At the same times I didn't take the words to heart, because so many people offered me many kind remarks on the story. I think that if you have many people backing you up with positive remarks and criticism then an author should focus on those.

That is so true. Even so, it does get to you a little and it certainly hurts.

For me, I think people who flame are kind of sad and lack imagination. Whenever I've taken issue with something, I try to be as polite as possible, because I really don't want to make anyone feel bad. And there's the rub... someone who leaves a flame, whether it's blatant or passive-aggressive, is intending to hurt whoever it is they're flaming. They want to bring down and make that person feel low to boost their own self esteem and that's just warped and pathetic.

It honestly makes me really mad. Rudeness is entirely unnecessary.

Noacat wrote:
angelic memories wrote:
I understand somewhat about the log in thing, I remember that once I forgot I wasn't log in on FF and but I used my username still. But it is so rare for me not to be log in so I usually don't have to be worried about. Still it is a cowardly to leave a false name and not sign in to back up what I say. If you are embarrassed about it you shouldn't write it.

The way I see it...
1) you write something to help an author improve
2) you write something that encourages to write more
3) you write about something in the story you really liked to show the author things that he or she has done to impress the readers.

Word on all three on your list. I'd add a forth. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. Or if it's really burning a hole in your pants, take whatever negative comments you might have and PM the author, rather than calling them out in public. Being that reviews are very public, giving an author a review that could be taken as a flame makes you look bad and it doesn't do much for the author anyway. You're not really contributing to their growth and you're making an ass of yourself.

I feel it's just more polite to tell the author how you feel privately. It shows that you respect the author, even if you don't like what they're doing. Plus, you might end up having a nice dialog. I know that I've written authors before expressing a problem I might have had, and I've ended up making a friend and having a really interesting conversation.

Honestly, people find it so much easier to be rude on the internets, but I've found that being nice and polite and kind gives richer rewards. *nodnod*

Yes you are right for many things. Just because a person can't talk to the person face to face makes them braver in saying something horrible. But I wonder if half these people would be able to flame an author speaking to them in person. I have had the privlege of recieving a my first flame by PM on FF and I felt better know that no one would see the dishearting and rude words because reviews are public... its the least a person can do right?

At the same times I didn't take the words to heart, because so many people offered me many kind remarks on the story. I think that if you have many people backing you up with positive remarks and critisim then an author should focus on those.

angelic memories wrote:
I understand somewhat about the log in thing, I remember that once I forgot I wasn't log in on FF and but I used my username still. But it is so rare for me not to be log in so I usually don't have to be worried about. Still it is a cowardly to leave a false name and not sign in to back up what I say. If you are embarrassed about it you shouldn't write it.

The way I see it...
1) you write something to help an author improve
2) you write something that encourages to write more
3) you write about something in the story you really liked to show the author things that he or she has done to impress the readers.

Here, here Angelic! I second your words. What was left for knifethrower was walking close to the lines of flame-age. There's a HUGE difference between a contructive crit and a hateful one.

angelic memories wrote:
I understand somewhat about the log in thing, I remember that once I forgot I wasn't log in on FF and but I used my username still. But it is so rare for me not to be log in so I usually don't have to be worried about. Still it is a cowardly to leave a false name and not sign in to back up what I say. If you are embarrassed about it you shouldn't write it.

The way I see it...
1) you write something to help an author improve
2) you write something that encourages to write more
3) you write about something in the story you really liked to show the author things that he or she has done to impress the readers.

Word on all three on your list. I'd add a forth. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. Or if it's really burning a hole in your pants, take whatever negative comments you might have and PM the author, rather than calling them out in public. Being that reviews are very public, giving an author a review that could be taken as a flame makes you look bad and it doesn't do much for the author anyway. You're not really contributing to their growth and you're making an ass of yourself.

I feel it's just more polite to tell the author how you feel privately. It shows that you respect the author, even if you don't like what they're doing. Plus, you might end up having a nice dialog. I know that I've written authors before expressing a problem I might have had, and I've ended up making a friend and having a really interesting conversation.

Honestly, people find it so much easier to be rude on the internets, but I've found that being nice and polite and kind gives richer rewards. *nodnod*

I understand somewhat about the log in thing, I remember that once I forgot I wasn't log in on FF and but I used my username still. But it is so rare for me not to be log in so I usually don't have to be worried about. Still it is a cowardly to leave a false name and not sign in to back up what I say. If you are embarrassed about it you shouldn't write it.

The way I see it...
1) you write something to help an author improve
2) you write something that encourages to write more
3) you write about something in the story you really liked to show the author things that he or she has done to impress the readers.

WiccanMethuselah wrote:
MomoDesu wrote:
Is it that one chick that leaves the same review of 'this is good, please write more.'?

There is one gal that leaves that same review on almost every story I ever posted on AFF.net, even things from other fandoms.

Her name is Megan Consoer... she's been doing this for YEARS, literally. Some people get upset - others just laugh. But she does it in the oddest places, like on completed fics and all. Strange, if you ask me!

~~Wiccan~~

I found her profile on FF and she has been at it there since 1994! She has over 1000 favored fics and I went to check which ones were there, but my internet didn't like that and kicked me off the page! Oh well.

I think its funny when people comment on one-shots and are like, "This is a great first chapter, can't wait for the next one!". I'm just like...."It's a one-shot...It says completed..."

Lol, I think that might be some people's way of subtly asking you to write more.

WiccanMethuselah wrote:
MomoDesu wrote:
Is it that one chick that leaves the same review of 'this is good, please write more.'?

There is one gal that leaves that same review on almost every story I ever posted on AFF.net, even things from other fandoms.

Her name is Megan Consoer... she's been doing this for YEARS, literally. Some people get upset - others just laugh. But she does it in the oddest places, like on completed fics and all. Strange, if you ask me!

~~Wiccan~~

I remember when I got my first Megan Consoer review. I felt like I'd arrived. *sniffs* The memories... Funny enough, it was on a finished story. I almost replied back and told her that there was no more... that was it... but then I realized it was kind of futile. So I didn't waste my time.

Cus my time is important... it's being spent doing things and stuff.

I will never forget reading the author's notes on one story (on Media Miner, I believe), where the author started out each chapter by ranting at Megan Consoer! Like, "I hate you so much Megan Consoer..." It made me afraid to review for a long time, I didn't want to cheese anyone off like she did...

I first noticed her on Single Spark, and then ff.net. I even was nice enough to send a reply the first four times, haha. I haven't had her pop up on a story in a while. Wonder what happened to her. It boosted my ego a bit XD

MomoDesu wrote:
Is it that one chick that leaves the same review of 'this is good, please write more.'?

There is one gal that leaves that same review on almost every story I ever posted on AFF.net, even things from other fandoms.

Her name is Megan Consoer... she's been doing this for YEARS, literally. Some people get upset - others just laugh. But she does it in the oddest places, like on completed fics and all. Strange, if you ask me!

~~Wiccan~~

Is it that one chick that leaves the same review of 'this is good, please write more.'?

There is one gal that leaves that same review on almost every story I ever posted on AFF.net, even things from other fandoms.

Let's not forget the canned reviews that some people leave. One gal on another site always leaves me the same review every time. I just sort of appreciate it only to increase my review count at this point.

knifethrower wrote:
Yeah, when I send out a review that says something inane like "Your story is awesome, you rock!" It's because the story is so good, I wouldn't change a single word, and I am rendered inarticulate with admiration!

I have to agree. While I go enjoy a review that points out things and whatnot and I do leave those kind, there are some cases where all I can say is that I loved it.

Yeah, when I send out a review that says something inane like "Your story is awesome, you rock!" It's because the story is so good, I wouldn't change a single word, and I am rendered inarticulate with admiration!

MOAR PLZ

^That's the best kind of review!

I wonder about that too...perhaps that certain person forgot that they weren't logged in. Or it could be that they are just too lazy to log in. (I also hate one word reviews. I like reviews that explain why people liked my particulat story chapter or the story as a whole not a one comment review like "MOAR"....To me that doesn't sound intelligent)

It came off as snipe-y to me. I sent you a message, knifethrower.

I wonder why someone, who is an active member of Dokuga, would post a review without using their pen name. It seems like a cowardly practice...

it could be a registered user who has no published stories... however, I tend to doubt that... they are probably just embarrassed by what they said, or are afraid that someone may counter what they said... I agree though, pretty cowardly.

Yeah, I agree with SJS on this one. I went and looked at the review they wrote. Cowardly and embarrassed fit right on here. Just ignore them, hon. If they can't back up their words with a name, they aren't worth even thinking about.