What's your feeling on deleting comments?

[Hypoxia]

I leave them all up and the worst draw their own kneecapping responses; I need take no action. Until recently my.sig contained a selection of the worst death threats and clueless comments. I love them all.

 

[legerdemer]

Think about it. Not a single poster to the subject this time has tried to guilt authors for not leaving all comments up? And you don't notice who is missing?

I've been noticing a particular conspicuous silence (and if anyone would notice, I would). At first I thought my iggy was giving new and better service, but that's not it.

At the risk of being seen as taking the easy climb to the high ground, I hope it's not a medical situation. To prove I'm human and all too capable of schadenfreude, I was starting to wonder if he'd finally said something outright actionable and got in legal trouble, or at least sailed a little too far and Lit gave him a talking to. Given his rabid approach though I can't really believe it's the latter. It has the feel of something serious.

It's Christmas, so I'm going to say the right thing even if my teeth are grinding: I hope it's not as serious as my worst speculations. But I did a post on how Xmas has become an offensive term to some people, and if he'd seen that nothing on earth would have stopped a reply. Except a lawyer or a coma. Any day now I'm going to reach the Mildly Concerned stage, and maybe nicer people should already be there.

I did notice. I thought he was practicing self-restraint for the benefit of his blood pressure and general well-being. But it has been a very long time.

Regarding comments, I thought Sam Scribble put it nicely drawing the parallel to bird shit.

There's a single comment that has ever really annoyed me (I know, I'm really asking for it now) - it was implied that I wrote an essay to shill for someone else, and that it was by some sort of arrangement. It was a ridiculous implication, as I posted my review (because I read the story I reviewed) months after the story was in the running in a contest. But I did not delete the comment. It was inaccurate but not rude, so it stayed, and continues to annoy and amuse me. Hah!!

 

[J_R_Ashunwhy]

I did notice. I thought he was practicing self-restraint for the benefit of his blood pressure and general well-being. But it has been a very long time.

The missing canine? If you're really concerned, he has pm's turned on, and is still answering emails regularly.

 

[sr71plt]

I've been noticing a particular conspicuous silence (and if anyone would notice, I would). At first I thought my iggy was giving new and better service, but that's not it.

No, the departure was announced. I just see a change here on some topics in that one position is no longer being pushed--in stereo. This thread is an example. Always before this, there were multiple voices shaming authors who would delete comments. I haven't noticed a peep of that on this thread.

 

[TxRad]

.....

 

[Halin24]

I decided from the beginning that I would only delete comments that were hateful towards other people, and so far I haven't had to do that. The negative responses I've had has been of grammatical nature (I'm Swedish and try to write in English), relevant and helpful. Two were rude but was attacked by other commenters, so i guess I've been lucky (or possibly neglected...).

I will admit that the first time I got a comment on one of my stories I was very nervous, not strange considering it is a public respons to something I have produced to let others read, but that was the first time only. Now I don't take it too seriously and absolutely not personally.

Good or bad, I look at all comments as good PR anyway. If they aren't relevant people will shake their heads and decide they are written by an idiot but if they are relevant they are free reviews of my work.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've been noticing a particular conspicuous silence (and if anyone would notice, I would). At first I thought my iggy was giving new and better service, but that's not it.

At the risk of being seen as taking the easy climb to the high ground, I hope it's not a medical situation. To prove I'm human and all too capable of schadenfreude, I was starting to wonder if he'd finally said something outright actionable and got in legal trouble, or at least sailed a little too far and Lit gave him a talking to. Given his rabid approach though I can't really believe it's the latter. It has the feel of something serious.

It's Christmas, so I'm going to say the right thing even if my teeth are grinding: I hope it's not as serious as my worst speculations. But I did a post on how Xmas has become an offensive term to some people, and if he'd seen that nothing on earth would have stopped a reply. Except a lawyer or a coma. Any day now I'm going to reach the Mildly Concerned stage, and maybe nicer people should already be there.

The poster you're discussing specifically said that he was leaving the forums, IIRC to focus more on paid writing. You can probably find the exact post in his history, but I didn't see anything to worry about, just a "time for me to move on" sort of thing.

 

[TxRad]

The poster you're discussing specifically said that he was leaving the forums, IIRC to focus more on paid writing. You can probably find the exact post in his history, but I didn't see anything to worry about, just a "time for me to move on" sort of thing.

And he's doing a pretty good job of it. He now has a publisher, a real publisher.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Denny's Comments

If a bird shits on your car, do you leave it, or wash it off?

I look at troll comments the same way.

You worked hard on your story, don’t let people leave those comments on it.

I am far from a writer, yet I add stories. As many of us new to this Lit story telling, Mr Anonymous rared his nasty head too many times. With much consideration I decided my windshield had way too much bird shit on it and possibly others would have problems seeing through it to find the real meaning of my stories. I cleaned off my car!

I also found not all Anonymous comments are bad and all bad Anonymous comments should be deleted. After all, this shows someone actually reads our stories, or skims over them.
Since then I haven't added many more stories but it's not entirely Mr Anonymous' fault. With Windex and Handiwipes handy, I will add some more terribly written childishly organized conglomerations of words because that's my style.

No one is forced to read my stories. I enjoy good and constructive comments. Yet I'm not forced to keep the nasty comments.

 

[sr71plt]

And he's doing a pretty good job of it. He now has a publisher, a real publisher.

Sorry, I had to laugh. After how many years of denigrating having a "real publisher"?

 

[HandsInTheDark]

The poster you're discussing specifically said that he was leaving the forums, IIRC to focus more on paid writing. You can probably find the exact post in his history, but I didn't see anything to worry about, just a "time for me to move on" sort of thing.

Thanks. May he sell a ton of books and live HEA.

 

[Comentarista82]

deleting comments

I see many say authors should delete comments if they feel like it, but what about when it's a balanced criticism and gives the positives and negatives? I am not an author but I frequently comment because I try to leave something positive about the story and hints on what would likely help. I kind of ask this because obviously if someone's threatening or just being vile, I'd say delete it. Also, most times I comment and it stays up (don't know if the author reads them or not). Can any of you tell me if the author receives an automatic notification of comments left or not? Also, if an author deletes a comment, does that also delete the rating too?

I include all this because I left detailed comments on a certain multiple-story arc and rated nearly all the stories 5, with only a few 4s. I noted the author thanked people correcting grammar or suggesting items, and I noticed the author commented and even used those commenter's suggestions. However, for whatever reason, although I probably had comments that were 80% postive and 20% growth items, the author went and deleted them all and it appears the corresponding rating disappeared too. I was also curious because I instantly noticed I went from 56 comments to like 2 (these were comments left over the last 5 days since this is over a 50-chapter story).

Please feel free to reply to anything or everything on here. I'd like some feedback (not trying to bump the thread, but don't want to create a new thread since this seems to be the only relevant thread I could find by searching).

 

[Bramblethorn]

I see many say authors should delete comments if they feel like it, but what about when it's a balanced criticism and gives the positives and negatives? I am not an author but I frequently comment because I try to leave something positive about the story and hints on what would likely help. I kind of ask this because obviously if someone's threatening or just being vile, I'd say delete it. Also, most times I comment and it stays up (don't know if the author reads them or not). Can any of you tell me if the author receives an automatic notification of comments left or not? Also, if an author deletes a comment, does that also delete the rating too?

Ratings are not attached to comments. Most people who vote on a story don't comment, and authors have no ability to delete votes themselves; only the site ownership can do that.

(Whether the site shows you what your vote was on a story, that's another matter. Fiddling around with your browser can interfere with that, making it look like you haven't voted even when you know you already did. But your original vote is still in the system.)

There is a "Recent Activity" view which will show all comments made on my stories in the last 24 hours (or up to 30 days if I click that option) but no "push" notification. I only get an email notification if somebody uses the feedback option.

Authors have the right to delete any or all comments, though I tend to feel that authors who want to keep the "this is great" comments on view should also be willing to keep good-faith criticism. I'd have no qualms about deleting racism, homophobia, etc. etc. but so far my comments have been blessedly free of that crap.

I include all this because I left detailed comments on a certain multiple-story arc and rated nearly all the stories 5, with only a few 4s. I noted the author thanked people correcting grammar or suggesting items, and I noticed the author commented and even used those commenter's suggestions. However, for whatever reason, although I probably had comments that were 80% postive and 20% growth items, the author went and deleted them all and it appears the corresponding rating disappeared too. I was also curious because I instantly noticed I went from 56 comments to like 2 (these were comments left over the last 5 days since this is over a 50-chapter story).

Er, you made 56 comments on the one author's work in 5 days?

That's... rather a lot. If somebody did that on my stories, even if the general tone was positive, I might get a bit uncomfortable with it. That's getting beyond "yay this person really likes my work" and into "uh, this person seems to be getting a little bit TOO involved with my work" territory. Even if it's mostly positive, that starts to feel a little bit Annie Wilkes-ish.

The author may have taken you for a stalker and thought that deletion was a way to discourage that behaviour. I'd take it as a sign to ease off a bit.

 

[Exescort]

It should show that something's been deleted. All opinions matter, if you don't like criticism don't alllow comments. Simples.

 

[oggbashan]

It should show that something's been deleted. All opinions matter, if you don't like criticism don't alllow comments. Simples.

All opinions expressed as comments do NOT matter.

Some are NOT criticism but personal attacks, or even general attacks on all an author's work, or even many authors in a few hours.

I had to turn off anonymous comments for a while because every one of my new stories had an anon criticising the category of the story - not the content but anon's view of what the category should be or not be.

If you haven't had the racial, sexual, bigoted attacks as comments then you have been fortunate.

I used to leave ALL comments for several weeks before deleting the ridiculous ones. But some were a campaign against me. 'Admin' deleted one or two within hours of them appearing. Anon then attacked me again for deleting his comment when I had barely had time to see it. That is not normal behaviour. Most people leaving comments on a story move on. They do not return within hours to see how the author has responded.

I will leave the majority of comments. I have changed in that I will delete abusive comments that are not about the story. It took me many years to make that change and it was probably caused by one or two deluded individual anons.

 

[Comentarista82]

deleted posts

Er, you made 56 comments on the one author's work in 5 days?

That's... rather a lot. If somebody did that on my stories, even if the general tone was positive, I might get a bit uncomfortable with it. That's getting beyond "yay this person really likes my work" and into "uh, this person seems to be getting a little bit TOO involved with my work" territory. Even if it's mostly positive, that starts to feel a little bit Annie Wilkes-ish.

The author may have taken you for a stalker and thought that deletion was a way to discourage that behaviour. I'd take it as a sign to ease off a bit.

It was simply 1 comment per chapter and the funny thing was mine was usually a medium-sized comment compared to some guys commenting on physics, chemistry, grativational fields (it's a sci-fi entry) and this author cranks out 1 chapter per week usually and that's one of the few I've seen that gets really active comments--like 50-150 per story since 20 chapters ago. So no...I wasn't stalking at all, whereas I could point to some posters that commented 3-7 times on the same chapter while responding to other posters and although many of their observations mixed positive parts with things to improve, none of theirs were deleted.

 

[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

Hi all,

I'm a relatively new contributor. I like writing, but know my writing needs work. I appreciate when people leave feedback on a story or send me a private message, especially if it is specific about what someone liked or not.

But I got a lame comment today that was just:
"I'm STILL laughing at how bad this was."

By Anonymous, of course. I try not to let these bother me since I get positive feedback, too, either in the comments or just the ratings and favorites. But I kind of want to delete this comment because it's not helpful.

What is the general consensus on deleting comments? Do people delete spiteful comments? Or is it just the price you pay for allowing public comments? I don't feel like I want to delete all the negative comments I've gotten, and I've come to expect them in the non-consent category. But it's hard to get up the courage to post my stories and then have a comment like be attached to one of them.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Whatever you do...don't delete the good comments.

 

[Comentarista82]

All opinions expressed as comments do NOT matter.

Some are NOT criticism but personal attacks, or even general attacks on all an author's work, or even many authors in a few hours.

I had to turn off anonymous comments for a while because every one of my new stories had an anon criticising the category of the story - not the content but anon's view of what the category should be or not be.

If you haven't had the racial, sexual, bigoted attacks as comments then you have been fortunate.

I used to leave ALL comments for several weeks before deleting the ridiculous ones. But some were a campaign against me. 'Admin' deleted one or two within hours of them appearing. Anon then attacked me again for deleting his comment when I had barely had time to see it. That is not normal behaviour. Most people leaving comments on a story move on. They do not return within hours to see how the author has responded.

I will leave the majority of comments. I have changed in that I will delete abusive comments that are not about the story. It took me many years to make that change and it was probably caused by one or two deluded individual anons.

Sorry you've had b.s. posts and/or personal attacks. That's always a low blow, and someone writing "the story sucks" is neither eloquent nor helpful. My professors always said if you're going to notice a problem, politely suggest a solution--otherwise say nothing.

I do wish the system would do like some boards do and leave a kind of space that says "comment deleted by author" and maybe with a reason, as some places provide that hide the original post but make it clear it was deleted, yet there previously.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I do wish the system would do like some boards do and leave a kind of space that says "comment deleted by author" and maybe with a reason, as some places provide that hide the original post but make it clear it was deleted, yet there previously.

As a writer I'm under no obligation to anyone to explain why, if, or when I delete a comment. I apply my own criteria, and am answerable to myself only. Why should I have to defend my decision when I delete trolldom?

 

[oggbashan]

As a writer I'm under no obligation to anyone to explain why, if, or when I delete a comment. I apply my own criteria, and am answerable to myself only. Why should I have to defend my decision when I delete trolldom?

I agree. Having such a notice could only annoy the troll into more and more abusive behaviour. As I said above, when a troll's comment was removed by 'admin' he was back within hours attacking me for removing his abuse.

 

[Laurel]

Lit enables authors to moderate comments on their own submissions. Your comment boards are your domain. You can delete anything you wish, allow or disallow comments, and even turn off all feedback altogether. The only comments Lit generally removes are reported spam, threats of violence & hate speech, and content that violates our guidelines (i.e. underage references, bestiality, etc.).

If there are other comments on your story comment boards that bug you for whatever reason, feel free to delete them.

Beyond that - I find it helpful whenever facing criticism (here or anywhere, online or IRL) to run it through the following filters:

Does the critic identify an actual and specific problem?
"You switch back and forth in your POV and it's annoying" is a specific criticism. Whether you find it to be true - and whether that's a problem in the context of the story - is something you'll have to decide. However, "This story is stupid" or "Your story sucks" - these are not specific or helpful. This would be ignored.

Does the critic offer a potential solution?
"The main character would be more realistic if s/he were to [xyz]" is constructive. Again, whether you agree is another question - but at least it's worth the time to read and consider. "The plot is a complete bore" is nonspecific and offers no solution. This would be ignored.

Does the critic make a personal attack?
Any time the critic levels personal attacks or insults, I tune out. These are non-helpful. Time is better spent on constructive and useful (and fun!) things.

Generally on most stories, you'll see that positive comments outnumber negative ones. Comments are like seeds. The more attention you shower on them, the more they'll grow. Spend your time interacting with those who enjoy your story - thanking those who leave positive comment, answering fan questions, etc. - the more positive comments will grow. Spend your time and energy arguing with trolls, and you'll have more trolling comments. If you're looking for a positive appreciative fun Literotica reader garden, I'd recommend feeding and watering the positive comments.


Edited to add: also, it's possible for both you and your reader to be right, even when you disagree. There will be times when a reader expresses a strong opinion (sometimes negative) about a character arc or plot twist. Though it can be disconcerting, do know that in a way that's a supreme compliment. When your work has inspired strong emotions in the reader, it means you've succeeded in immersing them in your world.

 

[SimonDoom]

I haven't deleted a comment yet. Some of the comments I received in response to my LW story were quite vicious, but comically so, and I knew what I was getting into when I submitted the story. Some day I may tire of troll comments and delete them, but for now I think of them as part of the Lit experience.

I appreciate Laurel's guidelines above. The post prompted me to submit a reply to comments I've received to my latest story.

 

[weftandwarp]

Hi all,

I'm a relatively new contributor. I like writing, but know my writing needs work. I appreciate when people leave feedback on a story or send me a private message, especially if it is specific about what someone liked or not.

But I got a lame comment today that was just:
"I'm STILL laughing at how bad this was."

By Anonymous, of course. I try not to let these bother me since I get positive feedback, too, either in the comments or just the ratings and favorites. But I kind of want to delete this comment because it's not helpful.

What is the general consensus on deleting comments? Do people delete spiteful comments? Or is it just the price you pay for allowing public comments? I don't feel like I want to delete all the negative comments I've gotten, and I've come to expect them in the non-consent category. But it's hard to get up the courage to post my stories and then have a comment like be attached to one of them.

Thanks for your thoughts!

I'm sorry that you, Upbeatunicorn becomes beatupunicorn. My policy is to leave all comments. I've never removed one. I think of it being like circumcision- it's no skin off my nose. You having a horn on yours (sorry- couldn't help but notice!) I'm not so sure, but really, when anon says stupid things I don't feel responsible for him or her. In a sense, removing the ridiculous is like rescuing the idiot and I feel loathe to do that. I've noticed too that anon often gets the comments up very soon after the story is released and there's no way the story could have been read. I think it's your call as to what you do and feel comfortable with so do exercise it

 

[NotWise]

I've only removed one comment, and I did that because the comment was factually incorrect. Apparently they (at best) skimmed the story before they commented.

There have been others that I was tempted to remove. Someone corrected my character's grammar in dialog. I thought that was odd. Another was a strong and non-specific opinion followed by "no better than a 3*" and I thought that might have influenced subsequent votes.

 

[Areala-chan]

I'd only consider killing a comment if it was a direct personal attack on me as a writer. People can bash the content of a story all they want, gripe about character decisions, whatever, I'll leave it alone. Personal attacks get axed; everything else stays until the servers go offline.