engaging readers who post comments, in the comments section?

[jsmiam]

Does anyone do that? I don't mean in any of the feedback forums, but directly in the story comments area.

Seems fraught with peril for the day to day comments, but I received one particularly thoughtful comment that is reply worthy. I don't know if I should go down that path. Thoughts?

EDIT: Oh, never mind. I see now that there's no way to do this. It would be a nice feature though, for those brave enough to try it. Thanks anyway.

 

[legerdemer]

Does anyone do that? I don't mean in any of the feedback forums, but directly in the story comments area.

Seems fraught with peril for the day to day comments, but I received one particularly thoughtful comment that is reply worthy. I don't know if I should go down that path. Thoughts?

EDIT: Oh, never mind. I see now that there's no way to do this. It would be a nice feature though, for those brave enough to try it. Thanks anyway.

If it's an Anonymous commenting, you're correct, no way to do it. If it's from someone with a profile, click on their name and send them feedback.

I've had a few very thoughtful comments to my stories, and I've written back to thank the commenters. One of them gave me a very thorough edit of a story, another engaged me in a discussion of poetry. One such exchange was the start of a friendship.

 

[sr71plt]

You can answer them in a comment of your own on the story. I've done that on occasion.

 

[robertreams]

I also will occasionally answer, even anonymous comments, because I also have readers who comment on other comments, therefore, that section becomes more of a forum, and only I as the author, know the intent. It especially irks me into comment when the comment indicates the reader missed something.

 

[jsmiam]

Does responding to your own story bypass having to give a rating? I can see where it could look like you are rating your own story, if that isn't the case.

 

[sr71plt]

You don't have to rate a story to comment on it.

And what it looks like to anyone is subjective and isn't universal. It doesn't look the same to everyone. Even if you don't comment, there will be those who assume you voted on your own story. Laurel has said if you vote on your own story it won't be swept, so, according to Laurel, that's legitimate to do.

 

[CyranoJ]

Does anyone do that? I don't mean in any of the feedback forums, but directly in the story comments area.

Just post your own comment. Easy to do from the comment-moderation screen. I've been trying to reply to reader comments as much as I can so far in my short span as an author here, even just to thank people for caring enough to comment or for having enjoyed the story.

Posting comments to argue with readers would be a different kettle of fish. I'd be much more leery of doing that.

 

[masterandmargarita]

I sometimes leave comments in reply, but the person you are replying to will not likely re-visit the story and ever see them. They mainly exist for the next readers who may be enocuraged to see that their comments could be responded to.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I've never read a useful comment. 'THOUGHTFUL' means they kissed your ass and are too dum to know good from crap.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I sometimes respond to comments with other short comments, or to thank the readers for their words, kind or otherwise. A reader's taken the time to comment when the greater majority don't, so that's noteworthy, and deserves a reply - otherwise communication's a dead end street. Communication is sort of the point of writing, for me at least.

Occasionally I've sent a longer, more personalised response via their feedback if the commentator isn't anon, but that's like writing into a black hole (so far, at least). Maybe they get frightened by a writer responding, I dunno.

I've only had a couple of obvious troll comments, but they can't read, write, nor spell, so - "delete". Nothing's gone ugly (so far) - maybe I'm still under the radar, both fans or trolls wise.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Most writers desperately need to know their wares suck and their talent is a delusion.

Back in grad school a clinical perfesser told us, MOST OF YOUR PATIENTS REALLY DO SUCK, AND THEIR DEPRESSIONS AND LOW SELF ESTEEM ARE THE REAL DEAL AND APPROPRIATE.

 

[jsmiam]

I'll give it a go one of these times then. The reason I thought you couldn't reply without giving a rating is that the FAQs under the Stories category says you have to leave a rating in order to comment. It sound like thats not the case though. Thanks

 

[NaokoSmith]

I'll give it a go one of these times then. The reason I thought you couldn't reply without giving a rating is that the FAQs under the Stories category says you have to leave a rating in order to comment. It sound like thats not the case though. Thanks

Pilot is right - you don't have to leave a rating to comment. I often leave comments thanking previous commentators and making a reply if they raised points I want to respond to. I don't vote on my own stories because I want to see how the voting's going to understand if the stories are working for readers, not just to get a red H. Sometimes I say how much I appreciate feedback whether it's to point out what doesn't work or what does, to encourage more comments.

I also sometimes make a comment in italics at the top of a new chapter I'm posting. If someone appreciated a story you posted they will probably read a new one so you can do that if you really want to reach out to them.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Comments are for subsequent readers. I never return to comments I leave, unless I get an email about my comment.

 

[oggbashan]

Comments are for subsequent readers. I never return to comments I leave, unless I get an email about my comment.

JBJ is right.

Those who leave comments, particularly anonymous ones, are unlikely to return to the story to read any comment you might make as a reply. Any response from the author is only likely to be read by later readers.

If the comment is from a signed in Lit member, you can contact them to respond to their comment, if only to say "thank you".

 

[49greg]

I've left comments in the comment section, early on I did it in answer to another comment, before I realize that the commentor wouldn't be back to see it. Doh!

I've left a few "author's notes", something I heard about in a thread here.

Mostly thought, when I've gotten a good comment, and once in answer to some criticism, I left feedback, of course that's only possible when the original comment isn't anonymous.

 

[FantasyXY]

On a few of my stories I have written a lengthy "author's notes" about the story, and placed it in the comments. In these notes I sometimes address previous comments. Since I started doing this I have noticed is that people who leave comments, even anonymously, often come back and comment again. Readers do come back to stories that made them feel strongly enough to comment.

Another thing I have found is that after I leave an "author's notes" comment, the remaining comments often become kinder and more constructive (even in the infamous LW section). The simple act of paying attention to readers does have a positive effect on them. Since many readers do not use the forum, I can't think of any other place to pay attention to the readers besides the comments section.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

If someone rises a plot point, especially if they got it wrong, I may leave a comment to prevent someone else from later thinking, "Was I supposed to think that?"

 

[sr71plt]

There's no way to tell whether someone has come back to look at the comments section unless they comment. And I believe that an anonymous commenter can't leave another anonymous comment from the same computer.

 

[rjordan]

I've never read a useful comment. 'THOUGHTFUL' means they kissed your ass and are too dum to know good from crap.

Apparently, they are useful enough for you to comment on them. Your own comments at the end of your stories outnumber comments by others. Yours tend to be 'thoughtful', though.

rj

 

[MatthewVett]

I've gotten lucky sometimes, and had readers who check back on comments. Generally, though, if they're not anonymous, and I really liked the comment and want to continue the conversation, I'll send them feedback.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

I've done it; very occasionally the reply gets a reply. I've been lauded for taking the time to reply to comments. It's been mostly a positive experience.

It's also backfired once; The Captured Princess did not go the way the Disney fans in my audience liked, and discussing why in a comment just irritated people. Mostly, though, it encourages more feedback and that's a useful thing.