[inglor]

I usually stick to the addage: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" but that is just me. I usually only review when a story really moves me. When I have some criticism, I will PM the person, usually suggesting that they seek out a beta. BTW, I sometimes forget to rate it when I review.

[Viv]

I don't think it's necessary to review every story you read. That's asking a little much, especially because some people are writers more than they are readers.

But if someone has time to write three stories, she should be able to make the time to read and review at least three others. That's just minimal involvement.

[Thuriniel]

[SpaceWeavil]

The first non-totally-positive review I left, I was terrifed, and was waiting to get a flame in response or something, but luckily the writer (can't even remember who it was now) PMd me and struck up a discussion, and was really nice. I still get a bit nervous when I'm leaving concrit. I always try to add positive comments too, so it is not all negative. I am getting more used to it, but it doesn't help when the author's pals come on to review after you and leave scathing remarks as to your review, as if only a stupid idiot wouldn't see how perfect the story is, as happened recently. You can see why some people are apprehensive about leaving honest reviews when people go on like that.

[inglor]

[ellisk]

I review as much as I can. Here's why I do: for a long time I lurked here and other archives and read like mad. Then I joined and posted my first LotR story and got my first review and I was amazed how much impact that had on my writing of the fic. I have posted x-files and star wars fan fic for years, but in archives where you can't give/get reviews (just hit counts). I was just astonished how those reviews made me feel and react to my own story.

So now I review as much as I can. Even if all I say is, 'I'm enjoying your story.' It lets the author know someone is appreciating their hard work. If I really love a story, I'll try to review every chapter.

I don't really feel like the review is necessarily a place where I must find something to offer advice on. In fact, if I have advice to give, I'm much more likely to give it in a PM (unless it's something simple like spelling or formatting). I think it's just nice to acknowledge people's hard work if I like it.

I do have one pet peeve on this site though and that's people who give a one star rating and then no review--that's just harsh IMO. If you give one star (needs work) then you should leave a review and explain what, in your opinion, needs work. When I see a story with a one star rating and no review, I feel absolutely compelled to read it and offer advice for the sake of the poor author who worked hard and may not understand why they got one star.

Those are my thoughts.

[SpaceWeavil]

[Viv]

[ghettoelleth]

I'm afraid I'm guilty of reading and not reviewing. I just figured, I have not posted anything yet, and I am painfully new to the whole fanfic genre, does anyone really care what I think? Man, I am daft. Apologies to all those whose stories I read a while back and am barely reviewing. The only thing I should say though is, I enjoy all aspects of fanfic. I am in awe of those of you who take a little mentioned character or event from HoME or Sil and flesh it out into a story that makes you realize a characters motivations or intention. I also love to read a good angst or love story. Especially if the OC is well written. Humor that is humrous, I absolutely adore. These are seperate entities altogether and I always try to read them in the spirit in which they are intended. That said, I don't think I've ever read a "bad" story in OSA. I've given up on a couple because of beta problems, but not because I wasn't enjoying them. Ergo, other than suggesting a beta assist, I've never given a bad review. If I have a suggestion, I will pm the author. That said, I'm off to review and read some new stuff. Sorry folks. I will never read without reviewing again. That's my NYs res. for 2005.

[Viv]

Ghetto, you really shouldn't reward a girl for whinging.

But I am glad you feel confident enough to review. You opinion is just as valid as anyone else's! And you're certainly a member of the community. Reviewing is just another way to get involved.

[JaneDoe]

I'm reading a lot less fanfic than I used to. My time is lately preoccupied with RL concerns and my own original works, so it's a bit difficult to be deeply involved in a community. In addition, I tend not to be very thorough in my reviews, and with so much effort going into reading and writing a piece, I'm only going to do that for pieces that move me in some way or do something I haven't seen before. While commitment to the fan fiction community is all well and good, it's not always feasible to try to satisfy both one's own creative development and someone else's.

[Ningloreth]

In the last year I have posted seven stories and left only four reviews. (And a handful elsewhere).

It never occurred to me that anyone might see that as a problem. Some people review a lot, some people don't review at all. I thought I was about normal!

OK. So why haven't I left many reviews?

Before I started writing—that's easy—I didn't feel qualified to review. I didn't have a computer at home, so I couldn't actually do anything more than lurk, anyway, but I wouldn't have reviewed if I could have. I was far too shy. And I imagine a lot of OSA readers feel the same.

Since I started writing—that's more complicated and very personal. Once I started I found I couldn't stop (because I've been suffering from depression for some time and have found that writing about Legolas works when medication doesn't). I'm a slow writer but I do have some regular readers, to whom I have a responsibility, and I have found it almost impossible to read other fiction (fan or otherwise) at the same time as writing. I've also stopped watching TV and going to the cinema...

Of course, if I'm not reading, I can't review. The result is more stories than reviews. It's not intended as a slight. It's just a question of capacity. At the moment I don't have it.

One of the reviews I did leave (for someone whose work I've admired for a very long time but had never dared to contact before) got a similar response: she thanked me and apologised, saying that she couldn't read my stuff because we both write about Legolas and she tried not to read anyone else's 'take' on Legolas whilst she was in the middle of a story.

Disappointing, but fair enough.

N

[ilistine]

[ghettoelleth]

Ilistine, this is so off topic, but that is THE coolest avatar I've ever seen

[ilistine]