Feedback Etiquette

[Bob Peale]

I just wanted to pass on an observation gained from both personal experience as well as conversations with readers and other BB members.

I think it goes without saying that there are a lot of people posting stories around here (or at least a lot of stories being posted), and that's way cool because, after all, it's a story site! Over the last few months there have also been a lot of new writers trying to figure out if they are on the mark, and have posted requests for feedback; again, cool beans.

However, it's not clear that writers realize that feedback is a two part process. If a reader takes the time to give you feedback, give them the courtesy of a response/acknowledgement.

It doesn't matter whether you agree with the feedback or not; the person took the time to read YOUR story out of the thousands they could have chosen (because let's face it, other than Laurel, NO ONE reads all of them!), then took the time to fire off a note to you to let you know what they thought.

If they don't even get a "Thanks for your note," what is the incentive to write again, to you or to anyone? And in cases where you actually ASK people to read your stories, bloody hell, write a quick e back if someone actually gives it to you.

This may sound grouchy, but I can't tell you how many times I send a response back and hear that it surprised the person to even hear from the author. It would seem that a little consideration might go a long way to encouraging the behavior that seems so important to so many.

 

[Mr_Neb]

Very good points. As an author here, I whole heartedly agree. I ALWAYS make it a point to say thank you to someone that has gone through the trouble of sending me an email or comment about my stories.

Mr. Neb

 

[Guest]

Saying thank you

Here here!

I whole heartedly agree. If you can't take time to stop and tell someone thank you both for the good as well as the (bad?) feedback, you're doing a dis-service to the readers.

I make a conserted effort to answer every feedback email I get. Only those that remain anonymous, and thus impossible to reply to do I not respond to.

So for those....I say thank you very much as well. And hope you
continue to read my stories and enjoy them as well.

And to everyone else who emails me....I will respond.

I remain.......Thesandman

To sleep.......perchance to dream - William Shakespear

 

[Eve_of_destruction]

Hear, Hear!

I absolutely agree. My first story was posted this week, and I wondered if anyone would even read it, much less take the time to comment on it. WELL... my mailbox has been running over with feedback on the story, and I just feel compelled to thank everyone who took the time to write and express their thoughts about "The Dance" (The fact that all the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive has only made it that much nicer!) And the Sandman, the only problem I have with it is that answering all that feedback is keeping me from finishing Part 2! But i'm working on it...

EOD

 

[Guest]

LOL...as they say...."You go girl!"

But take the time....as I "try" to do myself and at least drop a thank you. I feel if someone took the time to read a story, and then sent me an email because of it, the least I can do is write back and tell them how much I appreciated it.

I enjoy writing those almost as much as I enjoy writing the stories.

To sleep.....perchance to dream - William Shakespear

 

[Nudemodel]

nonreplies

Yeah, I hate that, too. As a writer and contributor to Literotica, I always reply to feedback or any other comment. I don't think anyone gives feedback while trying to be nasty. It is all well meant. And I always at least think over comments for a long time and try to use them for writing and story-material improvement. Nudemodel

 

[Laurel]

Bob, have I told you lately you're the man?

 

[SteamyChik]

Yes, yes and yes!

I agree. If they write me and leave an email, I will always write them back. After I put my first series on here, Broken Vows, I recieved a lot of mail. That started to trickle down but each time I get one, it's like a little shot of adrenaline and gets me excited about writing again.

So, for those that have emailed me anonymously, thank you! And for the the others, well you KNOW I luvs ya! I like to say I'm not a high maintenance writer, just a few words will do *grin*. Ok, a lot is like an orgasm!

Steamy

 

[The_old_man]

The feedbach, so far, on "Senior Lovers" ha been anonymous.
Except for one E-mail that I think(?) I answered. If not , I apologise to the person who sent it.

 

[Bob Peale]

Bob, have I told you lately you're the man?

LOL! Thanks Laurel

I'm just glad to see that I'm not alone in this thought! I think if readers get constant acknowledgement of their feedback, we stand a much better chance of getting it to begin with.

 

[Natalie Nessus]

Feedback

 

[Eve_of_destruction]

I'm reading everyone's signatures tonight (why hadn't I done this before?), and Laurel's right, Bob - you are da man! Anyone who quotes from "A Fish Called Wanda" is my kinda guy!

WH, i'm sorry i didn't give you any email feedback on "Senior Lovers", but I read it a few weeks ago and gave it a 5, and I can honestly say that I rarely rate stories that high (I give lots of 4's though!). It's definitely one of the best i've read in a while. I liked it a lot!

EOD

 

[Eve_of_destruction]

I'm reading everyone's signatures tonight (why hadn't I done this before?), and Laurel's right, Bob - you are da man! Anyone who quotes from "A Fish Called Wanda" is my kinda guy!

WH, i'm sorry i didn't give you any email feedback on "Senior Lovers", but I read it a few weeks ago and gave it a 5, and I can honestly say that I rarely rate stories that high (I give lots of 4's though!). It's definitely one of the best i've read in a while. I liked it a lot!

EOD

 

[cymbidia]

Here's another slant on the feedback issue:
If you want to get feedback, you gotta get in the habit of giving it.

That means, you read and offer feedback to other Lit authors, those who have the courtesy to read your stuff as well as those whose work you admire.

You gotta give to get around here, mostly.
It seems to work out more happily for all involved that way.

 

[Bob Peale]

An excellent point, Cym. Wea re a collective, and we should act like one.

Thank you kindly EOD...the only problem with Wanda is there are so many good quotes it's hard to find just one!