Daughters! Honestly.

[pensnest]

Bun was up and about at seven this morning, getting herself sorted out for her trip to see the Beautiful Austrian Boyfriend, whose name, conveniently for my acronym, starts with E.

At 0940 there was a cry of "Crap!!" She had left her passport in Bristol. So much for getting to Stansted for eleven o'clock. So she went back to bed for a while, and then I took her back to her flat, a hideous journey through rain and darkness and much traffic. She's going to get a flight from Bristol airport tomorrow.

*sigh*

Am making good progress through MTYG stories, but have to stop every so often as I find myself running out of words for feedback. Must remind self that individuals do not care (much) that I cannot find something original and fascinating to say, and would like to receive feedback even if it is basically "i liked it". Don't know that I can manage to send feedback to every author, though it is a laudable goal. (PS if I'd seen your story before MTYG went live I won't be sending more feedback.)

Comments

[carta.livejournal.com]

I've read feedback that was more fancy and flowery than the story itself, and it always puts my teeth on edge. It reads to me like the commenter is looking to impress the writer with her own amazing writing skills, instead of remembering that feedback is about the story. Simple is best!

[pensnest]

That's a good point! Feedback should ideally be the reader's personal reaction, I think.

[milosflaca.livejournal.com]

and would like to receive feedback even if it is basically "i liked it".
ah belive me. I haven't recieved any, so yes, basically? I would love if at least someone would write me a "it sucks". So...

Although I have to admitt, this time I'm not going to be able to read other stories, because I'm DROWNING in work. hence, no feedback to other authors.
Karma is a bitch.

[pensnest]

Have you looked into your recipient's LJ lately? You should. ;-)

Of course, you can always write feedback later, when you have the time to spend a little while reading. Fresh stories! I don't suppose there's an author around who would object to having feedback just because it was a bit late.

[truekat.livejournal.com]

I will venture to say that any feedback is better than none! So, be it basic or elaborate, go for it! :)

[pensnest]

This is, of course, absolutely true. :-)

[bellamyrose.livejournal.com]

Any is better than none. To be honest, I'd even like to see a 'I don't like this' rather than nothing at all.

[pensnest]

I think the "I don't like this" is probably going to have to be left for review listings, which sadly are few and far between. It's impossible to know, when an exchange is anonymous, which of the authors will appreciate being told what doesn't work for a reader, and which will be devastated.

[rikes]

Re feedback: I know, I keep thinking I've said this or that a million times already, but who cares, because it's most likely going to a different person now?

But the really good stories are the biggest problem for me. What do you say when you like everything? When the story isn't perfect, it's easier to see what made you like it and what not.

I'm trying to feedback everything too and I've done 26 stories so far. If I get to 50 I'll be happy. :)

[pensnest]

Oh, I have no problem sending gushing excitement for a story I *adore*. It's when I like a story, but I can't necessarily define what I like, or say anything that seems worth saying, that I have more difficulty.

At least we have more time before the reveal this year. As an author, I'm getting itchy - cos I want to reply to my feedbackers - but as a reader, I like it. I do like reading stories without knowing who wrote them.

[rikes]

As a reader, I really like the later reveal, especially combined with the cool new reader accounts for feedback!

[pensnest]

I agree on both counts. It's so nice that non-writers can participate in the feedback part, and good, too, not to be completely rushed. Last year I *gorged* on SeSa stories, and couldn't remember half of them - I'm taking a bit more time this year.

[puszysty.livejournal.com]

I'm still unsure of what the general rule is regarding feedback. I left it for stories I liked, but I'd feel bad leaving one that said "um, I didn't like it".

[pensnest]

It is difficult, isn't it... I appreciate turloughishere's method of picking a category and reviewing every story within it. As a participant in the challenge, though, I don't feel I can do that. But I don't think it's out of line to say something didn't work for you as a reader.

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

you really are a super-mum. Bun is lucky to have you!

Just remember - you are the only person who'll ever see all your fb emails side by side, so originality of phrasing's not the be all and end all. (That said, though, you do always leave such lovely fb.)

xx

[pensnest]

*sighs* I'd probably be a better mum if my Bun was better trained! Oh well. She should be snug in the arms of her BABE by now.

You're right about the similarities of feedback not mattering. I just know how much *I* like to have feedback that picks up something specific. So I'm reading in little batches - partly to make it easier to respond, and partly so that I don't devour them all and then feel sorry there aren't any more!