Reader's comments

[JayT]

Would you rather a reader let you know that a story you are writing isn't going the way they like and will no longer be reading the story or not say anything at all. 

Personally, I would rather them not say anything. If they don't like the way my vision is going, don't continue to read it. But don't insult my vision by commenting that the story isn't going a way you like and they just wanted to let me know they would no longer be reading it. They can send me a personal message letting me know, but they don't need to let everyone know they won't be reading more. 

Sorry I'm ranting, but I noticed some comments on a friend's story stating that the way the story is going isn't their cup of tea and they will no longer be reading the story. That's insulting my friend's hard work and vision in front of everyone. And to what end? Why would you post in a comment that you won't be reading anymore. Just stop reading the story if you don't like it.. If you don't like a certain part of the story, leave a comment and let the author know hey I didn't like blah blah blah and leave it at that. Everyone doesn't need to know if you're not going to continue reading.. 

[JayT]

Now, let me add something real fast. It's okay to leave a review of the completed story saying that it wasn't your thing or whatever. Just make sure that it's left as a review of the completed story. And give valid reasons as to why you didn't like it. Don't comment 39 chapters in that you're not going to continue reading 

[FormerMember4]

I could probably tell you who wrote it. There’s at least 8 authors I can recall this person saying same thing. Opinionated, narrow-minded soapbox preacher.

Just stop reading and move on. It’s not your story to tell.

Edited January 22, 2018 by BlindAmbition

[JayT]

2 minutes ago, BlindAmbition said:

I could probably tell you who wrote it. There’s at least 8 authors I can recall this person saying same thing. Opinionated, narrow-minded soapbox preacher.

Actually I didn't really recognize the name of the reader...but they said the story was going down the drain and was not their cup of tea and they couldn't read anymore. That's insulting and rude. To say any author's work is going down the drain in a public place where anyone can see before the story is complete is like saying hey your ideas and thoughts suck. .This person did not need to say that in a chapter comment. 

Oh yeah BTW jp....love you bub

[Mikiesboy]

32 minutes ago, JayT said:

Would you rather a reader let you know that a story you are writing isn't going the way they like and will no longer be reading the story or not say anything at all. 

Personally, I would rather them not say anything. If they don't like the way my vision is going, don't continue to read it. But don't insult my vision by commenting that the story isn't going a way you like and they just wanted to let me know they would no longer be reading it. They can send me a personal message letting me know, but they don't need to let everyone know they won't be reading more. 

Sorry I'm ranting, but I noticed some comments on a friend's story stating that the way the story is going isn't their cup of tea and they will no longer be reading the story. That's insulting my friend's hard work and vision in front of everyone. And to what end? Why would you post in a comment that you won't be reading anymore. Just stop reading the story if you don't like it.. If you don't like a certain part of the story, leave a comment and let the author know hey I didn't like blah blah blah and leave it at that. Everyone doesn't need to know if you're not going to continue reading.. 

I've had people hate characters, not like endings ... whatever. I can't and don't try to please everyone. I write my characters and my story.

 

If people want to say that in public ... if it's helping their ego to run down an author...well it's gonna happen. Sure it would be nicer if they just wandered away but that's not how a lot of people operate. You need a backbone and thick skin to write and post in public.

 

I've had people PM me to tell me that they can't read on.. and their reasons.. those are nicer.  These people I dont worry about. I am not changing what i've written to please one or two. You need to write your story for your reasons.  Don't let one or two comments like that get you down!!

 

You can ask that the comment be removed too, i believe.

Edited January 22, 2018 by Mikiesboy

[JayT]

1 minute ago, Mikiesboy said:

I've had people hate characters, not like endings ... whatever. I can't and don't try to please everyone. I write my characters and my story.

 

If people want to say that in public ... if it's helping their ego to run down an author...well it's gonna happen. Sure it would be nicer if they just wandered away but that's not how a lot of people operate. You need a backbone and thick skin to write and post in public.

 

I've had people PM me to tell me that they can't read on.. and their reasons.. those are nicer.  These people I dont worry about. I am not changing what i've written to please one or two. You need to write your story for your reasons.  Don't let one or two comments like that get you down!!

Thank you bub....That's what I was trying to say the whole time but I'm seeing red right now because you know how defensive I can get of friends 

[Brayon]

47 minutes ago, JayT said:

Sorry I'm ranting, but I noticed some comments on a friend's story stating that the way the story is going isn't their cup of tea and they will no longer be reading the story. That's insulting my friend's hard work and vision in front of everyone. And to what end? Why would you post in a comment that you won't be reading anymore.

Depending on who the Author/Reader is, they might be trying to signal their friends to do the same. A form of blackballing.

 

Also, had someone post a comment, in my Aeris - Guardian Force story that they were getting off the bus because,  paraphrasing, "I mixed magic with technology." I kindly thanked him for reading and reminded him the next story he wanted to read, that "the bus" had a "route map" at the beginning of the story, in which he could tell where it would go.

Edited January 22, 2018 by BHopper2
Ugh... I need an editor in real life.

[Mikiesboy]

Just now, JayT said:

Thank you bub....That's what I was trying to say the whole time but I'm seeing red right now because you know how defensive I can get of friends 

i know JayT ... don't let em get you down!!  or your friend either.. but i get the need to get it out, too!

[Mikiesboy]

Just now, BHopper2 said:

Depending on who the Author is, they might be trying to single their friends to do the same. A form of blackballing.

 

Also, had someone post a comment, in my Aeris - Guardian Force story that they were getting off the bus because,  paraphrasing, "I mixed magic with technology." I kindly thanked him for reading and reminded him the next story he wanted to read, that "the bus" had a "route map" at the beginning of the story, in which he could tell where it would go.

wow mixing magic with tech.. how could you????   and my opinion.. Why wouldn't you??  Write bravely.. write YOUR story!! 

[FormerMember4]

3 minutes ago, JayT said:

Actually I didn't really recognize the name of the reader...but they said the story was going down the drain and was not their cup of tea and they couldn't read anymore. That's insulting and rude. To say any author's work is going down the drain in a public place where anyone can see before the story is complete is like saying hey your ideas and thoughts suck. .This person did not need to say that in a chapter comment. 

Oh yeah BTW jp....love you bub

It’s more annoying that this person isn’t even an author. The blood, sweat, and tears put into writing. It’s free to the reader. Something for them to remember.

I love you too buddy! 💋 

[JayT]

Just now, BHopper2 said:

Depending on who the Author is, they might be trying to single their friends to do the same. A form of blackballing.

 

Also, had someone post a comment, in my Aeris - Guardian Force story that they were getting off the bus because,  paraphrasing, "I mixed magic with technology." I kindly thanked him for reading and reminded him the next story he wanted to read, that "the bus" had a "route map" at the beginning of the story, in which he could tell where it would go.

The author I'm referring to is talented, he has some grammatical errors in his stories and I was editing for him for a while. I'm no longer editing because he is actually doing better. We still brainstorm all the time via text about his storylines... And if they read other of his stories, they would see he isn't a rainbows and unicorns guy. He isn't afraid to kill off a main character. He writes the words, the story goes where it wants. I'm the same way in my writing. The idea is mine, the words are mine, but the story writes itself, I simply transpose it to written word. 

[JayT]

6 minutes ago, BHopper2 said:

I mixed magic with technology.

was it a story about Atlantis??? 

[Brayon]

Just now, JayT said:

was it a story about Atlantis??? 

Science Fantasy story about Humans venturing into space, and running into another race that uses Magitech. It's one of my Ongoing projects, but I have a lot invested in it. Kinda-sorta stopped posting because of lack of interest from Readers. It's SciFi...

[Mikiesboy]

1 minute ago, BHopper2 said:

Science Fantasy story about Humans venturing into space, and running into another race that uses Magitech. It's one of my Ongoing projects, but I have a lot invested in it. Kinda-sorta stopped posting because of lack of interest from Readers. It's SciFi...

is it finished? ..

[JayT]

1 minute ago, BHopper2 said:

Science Fantasy story about Humans venturing into space, and running into another race that uses Magitech. It's one of my Ongoing projects, but I have a lot invested in it. Kinda-sorta stopped posting because of lack of interest from Readers. It's SciFi...

Oh I'm so mad at you now.....that was a joke kinda cuz Atlantis was supposedly destroyed for mixing tech and magic...remember I was supposed to be the first to read a sexy scene between 2 certain characters???

[Brayon]

Just now, Mikiesboy said:

is it finished? ..

Nowhere near finished, and it has two spin-off single chapter stories as part of a series. I've worked on the next chapter, some, but I've been focusing on another project that has more active readership.

 

1 minute ago, JayT said:

Oh I'm so mad at you now.....that was a joke kinda cuz Atlantis was supposedly destroyed for mixing tech and magic...remember I was supposed to be the first to read a sexy scene between 2 certain characters???

I remember,  and that scene is partially done. Well, actually there's two versions of the said scene. One that I can post directly on Nifty, as it's more straight-up porn and the other is more written for an on-going story. Both versions are not 100% yet.

[Myr]

Please drop me a pm on the who. 

[JayT]

3 minutes ago, Myr said:

Please drop me a pm on the who. 

sent....thanks 

[Comicality]

 

I will start off by saying that criticism can be harsh sometimes...but nothing is worse than silence. To really pour your heart into something and come back looking for comments, even the nasty ones, and getting nothing? It can be downright heartbreaking at times. However, that doesn't free the readers from using a sense of tact and grace when commenting on somebody's story. They don't know how much heart and emotion goes into entertaining them for just 15 minutes worth of their time online. There should be a certain level of respect involved when it comes to giving your thoughts on someone's art. But they don't always do that because...'the internet'.

 

I think there's a scale that you have to imagine in your head when it comes to stuff like this. On one end, you've got the story that the author wants to tell, and on the other side, you've got the story that readers want to read. The idea is to recognize this kind of criticism for what it is, and make sure that the goal is to somehow have some kind of middle ground where you meet each other half way. That doesn't always work, as some people get all wrapped up in a story and throw tantrums when they can't control the outcome. But...if they wanted total control, they have a keyboard and a computer screen just like we do. Go write your own story and make it just the way you want. Hehehe, and then get all hurt and offended when other people think they can do it better. I always invite folks to write their own stories. Sometimes they have good ideas. But I'm not the one to write it. That's their story to tell. If they don't want to put in the hard work to write the 'great novel of the 21st century', then they have nothing to complain about. Period.

 

Now, I welcome 'constructive' criticism at all times. If there's something that is inconsistent, or something that people don't understand while reading, etc...I definitely want to hear it and make the best story that I can possibly can. But if it's just somebody saying, "If it was ME...then the story would go this way instead!" Well, there's an easy way to solve that. Go write it. Why waste time trying to hijack MY story when you could be writing the perfect tale of love and romance all on your own and take the credit for it? I mean, am I crazy?

 

How do you guys think *I* started? I wanted a story told 'my' way, so I wrote one. And I'm still writing them. Harsh comments and all. Sometimes you've got to have the strength to follow your vision the way you saw it from the very beginning. And if someone stops reading, two more readers will take his place within a week. Tell your friend to stay true to his message and keep an eye out for when people are frustrated because of their own selfish reasons, and when they're frustrated because there's actually a problem in the writing itself. You'd be surprised how many times it's the former.

 

By the way, a comforting note for all of us writers...

 

When someone 'publicly' says that they're going to stop reading? They almost NEVER stop reading. LOL! You know how we authors post a story and keep coming back to see what impact it had on our audience? Well, the biggest, most overly dramatic, complainers do the same thing when they bash our work. This person went out of their way to make a statement in an attempt to 'guide' your genius in a certain direction that appeals to them specifically. That's not your job as an author. You tell YOUR story, YOUR way. If they accept it, great. If not, great. You're not writing for them. You're 'sharing' you expression. They may complain, but they're fans regardless. So take comfort in that. K? ((Hugz))  

 

[Myr]

19 minutes ago, Comicality said:

You tell YOUR story, YOUR way. If they accept it, great. If not, great. You're not writing for them. You're 'sharing' you expression. They may complain, but they're fans regardless. So take comfort in that. K?

Yup!

[mogwhy]

there are authors on this site that everyone says their stories are the cat's meow and everyone needs to read them. the comments just gush, to the point of orgasms sometimes. these stories/authors seem to get lots of recognition, whereas other authors, who i find more enjoyable  are not as well received. i can't read any of their stories--they seem all the same story just different names.  i've never felt the need to tell the author that in public. i have done it once, in a PM. if i feel a strong need to comment/review on a story and it is a criticism, i try to find something good to say to. now a days, i'm finding i harder and harder to comment on things because i'm getting slammed when i do.

 

to me it boils down to; is what i'm saying, good/bad helpful or hurtful? 

[FormerMember4]

15 minutes ago, mogwhy said:

there are authors on this site that everyone says their stories are the cat's meow and everyone needs to read them. the comments just gush, to the point of orgasms sometimes. these stories/authors seem to get lots of recognition, whereas other authors, who i find more enjoyable  are not as well received. i can't read any of their stories--they seem all the same story just different names.  i've never felt the need to tell the author that in public. i have done it once, in a PM. if i feel a strong need to comment/review on a story and it is a criticism, i try to find something good to say to. now a days, i'm finding i harder and harder to comment on things because i'm getting slammed when i do.

 

to me it boils down to; is what i'm saying, good/bad helpful or hurtful? 

I think all authors should have the courtesy of getting a comment. So they can grow, and be recognized for their work. Some people play favorites, there’s no doubt. However, that’s a human trait. That’s a psychology issue, not GA. If you think an author deserves more recognition... shout-out in a status update.

You have the right to comment. Just like everyone else. Sometimes people will criticize, but it’s your right. Now I try to give constructive criticism. You don’t want to accept it. Your issue, not mine. C’est la vie!

[Defiance19]

4 hours ago, mogwhy said:

there are authors on this site that everyone says their stories are the cat's meow and everyone needs to read them. the comments just gush, to the point of orgasms sometimes. these stories/authors seem to get lots of recognition, whereas other authors, who i find more enjoyable  are not as well received. i can't read any of their stories--they seem all the same story just different names.  i've never felt the need to tell the author that in public. i have done it once, in a PM. if i feel a strong need to comment/review on a story and it is a criticism, i try to find something good to say to. now a days, i'm finding i harder and harder to comment on things because i'm getting slammed when i do.

 

to me it boils down to; is what i'm saying, good/bad helpful or hurtful? 

Idea? Do a story review for the author you like. That might give them more recognition they might not have otherwise received. Also, I used to send Dark, now Carlos, questions for the Ask an Author, specifically for authors I enjoy but who slip under the radar. 

[mogwhy]

2 minutes ago, Defiance19 said:

Idea? Do a story review for the author you like. That might give them more recognition they might not have otherwise received. Also, I used to send Dark, now Carlos, questions for the Ask an Author, specifically for authors I enjoy but who slip under the radar. 

those are the only authors i do reviews for, the ones  i like. to the point of rereading old stories i liked to review them.  same with comments. if i don't like the story, i just stop reading. for awhile i was trying to write a story review a day, and a comment on every chapter i read. i'm not doing that much anymore

[Parker Owens]

I enjoy getting comments, even the unfavorable ones. I have had a number of readers tell me that what I wrote wasn’t what they’d hoped for. They stopped reading - or at least they stopped reacting. 

 

From some of these, I learned to structure my chapters better. From others, I learned to appreciate a sense of timing or thinking attuned differently to my own. And from still others, I learned to shrug and move on. The few PM’s I’ve received were generally constructive, and tactfully worded. 

 

But like @Mikiesboy, I didn’t change the story I’d written. 

 

If someone takes time to read my writing and more time to write a reaction, I am doubly glad.