Doesn't anyone comment anymore.

[SimonDoom]

I find it very difficult to comment on other people’s stories, especially with adding ‘my’ name.

When people comment on my stories by their names, I always check them out—who are they; have they written anything themselves; who do they follow… …and I fear they’ll do the same to me…

I know I’m not a perfect writer, and as soon as I would give comments, I fear people would relate my comments back to my own writing: “Look who’s talking here!”

An other point of fear is, that people would take detailed criticism as some kind of inappropriate self-advertisement: 'Hey, also check out my stories...' That would never be my intention—on the contrary; I think (hope) most of my stories share a typical RubenR atmosphere, while the stories I read and like are often very different. People attracted to my stories because of my comments could feel cheated...

Sometimes I get the feeling writers give comments and expect you to give comments on their stories in return—sorry, but that's not how it works with me...

And, like others have indicated before, I also have that feeling of ‘Who am I to judge what’s good or bad about this story’.

At the same time, I love getting comments, so I’m split, here, and often feel guilty for not giving praise to other people’s work, as I know how good it feels.

When using the App (there we go again… ) it’s not an issue, as you can’t read or make comments while using that App…

Interesting post. I wonder if many other authors have similar feelings.

Something I've noticed is how seldom comments are from other authors. If you think about it, it would be very helpful for writers to critique each other. We'd be more likely to get useful comments. We'd learn more. I sense that there's a reticence about commenting on other people's stories, or maybe we're all so busy writing we have no time to read other people's stuff.

I sometimes comment on other writers' stories. I welcome comments on mine.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I sometimes comment on other writers' stories. I welcome comments on mine.

Me too, but I'm a bit reticent about commenting on other writers stories. I'm not that great at critiquing so I'm always hesitant to comment. When I do I usually do it as Anonymous for that "don't trace me back" reason. There's times I do comment with my lit username but maybe as I get more confident I'll do that more. For me it's a "I know my limitations" thing right now.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I learned the hard way to avoid comments, even private appraisals.

I grew up when no one got participation trophies and bull shit blabber. Most were losers and a few were winners.

But today most want equal outcomes and little plastic trophies. I WAS THERE awards.

Until I see different LIT has 3 writers worth a shit (and I dislike all 3) TIO, GLYNNDAH, and HOLLIDAY1960. The rest are meh.

 

[Handley_Page]

Interesting post.
I wonder if many other authors have similar feelings.

I sometimes comment on other writers' stories. I welcome comments on mine.

This one does.
Constructive comments ? - Yes please.
.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

This one does.
Constructive comments ? - Yes please.
.

PLEASE

Your idea of contructive criticism is TEN STARS NOT 5!!!!!

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Our resident hypocrits oighta spell out what constructive criticism is.

 

[TxRad]

Poor JBJ, no one loves him.

 

[LeandraNyx]

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.

Maybe it's different on Literotica, but I've done genre writing on other sites and get this kind of feedback all the time and, IMHO, it's the best kind. Getting feedback from fellow authors is great when it comes to improving your technical skill, but it's the readers who enjoy your content in particular who, I find, provide the best developmental critiques.

 

[LeandraNyx]

And, like others have indicated before, I also have that feeling of ‘Who am I to judge what’s good or bad about this story’.

At the same time, I love getting comments, so I’m split, here, and often feel guilty for not giving praise to other people’s work, as I know how good it feels.

If I really, really like a story, I'll take a couple of seconds and write a positive comment. I feel that's a fair price for a free story I really enjoyed, especially since, as a writer, I know just how much effort goes into quality content. But I'll only ever provide constructive criticism if the author explicitly asks for it in an author's note or in a comment, so as not to come across as a self-righteous asshole. Some people who post have no interest in actively honing their skills--they just like throwing their stuff out there to share with like-minded folks--and that's totally okay. I don't want to take the fun out of their writing by giving critiques when they're unwanted. Tell you, what, though, if I take the time to write a comment and it is deleted and/or the author reacts negatively--or if I see them do the same with other readers' comments--I make a mental note to never again comment on that author's stories. Point being, if you want to get more comments on your stories, you have to be willing to be grateful for the good and the bad, I think.

 

[Kantarii]

The people that post comments to stories are usually found in the story feedback forum. Post a thread with a link to your story asking for a critique. About two dozen or so people that are following my stories/ posting comments discovered my stories there

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I would love to receive your 'constructive criticism' but fear you won't like my writing style and topics, and I have no desire of writing Noir Style stories.

If you do feel your comments would be valuable, something tells me I would prefer to receive them as a PM, as no-one likes to be publicly put in his/her place... I guess that's my general feeling - praise me in public, criticize me privately...

As a rule I do not ravage anyone in public, unless they ask for it. Its the one's who ask for it who hate me. Stories aren't people, I can hate a writer and be fair and gentle with the story.

My criteria are simple: Is the copy edit adequate. Is the plot clear (what do the characters want at the end). Is the story entertaining. Too many WTF surprises. Easy to red. I don't wanna struggle to follow your logic trail. Got a good hook.

 

[Malraux]

Criticism

I appreciate serious criticism; grammar, tense, person errors, etc. I'm more interested in the reader's interest in the story, but bad grammar can ruin it for some readers.

I picked up a troll who commented on all of my stories within two minutes of one another, with the same profane gibberish at each, and he'd do it several times a day for a while.

I much enjoy when a story sparks a memory and a reader relates it, as has happened a few times.

LW is a difficult audience looking much for one satisfaction, I think reflecting or evincing real pain among the (mostly) men who read and comment.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I appreciate serious criticism; grammar, tense, person errors, etc. I'm more interested in the reader's interest in the story, but bad grammar can ruin it for some readers.

I picked up a troll who commented on all of my stories within two minutes of one another, with the same profane gibberish at each, and he'd do it several times a day for a while.

I much enjoy when a story sparks a memory and a reader relates it, as has happened a few times.

LW is a difficult audience looking much for one satisfaction, I think reflecting or evincing real pain among the (mostly) men who read and comment.

I prefer LW to the snowflake categories.

 

[lovecraft68]

Interesting post. I wonder if many other authors have similar feelings.

Something I've noticed is how seldom comments are from other authors. If you think about it, it would be very helpful for writers to critique each other. We'd be more likely to get useful comments. We'd learn more. I sense that there's a reticence about commenting on other people's stories, or maybe we're all so busy writing we have no time to read other people's stuff.

I sometimes comment on other writers' stories. I welcome comments on mine.

I bet there are more authors commenting than you think because some do it as anonymous. Why? Forum reputation or perhaps an author writes a lot of LW stories and has a legion of trolls. In either case them publicly commenting on your story could lead to those trolls trashing you.

During contests especially I'll comment anon so it doesn't look like I'm endorsing a story or again setting my personal trolls on someone.

So you may be getting more author comments than you think.

 

[SimonDoom]

I bet there are more authors commenting than you think because some do it as anonymous. Why? Forum reputation or perhaps an author writes a lot of LW stories and has a legion of trolls. In either case them publicly commenting on your story could lead to those trolls trashing you.

During contests especially I'll comment anon so it doesn't look like I'm endorsing a story or again setting my personal trolls on someone.

So you may be getting more author comments than you think.

That never occurred to me.

It's interesting getting to see how things work around her.

I've stayed away from LW since early January and have been reasonably troll-free since then.

 

[lovecraft68]

And that's the main reason why I always do allow anonymous comments, and take them just as serious as non-anonymous comments - Anon. may be a troll, but often he also provides the best comments. (Easy for me to do, though, as I somehow still managed to avoid nasty comments)

Anonymous is like a lot of types of people in life. The majority of them are good, but the obnoxious minority gets the attention. Most of my best comments are from anon and all the funniest.

 

[rutger5]

Some interesting comments on this thread. I wish I had more free time to read, not only here but in general, as well as time for other interests but it seems it's only work and life responsibilities that get the lion's share.

Still I have read a number of stories here and I've commented on some and I use my username when I do. I don't look at it like I'm commenting as a 'writer' but as a reader who writes. Only thing different is that because I do write I understand that it takes time and effort to write so I respect that even if a story isn't to my liking, so I wouldn't take gratuitous shots at it though if a writer has no respect for the written language it is much harder to take seriously even when story premise isn't bad.

I don't think most writers are expecting to receive actual literary criticism and most readers and writers aren't actual critics but if you liked a story idea or you think characters in story were engaging or yes, if the sex scene tickled your fancy then most writers will appreciate hearing about it and in some cases there are comments that can make your day.

I am surprised that I've read some comments by writers on AH forum that for most part they don't read erotica/sex stories. I know some have such niche fetishes that they feel they must write their own as most stories won't address them but often I feel like some have their nose in the air as they type that they don't read smut, but they don't mind writing it for those that like. I like many kinds of stories, including sex stories, but I can't imagine writing stuff that doesn't interest me unless I was making a living from it.

And maybe it's because I'm a bit old school but I don't think I could start a thread on story feedback forum asking for comments on a particular story. I'd feel any that responded were just trying to be nice or have a sense of noblesse oblige or something. I figure I post my stories and I have link in my sig so if anyone wants to check them out they can but to do anything more is being an attention whore, unless of course someone is selling their wares in which case one should be shameless if it leads to $$.

So I'll keep reading stories here when I can and I will comment if I like or I think something I say could be helpful or encouraging. If someone asks for honest opinions though, then they should be prepared to hear what people really think, but in a lot of cases they really want only praise which makes many reluctant to say anything. At another place, (but people are the same everywhere) I stopped commenting for most part because too many would get offended or try to say only certain types of comments should be said. If that is the case then one should disallow comments if that is permitted.
r5

 

[HandsInTheDark]

I vote on stories very occasionally but just about never comment. I did under my name maybe once, and since then if I do it at all I'll do it anonymously. It's the usual reasons - if I say anything negative, the story's authors or fans will engage in retribution.

I mean that's the problem with this place. There's some set of people with emotional issues who go on the attack when disagreed with, or simply if you don't find them brilliant and perfect. It's simpler not to engage with them in any way.

Would it be nice to get constructive criticism? Maybe. I generally prefer "oh my gosh this is amazing", but that's become less important to me as I've seen some other stories that get the same praise. Lots of readers can't tell good from bad.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I just feel rather inadequate commenting. I get these amazing comments on my stories now and then that look at my characters and their stories and come up with all sorts of profound and thoughtful insights and I'm like, wow, was that what I was saying? I had no idea, I was just inside my heroine's head doing a brain dump. No way I can do that kind of critique. It's a little humbling sometimes.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

John O'Hara wrote a dandy essay about unplugged editors. He had constant problems with editors. And he inspired the best writers. O'Hara was a monument ar the NEW YORKER magazine (as was Truman Capote), and its cool to see how O'Hara influenced Capote's writing. O'Hara was popular with readers but not editors.

What readers know about writing is small. Readers eat McDonalds and Little Ceasars and sgop at WALMART.

I don't read comments, don't ask for comments, and get very few.

 

[SamScribble]

As I have said several times before, I get very few comments.

The 'fan' comments are rather nice. It tells me that someone other than me enjoyed the story.

But there are the comments that leave me wondering if the commenter even bothered to read the story. A recent comment said: 'Mumble mumble mumble. Mumble mumble mumble. Mumble mumble mumble. Keep up the good work.'

OK. I'll give it my best shot.

 

[lovecraft68]

I just feel rather inadequate commenting. I get these amazing comments on my stories now and then that look at my characters and their stories and come up with all sorts of profound and thoughtful insights and I'm like, wow, was that what I was saying? I had no idea, I was just inside my heroine's head doing a brain dump. No way I can do that kind of critique. It's a little humbling sometimes.

I sometimes get comments from what I refer to as the 'literary erotica' types. They're usually very good comments, at times effusive. But they go on about how I did this and that and my subtle use of this and my mastery of....

And I intended none of those things and if I actually did any of them it was either by accident or perhaps somehow did it subconsciously, but I doubt the latter because fact is? I have no idea what they even mean.

I'm a story teller, period. My characters tell me their story and I do the best I can to retell it to others.

I had another author here describe reading my stories as sitting in an old comfortable armchair. I'm an easy writer, I won't hit you with purple prose and twenty dollar words or attempt all these strange styles and angles. When someone is reading my story I feel it would be the same as if I was sitting there telling them in person.

Everyone has their natural style and if that style is a bit more polished or fancy for lack of a better term, then good for them. But there are people who go out of their way to be 'literary' and showy and to me that smacks of pretentiousness and is a an easy click off for me.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I sometimes get comments from what I refer to as the 'literary erotica' types. They're usually very good comments, at times effusive. But they go on about how I did this and that and my subtle use of this and my mastery of....

And I intended none of those things and if I actually did any of them it was either by accident or perhaps somehow did it subconsciously, but I doubt the latter because fact is? I have no idea what they even mean. I'm a story teller, period. My characters tell me their story and I do the best I can to retell it to others.

That's it in a nutshell. I'm just sitting there writing and attempting to get my readers right into the inside of my character's head and I'm really not thinking anything other than "okay, if I was her, what would I do and think and how would I react..." It's nice to read the comments and the analysis and it's rather gratifying sometimes (okay, I like compliments, just like anyone does....) but I wasn't actually trying to do anything other than tell a story and get my readers stoked up!

But there are people who go out of their way to be 'literary' and showy and to me that smacks of pretentiousness and is a an easy click off for me.

"Literary" novels are my biggest switch off. I mean, I tried reading James Joyce and Mervyn Peake's stuff, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez and stuff like that and I just yawn and go to sleep. Deadly. Can't do it. I forced myself thru War and Peace and a few other russian novels ("A Hero of Our Time", "Crime and Punishment", "Anna Karenina" - the movies were far batter). I did like "Brideshead Revisited" but I don't think that qualifies as "literary" somehow. Now give me a Georgette Heyer novel and I can't stop until I've finished, even if I have to read to 4am and then get up at six.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Some writers aspire to produce literary masterpieces, others only want to tell a story.

I often find the almost-but-just-not-exactly-literary-masterpieces torture to read (real masterpieces as well, by the way), as the rules their writers put on themselves often result in unnatural flow of sentences, and lots of words that constantly force me to check my dictionary. And either those stories are labyrinths of hints, traps and dead-ends to show off the cleverness of the writer, or there is no story at all, to show that a good writer doesn't need a story to begin with.

Often, I prefer the story-tellers' stories; I have no interest in clever writing, but enjoy what stories are about.

I have no interest in writing literary masterpieces; I hope that the readers have had a good time reading my work. I wouldn't put my stories on Lit, if I didn't want to please some readers. If it is junk-food - fine with me. Why would it be wrong to please those that prefer junk-food?

I prefer
The transfer of events and emotions in this story transcends any minor grammatical glitches. Ignore the trivial comments..... (real comment I got)
above
Excellent writing, but what was the story about?

The real value of criticism is this: Near Washington DC Mark Twain' books s are banned at the Mark Twain Middle School.

 

[lovecraft68]

That's it in a nutshell. I'm just sitting there writing and attempting to get my readers right into the inside of my character's head and I'm really not thinking anything other than "okay, if I was her, what would I do and think and how would I react..." It's nice to read the comments and the analysis and it's rather gratifying sometimes (okay, I like compliments, just like anyone does....) but I wasn't actually trying to do anything other than tell a story and get my readers stoked up!



"Literary" novels are my biggest switch off. I mean, I tried reading James Joyce and Mervyn Peake's stuff, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez and stuff like that and I just yawn and go to sleep. Deadly. Can't do it. I forced myself thru War and Peace and a few other russian novels ("A Hero of Our Time", "Crime and Punishment", "Anna Karenina" - the movies were far batter). I did like "Brideshead Revisited" but I don't think that qualifies as "literary" somehow. Now give me a Georgette Heyer novel and I can't stop until I've finished, even if I have to read to 4am and then get up at six.

When it comes to the 'classics' I chalk that more up to the style of that time over being pretentious. HP Lovecraft was a master of heavy handed descriptions and 'big words' but that was in vogue back then.

I'm thinking more along the lines of erotica and a site like this where there are people thinking they're reinventing the genre with their mastery of writing and cleverness.

BTW want to read something that can really make your head hurt, fighting through things like Milton's Paradise Lost of Inferno is a damn chore.