Negative Comments: Ignore or Respond?

[carlieplum]

I have a story series going that is picking up more negative comments than I am used to. I'm not going to delete them. I put it out there, and people have the right to say what they want to say without being censored just because I don't agree. But, respond, don't respond? I'm not sure the best approach. What do you do and why?

Here's the link to the latest installment. http://www.literotica.com/s/prize-bull-ch-04

 

[sr71plt]

It think it depends on the nature of the negative comment. One of my most recent stories is set in "old Egypt." A commenter laid me low for not describing setting and costumes in terms of the pharaohs. After a while I posted a response that the post-pharaoh period in Egypt (which ended in 30 B.C.) leaves a hell of a lot of room for there to be an "old Egypt" between then and now.

Mostly, though, they probably can just be left as that person's opinion and maybe for another poster to respond to.

It does grate when a commenter rattles the story (and down votes it) on some miniscule point--sometimes wrong to begin with--rather than on the story as a whole--especially when it's by anonymous or someone with no stories posted here themselves.

 

[NymphWriter]

Negative Comments...

If it's just one story I take it and go on. But if it's one person attacking several stories I will contact them to find out what's their deal. Often the negative feedback is just their venting out their own frustrations... but I have found some good constructive criticism via feedback that has helped me improve.

Could be the subject matter in your story. Certain "topics" tend to bring out the trolls. Me personally... if it's a topic I don't like... I just avoid it.

 

[RejectReality]

I typically only respond when a negative comment has a point - even if I don't completely agree with them.

I may post something when there's a ridiculous assertion that could prove detrimental to readership in an early comment ( when there aren't many to counter it ) or when it's a comment like that which pops up long after the story has been released ( so it's the only thing showing up in the "recent comments" at the bottom of the story )

Otherwise, I just leave it be, as the other comments outweigh the negative and often directly address the negative comment as ridiculous when it is.

 

[sr71plt]

I got a comment once complaining about not being warned about something in the story. When I pointed out that it was specifically listed in the tags, they filed an apology. It's not the writers' fault that the tags come at the end of the stories, nor is there any reason why they should have to proslug every element that is included in the story.

 

[desertslave]

If it's just someone giving a negative opinion I leave it, IF it's not nasty-toned. I've only replied to one negative, calling me on a physical detail I described. They were wrong, so I explained their error.

 

[StrangeLife]

If you get it by mail, I'd say you should respond - well, unless it's just mindless bashing of course. However often the negative commenters will have a point, even if they're not always going about it in the nicest way.

If it's written in the comment field after the story I would not respond unless it was about something extraordinary.

 

[Darkniciad]

Here's a couple of comment->responses

Did this guy go to school and not come back for three years? That's what the story seems to imply.

It's never stated in the story, but my notion was that he was so wrapped up in classes, his girlfriend, and college life that he may have come home for Christmas or something once or twice, but I had the idea in my head that his mother had very strict ideas about what a "family holiday" was and that the formal dress code would have kept the changes in Sunny hidden.

Sorry it pulled you out of the story. Explanations aside, if it kept you from fully enjoying the story, it's a failure on my part as the writer.

The reader ended up responding and saying that it didn't really pull him out of the story and that he'd given me a 4.

And here's a ridiculousness response. It was showing as the only comment on "recent comments" at the time because the story was over a year old.

one honest comment and a lot of paid for kiss ass ones

this was NOT GREAT not even close to great. it was way to rushed as said by the one honest commenter and should have been spread out over months not to mention the yeast infection and cuts she would probably get from using the candy cane in her pussy.

Honest comments?

My public comment board is open to anyone, as the previous negative comment and yours demonstrate. You're welcome to your opinion, and welcome to voice it, just like anyone else.

Feel free to believe the comments don't come from honest readers, if that helps you sleep at night. I'm sleeping just fine, knowing that everyone has a chance to speak up, and the overwhelming majority seem to differ with your opinion.

Have a pleasant turkey day

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

I have a story series going that is picking up more negative comments than I am used to. I'm not going to delete them. I put it out there, and people have the right to say what they want to say without being censored just because I don't agree. But, respond, don't respond? I'm not sure the best approach. What do you do and why?


I think it's funny. I get a string of ones before I get any thing else. I'm rather flattered by it because it indicates just how they have bothered. If the initial ones were removed my scores would be quite high. I've obviously offended some one and it's more than likely they are regulars at this board.

Sites such as this seem to collect a lot of grieving people, myself included. The components of grief aren't pleasant and include anger, denial, guilt, bargaining...if one wants to express it in the terms of Kubler Ross. I try not to make it a part of my life but it is a part of the site. I don't know how big the part is but would venture to say it is a lot bigger than most would expect and could go a long way in explaining the behaviour of many who come here.

Lit, unfortunately, seems to have more than its fair share of unsavouries, with no humour- which they make up for with unintelligent aggression. They're anonymous and I like that. I have no wish to know who they are as I prefer quality people in my life and don't have the emotional resources at the moment to provide adequate care.

It's sad for them. I suggest you don't adopt their problems as your own. Stick with what matters. And laugh because the attention you're getting really does demonstrate you've had an impact

 

[horrorotica]

IMHO I think you can file the negative comments away with the positive ones. It's nice that people may bother sometimes but let's face it most of the readers on this site prefer to troll anyway. Rarely do you get comments that help you improve as a writer. Someone typing, "That's hot!" is just as useless as them typing, "That Sucks!"

Most comments I take with a grain of salt unless they say something that helps me as a writer. That doesn't happen much at all.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I turned off voting and anonymous comments to stop the AH trolling. It worked.

Views fell 2/3rds as there's no point for AH trolls to unleash alts that cant vote or comment.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

IMHO I think you can file the negative comments away with the positive ones. It's nice that people may bother sometimes but let's face it most of the readers on this site prefer to troll anyway. Rarely do you get comments that help you improve as a writer. Someone typing, "That's hot!" is just as useless as them typing, "That Sucks!"

Most comments I take with a grain of salt unless they say something that helps me as a writer. That doesn't happen much at all.

Very true, Its either flattery or insults, never useful advice.

 

[lovecraft68]

I think ignore or respond is the attitude I'm getting with these threads-think I'll ignore from this point forward.

Why do people need to ask this? They're your stories and your comments, do whatever you choose. There's no right or wrong answer across the board only what's right for you.

I laugh and ignore them, but if you're starting a thread they obviously bother you which is exactly what they want.

If you want to delete them do it, want to leave them do it. You should not have to have assurance either way that you're doing the right thing.

 

[DeYaKen]

Depends on the comments

I have a story series going that is picking up more negative comments than I am used to. I'm not going to delete them. I put it out there, and people have the right to say what they want to say without being censored just because I don't agree. But, respond, don't respond? I'm not sure the best approach. What do you do and why?

Here's the link to the latest installment. http://www.literotica.com/s/prize-bull-ch-04

My policy is simple.
If they are offensive to me or others i.e. racist, I usually delete them.

If I feel they have misunderstood what I am trying to say I might post a comment explaining. That of course could be looked upon as a problem with the story or it could be from preconceived ideas. Once you have a fan base the people who like your work may do the correction for you.

Sometimes you will get targeted. My latest story, She Chose Me, provoked one person to post six negative comments, some of them bordering on racism. I will not grace his inane ramblings with a response, nor will I give him the satisfaction of having his posts removed. Sad to say that person was a fellow author. If he spent as much time honing his own stories as he does slagging off others he might not have had to turn off voting and anonymous comments.

Finally I get to the ones that make me realise that I've not explained things well enough or showing up something that my editor and I missed. To these people I send a PM thanking them for pointing out my shortcomings.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

In all categories, other than Loving Wives, if they have pointed out a flaw, rightly or wrongly, respond. Other wise ignore it.

As for negative comments in the Loving Wives category, let the factions there battle it out, it will give you a laugh or two.

 

[YDB95]

I usually just ignore them. If they offer constructive criticism, that's one thing - I do appreciate that, whether I agree with the criticism or not. If it's simply "this story sucks" or any variation thereof, I ignore it. I figure if you don't like my stories, don't read 'em. Problem solved.

Besides, I find my fans usually do the responding for me.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I generally ignore the negative comments. I do respond when the comment is directed to the story and a response will clear up some confusion or if the comment points out a genuine flaw in the story. In either case, I acknowledge my error and the need for improvement. But comments that just say "you suck" or "this story sux", I ignore those.

 

[hylas_]

If the comment really doesn't have anything to say, beyond airing the commenters negativity, then I'd just ignore it. I wouldn't feel bad about deleting it, either. You're not deleting the comment for being critical, you're deleting it for being rude.

Sometimes a negative comment is rude, but also has a point. Personally, I try to separate the commenter's manners from the point they're making. I respond if I feel like it, it's a gut decision; but if I do, I try to respond in a polite manner. There's really no point in having mudfights on the internet.

 

[sr71plt]

Of course, as a general thread comment, if you bring the issue to the forum, you're responding to the negative comments--and showing the commenters that they got to you.