Received My First Review, Now What?

[22_Ti]

I'm a complete newbie to this forum and posted my first work. I was tickled when I logged in today to find someone had posted a review for my first work on this forum. Is there a way to respond to reviews? Is it acceptable? Or do I just go about my day and continue to post?

Help! ~insert drowning stick person here~

Faerie Tales

 

[AMissingLinguist]

You could leave an author's note in a new chapter thanking readers for reviewing your story. I'm not sure how acceptable responding to reviews as an author is, but I imagine it's fine as long as it's not too impolite. If a review inspires you to post more, try to be careful not to burn out!

 

[22_Ti]

I left more of an explanation as a note in the next chapter. I would never be impolite! This particular story is already written in full. I'm cross posting here to test-drive a new forum to see if I want to shift out of the types of things I've been writing for too long!

 

[AMissingLinguist]

Good luck on your endeavors, random person I met on the internet.

 

[tealery]

Congrats! I’m curious… is there a way to comment on a review at all? (I have no idea I am also new.)

 

[Rookieqw]

Congrats! I’m curious… is there a way to comment on a review at all? (I have no idea I am also new.)

Not that I know of. You can contact the person who wrote it, though. Welcome to the site, BTW!

 

[RecursiveDescent]

There is no way to reply directly on the review or anything but you should definitely just continue to write.
To my knowledge it's very easy to get 5 star reviews from other authors, because unless they're on an alt account for reading it's rare to give a negative review because some authors go out of there way to retaliate on their works.

And normal readers are definitely more ruthless in reviews, so you can't let it affect you when you do eventually get a 3 or less review.
My first review was a 3 and I was lucky, because my first series starts as complete trash. I can't even put it in my signature without being ashamed of it. Somehow most of the ratings are 5 but the amount of 1 star ratings are definitely growing.
Strangely, every now and then I'll craft a banger chapter and it gets more views than the rest leading up to it or after it.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

I'm a complete newbie to this forum and posted my first work. I was tickled when I logged in today to find someone had posted a review for my first work on this forum. Is there a way to respond to reviews?

Yes. You can. Most people rant about how wrong the reviewer is.

Is it acceptable?

Acting like a complete lunatic? Of course, it's acceptable. This is the internet.

Or do I just go about my day and continue to post?

SIGH. Kids today.
Look, how are you going to become a tooth-gnashing firebrand of myopic opinions if you don't attack anyone who dares to not lavish praise upon your works?

GAZE UPON HIS WORKS YE MIGHTY AND DESPAIR!!!

You will never reach this level of Lolcow, but we all must have our heroes.
Dare to dream.
DARE... to dream.

 

[John_Owl]

There is no way to reply directly on the review or anything but you should definitely just continue to write.
To my knowledge it's very easy to get 5 star reviews from other authors, because unless they're on an alt account for reading it's rare to give a negative review because some authors go out of there way to retaliate on their works.

This, right here. I never give less than 4stars. If a story is worth less than that, I simply don't review it. that said, I always praise what is done especially well. any critques, I make sure to mention what is wrong and how it can be fixed. not in a mean way, just as a means to help a newbie get to at least as far as I am in the learning process. It's much harder to learn if you don't have anyone assisting.

 

[expentio]

The ways to answer that, if you do, would be private message, their profile page, or simply add it to your next comment reply to them below your chapter, if they tend to comment.

 

[NineHeadHeavenDevouringSerpent]

Is there a way to respond to reviews

Yes, hire a hacker to find their details then send them a thank you note for reviewing their story. Don't forget to mention you'll be expecting more of their support here on, and you'd be very very disappointed if they don't :(

Tell them how they wouldn't want you to be disappointed...you are very very sensitive. (>~<)

Example

"Dear xoxo,
First of all I'm touched by your wonderful words for my novel, thank you for such a heartfelt review. I hope you and your family are doing alright, they seem like good people.

Please do continue your support for my story, it means the world to me ;) i would be very disappointed if you didn't :(

You do not want me disappointed xoxo, I'm a very vewy sensitive person (>~<) "

Attach a photo of their house, taken recently with the date and their phone number written in a red marker, diagonally on the left edge.


Alright, good luck.

 

[Arkus86]

Yes. You can. Most people rant about how wrong the reviewer is.

Acting like a complete lunatic? Of course, it's acceptable. This is the internet.

SIGH. Kids today.
Look, how are you going to become a tooth-gnashing firebrand of myopic opinions if you don't attack anyone who dares to not lavish praise upon your works?

GAZE UPON HIS WORKS YE MIGHTY AND DESPAIR!!!

You will never reach this level of Lolcow, but we all must have our heroes.
Dare to dream.
DARE... to dream.

Damn, I have never heard about this man before and I certainly did not expect to go down this rabbit hole today, but... I'm kind of impressed.

 

[beast_regards]

Don't panic.

Receiving reviews is the normal part of growing up.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Damn, I have never heard about this man before and I certainly did not expect to go down this rabbit hole today, but... I'm kind of impressed.

You should look at KrimsonRogue's 4 part review of the book. It is EPIC.

 

[Arkus86]

You should look at KrimsonRogue's 4 part review of the book. It is EPIC.

I looked it up, and there are actually five parts, 7+ hours in total, just talking about the issues of the book... The wiki gave me some idea of what the to expect, but seeing just some of the review really drives it home.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

I looked it up, and there are actually five parts, 7+ hours in total, just talking about the issues of the book... The wiki gave me some idea of what the to expect, but seeing just some of the review really drives it home.

I consider that series a must watch for any author. It is a master class in how NOT to write a book.

 

[22_Ti]

Dudes.. some of you guys are harsh; that or jaded! First, I want reviews and comments because they will help me hone my writing. Presuming someone would bash another person for taking the time to write a review is ridiculous. If I were sensitive to what people might say, I wouldn't have the guts to put my stuff out there. LOL I was just wondering if there was a feature that allowed for direct responses.

Fairie Tales (7 of 28 chapters posted)

 

[22_Ti]

I'm a complete newbie to this forum and posted my first work. I was tickled when I logged in today to find someone had posted a review for my first work on this forum. Is there a way to respond to reviews? Is it acceptable? Or do I just go about my day and continue to post?

Help! ~insert drowning stick person here~

Faerie Tales

Sooooooooooooooooooooo there's a reply button below the comment by the thumbs up and thumbs down.

 

[Fox-Trot-9]

Keep writing, keep posting, keep going. May the writing inspo be with you!

 

[22_Ti]

Congrats! I’m curious… is there a way to comment on a review at all? (I have no idea I am also new.)

Yeah. I haven't found how on a work review. But on a chapter comment, there is a reply button right below it. I think my first review just posted when I only had like 3 chapters of a 28 chapter work posted. :)

Faerie Tales