Comments that want to write your story

[Smuttyandfun]

I've have gotten lots of comments requesting more chapters, or suggesting that they should have had a wedding, maybe had a few kids. I wonder if they'd also like to know what college their kids attended.
When I've written a story for a contest, and they ask for more, I just tell them it has to be a one and done.
Some readers like to suggest what more I should have added, even in a long story.
One reader has a thing for chest hair, and often suggests that the MC should have had a big hairy mat on his chest. I'm guessing she's really into cave men.
Readers also suggest that side characters deserve their own stories.

I sometimes consider their requests, but normally I'm just happy that they're reading what I write.

 

[Bramblethorn]

My favorite are the ones that tell me that I've entirely misunderstood my own characters, and that their perception of the events that happened in my story are wrong. There was a multi-paragraph (all scrunched together in one, natch) on Spoken in Anger that said, essentially, "so, like, how did the MC know that the wife didn't get into her accident because she was so excited to run off and be with her lover? Huh? How did she know that she ran in a panic?" There are folks that really just cannot deal with any story that doesn't meet with their worldview.

One of my favourite "you don't understand your own characters" came at the end of Red Scarf. It's a story about a relationship between two autistic women, and part of the point is that a relationship doesn't have to be forever to be important and positive.

I was expecting some readers to be disappointed that it didn't end up as a happy-ever-after romance but I wasn't quite prepared for the multi-paragraph response that told me I needed to write another chapter bringing the two back together, and how I'd misunderstood my characters' feelings. Even as the commenter acknowledged that their only previous knowledge of autism was having watched Rain Man... a film about an "autistic" man, portrayed by a non-autistic actor, written by two non-autistic dudes, based on two real-life non-autistic people.

Something I don't often get on my own stories, but which I see on other people's, is those comments that are very specific about the commenter's personal preferences - "this would have been better if he had spent at least two minutes licking each of her breasts, and if the author had described the pinkness of her areolae" kind of thing. I think some folk don't understand the difference between "this would have been more enjoyable to me personally" and "this would have been more enjoyable to readers in general".

One feature I would like to see on the site is the ability to click on a (non-anon) commenter's name and see the other comments they've left on stories recently. Having an easy way to see "oh, they say that kind of thing on every story" would be helpful in gauging how seriously to take such comments.

 

[Voboy]

One feature I would like to see on the site is the ability to click on a (non-anon) commenter's name and see the other comments they've left on stories recently. Having an easy way to see "oh, they say that kind of thing on every story" would be helpful in gauging how seriously to take such comments.

Interesting. Like a "comments" version of clicking on their "favorites" when they follow you.

 

[lovecraft68]

One feature I would like to see on the site is the ability to click on a (non-anon) commenter's name and see the other comments they've left on stories recently. Having an easy way to see "oh, they say that kind of thing on every story" would be helpful in gauging how seriously to take such comments.

I want to do that on the comments that say best story ever....that way I can see they say that on all the stories.

 

[alohadave]

I think in BDSM the "the cultish way" some are trying to enforce the rules is due to the fact the category should just be absorbed into NC/R because that's an ever growing issue over there.

Oops, look I just did it, kind of.

Wow, that would be awful. I get the porn aspect, but BDSM is the antithesis of nonconsent.

 

[GrantBricksly]

I get some sometimes. Once in a while they are actually good points. I had a comment on my "Sample Collection" story about what a reader thought would have made for a better ending, and honestly, I think they were right.

The way I see it, those comments are in one of two boats.

1: They are just that kind of person, and they want what they want, and didn't quite get it. No big deal. If they are pushy about it or not, I just ignore it for the most part.

2: I did such a good job creating my characters and scenes that they became invested on a personal level. And now that feel connected. I like that. If the suggestions are good, I take them and keep them in mind for future stories/edits. But if not, I just keep it in mind for what my readers want, and ignore the rest.

 

[NotWise]

"Unlikely Angels" had a small group of loyal readers when it first came out, and they were always commenting on what should happen next. There was a long hiatus in the story and I lost most of those readers, but a few came back after the hiatus. Their concept of the story wasn't in step with mine, so they were usually wrong.

I took the story down when I decided that I wouldn't finish if for Lit. Just before the last posted chapter (21, I think it was) an anonymous commenter not only predicted correctly what would come next, but pretty well nailed the twist that would change the story into a not-for-Lit tale. I didn't feel so bad after that about taking the story down.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I can't speak to what other authors are experiencing in those genres — I don't read many stories here on Lit. But I do tend to focus more on the emotions and also on loving relationships — with some tension and doubts sprinkled in, which may be factor in how the story is viewed?

My trans story (where I contacted Sticky Girl for guidance) did quite nicely:
Songs of Seduction - Silk and Skin
A contemplation of gender and femininity.
10/02/2020 in Transgender & Crossdressers Stories
HOT
14 favourites
11.8k
4.79 / 33
7 comments
It had none of the porn trans cliches, had a sibling incest sub-theme, and was my usual slow burn. Comments were all appreciative, nothing hostile or negative. I suspect those readers wanting trans cock porn were gone after the first scene, set in an art gallery featuring designer dresses. That's guaranteed to filter my audience, keeping the one I wrote for.

Also, most importantly, StickyGirl's character Hannah featured in a cameo, thus kicking off her adventures (in Sticky's account).

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I've noticed a genre of commentary that is often positive but sometimes hard to tell, where the commentator will basically just say what they think should happen next in a series (or possible sequels), or even what SHOULD have happened in the story they're commenting on. It has literally never been my impulse to try to influence an author and their work, so I genuinely don't know what the impulse is. Benign 'wouldn't it be fun if [kink] happened' is all well and good, but I will also get suggestions for character development and plot beats.

And usually, the tone is quite forceful! It tends to make me feel like I am going to disappoint one person in particular (or however many leave those comments) if I don't deliver.

Do you get many of these? Do you ever take inspiration from them, or simply view it as a form of flattery more than criticism?

yeah, i get 'em.

and fuck 'em.

 

[ofbuttons]

I got one that said that they loved my story, but please don't include cuckolding (which I had warned for in the first chapter but hadn't written yet), and I am not wholly sure what to do with that information, lol.

 

[nice90sguy]

I know zip about bdsm but from what I've overheard, they observe an accepted set of rules in an almost cultish way.

That's spot-on, as I discovered to my disappointment. It's surprisingly conformist.

 

[John_Oakman]

That type of commentary tend to be far more common and accepted on writing forums where stories tend to have a more serialized format. I experienced something along those lines when I started a story on another site/forum a few years back. Suffice to say due to unexpected levels of feedback and some other things IRL at the time I ended up basically caving into the pressure, turning what originally was intended to be a light hearted comedy into a dark, more serious horror.

Learned my lesson, that ain't ever happening again.

 

[nice90sguy]

Learned my lesson, that ain't ever happening again.

Right on. Let those readers do some learning for a change. But commercially speaking, maybe you did the right thing when you caved.

 

[stickygirl]

That's not been my experience — I'm sorta shocked it's been yours.

In my experience, the Trans/CD category and the Lesbian category readers have been really supportive over the years. I enjoy writing in both. FWIW, you can claim a good bit of that reader appreciation because of your help and tutelage.

I can't speak to what other authors are experiencing in those genres — I don't read many stories here on Lit. But I do tend to focus more on the emotions and also on loving relationships — with some tension and doubts sprinkled in, which may be factor in how the story is viewed?

I'm a fussy reader and try to avoid cliche in my own, limited number of, stories. I do try to push the realistic and positive message of being trans and find it exasperating that the genre relies on formulaic language, plot and sex. OTOH if I were a publisher, I'd be telling those authors 'You've stuck gold - keep going!' There is a market for fetishising MtF trans folk *shrug* I'll keep writing for me and having fun with my soccer players and polar explorers!

 

[stickygirl]

It would be fun to write a story that relied on comments to steer the plot . The author would have to devise a way to bring a dead person back, show the hairy chested man spent three hours giving her head or that the parted lovers had a huge white wedding on a beach in Hawaii ... a bit like most tv soaps.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

It would be fun to write a story that relied on comments to steer the plot . The author would have to devise a way to bring a dead person back, show the hairy chested man spent three hours giving her head or that the parted lovers had a huge white wedding on a beach in Hawaii ... a bit like most tv soaps.

And don't forget his twelve inches, and her double D's topped with rosy red, perky nipples, because they all want everything described right down to her freckles.

 

[John_Oakman]

Right on. Let those readers do some learning for a change. But commercially speaking, maybe you did the right thing when you caved.

Hilariously enough, I botched the ending to said story so badly that it spurred 2 different guys to write their own alternate endings.

 

[creative1772]

Yeah. Those get deleted posthaste.

MY comment section is not THEIR backdoor submission window. If they want to write a story, well, there's a way to do that.

so it's not just me!!!

i received a feedback email that was basically an outline for another story that they wanted me to write.
the thing is, it was about two pages long
i was thinking, why not just fill in the details and publish that yourself?
it felt super weird to have someone make a request that i write a story for them out of the blue...

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I only saw readers making these types of comments with the first story that I posted in multiple parts. I didn't submit all of the chapters in sequence on the same day, and they ended up getting posted over a month or more due to my wedding and other events in my life at the time. As readers found time between submissions, they would offer suggestions and advice on where they felt the story should head. I ignored them because the story was already complete, and some even commented at the end that they were glad I didn't follow their suggestion.

Posting complete stories all at once tends to eliminate the perceived need for readers to make suggestions since they recognize the pointlessness of that.

On the other hand, I do have a tendency to end my stories with content that leaves the readers wanting more. (My Valentine's Day entry is an example) I am receiving several comments from readers urging me to write more on this story, and some of these do include suggestions on what they would like to see in the future. I don't mind those types of comments at all, but I don't use them as a guide either.

 

[oneagainst]

Yeah, getting a bunch of suggestions in the last couple of series, usually in diametric opposition ("she should totally make Lily her bitch", then "I hope she becomes Lily's bitch"). The thing you realise is that everyone brings their own stuff to your stories, right? Though I have to say getting read the BDSM rules riot act in a story where the principal characters are admitting in the text they're trying to learn about it and making mistakes was a little rough.

ofbuttons, yeah, just steer your own course with the Doghouse, you're doing a good job.

And as for the anon commenters, my open invitation still stands: if you think you have a better take, write it and I'll link it in the comments. It's a big world, happy to invite you in, and suddenly there's one less of them, and one more of us.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I've not had that many comments beyond 'would love to see more of these characters!' which is nice and gets me thinking.

I was surprised though to get multiple comments on a fairly-realistic sibling incest story complaining the couple should have stayed together and ideally had children, and that I'd basically written a one-night-stand. Apart from being a whole weekend, tough. Would have been a totally different story. I choose to interpret it as a vaguely complimentary 'would have liked more.'

There's some commenters I get who have to critique the sex scenes, usually complaining that 'she should have done X, Y, and Z.' I'm generally writing from the female point of view, often her being pleasantly surprised by a chap making an effort, and invariably the suggestions would have been out of character, eg one woman is told to put her hands down and not do anything with them, with reactions resulting in lots of kinky sex in subsequent chapters.

One guy did say he'd like to have seen her do more, but then conceded the idea of this hot woman responding and reacting in also hit, so concluded 'as you were'!

The ones who say 'she should have been ...', especially in Anal, often are asking for something physically impossible. I treat those with all due consideration.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

That's spot-on, as I discovered to my disappointment. It's surprisingly conformist.

It is true, but it is true for almost every other category. There are certain patterns, certain sets of kinks and personality traits that readers expect in most categories. And if you deviate, readers will express their dislike through scores or comments. The intensity and language of that displeasure is quite different across categories though.

 

[lovecraft68]

Hilariously enough, I botched the ending to said story so badly that it spurred 2 different guys to write their own alternate endings.

I put out an incest story in 2012 that incensed a reader to the point they sent me a long nasty feedback, but not as anon, and I responded to their points because even though he wasn't exactly polite in huis critique, the points themselves were interesting. he replied back apologizing for being nasty and we had a good discussion about writing in general.

He then asked if I would let him rewrite the ending his way and publish it, and I said sure, just put a note that I know its being done so people don't say he's being an asshole. The comments on his were interesting, some liked his ending better, some liked the original and a few said he was a jerk for doing it at all.

End of the day I found it flattering, pissing someone off enough to decide to write their own version is a strong reaction.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Yeah, I've once edited/resubmitted a lesbian story based on comments to give it a happier ending, or rather gave them another sex scene. I've also had another author simply say 'Should have been in Romance' when it was in N/E. Same with transgender stories, which are not allowed to be romantic or lesbian and ought to fulfil the expectation that it should be full of abuse and anal. I don't give such comments much time.
Ya can't please em all, so I please meself

I must have gotten lucky with the one transgender (male to female) story I did. I did a modest amount of research for it because it's not a topic I'm very familiar with. I know a couple of transgender people commented on it favorably.

It did pretty well although I would classify it as romantic. There is oral sex in it, but no anal, even though their is a hint that may happen in the future. Of course, some guy did email me with suggested sequel ideas that included anal. "Food for thought," he called his ideas. But I don't plan a sequel although it is possible I'll be inspired some day.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Thanks for your insights, all.

How it goes is that I will ignore the super critical ones that feel like someone wandered into the wrong store and are blaming me, a merchant of cookies, for not selling them lemonade. Not useful feedback. My femdom story on the erotica website probably won't feature the man suddenly realising he hates everything that was arousing him previously and ask for a divorce, shockingly enough.

It's the ones that are enthusiastic and positive but also offer assertive opinion on where I should take the story next that kind of confound me. Surely you trusted me this far, dear reader, to provide a thing you like? But I suppose the best way to engage is to appreciate their investment and allow for inspiration if I am strongly moved, but otherwise stick to my guns.

Especially when the story I am writing is about slow escalation, and the opinions tend to be requests that I ramp it up faster. Nope, sorry, I'm setting the pace.

This topic has gotten a huge response. It occurred to me that Lit is not like a small literary journal. It's a place for the mass production of, ah, written stuff.

I could use the analogy of Amazon.com, where readers can order anything they want, then rate it (one to five, I think, like here) and comment on it. It's rather impersonal, but we mostly couldn't publish anything under the older print system. Try to get something into Harper's magazine if you're not, say, T.C. Boyle. (I think they had Joan Didion at least once.)