Authors, How Do You Like Your Feedback?

[Antinomy]

When I find a story that I like here or at some other erotica site, I generally will see if the author has posted others. If so, I will read several more. If I like a number of them, I will usually send the author a note expressing my appreciation if they have provided a means of contact. Normally, I will at least mention which story was my favorite. If they wrote something I thought was clever, I might mention that. After that, I'm not sure how much more I should say.

Sometimes I am tempted to get a bit graphic and explain which parts of the stories I especially liked. I remember once, for example, complimenting a woman on how she wrote such wonderful descriptions of blowjobs, and received a nice note in reply. Other times, my messages are completely ignored. That smarts a bit, especially if I have put some time into my comments.

So, if you receive feedback from your readers, how much information becomes too much? Do you like learning which scenes they thought were the best? Do you like hearing how aroused they got? Descriptions of how hard or wet they were? Or would you prefer more staid commentary?

 

[Chicklet]

It's hard to respond to that, even though I was thinking about the same things while I was reading some feedback I'd neglected from the past couple of weeks.

I hate the one-line "you rock!" or "you suck ass!" feedbacks, I also hate the one's where the reader describes the orgasm they gave themselves in the midst of the story. I hate when someone comes on to me, describes themself in the feedback, offers to fuck me or do the same things to me that were in my story. The kind of feedback I enjoy is the (seemingly) honest request to be penpals, or inquiries about the story, such as "where did you get the idea." Basically anything other than a very sexual email makes me happy, though.

-Chicklet

 

[Sabledrake]

I like to hear what specific parts of the story worked or didn't for the reader, what characters or scenes were the most interesting, etc. A single "this story rocked" is nice, but I want more, I want to know where and why it rocked

But I don't particularly need to know that someone got a blister on his weenie from rubbing off to my tale ... that's a tad TMI. Nor am I all that keen on feedback asking for a naughty pic of myself. I don't have one, and even if I did, it'd scare away the readers!

Sabledrake

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I like to hear what specific parts of the story worked or didn't for the reader, what characters or scenes were the most interesting, etc. A single "this story rocked" is nice, but I want more, I want to know where and why it rocked

I'm with chicklet and sable drake on that...

I also agree with them...when I've been offered a fuck, asked for pictures (um...I have a thread...go there), or the following comment "was this based on a real experience....I hope so!" is part of the message I'm not thrilled.

I try to reply to every feedback sent to me, as long as they have a reply email. It can soemtimes just take a week or two for me to get to it.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

So, if you receive feedback from your readers, how much information becomes too much? Do you like learning which scenes they thought were the best? Do you like hearing how aroused they got? Descriptions of how hard or wet they were? Or would you prefer more staid commentary?

I'm glad when people write me kind little notes saying "I liked your story" or "You're a great author", but the only feedback I ever reply to are those that go into details, ie tell me WHY they liked it. I don't need to hear that they came very hard, or that they got very hard/wet from reading it, such comments I usually just shrug mys houlders at, thinking "good for you, hon".

What I like is when people are more personal, like that one who said "I was glad to find an inter-racial story that wasn't racistic", or "My wife and I liked your loving wife-story very much. It gave us a new little phantasy..."

That means that I have really written a GOOD story, that has got people thinking and feeling. Yay me!

 

[Otus de la Nuit]

So, if you receive feedback from your readers, how much information becomes too much? Do you like learning which scenes they thought were the best? Do you like hearing how aroused they got? Descriptions of how hard or wet they were? Or would you prefer more staid commentary?

There are enough different personalities and tastes on the Lit author list that you're not going to please everyone. Not a big deal, it's awesome that you're writing the feedback in the first place. That said, impo the best feedback is just a written version of what caused you to click that "send feedback" button in the first place. What touched you or moved you or made you [laugh] hard enough to want to contact this person?

Most serious authors also appreciate constructive criticism. Let me repeat: constructive...criticism. So letting them know what you think would improve on the story is good.

"Your story's kinda nice, but damn! You spell like one crazy mofo," may not be your best choice.

 

[pop_54]

Hi

Any way it comes friend, if someone feels the need to go into great detail, fine by me. If they just say "Nice One" again fine by me.

I don't even object to idiot feedback, it gives me a grin, and I like a grin.

pops..........

 

[TheEarl]

I like everything. Even if it's just 'You suck big donkey dick' I'll reply to it and say thank you very much. The thought that someone reads my story and actually enjoys it is so novel that I have a wave of gratitude every time someone lets me know.

Compliments always go down well. If you are telling me about something I got wrong or why something wouldn't have worked, nothing is TMI.

The best feedback I've ever got was from someone who liked my stories and posts so much that she asked me to edit her next story. That was a real compliment and I still have a shit-eating grin on my face.

Simple minds, easily pleased

The Earl

 

[openthighs_sarah]

Antinomy, please feel free to send me any kind of feedback you want, including the graphic bits. I'm easily shocked and offended but, on the other hand, I get off on being shocked and offended, so it all works out pretty well.

I like details in feedback, as long as they're about me, my extraordinariness, etc. I don't even mind people telling me they're going to do to me what my character had done to her in the story, as long as they can spell worth a damn. Exclamation points are welcome, too. Story sequel suggestions are typically ignored, although I may snicker about them for a minute or two. As far as constructive criticism -- I've only had one person ever complain about a story for any reason, and he made a good enough point that I actually thought about the story and about the way I write for almost a full minute. Then I sobbed uncontrollably. So yeah, I always welcome that.

~sarah

p.s. You suck big donkey dick, Earl. (That's an American neologism for "I quite fancy your writing.")

 

[Guest]

.
.
.
I've only had one person ever complain about a story for any reason, and he made a good enough point that I actually thought about the story and about the way I write for almost a full minute. Then I sobbed uncontrollably. So yeah, I always welcome that.

____

I told you I'm sorry, dammit. Let it go, already!


(Mmmm ... but those were very tasty tears.)

 

[openthighs_sarah]

____

I told you I'm sorry, dammit. Let it go, already!


(Mmmm ... but those were very tasty tears.)

Wipe off that tear-sucking grin, boy.

 

[Guest]

Wipe off that tear-sucking grin, boy.

______

Fine. So here's my shit-eating grin, girl!

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons/04.gif

 

[openthighs_sarah]

______

Fine. So here's my shit-eating grin, girl!

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons/04.gif

You sick, twisted fuck.

I like that.

 

[Guest]

You sick, twisted fuck.

I like that.

____

(I only do it for you, baby.)

 

[Alex De Kok]

As TheEarl said -

The thought that someone reads my story and actually enjoys it is so novel that I have a wave of gratitude every time someone lets me know.

I too find the thought that someone actually likes my work tremendously exhilarating. All feedback is welcome and I try to respond to those who supply an e-mail address. I did a quick check on figures. The stories I have posted on Literotica, under two names, have garnered in excess of 730,000 'looks' (they won't all be 'reads'), but only 6600+ votes, less than 1%. My feedback total is less than 200, just over 2% of the votes total, or 0.02% of the looks!

Give me feedback! Any feedback!

Alex

 

[the_bragis]

Hello Antinomy,

Good question.

I’m whore for feedback. I’ll take anything and everything anyone wants to dish up to me. The good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s often very helpful to see your work though another person’s eyes.

I have written a few Mistress/submissive male stories which attract feedback telling me, in graphic detail, exactly how my stories were enjoyed, but they don’t really shock or bother me. I think if you write erotica, you have to be prepared for a few odd-ball emails.

Alex (fem)

 

[Antinomy]

I want to send feedback when an author has impressed me somehow. Usually, it has to be for a significant amount of work, because I actually do think about what I am writing and invest some time. But when they have made available a lot of material that I have enjoyed for free and have expressed a desire for feedback, a note of thanks seems to be the least that I can do.

On the other hand, we are talking about erotica or pornography in this case. The proper way to write a thank-you note in such a situation wasn't something my mother covered when she was teaching me manners. I'm sure the etiquette manuals are silent on the subject as well. (That might make a good book, Extreme Etiquette: Good Manners for Those Situations Mom Never Talked About.)

Anyway, I often don't know what to say. Something like, "I was hard as a rock, and I would love to have your character chained up in my basement" seems over the top somehow, even it that was what I was actually thinking. A simple "go job," while probably better than nothing, strikes me as dull, though. So thanks for the insight.

***

Sarah, you were one of the authors who have impressed me recently. I sent you a note a few days ago. When you get around to reading it, I hope you are appropriately shocked and offended.

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

Any and all feedback is good, at least they took the time to say something and let me know they read it. I may be the only one they feel they can share their thoughts with about the story so whatever they have to say I always reply.

Wicked

 

[Whispersecret]

I like all the feedback I get. So far VERY few letters have gone into the TMI file. The only ones that have, did so more because the PERSON writing the feedback was obviously disturbed rather than a glut of unwanted personal detail.

Actually, the more detail the reader goes into, the better. I adore finding out that that one particular scene hit them funny, just like I hoped it would, or that such and such character was so well-rounded that they want to marry him.

I also agree that you have to expect the wet/hard/I came feedback, by virtue of the genre we're writing in. I find it flattering.

The more a reader includes in his feedback, the more I'm able to respond individually when I write back. And I always write back if they provide a return address. It may take a while, but I do write back. It's the least I can do when someone went out of their way to write me.

(Edited for a typo.)

 

[KillerMuffin]

I like any feedback that doesn't include the assumption that I'm either available for sex of some sort or interested in discussing my own personal sex life. I put the fact that I'm not interested in these things due to my happy, closed marriage that I want to keep. Most of the "wanna hook up" stuff quit after that. Some people either don't read it or think they're special enough to tempt me.

I'm terrible about responding to it, though. Bad Muffie. Hopefully the loss of calculus in my life will give me a boost.

 

[MathGirl]

Gd grf!

Hopefully the loss of calculus in my life will give me a boost.

Dear Muffie,
Are you saying that you can actually comtemplate a life devoid of calculus? What a dismal outlook.
MG

 

[catalina_francisco]

For myself I welcome comments (so please feel free), and always make a point of replying with at least a thank you. The more information they contain the better as it gives me a guide as to what people enjoy and how my writing is received by those who do not know me personally.

Catalina

 

[Wyatt]

I don't mind any type of feedback. I'm glad to think I can be of some service to others and if they feel the need to TELL me in graphic detail how hard/wet/horny I got them fair enough.

But to the lady who said one of my stories was that bad an effort I should quit Literotica and never darken its doors again

Ya Boo sucks

I'm still here

 

[SexyChele]

I appreciate the feedback I get. However, I do not like the "Okay, so when can we fuck" type of stuff. (And, yes, I did receive that once)

If there was a certain scene or character or wording that the reader liked or got off on, I'd like to know that. It helps to know what readers like so I can improve future stories. While I do appreciate where the "You're great!" stuff, I really look forward to those readers who can let me know what didn't work for them. It doesn't have to be nasty or unkind, just an explanation such as the dialogue didn't follow the character's personality or I screwed up on some major fact.

If the reader sends me feedback and they include an email address, I will respond. (Unless it's of the "Let's fuck" variety - those are just deleted) I always find it disappointing when a reader leaves an email that is not "real" and I can't properly thank them. I figure if they took the time to give feedback, the least I can do is say thank you.

I do wish that more readers who send not so kind feedback would leave email addresses, though. It's very confusing when a reader sends feedback saying something that they didn't like the story but they don't go into any detail. Was it the character? The plot? The place? Dialogue? Sex? What?? I was fortunate to have one person leave me his email address, and I was able to get in touch with him to ask him more specific questions, and his return feedback was invaluable! And I think he was more surprised that I didn't jump all over him for sending less than kind comments, but I learned a lot from him.

Feedback is good, very good. Dick size and amount of cum and the length it shot is not good, though.

 

[openthighs_sarah]

If the reader sends me feedback and they include an email address, I will respond. (Unless it's of the "Let's fuck" variety - those are just deleted) .

SexyChele, is that why you never answer any of my "Let's fuck!" PMs and feedbacks?