I have a question about answering feedback...

[lovetoread]

Okay I love it when the emails come in.....I dance,shout,hollar and all that.

However,its the ones that tell me what they have done after reading my story that had me coming here for help.

How do you politely thank someone who says that they loved it and umm got some fun out of it?

I have been thanking them,but I am not sure if it comes across that I am thanking them for the nice words...and not for doing the other with it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I always thank them first and foremost for writing to me. I let them know that I really appreciated hearing from them. Then I tell them a little something about the story. Where I got the idea, why I liked it, what others may have said about it, that kind of thing. Then I thank them for their kind words and sign then send.

Sometimes they ask questions, so that helps.

 

[Ravenswing]

Don't worry about it

I have to say that if someone enjoyed your story that much, thank them for enjoying it that much and think to yourself, "Wow! Something I wrote was enough to turn someone on like that."

The first time it happened to me, I was a bit surprised, and a lot fascinated, but I see it as a major compliment.

 

[English-Passion]

I love the idea of active readers!

Writing erotica (okay, some may call it porn - so be it) makes my thoughts turn 'below the waist', so I would be quite dissapointed if people who read my work don't get the same response.

And if my words can bring pleasure on a variety of levels, I am delighted!

I just worked out that my story 'An Apartment in Paris' has been viewed about 4500 times in 24 hours. If a quarter of those readers have experienced (let's be delicate) a heightened metabolic response, then over 1100 people have burned a few calories more than they would otherwise have done. 10 calories each? At that rate, I have single-handedly (what a good term) been responsible for my readers burning off over 3 pounds of fat!

Wow! I should go into the diet business.

To read the offending piece, and lose some weight of your own, please visit:

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=29707

English-Passion

 

[Whispersecret]

Generally, when someone tells me they got off on my writing, I feel different things. I usually feel a little uncomfortable, as if that person must be a little kooky. Then I remind myself that I sometimes pleasure myself while reading a story. (Mickie knows I loved his Seduction story in that particular way. A coupla times. ) After the reality check, I usually then feel flattered.

First, they took the time to write me, which is a giant compliment in and of itself. Most people don't take the time to vote, let alone write a letter.

Second, it is erotica, and as such, intended to arouse. I figure I've done my job if I turned someone on enough so that they felt they had to finish off what I started.

Someone wrote me once that he and his girlfriend even acted out parts of my novella. That amazed me. I still get a kick out of thinking they liked my characters and their scenario so much that they playacted it. Very cool.

 

[English-Passion]

Mmmm. I do like the idea of people acting out my fevered imaginings!

What a delicious 'circe d'amour' that could produce: you get excited imagining the 'script', they get excited performing it and then you get more excited imagining their performance. A glorious feedback loop!

English-Passion

 

[Couture]

When they say how much fun or how many times they 'um' enjoyed it.

My reply is, "I'm glad you enjoyed it!"

 

[WickedEve]

Hi lovetoread

I think when someone reads a story and has an emotional or physical response to it, like arousal, they want to share that intense feeling with the writer. I think it's just an impulse, at the moment, to share their orgasm or whatever, right after it happens. I got a lot of that kind of email after my story, and I answered it, but rarely heard again from the reader. The moment was over, and the reader really didn't have anything else to say. Some of my responses were colorful. I wanted to add to their experience. I realized that most weren't looking for long-term communication. So, lovetoread, just a simple thank you or anything you feel like saying, will do.

 

[Whispersecret]

English, when I say "get a kick," I mean just a sense of happy satisfaction. I don't get physically aroused. I guess that means I'm a tough audience.

 

[Debbie]

I feel a little uncomfortable to when some of the emails specifically describe how much they enjoyed my stories. Oh ok *Blush* is my usual response. I leave it for a little while before I reply and then say,
"Thanks so much for the feedback. I am glad that you enjoyed my story. Blah blah I enjoy writing etc. Thanks again for taking the time to email me."

 

[KillerMuffin]

I love the people who read my stories. Well not Love as in valentine's day gift love, but I love them anyway. Whenever I'm writing a new story, I'm thinking of them. Some give me suggestions and if I can, I incorporate them. Some give me snippets of character or personality and I like to stick them in the same kinds of stories the responded to. I don't tell them, but I write for them.

 

[RussH]

KillerMuffin,

Whenever I'm writing a new story, I'm thinking of them. Some give me suggestions and if I can, I incorporate them. Some give me snippets of character or personality and I like to stick them in the same kinds of stories the responded to. I don't tell them, but I write for them.

This is, I think, the secret of all 'good' writers. They write for their readers....

It shows in the verbage and structure of their stories. In the careful use of a good spell checker, the knowledge and use of the language, and in a couple of plain and simple edit checks before releasing it to the public.

I won't try to describe how to write a story, I can't. ( write a story, that is ) But I can, and do, espouse on the craft of putting words on paper.

Yours always show that kind of careful preparation a craftsman proud of his work uses. A story not only has to be written, it also has to be READ.

Lots of good writers here....

Russ