@Joker_hyphen Precisely! I try to encourage my readers to comment and it's fantastic when they do ^^

@ErrorMirage Yeah talking with readers is fulfilling and, at the same time, if you need a tip on something you're struck on, their comments can even give you something to start working on! And debates on what they liked and disliked or their insight in general are always interesting!

@Korekrypta I see a lot of posts mentioning readability. Reocurring and definitely true, I think most of us can agree that a rereadable story deserves an upvote ^^

If it's so good I'd buy it if it were on the shelves, or if I'd reread it multiple times.

@ErrorMirage :)

@reddoll123 I agree with you, definitely ^^ it's so important that the right emotions are conveyed

For me, I'd say I upvote stories when they make me feel the emotions I think the authors wanted me and other readers to feel. Sad during angsty moments, overjoyed during fluff, shocked (in a good way) from plot twists, whatever. That's the first thing for me--if I actually felt something other than bored aha.

But then, the second thing would be if I didn't want to click away while reading said story and if I got/get excited every time I saw/see a story get updated. Of course, no story's perfect, but like the people below me have said, if I could find myself re-reading chapters or the whole story again then I'd say the story definitely deserves an upvote ^^.

@Joker_hyphen true, though I love communicating with my readers as well ^^

@ErrorMirage Exactly! I think comments encourage writers too, but upvotes have that something more special that's like telling the writers that they're special in our eyes. You're right, aff had a really good idea in putting this feature

@hocotate Similar to memorable fics being able to reread is also awesome as you (hopefully) uncover and notice more hints and little secrets. Great points!

Basically, it all comes down to whether or not I think I will wanna read it again. If it's good enough for me reread, then it deserves my upvote. This means that it has to be at least relatively well written (grammar/spelling mistakes don't matter that much as long as they are few enough to get lost in the flow), and most importantly that the plot is touching to a degree where I think about it even after completing the story/the last published chapter. My upvote-section is a place where I keep the most precious fics gathered :)

@Namlunasoo Characters are such a key to a good book. To me, if I like the character enough just reading about them doing the most mundane task doesn't even get boring lmao

@occult To create a memorable story is such an important skill an author must have to really keep audience reading their works. For me, I'd hate to put out generic work that just kind of blends in with all the others though I suppose it's also hard to achieve that memorable story as an author. I'm not sure if I'm doing it hahaha. Fantastic point though, I agree with you ^^

@Joker_hyphen I agree with you, upvoting is also a way of conveying the quality of the fic! It's a great system that aff has and can be used in so many different ways but will always do one thing atleast and that's encourage the author.

@ScarletArrow I love that you're not a silent reader (altho they're cute also don't get me wrong). It's nice when authors show that they're loving what they're doing and appreciate their audience by taking the time to interact! Good point!

@animealexa That's okay! It's also a good thing for authors to not always receive a lot of upvotes as it encourages to wrote better ^^

@ChiShika Usage of language is such an important thing and a skill that comes with lots of practice (or natural talent if theyre gifted lmao), definitely agree with you on that. I'll give those fics a try! Thank you for the recs ^^

the story has to be well written with few grammar mistakes, and the plot/characters have to touch me in some way.

i only upvote completed story that gives a very good impression to me. my standard of a good impression is: i remember the title, remember the storyline, satisfied with the development and have my own theories revolving why the story goes that way.

Same, I usually tend to wait until it's completed to upvote (only if I loved the story), but if I'm already swept off my feet by whatever between the writing style, narration plot and/or character development when the story is ongoing I will certainly upvote before. I think that that's because I know I'm so much in love with the story that I don't need to wait the end to know how much I really enjoyed it. I guess I'm maybe pretty strict about it, but it's my way to convey to the author how much he/she stands out and how much I'm impressed by the work. It's also an encouragement, just like you said.

If the story completely knocked me off my feet or if I really like the story and when I comment it's obvious the author wants to interact with the reader. If I feel like I know the author of a story by interacting with them through comments I am very likely to upvote.

I usually upvote when a story has good plot or character development and when it's completed. Sometimes I'll upvote if I like the writing style or descriptions. I'm just a bit stingy with my upvotes \._./

tbvh, for me, its the quality and the communication of english because some authors just have a way to use the language so intricately, packed with creative references and the perfect inputs for every characters' dialogue and every scene that really sell it to me. i can easily like a story that has clearly communicated and imaginative language. an example is 'running with the wolves' and its sequel by taelighted, or even 'taming of the 22nd floor screwball' by lilyemc or 'war & peace & burgers' by fs1919. another thing that is the immediate upvote from me is a story that makes me think but like REALLY think about it, whether it is to solve something in the fic but particularly if the ideas that the author introduced are unique, foreign and just super interesting and reflective. it will haunt me and remain in my mind for agesss lol i love those type of stories, like a perfect example fic would be 'chasing rainbows' by loviet or 'the definition of jungkook' by mistressdean or 'the eventual heat death of the universe, or: how not to be a loser 101' by peacockgege (honestly one of the most underrated fics ever).

@xAoneko Also understandable as you can only upvotes once per story so it feels like giving out a personal award i suppose ^^

If the story totally engrossed me, and I can't put it down, I usually upvote. I have high expectations for stories though, so I am a little stingy with my votes ^^

@ErrorMirage Yeah, I felt that on my own skin. That first upvote really serves as a wind in the back :)