Okay, here's one (or two or three):

How often do you review?

Why do you review?

If you are a writer:

How much do reviews (not flames) affect you?

Do you respond?

Why or why not?

How often do you review?

I review anything I read as long as I have managed to make it to the end of the chapter and I can find at least one positive thing to say.

Why do you review?

Because the author has taken the time to write something which has entertained me and given me enjoyment.

If you are a writer:

How much do reviews (not flames) affect you?

I don't know how much they affect me? But I do like to know what my readers are enjoying, or not enjoying. I suppose if people are enjoying the story it is encouraging, if they aren't then it gives you a chance to sit back and contemplate their reasons why they aren't.  I actually really like concrit, or detailed feedback... having said that I hate being told what to write or how to write it. I think a LACK of feedback is probably more affecting than feedback is... because you are left wondering why... at least if people are telling you what they don't like you know and can make an informed choice as to whether you want to change things. (Long winded and convaluted enough answer?)

Do you respond?

If possible, yes. Sometimes there is no way to contact reviewers, but if there is a way then, yes, I respond.

Why or why not?

Umm? I don't know... it is polite... and if a reader has taken the time to review I like them to know I appreciate it.

I review anything I read as long as it evoked some response from me.

As a writer, I'm disappointed when there are only a few reviews. If I'm not inspiring comments, then I must be doing something wrong in a story, because people have nothing to say.

I respond to every review. I feel that it tells the reader that I'm paying attention to what they said, and I've even gained a couple friends from the writer/reviewer relationship. It's just the polite thing to do, though. As a reviewer, unless a writer is so inundated that they can't keep up, I like some kind of response, because if there never is one, then I have to assume that the author doesn't care about what the reviews say....that it doesn't matter if we weigh in. Obviously, I'm thinking outside disclaimers in advance of having very little RL time, etc. Basically, reviewers like to know they've been read just as much as authors do, so maintatining the relationship is important. Otherwise, why post where you can be reviewed, if it doesn't matter?

CM

I review anything I read and like and want to see more of.  I review whenever I like something enough to review it.  I review because I get a little thrill about reviews and so since I like to get them, I try to give them.  I'm still not super great about always reviewing if something moves me, but I'm getting better about it.

I'm also pretty lazy about reviewing every chapter sometimes...even though I LOVE it when I get multiple chapter reviews.

I like reviews. They let me know I'm not completely wasting my time in doing this.  From my perspective in fanfic, reviews are the way you get paid.  If I didn't get any reviews, or enough reviews that really seemed to care, I'd be less likely to share my fic.  I might still write it, but if most people don't care, I probably wouldn't share it.

I always respond to reviews. I feel like it's common courtesy.  Someone took time out of their lives not only to read something that I wrote, but to write me to tell me they enjoyed it. (or didn't.  I reply to negative reviews as well, and can only remember one time when I was a jerk to the reviewer and only because their review said: "shit" and that was it.  I respond to negative reviews either to defend my position or to accept the criticism and thank them for letting me know what needs to be fixed.)  If they can take that time, I feel they deserve a response.  Even if all I can think to say is: "thanks!"

A secondary reason I respond to reviews is that I view my reviews at the site, under the "managed unanswered reviews" thingy, and so I want to also keep my unanswered review queue clear.

Hee! I didn't answer my own questions, did I? Here we go:

I review everything I read that I enjoyed - for whatever reason.  Usually, I will compliment the writing, because that's what matters to me the most and what I want to encourage; but sometimes I compliment a really original plot, an atomosphere, clever dialogue, humor - whatever it was about the story that kept me reading.  If I have nothing good to say, I probably won't comment - but then I probably won't keep reading either. Sometimes I will wait until I finish the fic to review, but I have read the whole fic, I will definitely review it at some point.

I review because - as a writer, I know how encouraging it is to get them and to know that people are reading; because if someone has taken the time to write something to entertain me, I want them to know that it did.

As a writer, I like to get reviews as much as the next person.  Of course, I prefer to be told how wonderful I am, but I never object when someone points out something that bothered them either about the story or the writing.  If I agree, I thank them; and if I don't, we can have a convo about it and perhaps reach an agreement of some sort. I'd rather be told that I had an embarrassing error in my story so that I can fix it, than to have it sitting out there for all the world to see.  I like rave reviews, but I take them with a grain of salt.  I've seen too many readers leave a wonderful rave review for one of my chapters and then seen the same person turn around and leave an equally strong review for another fic that, IMHO, wasn't very good. So, I try not to let the good ones go to my head too much, and I try to assess the ones that offer concrit to see if they are saying something I really need to know.   I do reply, if the site allows it.  I think it's only polite if someone has taken the time to say something to me.  If it's just "great chapter" then all they get is "thanks". If it's more involved and thoughtful, I try to respond in kind.

And - okay, I wasn't going to admit this, but Zoe did, so.... - I have a compulsion about keeping the "unanswered reviews" space clear. lol

Exactly! I used to get all squeeful over them...until I saw the same reviews by the same people on fics with terrible spelling, shocking punctuation and very weak plotlines. I am still pleased to get them and know that the reader is enjoying... but I definitely take them with a grain of salt now.

I LOVE well thought out detailed reviews that let me know what worked (or didn't) for a reader... I would MUCH sooner have that than a "OMG this is so amazing. You rock." reveiw.

And I still get incredibly squeeful when an author I admire and respect reviews me.

hahahahaha LMAO patti, that's hilarious! So I'm not the only one about keeping the review space clear. hahaha. 

Always_jbj YES, I know exactly what you mean about the whole people say you rock, and then they tell someone with horrible spelling, punctuation, flimsy plot...that they rock too lol.  Some people just want Buffy and Spike together and they don't care if the road there is that great lol.  They are biased by their obsession with the characters heh.

And yeah, the more detailed a review the better.  And definitely yes, if an author I like and respect reviews me, I squee.  Because those reviews always mean more.  I know they can write and write well and if they like something I did...it's awesome!

Although well thought out reviews from very clever readers mean a whole lot too.

Right also patti about the kind of review and the response it warrants.  if the review is: "Great chapter"  My reply is usually "thanks!"

If it's something more in depth, I go there too.  I'll sometimes write mini novels to these people cause i'm an insano, you should see some of my review responses.  seriously I need to go to Oz's school of brevity.

How often do I review??  Most anything that I read that I like, unless realy busy at the time :P  like putting the kids to bed when Patti posted her Elf chappie :P

Why do I review???  Because I know that reviews seriosly erncourage me.

How do reviews affect me??  they get me pumped to try and write more

Do I respond to reviews   Yes I might take a while but I always do.

Why??  Because I remember all those years ago when I first reviewed a fic and a writer responded.  It felt freakin awesome and while I might not be a writer to that standard I try to give the reviwers back just a little of the good feeling I get from thier reviews.

Fabulous answer, Pup!

OMG...just shoot me now! Please? lol

How often do you review?  I review everything I read...even if all i can find to say is a brief "good chapter" sort of comment...(but that's almost never the case)

Why do you review? I look at it like this -- whether they like it or not, i'd like to know when people have read my fic and what they think of it -- and i can't exactly expect people to review me if i'm not reviewing them...basically it's a "do unto others as you want them to do unto you" sort of principle...

If you are a writer:

How much do reviews (not flames) affect you? um...that's a tricky one...i have had a few really hateful reviews that have actually bummed me out (briefly) and a few really glowing ones that gave me a momentary high...so they *do* affect my mood...but almost never my writing....pretty much i keep the story the way i've planned it to be from the beginning, regardless of the reviews i'm getting...

Do you respond? every chance i get :)

Why or why not? because i want my readers to know their comments are appreciated...

DreamsofSpike

I also reveiw everything that I read. The author has taken the time to write their stories, so I feel I at least owe them a response.

Most of the writer's are very talented, however if I find one that's just starting out, I will encourage and give my opinion on that fic and offer a suggestion if I think I can help.  My response's  are based on how the chapter has affected me, even if I don't like where it's going, I would never flame  an author. I might tell them that I don't like it and why but it's their fic, not mine, and they have every right to write what their muse tells them to.

That brings me back to the subject of trust. I know where to go, to read what I think I will like, to begin with and that's what I've found here with all you wonderful authors. My sincerest thanks to you all.

:p (you know who you are *cough, wulfie, cough*)

C - agreeing with the Wulf again?  The sky is falling! LOL

verda - I'm with you. I usually just go where I'm sure I'll find things that I will like, by writers I like; but I also will always sample something new just in case (unless I can tell by the summary that I'm not going to like either the story or the writing).

If I think an author shows a lot of promise, I will try to encourage them at first.  If I think they show a lotof promise, but have a couple of issues, I will very rarely send them an e mail to tell them how much I like their work and where I think they could use a little help. (British writers who need an American beta, for instance - or vice versa).  Inevitably, those come back to bite me on the ass. LOL  So the times I'm willing to do that have become more and more rare.  If it's someone I know really well (and whom I know isn't going to go apeshit), I will email them if I spot something that needs fixing.  That's bitten me on my skinny little ass a few times too, but more often than not, they are grateful. As I would be.

People of considerable intelligence often find the agreeing with the mighty brain power that is the Wulfe.

Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men??  Who really gives a damn??

 How often do you review?

A lot more than I used too.

Why do you review?

I know what it is like to get nothing but silence after posting a story and that actually stopped me from writting for a few years.

If you are a writer:

How much do reviews (not flames) affect you?

They help me keep going. If I know there is someone out there waiting for my story to be updated then I'll work harder at updating them.

Do you respond?

I feel that if they took the time to leave a review then I can let them know I read their review. I think it gets people to keep reviewing your story. I also like to know what the author thinks of the review that I left them.

Why or why not?

::read above answer:: =)

"If it's someone I know really well (and whom I know isn't going to go apeshit), I will email them if I spot something that needs fixing."

If anyone sees something that I've missed, forgotten, or gotten wrong in one of my stories, by all means, email me and let me know.

I do know that some people can be a bit grumpy about this so I'll leave a suggestion in a review. I try to encourage people who are just starting out because I know how discouraging getting silence is. I quit writting for a few years because I'd get nothing. A simple "that was great." would have been wonderful(and still is) but getting nothing makes you wonder if anyone is reading it or not. I was on a mailing list so I could not check if the story was getting read or simply deleted.

Sites like this one make a huge difference. I can actually tell if anyone has looked at my stories. Those and the reviews are definate confidence builders.

Weirdest review???

Mine was when I was in the Bab 5 fandom and got flamed for allegedly writing an original character OOC  I was like WTF???

Reviews are important because they are insipiring to the writers, and I do leave more reviews now that I have started posting myself.  My favorite reviews are the kind that say not only that they liked something, but exactly what they liked or why they liked it.  So that is the kind of review that I try to leave.  If I don't like something, I generally just stop reading, but if I otherwise like the fic or the writer, I'll give specific criticism. 

Criticism is sometimes good to get, because otherwise I don't know what readers are getting from a fic.  I got some reviews about a story where the reviewer (and presumably others) had completely misread my intentions, and misinterpreted what I had written.  I went back and did a semi major rewrite to make it more clear.

Here's another question.  Aside from reading reviews to things you have posted as an author, and responding to those reviews, do you read reviews that others have written about a fic (not your own)?  If so, why?  Also, do you use the number of reviews to help you choose what to read?

Good questions, Cas. I wish I'd thought of them. LOL  I do sometimes read what others have said about a fic - sometimes I'm just curious because I've quit reading something and I want to see what is drawing others to that story (so, love those specific reviews), and other times I want to see if they are liking it as much as I am.  And, while I don't use the number of reviews to help me choose (because too many people review just to be reviewing and the story doesn't justify the effort), I  will take a look at a fic with multiple reviews to see if I might be interested. So, I guess that's a "yes", actually. :)

I try to leave feedback on anything I read, because I lurve getting reviews. I am never quite sure what to do with old fics though.  If it's three years old, will they even know I reviewed? 

I have found the reviews I've gotten for Borrowed Time to be really useful.  They've helped me make some decisions, better write chracters, and fill in holes in the next chapter if something was confusing.  So I don't mind long reviews, specific reviews, concrit reviews, etc. But even getting a review like 'nice chapter' is yummy.

Yep, they should do... And they will be doubly pleased to get a review for an old fic. I know I am. It is nice to know they aren't forgotten.

If the author has chosen to get review notifications by email, then yeah, we know when someone reviews an old fic.  Also, if authors check their unmanaged reviews queue, they'll get the reviews (like if they are an active author.)  But either way as long as they checked that "notify me" box, even if they aren't really in the fandom anymore they'll still get the review.

I sometimes read other people's reviews for other stories too out of curiosity.  If there's a really wild plot twist, or if there's something coming up and I think I've figured it out, I read the other reviews to see if other people have figured it out too.

Sometimes I'll read the reviews on fics I hate just out of morbid curiosity.  And I'll read reviews to stories I absolutely love to see if I loved the same parts other people loved. 

And sometimes I read the reviews out of curiosity to see if, and how the author responds to his/her reviews.

How often do you review?  I usually leave a review every time I get to the computer.  Work is interfering totally with my life.  The company I work for has attitude about the employees reading smut on company time. 

Why do you review?  I like chatting with the authors.  Also, since none of us is making any money for writing novels (most of them end up being that long), the only "payment" we get is friendly words of encouragement from our devoted readers.

How much do reviews (not flames) affect you?  I love getting undeserved attention, of course.  You can't really have much back and forth with the reviewers, but it's nice to hear from the readers.  Regulars, especially.  The first time I got flamed, I wanted to drive a No. 2 Black Warrior thru my heart.  Then I found out about Sarah or whatever her name was.  She's like a toxic flamer. 

Do you respond?  Why or why not?  I didn't respond the first time I posted because I was too stupid to figure it out.  Now, I do.  Because my mom taught me to be polite.  Well, she tried.

Hey - I ran out of questions.  Boo.

I must say I not always review the story I read.
Somethimes becouse it's  bad witten and i stop reading it before I finish first chapter.

But somethimes becouse i don't really know why I like it and writing "I love the fic, keep going" seems silly although that's the whole truth ;)

I suppose every author would like to know what people think of his/her work. But what if i got nothing important to say? Or only unpleasent things?

I left negative review once and get in response "try to write something better if you're so smart". And it was only about language, 'couse people in 16th century Irland shouldn't speak like american teenagers. And there could be no Irish peasant named Rosenberg, bo way.

So what do you say? Is silly review ("I love it!") better than no review?

And is negative review better than none?

 How often do you review?

Probably not as often as I should.  Generally speaking, I'll leave a review if I've read a story more than once.

Why do you review?

Because something in the story or chapter has touched me in a way.

If you are a writer:

How much do reviews (not flames) affect you?

They used to affect me a lot more than I allow them to now.  I'd get very sensitive about it and at one point I very nearly stopped writing over it.  Ah, I misread that.  Reviews, positive ones, are like manna from heaven. And I don't mean the "this is great" or "more please".  Those are fine too, but the detailed reviews -- and reviews from people I am a fan of myself are the ones that are better than chocolate.  Well, almost, anyway.

Do you respond?

Not as often as I should.

Why or why not?

To some people this is going to sound like a sort of cop out, but for most of the time I was writing this fic (and on the odd day now and again) I physically couldn't respond to every review.  My shoulder only allowed me a certain amount of time at a computer per day, and I couldn't respond to the reviews while I was at work, and I couldn't type by the end of the night, since my day job consists of heavy typing.  I do, however, read every single one of them, and I know what is being said, and who is reviewing.  I wish I could respond all the time.  I feel bad for being unable to respond, but if I spent all my time responding to every single review, the series would be nowhere near the opus that it is. 

Niamh

This is in response to Maddy's comment -- in my opinion, even a brief review is better than no review, just to let you know that someone has read and enjoyed your story...of course the detailed reviews are slightly more enjoyable to me...but it's better to at least be acknowledged than not...in my opinion :) others may not agree, but that's my take, maddy :)

and thanx for leaving a very valid, practical question :)

J

As an author, I'd agree that a simple review of "great" is much better than no review at all.  Sometimes you don't know how many people are reading, and its nice to know someone cares enough to acknowledge your work.

As for negative reviews, I guess it depends what the reviewer has to say and how you phrase it.  If you can say something positive along with your criticism, it would probably be easier to take.  And it might depend what your criticism is.  If you just tell someone they are a lousy writer, that's probably more hurtful than helpful.  That isn't going to help them improve.  But pointing out a typo or plot or continuity flaw is helpful, and in some ways flattering.  It proves you were reading the fic closely enough to notice.  As for your comment on the language, it sounds like you were totally justified, so don't let that scare you away from leaving more reviews - both good and bad.

Hey, Maddie,  What they said. lol

If you like the fic enough to keep reading, the author would probably appreciate knowing about it.  Even if you just wait until the end and leave one review for the whole fic, it tells the author someone liked it.

And leaving concrit (IMHO) is never a bad thing. As someone else pointed out, it tells the author that you are reading carefully and that you care about the story.

   I usually review when I actually get through the whole story.  If a story keeps me interested enough to read more than one or two chapters...otherwise, if I just teeter off and loose interest it seems a little fake to leave a stunning review.  

  But yeah, as far as the reviews themselves go, I think its always good to point out the actual things that kept the interest in it.  As apposed to the usual 'I love this, please continue!' Those are always encouraging now and then too, but still.  Some authors put alot of detail into their work and I think its good to show them just how much that detail is appreciated.

Have a question for people who leave reviews, since I just got one who told me that she did go back and read my responses.  I like to respond to reviews - it's fun, and much easier than actual writing (LOL), and I don't plan to stop however people answer this question.

When you leave a review, do you actually go back and look at the author's response to your review? 

Yep.

I always click to be notified if someone responds to my review, so i always read the responses   :)

DoS

Yep. I definitely look at the response, as long as I know that it's an author that does respond.

CM

Hey Cas, et al-I don't always check the author's response - mainly because I often forget to check that box and can't remember who I reviewed and who I didn't.(multiple senior moments)LOL  If I am leaving a review that asks a question, or for which I'm curioius about the writer's response, I will check the box to remind me to go back and read if there is a reply.  Other than those instances, it's pretty hit or miss. If I have time, and I know that I left a review, I will go look for it when I read the next chapter. If I'm just trying to keep up with my reading and don't expect a response, or figure it will just be a "thank you", then I don't take the time.

Back in the day, on BS/C, the Bear handled her reviewer responses by tacking her replies at the end of each chapter, identifying each reviewer by name and giving a personal response to each one.  I thought that was a great idea and have used it myself once or twice.  Anytime her response made me curious about what the review had said, I could just pop into the reviews and read what that person had left.  It saves a lot of clicking back and forth for the author (especially if you copy the reviews onto a document so that you don't have to keep looking at them if your memeory sucks like mine does.) and for the reviewers.

"When you leave a review, do you actually go back and look at the author's response to your review?"

Yep! And I read the other reviews and the aurhor's responses as well. Depending on the stroy they can be good for a giggle. =)