The writers speak!!!!

"The most exciting part of completing a story is not finishing it, but having
someone else read it (and receive his/her comments afterward as shown in the
following scene)." (Chloe Sullivan in Smallville)


That about sums it all, yet it barely scratches the surface of what writers
think and feel about writing and sharing stories on the net. Therefore, we
have gathered the opinions and thoughts of JSG writers (past and present) and
insist that if you aren't already a reviewing reader (thus known to the
group), you read this again and try to put yourself in the writers' skin as
you read their honest and open-hearted comments.

Read all their comments carefully, and take a moment to ponder how you can
make sure that we never reach the point where they will put their last
warnings into effect (stop posting and such)… as others have already done.

The questions that I asked them were:

What does feedback represent to you?
Why do you write?
What impact does feedback, or lack thereof, have on you? Your writing? Your
posting habits and choices?
Why did you choose to share your stories at JSG?
In average, how many feedback do you (or did you) receive for your posts at
JSG? Elsewhere?
Do you recommend JSG to fellow writers as a good place to post fics?
Would you recommend JSG to fellow writers if there were more reviews per post,
(either public or private review)?
Are you considering moving to other posting places, or focusing your efforts
elsewhere? If so, why?
If you don't write anymore, did you stop because of the lack of feedback?

Before you start reading their answers, though, remember that unlike the
professional writers of science-fiction who get a royalty for each book sold
(thus at least know that they are read and that someone has actually paid
money to get their book, not to mention that the more money they make, the
stronger they are confirmed in their talent), fanfic writers don't have any
way of knowing that you read their story, let alone that you enjoyed it…
unless you review and give them feedback on their writing. It is the reality
of writing for fun on the internet, a harsh reality that apathy from readers
turns into a frustrating and discouraging experience. Writing on the internet
is not only the business of those who can write; it's also the business of the
readers, whose responsibility it is to keep the fun going by encouraging the
benevolent and creative writers to keep flexing their writing muscles for us
to enjoy.

Now, with that in mind, here is what the writers of this group have to say
about writing and the importance of feedback in their lives as a fanfic writer.





What does feedback represent to you?

"Feedback always ups my mood. It doesn't only show me that people enjoy what I
write. The more elaborate the better; in the perfect case I want to know what
people liked and also what they disliked. By reading feedback and talking to
readers I get new ideas, and it's something that helps me understand my own
writing better."

"I love feedback. I'm a whore for it...confession time: I repetedly check my
emails for any comments I get. Getting feedback is my cocaine."

" Plain and simple, feedback shows that the fic just read was worth a
response. When fics are not reviewed, the writer questions why the readers
didn't find anything interesting or enjoyable enough to compel a written
response."

"I am addicted to feedback. I love it for the contact it provides with
readers, I love the feeling of receiving encouragements from readers, and I
just really enjoy discovering that the reader actually had fun reading my
story, that I didn't waste my time (counted in months and years here) writing
it and sharing it. It is also a perfect way for me to find out what worked
well and what didn't and needs improvement in the story, and that is really
useful in my evolution as a writer. If I compare writing to a sundae, than
writing is my ice cream and feedback is both the chocolate sauce and cherry on
it, and somehow, whenever feedback pops unexpectedly in in my mail box, my
sundae is no longer thawed and unappetizing and I long to enjoy it again, or
even to create another one."

"Quite a lot. It’s the reward, the recognition of all your hard work & long
hours planning & writing the story. Feedback is also the best mean to
determine if I’m going in the right direction. I often take notice of my
readers wishes for the future of the story & sometimes, they feedback has even
given me plenty of ideas to new chapters. I often say that my readers help me
write what I do. I can’t do that without feedback, without knowing what they
like & don’t like. Also, when I’m writing a story that is very special & dear
to me, I even keep the feedback! I save the person & that person’s comments &
from time to time go back & read it. That is true inspiration! And motivation
to keep on going!"

" For me, it represents the chance to improve on my writing"

"As an author I can only underline how important feedback is to us. As an
author, I write primarily for myself. I would keep writing regardless of
getting feedback or not. However, whether I would share my writing on such a
broad scale, that is an entirely different question."

" Well, it means that people are reading my stories, which is why I write
them. Plus, I always like to hear what other people think, because it gives me
other ideas."

"Hmmm thats a good question. I guess I would have to say that it helps me to
know what areas I need to work on in my story and also know the ones that
people particularly enjoy Although I no longer specifically write for the
appreciation and recognition of others, but for myself I must admit it helps
when people share with you. ;)?

" Feedback means that someone is reading. Any kind of feedback, for me, is
acceptable. Even just a "oh, hey, look! she posted -- I didn't read it.
your story bores me", at least lets me know that someone spent the time to
read one chapter, recognise the story and pass it by. Admittedly, it's not the
best kind of feedback, but a big hulking void is far worse. Authors spend
weeks, months, YEARS on these fics -- it's disappointing when you get no
reaction from it."





Why do you write?

"I have enjoyed my years of writing LM fanfics. I was going through divorce
then and writing was cathartic for me especially Luke/Mara love for each
other. I must have written everything that I had lost in real life. I am still
writing at present but I have not gone back to LM writing for years."

" I love SW, I love Luke/Mara. I'd write even if I didn't get feedback, but I
would feel like losing A LOT."

"To get the stories out of my mind...also when I was younger I was never given
very high marks in school for creative writing and I just wanted to know I
could do it."

"I write because it is something I enjoy and a hobby I would hope to one day
turn into a career. Right now, fanfiction is fun to write and good practice."

"I simply can't help writing; I've always made up stories in my mind, and now
that I know that I can write, I can't stop doing it. It's like going to the
movies all the time, except that 'I' am behind the camera this time. Writing
is also a therapy for me, a way to escape the real world outside for a while,
as well as to let my overactive imagination vent itself instead of turning all
darkside onto me."

"Well, I like/love the subject I write about. I wish to explore it & expand
it. But it’s also a test for myself. How good a writer am I? If I don’t give
it a try I will never know. And since English is not my first language, the
test is even bigger."

" Because I enjoy writing"

" Why do I write, or why do I write things down? I have no personal need to
commit my thoughts to paper, really. When I write a story, it starts as a way
to entertain me. I generally put myself to sleep by writing a story in my
head. Sometimes, I keep the plotline going for several days, redoing it
different ways, and such. But I write down barely a fraction of the stories I
compose for myself- partially because I often steal ideas and plots from other
writers, but mostly because writing takes up a lot of time, and I'm rarely
satisfied with how my thoughts look on paper. When I do write, it's because I
want to be able to discuss the ideas I had with other people, really."

" Why do I write. Because I enjoy it of course. It helps me release my
emotions and pressures that occur in my life in a way thats both healthy and
fullfilling. And sometimes I get these ideas that just wont leave me alone so
I have to write them down."

" I began writing for myself -- that was before I had internet and knew about
this whole "fanfiction" term. I just knew that I loved the characters and the
worlds and I wanted to play with them. That's still the case; call it a love
for the fandom. None of us would be here if we didn't enjoy it."




What impact does feedback, or lack thereof, have on you? Your writing? Your
posting habits and choices?

"I did remember liking the fact that I got feedback from my readers. Whenever
they give me feedback - the good ones especially - I get a warm feeling
inside."

"It might cause writer's block for a while. I will work through that and just
stop posting on the lists in question. No sense in posting if I have to
believe no one's reading."

"To be honest, I just dropped a group because I never recieved any feedback
from members...so I figured I'd find somebody who would apreciate them...like
you good people. :>"

"I try not to be impacted by feedback (especially when there is little to
none) but it's hard to avoid. When a writer posts a story, they post a part
of themselves, something that hatched in their creative mind, that they strove
to put on paper, so that others could enjoy it. When no one takes the time to
write a sentence or two about it, there's no way to stop feeling that all the
effort put into the story was a waste. I've never been at a place where the
reviews substantially stood out, so I tend to just post at about five or so
sites, cast the nets around, see what I find. Though I try not to be offended
by a lack of reviews, it has to be said that encouragement really helps
writer's block. I've had a SW story gathering dust on my desktop for over a
year. I know how the story ends, I know how to get there, I know what to
do....I just don't feel like doing it. No one really cares."

"Lots. When I used to receive a lot of feedback for each new post I shared, I
pushed myself to write more and more and more, to the point that I injured my
shoulders and neck and yet still kept pushing myself. Then, when feedback
began to wane, I stopped pushing myself and slowly but surely withdrew so as
to both heal myself and stop hurting myself with the lack of reaction from the
silent readers. During that time, I completely stopped posting in some groups
and websites, concentrating only on JSG and a few, more active places, but the
continued decrease of feedback drove me further and further away from fanfic
writing. Then, I discovered that someone, who had never 'ever' reviewed one
of my stories, had still liked it enough to rip off ideas from it and base her
successful story on those (without disclaimers), and it was the last straw. I
removed my fics from the web. Nowadays, I don't expect much feedback anymore
when I post, and that makes me write SW stuff only when I really feel like it,
and I don't plan anymore to share them in very many places… and that will be
when they will be ready, if I ever finish them, but they're just not my
priority anymore although I still love SW and I still write SW stories. I'm
just not sure that using so much of my free time to write those stories is
really that worthwhile considering the near-silence that accompanies their
posts… I've got more than two-hundred SW bunnies to play with, and I know how
to write each and everyone of them, could even 'make' time for them… but I
already enjoy playing with them even in their bunnies form so writing them
becomes a question of whether or not I want to take the necessary time to
develop them and share them in their final form with web friends and reviewing
readers."

"As already mentioned, feedback is the inspiring reward, the fuel to keep on
going. The lack of this fuel & I may risk ending up quitting. Sure, I could
write only for myself but what’s the fun in that? Especially when you know
that your story could be liked/loved by more people than yourself.





Why did you choose to share your stories at JSG?
Simply because it’s a SW friendly place. Anyone who likes SW can read my SW
stories. Doesn’t really matter the place as long as I’m welcomed."

" 3a. What impact does feedback, or lack thereof, have on you? Not much
3b. Your writing? Well because I use FB to improve my stories, my writing
cannot get better
3c. Your posting habits and choices? I tend not to post"

"Mainly, I write 1-shots. Mostly because I'm horribly bad at sticking with
things, and I generally lose interest in a plotline before I'm finished,
otherwise. I think I've only completed 1 fic that was longer than a 1-shot,
and that was only like 7,000 words. My longest fic stalled about 11,000, and I
never finished it. But when I do write longer things, feedback has a huge
impact on me. I never decide what I'm going to do, because I have so many
ideas about what could happen, I never know which one I'll pick until I see
what other people think could or should happen. As of right now I only have
one Star Wars related fic written, and it hardly even counts. It's more of a
prologue than anything, and only like 650 words. I don't write things that are
very long, because I'll get bored with writing it down. I think faster than I
can type, or talk, so I don't usually tell my stories, because I get too
impatient with myself."

"It used to affect me a great deal. But I have decided that while it's always
nice to have feedback and recognition from others. I don't depend on it as
much as I used to. I write for myself and if I feel like sharing it I will no
matter what happens. Of course I must admit it feels really nice when you do
get feedback and recognition. Whether it's good or bad.:)"

" No feedback? Well, it doesn't much affect my writing except to make me
write slower, but it definitely does make me choose where I post. If I know a
place where I can get at least SOME feedback, I'm more likely to post there
than at a place where I get none. If I don't think anyone is reading, I'm not
going to waste my time by prepping a post. "





Why did you choose to share your stories at JSG?

"It was one of the first lists I was on and everyone was very supportive when
I started writing."

"Well, I started off lurking...through another member who would foward stories
that she thought I would like and I was getting pissed off at that other
group, so I figured I'd join. And then after getting the courage I posted the
story I was most proud of...strangely- the easiest story I ever wrote. The
audience seemed very apreciative of the stories that others wrote and it seemd
like a good community."

"I write Luke/Mara fics often, and JSG was the place to post for that
category."

"It was a L/M group, with lots of L/M writers, and the dynamic was very
interesting. I loved the atmosphere of friendship that reigned here, and I
believed that I, too, was part of the good L/M writers."

" Because I like the quality of the stories in this group ( some of the best
I've seen )."

"Because of the people."

" JSG is my original group-home, and my original fandom. I've been with JSG
since the beginning (barring a few years of silence while I was in college --
the horrors. ::shudder::), and the group has always been good to me. There
is a core group of extremely talented writers that I am ecstatic to have been
able to post and chat with. I haven't been to the group in a while,
admittedly (that whole college thing), but we were a chatty group when I left,
and the sense of community was great."





In average, how many feedback do you (or did you) receive for your posts at
JSG? Elsewhere?

"Difficult to say. I'd say I usually receive feedback from around 5 to 8
people. It used to be at least twice that much in earlier times. On other
lists, more than thrice that amount."

"JSG- 2 to 3, L/M - 2, Sith Chicks- 0"

"I've never done too well with my reviews, unfortunately. I normally average
maybe four or five a chapter. One or two stories, I've hit around ten a
chapter. That's adding all the reviews from all the different locations
together. JSG never stood out in the number or quality of feedback"

"I used to receive at least five to eight reviews per part here, now only two
or three, if even. Elsewhere, I can occasionally hit the ten to twelve reviews
per part, but that is very rare , even more than a post going completely
ignored and unacknowledged in any way…"

"It used to be a lot more in the past, but that was because more people a few
years ago knew me. Since I have been a bit of a lurker lately, not many know
who I am anymore. I’m sure many read but don’t comment later. It’s easier to
give feedback to someone you know, to get more personal that way."

" 2 per story everywhere"

" Gonna make me dig out my ff.net account, eh? I got about 10-12 per chaper,
more, if it was longer and I picked up more people. But that was in a
different fandom, and Potterfic generally has a larger following that SW."

" I got a few feedbacks, not alot, but a few and thats fine."

" Wow. . .it's been so long since I've posted at JSG that it's hard to say. I
don't remember getting a terrible amount of feedback, however. At ff.net any
one of my stories pulled between 10-35 reviews (counting all of the people who
have randomly emailed me prodding for a sequel THAT THEY'RE NOT
GETTING. . .::ahem::). I think, in general, the plot bunnies I choose are of
a strange and slightly venemous varitety, and not to everyone's taste."







Do you recommend JSG to fellow writers as a good place to post fics?

"I'd do it trying to revive the group with more good fiction, hoping that some
lurkers would speak up if there's more fic again. For someone who's
specifically seeking feedback I'd not recommend it."

"Some of the other writers I know don't write L/M...my beta reader, for
example, tends to write Quinlan Vos with other characters - so, although her
writing is hot, it wouldn't be truly accepted in this group...but I foward her
my feedback s that she can enjoy it too."

"Occassionally. I pretty much let other writers know where I post or used to
post and let them draw their own conclusions."

"There's no flaming here, but there's no feedback, or not much anyway… so I'm
very divided about this question."

" Yes."

" It depends on what they write"

" For the most part, yeah. The community seems active, and really nice. But it
almost seems like you only give positive feedback. Admitedly, I haven't been
here very long. But personally, if I wrote something that sounded like it was
4th grade work, I'd like to be told so. I look back at some of the stuff I
wrote when I first got into fanfic, way back when I was in 7th grade or so,
and it's terrible. I would have preferred to be told that I really needed to
work on my writing, rather than just hear that I had good ideas."

" I already recommend you guys but yeah I would let them know that they could
get feedback and stuff there which motivates a lot of people."

" I think groups in general are a great place for writers to be, so
absolutely."






Would you recommend JSG to fellow writers if there were more reviews per post,
(either public or private review)?

"Yes."

"Of course"

"Hell yes! Many writers thrive on feedback. We like to know our work is
appreciated (doesn't everyone?) If more people wrote responses at the JSG, I
would make sure the M/L writers I know would learn about it."

"For sure!! We need more places like that!"

"Absolutely!"

" Again it would depend on what they write"

" Well, something is better than nothing, so I wouldn't base my recommendation
on that. But yes, I would."

" More reviews are always helpful. I could never complain about that. ;D"





Are you considering moving to other posting places, or focusing your efforts
elsewhere? If so, why?

" No."

"No...I like you...I'm staying with you guys."

"I had some trouble with my email address a few months ago, and when I
rejoined my Yahoo Groups, I didn't bother with the JSG, simply because the
feedback had dried up. Now that this effort is being put in to correct that
misfortune, I plan to join again."

" Of course not. I would never leave the people ;)Even though im sure it has
felt like it since I've been extrememly busy and only being able to lurk."

"I have already begun, although I still remain as a reader. I just don't
really feel that the effort of writing L/M fics under pressure, or profusely,
is worth it anymore."

"Not really, but that’s because I know of no other places. But even if I found
other places, even more active ones, I’d still not abandon JSG. The more
places the better, I say."

" Not really. I have already started posting one other sites as well. But I
more than likely won't abandon this group"

"Not really. I'm a member of Mara_and_Luke, which consists of pretty much all
the same people, but that's it."

" Whenever I return to fanfic myself, I'll likely post here at JSG, at ff.net
(evil as it tends to be. . .) and at my own website once I get it up and
running (which should hopefully be soon)."





If you don't write anymore, did you stop because of the lack of feedback?

"I won't stop writing because of lack of feedback. I might just stop posting."

"No, I wouldn't stop writing,... but I may stop posting."

"I've been suffering from writer's block for the better part of a year,
partially due to apathetic readers, but mostly because my life has been
havoc. Now that it's settled down, I plan to write again, and I sincerely
hope that the JSG members really turn around and begin reviewing again."

"My disappearance from the writers' community sure had a lot to do with the
frustration and heartache that followed me whenever I posted and went
unnoticed, unanswered, and basically ignored… Was I really, I don't know and,
quite honestly, I just don't have any way of figuring that one out unless
people speak to me and review my posts (telling me what they like and don't
like, why they read, or don't read). So, no reviews… no more posts from my
part. I still write, however, and I still share with those who show me more
consideration."

"Well, I am still writing so no worries there. But if I ever should stop it
would be for two things.
1. Real life somehow gets in the way & makes it impossible for me to
continue.
2. The feedbacks reduce to nothing & I would lose the spark to go on."

" Not really. I just got bored with Harry Potter, because I got into Star
Wars. I can really only focus on one fandom, one pairing at a time. I'm single-
minded like that."

" Sadly, that was part of the reason. I was never sure if my work was being
received well, if anyone was enjoying it, if I had gone too overboard, been
too violent, etc, etc. . . There were times I could have put time aside to
write, but I just didn't. I kept telling myself people were probably just
afraid to critise me, and that's why I didn't get feedback. And then
eventually college took over my life, and there wasn't much time or motivation
to write anymore." (but, note above that this writer, who had stopped
writing, is now planning on returning 'thanks' to the feedback she recently
received about her old stories. Hint hint ;P)



In the end:

"I can only encourage the "silent" readers to share their opinion, either on
list or privately. It's not as though you need to write a novel. Elaborate
feedback is naturally an author's fav, but as far as I'm concerned, getting
a "I'm loving it. Keep it up!" is perfect as well. "

" I know how encouraging reviews can be, especially the random 'good story,
keep writing'. I wouldn't have written some of my stories without the support
of some faithful reviewers. I do know how my own stories end, after all.
However I was always grateful when someone had taken the time to point out my
faults, too. That way I was able to improve myself. "

" I still write. The hard part is finding the time to do it."




After all this honest and unique insight into our writers' motivations and
perceptions, I will say a few things:

1- Don't take for granted that the writers will post forever and just provide
you with free daily entertainment the way it happens on TV or elsewhere… just
like the professionals are encouraged by the contracts they get, the audience
they gather and the reviews they get, fanfic writers are extremely motivated
by the reviews of avid and interested readers. It's, as someone said, the fuel
to their engine, so if you don't want to stall in the middle of the fanfic
road, 'fuel' up the writers' engines. Review the fics posted not only in this
group, but anywhere else on the web as well so that we will not let the world
of L/M, L/V and L fics whither and die because readers took for granted the
writers out there.

2- With the no-lurker policy in force since the beginning of this summer, the
members of this group are 'expected' to be active reviewers. Remember, if
you 'never' have time to catch up like you promise to, just leave the group
and lurk from outside the group. As for if you have a little time then and
again, what is important is that you pop in at least once every four months so
that you are not a stranger to us, you know ;P Finally, if you are normally
active but need to leave for a while, let us know so that I don't remove you
for lack of participation when I run a bi-annual check on lurking members (and
remove the lurkers). According to the members' answers to the survey, you
have joined in here to read the fics; well, if you want more fics, do your
part and review what's posted. If you don't or don't want to, assume your
choice and sign out of this group before I lead a new cutting operation in a
few weeks from now.

3- We know it now; without feedback, there are less fanfics, and that's it.
Writing a fanfic takes time (hours that turn into months, and months that turn
into years in the case of the longer fics), dedication, and attention, and
feedback is the fuel that keeps the writers here with us as it is the only
form of reward that we can offer them for devoting their time and efforts to
the writing of a story before sharing it with us.

4- My goal with all this nagging and reminders is to be able to attract more
writers (like the great ones that are not in here yet) to the group. However,
the only money that I can offer to draw them in is a truthful promise of
useful and abundant feedback, and we're far from this at this moment… Silence
and lack of reaction is simply no selling argument that I can use in an
invitation to possible new writers so, basically, we have a problem: we want
more fun, but we don't do anything much to 'create' and maintain alive that
fun. And I sure can't do it alone with Sienn, Fire, Blaze, Ladyflame and the
too few other active members of the group nowadays. So there we are…


In conlusion, I leave you with more writers' comments that I have gathered in
their answers to feedback throughout the past months. Think about those and
choose if you want to help keep fanfic alive in this group and on the web… or
not.

" I really can't tell you how great it makes me feel to know you take time out
to read this piece. "

"Hey! Don't worry, there is no such thing as too much feedback!"

"About posting the rest of the story, I will only post it when it will be
finished… and it might never get finished because no one reviewed it when I
first posted it here :("


The Mod team

p.s. To know about what is expected in feedback, read the next file.