What sort of feedback/concrit/comments do you leave?

[valis2]

I was thinking about that today as I was leaving a comment. I realized that after two years of having a LJ I've begun to review with a system. I'm like that, of course, because I like to break everything down into categories and organize things.

If I didn't like a story---if I skimmed it and didn't finish it---I don't leave feedback. Sometimes when I see a story like that, I'll keep a tab open with the story in it, and wander back to check on it later to see if anyone else says anything. Sometimes those stories never get more than a comment or two, despite being in active comms, so I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who does this.

If I liked a story, but not a lot, and it had a few problems, but I am wary of getting into it with the author, I usually leave a comment that I enjoyed it, or I thank them for sharing the story.

If I liked a story, but not a lot, and it had a few problems, and the author seems to want concrit, then I'll leave a few thoughts, and make certain to add at least one strength I found in the story.

If I liked a story, I usually leave a comment that says something to the tune of "I enjoyed this". Sometimes I'll add something positive about the story.

If I really liked it, I usually try to leave a sentence or two about what strengths the story had, and how much I enjoyed it.

If I loved it, I usually quote a line that I loved and mention how much I enjoyed it. I also tend to get to glow a bit and add a few exclamation points.

Do you have a system of feedback?

Comments

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

First off - I'm as guilty as the next person about not leaving feedback often enough. I think this is partially caused by the fact that, when I do leave feedback, my comments are far more than a generic 'Great Story! Write More! End of comment!' type statement. Heck, I've been known to leave feedback that was longer than the 100-word drabble I was praising *g*

Stories that get feedback are ones that feature excellent writing, believeable character development, creative scenarios, or clever twists on common themes. The higher quality the story, the more I try to find specific points or examples in which to praise.

I'm more likely to leave feedback on the stories that have had less exposure or are of interest to a smaller audience base. Call it hubris or whatever but I figure that an author who's already got a hundred feedback comments on her latest story needs my feedback and encouragement less than does the writer who's only gotten four comments on her delightful quirky story in a rare pair I like.

I usually just leave praise. I'm careful about leaving criticisms. But, when I do, I try to state in polite terms precisely what I found flawed, and I usually try to temper my criticisms with pointing out something I found positive about the story. Also, I'm more inclined to point out grammatical errors if I've seen that other people have already done so and the author has reacted with an 'oops! thanks! I'll get that fixed!' type of attitude (or, if I know from previous experience that the author is not upset by having her typos pointed out).

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm more likely to leave feedback on the stories that have had less exposure or are of interest to a smaller audience base.

An interesting point! Sometimes I find myself being a little more verbose in response to a story that has few comments and is really great. Part of commenting is to encourage the writer to write more, I would think, and most people that I've talked to glow when they get praise.

I am less likely to comment with a long, drawn-out comment if the writer is well-established and has tons of comments already. I mean, if I'm on page 5, anything I have to say has probably already been said, so I usually leave a one-liner.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

I'm more likely to leave feedback on the stories that have had less exposure or are of interest to a smaller audience base.

Me too. I'm also more likely to leave feedback on a flawed story that I generally liked if it's by a fairly new author.