Comments or direct feedback, which do you prefer?

[AMYJB1972]

I finally posted a second story. So far the rating is similar to the first story. It is new and part of a series, so I am not expecting the same amount of views yet or the same views as time goes. Same for the final two or three chapters that are still in the works.

I am puzzled by the lack of comments. Not I got a ton before but but right now it is none. I personally like feedback better, to me I like that type of interaction and insight from a reader.

What do you like as far input to your writing efforts?

 

[KeithD]

I don't expend energy on such choices.

 

[Dakota_North]

I would rather get direct feedback, it kind of lends itself to a conversation with your readers. But comments are nice too!

 

[jaF0]

Well, since neither will buy a cup of coffee ......

 

[CyranoJ]

What do you like as far input to your writing efforts?

Doesn't matter. Feedback on erotic stories is hard enough to come by that I don't care about the channel.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

I'm not picky so long as they're super complimentary and help soothe my raging insecurities while feeding my worsening narcissism.

Okay, no, you want a serious-ish answer... It takes effort to write a comment and even more effort to write direct feedback. Both are very welcome and appreciated, but if you feel you need more feedback then you need to find people you can solicit for opinions, i.e. beta-readers or an editor.

 

[HeyAll]

Comments because it makes the story look good, to be honest.

 

[Rustyoznail]

What is this "feedback" you speak of?

Seriously, I don't see many comments on most of my work, and I've only had a couple of PM's or emails. Any response is good.

 

[tomlitilia]

Comments because it makes the story look good, to be honest.

To whom? Are there really a substantial number of readers that read others' comments and let it influence their decision to read or not? The only time comments suggest they have read previous comments is in the LW wars. So to me I don't really mind what form the feedback comes in.

 

[PennameWombat]

I am puzzled by the lack of comments. Not I got a ton before but but right now it is none. I personally like feedback better, to me I like that type of interaction and insight from a reader.

Why are you puzzled? I have 36 published stories. Nine of them have zero comments. Ten others have two or fewer comments. Not a single one of my stories gets to ten comments. I view comments as the exception, not the rule.

What do you like as far input to your writing efforts?

Not picky. I appreciate anyone who's willing to take the time. I've received very few direct feedbacks as well and when I've responded to those there was no reply. Mainly I just hope at least some people read and enjoy my stories.

If you're here for active interaction or to get feedback with/from your readers, you're likely in the wrong place. YMMV.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I am puzzled by the lack of comments. Not I got a ton before but but right now it is none. I personally like feedback better, to me I like that type of interaction and insight from a reader.

My rule of thumb (from my story file alone) is one Vote per one hundred Views, one Comment per thousand. This is a comment/feedback lite site - but write really well or really badly, readers will generally let you know.

Feedback or comments, the depth of commentary I find is much the same. The difference is, with feedback you might get a return email address so you can say thanks.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

Comments because it makes the story look good, to be honest.

This is probably the 'correct' answer. I don't know about other readers, but I sometimes look at comments before reading a story. Also, authors don't really have right of reply on comments, but if someone sends negative feedback through the portal there's a slim chance they leave an email address and you can have a bit of a dialogue with them about what they didn't like and whether perhaps they'd better enjoy some of your other work if something rubbed them the wrong way.

I know others don't particularly look for that aspect when they publish here, but I feel it can have genuine value in some cases.

 

[KeithD]

authors don't really have right of reply on comments,

To comments directly on the text of the story? Sure they do. Authors can register comments there just like anyone else--and they often do.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

To comments directly on the text of the story? Sure they do. Authors can register comments there just like anyone else--and they often do.

Sure, but it’s unlikely the original commenter that you’re replying to sees it. With feedback there’s a slim chance of some back and forth.

 

[KeithD]

Sure, but it’s unlikely the original commenter that you’re replying to sees it. With feedback there’s a slim chance of some back and forth.

Neither you nor I (or anyone else) has any idea how often an original commenter comes back to see if there was follow-up. This is sheer, unverifiable conjecture.

 

[gordo12]

Also, authors don't really have right of reply on comments

I'm not sure where you got that idea from? I comment and have a dialogue on the comment section all the time. The comments used to be instantaneous, and the moderation has killed a lot of convos that used to happen.

And backing up what Keith said, you can't verify in any way, shape or form whether the commenter read your response. Also, other commenters pick it up and respond to it. All is good.

As far as the OPs question goes...I'm happy with either. Maybe a small preference for the emails because people have to put more work in for those.

 

[jaF0]

Also, authors don't really have right of reply on comments,

To comments directly on the text of the story? Sure they do.

I'm not sure where you got that idea from?

Authors may be able to add a comment like anyone else, but cannot directly reply to any specific comment the way we do here.

And since the comment section was probably never meant to be a discussion forum, the delay may be, in part, to thwart that.

 

[gordo12]

Authors may be able to add a comment like anyone else, but cannot directly reply to any specific comment the way we do here.

And since the comment section was probably never meant to be a discussion forum, the delay may be, in part, to thwart that.

Sure you can. You preface is with @jaFO (and a few words to identify their comment, usually the subject line) when you respond. The comment section was a story discussion (and other things) for decades before the current format eliminated it.

Edit: added some info in brackets.

 

[lovecraft68]

Sure you can. You preface is with @jaFO (and a few words to identify their comment, usually the subject line) when you respond. The comment section was a story discussion (and other things) for decades before the current format eliminated it.

Edit: added some info in brackets.

That worked until Lit, in its quest to ruin everything about the comment section decided to do away with being able to title a comment.

Now instead of @Jafo as a title it can only be the first words in your comment and won't necessarily gain the attention of the person you were trying to reply to.

 

[gordo12]

That worked until Lit, in its quest to ruin everything about the comment section decided to do away with being able to title a comment.

Now instead of @Jafo as a title it can only be the first words in your comment and won't necessarily gain the attention of the person you were trying to reply to.

They often set up their own title. Like: Ewwwww I just use that. And I tend to respond to people who don't get it or leave the wrong info. They may not see it but others do.

Because there's a link to the comments now right up front (new format) some read them before the story. I don't want them heading into it with misconceptions.

 

[Healwsteel]

Direct feedback is usually more helpful. For me, being new at this, that is more useful.

The comments have sometimes surprised me, but are usually more predictable. I like the good ones, but don't get that many. I recently finished a Mother/Son short series. I knew I was not going to let it go all the way. Received predictable comments of "I wasted their time."

 

[drscar]

As others have said, comments are the exception, not the rule. Usually people will comment only when they really, really like something, or when they mildly disagree with something.

Feedback is even rarer. When I do get feedback, though, it is almost always more thoughtful, more insightful, and (generally) more effusive. I love hearing that someone has internalized something that I wrote to the point where they feel inspired to write - sometimes going so far as to create an anonymous account on some platform just to do so. It's not a lot of effort, but it's definitely more than most!

For me, if the comment or feedback comes from another author on the site, it means more. I don't know if it's the same for anyone else, but I know that person has put time and effort into their own stories, and they know what it takes to get all the way to the "publish" button. To me, that's the kind of feedback that really makes my day.