Feedback

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is feedback?

Feedback is a reader's commentary on a particular story. It is sent to the author as a reaction or response to what they have written. Feedback can be praise or criticism, or a mix of both. By reading feedback, a writer can gauge the stronger or weaker points of their story by what people liked or disliked about it. It can be a valuable tool for the writer as well as a chance for a reader to express their opinions.

Why is it important?

Often a writer has no idea how a story is received in the public eye. After working on a story for countless hours, days, weeks, months, or sometimes years, their creation is posted for all to see… and they wait anxiously for a response. Feedback is the only thing they can really hope for, and unfortunately most people do not take a few minutes to comment on a story they've read. A lot of times, the reader assumes that the writer knows the story is good, and that one more comment from them won't really matter. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fanfic, the only reward a writer might experience is a quick note from an appreciative fan. Most every writer creates stories not only for their own satisfaction, but for the shared enjoyment of all the fandom's followers. When there is no response, they question the merit of the story they've labored so hard on. The silence from the reading public seems to indicate a lack of interest, or, worse still, a dislike of the story. Enthusiasm for writing can quickly spiral into self-doubt and discouragement. A writer's ego, especially a novice's, is a fragile thing. A few good words will put them on cloud nine, a few bad ones… or no response at all… can ruin their entire week. Happily, sending feedback need not be a major trial for a reader. When considering how long it took for a writer to create the story, taking a few minutes to send a note along seems a small price to pay in thanking them for their efforts. (To give a fair idea of how long a story takes to write, assume that one page can take two hours of work. Believe it or not, this is an average time, not an exaggeration.)

What sort of things can I say?

Feedback can express your opinion of the story in question, be it positive or negative. However, it would be quite rude to send nothing but negative comments. Every story has some merit to it, no matter how hidden it might be. Perhaps you liked the original idea, or a particular treatment of a character, or the creative way the story was told. Maybe the research that went in to the story was worthy of note. The dialog could have been realistic; the scene description could have been vivid and effective. Sometimes, especially if it is the author's first post, the sheer fact they were brave enough to show their story to the world is worth a bit of praise. As a general guide, try to avoid those negative comments. By pointing out the positive assets of the story, you are reinforcing the writer's confidence and helping them to recognize their strengths. Never lie, however. Don't tell a writer that their action scenes sizzled if, in actuality, they were rather dull and lifeless. Keep in mind that if a story is posted, it's considered finished and done with. To nit-pick it apart, pointing out every flaw and failing, will accomplish nothing but to upset the writer and make them second-guess their work.

I really didn't like the story. Should I send feedback anyhow?

That's a personal choice. Did you dislike the story for a specific reason? Was it the way a character was written, or was it content and theme? Did the story simply drag on so much it couldn't hold your interest, or were there other things that you disliked? If you truly didn't like the story in any way, shape or form, and don't want to encourage the author at all, don't send feedback. However, if you found some worthwhile aspects of the story and want to acknowledge the writer's efforts, send a quick note. Even something as vague as "Thanks for the new story- I enjoyed the break it gave me in the middle of my hectic day" could suffice. After all, the writer is trying to continue interest in the fandom in general, and a little support goes a long way. Perhaps their next story will be something you really enjoy.

How do I send feedback?

Many times, the author's name at the top or bottom of a posted story is a direct e-mail link designed for feedback purposes. Simply click and send feedback that way. Sometimes there is no direct link; send the website owner feedback to forward to the author in question. Also, some websites have 'feedback forums' or special books for you to comment in. Use them as often as you can. Remember to re-visit stories you have enjoyed in the past and send feedback to those authors as well; just because the story may be months or years old, the writer will probably be thrilled you took the time to comment.

How is feedback sent to the authors featured in the Uncharted Waters archive?

A feedback button is located at the end of every story on the site; a single click brings you to a pre-made form. Simply enter your name, email address, and other information in the spaces provided, and click to send. Your message cannot be read by anyone but the author and/or the site administrator, and will be kept private at all times. It only takes a minute, but the encouragement you give by sending feedback is priceless.
*Note: this form only works if you have an email account through your browser. If you cannot send via the form, use our general mailbox address, uw@teelajones.us