Topic: To read or not to read?

A newbie question here.

I notice there are lots of recent postings of chapters in books that are way up there in chapter count, like Ch. 29 or something. Does it really do the author any good to have someone come in and begin reading at that point in the story? Unless the review is grammar, spelling, etc., how helpful can it be to have someone review it who has no idea of what's going on?

Keeping that in mind, is it a waste of time to start back at the beginning of such a project, even if Chapter 1 was originally posted over a year or more ago? It may already have 100+ reviews. Is it helpful to the author to have someone go back and start at the beginning?

I'm wanting to start several projects from the beginning but I don't want to waste my time if doing so isn't going to help or will just be summarily dismissed. So...what's a girl to do?

Thanks!

Quote Post 1

Re: To read or not to read?

I always go back to CH1 if I'm reviewing a new story.
1. Reviews of later chapters can't comment on character building, plot, etc. because they have no idea. I've had reviewers jump in on later chapters, and when they tell me they can't tell the characters apart or they don't understand why a character is acting a certain way, it's usually because they haven't read from the start.
2. I fix my chapters after I receive reviews, so it's always interesting to see what new comments a reviewer can make on the edited posting, even if 20 have already left a review. Sometimes, too, I make mistakes while editing so it's good to have these pointed out.
This is just my way of doing things, but hope it helps!

Quote Post 2

Re: To read or not to read?

I sometimes drop right into the middle of things. What I tend to look for is what I'm reading clear? Does the dialogue sound true? Is the action realistic? And the usual inline stuff we tend to harp on.

I know I won't have the overall gist of things (unless I've been skimming) and that I can't comment on character development or if the plot runs consistent. But I do look for inconsistencies within the part I'm reading, like if a character has a blue hat at the start, is that hat also blue at the end?

So while you're dropping in and are limiting yourself on what you can comment, you can still offer something of value within the submission you're reviewing. Even if it's only to find a typo or two.

Quote Post 3

Re: To read or not to read?

I've had great reviews from people who have started in various places other than the beginning. I have also reviewed in such a manner. That being said, some folks do think you can do no good if you don't start from the beginning. If that is there view, then they should say so up front in the summary which tells what type review they are looking for. Or they might let you know after the first review; if not then they have nothing to complain about.

I'm of the opinion you can give a decent review regardless of where you start, but as previously pointed out by others, you can't comment on things which may have happened earlier in the work such as the oft quoted "character building" -- you can comment on how it is being done at the point you start. It's not like, it was all done in the first chapter; that's a recipe for a failed project. Both the reviewer and author need to use a little common sense about what they give and receive and all will be right with the world -- well maybe not, but it will help. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 4