I don't know if this is the best forum to raise this issue or ask this question, but of all the other forums on this board, I didn't know where else to post it, so feel free to move it if you'd like. But here goes...
Okay, this situation worries me, and maybe it shouldn't (perhaps it's one of those making a mountain out of a molehill deals) but lately I posted a story on Authorsden.com, where I have a page. I don't know if any of you are familiar with this site or have used it. It seems like a good way to get some exposure for your work and, though you do have to pay a small fee if you want the more advanced services, the basic membership (allowing you to post up to 2 works in each genre) is free.
The idea is that people will read your work and hopefully (best case scenario) review it. The reviews may or may not be that helpful in every case, but it's nice to get them and to know that people appreciated your work.
I posted two poems, and both have gotten several good reviews. But what worries me is the fact that the story I posted has received some forty-three hits as of my last stat update, but not a single review. This means that forty-three people have at least clicked on it, but it tells me little else. I'm starting to wonder...if no one bothers to write a review, is that a negative sign (if you buy into the old adage, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing)? Does it mean that perhaps people are clicking on the story, but actually skimming only the first few paragraphs or so and deciding not to bother (ok, granted, I've been guilty of this myself-clicking on a story and "sampling" it, then moving on because it just didn't pull me in quickly enough, so I figure if I'm doing this, most likely other people probably are, as well).
I think there's probably a simple explanation why the poems have garnered more reviews. After all, a poem is a much quicker read than a twentysomething page story; one doesn't have to invest as much time and effort. But it begs the question: If you post a story on a site like this, and it garners absolutely no reviews, what does that really mean? That people just aren't reading it all the way through, or if they are, they're not moved enough to bother writing a review? Does it mean the story absolutely sucks and everyone is just too polite to express it?
The last time I checked my stats update, and realized I still had no reviews for this work, all these unanswered questions really started to nag at me. Granted, I simply posted the work for the exposure and to help promote my novel. I wasn't really looking for critiques or anything. But, as I'm sure you all can understand, like every writer, I appreciate when readers take the time and effort to review my work, whether it's positive or negative. The silence is the worst of all.
So...how much weight should reviews (or lack thereof) be given when it comes to writer's forums like Authorsden and others?
Okay, this situation worries me, and maybe it shouldn't (perhaps it's one of those making a mountain out of a molehill deals) but lately I posted a story on Authorsden.com, where I have a page. I don't know if any of you are familiar with this site or have used it. It seems like a good way to get some exposure for your work and, though you do have to pay a small fee if you want the more advanced services, the basic membership (allowing you to post up to 2 works in each genre) is free.
The idea is that people will read your work and hopefully (best case scenario) review it. The reviews may or may not be that helpful in every case, but it's nice to get them and to know that people appreciated your work.
I posted two poems, and both have gotten several good reviews. But what worries me is the fact that the story I posted has received some forty-three hits as of my last stat update, but not a single review. This means that forty-three people have at least clicked on it, but it tells me little else. I'm starting to wonder...if no one bothers to write a review, is that a negative sign (if you buy into the old adage, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing)? Does it mean that perhaps people are clicking on the story, but actually skimming only the first few paragraphs or so and deciding not to bother (ok, granted, I've been guilty of this myself-clicking on a story and "sampling" it, then moving on because it just didn't pull me in quickly enough, so I figure if I'm doing this, most likely other people probably are, as well).
I think there's probably a simple explanation why the poems have garnered more reviews. After all, a poem is a much quicker read than a twentysomething page story; one doesn't have to invest as much time and effort. But it begs the question: If you post a story on a site like this, and it garners absolutely no reviews, what does that really mean? That people just aren't reading it all the way through, or if they are, they're not moved enough to bother writing a review? Does it mean the story absolutely sucks and everyone is just too polite to express it?
The last time I checked my stats update, and realized I still had no reviews for this work, all these unanswered questions really started to nag at me. Granted, I simply posted the work for the exposure and to help promote my novel. I wasn't really looking for critiques or anything. But, as I'm sure you all can understand, like every writer, I appreciate when readers take the time and effort to review my work, whether it's positive or negative. The silence is the worst of all.
So...how much weight should reviews (or lack thereof) be given when it comes to writer's forums like Authorsden and others?
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