Is there some secret to obtaining comments?

[Swilly]

It's interesting to me that some authors end up with a boatload of comments, and others, like myself, get them only rarely. Most of these stories are above the 4.5 rating, my latest sitting at 4.71 right now.

Do people actively cultivate readers and interact with them? I'm just curious.

 

[lovecraft68]

It's interesting to me that some authors end up with a boatload of comments, and others, like myself, get them only rarely. Most of these stories are above the 4.5 rating, my latest sitting at 4.71 right now.

Do people actively cultivate readers and interact with them? I'm just curious.

Category sometimes factors in
.
An incest or loving wives Will get a lot more than other genres

 

[PennLady]

And sometimes it depends on how long an author's been posting. If they've been at it a while, they may have picked up a fan base and perhaps responded to comments, and that may lead to more comments being posted.

 

[Acktion]

It's interesting to me that some authors end up with a boatload of comments, and others, like myself, get them only rarely. Most of these stories are above the 4.5 rating, my latest sitting at 4.71 right now.

Do people actively cultivate readers and interact with them? I'm just curious.

For me, at least, that first ever comment by a new reader is hit or miss. My scores aren't as high as yours ranging from just below 4 to just barely over 4.5 with anywhere from 75 to 400 votes cast out of generally around 10k views (more like 70k for my two tries in the incest category)

At first, I responded to any comment posted by posting a public response in a comment at the end of the story. However, I soon started to feel that I was tooting my own horn by doing so in such a public way. After all, if the story couldn't stand or fall on it's own without me defending it, then my detractors were right and I needed to learn more about writing.

After a while, I would look over, but then basically ignore any comments by anonymous, whether they were flattering or not. Anyone who posted a comment linked to a user account, I would send a PM that was basically a form letter thanking them for reading and commenting with one or two lines in response to their comment to let them know I read them. I can't know that is why, but often they will take the time to read an comment on another story after I've sent the PM.

Sometimes, when I post a new story, I look back at some of the previous commenters and send them a little form note that I've got a new story out and as someone that had voiced an opinion on a previous story, I am curious what they think of the new. It's not much really, just a little note typed up in notepad with a blank for the name of the new story.

So, I guess while I don't actively try to cultivate new readers/commenters, mainly since I'm not sure how to go about it other than trying to make the title and seven word caption interesting, I suppose I do tend to cultivate people who have read and commented once to do so again.

 

[TxRad]

Keep writing and try different categories. Building a readership will help.

 

[Bramblethorn]

It's interesting to me that some authors end up with a boatload of comments, and others, like myself, get them only rarely. Most of these stories are above the 4.5 rating, my latest sitting at 4.71 right now.

Do people actively cultivate readers and interact with them? I'm just curious.

I get about one comment per 10,000 views. As far as I can tell the easiest way to get comments is to piss readers off... although you may not like what they have to say

 

[oggbashan]

I get about one comment per 10,000 views. As far as I can tell the easiest way to get comments is to piss readers off... although you may not like what they have to say

My story Trapped fell into that category.

 

[sr71plt]

You could write provocative comments to yourself in alts and then respond to them in other alts. The alts of others might chime in then.

The only basic truth I've seen in comments on comments is that the different categories have significantly different patterns concerning whether the story will gather comments or not.

 

[ScouriesWorld]

I would suggest that you read the #1 Comments thread in the LITEROTICA Forums. Originally sponsored by James R Scouries and the folks at ScouriesWorld it is now administered by A.I.R.

You can find it in the STORY FEEDBACK Forum or follow this link:

COMMENT THREAD​

 

[lovecraft68]

I would suggest that you read the #1 Comments thread in the LITEROTICA Forums. Originally sponsored by James R Scouries and the folks at ScouriesWorld it is now administered by A.I.R.

You can find it in the STORY FEEDBACK Forum or follow this link:​

To the OP.

Only read this if you are looking for an example of creating alts to flatter your own work​

 

[sr71plt]

I would suggest that you read the #1 Comments thread in the LITEROTICA Forums.

For an example of getting your alts to comment to each other to run the comment file up, yes. That's exactly a good example for that.

 

[patientlee]

If you want comments, submit to Loving Wives. They have a lot to say. And they keep coming back to say more and to fight with the others. It's kind of fun to watch. A little bit like watching Honey Boo Boo.

 

[lovecraft68]

If you want comments, submit to Loving Wives. They have a lot to say. And they keep coming back to say more and to fight with the others. It's kind of fun to watch. A little bit like watching Honey Boo Boo.

Honey boo boo is probably a good indication of the lifestyle most of the LW readers live.

I love when they get all nasty about grammar in a story and misspell 10 words in a three sentence post.

 

[Swilly]

Lol. I'm only interested in genuine comments, not stroking myself wearing someone Else's glove.

I reckon the votes and views a story gets provide a fair amount of feedback. I was more curious than anything else.

 

[Swilly]

Honey boo boo is probably a good indication of the lifestyle most of the LW readers live.

I love when they get all nasty about grammar in a story and misspell 10 words in a three sentence post.

There are some members of the grammar police here for sure. In some ways, I don't mind, because it challenges me to do better and consider using an editor. However, when you put together a good 2-3 page story and the most someone can write about it us that you missed a quotation mark, you find yourself wondering if your elementary school grammar teacher has decided to comb LIT during her golden years.

 

[oggbashan]

One way to get a significant number of comments is to win a Literotica themed contest.

My winning story for the Winter Holiday Contest 2103 - Christmas Truce - has more comments than almost any other of my submissions.

 

[patientlee]

There are some members of the grammar police here for sure. In some ways, I don't mind, because it challenges me to do better and consider using an editor. However, when you put together a good 2-3 page story and the most someone can write about it us that you missed a quotation mark, you find yourself wondering if your elementary school grammar teacher has decided to comb LIT during her golden years.

Or maybe she's writing here too.

 

[Tsotha]

Anyone who posted a comment linked to a user account, I would send a PM that was basically a form letter thanking them for reading and commenting with one or two lines in response to their comment to let them know I read them. I can't know that is why, but often they will take the time to read an comment on another story after I've sent the PM.
(...)
So, I guess while I don't actively try to cultivate new readers/commenters, mainly since I'm not sure how to go about it other than trying to make the title and seven word caption interesting, I suppose I do tend to cultivate people who have read and commented once to do so again.

Well, communication gets boring pretty fast when you get no response. Maybe it's just me, but if I don't get a response to my feedback, I'm less likely to leave it in the future since it feels like I'm wasting my time. Especially so if I sent it by e-mail. I guess a similar situation for an author would be posting a story and getting no votes, no views, no comments, nothing. If you get no feedback whatsoever, just what is the purpose?

I'm also more likely to return to read other stories from the same author if his/her name comes to my mind. Surprising, right? So, things that make me remember an author:

1) He/she writes stories I enjoy (d'oh)
2) He/she was willing to discuss a story, or otherwise made me feel like my comment was useful

I have reviewed stories in categories I don't even enjoy simply because the person writing the story was nice. I wouldn't bother if it were someone unwilling to respond, or who acted arrogantly about his/her own writing.

 

[MSTarot]

One way to get a significant number of comments is to win a Literotica themed contest.

My winning story for the Winter Holiday Contest 2103 - Christmas Truce - has more comments than almost any other of my submissions.

Even just entering them will get you a boost of comments to your other stories

 

[lovecraft68]

Well, communication gets boring pretty fast when you get no response. Maybe it's just me, but if I don't get a response to my feedback, I'm less likely to leave it in the future since it feels like I'm wasting my time. Especially so if sent it by e-mail. I guess a similar situation for an author would be posting a story and getting no votes, no views, no comments, nothing. If you get no feedback whatsoever, just what is the purpose?

I'm also more likely to return to read other stories from the same author if his/her name comes to my mind. Surprising, right? So, things that make me remember an author:

1) He/she writes stories I enjoy (d'oh)
2) He/she was willing to discuss a story, or otherwise made me feel like my comment was useful

I have reviewed stories in categories I don't even enjoy simply because the person writing the story was nice. I wouldn't bother if it were someone unwilling to respond, or who acted arrogantly about his/her own writing.

As for unwilling to respond each author is different. If someone sends a private feedback with an e-mail address I can respond to I do the best I can to always reply back.

But there are times it simply slips my mind. I get a lot of e-mails for various things during the course of the day and occasionally the e-mail falls down the page and I lose track of it.

As for comments here? I am of the school that I don;t carry on conversations in my public comments field. If I responded to every comment and they responded back I would have stories with 300 comments and look like I'm just trying to "fluff" my stats.

I know that sounds like a strange thing to care about, but you would be amazed at what some authors will accuse others of doing.

 

[Tsotha]

As for comments here? I am of the school that I don;t carry on conversations in my public comments field. If I responded to every comment and they responded back I would have stories with 300 comments and look like I'm just trying to "fluff" my stats.

I know that sounds like a strange thing to care about, but you would be amazed at what some authors will accuse others of doing.

I see. Those are certainly reasonable concerns. However, it seems to me that one has more to gain by being concerned with what readers think than with what other authors think.

It's also not necessary to reply to every single comment; an author can leave a single comment every few days addressing all those who left compliments, and directly to one or another, in case they asked a question or developed some interesting thought (all in the same comment).

Being overwhelmed by feedback is another problem entirely, but I think many would be delighted to have it, rather than getting no comments. But I can see how stuff can fall through the cracks. That's though.

 

[lovecraft68]

I see. Those are certainly reasonable concerns. However, it seems to me that one has more to gain by being concerned with what readers think than with what other authors think.

It's also not necessary to reply to every single comment; an author can leave a single comment every few days addressing all those who left compliments, and directly to one or another, in case they asked a question or developed some interesting thought (all in the same comment).

Being overwhelmed by feedback is another problem entirely, but I think many would be delighted to have it, rather than getting no comments. But I can see how stuff can fall through the cracks. That's though.

Something worth mentioning.

Part of why I do not reply to comments is you don't know if they are going to return to the comments field or not. MY opinion is I don;t think they are looking for a response there. If they have a question or point to make (or a threat in the case of LW) they will contact me through lit.

It seems many authors may not respond because many times when I do I egt a response back and they seem thrilled to hear from me. That makes me think a lot of people don't reply.

I agree that authors who don't reply often make me think they have a sense of aloofness.

But I see a lot more of that in authors that argue points in the comments section and make arrogant posts and assertions as if these "mere" readers are not fit to judge their work.

Whenever I have seen that I note that author in my "never read anything by them folder"

 

[Tsotha]

Something worth mentioning.It seems many authors may not respond because many times when I do I egt a response back and they seem thrilled to hear from me. That makes me think a lot of people don't reply.

I agree that authors who don't reply often make me think they have a sense of aloofness.

When I read a long-ish story with great character development and plot, or that causes some resonance on me for whatever reason, I *want* to talk to the author. It's what made me sign up after five years as an anon. The power of getting a response...

But I see a lot more of that in authors that argue points in the comments section and make arrogant posts and assertions as if these "mere" readers are not fit to judge their work.

Whenever I have seen that I note that author in my "never read anything by them folder"

It's important to be polite. Hopefully an author will try to defuse flame wars, not give them incentive... After all, people are much more likely to act civil if the comment section is a clean, friendly place than if it's a free for all trolling arena.

 

[lovecraft68]

When I read a long-ish story with great character development and plot, or that causes some resonance on me for whatever reason, I *want* to talk to the author. It's what made me sign up after five years as an anon. The power of getting a response...



It's important to be polite. Hopefully an author will try to defuse flame wars, not give them incentive... After all, people are much more likely to act civil if the comment section is a clean, friendly place than if it's a free for all trolling arena.

Some authors start the flame wars.

Also-and I know many disagree- I never delete a comment especially a negative one because personally on a reading level I have no respect for an author that leaves all their "OMG you're the best" up there, but removes "Not as good as the previous chapter"

So I leave all of them and when I get attacked the last thing I will do is try to defend myself? Why should I? I wrote it my way. some liked it and that's great, some hated it and that's cool to.

Everything here is handled many different ways and eventually we all gravitate to the people who seem to do it all the way we like it.

 

[Tsotha]

Some authors start the flame wars.

Also-and I know many disagree- I never delete a comment especially a negative one because personally on a reading level I have no respect for an author that leaves all their "OMG you're the best" up there, but removes "Not as good as the previous chapter"

So I leave all of them and when I get attacked the last thing I will do is try to defend myself? Why should I? I wrote it my way. some liked it and that's great, some hated it and that's cool to.

Everything here is handled many different ways and eventually we all gravitate to the people who seem to do it all the way we like it.

The only problem I see with leaving a bad comment is that it may cause one's fans to jump to one's defense, starting a flame war... But then, I guess that's beyond anyone's control.