How do you respond and write

[Cap007]

Question for the writers out there. My first story (part 1) has been posted. This being the first story I have ever attempted, I am happy to get the comment and feed back both good and bad.

My first question: Do you reply to the comments and in my case e-mails?

I have the outcome of the story set. Getting there has taken a few detours. In some of the comments/e-mails they are looking forward to learning certain things about the characters. Most I have planned to addressed. However, some of the expectations, which I consider interesting, I did not think about.

Next question: Have you added or changed your story because of the comments?

I do not planning on changing the outcome, but I may need to add a few more detours.

Final question: When do you think adding to much takes away from the story?

Please remember this is my first story. So, as I continue I may answer these questions on my own. However, I would like to know how some of you have dealt with these questions.


Here's the link to the story if you are interested.

http://www.literotica.com/s/hes-not-what-you-think-ch-01

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Welcome to the club, Cap. This question has been asked in various forms on numerous occasions, both here and in other fora. What you will find is that every author has an individualized approach to comments and questions. As for myself, I respond to every e-mail that has a return address--even the negative ones. My feeling is that if someone made the additional effort to write an e-mail, they are entitled to a response. As for comments at the end of the story, I only respond to those where a response will alleviate reader confusion. I assume that the confusion was caused by my failure to tell the story in a clear and concise manner. I never give out details of what is to come, and I don't change a storyline based on comments. In most cases, the succeeding chapters have already been written.

 

[TxRad]

First off, welcome to Lit and the AH.

Most of the time I have the story completed even if I post it in chapters. Kind of hard to make changes that way.

Write the story for yourself. That always works better than anything. But then again if a good idea comes your way... run with it.

 

[sr71plt]

I respond to e-mails that aren't argumentative.

I have expanded stories sometimes--usually for the marketplace--based on a reader's comments but usually only when just having the story mentioned again sets my muse off again in wanting to expand it.

I haven't filed a correction on anything. Once the stories are posted I'm somewhere down the road on other stories. This isn't the New Yorker.

 

[PennLady]

Hi and welcome. I will respond to an email, so long as there's an address to reply to. As soffla said, if someone takes the time to email me, then I don't mind at least sending a quick reply. I used to thank people for comments if they left a username, but that gets to be a lot of work sometimes. Plus, I don't think it's expected. Now I do it from time to time.

I have never changed a story based on reader comments. I appreciate the thoughts, but it's my story. I have posted edits, but that's because I discovered big errors or inconsistencies, not because someone suggested it. Like sr71, I'm not against changes or expansions, but it would have to be my idea, even if someone else's suggestion set it off. I'd need to flesh out that idea on my own.

 

[Cap007]

Thank you for your insight.

 

[StrangeLife]

My first question: Do you reply to the comments and in my case e-mails?

Not often, which is a bit embarrassing - I'm striving to better myself in this regard. However I do read them and attempt to learn from them. Even the ones telling me to "Eat sh*t and die!" (though I reserve the right to disregard the advice of this particular breed of commenters ).

Next question: Have you added or changed your story because of the comments?

No, I have never changed a story after it was posted and don't intend to unless there's a glaring mistake or omission in it. But in one case I did write a sequel because several readers wanted to know what happened next and thus made me realise that the characters had more stories to tell. So you might say that I added to the story by turning it from a one-shot into a two-parter.

Final question: When do you think adding to much takes away from the story?

When the additions aren't relevant to the story.

For instance in stories about married couples you'll often find a flash-back to when they met in high school, including a detailed description of the courtship and so on. But unless something relevant happened back then - like a competing boyfriend who returns years later to threaten the marriage or something like that - its just filler and detracts from the main story.

 

[patientlee]

Not often, which is a bit embarrassing - I'm striving to better myself in this regard. However I do read them and attempt to learn from them. Even the ones telling me to "Eat sh*t and die!" (though I reserve the right to disregard the advice of this particular breed of commenters ).

I wonder if anyone has ever actually taken that advice. Maybe it would accomplish the speaker's objective more frequently if they suggested that someone should eat *ice cream* and die instead. I know I'd be much more likely to follow along then. ;-)

 

[sr71plt]

I wonder if anyone has ever actually taken that advice. Maybe it would accomplish the speaker's objective more frequently if they suggested that someone should eat *ice cream* and die instead. I know I'd be much more likely to follow along then. ;-)

You can, of course, die from eating too much ice cream. I've been known to test the limits.

 

[Cap007]

It sounds like everyone has the story wrote before they post even if its in parts. I have post part one and have two ready. The third part is still in shambles but wrote.

I won't change the story once it is posted. However, I do have the opportunity to make additions to part three. Just wondering you anyone has done that. By the time I finish part three, I will have re-written it at least three to five times, anyways.

How many times do you re-write on average?

So, does everyone have their complete story wrote before you post the first chapter or part?

 

[sr71plt]

I finish all my stories before I start posting them, yes. I've reopened a few, though, and posted more--usually when a comment puts a "more" into my mind.

I review a story once or twice after I've written it and before sending it to the editor. When it comes back, I review it again after any corrections/rewrites.

 

[SecondCircle]

I respond here and there. Usually to the folks that return for more and more reads, because I feel like I should show that a bit of gratitude. Sometimes people have questions about something and I might answer it.

I totally fudged a story of mine once. I had inconsistencies within the story that couldn't really be ignored. One of those "slap forehead" moments. Someone commented about it, and I thanked them for pointing it out, and apologized for the mess up. But actually, the story was really well received by a lot of people, even the guy who respectfully notified me of the errors. One of those that people ask for sequels and stuff. I didn't change the story or submit an reedited version. It was my mistake to learn from, and I leave it to remind me of my stupidity, or at least that's what my Samoan guy that slaps my head says.

I do expand on stories from time to time, but it's only when I think the story has more to it. Usually I just move on to the next thing, but it is fun to go back and revive a popular character or story, as long as its not just for the sake of doing it. I think Lit is an environment that gives someone that liberty to do so if they wish, though such a thing probably wouldn't fly in the mainstream world.

 

[StrangeLife]

You can, of course, die from eating too much ice cream. I've been known to test the limits.

If dying from exhaustion in Jessica Alba's bedroom is out of the question, eating myself to death at a Cold Stone Creamery is certainly an acceptable alternative...

 

[soflabbwlvr]

It sounds like everyone has the story wrote before they post even if its in parts. I have post part one and have two ready. The third part is still in shambles but wrote.

I won't change the story once it is posted. However, I do have the opportunity to make additions to part three. Just wondering you anyone has done that. By the time I finish part three, I will have re-written it at least three to five times, anyways.

How many times do you re-write on average?

So, does everyone have their complete story wrote before you post the first chapter or part?

Most of my multi-part stories are complete through the first draft before I begin posting. In one case I posted as I finished each chapter, but that was the exception.

I do between two and five rewrites, depending upon how much work it needs. The story I'm uploading tomorrow is up to rewrite number four.

 

[sr71plt]

If dying from exhaustion in Jessica Alba's bedroom is out of the question, eating myself to death at a Cold Stone Creamery is certainly an acceptable alternative...

It wouldn't take the Cold Stone Creamery ice cream long to kill me.

 

[patientlee]

If dying from exhaustion in Jessica Alba's bedroom is out of the question, eating myself to death at a Cold Stone Creamery is certainly an acceptable alternative...

Salted caramel with semi sweet chocolate chips and toasted almonds would be my weapon of choice.

 

[Bramblethorn]

My first question: Do you reply to the comments and in my case e-mails?

If somebody sends me feedback and gives a reply address I'll usually reply and say thanks.

Comments on stories: I don't give individual replies to everything because I don't want 50% of the comments section to be me, but if somebody has a specific question I'll reply there. And I think I've occasionally left a "thank you all for being so nice to me!" reply.

Next question: Have you added or changed your story because of the comments?

Yep, I turned what was intended as a 1-shot into a 14-part novel, partly due to encouragement from readers who said they'd like to see more of my characters.

What I don't tend to do is let them influence where the story goes: "next you should write a threesome!" sort of stuff.

 

[Cap007]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback.

 

[horrorotica]

I read comments and have made changes to stories if they've pointed out mistakes I've made. In one of my stories I mixed up ancestor and descendent in describing several characters and didn't pick it up in my editing stage. You can bet most of the comments I had were about that. So I resubmitted an updated version with the mistake corrected.

If I get negative comments from an anonymous person I tend to delete those as most often I find it's just trolling and not constructive criticism. Overall the times that any comments (email or on Lit) have provided me with any constructive criticisms is very small. I'd say just write what you want, what's satisfying for you rather than expecting the readers to provide you direction or suggestions.

It does happen (readers providing suggestions) but only consider it if it fits into your plot, not to just seem popular.