How influential are comments?

[Actingup]

the Stacnash thread

'the' - oh, man, if only it was just one!!!

I don't think that we need to sift through sneering put-downs to find the useful bits, but I also appreciate critical comments around sex and relationships. We know that stroke stories are appreciated here, and for good reason, but they're less satisfying to write and less useful for aspiring amateurs like myself.

 

[WittyUserName]

But his motive for commenting is not important. It has nothing to do with the actual content of the feedback. ; )

Personally I don't give a fuck if someone is trolling me. I don't care what anyone thinks of me as a writer or as a person, so long as it does not hinder my opportunity to write and publish, of course. For instance, if some troll starts spreading lies that I write kiddie porn in an attempt to get me banned, then that would be different. But if someone just wants to run off at the lip that I'm a shit writer and a rotten person, I do not give the slightest fuck. However, if some troll bitch commenter can drop me a nugget that I can use to move forward, that is just as valuable as someone who says it politely, and what's more, it's actually more valuable than some pat on the back and a 5-vote.

The difference, the ego loooooves that pat on the back and hates the troll, so we find any reason to dismiss any value from a negative review and accept wholeheartedly any positive review. We see it ALL THE TIME.

"This guy gave me a bad review, but my story is 4.73 so obviously he must be a one-off idiot!"

"I just got a 1-bomb! : (" after a single 1-vote. Hah! As if their story couldn't possibly receive a legit 1. Like srsly.

Notice that no one ever says, "I just 3 reviews saying, 'loved it 5 stars!' but what do they know?" Never. high scores and "loved it," and "great story, hawtt!" are always accepted as 100% gospel. Only negative stuff is ever questioned.

I question the positive ones sometimes. "Best story on lit!" Thanks, but you're exaggerating.