I really haven't though much on this but there have been some authors that I stumble upon that would hold a chapter hostage until they get a certain number of reviews or for another reason, such as, say they'll abandon a story if they don't get it.
I know we all love reviews but that's a bit much and it's unfair for the other writers that don't force their readers to review and for the readers to get that kind of treatment.
It's understandable that with reviews it's allow us to see what our readers think as well as boost our egos. But it shouldn't be just about that. It should be that we love to write the story. That we love to write it for our enjoyment and if people like it as well than all the more for us to continue writing for the love of it. Not for the attention or popularity to have a lot of reviews.
It's like the time I came across a really good story but I stopped reading because the author kept on posting that she wouldn't continue until she got 10 or more review in order for us, readers to get the next chapter. It was sad since they probably would have gotten plenty of reviews regardless.
Review whores disappoint me and even more so for those who encourage them by doing as they say. I've been there, wanting to read more of a story only to know that they won't post unless they get more reviews. As much as I would love to continue to read it, I don't do as they say because I don't like to encourage that type of behavior. I only hope that if they see that no one is leaving reviews as they demanded that maybe they'll come to realize that getting reviews isn't everything.
Even with demanding reviews all it's doing is increasing their review count for the story (which I'm sure is their intention in the first place) but just because someone gets a lot of reviews doesn't mean they're the greatest. What counts the most is what those reviewers write in their reviews. I rather get reviews that gives me feedback that helps improve me as a writer or let me know what they think about the story itself. Instead of getting carbon copies of, "LMAO!!!! Me like! Update!". Even though I'm grateful for getting those reviews I would be forever appreciative/honored if they were more detailed with their thoughts, predictions or overall any constructive criticism. After all, I can't have much of a discussion or really show my thanks in an author's respond (other than say, "thank you" which seems so dull) for their review if all they say is, "Cool! Update!". Anyway, back to my point, review counts aren't for bragging or for proving you're the best.
Simply because by forcing readers to review all you'll be getting in return are reviews that are similar to this, "Great story!", "Update, please!" and so on, which doesn't let you know or others if your story is all that great.
I don't do such a thing because I still get reviews even when I've already completed a story that was done a year ago, or even if it was finished months ago. So I don't worry that I'll never get a review, I know I will someday. Which is why it makes my day to find that they took the time to leave a review and even more so when it's completely unexpected. What I'm saying is that, why force reviews from the readers when the important thing is let them surprise you by leaving a review by their choice, especially when you don't expect it and didn't ask for them?
I don't know but it seem more genuine when people review naturally and randomly. It's so much nicer to get, as least to me I think so.
 DamnBlackHeart · Sat Jan 02, 2010 @ 11:49pm · 0 Comments |
