Handling Arguments in Comment Section

Zodia195

Really Experienced
Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Posts
200
Hey guys, with one of my stories, I've started noticing a few harsh words happening between one of my fans and a critic. The last thing I want is a fight in my comment section of my stories.

I am happy I have supporters and if I feel a criticism is too harsh, (like it goes into flame territory) I'll ignore it. Anyway, any suggestions on how I should deal with this situation?

On a side note, the critic in this situation has always has commented as an anon. While this person has had valid criticisms, he/she has started to come off a bit rude and says I should get rid of my editor. Honestly ever since I gotten an editor I hardly get complaints about my grammar anymore. I am more likely to listen to criticism if it's given in a polite manner. It's just something I wanted to mention.

Thanks guys.
 
You have the power to delete any comments you don't want there. If you weigh in on the discussion yourself, there's the possibility that the yammering would get full blown and overpower your story.
 
If you weigh in on the discussion yourself, there's the possibility that the yammering would get full blown and overpower your story.

I agree. Wading into the fray will not go well. Either moderate the really obnoxious stuff or leave it be.
 
I haven't done anything yet because of that reason ya'll stated. It's why I wanted to ask for advice first before I did anything.

How do you get rid of unwanted comments? Because that last one I felt the anon did was crossing the line I feel.
 
How do you get rid of unwanted comments? Because that last one I felt the anon did was crossing the line I feel.

Using the new control panel, click on the comments icon next to your story title (it's the furthest left of the three icons and looks like two cartoon conversation bubbles) and scroll as needed to the comment. There's a trash can icon next to the comment. Click the icon to delete the comment.
 
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for the future. I'd rather handle situations like this without directly getting involved.
 
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for the future. I'd rather handle situations like this without directly getting involved.

I've never had readers so involved that they argued over the story. Fun conversation, yes.

The only comment I've deleted, I deleted because it was factually incorrect. There's no reason to let that stay.
 
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for the future. I'd rather handle situations like this without directly getting involved.

Anons sometimes get angry when their posts are removed, and it just gets worse. If I were you, I'd just leave things be. It will blow over soon.
 
Anons sometimes get angry when their posts are removed, and it just gets worse. If I were you, I'd just leave things be. It will blow over soon.

So, they get angry (not enough to let them guilt you into leaving inflammatory comments). Delete those comments too if you like. If they take it out on your ratings, they probably already have done so.
 
Unless they are gratuitously offensive, I leave the comments alone for a week or so before considering deletion.

Sometimes 'admin' deletes the comment before I do.
 
If your fan and an anon are having an argument in the comment section you're supposed to moderate, and you don't want the argument there, then make it "not there." Delete them, in other words, until the comment section is what you want it to be. That's what a moderator does.

To be fair, delete your fan's replies with as much detachment as you delete the anon's comments; it takes two to tango, and you don't want this tango to occur.

It seems to me that, in allowing it to occur, you've taught them it's okay.
 
So, they get angry (not enough to let them guilt you into leaving inflammatory comments). Delete those comments too if you like. If they take it out on your ratings, they probably already have done so.

This. People here *get* to read my stories, because I volunteered my time and effort. If they don't like them they can move on. Comments they leave are my property and while I haven't had to delete often, when I do I do it without a drop of remorse. Taking out the trash is part of life.
 
I never get involved in arguments, and immediately delete anything deliberately inflammatory or rude. If people want to discuss something they can do so politely, elsewhere, or not at all.
 
It's obnoxious

To start an argument in someone else's comments section is boorish. Simple courtesy reserves that space for the story and the person who wrote it, not for jerkoffs to appropriate for their own vanity. It's like another couple making out at your wedding.

Tell them to get a room... or a cage.
 
Back
Top