Annoying reviews

[H Dean]

I have to offer that I disagree with Thumper's rule. I always try to offer a review for any story I read. If it is good or bad, I try to let the author know why. Of course, I end up pissing off a few authors here and there, but they know why I liked or didn't like their story. If they are an author who is actually interested in improving they will take comments at face value - as honest critisim meant to aid in future writings. If they just want praise they tend to react in a less than stellar manner.

One thing I always try to do, when one of my stories gets a negative review, is to review the reviewer. That is, I check the previous reviews they have offered. If they consistantly flame stories or tend to review bad stories with praise I try to ignore the review. If, on the other hand, they consistantly offer thought out and considerate reviews I tend to pay close attention to the good, the bad and the ugly of their review.

[Aussiegirl1]

I have to offer that I disagree with Thumper's rule. I always try to offer a review for any story I read. If it is good or bad, I try to let the author know why. Of course, I end up pissing off a few authors here and there, but they know why I liked or didn't like their story. If they are an author who is actually interested in improving they will take comments at face value - as honest critisim meant to aid in future writings. If they just want praise they tend to react in a less than stellar manner.

Oh yes, I agree with H Dean here. I have appreciated his honest reviews in the past, even if I did dread what he had to say at times too LOL I know that any comment made was designed to improve my writing and I think it did.

I think it all depends on the way the review is written too. I find that if the reviewer adds positives as well as negatives, it softens the review. Writers need to know what they have done well as much as they need to know the areas that need to be improved.