Hehe ... maybe but hopefully if people have concerns they'll know how to broach the subject properly. 

Hehe ... maybe but hopefully if people have concerns they'll know how to broach the subject properly. 

True! I tend to assume that people default to polite, but I guess that's not always a reasonable assumption to make. 

Okay, so I guess I will have to go back and read this again, because I read chapter one and dropped it... uh, sorry, but I never got attached to the characters or the porn industry story... don't know why... which isn't fair to you.

So I'll read it again. I'll just say though, that probably lots of stories, including my own, lose readers at the first chapter. I don't think that is any reflection on quality of the writing - or if it is, my own stuff must be shit - looking at the viewing numbers!

Okay, so I guess I will have to go back and read this again, because I read chapter one and dropped it... uh, sorry, but I never got attached to the characters or the porn industry story... don't know why... which isn't fair to you. So I'll read it again. I'll just say though, that probably lots of stories, including my own, lose readers at the first chapter. I don't think that is any reflection on quality of the writing - or if it is, my own stuff must be shit - looking at the viewing numbers!

I think there's a difference between not connecting with a story (which is completely understandable, there are plenty of stories I don't connect with) and having constructive feedback. I'm just saying that I appreciate constructive feedback just as much as I appreciate the positive feedback. If a story just doesn't speak to you, that's completely fine!  

I'm five chapters in - these are my thoughts. I can't fault the writing, it's well written, polished, you won't easily find a mistake. The story is easy to read - the sex is great! If I were to draw an analogy with relationships; the story reminds me of the kind of relationship where you like each other and you both enjoy the sex, but there's not much more to it than that. Perhaps I'm being a little unfair, because I can see that Ryan has stuff he needs to work through and he's got feelings for Erik. But, five chapters and we know nothing much about Ryan or Erik and of the few other characters we know their names and what they do, that's it. This probably sounds far too critical, it's not meant to be. It's just my observations. I like the story a lot, nothing of what I've said would stop me reading it. If you had never started this blog, I probably would not have read it - but I discussed that previously. It would have been my loss, because it really is a good story. I purposely have not read any comments by other readers, but I'll take a look now. Anyway, good story, and I'm now looking forward to find out what happens.

But, five chapters and we know nothing much about Ryan or Erik and of the few other characters we know their names and what they do, that's it. 

Interesting point. I'll have to go back and reassess that. Thanks!

The notes at the chapter start I don't think are necessary. When the chapter became Erik's POV it was easy to realise. I'm not really sure why authors use this notes technique.

I'm reluctant to make unfavourable comments, partly in case it discourages the writer from continuing but mainly because it seems ungrateful when someone has given us a story free.

However I can see that constructive comments may help a writer.

It's a really difficult balance for me as reader, because it's easy to sound harsh or nasty, rather than constructive, if something annoys you. So I try to curb my itching fingers as much as possible.

If I know the author a little, I tend to send a PM if I have a critical comment or editing matters. As a few people here know the M word will result in a PM from me denouncing the use.

I think it's also important to remember that sometimes a reader (me ) ranting over a character doesn't mean you have to change anything. It simply means you hit a sore spot or did well in making the situation realistic, something we could relate to.