The Five 5 W's of Feedback

Feedback is the coin of the realm for fan fiction writers. It is pure gold for those who receive no other form of payment.

Why you should send feedback to authors:
• you liked the story and want to encourage the author to write more
• you read something particularly thought-provoking and want to comment on it or discuss it
• you saw an error and want to alert the author to it so she/he may correct it. It is best to send these privately.

Why you haven't sent feedback to authors:
• it takes time to go back online to send feedback after you've downloaded the story and read it
• you didn't like the story
• you don't post, preferring to remain anonymous and lurk
• other than "Loved the story", you can't think of any superlatives that could possibly cover your emotions
• you've read others' comments on the story and are afraid yours are not clever or witty enough
• many have already praised the story, so you figure that is enough; more might encourage the author to consider abandoning her/his day job to pursue a writing career <g>

How to send feedback to the writers:
• after you read the story at the Channel QOS-VS site, click on the author's email address at either the top or bottom of the story. This opens your email composer program and you can write your message then Send.
• on the Channel QOS-VS Forum, click in the New Message button and compose your comments
• go back online before you forget, go to your email composer or to the archive and write a nice letter to the author.

What authors like to hear in feedback:
• the story worked and many people liked it. The only way to know this for sure is from what people tell you about it.
• there were some errors that need fixing.
• if there was something that the reader didn't like in regard to the story or the writing. These comments are usually very welcome when stated politely, with suggestions for improvement (technical aspects only) and not in too much detail (An author may write back to ask for more. This could be the beginning of a beautiful beta friendship) And with something nice before and after to take the sting out.
• something about the story really "clicked" with the reader and he/she wrote to tell you about it
• the reader enjoyed the story but has teased you about some aspects of it. Feedback doesn't always have to serious or declaiming wild praise. A little joshing is also fun for both author and reader.

What not to put into feedback:
• personal attacks on the writer... or the characters. The characters are alive to writers, that is how they can bring them alive for you. You don't have to like them or how the author has portrayed them, but treat them with respect.
• comments that have no purpose but to pick apart the story. If you are not going to suggest how it can improved, it is unhelpful to send a list of its failings.
• suggestions not to quit your day job. We all know that already. <g>

When to send feedback about a story:
• the best time is as soon as you have read it. Otherwise, you might forget and lose an opportunity to make someone's day with a gift of praise
• anytime at all – even months later, authors appreciate that you remembered the story or just found it and took the time to write to thank them for it.

If you put yourself in the position of the writer, you might think differently about sharing your thoughts and comments on their stories. Imagine spending hours writing a story, summoning up the courage to post it in a public place, then waiting for the response. It is quite daunting, even for veteran writers to put their work in a public place to be discussed or dismissed. It is especially disappointing for new writers who are nervous anyway about posting for the first few times to receive no feedback on their efforts. How can they improve, or will they even try again, if no one tells them they liked their work?

We have enjoyed bringing these new stories to you for the Queen of Swords Virtual Second Season. We would love to hear what you think of our efforts. Please send our authors feedback.

– Maril - Eliza - Jim - JoLayne - Terry - John - Adrian - Margie