What's the most useful kind of comment you can receive?

[SimonDoom]

Someone else has started a thread on really stupid comments, and that made me think of the opposite -- what's the most helpful sort of comment you can get from a reader? Something about your grammar? Spelling? About the plot?


For me, although I like positive comments a lot, I also appreciate criticism directed at the content of the story -- in particular, faulty plot details or discontinuities, because it's the sort of advice that makes me want to try harder the next time and get it right. I'm less interested in a reader pointing out grammar and spelling errors, because I know these are the result of proofreading errors rather than not knowing the correct spelling or grammar rule. I can try to proof better the next time, but things are still likely to slip through.

For example, I very recently received a comment on a story published nearly a year ago. The reader pointed out that a female character went to be with one sort of panties and woke up with another, with no explanation. The reader was right: it was my goof. It was a little detail, and I'll bet most readers missed it, but I want careful readers to be able to appreciate my stories and that's the sort of detail I don't want to miss. So I appreciate those sorts of criticisms.

I also appreciate comments, good and bad, on the believability of my characters' actions and motivations. That, to me, is the key to a good erotic story: getting the reader to believe that the character could do the erotic, and, in my stories, usually somewhat over-the-top, things he/she does in the story. So when readers tell me I made the story believable, or when they tell me it was ridiculous and unbelievable, I pay attention.

 

[JasonClearwater]

Someone else has started a thread on really stupid comments, and that made me think of the opposite -- what's the most helpful sort of comment you can get from a reader? Something about your grammar? Spelling? About the plot?


For me, although I like positive comments a lot, I also appreciate criticism directed at the content of the story -- in particular, faulty plot details or discontinuities, because it's the sort of advice that makes me want to try harder the next time and get it right. I'm less interested in a reader pointing out grammar and spelling errors, because I know these are the result of proofreading errors rather than not knowing the correct spelling or grammar rule. I can try to proof better the next time, but things are still likely to slip through.

For example, I very recently received a comment on a story published nearly a year ago. The reader pointed out that a female character went to be with one sort of panties and woke up with another, with no explanation. The reader was right: it was my goof. It was a little detail, and I'll bet most readers missed it, but I want careful readers to be able to appreciate my stories and that's the sort of detail I don't want to miss. So I appreciate those sorts of criticisms.

I also appreciate comments, good and bad, on the believability of my characters' actions and motivations. That, to me, is the key to a good erotic story: getting the reader to believe that the character could do the erotic, and, in my stories, usually somewhat over-the-top, things he/she does in the story. So when readers tell me I made the story believable, or when they tell me it was ridiculous and unbelievable, I pay attention.

I'm with you on all of the above. I want to know if the readers were able to invest. If it turned them on. If anything jarred, like continuity or character behaviour. Sometimes that opens up a conversation about motivation, and sometimes it's an opportunity to say, 'I'm getting to that'. I'm lucky, my commenters usually seem to get where I'm going. But the feedback I enjoy most is someone pointing out jokes they got, or references, or favourite scenes. I put a lot into my writing, even smut, and it's nice when someone 'gets' it.

 

[sunandshadow]

My most useful comments have been the kind that show a reader thought about the characters and what might happen next in the story. Those are the most useful because they are what motivates me to write more.

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm with you on all of the above. I want to know if the readers were able to invest. If it turned them on. If anything jarred, like continuity or character behaviour. Sometimes that opens up a conversation about motivation, and sometimes it's an opportunity to say, 'I'm getting to that'. I'm lucky, my commenters usually seem to get where I'm going. But the feedback I enjoy most is someone pointing out jokes they got, or references, or favourite scenes. I put a lot into my writing, even smut, and it's nice when someone 'gets' it.

In a recent chapter of an incest series I wrote the son is listening to a Pearl Jam song on headphones. Mom asks him what he's listening to and he tells her and she laughs, because it's about incest, only the son doesn't know that and doesn't understand why she's laughing. I've been hoping a reader would figure it out and let me know they "got" it, but if they did they haven't let me know yet. It might be a little subtle for Literotica. Or maybe there just aren't a lot of Pearl Jam fans who read mom-son stories.

 

[JasonClearwater]

In a recent chapter of an incest series I wrote the son is listening to a Pearl Jam song on headphones. Mom asks him what he's listening to and he tells her and she laughs, because it's about incest, only the son doesn't know that and doesn't understand why she's laughing. I've been hoping a reader would figure it out and let me know they "got" it, but if they did they haven't let me know yet. It might be a little subtle for Literotica. Or maybe there just aren't a lot of Pearl Jam fans who read mom-son stories.

I actually think it's a low expectation thing. They don't expect subtlety or references in (in this case, mother/son incest), so it sails by. That's why networking with other authors is rewarding. If you're both fans of the same genre, at least one other person gets the joke.

These days, I write in-jokes purely for other writers I know and like. You've got no way of knowing what your other readers want if they don't tell you.

Incidentally, which song is it?

 

[NotWise]

"Useful" implies that you could do something with the comment. I went to the feedback forum to get feedback on my first few stories, and I got useful input on spelling mistakes and readability.

I stopped doing that. I can get that kind of feedback from beta readers and volunteer editors. From readers I wanted the more emotional, less focused response from people who liked or didn't like the story.

The comments I like the most aren't necessarily useful, but they're engaging, insightful, and encouraging. They make me feel like I'm doing something right.

 

[SimonDoom]

I actually think it's a low expectation thing. They don't expect subtlety or references in (in this case, mother/son incest), so it sails by. That's why networking with other authors is rewarding. If you're both fans of the same genre, at least one other person gets the joke.

These days, I write in-jokes purely for other writers I know and like. You've got no way of knowing what your other readers want if they don't tell you.

Incidentally, which song is it?

Alive.

The lyrics are really opaque but Vedder said it was about mom-son incest a long time ago. He should know.

 

[Polyacrylate]

In a recent chapter of an incest series I wrote the son is listening to a Pearl Jam song on headphones. Mom asks him what he's listening to and he tells her and she laughs, because it's about incest, only the son doesn't know that and doesn't understand why she's laughing. I've been hoping a reader would figure it out and let me know they "got" it, but if they did they haven't let me know yet. It might be a little subtle for Literotica. Or maybe there just aren't a lot of Pearl Jam fans who read mom-son stories.

"Son," she said, "have I got a story for you..."

I/T isn't really my thing, but I probably would have caught the reference.

But, yes, feedback showing that the reader has thought about themes, details, and characters is always best.

 

[yukonnights]

Probably the most rewarding comments have been those few who were moved enough to write a comment to say the story moved them deeply.

I guess the most flattering ones are the couple of times a reader will write to say they thought I was so fortunate to have such love in my life (not realizing it's all pure fiction).

The most useful is one which told me I rushed the story and it wasn't clear why what happened did take place. This one jogged something in my brain that said; Hey, dummy...you're living this movie in your head...the reader can't see everything you see. That turns out to be a problem I hadn't even noticed in myself. I tend to get wrapped up in the thoughts/emotions of the characters to the detriment of setting the larger scene properly...I think that's my problem anyway

Public Service Announcement: It sucks to have a problem you're not aware is a problem

 

[nosebone]

I agree with the previous posters. The comments where you know people are invested always hit home. From one of my I/T stories, "If you break them up, I'm going to lose my s***." That emotional investment is touching to say the least. Some people push the flattery a bit far, but I try to keep it context.

I have a technical background and write technical reports for a living. So, I'm poorly equipped for my hobby. My absolute favorite comments are those that take the time to explain what I could improve other than the generic "You suck. Need an editor". When a poorly written tech report is presented to me, I always try to make the writer better, not s*** on them.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

"Useful" implies that you could do something with the comment.

Yeah, "useful" is a tough benchmark. I've had comments that made my day. I've had comments that inspired me. I've had comments that made me scratch my head. I don't think I've had comments that I've found useful. But then I'm only five stories into this hobby.

I suppose if some one pointed out a pattern or a recurring theme that cropped up in all my stories - some rut I had fallen into without noticing - that would be useful.

 

[CoffeeWithMonkeys]

This is one of my favorite comments that I've really taken to heart. I do tend to write my main protagonist like myself, so there is a bunch of inner dialog, conflict, but I've decided to try to add even more to future works. I was slightly afraid people would find it boring knowing what is going on in her mind all the time, but maybe not.

Anyway this was the comment.
The thing I liked the best about this story is that it is mostly told through inner dialog. That is, the main character and her thoughts, with only occasional interruptions for external dialog and exposition. As a man, I find the inner workings of the female mind incomprehensible. But this story made me feel like I was being given a behind-the-scenes tour of the real deal. This particular woman was full of self-doubt, insecurities, and just a touch of humor that kept the story humming along. It really rang true, too, and I felt that I was really getting to know a real person. The boy-toy was just so much window dressing, but that's how it should be. The story is all about her and her struggles with life.

 

[rae121452]

My most useful comments have been the kind that show a reader thought about the characters and what might happen next in the story. Those are the most useful because they are what motivates me to write more.

i agree with the above. one of my series' that receives consistently low ratings is the one i get the most positive feedback on. i would have dropped it if i hadn't had readers writing to me to discuss it and tell me how invested they are. ironically(?) it's also the one i most enjoy writing.

 

[ElectricBlue]

The reader pointed out that a female character went to be with one sort of panties and woke up with another, with no explanation. The reader was right: it was my goof.

Ah see, there's your mistake, thinking it's a goof. Sounds like a pretty obvious plot point to me - two girls, knickers off, wake up in the morning, get dressed. What's to explain?

 

[Blind_Justice]

Fuck "useful", I could do with "more" to begin with. Useful can come later.

 

[JasonClearwater]

Fuck "useful", I could do with "more" to begin with. Useful can come later.

Indeed. I used to fear in-depth criticism of my work. Now, I fear apathetic lack of interest.

 

[sunandshadow]

i agree with the above. one of my series' that receives consistently low ratings is the one i get the most positive feedback on. i would have dropped it if i hadn't had readers writing to me to discuss it and tell me how invested they are. ironically(?) it's also the one i most enjoy writing.

Is it more niche than your other stuff? That often results in a smaller but more vocal group of fans.

 

[Bray123]

Once or twice I've had a comment that a story finished too early/abruptly, when I had planned it as a denouement.

Recently I had a remark quite randomly (imho) in a WW2 historical story that an American soldier would have had access to condoms. In that story condoms were never mentioned.

However, in all the cases I decided to write sequels that addressed the points. So the comments spurred me to greater efforts. I tend to spend many hours re-reading and re-writing parts of stories and I do find typos in unexpected areas, however by the time it's published I doubt that any remain. I'd normally wait a couple of weeks after completion and re-read again, I find that I see it with a fresh eye and there are areas that still require adjustment.