Is there an etiquette to responding to comments on stories?

[AmberSolis]

One of the things that is new to me here on Literotica are the story comments. I have not been responding to them, though I do appreciate them very much! Even the comments by those who didn't like the story, if they explain why, are appreciated. And the (fortunately small number) of un-helpful, blatantly negative comments, I just ignore.

Is there an etiquette to responding to these? Is that something that is done, here?

 

[NotWise]

No established etiquette I know of.

You can reply if you want. Some people do, but probably few of the commenters return to see if you've replied. I don't think the readers really expect a reply.

 

[alohadave]

One of the things that is new to me here on Literotica are the story comments. I have not been responding to them, though I do appreciate them very much! Even the comments by those who didn't like the story, if they explain why, are appreciated. And the (fortunately small number) of un-helpful, blatantly negative comments, I just ignore.

Is there an etiquette to responding to these? Is that something that is done, here?

Unless someone who comments comes back to the story to check, they'll never know that you responded or not. You could send them a message through their profile page (assuming they didn't post an anonymous comment), and they'd get it via email.

Responding to comments is more helpful to new viewers of the comments than to who you are replying to.

 

[Phantom300]

I don't I've been tempted to many times, but I think the best approach is to not engage. I have gotten email feedback from folks, and those I reply to every time.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I usually reply to fellow writers who leave comments via a PM or email. I sometimes reply to non-anonymous comments, depending on the context.

 

[KeithD]

No, there is no etiquette on that here.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I'll reply with my own comment if there's a direct question, and will occasionally send a PM or use the feedback system. It mostly ends up with tumbleweeds, though.

 

[Djmac1031]

I started replying to comments when I first started writing here, but quickly realized I was not going to get a Twitter or even Facebook type of conversation thread out of it.

Now I pretty much limit any replies to either answering a specific question, or clarifying a mistake a reader pointed out.

Not so much in hopes of reaching the specific commentor, although I have actually had a few check back.

But mainly to help future readers who may also read comments, so they see the answer and / or my explanation or acknowledgment and correction of said error.

 

[Defluer]

I started replying to comments when I first started writing here, but quickly realized I was not going to get a Twitter or even Facebook type of conversation thread out of it.

Now I pretty much limit any replies to either answering a specific question, or clarifying a mistake a reader pointed out.

Not so much in hopes of reaching the specific commentor, although I have actually had a few check back.

But mainly to help future readers who may also read comments, so they see the answer and / or my explanation or acknowledgment and correction of said error.

Pretty much this is my answer.

Very few will check back, I've only recently made it a thing to check back after a week or so when I make a comment. (After finding it in My Home.)

I think I was using the comment section of my stories as a place to put some of my thoughts for a couple of stories but some people don't even like getting into the comments, or so I was told by a reader, so I added those thoughts to a Notes from The Author at the end of a story when I feel it's needed.

 

[lc69hunter]

One of the things that is new to me here on Literotica are the story comments. I have not been responding to them, though I do appreciate them very much! Even the comments by those who didn't like the story, if they explain why, are appreciated. And the (fortunately small number) of un-helpful, blatantly negative comments, I just ignore.

Is there an etiquette to responding to these? Is that something that is done, here?

I will sometimes get an email through the feedback system thanking me for the comments on their story, but the frustrating thing for me is that they send it as anonymous and don't mention the story I commented on, so I haven't a clue as to what I said.

 

[Djmac1031]

so I added those thoughts to a Notes from The Author at the end of a story when I feel it's needed.

I do that a lot as well. Sometimes just to talk about what inspired the story, sometimes to let them know if I am actually planning a sequel or not. And I also usually encourage their feedback on it.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I try to make a point of saying thank you to those who have made the effort to comment.

 

[lovecraft68]

I only respond to private feedback that has an e-mail to reply to. but even then it depends. If the comment was telling me how many times they got off to the story or when the sequel(to the 10 year old story they referenced) is coming out I don't bother.

Actual questions or meaningful feedback, even if its not positive, I'll reply to.

 

[Mr_Neb]

I have not seen any reference to some established etiquette but if someone goes to the effort to post a comment, I usually will return the courtesy and respond with a thank you. On the rare occassions that I do get comments, they are almost always positive. Those I respond to. There have been one or two that were obviously troll-like and those I ignore. (Years ago, before I deciphered what the LW category was all about, I posted a couple of stories there and the "feedback" was interesting to say the least.)

 

[CyranoJ]

One of the things that is new to me here on Literotica are the story comments. I have not been responding to them, though I do appreciate them very much! Even the comments by those who didn't like the story, if they explain why, are appreciated. And the (fortunately small number) of un-helpful, blatantly negative comments, I just ignore.

Is there an etiquette to responding to these? Is that something that is done, here?

It's purely personal.

Generally I try to reply to comments, even if I'm really late responding (as I often am). I try to be courteous and appreciative even with critical comments (or simply confusing ones). For the appreciative readers, I always try to let them know that I appreciate their reading.

If I have to delete really hostile or otherwise objectionable comments (personal attacks, trolling, attempts at kink-shaming, sock-puppeting and the like), I will sometimes leave a note in the comments politely warning people off of whatever the behavior was, so that people don't waste their time.

I really don't have any expectations for people checking back or engaging in conversation. My mode of engagement is just about giving and receiving courtesy.

 

[Nellymcboatface]

I try to make a point of saying thank you to those who have made the effort to comment.

I always PM anyone who has commented via their profile name, for the same reason, as they've been motivated enough to put finger to keyboard.
I often get a second PM in reply, as a result.
Some positive critique (even if they are pointing out a silly mistake, as opposed to saying my story is riddled with spelling mistakes) is worthy of a reply and again sometimes they PM back.
I have some readers who now regularly comment or PM as a result.
I wouldn't want to be on twitter or which ever social media platform you choose - but as these occurrences are in frequent it's quite nice & some readers are entertaining in their own right.

 

[Imstillfun]

I dont respond to commmenters. First there are too many, but mainly because, with the new system, by the time my reply is posted the comment is no longer relevant.

I do reply to all emails/contacts that include an email address. Until they become a stalker.

 

[Duleigh]

If it's a really interesting comment I reach out to the commenter via DM or email. If it's a really nasty comment with a personal attack at me or someone else, I just delete it.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I don't reply. It's not like AO³ where there's a back and fourth possible in the comment section. And I'm not going to just jump in somebody's pm, unless it was warranted. As far as etiquette... it's the internet, and I don't think the people here are as touchy as fic writers, but the same kinda trolls exist.