As both a writer and a reader, I think reviews are a gift from reader to writer. Especially within the fan fiction community, the only payment a writer will ever receive for the hours of hard work and time they put into a story is the gift of a review.
As a reader, it's the least I can do. I review a lot. I review when I'm moved to more than because I've simply finished a chapter, though. If it evokes an emotional response, you'll hear from me. (Meliz can attest to the fact that I leave crazy, rambling, shouty reviews when her characters catch me in a mood. ;)) If the writing is good, you'll hear from me. If you've sucked me into the story so much that I want to interact with one of your characters to shout at them, you'll hear from me. If you engage me in the lives of your characters with your writing, you'll hear from me.
As a writer, I know how great it feels to open up your email and see a flood of updates about new reviews, follows, and favorites the day after posting an update. I try to reply to all of them, though I often lose track on FFn of whom I've replied to and when. (Sorry!) It's a bit easier on Tricky Raven, so I tend to interact with readers a bit more there. There's a lot of back and forth and teasing and requests for more of this or that. I love it!
I also leave hints about upcoming chapters in my replies to reviews on TR, so it behooves my readers to read other readers' reviews.
I love the speculation and discussion following a chapter almost as much as writing the chapter itself. I have eager, greedy mamas reading my fics, though. I give them a smutty foursome with Jake/Bella/Embry/Leah and, in the comments, they immediately start bargaining for a fivesome with Paul!
I definitely take notes and suggestions from my readers' reviews. They're a great source for inspiration! They're also a great boost for me when the story isn't coming as easily. I've had terrible writer's block the last few weeks. Reading previous reviews reminds me of what readers are most looking forward to and what I have to write toward. It's motivating to know they're waiting on me to tell the next part of MY story. Because 'Really? Mine?'
Every time I get a review I'm blown away that someone even took the TIME to read what I've written based on my smutty ramblings sketched out in a post-it note outline or napkins tucked in my smut binder.
Yes, I have a smut binder.
Reviewing is something that a lot of us talk about--often complaints because we don't know what our readers are thinking about the story if they're not talking to us.
I have a thought on that.
We incentivize writing, banner-making, manip-making, and video-making in the fandom. Why on earth aren't we encouraging readers to review by rewarding that effort in some way? I'm not talking about one award for the person who carpet-bombs the fan fic world with the most two-word reviews and fluffs comment counts for no good reason. I'm talking about writers being able to submit someone's name to a blog for leaving an awesome, encouraging review, a funny review, fantastic constructive criticism, encouraging them throughout their story, whatever! I'd really love to see that. I'd love to find a way to reward readers for their time, for encouraging me to finish or to update when I'm struggling--something beyond just replying to everyone to thank them for leaving me a note in the comments.
I want to reiterate and make this one thing really clear before I wrap this up--if you get a review from me, it's NOT just because I'm being nice. I review what I like. I review when I'm moved to. If you get a review from me, it's because your story is worth my time and I'm grateful to you for your time and effort. It means I'm looking forward to the next and I'm willing to be your cheerleader if you find yourself in that dark muse-less place, too, sometime, and need some encouragement.
- ChrissiHR.
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