“You love him too, don't you?”

I learned that overwhelmingly most of us think that we should leave feedback because it is encouraging to the writers and it's just a kind and thoughtful thing to do so. The poll also showed me that some would leave feedback, but they are shy and just don't know what to say and they asked for some suggestions. But most of us just read all the time and then get busy and forget.

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life."

- Northrup Christiane



Starsky what does FB mean? Hutch you're a detective figure it out. Foxy babe? Fabulous body? Foreplay between boys? Blondie that would be Fbb, no I think it stands for Feedback. That's something that's nice to give, and nice to receive and it only takes a short time to do.
Starsky are you sure it's not FBB and somebody just forgot the other B?

Dawn has been kind enough to give some suggestions to help us in leaving feedback.

Feedback:
Well what to say if you don't really like the story?


Be neutral but friendly. "What an interesting premise!" or "That's a new way to tell the familiar post Sweet Revenge hospital scene."
Try to think of something that isn't negative or slams, but shows support and encouragement even if the story didn't appeal to you particularly. Every story appeals to at least one other person, and we should always try to be at least kind. If you really hated the story, don't say anything at all.


What to say when you love the story, but are to shy to think of something good to say?



A simple "I loved that" works wonders. If you want to say more--Pick out your favorite line, phrase, scene, whatever-- and write--"I loved (put in the line from the story such as--) "Starsky, you are my joy, my very reason for being." I wish Hutch had said that on the series. "
There's no need to gush on and on, and simple is the very best. If you can put a smile on someone's face at least once a day, why not try?


What does it mean when an archive says review the story?



To give feedback--to say how it made you feel, think, what you liked about it. Just be brief and to the point.


"I liked The Story of Starsky and Hutch" it's fantastic.

"Well Done!"

Telling what you disliked it a tricky thing, and most people avoid that but a basic rule of thumb is put in three things, like a sandwich. A positive thing, one bit of criticism or critique (if you want, there's no rule that says you have to) and another positive. Example--"I LOVED this story. My favorite part was when Hutch shot the bad guy. Hutch has blue eyes, though, maybe you might have had a typo? Great dialogue, I could so hear Starsky speaking."


Or maybe--"I'd never read an AU before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Do you plan to write more outer space Starsky and Hutch? I'd read another one!"


If you want to go into detail about everything you adored in the story, that's great, too!

If you read a zine you should still leave feedback.
If you read a zine you should try to leave feedback to all the stories.


This is difficult since sometimes the author left no email address, or you discover that it's out of date and there's no way to reach her. You can--email the zine publisher if you really want to get the feedback to the author. Try to find out if she is on me and thee, lj or somewhere. It might be that you don't know how to reach the author, but hey! You go to a con and voila, meet her three years later. "I loved that zine story you wrote, "Hutch's Near Miss." She'll be smiling for the rest of the weekend, guarantee it.


Using post it notes to remind yourself to leave feedback, or something similar.

I do this all the time!We all forget and life gets hectic, just make you a note with the name of the story and what it was you liked about it and then when you have time leave your FB.


Try and leave feedback over at the archives where the story is listed if it has a place to do so.


A great way to say, "That story (Starsky's Revenge) made me happy." 'Nuff said. But include the title in your feedback because, for instance, the automatic feedback button on the me and thee archive sends the author an email with "your stories" in the subject line. Sometimes it's difficult to guess what the reader is referring to without a title.


Remember if you worked on something for a long time of put your heart into creating something, you'd like to know that that effort was appreciated it, even if it isn't your favorite story. So just because the story you read was good, but not your favorite is no excuse not to leave feedback.


Unlike what some authors say, feedback is not, for me, the payment. I'd write whether or not I had feedback. But it's like getting chocolates and flowers on a rainy day--it makes the author feel good about what she has written. And generally, it makes the reader feel good about what they have read!


ETC...
What not to say to a writer or artist.



The old chestnut from Kindergarten applies--if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. "That SUX," may be your opinion, but it's not kind, it's not constructive and it gets in the way of real friendships on the 'net.


If you want to say something critical or constructive, private email is the way to go. Don't be afraid that the writer will hate you for it, but it's better to say these more specific details to a friend rather than some author you've never 'met' on line or in person. I actually quite appreciate when a reader tells me I have spelling errors or left out a word in a sentence. It's still a positive thing to be constructive--I once did email an author about a weather detail she had in a story. She had 'lush green hillsides of summer" in a story set in Bay City/Los Angeles. Except So. California is brown in the summer. The zine was already published (for years) at that point, but she thanked me for the detail because it would help her in her next stories.


Avoid the negative, hurtful comments.


Can you think of things?
edited:
If the person giving the feedback doesn't have their Fanfiction.net settings to receive private messages then they (the author of the story) can't send a message back saying how much they appreciate the feedback etc.
dsoulhutchfan

Dawn

Just do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!