate the character that I created. *shrugs. It's a shame that some authors are insensitive to honest reviews and have spoiled it for others who appreciate them.

I guess that I can say as a newbie to writing that since I am not receiving many reviews and lots of hits must indicate that my story is perfect and needs no improvement. *snickers...Oh well...as the old saying says, 'beggars can't be choosers' and I should be thankful that at least people are reading my work...Although it would really be nice to receive a praise here and there that they like my plot and where it is heading. Does that make me selfish to say that? I don't mind criticism in fact I am use to receiving negative comments since I have developed a thick skin over the years. I have come to accept the fact that some people will like your work and others will not.

Sometimes I quietly wish there was a simple system built in where you can score out of ten for a story you've read or a poll: "Liked it", "Didn't like it", "TL;DR", "YAY PORN!" and "We need to talk." to shortcut the anxiety of trying to say something you don't want to be attacked for!

I don't feel appreciated when that happens. Y'know you work hard on a story to please readers and then you hardly get any reviews. Also the stories that do get reviews are the best stories on AFF.net, FF.net or w/e your on. It's usually based on how popular the story is and how popular the author is. Not everyone is equal but that doesn't mean people shouldn't review your stories. It's not fair when I write a decent chapter and get five reviews for it! I would like to know how the reader feels about it! Even drop a note you read the damned story! I like to get reviews because it fuels my need to continue the story and try to make an effort to make it better. People don't realize that we would like to see how the readers felt once in a while. I'm not saying to over due it but just to leave a small note on how you felt the chapter was or how that they might think to improve your story. These are just my thoughts though sooo....
Pepsi-chan AKA Allison

"Good writing" is the most nebulous phrase in existence. Personally, I think Hemingway was a troll and Fitzgerald was a parvenu.
Having summarily dismissed two literary icons so cavalierly, I define good writing as two things. One, it is technically correct. Two, I enjoy reading it.
Technically correct means getting the basics straight, and from your post above, I don't think that's an issue. Grammar and spelling are two things people neglect dreadfully, and schools no longer teach them adequately. Punctuation is a lost art. But especially when publishing online, they make a story readable. Without them, I personally won't even bother to try and puzzle my way through.
Enjoyment is the other thing that makes good writing, and that's so individual and impossible to define. I will read almost anything, although I have a preference for science fiction, fantasy, and historical settings. "Twilight" has largely ruined vampires for me, and we won't discuss the other fanfic-turned-original nonsense. I like characters who act, and talk, and engage me in their lives and plights. I like a bit of humor from time to time, especially at the worst possible moment. I like to have my imagination on full when I read. Yes, I do want to know what your character looks like in general terms, but let me imagine some things. Don't describe them down to the last mole.
And guess what? Other people will have very different ideas of what makes for enjoyable reading. That's the beauty of it all. No book will appeal to everyone, and no story is going to make everyone love it. As long as you are telling the story you want to tell, and as long as you do have a few people out there will to tell you that they like it because, you're doing good. If the hit counter goes up consistently, you're doing great. It means you may have shy readers, but they come back. You've hooked them.
There's no magic formula. There are basic rules, and while here online you can get away with flouting them, publishers and your editor will insist that you comply. Don't shift point of view from paragraph to paragraph. It makes readers dizzy. If you have two people of the same gender interacting, only one "he" or "she" per paragraph. Don't make the reader guess which one you mean. Read dialogue out loud. If it sounds silly when you say it, it'll sound silly when a reader reads it.
But aside from that, and the conventions of grammar and punctuation, it's your story to tell, and your voice that should tell it. Try writing without going back every few sentences to edit yourself. Like we do for National Novel Writers Month (and NaNo is a great deal of fun), get the rough draft down. Get a beginning and an end, know a bit about your characters and world, and then go for it. You can make it pretty afterward, with the help of a beta or not, as you choose. I love the three crises and an end gambit. It makes for fun writing middles, as I figure out what three awful things I can do to my poor characters.
Most of all, enjoy it. It comes across in your writing when you love being a writer. Readers can feel the passion you put into your work. Hells, I've forgiven George RR Martin for making me wait so long for Book 5 of his saga, because he loves his work and I love his passion. And his story.