How do other LW authors manage comments?

[metropolinational]

I am a new author here. About a month ago, I published my very first story, a series called The Botched Marriage. It's in LW, so I realize some of my questions may be very specific to that genre and its unique readers.

That said, I do have some questions I would love some feedback on.

First of all, is there an expectation to respond to comments? I enormously enjoy many of the comments, even the nasty ones. I would love to reply to some of them, but the system makes it hard to reply. I feel like I could do so with authors that leave their name, but not with Anon users. What do other authors do? Do you get in there and reply?

Second, some comments are so interesting, I am tempted to click on the user icon and reply to them via the email messenger. Is this creepy? Should I not be doing that?

Finally, many of the comments request that I take the story in a specific direction. Of course, I'm not going to do that. Do any authors feel any responsibility to explain why? I don't want to argue with anyone. However, I do feel some of the ideas are interesting, but not viable for my characters for various reasons. Again, curious what other authors do.

Thanks! I have to say that I have really enjoyed publishing my story in LW so far. I had braced myself for a tsunami of rudeness, but in fact, it has been incredibly humbling and rewarding. I can definitely understand why some authors say that the comments are their payment for writing! It has really been an unexpected reward for me!

 

[dirk2024]

First of all, is there an expectation to respond to comments? I enormously enjoy many of the comments, even the nasty ones. I would love to reply to some of them, but the system makes it hard to reply. I feel like I could do so with authors that leave their name, but not with Anon users. What do other authors do? Do you get in there and reply?

I have occasionally replied to comments on my stories, but I don't think there is an expectation from commenters to do so. I have seen some authors tag the commenter by using "@commentername" and then reply. I have tried it, with no results to report from the effort.

Second, some comments are so interesting, I am tempted to click on the user icon and reply to them via the email messenger. Is this creepy? Should I not be doing that?

I have done this, have heard in here of other authors doing it. I have yet to receive a reply. I don't think its creepy as long as your reply is specific to their comment on your story. It would get creepy if you were to offer, "Hey, how about getting together for some coffee?"

Finally, many of the comments request that I take the story in a specific direction. Of course, I'm not going to do that. Do any authors feel any responsibility to explain why? I don't want to argue with anyone. However, I do feel some of the ideas are interesting, but not viable for my characters for various reasons. Again, curious what other authors do.

If I reply, I thank them for their idea and leave it at that. Although there is one story I have where I wasn't initially thinking about a part 2, and now I am. So I did save a couple of the idea's that had merit just in case.

Thanks! I have to say that I have really enjoyed publishing my story in LW so far. I had braced myself for a tsunami of rudeness, but in fact, it has been incredibly humbling and rewarding. I can definitely understand why some authors say that the comments are their payment for writing! It has really been an unexpected reward for me!

Welcome to Literotica and Happy Writing to you!

 

[TarnishedPenny]

First of all, is there an expectation to respond to comments? I enormously enjoy many of the comments, even the nasty ones. I would love to reply to some of them, but the system makes it hard to reply. I feel like I could do so with authors that leave their name, but not with Anon users. What do other authors do?

No, not at all. Respond only if you wish to. I make a point of sending a DM to those who identify themselves, but that’s just me.

Second, some comments are so interesting, I am tempted to click on the user icon and reply to them via the email messenger. Is this creepy? Should I not be doing that?

Go for it. Sometimes you’ll get into an interesting conversation, sometimes not.

Finally, many of the comments request that I take the story in a specific direction. Of course, I'm not going to do that. Do any authors feel any responsibility to explain why? I don't want to argue with anyone. However, I do feel some of the ideas are interesting, but not viable for my characters for various reasons. Again, curious what other authors do.

Ah, the penultimate compliment! It’s up to you. Sometimes I’ll say No, Thanks. Sometimes I’ll just say Not Now. You’re hardly bound either way.

All that aside, Welcome! It’s a giddy feeling seeing a story go up.

If I could make one suggestion, you might want to put a link to your stories in your signature.

Hope to hear from you again!

 

[metropolinational]

Thank you Penny, what a great suggestion. I did exactly that!