How Important are Comments?
- Thread starter KyleR215
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NotWise
Desert Rat
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To me, I like getting comments--well, some of them--but they aren't very important. That's a complete about-face from my opinion when I posted my first stories. Back then, I craved feedback. Now when I need that feedback I find a beta reader or two, or three, or four.
A small proportion of the comments I've gotten from readers have been rewarding, and a few have told me something about what I've done right or wrong. I don't put stories in LW, so the most common comment I get is along the lines of "More!" I usually take that as a compliment and move on because it doesn't tell me anything else.
My two stories in Romance are a little different. Some readers will use comments to carry on a conversation with each other and with me. I like that.
Salacious_Scribe
is writing 1 handed
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I don't get paid for my work. I don't want to put in the effort to try and get published, or try to format it to make it an ebook. Therefore the only compensation I get is comments from readers. So they are very important to me I read each one and respond to most.
As an artist Michael is 2 to make someone feel or remember a story to give them a strong emotional reaction. The only people that leave comments are people that had a strong emotional reaction.
To date the greatest praise I got was from Laurel herself. I deleted my old accounts to consolidate all my stories under one name. I submitted what I believe to be 1 of my lesser pieces and it's the only 1 she questioned saying that had been posted before under a different username. The fact that she remembered that story despite the thousands of stories she had read and between when I originally submitted it and when I resubmitted it that was was a moment I will never forget.
As an artist Michael is 2 to make someone feel or remember a story to give them a strong emotional reaction. The only people that leave comments are people that had a strong emotional reaction.
To date the greatest praise I got was from Laurel herself. I deleted my old accounts to consolidate all my stories under one name. I submitted what I believe to be 1 of my lesser pieces and it's the only 1 she questioned saying that had been posted before under a different username. The fact that she remembered that story despite the thousands of stories she had read and between when I originally submitted it and when I resubmitted it that was was a moment I will never forget.
Salacious_Scribe
is writing 1 handed
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2019
- Posts
- 811
I don't get paid for my work. I don't want to put in the effort to try and get published, or try to format it to make it an ebook. Therefore the only compensation I get is comments from readers. So they are very important to me I read each one and respond to most.
As an artist My goal is 2 to make someone feel or remember a story to give them a strong emotional reaction. The only people that leave comments are people that had a strong emotional reaction.
To date the greatest praise I got was from Laurel herself. I deleted my old accounts to consolidate all my stories under one name. I submitted what I believe to be 1 of my lesser pieces and it's the only 1 she questioned saying that had been posted before under a different username. The fact that she remembered that story despite the thousands of stories she had read and between when I originally submitted it and when I resubmitted it that was was a moment I will never forget.
As an artist My goal is 2 to make someone feel or remember a story to give them a strong emotional reaction. The only people that leave comments are people that had a strong emotional reaction.
To date the greatest praise I got was from Laurel herself. I deleted my old accounts to consolidate all my stories under one name. I submitted what I believe to be 1 of my lesser pieces and it's the only 1 she questioned saying that had been posted before under a different username. The fact that she remembered that story despite the thousands of stories she had read and between when I originally submitted it and when I resubmitted it that was was a moment I will never forget.
If Literotica banned comment and feedback, I wouldn't feel bad about it.
Views and favorites are enough to let me know that people like it. Maintaining those numbers, which means that people are still reading my stories, is also a great sign.
That's all I need.
Views and favorites are enough to let me know that people like it. Maintaining those numbers, which means that people are still reading my stories, is also a great sign.
That's all I need.
ElectricBlue
Joined 11 Years Ago
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- 18,006
I'd hate that. Comments and feedback are rare, but they're life blood for me. Scores are one thing, comments are my indicator of a story that's done that extra little bit - motivated someone to write a few words.
Rob_Howard
Experienced
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- Dec 29, 2017
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- 44
I too feel the same. The first thing I check after I publish a story is the score. But if there is an appreciative comment on the story, I don't mind if the story has a score of less than 4.
Zeb_Carter
.-- - ..-.
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- Jun 15, 2006
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I just take the word doc I used to copy and paste here at lit and add the copyright page from the publisher, make myself a cover, and submit. Only effort is the cover by I consider that fun.
TadOverdon
Pornographer
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- Mar 30, 2021
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I like comments so they're that important.
lovecraft68
Bad Doggie
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The good ones are flattering, and can occasionally provide a bright spot in a bad day.
The constructive negative comments can make you think if you're not so arrogant as to think readers don't know what they're talking about.
The trolling hate spew type can provide a laugh if the troll has a sense of humor or is unintentionally funny, the flat about malice is a headshake and my usual thought of it must suck to be you.
The only ones that mean something to me-as "best ever' is meaningless because they say it on the next story too-are the ones where the reader seemed to really get something subtle I was aiming for or picked up on a little joke or reference to something else
Like anything else, taking them too seriously isn't a good idea, but some are worth paying attention to.
The constructive negative comments can make you think if you're not so arrogant as to think readers don't know what they're talking about.
The trolling hate spew type can provide a laugh if the troll has a sense of humor or is unintentionally funny, the flat about malice is a headshake and my usual thought of it must suck to be you.
The only ones that mean something to me-as "best ever' is meaningless because they say it on the next story too-are the ones where the reader seemed to really get something subtle I was aiming for or picked up on a little joke or reference to something else
Like anything else, taking them too seriously isn't a good idea, but some are worth paying attention to.
Kumquatqueen
Literotica Guru
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It's nice to have some considered feedback, and obviously very flattering when they say things like "this is the most genuinely queer and sexy story on this website, and so well written!" When they enter into a bit of conversation, it's very nice to realise you have triggered a response in someone (my story Wheelchair Bound? resulted in a bunch of thanks and personal stories).
But I don't post on Lit for the comments - in my first 2.5 years on the site, from four or five stories, I had one comment, and that was both nothing to do with my story (a story with no penetration was a 'mediocre poker piece') and just complained about my username.
I try to comment on interesting stories because however much I try not to care, I appreciate them and figure other authors will too.
But I don't post on Lit for the comments - in my first 2.5 years on the site, from four or five stories, I had one comment, and that was both nothing to do with my story (a story with no penetration was a 'mediocre poker piece') and just complained about my username.
I try to comment on interesting stories because however much I try not to care, I appreciate them and figure other authors will too.
MillieDynamite
Millie'sVastExpanse
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I like getting comments, good or bad, the person taking time to send a messages means something. Don't always like what they say in the comments. But they don't inspire me to write or drive me to quit.
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TadOverdon
Pornographer
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Yeah, all of this. My two favorite comments so far were one who liked my sense of humor and another who described the story as a "throwback," which was the very conscious intent.
Gamblnluck
Literotica Guru
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- Sep 16, 2020
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I personally would quit writing on this site if comments were eliminated. I enjoy the feedback, good and bad. I came here because of the many comments and scoring. I was writing on a site where at most I might get 4 or 5 comments. Those were usually supportive and thanking me for posting.
Critical feedback is important.
I hate the idea of writing into a vacuum. I could sit in my bedroom, tell myself a story and jerk off if that was the case. A lot less effort.
SamScribble
Yeah, still just a guru
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- Oct 23, 2009
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I write for the entertainment of a very small bunch of readers. Comments from that two dozen or so readers are always appreciated. The rest? Not so much.
D
Deleted member 5521640
Guest
I like comments on my story. Especially when a reader provides constructive criticism for a story. It tells me what I wrote compelled them to take the time and put in detail what they liked about my story, what they didn't like, and things that could improve it. So yeah, I consider comments important.
lovecraft68
Bad Doggie
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Apparently the site has decided they are not very important to us, so don't worry about it.
SamScribble
Yeah, still just a guru
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Oh? Pray do tell more.
Auden James
Erotist
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- Aug 13, 2008
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Comments have the greatest meaning of all the feedback elements on LIT. Votes and views can quite easily be forged, whereas a comment bot that gives intelligible—let alone thoughtful—feedback is much harder to build. Hence, comments tell you the most about what your readers really think about your writing and you the writer (for quite often they get quite personal, at least in my experience).
Alas, even comments are filtered on LIT by now.
So you cannot even be sure anymore that all the feedback you get is all you really got. Who knows what the people who run this site deem unfit for the public eye!
Alas, even comments are filtered on LIT by now.
So you cannot even be sure anymore that all the feedback you get is all you really got. Who knows what the people who run this site deem unfit for the public eye!
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SimonDoom
Kink Lord
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- Apr 9, 2015
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Comments are important. It's gratifying to know that my story has provoked a particular response in a reader, and to know what that response is beyond a mere number or view or vote.
The lack of comments can be frustrating, but I've gotten used to it.
It's nice to know that a reader really enjoyed the story, or even got off to it.
I appreciate constructive criticism, because it gives me something to think about the next time I write a story, in the hope of continuing to get better. I try to pay careful attention to comments of this sort, especially when it's obvious the commenter has given some thought to the comment.
Some comments are amusing, especially the ones where I've evidently offended the reader's sensibilities, something that makes no sense to me at an erotic story website. But it is what is is.
The lack of comments can be frustrating, but I've gotten used to it.
It's nice to know that a reader really enjoyed the story, or even got off to it.
I appreciate constructive criticism, because it gives me something to think about the next time I write a story, in the hope of continuing to get better. I try to pay careful attention to comments of this sort, especially when it's obvious the commenter has given some thought to the comment.
Some comments are amusing, especially the ones where I've evidently offended the reader's sensibilities, something that makes no sense to me at an erotic story website. But it is what is is.
gordo12
Experienced
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- Sep 9, 2011
- Posts
- 3,068
I like the thank you kind of comments too. When they're helpful, it means I fked up somewhere. I'm grateful that someone pointed it out so I can improve, but it's the equivalent of standing on stage in front of 20,000 people, and someone publicly announces, "your zipper is open!"
