How do I cope with the demands of the readers?

[geronimo_appleby]

Hi, I'm looking for tips on how to cope with the demands of the readers.
As you're fully aware it takes time, thought and a lot of effort to plan and write a polished story.
When someone drops in some feedback about the story, and they complain that it's too long, too short, didn't have a pregnant sister that they expected - etc, etc. How do I calm myself down?
Deep breaths? Tell them to write their own?
Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Am I alone in my frustration? I doubt it.
Please make your voice heard and reassure me that I'm not alone.

Regards
Rick

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Hi, I'm looking for tips on how to cope with the demands of the readers.
As you're fully aware it takes time, thought and a lot of effort to plan and write a polished story.
When someone drops in some feedback about the story, and they complain that it's too long, too short, didn't have a pregnant sister that they expected - etc, etc. How do I calm myself down?
Deep breaths? Tell them to write their own?
Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Am I alone in my frustration? I doubt it.
Please make your voice heard and reassure me that I'm not alone.

Regards
Rick

Rick,

In the immortal words of your namesake, Rick Nelson, "You can't please everybody, so you might as well please yourself."

You might check out the Anonymous thread. I just bumped it back to page one. There's also a new thread on Mean Anon messages I haven't looked at yet. Hang in there. We've all suffered your condition and most of us have come through the experience semi-intact.

Rumple Forskin

 

[rgraham666]

Much as I appreciate feedback and how pleased it makes me feel, I write for myself.

If people don't like what I write, that's their problem.

 

[cantdog]

Demanding readers can be useful if you've hit a dry spell.

Last time I couldn't write I hung in the "Story Ideas" board, and knocked off stories to order for people.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Hi, I'm looking for tips on how to cope with the demands of the readers.
As you're fully aware it takes time, thought and a lot of effort to plan and write a polished story.
When someone drops in some feedback about the story, and they complain that it's too long, too short, didn't have a pregnant sister that they expected - etc, etc. How do I calm myself down?
Deep breaths? Tell them to write their own?
Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Am I alone in my frustration? I doubt it.
Please make your voice heard and reassure me that I'm not alone.

Regards
Rick

Mostly, you write what you like. If you're writing for another reason, you might consider the possibility that writing isn't what you should be doing. That's not an insult, and yes, everyone goes through the zone where we're uncertain about our abilities and take said criticism with too heavy a heart, and if that's where you are (and there's no shame in it; I still get touchy about low-voting and negative feedback, and so can pretty much everyone here) then try and let it slide by without bothering you much, don't let it make decisions for you when it comes to your writing, and remember that the only constant in the deal will always be you.
Oh, and if you want to look at it more directly, an explanation with less rambling: Fuck them, do it for you.

Welcome to Lit. (If I haven't welcomed you before) and if you're looking to hone your skills and get past these minor difficulties, come to the AH more often. you'll realize that a lot fo the times, people just give feedback because they can, not because they actually have much to say.

Q_C

 

[brightlyiburn]

Hi, I'm looking for tips on how to cope with the demands of the readers.
As you're fully aware it takes time, thought and a lot of effort to plan and write a polished story.
When someone drops in some feedback about the story, and they complain that it's too long, too short, didn't have a pregnant sister that they expected - etc, etc. How do I calm myself down?
Deep breaths? Tell them to write their own?
Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Am I alone in my frustration? I doubt it.
Please make your voice heard and reassure me that I'm not alone.

Regards
Rick

Write what you want to write. People who actually like your work and appreciate it will keep reading. In my newest story, I made the main female character bi-sexual. And even though there is a male lead, she's currently having a relationship with another woman. Some people have bitched about it. But I'm enjoying writing it. If you're enjoying what you're doing, it will come through in your writing, and they'll end up liking it despite themselves.
But if they come wielding sporks, RUN!

(Now, if you'll excuse me, I promised my sister I'd play video games with her. Ciao )

 

[fifty5]

Hi GA,

Sometimes it can help to make your own feedback post. Quote the earlier posts and slag them off in turn, er, sorry, explain exactly why they are wrong. After all, you have the power to edit or remove your rant if you regret it afterwards. Those stupid fucks can't do that! YAY!

 

[CWatson]

How do I cope with the demands of the readers?

I find worrisome your use of the word "cope," which suggests that you are going to make some accomodation with the reader and his demands. You should not. You, as the author, are giving the world a gift, out of nothing but the kindness and labor of your own heart, and it's impolite (to put it mildly) for anyone to criticize you if they don't like it. This isn't to say that you should do a sloppy job, and this isn't to say that people shouldn't tell you if you make a mistake (in a recent story I had a major physiological gaffe that several people called me on, and I'm glad of it); this is to say that, when a gift is given sincerely, it should be received with honor and respect, regardless of whether the recipient actually likes it. It is, after all, the thought that counts. And criticizing gifts is one of the best ways to stop receiving them.

As to calming yourself down, it's fairly simple: give vent to your frustrations. It's not exactly appropriate to bitch out the offending reader, but it's just as inappropriate to keep your feelings bottled in. Let them out. Just, not in the reader's hearing. Later, if you feel confident about your ability to let the reader know--POLITELY--that he has offended you and that you feel you deserve more respect from him, then go for it. But don't be visibly angry. Anger just doesn't help anything.

 

[rikaaim]

How do I cope with the demands of the readers?


That is the question. The answer is inanely simple. Why, you fuck 'em of course.

 

[msboy8]

Write what you want to write. People who actually like your work and appreciate it will keep reading. In my newest story, I made the main female character bi-sexual. And even though there is a male lead, she's currently having a relationship with another woman. Some people have bitched about it. But I'm enjoying writing it. If you're enjoying what you're doing, it will come through in your writing, and they'll end up liking it despite themselves.
But if they come wielding sporks, RUN!

(Now, if you'll excuse me, I promised my sister I'd play video games with her. Ciao )

I agree with brightlyiburn, write what you want to. I think you'll find that the ones who complain the most aren't authors. If they want a story to go a certain way, they can write it.

I just had an epiphany! Your story is like your house. The readers are your guests, if they make a mess then they weren't good guests.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

I'm like most of the others GA. I write for myself. When a story hits me I write it and then edit it for a few weeks. I take the comments as help to improve my writing but I look at them overall. If I have 10 comments that are great and one that is negative. You can't please everyone. Some want more sex, some like the romantic areas of the stories and some just are critical.
You'll learn like the rest of us. Take it in stride. You can't please everyone.

 

[Liar]

Geronimo, you write for free. Because you want to, and your readers don't have a dime's worth or rights to demand anything. Feedback and suggestions are useful though. If nine out of ten tells you your stories are too long, there might be a point to that. On the other hand, it's your stories, so fuck'em.

I get a lot of demands. Since I write very rarely and very slowly, new stories doesn't come very often. The readers seems to like them when they come though, and immediately tarts nagging me for new chapters. I was compelled to add a comment to my ongoing novel saying that the writing of it is on hiatus, because I kept getting "You promised a new chapter in December, deliver damn you!" mails. As if they were paying customers. How to deal with that? Ignore, ignore, ignore.

#L

 

[oggbashan]

I allow readers to influence me when they are right - for example when I have made a mistake with the plot, or assumed that I had made the character's motivation clear when I hadn't, or made simple errors like giving the male protagonist three different names.

I consider requests for a sequel or to continue the story when I've stalled. Those are like small twinges of conscience - I know I ought to complete the story but I have usually stopped for a reason such as lack of inspiration.

I ignore requests to make the story totally different or to punish a character for the reader's pleasure. I also ignore those who don't read the category and want all stories to be BDSM or Incest.

Most of the feedback and PCs I get are acceptable. Even the critical ones criticise from knowledge not ignorance. I think my style and length of story deters some readers from reaching the point where they can comment. The rabid members of anonymous seem to have a short attention span.

Og

 

[brightlyiburn]

I just had an epiphany! Your story is like your house. The readers are your guests, if they make a mess then they weren't good guests.

That's a good analogy.
My problem is readers who just won't listen. I recently began doing some Non-consent work. I stated before the beginning of the story that it was not like my usual work and if people didn't like that sort of thing, they shouldn't read it. Apparently some of my readers think I'm kidding and they go and read it anyway.
I don't care if they don't like it. Not everyone is going to like everything I write, obviously. But if they're still completely ignoring my warnings by the THIRD chapter, and then ranting at ME because they don't like it, what the hell am I supposed to do?

 

[oggbashan]

That's a good analogy.
My problem is readers who just won't listen. I recently began doing some Non-consent work. I stated before the beginning of the story that it was not like my usual work and if people didn't like that sort of thing, they shouldn't read it. Apparently some of my readers think I'm kidding and they go and read it anyway.
I don't care if they don't like it. Not everyone is going to like everything I write, obviously. But if they're still completely ignoring my warnings by the THIRD chapter, and then ranting at ME because they don't like it, what the hell am I supposed to do?

Shrug your shoulders and just accept that some people are irredeemibly stupid.

Og

 

[msboy8]

Shrug your shoulders and just accept that some people are irredeemibly stupid.

Og

I agree. You can't please some people. When I write something that's not my normal fare, I write it the way I want and do the ending as what works for me. I have a Mind Control story that's been submitted and I wrote the ending the way I wanted, which is not the way Mind Control stories usually end. If people won't like it, too bad. I put my all into it and that's just the way it is. 'nuff said.

 

[brightlyiburn]

Shrug your shoulders and just accept that some people are irredeemibly stupid.

Og

I guess you'd have to be, to purposefully read three chapters of something you don't like.

 

[yui]

Hi GA,

Welcome to AH (if I haven't said it already )! You've a lot of great advice on this thread already, so I won't clutter it up by reiterating what's already been said.

I will say, that when I get genuine suggestions (not request for naked pictures or my phone number) from readers, I thank them nicely for reading and for caring enough to send feedback. I don't personally like it when writers are rude about suggestions or concerns that readers have. It doesn't take much of my time to let them know I value them as readers, because ultimately, I'm going to write what I want to write, anyway, eh?

Much luck,

Yui

 

[rikaaim]

Hi GA,

Welcome to AH (if I haven't said it already )! You've a lot of great advice on this thread already, so I won't clutter it up by reiterating what's already been said.

I will say, that when I get genuine suggestions (not request for naked pictures or my phone number) from readers, I thank them nicely for reading and for caring enough to send feedback. I don't personally like it when writers are rude about suggestions or concerns that readers have. It doesn't take much of my time to let them know I value them as readers, because ultimately, I'm going to write what I want to write, anyway, eh?

Much luck,

Yui

Yui, I demand that you give me a naked pic and your phone number.