Do you feel weird to get the message "So&So has added your story to a Reading List"

[tenyari]

Lately yeah.

I haven't posted a story since 2008, so when I got this message recently I was a bit surprised.

I do want to look into finding what reading list it got added to, because I write to my own kinks and if somebody's putting me in a collection, odds are I want to read the other stories in there.

In fact the number 1 reason I started writing back in 2000 was because I wanted to get people to copy me and write stories I'd have fun reading. Something that is still my goal and why my lack of a new story frustrates me to no end...

 

[Duleigh]

Keep in mind that this message can mean one of two things, and you can tell which one it is by looking at whether the message is accompanied by a heart (meaning they've favorited your story) or a bookmark (meaning they've added it to their "to read later" list).

Also, as far as I can tell no notice is given to you, the author, when the reader who has bookmarked your story gets around to reading your story and upgrades the bookmark to a heart. I infer this because I get more bookmarks than hearts but when I consult my daily data summary favorites far outnumber bookmarks.

When I'm browsing for something to read I'll put a story that appeals to me but I don't have time to read it completely into a reading list, and when I get back to it then I'll rate and favorite it as I deem it earns.

Personally, I'd rather get comments, most of the time it tells me what my readers like and want to see more of. However sometimes that's confusing. My story with the most negative comments also got the most favorites and a pretty high rating (4.8) so... all theories look good on paper I guess.

 

[jaykaythree]

No, i'm flattered. I never think my writing is very good to begin with so if someone enjoys it, I'm flattered

This. Absolutely this.

I write because I like my story ideas; by putting them on here, I am (as I stated in a previous thread) running something up the flagpole and hoping someone salutes. I am throwing things against the wall and hoping they will stick. Therefore, when someone likes/favorites me or a story, etc., I count it a feather in my cap.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

This. Absolutely this.

I write because I like my story ideas; by putting them on here, I am (as I stated in a previous thread) running something up the flagpole and hoping someone salutes. I am throwing things against the wall and hoping they will stick. Therefore, when someone likes/favorites me or a story, etc., I count it a feather in my cap.

I feel the same way. Until it's published and the readers start to react, I always wonder if what I've produced is any good. I appreciate every bit of feedback I get, hoping it helps me to improve.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

No.

 

[Duleigh]

This. Absolutely this.

I write because I like my story ideas; by putting them on here, I am (as I stated in a previous thread) running something up the flagpole and hoping someone salutes. I am throwing things against the wall and hoping they will stick. Therefore, when someone likes/favorites me or a story, etc., I count it a feather in my cap.

Ditto!

 

[EdwardsOtherSide]

It depends.
Usually I look at the bio. If it is someone who has actually published something here, I am flattered. After that, it depends on the bio.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Several of my stories have readers who have come back to read them multiple times. I have never done an analysis of the reading list data reported on my stories, but in checking just now, all of my combined stories are in 1,885 reading lists, with my very first story being in 376 reading lists by itself.

 

[MyBareTorso]

I just logged in, went to My Home - All Activites, and saw this message:
So&So has added your story to a Reading List'.

I got this weird image in my mind. I picture someone pushing books away books by Melville, Salinger, Hemingway, Jack London, Theodore Dreiser, Edgar Allen Poe, etc...and reading a story of mine. I wanted to shout, "Dude, this is porn! Enjoy it, but I hope you have some of the classics on your Reading list!

I am happy with any positive response I get. The best are private messages with story suggestions...but I've only had two of those.

 

[Strixaluco]

I assume, probably incorrectly, that most people are like me and rarely go back to read any story for a second time. However, I've started reading some stories and added them to my reading list so I don't lose or forget them.

Reading list doesn't mean just favourites. My most used reading list is "Read later", for stories I think might be interesting, but I haven't read them yet. I also have a list for stories which ought to get more chapters.

But I DO come back to some stories. Getting to my favourites list isn't that easy, but there is one story I have already read about 5 times.

I wanted to shout, "Dude, this is porn! Enjoy it, but I hope you have some of the classics on your Reading list!

Maybe he/she has already read his/her classics. I have, it's not like I have Anna Karenina or 1984 on my reading list anymore.

 

[LdyHoneybee]

I vaguely wonder if and when they'lll get round to reading it and what they thought of it.

The thing that gets me is the momentary moment of elation when someone follows you, followed by the deflation when you realize they're following 2,000 other authors.

Yep

 

[davion2308]

I'll take it as a compliment. Even if they never actually go and reread the story at least I got an extra click out of them that they enjoyed it enough to think about saving it and taking steps.

Voting < Being added to a reading list < Comments.

I love that message because I actually impacted someone. It shows up instead of just watching the VIEWS add up where someone may click on a story and give up after five sentences.

 

[Duleigh]

I am happy with any positive response I get. The best are private messages with story suggestions...but I've only had two of those.

I've gotten a couple of requests for more stories about one of my characters that is blind. He's a minor character in a novella but I gave him a starring role in a short story, and he stole the show.

 

[Duleigh]

Reading list doesn't mean just favourites. My most used reading list is "Read later", for stories I think might be interesting, but I haven't read them yet. I also have a list for stories which ought to get more chapters.

I have a list of stories that have a setting or plot device that I may "borrow" in the future