What Oughta Be In Feedback And Comments

[NOIRTRASH]

Ideally.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

Ideally?

I want to know WHY a reader disliked my story. Give me a 1 if you want, but tell me why.

If you liked the story, what would make it better?

If you loved it, tell me what you think the characters are thinking.

I know that my grammar can be weak...and I certainly have typos... So I'm less interested in that. I know it already.

My 2 cents

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I prefer critics who stick to real problems, and know what a real problem is. Editors constantly changed my correct words to wrong words, MATERIEL vs MATERIALS. They aren't the same. AFFECT isn't MOOD.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

I am less picky about using the more modern usages of particular words. I try to reach my readers by using the language of my target audience.

Admittedly, this can lead to confusion, but language changes over time, and I try to remain flexible.

My writing is largely about amusing readers however. The bar is quite low.

 

[TxRad]

What Ought to Be In Feedback And Comments?

Whatever the reader wants to write. They have no control over what we write and the same applies to us. Ya gets what ya gets. Learn to live with it cause it ain't going to change.

Is that cracker enough for you JB?

 

[lovecraft68]

I figure I'm like most people, I'd like a little more than it was great or it sucked a reason for each would be nice.

That seems to be about 80% of comments "loved it" and "fuck you" the other 20% are the better ones that give a little detail to the opinion.

 

[FantasyXY]

I'd say that the only thing I don't need in a comment is someone telling me how they voted with no additional information. I mean, I can see how the voting is going. Why tell me how you voted?

Even if a comment tells me to "Eat a bag of dicks", I get something out of it.
(Generally that type of comment means I hit the nail on the head, and I made the douche bag offering said bag of penises feel something he wasn't quite comfortable with.)

I also get a kick out of readers that return to the story and comment on comments left by others about their original comment. I have a comment about this, but it's much worse than "Eat a bag of dicks" so I am keeping it to myself for now.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Lately I recommend novels the writer oughta read. There are a few that offer plenty of guidance. No LIT writer has the right stuff to accept criticism, so let them profit from good reading.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

No Author?

Really? Out of the hundreds here who have submitted their scribblings... None of them have the right stuff?

Can you elaborate on how you have come to this conclusion?

...or are you just engaging in a bit of hyperbole?

 

[NotWise]

Aside from the comments where the readers just insist that the story go on, most of the comments I get seem to be intended as a discussion between readers, not as feedback to me.

I asked for feedback a few times when I first started posting here and I've pretty much given up on that. I might ask through a PM for someone to give me their input, and if someone wants to offer feedback then I'm pleased to accept it. The problem isn't with comments that are uncomplimentary. it's with one-paragraph synopses that tell me very little.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

"I'm a 21 year old swedish lingerie model and I just finished reading all your stories. I've come over and over for six straight days, and I'm shaking so hard I can barely type. Enclosed is a picture... I hope you find me attractive. I'd be happy to read them again while on webcam... by the way I give a wonderful foot massage and I'm really into being spanked. Thank you so, so much for giving my sexuality purpose and meaning. Alright, I'll stop being coy - can I meet you?"

Any straight male that wants any other kind of comment is kidding himself. But since that's not going to happen too often. I'd be happy with some praise, what I did right and wrong, and in a perfect world a discussion of why they felt what they felt while reading. Always nice to know people thought and felt things due to your work.

I've gotten a handful of those but it's not something I hope for. Most people don't even click on the stars.

 

[sunandshadow]

I want to hear that people are actually thinking about the worldbuilding and characters, and particularly I'd like suggestions on what should be in the next few chapters. While some writers seem to get really offended if people make suggestions for what should happen, I love that kind of thing.

 

[Carnal_Flower]

Above all I want them to stop yammering about continuing stories that are over and done with.

 

[sr71plt]

Obviously the name "Raymond Chandler" should be in every comment (and forum post).

 

[Boxlicker101]

One thing that really irks me is having people try to write my dialogue for me. I usually go over everything several times and, although there may be nothing wrong with the suggestions, I will write the dialogue for my stories and others can write the dialogue for theirs.

I proof-read pretty thoroughly but, being human, I do sometimes make errors. I have no problem with readers pointing them out to me, but sometimes I chuckle when the post doing so is full of grammatical, spelling and word-usage mistakes.

 

[Boxlicker101]

One thing that really irks me is having people try to write my dialogue for me. I usually go over everything several times and, although there may be nothing wrong with the suggestions, I will write the dialogue for my stories and others can write the dialogue for theirs.

I proof-read pretty thoroughly but, being human, I do sometimes make errors. I have no problem with readers pointing them out to me, but sometimes I chuckle when the post doing so is full of grammatical, spelling and word-usage mistakes.

 

[SamScribble]

Above all I want them to stop yammering about continuing stories that are over and done with.

I have now been writing stories (for publication) for about 60 years. When I write a story - usually with a beginning, a middle, and and an end (or, sometimes, an open end) - that's what I intended to write. That's the story I intended to tell. So, why do people say: 'Loved the story. Can't wait for the next chapter.' As a good friend of mine would say: <head: desk>

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I rarely read comments or emails, I stopped long ago. More people dine at McDionalds than Chez White House, more people wear clothes from WalMart than those who wear Paris fashions, and most readers cant fathom an ingredient label, much less literature. Readers have little to contriubute, and time with them is wasted.

 

[TxRad]

I rarely read comments or emails, I stopped long ago. More people dine at McDionalds than Chez White House, more people wear clothes from WalMart than those who wear Paris fashions, and most readers cant fathom an ingredient label, much less literature. Readers have little to contriubute, and time with them is wasted.

Then why did you start this thread?

Oh yeah, like so many of your other threads, "Hey, look at me".

 

[lovecraft68]

I have now been writing stories (for publication) for about 60 years. When I write a story - usually with a beginning, a middle, and and an end (or, sometimes, an open end) - that's what I intended to write. That's the story I intended to tell. So, why do people say: 'Loved the story. Can't wait for the next chapter.' As a good friend of mine would say: <head: desk>

I have the urge for my head to hit the desk when they leave the "It needs another chapter or can't wait for the next one" and the story is from 2012, um, its fairly obvious I am not revisiting this.

 

[TxRad]

I have the urge for my head to hit the desk when they leave the "It needs another chapter or can't wait for the next one" and the story is from 2012, um, its fairly obvious I am not revisiting this.

I just got a few of those comments on a story from '08.

 

[lovecraft68]

I just got a few of those comments on a story from '08.

The date of the story is plainly visible when they look at the title etc....but I suppose they just don't pay attention.

I bet there's stories here from 1999 that get "Can't wait for the next one."

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Then why did you start this thread?

Oh yeah, like so many of your other threads, "Hey, look at me".

To lure you outta your closet.

 

[sr71plt]

I have now been writing stories (for publication) for about 60 years. When I write a story - usually with a beginning, a middle, and and an end (or, sometimes, an open end) - that's what I intended to write. That's the story I intended to tell. So, why do people say: 'Loved the story. Can't wait for the next chapter.' As a good friend of mine would say: <head: desk>

Amen to that.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Daddy, Dummy, and Dizzy Doofus would have no place to post if I didn't make threads for them.