Do you 'Accept Anonymous Feedback' on your stories?

[Areala-chan]

I wouldn't have 80% of the comments on my stories that I've received without allowing anonymous remarks. The whole time I've been here, I think I've deleted a total of three: one was an accidental double-comment from someone, one was a personal attack with no bearing on the story, and one that was half a dozen letters of complete gibberish. I'm perfectly fine with people pointing out things critical to my writing or my execution, where I've made mistakes, and so forth. Let someone else learn from the errors I've made. Occasionally commenters generate further comments from people who agree or disagree with them, and I see no reason to lose out on that discussion.

 

[DeMont]

Every since I've been getting hit with 'Please no Gay Stuff.' in my ongoing Femdom story(That's definitely going to have beta on alpha gay stuff) I've been considering turning off anonymous feedback.

About 4 out of every 5 comments I get are anonymous, so it would drastically cut down the number of comments I get. But I suspect a lot of those comments that are making requests and trying to steer the story into a different direction are coming from the same person anyways. So it would be interesting to see if they stop commenting once they can't be anonymous, or if they continue marching forward with their 'No Gay' campaign.

I'm fairly sure I'm going to turn off anonymous feedback before I drop part 8, but I wanted to hear how other people felt about turning it off before I actually do it.

Did you turn of Anonymous Feedback? Or do you allow it?

And Why'd you go with whichever option you chose?

@OddLove,
Good evening,
This very same question has occurred to me, "What should I do with 'anonymous' feedback. I've also asked myself why is 'anonymous' feedback allowed anyway?
I have lived my life owning every word I say to every person I say it to. I habitually keep my mouth shut if I have nothing positive to say unless I have some alternative, constructive, advice to offer so to me the whole idea of saying something 'anonymously' is as foreign to me as Martian surface soil.

I have received some positive comments, so far, on the four pieces I have submitted and I always make sure to thank those readers for their words.
I have received some negative (anonymously) comments. I wish the 'Anons' would make themselves known, even if through private message so that we can constructively discuss their opinion. I don't get all 'butt-hurt' by people's opinions unless they are truly determined to be completely offensive and derogatory (and even then I wouldn't waste my time or energy) That's what the block button is for I think

To put it simply, it is my opinion that anonymous criticism without constructive feedback is pointless and of no value at all.
Respectfully,
D.

 

[ElectricBlue]

To put it simply, it is my opinion that anonymous criticism without constructive feedback is pointless and of no value at all.

What's the difference between anon and an account name? None whatsoever, you don't know either from a bar of soap. I don't get this notion that "no name" being put to a comment makes it worthless. Surely the comment stands on it's own, for what it says, not the moniker it's come from?

Account name comments can be just as much crap as the worst anon, and the response there is simple, if the comment offends you, delete it.

Some of the most intelligent comments I've received are anonymous. Just because they haven't signed up to Lit with an account, doesn't make their views worthless.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

No one ever dismisses positive anonymous comments, only negative ones, so this whole notion of anonymous comments being worthless is bullshit.

 

[iwatchus]

I was about to say the same thing as PSG did.

In the last few days, I have received some wonderful comments from from our favorite A-

The comment that left me shaking my head was from a named account. As @ElectricBlue points out I have no more idea who they are. The people who are active on the forum I generally know where they are coming from. And I have gotten a couple head shaking comments from you all as well. Not many, but a couple. I guess I can send a note to the named account if I choose to engage.

 

[Voboy]

What's the difference between anon and an account name? None whatsoever, you don't know either from a bar of soap.

Occasionally, I've toyed with the idea of making an alt whose actual name is Anonymous, simply to leave comments. Thus illustrating what you're saying: that almost literally every account on Lit is, in a very real way, anonymous.

Though I suspect that when people like @DeMont are inveighing against anonymous accounts, they don't mean "people who I don't know the name of." They more likely mean "people I cannot reach back out to if I want to challenge their comments."

 

[OddLove]

What's the difference between anon and an account name? None whatsoever, you don't know either from a bar of soap. I don't get this notion that "no name" being put to a comment makes it worthless. Surely the comment stands on it's own, for what it says, not the moniker it's come from?

Account name comments can be just as much crap as the worst anon, and the response there is simple, if the comment offends you, delete it.

Some of the most intelligent comments I've received are anonymous. Just because they haven't signed up to Lit with an account, doesn't make their views worthless.

I turned anonymous feedback off last week and immediately saw a difference. I stopped receiving off point homophobic requests to eliminate gay/bi stuff. And the feedback I have received since has been valuable for a variety of reasons.

So it works amazing for me. And if anyone else is receiving a lot of worthless negativity about relating to not the story, but sexuality or kink preferences, such as 'stop doing gay stuff" requesting, I think turning off anonymous comments could work them too.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

I turned anonymous feedback off last week and immediately saw a difference. I stopped receiving off point homophobic requests to eliminate gay/bi stuff. And the feedback I have received since has been valuable for a variety of reasons.

So it works amazing for me. And if anyone else is receiving a lot of worthless negativity about relating to not the story, but sexuality or kink preferences, such as 'stop doing gay stuff" requesting, I think turning off anonymous comments could work them too.

Negative crap is easy to avoid. Just ignore it. If you turn off anonymous feedback just to avoid something that you can already easily avoid, you are missing out on other valuable feedback.

A much more sensible solution would be to allow all feedback and just delete the ones that offend you. Remember, it is still entirely possible for someone to write a comment that you don't like under their own account name.

 

[iwatchus]

I think it is easier for those of us who write in “safe” categories and themes. Outside of my one LW story, I get only a few nasty comments, mostly misogynists complaining that I am too nice to the women or they are too empowered. Those are overwhelmingly named accounts.

 

[UnexpectedLuggage]

I've left all comments on.

It's nice to be able to get feedback from readers, maybe realize something I missed and just see how my stories connect with people.

That said, it can be frustrating when people leave anonymous comments trying to tell you what your story should be about (even if not in a direct, or aggressive, manner). Sort of the epitome of "nut up or shut up" for me. And I've gotten one long, rambling, comment that was a total waste of time both for the commenter and me.

If I was getting harassed or stalked or something then, yeah, I'm likely then off anonymous comments at the very least.

 

[AG31]

They more likely mean "people I cannot reach back out to if I want to challenge their comments."

Well, I guess this does have some validity, for people who are in the habit of interacting with commenters.

 

[OddLove]

I've left all comments on.

It's nice to be able to get feedback from readers, maybe realize something I missed and just see how my stories connect with people.

That said, it can be frustrating when people leave anonymous comments trying to tell you what your story should be about (even if not in a direct, or aggressive, manner). Sort of the epitome of "nut up or shut up" for me. And I've gotten one long, rambling, comment that was a total waste of time both for the commenter and me.

If I was getting harassed or stalked or something then, yeah, I'm likely then off anonymous comments at the very least.

I hate to use the 'harassment' label cause it's not that serious compared to real victims of harassment. But based off the bad grammar patterns and misspelling of specific words, all the 'stop it' and 'change that' demands were mostly likely coming from one individual.

So I might take Pinks advice and leave anonymous feedback on for the next few episodes of the story, then simply delete the spammers comments manually so people without Lit accounts have the opportunity to share opinions and feedback.

Worse case scenario. I continued getting spammed and I just delete them. Only takes a few seconds.

 

[UnexpectedLuggage]

I hate to use the 'harassment' label cause it's not that serious compared to real victims of harassment. But based off the bad grammar patterns and misspelling of specific words, all the 'stop it' and 'change that' demands were mostly likely coming from one individual.

So I might take Pinks advice and leave anonymous feedback on for the next few episodes of the story, then simply delete the spammers comments manually so people without Lit accounts have the opportunity to share opinions and feedback.

Worse case scenario. I continued getting spammed and I just delete them. Only takes a few seconds.

Yeah, harassment might be a strong word, but it does convey the point well. Someone just going to all of your works and being an asshole for no real good reason, trolling, constantly demanding you change things to fit their personal preferences.

I guess I just don't get the thought process. It seems like a total waste of energy to me, if I dislike a story I'll usually just go "not for me" and move on.

 

[DeMont]

No one ever dismisses positive anonymous comments, only negative ones, so this whole notion of anonymous comments being worthless is bullshit.

@ElectricBlue and @pink_silk_glove,
If you were responding to what I wrote I do apologise, I don't think I made my point as clear as I meant it to be. When I wrote that I did say;
"it is my opinion that anonymous criticism without constructive feedback is pointless and of no value at all."
Yes, you are absolutely right, positive anonymous feedback is valuable and gives us insight into our work but simple wholly negative feedback without some constructive element to it is simply a waste of time imho. Turning off "Anonymous" feedback, however, could well result in an author missing out on some very important/useful advice. It is, I think, for each to decide what they will accept in order to gain the "useful and positive" nuggets that may come along.
Respectfully,
D.

 

[SimonDoom]

@ElectricBlue and @pink_silk_glove,
If you were responding to what I wrote I do apologise, I don't think I made my point as clear as I meant it to be. When I wrote that I did say;
"it is my opinion that anonymous criticism without constructive feedback is pointless and of no value at all."
Yes, you are absolutely right, positive anonymous feedback is valuable and gives us insight into our work but simple wholly negative feedback without some constructive element to it is simply a waste of time imho. Turning off "Anonymous" feedback, however, could well result in an author missing out on some very important/useful advice. It is, I think, for each to decide what they will accept in order to gain the "useful and positive" nuggets that may come along.
Respectfully,
D.

I agree with this but I would add, "Non-anonymous criticism without constructive feedback also is pointless and has no value at all."

To me, there's no difference.

I leave up all the crap, anonymous or not, because I don't care that much, but also because I've received some criticism that's so bad it's funny. It even inspired my story A Story And Its Readers, which is meant to be a humorous spoof of a Loving Wives story followed by absurd comments.

 

[bisissyhusband1]

I don’t see the point of writing here and not accepting feedback, anonymous or otherwise.
If feedback is looking for more info, I’ll message them in Forum if they are also registered there.

 

[MillieDynamite]

What a novel idea, allowing comments.

I don’t see the point of writing here and not accepting feedback, anonymous or otherwise.
If feedback is looking for more info, I’ll message them in Forum if they are also registered there.

 

[DeMont]

I don’t see the point of writing here and not accepting feedback, anonymous or otherwise.
If feedback is looking for more info, I’ll message them in Forum if they are also registered there.

@bisissyhusband1
If by your definition of "feedback" you are referring to "useful and helpful comments" I agree. Accepting positive feedback is one thing but having to deal with the "haters" who simply want to abuse your writing and call you names is entirely different. The "Anonymous" feedback, to my mind is merely a screen for said "Haters" to hide behind while they attack. NOT useful by any measure.

That's not to say I don't accept "negative feedback" or "criticism" as long as there is some rationale behind the commentators point of view. In my opinion the only thing wholly negative, with no reasoning, "Anonymous" feedback is good for is for preventing "cat fights" breaking out in the forums.
Respectfully,
D.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

If you disallow anonymous comments you will certainly cut down much of your negative feedback and trolling. However you will also cut down a significant amount of your positive feedback, or even polite negative feedback. Also, you will not eliminate haters.

So ask yourself, do you want positive and/or useful feedback more than you want to shut up the haters,?

 

[SmilingLez]

This is why I accept anonymous comments

Anonymousabout 2 hours ago
I am neurodivergent and always hated the way I think. Thank you for showing me my thinking process is beautiful

 

[MillieDynamite]

Sometimes, pink, we're on the same wavelength.

If you disallow anonymous comments you will certainly cut down much of your negative feedback and trolling. However you will also cut down a significant amount of your positive feedback, or even polite negative feedback. Also, you will not eliminate haters.

So ask yourself, do you want positive and/or useful feedback more than you want to shut up the haters,?

 

[PennyThompson]

Sometimes, pink, we're on the same wavelength.

now kiss!

 

[MillieDynamite]

@PennyThompson Um, I don't think that'll happen.

 

[glynndah]

I welcome all comments, including the anonymous ones. I think I've deleted maybe two or three comments in the entire time I've been here. They were either ill-written spam or so personally vitrolic, I had no hesitation about ridding the world of them.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Not any more. Closed them all off due to some idiots' obsessions with babies.