Retiring from Reviewing

Greetings friends,

I believe it is time to take a bow and officially retire from reviewing on FIMFiction. I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I reflect on the countless stories I've had the pleasure of reading. I am extremely honoured to have been a part of reviewing on FIMFiction and to meet so many friends. Unfortunately, there comes a time when we must embrace new chapters in our lives. I would like to take this time to reflect a little on why the dynamics in reviewing have changed. For that, we have to look back to then and now.

Two years ago, reviewing was in trend. There was a constant influx of new reviewers who decided to try their hoof at reviewing. Although I’m certain that many of them wanted to help authors improve, I believe that most also reviewed to sustain the community they were a part of. Every review brought a new discussion point to the table, creating vibrancy in reviewing groups on Discord. Most importantly, when new reviews are published, other reviewers feel honour-bound to contribute to their monthly workload as well. With more reviews, there were more comments in stories that redirected members outside the reviewing sphere into these communities, reinforcing their growth once again. Now, on the contrary, many reviewers are faced with new chapters in their lives (myself included), and thus struggle to find the time to do so. After all, reviewing doesn’t give the reviewer likes, favourites, comments or followers on their profile.

Why write a review that only the author and a few people within the reviewing community would see when you could write a story that FIMFiction could marvel at? Besides, many reviewers are very, very competent writers (well, perhaps except me). It is unfortunate that reviews have a limited audience in FIMFiction.

But that is just one aspect of things. The reason why ponies ask for reviews have changed over the years. In the past, reviews were requested so that the author could improve their writing, and they didn’t mind waiting for them. Longer reviews were often the norm to help guide the author. Now, speed is of the essence; authors would rather have shorter reviews that they can receive in a much shorter period of time. Perhaps increasingly today, authors seek reviews for the rating itself, or for a definite, albeit short, comment on their story to improve.

Today, I am astonished to find that I have reviewed a total of 70 stories, with a total word count of approximately 1,600,000 words in the past two and a half years. Although I am saddened by the state of reviewing at present, I am so thankful for our time together and the countless memories we have shared. Our friendship is the reason why the Cove has been an amazing community for all of us to enjoy and have fun together. I hope that, despite my desire to step down from reviewing, we would remain a vibrant community in the Cove on Discord as a close knit circle of friends.

But I do have plans to transform the Cove into something more viable for FIMFiction, so stay tuned!

Thank you!

bows

Stinium

Comments

[Azure Drache]

Now, speed is of the essence; authors would rather have shorter reviews that they can receive in a much shorter period of time. Perhaps increasingly today, authors seek reviews for the rating itself, or for a definite, albeit short, comment on their story to improve.

True words, cheers!

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