is it okay to ask for reviews?

[likexaxdove]

I've been kind of wondering about this today, and I was curious over what you guys thought on the matter.

So as some of you know, I've been writing exclusively for another fandom for quite some time now. The current multi-chapter that I'm working on is twenty-three chapters long and has been fairly successful, for the most part. It's getting pretty

Comments

[jjsmom8506]

Okay,major confession time for me here. I'm either the "love it!" lady, or the non-reviewer most of the time. I'm so sorry. I've never truly written anything other than ridiculously boring instructional columns and requested professional opinions. I simply don't care what people have to say about that stuff because its not exactly my soul on a page, ya know? I've been a bookworm my whole life though, so you can just about imagine my excitement upon discovering this stuff called "fan fiction".

I generally ignore the "no new chapters until I get x reviews" bullshit. For what its worth, I find your stories in intriguing, insightful, and terribly addicting. If I'm not leaving a review, its been because I've only got 5 minutes to read your update, and its back to work/school/cleaning/mommy-hood, etc. If I'm going to review, I'd like it to be thought out and intelligent. I just don't have time to type all of that.

However, I think you've opened my eyes considerably here. I want to try and make time. Again, I'm terribly sorry for "lurking" in the past. I think your request was well worded, and it wasn't inappropriate. I promise to make an effort from here on out! I'd say there's no shame in asking nicely for reviews.

[willow2883]

I can tell from your comment (and your name) that you are not the "love it" lady! LOL Not my "love it" lady, anyway. Hehe
We all have days when we're pressed for time or honestly just not in the mood to write a review. So no worries.
But as a writer, there is nothing nicer than the readers acknowledging that they enjoyed your story/chapter. Or even if they have a question about what you wrote, or to point out something they don't understand or can't follow. Out and out mean, snarky reviews are (of course), never appreciated. :P

[likexaxdove]

To be honest, it's better to be the "love it!" lady then a lurker. At least the "love it!" lady is letting you know that she, you know, loves it ;)

I generally ignore the "no new chapters until I get x reviews" bullshit.

Ditto. Actually, when writer's hold their chapters hostage like that I normally just don't review that specific chapter, since that would be giving into their doucheness.

For what its worth, I find your stories in intriguing, insightful, and terribly addicting.

*blushes* Thank you! I totally understand why you might not review sometimes, but from a writer's stand point I'd rather you drop me a one-liner then not saying anything at all, even if you're holding out hoping that you'll have time to leave a more detailed review later. Speaking from personal experience, a reader who decides to wait and review so that it would be longer usually doesn't end up reviewing at all. And nothing is worse to a writer then complete and utter silence from their readers.

Hee, a reformed reviewer! Reviewing is really important, so happy that you're going to start taking time to review regularly! And thanks for leaving me your thoughts.