Emotional Reader Responses

[Margin Walker]

Don't you love getting feedback from someone who had a strong emotional response to one of your stories? This lets me know that I did something right with the story, no matter what type of response. If a person got involved with the story enough to have some type of emotional reaction I think that's awesome. Here is an example that I got recently that really made me smile, concerning my newest story:

"Read all the chapters and would like to know why you wrote about a bitch of a daughter who set her mum up to be raped, steals her man and then make it look like she was some heroine for getting away with it!!!! what kinda twisted thinking do you have... the bitch should have been put in a mental institution"

That person got pissed off by that story. That's great. But, if somebody is happy that's cool too:

"I really felt for your main character...I feel a real sense of satisfaction when the plot unfolded the way it did"

That was in response to a different story.

That's just two examples, but I'm sure you get the point. If you can write something that makes somebody feel something then you wrote good enough to get into their head, make them think, get involved emotionally, and that's the point. Isn't it?

 

[Medieval-Man]

"Writers write, so that readers can read"

Yes! I have read many novels where you love, and hate the main character, and resent and pity them!

the Vampire Princess, was one such tale.

Read and weep. It's.... interesting, I'll say that much!

You hate Princepessa (SP?) Nicoletta, but in the same you feel such shame and pity for what happened to her in her youth.

Beautifully written, I'll pull up the author on Amazon now...

By Michael Romkey beautifully evil book!

 

[Seattle Zack]

"Read all the chapters...."

That's the most important thing, isn't it? All the way to the end, even though they hated the plot. Like that American Psycho novel that came out a few years back -- even as repulsive as the plot was, millions of readers devoured it. And made the author rich.

 

[whispering_surrender]

I'm a feedback junkie......nothing turns me on more than knowing that someone either loved or hated my work. And nothing disappoints me more than having 5,000 people view it and getting one measly feedback. *mutter* Which happened to me with one of my stories. Luckily the one reply was wonderfully written and had both emotional response and some very constructive criticism. I try to reply to all who give their email address to let them know it is truly appreciated.

Whisper




Gone Crazy, back later......

 

[Angeline]

I've heard people complain about negative feedback--i.e., "I hated this character" and so forth, but I figure that any writing that engages a reader enough to evoke a strong emotional response means the author did something right.

 

[Guest]

I want to create a reaction . . .

I am a feedback junkie too! (just love to get those comments).

I do enjoy feedback where the comments include an emotional reaction.

Sometimes it is just, 'I am so HARD! Wanna cyber fuck?"

But sometimes it is about a truly touching scene.

I enjoy that so much!

 

[Guest]

Personally I don't have many emotional reactions when I read, except at times to something exquisitely beautiful; and I can easily feel an excitement or pleasure at the writing itself.

For some reason I get a lot of emotional responses to both my stories and poetry. For my elevator girl people become especially angry at the sadistic teaser but like the way she deals with the experience. Many of my poems have prompted sentimental memories and emotions, even maudlin ones. I've also received notes of concern about my poems when people think the experience of them is my own and current.

Perdita

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I think we all long to create something that touches someone. Granted that most of our works touch people in the privates, but it is a reaction nonetheless. When you rouse something in someone other than lust, which is what you're shooting for usually with erotica, it brings an immense satisfaction.

In my case the only reason I have annonamous feedback allowed is beacuse I get the occasional good feedback from someone who wants their idenity to remain secret. Since the majority of my annon feedback is bad, I suspect I would have it not allowed if I wasn't hoping for the occasional diamond among the dross. Now there is a junkie for ya

-Colly

 

[Angeline]

For some reason I get a lot of emotional responses to both my stories and poetry. For my elevator girl people become especially angry at the sadistic teaser but like the way she deals with the experience. Many of my poems have prompted sentimental memories and emotions, even maudlin ones. I've also received notes of concern about my poems when people think the experience of them is my own and current.

Perdita

I think it's your writing style, 'dita. I get similar responses to my poems. Your writing is vivid and sensual. By sensual, I don't necessarily mean sexual, though your erotic writing certainly is, but rather that your style is impressionistic and evokes sense memories in the reader. I've seen you describe your writing as filmic, and I really get that. Neruda wrote this way, as did Paz--it's a very lovely, passionate style, and readers really respond to it because they don't just understand, they feel it.

 

[Guest]

'lita,
What a generous post, thank you very much. Neruda and Paz - I am touched and humbled. Gracias, angelita.

Colly,
I had not realized it til now but many of those emotional responses have been anon. and I've wished I could write back; you helped me see the privacy desired (vs. cowardice of others).

Thank you ladies, both.

Perdita

 

[Angeline]

'lita,
What a generous post, thank you very much. Neruda and Paz - I am touched and humbled. Gracias, angelita.

You know I mean this from the heart, and that those poets are two of my favorites--truely it is an honest response to your writing.

BTW, did you see the poem I posted in the new poems thread today? It is one by Gabriela Mistral, who has that same quality. It's so evocative--I bet you'd really like it (you probably know it, lol).

 

[Guest]

... Gabriela Mistral ...

Yes, I did see the poem and was glad you posted it. Amazingly enough I read it just a day or two ago when looking her up for a friend. I've loved her work since girlhood, have felt an affinity with her and her exquisite amor, and try to give her to others whenever the occasion arises.

muchissimas rosas ,

Perdita

 

[cookiejar]

I love to write deep, introspective stories even though Lit is probably not the best site for them. I'm stubborn though, I read "Alfred Hitchcock' Mystery Magazine" and "Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine." I have had subscriptions to them since I was 16 ... I'm a sucker for that stuff.

The feedback on these stories have been positive ... so far. I get women who say they cried as they read them. I guess to a small few I'm doing my job.