To the authors and writers in here. First off, hi. How you doin'? Great I hope.

Anyways, if you can remember, what was your first or favourite comment or review from a reader of your work. Could be a comment from R.R., a friend/family member, or anything. Just what words have been said about your work of fiction that have made you smile ear to ear?

Dunno. I don't pick favourites. All critics good and bad have their merits and are good. But I am a bit fond of everyone that's been supportive of my lil short story for the CMC. The reception's been very wholesome and rewarding.

I don't pick favorites amongst my children.

Possibly the best review I have ever received (and on the site) was from a review swap. The guy I did the review swap (seedsoflove) with is a great author and their work, The Last Gardener, is fantastic.
Their review mimicked my formatting method and gave a really solid critique, pointing out many details and giving a lot of criticisms. It was so good that I go back to reading it because of how good it was and how I adjusted my method.
I honestly would love doing a review like theirs, simply because they understood the work and knew of its strengths and weaknesses. That I think should be the gold standard for Royal Road.

Not a favorite but a few days ago someone commented on my first book toward the ending that it made them cry. Then I realized they finished that and binged the sequel and they enjoyed. Sunshine in my day.

MistOverSnow Wrote: I don't pick favorites amongst my children.

apologies father

I mean, I think maybe Lazie from my previous novel? Mostly due to the satisfaction of recognizing that after I left, their work continued to grow. For my current one, that would probably be Broken Immortal. They've been a ton of help and given me useful advice.

I've been trying to build up a bit of karma on royalroad by checking out people's works and commenting on them, since I know how much every comment matters. And it's sort of worked, because a good few of those people have returned that favor and checked out my writing. I also try to write actually in depth reviews. I hope that the ones I make are people's favorites.

5Fives Wrote: Not a favorite but a few days ago someone commented on my first book toward the ending that it made them cry. Then I realized they finished that and binged the sequel and they enjoyed. Sunshine in my day.

5Fives Wrote: Not a favorite but a few days ago someone commented on my first book toward the ending that it made them cry. Then I realized they finished that and binged the sequel and they enjoyed. Sunshine in my day.

I had a thing about this a bit back. A discussion, about whether or not people value comments more than reviews/ratings. And yeah, it turns out comments matter a lot more. The numbers are superfluous, but human engagement is so much more meaningful.

I wanted to go "screw being diplomatic, let's pick one" but feels each reviewer noticed different aspects of the work, which is just so rewarding to read because I didn't want to influence how people experienced the story, so it's genuinely a pain to pick beyond "first one is special" (was from Emu).

CobaltWolf Wrote:

5Fives Wrote: Not a favorite but a few days ago someone commented on my first book toward the ending that it made them cry. Then I realized they finished that and binged the sequel and they enjoyed. Sunshine in my day.

I had a thing about this a bit back. A discussion, about whether or not people value comments more than reviews/ratings. And yeah, it turns out comments matter a lot more. The numbers are superfluous, but human engagement is so much more meaningful.

This and more actually. I would rather have 10 loyal commentors than 100 silent ones. No offense to anyone, but I like when people tell me what they find really good or really bad about my work and actually relate to the characters as well. It's like a shot of dopamine

ayebcee Wrote: I wanted to go "screw being diplomatic, let's pick one" but feels each reviewer noticed different aspects of the work, which is just so rewarding to read because I didn't want to influence how people experienced the story, so it's genuinely a pain to pick beyond "first one is special" (was from Emu).

honestly it's a hard question lowkey lol. But I'd say be glad that so many good reviews makes it hard to pick too

GrayOrc Wrote: This and more actually. I would rather have 10 loyal commentors than 100 silent ones. No offense to anyone, but I like when people tell me what they find really good or really bad about my work and actually relate to the characters as well. It's like a shot of dopamine

The desire for connection through art is something so deeply human, and having someone not only read your work, but speak up about their experience means something.

CobaltWolf Wrote:

GrayOrc Wrote: This and more actually. I would rather have 10 loyal commentors than 100 silent ones. No offense to anyone, but I like when people tell me what they find really good or really bad about my work and actually relate to the characters as well. It's like a shot of dopamine

The desire for connection through art is something so deeply human, and having someone not only read your work, but speak up about their experience means something.

More so when the emotion you wanted to potray within the scene actually resonates to the reader. Or when you inadvertently made a memorable scene that the readers decipher in their own way lol

No favorites from me, though I will say I do get excited when I'm reading someone's story purely for my enjoyment and they happen to come read my stuff too. It's a small bit scary since when you read others' work you come to appreciate them differently, or at least I do. So when you know someone you respect is looking at your stuff, it feels weirdly embarrassing, but in a good way.

SweetStuff Wrote: No favorites from me, though I will say I do get excited when I'm reading someone's story purely for my enjoyment and they happen to come read my stuff too. It's a small bit scary since when you read others' work you come to appreciate them differently, or at least I do. So when you know someone you respect is looking at your stuff, it feels weirdly embarrassing, but in a good way.

Hm... I wonder if that is applying to a certain someone.

CobaltWolf Wrote:

SweetStuff Wrote: No favorites from me, though I will say I do get excited when I'm reading someone's story purely for my enjoyment and they happen to come read my stuff too. It's a small bit scary since when you read others' work you come to appreciate them differently, or at least I do. So when you know someone you respect is looking at your stuff, it feels weirdly embarrassing, but in a good way.

Hm... I wonder if that is applying to a certain someone.

Perhaps certain people in this thread fit. I won't admit anything! 

Hi!

I only started publishing a week ago, so my first review is also my favorite so far and honestly, it touched me more deeply than I expected.

Someone took the time to read my first few chapters and send me a private message with detailed feedback. They pointed out exactly what was working and why, while also offering honest opinions on areas that could be improved.

English is my second language, and I write it and then translate everything from Spanish myself. When they said that reading the text aloud could help smooth out the stiffness often missed in translation was incredibly helpful.

I didn't expect anyone to care so much about a story during its first week. That message motivated me to keep going in a way that’s hard to put into words.

Honestly, thanks to that person, I still feel that same excitement.

one review legitimately made me tear up because not only did this reader comment very regularly till the very end of both volumes, but their comments actively wondered about the world, the lore, the characters. being compared to the greats, especially as a first time author, was an indescribable feeling and i appreciated their support so much (and still think about it regularly)

Quote:The beginning and middle chapters could have inspired Jane Austen. The ending chapters started me thinking of Earnest Hemingway and Flannery O'Connor stories (where the lead character is utterly defeated).

Anankista Wrote: Hi!

I only started publishing a week ago, so my first review is also my favorite so far and honestly, it touched me more deeply than I expected.

Someone took the time to read my first few chapters and send me a private message with detailed feedback. They pointed out exactly what was working and why, while also offering honest opinions on areas that could be improved.

English is my second language, and I write it and then translate everything from Spanish myself. When they said that reading the text aloud could help smooth out the stiffness often missed in translation was incredibly helpful.

I didn't expect anyone to care so much about a story during its first week. That message motivated me to keep going in a way that’s hard to put into words.

Honestly, thanks to that person, I still feel that same excitement.

Most wholesome and motivating story journey I've heard today