Doesn't anyone comment anymore.

[Larkfield61]

As a relatively new author l find readers comments generally helpful, it's nice to get good comments but it is also constructive if readers point out anomalies in the stories.

The problem l seem to be getting, especially with my latest offering is that where plenty of people rate my story good enough to be put on their favourites list, plus my star rating is hovering around 4.5 which l am happy with, no-one sees fit to make any comment.

I wonder how many other authors find this frustrating.

 

[SusanJillParker]

As a relatively new author l find readers comments generally helpful, it's nice to get good comments but it is also constructive if readers point out anomalies in the stories.

The problem l seem to be getting, especially with my latest offering is that where plenty of people rate my story good enough to be put on their favourites list, plus my star rating is hovering around 4.5 which l am happy with, no-one sees fit to make any comment.

I wonder how many other authors find this frustrating.

You want comments? I'll give you comments.

Write a story about gun control and about being against the NRA and you'll have more comments than votes.

I've written two stories posted in the Review and Essay Category and I still have protesters with guns outside my house (lol).

 

[ElectricBlue]

The problem l seem to be getting, especially with my latest offering is that where plenty of people rate my story good enough to be put on their favourites list, plus my star rating is hovering around 4.5 which l am happy with, no-one sees fit to make any comment.

Expect to see around 1 vote for every 100 views, and if you're lucky, 1 comment per 100 votes. Unless your story is rubbish - folk will certainly tell you that; or unusually good, in which case folk will tell you that too. There's no predicting it, except to say a few comments tend to encourage more. Also, different genres generate different response patterns. Some readers are shy, retiring folk. They tell me if you want lots of comments, post in LW. Might not be comments you want, though....

It's safe to say that no comments means you're not generally not too bad, not too brilliant. Right on the bell curve, no rewards there

 

[SusanJillParker]

Expect to see around 1 vote for every 100 views, and if you're lucky, 1 comment per 100 votes. Unless your story is rubbish - folk will certainly tell you that; or unusually good, in which case folk will tell you that too. There's no predicting it, except to say a few comments tend to encourage more. Also, different genres generate different response patterns. Some readers are shy, retiring folk. They tell me if you want lots of comments, post in LW. Might not be comments you want, though....

It's safe to say that no comments means you're not generally not too bad, not too brilliant. Right on the bell curve, no rewards there

Sorry. I beg your pardon but I humbly disagree.

Expect one comment for every 200 views. Now, a view doesn't mean that they read your story but just opened your story.

Expect one comment for every 2,000 views...if you're lucky and have written something worth making a comment.

Good luck with your story.

 

[SimonDoom]

You might see a modest increase in comments if you put a note to your readers in your story asking for them, but even then you probably won't see a lot of comments. The one sure way to get comments is to post a story in Loving Wives about a cheating wife that gets away with it; but those comments won't be helpful in any way.

I get roughly 1 vote for every 80 views, and 1 comment for every 20 to 60 votes, so the number is very small.

You can seek feedback in the story feedback forum.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

LIT writers are so thin skinned why invite trouble from them with comments that are less than grandiose ass kissing?

At LIT snowflakes rule.

 

[SusanJillParker]

As a relatively new author l find readers comments generally helpful, it's nice to get good comments but it is also constructive if readers point out anomalies in the stories.

The problem l seem to be getting, especially with my latest offering is that where plenty of people rate my story good enough to be put on their favourites list, plus my star rating is hovering around 4.5 which l am happy with, no-one sees fit to make any comment.

I wonder how many other authors find this frustrating.

By the way, I haven't read your story but if your story is posting in the incest category, even fewer readers comment on incest stories.

No one wants anyone to know that they are into incest and/or read incestuous stories.

In the way that everything can now be traced back thanks to the NSA, readers are paranoid that what they write will get back to the wives, girlfriends, significant others, mothers, sisters, et al.

 

[AwkwardMD]

Lit readers read for pleasure, not for content. Unless the content is engaging them on a different level, you just won't get a lot of constructive criticism. Maybe 1 comment like that per 15,000 views? 30,000?

If you want critical feedback for the sake of improving, there is a feedback forum here for making such requests.

 

[LeandraNyx]

If you want constructive criticism, graciously ask for it in an author's note and respond (also graciously) to any well-thought out comments you end up receiving. If you let readers know that you actually care about their opinions and will take them into consideration, then they are a lot more likely to take the time out of their day to comment.

Also, keep in mind that one-offs or straight-up stroke stories aren't going to get nearly as many comments as multi-part stories with world-building, plot twists, and character development. Stories that are engaging enough to encourage speculation tend to get a much more vocal following than 5,000 words of masturbation fodder, even if it is really, really good masturbation fodder.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Learn to assess your writing, then you don't need the goofy opions of others.

 

[LeandraNyx]

Learn to assess your writing, then you don't need the goofy opions of others.

Yes, let's not bother listening to ideas that challenge our own or broaden our horizons. Why should we take constructive criticism to heart and use it to hone our craft? That would be a silly way to live a life.

 

[SimonDoom]

Learn to assess your writing, then you don't need the goofy opions of others.

What's the point of publishing a story if one doesn't care what one's readers think about it? If you truly are indifferent to what everyone has to say, you could just write the story and keep it on your hard drive or leave a hard copy of it in a drawer somewhere. Who needs to see it?

Part of the fun of this site is that it has so many readers. Some have nothing useful to say, but some do. I find reading comments interesting, and even if most of them are not helpful, some are, and cumulatively I find that they help keep me on my toes just a bit more. I don't take them too seriously, but I don't disregard them entirely, either.

 

[sr71plt]

What's the point of publishing a story if one doesn't care what one's readers think about it?

Well, with Literotica, if you are looking for someplace to store your smut outside of your own computer, as I initially was doing with Lit. . . .

 

[Handley_Page]

As a relatively new author l find readers comments generally helpful, it's nice to get good comments but it is also constructive if readers point out anomalies in the stories.

The problem l seem to be getting, especially with my latest offering is that where plenty of people rate my story good enough to be put on their favourites list, plus my star rating is hovering around 4.5 which l am happy with, no-one sees fit to make any comment.

I wonder how many other authors find this frustrating.

If I thought I knew much about writing, I'd comment more often.
Sometimes, however, it would be too much. I lean towards the shorter comment where I can.

 

[weftandwarp]

As a relatively new author l find readers comments generally helpful, it's nice to get good comments but it is also constructive if readers point out anomalies in the stories.

The problem l seem to be getting, especially with my latest offering is that where plenty of people rate my story good enough to be put on their favourites list, plus my star rating is hovering around 4.5 which l am happy with, no-one sees fit to make any comment.

I wonder how many other authors find this frustrating.

I think it is all about the reader benefiting when they comment. I haven't thought a lot about it but cast my comment with reference as to why I have commented.
1 I want more. I like what I've read
2 I've found a glaring error and it is worrying me.
3 I want to encourage some one with their writing
4 I'm disturbed by the content of what I've read
5 I like the imagination and its implementation into a kind of reality
6 I can relate to some thing I've read

A lot of the time I can't find a purpose for a comment to be made.

I find it really weird that writers can be so obsessed about comments when they them selves don't ever comment. It is fine not commenting but it is difficult to ask others to comment if you don't.

I also find it difficult to supply good comments as I'm so totally unqualified.

( It is a strange thing perhaps but I find that there is a huge percentage of people attending this site who have had some catastrophe in their life they are struggling to come to terms with, eg the death of some one very close, the loss of a close relationship... They like to read, be involved but often with limitations such as not becoming embroiled in some disagreement, which makes them very unlikely to add comments. I wonder if I'm the only one who has made this observation. If so, I suspect my observation isn't true and is more a product of my experience.)

I also hate it when some one traps me into reading their stuff and elicits a comment from me when they don't do the same for me, when they have promised to. I find that extremely rude and offensive. Fortunately that has happened only a few times and their stuff is ignored there after. They aren't worth reading.

I agree with Pilot in this, very pragmatic. Thank you.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

What's the point of publishing a story if one doesn't care what one's readers think about it? If you truly are indifferent to what everyone has to say, you could just write the story and keep it on your hard drive or leave a hard copy of it in a drawer somewhere. Who needs to see it?

Part of the fun of this site is that it has so many readers. Some have nothing useful to say, but some do. I find reading comments interesting, and even if most of them are not helpful, some are, and cumulatively I find that they help keep me on my toes just a bit more. I don't take them too seriously, but I don't disregard them entirely, either.

Try and publish HUCK FINN and GONE WITH THE WIND TODAY. MAIN KAMPF remains a Best Seller.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Yes, let's not bother listening to ideas that challenge our own or broaden our horizons. Why should we take constructive criticism to heart and use it to hone our craft? That would be a silly way to live a life.

CHALLENGE is the key word. Most devoutly believe they contribute more than all to the feast. LIT is like LAKE WOEBEGONE where all kids are above average.

 

[Boxlicker101]

You might see a modest increase in comments if you put a note to your readers in your story asking for them, but even then you probably won't see a lot of comments. The one sure way to get comments is to post a story in Loving Wives about a cheating wife that gets away with it; but those comments won't be helpful in any way.

I get roughly 1 vote for every 80 views, and 1 comment for every 20 to 60 votes, so the number is very small.

You can seek feedback in the story feedback forum.

Interracial stories get the same kind of comments, especially if they are not listed in IR. If they are strictly stereotypes, they get even more flak.

 

[SimonDoom]

Try and publish HUCK FINN and GONE WITH THE WIND TODAY. MAIN KAMPF remains a Best Seller.

If I were in a position to publish Huck Finn or Gone With The Wind it is doubtful I would be spending much time on Literotica.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I also find it difficult to supply good comments as I'm so totally unqualified.

Yet your long and very thoughtful comment shows quite the reverse. I would say you are well qualified to comment - you have a view on things, and you are able to express it. What more do you need?


This comment, for me, is one of my favourites:

"I wouldn't EVER dare send anything to any author. But I'm addicted to your writing--"

This was like getting a smile from the shy girl who never talks. I hope the person is still addicted - I have no idea.

 

[weftandwarp]

Yet your long and very thoughtful comment shows quite the reverse. I would say you are well qualified to comment - you have a view on things, and you are able to express it. What more do you need?


This comment, for me, is one of my favourites:

"I wouldn't EVER dare send anything to any author. But I'm addicted to your writing--"

This was like getting a smile from the shy girl who never talks. I hope the person is still addicted - I have no idea.

Don't worry- I've mucked up comments I've made, intending one thing and it reads as some thing else.

Once some one wrote a story about a fetish, it was in half a dozen submissions and related to my job- a job I had for many years. So, I wrote a long comment detailing how we actually did it. I have a funny feeling my comment wasn't welcome. I know it was given with the best of intentions. No one likes a smarty pants I guess. But he could have used the comments to make his stories more convincing. That was why I gave them.

 

[NotWise]

Don't worry- I've mucked up comments I've made, intending one thing and it reads as some thing else.

The comments I want, and sometimes get, from readers are simply gut reactions. "This sucks, you're a fucking idiot" works. "I never read anything better" works. All they do is give a non-critical reaction about how I made them feel.

I certainly don't expect logical discourse from readers--though I've had it before.

 

[weftandwarp]

The comments I want, and sometimes get, from readers are simply gut reactions. "This sucks, you're a fucking idiot" works. "I never read anything better" works. All they do is give a non-critical reaction about how I made them feel.

I certainly don't expect logical discourse from readers--though I've had it before.

Mmm. A gut reaction seems rather purposeless from the point of view of the commenter. It also seems rather expurgated. I think a good comment gives reasons. It doesn't mean being rude.

 

[NotWise]

Mmm. A gut reaction seems rather purposeless from the point of view of the commenter. It also seems rather expurgated. I think a good comment gives reasons. It doesn't mean being rude.

For me the gut reaction says it all.

It seems to me like you want more out of readers' comments than you will usually get. I've had fun and interesting comments and I sometimes enjoy an exchange with readers, but things like "I do/don't like this because..." aren't something I usually get, or want.

LC recently started a thread on why you shouldn't think too much of the scores, and his example was a case where the comment said why they didn't like the ending of the story. It was pretty arbitrary, and compared to that I'm fine with a simple gut reaction.

You can get some reasoned comment by going to the feedback forum and asking for them.

 

[weftandwarp]

For me the gut reaction says it all.

It seems to me like you want more out of readers' comments than you will usually get. I've had fun and interesting comments and I sometimes enjoy an exchange with readers, but things like "I do/don't like this because..." aren't something I usually get, or want.

LC recently started a thread on why you shouldn't think too much of the scores, and his example was a case where the comment said why they didn't like the ending of the story. It was pretty arbitrary, and compared to that I'm fine with a simple gut reaction.

You can get some reasoned comment by going to the feedback forum and asking for them.

Basically, I experiment with writing. I like adopting different personas. It keeps things interesting and vibrant. In doing this I don't have the foundations to my writing that others have. I don't think it would be understood by most people. Feed back forums are great for some things but I don't think they would want to dissect this. At the moment I'm getting back into writing having had an uncomfortable hiatus. I'm slow enough that I can read my stuff like it is some one elses. I guess that is the best way for me.