The addiction of reviews

[primsong]

I like to think I am well-cultured and self-confident enough that I can write purely for my own enjoyment, post simply to share something that might be of interest...not because my ego is shrieking somewhere inside "feed me! feed me!". Ah, strokes. Those darn reviews are worse than caffeine, or carbs, or any other little addiction running around in my life. Nothing else can make me fret and hover and refresh a page like that even though I *know* that only a straggling handful of people in this world are likely to read it, that they are in another time zone and won't get around to it possibly for days, and only a fraction of that tiny group will take the time to type anything up.

What is it about them? I feel like one of the Dwarves when they imagined that gold pile in the mountain and could only think of getting their grimy little paws on a piece of it. It makes for great introspection as to the condition of my self-worth, I will grant it that.

On the good side, it goaded me into finally finishing up the last few chapters of 'Stone of Erebor' and it is good to have it nearly done, removes shadows of guilt I didn't quite realize I had.

*tries to not sit here at LiveJournal, refreshing to see if anyone responds*

Comments

[kimbys-place.livejournal.com]

I don't read or write LOTR anymore, but I still value you as a friend with worthy things to say and to share. ((hugs))

[primsong.livejournal.com]

You are always so sweet! ((((hugs back)))

[hapendfro.livejournal.com]

I am totally addicted to comments in my LJ so I know exactly where you are coming from. I try to stay away and give it time, but I find myself going back again and again to see if any new comments.

One thing I have discovered, at least for me, is that whatever comments or review I am going to receive is usually within the first 12 hours. There are very few comments received after that.

I am also amazed by the fact that someone can write something totally inane like. "I woke up and took a shower" and 30 minutes later there are 20 plus comments. Then someone else can literally pour their souls out and get 2 responses in 12 hours. Go figure!!

[primsong.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that too - but I also realize I have been guilty of contributing to the phenomena myself. It is usually if I am low on time and/or energy and just don't have it in me to give something deep the response it truly deserves, like for like - so rather than leave something brief and shallow after an amazing essay, I leave nothing...and then drop in a simple, no-risk response to the "shower" person because it requires no more than I have.

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

I know of what you speak. I think you have been eavesdropping on my thoughts, lol! I have come a long way from where I was when I first couldn't turn away or sleep until someone commented -- but not quite far enough!

Incidentally, Stone of Erebor is very, very high on my list of tales to read -- and comment on! I've just gotten a bit behind, I'm afraid. :-(

[primsong.livejournal.com]

(((Lin))) - take your time - goodness knows I'm way behind on some of yours and Agape's writing too, and want very much to catch up. It's nice to know others whom I admire have just as much trouble with that little "pet me!" thing that wants to be coddled down in there.

[estellye.livejournal.com]

LOL, I think I have made my stand on comments abundantly clear. I crave them like an addict! I really did start writing only for myself and one friend, but with all the love and energy I pour into my writing, sharing it and knowing it is appreciated keeps me going better than food and water. It is always comforting to know I am not alone.

Since I was planning for my time off and company, I wasn't able to read everything for Mithlond Day, so I was starting to read those things today and saw you had added to "Stone of Erebor." Ever since I realized how much I thrive on reader's comments, I have made the commitment to always comment on what I read, so as soon as I get a chance to read it, you will definitely be hearing from me.

[primsong.livejournal.com]

Isn't it awful? I feel like a druggie. The horrible thing is I so often am selfish with my own time and will enjoy reading something and not take those few extra moments to let the writer know that I appreciated it - even though I *know* what water-on-a-dying-plant it can be to get that little warm fuzzy. *bops self with a rice-filled sock in punishment*

[curuchamion.livejournal.com]

Ack, me too. I keep telling myself "Now I will start to review everything I read", but... I don't. I have friends who didn't even know I was reading their stuff until I recommended it to somebody else!

(And especially when it's really, really good - I just sit gobsmacked for a while and then give up on producing anything that will tell the author nearly how much I liked it. *eyeroll*)

For the record, I think I've read all your Whofic except "Eggs of Destruction", and loved it all; I'm saving EoD for the beginning of June, since there's a Man from UNCLE remix challenge due then and I want something new on hand that I'll be sure I can read. (Gen writer in a slash fandom, gah.)

And on a tangent: thanks for the fave author add on FFnet! :-)

[primsong.livejournal.com]

I admit to deliberately avoiding MFU - not because I don't think it would be awesome (I remember some of it from my younger days) but because I don't think I can handle another obsession that I want to write about just now, hah. It will have its day, no doubt. And you're welcome! I was combing through updating some stuff on ff.net and was surprised to realize I hadn't added you yet, I thought I already had. Good to rectify that.

Gen writer in a slash fandom, gah - I am SOOO with you on that 'gah'! I'm forever picking my way through the minefield of fics where it looks so good and then all at once plunges down into that muck. :-P No use for that imagery or twisting of canon in my head, I really don't see the appeal of it that some seem to have. Anyway...that's a rant for another day. I'm glad to find someone else who I can swap good Gen writer tips with, if you find a good one let me know and I'll do the same for you. ;-)

[curuchamion.livejournal.com]

'I admit to deliberately avoiding MFU'

Hey, I'm not pushing you - I like your Threefic too much! ;-)

(Besides, while the source material is excellent and there are some good genfics, the fan chatter is really wearing me out. You can only bleach your brain so many times... *is tired*)

[samarra.livejournal.com]

Do you post your stories here at all, or just on the LOTR boards?

I don't go over there anymore, but I'd love to read anything you write. :)

*huggles*

[primsong.livejournal.com]

We still miss you there, but I understand what it is like when you only have so much time to spend online, you have to focus somewhere - my tales are there, and at the Scrapbook - some are also at fanfic.net and Stories of Arda (under primsong), along with a small handful of poems. *huggles back*

[bonnie-halfelvn.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about comments. I'm constantly having to refrain from peeking when I post something.

Unfortunately, I don't read much fan fic because I'm involved in three forums, LJ, and five Yahoo groups. The Fellowship of ME is by far the most active of all of them, though.

If I did read it, I would be mostly reading the things on your forum because I know there are some very good writers there (and no slash).

My costuming takes up the rest of my spare time, of which I don't have nearly enough these days.

So my comment is, thank you for heading the Fellowship of ME. I've met several friends there.

[primsong.livejournal.com]

((((bonnie))))) They are a friendly and occasionally gregarious lot, aren't they? :-) I am so with you - I had to finally make the choice to regretfully pare back the number of forums, etc. I was a part of to make FoME my priority - I am only in two others now, and one is a non-fic-writing gardening group. Alas for too few hours in each day.

Love your costuming stuff - thanks again for sharing it with us from time to time. I can't sew to save my life, so I am in awe of folks like you.

[bonnie-halfelvn.livejournal.com]

Well, what you've seen so far was for the most part sewn by someone else. Although I made Galadriel's crown and several accessories for Luminara, I'm very much a beginner at sewing.

I'm trying to do my own sewing on my latest venture. Whether or not that will happen depends on how far I get with the limited time I have. Since I'm a newbie, I'm extremely careful and it takes me much longer to do anything. But Bella has fewer accessories, so the dress and corset are the majority of the costume.

[maidoforange.livejournal.com]

Heh! I know EXACTLY how you feel. Congrats on finishing the story, ((((Prim)))). I know you are a fantastic writer and need to try and find time to read that one.

[primsong.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear ((((caitlin))))) - I looked back at the start of it and was astonished to find I'd been writing the blamed thing for over a year and a half. 0.o

Only half a chapter left to iron out, and then the four final chapters to publish for reading. Whew.
Someone stop me before I take on a long tale again anytime soon!

Feed me, Seymour!

[lothithil.livejournal.com]

I'm not half the comment-junkie I used to be (thank god!) but I still get a undeniable thrill whenever anyone responds positively to anything I've written. I'm afraid that I make quite a fool out of myself, but hey... there aren't any Real people around watching, so nobody knows but me and the cats!

One must write for her own pleasure or go nuts. I know... I've been there!