Praise can be useful as well, though. I think it was Amanuensis who said that it's important to focus on what the author does right, as well. Because both the reader and the author can learn from that.
Oh, yes, and that is what I meant to say. In my book, con-crit is pointing out both what you liked and what you think was confusing or could be improved. I would never send feedback consisting of only those things I would like to see differently. I always concentrate on what I really liked, and point that out, and then add one or two things that I think could be improved (besides any glaring canon errors, because I always point those out).
And I agree that sometimes you simply don´t have the time to write a long, detailed review. But on occasions like that it´s still not too hard to point one or two details out: I really liked your characterization of Snape, because......, but I think Harry´s response in scene so and so was a bit inplausible, because....
That won´t take up too much of anyone´s time, and still gives the writer something more to go on than just a simple ´I loved your story´.
And about the beta-reader...gah, that´s just rude. I could write a whole post about beta-readers, though. It´s hard to find good ones, and when you do, you should worship the ground they walk on. ;-)
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Oh, yes, and that is what I meant to say. In my book, con-crit is pointing out both what you liked and what you think was confusing or could be improved. I would never send feedback consisting of only those things I would like to see differently. I always concentrate on what I really liked, and point that out, and then add one or two things that I think could be improved (besides any glaring canon errors, because I always point those out).
And I agree that sometimes you simply don´t have the time to write a long, detailed review. But on occasions like that it´s still not too hard to point one or two details out: I really liked your characterization of Snape, because......, but I think Harry´s response in scene so and so was a bit inplausible, because....
That won´t take up too much of anyone´s time, and still gives the writer something more to go on than just a simple ´I loved your story´.
And about the beta-reader...gah, that´s just rude. I could write a whole post about beta-readers, though. It´s hard to find good ones, and when you do, you should worship the ground they walk on. ;-)
*smooches Gina*