Adopting a new attitude about comments

[JKendallDane]

I have decided to reach back to another lifetime when I was a real estate sales trainer and making an old truism I used to teach, my new mantra:

"People don't bother to complain about things they truly don't like!"

This is thanks to the latest chapter of my current story series having racked up about as diverse a collection of comments as possible...everything from "Hot as hell - More!" to "So bored with this story" (it only took them seven, multi-page chapters to get to that point LOL)

From now on, I will quit second-guessing myself over a less-than-glowing comment and instead take it as a compliment that they BOTHERED to make it; and knowing that the odds are if they are invested enough to still be reading after seven chapters, they will most likely not be able to ignore the ones yet to come.

Just seems to be a whole lot more productive than beating yourself up with things like: "Maybe I should have..."

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Your post sux.

 

[TxRad]

Please note that JBJ is the AH's pet troll.

 

[JKendallDane]

LOL....

....I believe that is what is known as "proving the point"!!!

Thank you JBJ

 

[lovecraft68]

In simpler terms any attention is good attention.

Something I have noticed is whenever I get a really shitty over the top comment-like one two days ago entitled "fuck you suck"- usually you get a few good ones.

people who look at the feedback forums tend to check out stories that get over the top remarks out of curiousity

 

[HeyAll]

Christopher Nolan had a funny line, 'If you're going to be believe the good reviews, you have to believe the bad ones too."

Paraphrasing.

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

desertslave posted a comment on a different thread that I think applies. Her art teacher said something like. The opposite of love is not hate it is apathy.

Even if you receive negative comments you had struck a cord with the poster which should be exactly what you are looking for or should be wanting to do. Your writing has compelled the poster to take their time so say something about your story.

Mike

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

desertslave posted a comment on a different thread that I think applies. Her art teacher said something like. The opposite of love is not hate it is apathy.

Even if you receive negative comments you had struck a cord with the poster which should be exactly what you are looking for or should be wanting to do. Your writing has compelled the poster to take their time so say something about your story.

Mike

Mike Brady! OMG

Uh, Mike, maybe the comment poster is nutz or maybe he's upset about an opinion you have about purple or rainy days and Mondays.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Usually, not always, usually negative post on a story are by good ole anon. Which usually means your story struck a nerve or your story is higher on the list than his favorite author. Not always, especially in Loving Wives, but usually.

 

[JKendallDane]

Even if you receive negative comments you had struck a cord with the poster which should be exactly what you are looking for or should be wanting to do. Your writing has compelled the poster to take their time so say something about your story.

I totally agree with you.

I knew from the beginning that this story would become frustrating to some readers, but that was part of the plot plan too...having them really feel the same angst and frustration that the main character did. The fact that some are bothering to complain in writing says I must have achieved the goal.

Plus there is the added bonus of; complaints included; that the latest chapter has been the top rated one in GM for a week now.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

I have decided to reach back to another lifetime when I was a real estate sales trainer and making an old truism I used to teach, my new mantra:

"People don't bother to complain about things they truly don't like!"

This is thanks to the latest chapter of my current story series having racked up about as diverse a collection of comments as possible...everything from "Hot as hell - More!" to "So bored with this story" (it only took them seven, multi-page chapters to get to that point LOL)

From now on, I will quit second-guessing myself over a less-than-glowing comment and instead take it as a compliment that they BOTHERED to make it; and knowing that the odds are if they are invested enough to still be reading after seven chapters, they will most likely not be able to ignore the ones yet to come.

Just seems to be a whole lot more productive than beating yourself up with things like: "Maybe I should have..."

Comments are my personal Gold Mine. There's a lot of crap in there, but when I find a gold nugget, it makes it worthwhile.

Literotica provides more feedback on stories than any place I know. If you're trying to hone your craft, you need good feedback. I've learned a lot from the comments over the years. Not from the 'Sux - 1*' or 'Loved it *****' but from the genuine comments about what the readers liked and didn't like.

I learned that subtlety rarely works with this crowd. A lot will get it, but you'll get many more who complain, and just plain don't understand. Without feedback, I'd never understand what works in my head, doesn't always work as well on paper. Beta readers and Writer's groups can help a lot for that as well.

Of course, when it comes to LW, forget everything I said. Your work will attract a particular segment of the readers who will applaud it, while the others tear it down. Very vocal crowd, and the lowest percentage of useful comments. Luckily they make up for that in raw numbers.

 

[MSTarot]

Very vocal crowd, and the lowest percentage of useful comments. Luckily they make up for that in raw numbers.

Strangely enough, the exact qualification of a zombie hoard.

 

[PayDay]

Of course, when it comes to LW, forget everything I said. Your work will attract a particular segment of the readers who will applaud it, while the others tear it down. Very vocal crowd, and the lowest percentage of useful comments. Luckily they make up for that in raw numbers.

"Go play sports, don't be mean unless you are supposed to."

 

[sr71plt]

The diversity of comments (and lack of comments) just reflects the diversity of readers. This isn't going to change, nor would I want it to. You aren't going to please "everyone" with anything less than pabulum--and even there you will get the complaints that what you wrote was pabulum. So look for your niche readers, concentrate on them, and filter the rest of it out.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The diversity of comments (and lack of comments) just reflects the diversity of readers. This isn't going to change, nor would I want it to. You aren't going to please "everyone" with anything less than pabulum--and even there you will get the complaints that what you wrote was pabulum. So look for your niche readers, concentrate on them, and filter the rest of it out.

Amen Brother Pilot

 

[carlieplum]

I've got a loving BDSM serial story going and am surprised by the comments saying they 1*ed me because of the BDSM aspects. Dudes (I'm assuming they are dudes, could be chicks), it's in the BDSM category, tagged for CFNM and femdom. What the fuck did you expect?

I don't know what the takeaway for me as an author is supposed to be other than complete befuddlement. I'm not into certain categories; I don't read them. Why would I read them and then 1* them and take the time to comment that I did so?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I've got a loving BDSM serial story going and am surprised by the comments saying they 1*ed me because of the BDSM aspects. Dudes (I'm assuming they are dudes, could be chicks), it's in the BDSM category, tagged for CFNM and femdom. What the fuck did you expect?

I don't know what the takeaway for me as an author is supposed to be other than complete befuddlement. I'm not into certain categories; I don't read them. Why would I read them and then 1* them and take the time to comment that I did so?

Doesn't matter. Readers come to LIT drunk and stoned and stupid and take it out on the writers when theyre in the wrong place.

I just read some Dwight Swain talking about the problem. A while back I wrote an Amazon Review, and one of the readers sent me a note pissed that I didn't alert him the book is fiction. Aint my book! And he didn't check the product description.

So relax. Its always gonna be like it is.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've got a loving BDSM serial story going and am surprised by the comments saying they 1*ed me because of the BDSM aspects. Dudes (I'm assuming they are dudes, could be chicks), it's in the BDSM category, tagged for CFNM and femdom. What the fuck did you expect?

I don't know what the takeaway for me as an author is supposed to be other than complete befuddlement. I'm not into certain categories; I don't read them. Why would I read them and then 1* them and take the time to comment that I did so?

The answer is in your post.

The bombs are coming from men.

Why?

Because its CFNM and Femdom meaning the women are in control.

I mean, what's wrong with you?

Didn't you know lit is a man's world? Rape okay, anything done to men a big no-no?

Obviously you need to learn your place and the super studs at lit will tell you that!

All kidding aside, my reason is valid. This sites readership is far more geared towards any form of control or submission or anything else being levied against women, not by them.

 

[LadyVer]

What's CFNM?

 

[lovecraft68]

What's CFNM?

Clothed female, naked male.

Most often seen these days on sites that feature male strippers who are naked and getting jerked off and blown by a sea of horny women that's what is popular on porn now.

But CFNM has BDSM control aspects as its generally used to humiliate a male. usually by having him naked in front of several fully clothed women and having him worship their feet or service them.

Very icky to the big strong men of lit.

 

[LadyVer]

Clothed female, naked male.

Most often seen these days on sites that feature male strippers who are naked and getting jerked off and blown by a sea of horny women that's what is popular on porn now.

But CFNM has BDSM control aspects as its generally used to humiliate a male. usually by having him naked in front of several fully clothed women and having him worship their feet or service them.

Very icky to the big strong men of lit.

oh. So the opposite of that is CMNF?

 

[lovecraft68]

oh. So the opposite of that is CMNF?

I suppose, but I never see it referenced that way.

I would think in the minds of the men here it would be referred to is "as it should be"

 

[LadyVer]

I suppose, but I never see it referenced that way.

I would think in the minds of the men here it would be referred to is "as it should be"

Maybe so.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've got a loving BDSM serial story going and am surprised by the comments saying they 1*ed me because of the BDSM aspects. Dudes (I'm assuming they are dudes, could be chicks), it's in the BDSM category, tagged for CFNM and femdom. What the fuck did you expect?

I don't know what the takeaway for me as an author is supposed to be other than complete befuddlement. I'm not into certain categories; I don't read them. Why would I read them and then 1* them and take the time to comment that I did so?

I can understand why people don't check tags before reading (the UI doesn't really encourage it) but when it comes to complaining about the genre of a story, I have to think there are a lot of people who just want to be jerks.

Reminds me of an old Gillies Report sketch with a well-known God-botherer who complained about "the perverted acts I see through people's windows, quite by accident while walking my terriers Jezebel and Onan... sometimes these acts go on for hours!"