Hi - quite a few people were assigned my chapters and three people have declined to review. Is this simply because they are bored out of their skulls by my writing, I ask myself ?



I hoped that by doing reviews for others some people would be kind enough to return the favour. I have received one very constsructive review, which I'm acting on, but more would be even more helpful.

I'm new to writing and even newer to reviewing. I hope to get better at both. Any help would be appreciated folks!



-Demolinero

Find me at at http://www.elizabethjasper.com

Hi again

Just done a free will on Laziness. Really, really loved it. Oh, and did get another review today. short, but sweet. Thanks for the encouragement. -Demolinero

Find me at at http://www.elizabethjasper.com

Thank you very much for your review of my writing, What's in a Name? Your review was in no way rambling, thank you so much for taking the time to read the earlier chapters. As for being an old fogie, I'm sure you're not. Thanks again.

It's a good point. I think different reviews can be taken in different ways. Some members have commented that an encouraging comment, even if not with much constructive criticism added, can be valued at times (particularly for early reviews). At other times, more constructive 'meat' will be desired.

We were thinking about the value of mentioning to reviewers if their review will be a story's first review e.g. not to sway one way or other but for the reviewer to still give straightforward opinion but perhaps be that bit more aware in their review phrasing.

Yes, I've had that type of crit. through a writers' group that I used to belong to (but which, sadly, no longer exists). I personally find it very useful simply because once I get an idea in my head I tend to get the writing of the story component done first and then, through my revises and edits, go back and sort out the technical aspects.

For me, there's a huge responsibility on the individual receiving the crit (as opposed to the 'critter'!) to take it in the spirit that it is intended.

As a sort of unrelated aside, I think the system of critting this site adopts to be far superioir to any other writing site I've come across.

Ah'm anither yin in the Shed http://www.bookshed.eu

Hi Martine

The following may not apply to your story but it may be worth considering: we've noted that if the immediate look of a story appears particularly 'genre specific' in title and brief synopsis e.g. very sci-fi, or very action or romance, etc, it can sometimes effect the amount of reviews it receives. We've noted for a number of stories this may be one contributing reason if they receive a delay in receiving reviews. One review recently commented that the story type looked so genre specific (romance) on the story's cover page in its title and brief synopsis, that they nearly didn't get past the cover page. They commented that when they did the story was nothing like they'd expected with their preconceptions of the genre and were glad they read the story. This is commented on a lot when readers get past genre preconceptions and it often opens up readers to genres that they don't normally consider.

We suggested the advice below to the writer, who is a very helpful reviewer on site, and they themselves commented that they often had the same approach when they considered assignments: "Many thanks for the useful advice. It seems obvious now - some people will avoid (or put off!) out-and-out romance (which the book actually isn't) in the way that I avoid fantasy and sci-fi. An object lesson in marketing the novel - even before publication!

I have now recieved another (favourable) review but will look again at my presentation as you suggest."


The following was from our email to the writer which it may be worth considering: Once a reviewer gets past their genre preconception, e.g. which a more neutral title/synopsis may encourage - they may often be more open minded about the story. Initially though it is about getting the reader to do this. For the purpose of receiving more reviews on site , as it may be possible that the initial 'look' of a story' is influencing the number of reviews you receive, it can be worth considering repitching the story title and brief synopsis as if to a book browser looking in a book store that you have a few seconds to attach the attention of. Specifically, consider pitching a different or more genre neutral story title and brief synopsis so that the potential reviewer won't make a decision based purely on their genre preconceptions . Click the edit button next to your story title on your edit if you wish to try this. It could reap dividends for your story and the amount of reviews received. When the new functions come in - to be reviewed by genre fans - you can choose to switch back, as this is when specific genre targeting can be useful, but for the current random assignment process you may wish to try this different approach.

The above may not always apply, but it can be worth looking at the story's initial cover page, title, synopsis and picture if applicable, to consider the immediate impact on the reader who receives the assignment.

Ted

Yes, we can certainly look at this. There's still a very large amount of features to comes in so it will take time along with the rest of them.

Ted