is this that horrible? i don't know.

[tw_holt]

I'm confused about how I messed up with something. There's one individual who sees fit to comment on nearly every incest story i write, either through the comments or private messaging, about how the story was wrong, about a certain scene/character wasn't needed, about how certain sexual aspects didn't turn them on and so on. i'm sure other authors have experience this. the criticizing isn't constructive or helpful, it's them basically saying my fantasies, what turns me on, doesn't turn them on therefore the story is bad.

so i decided to include this in an author's note, specifically to that individual:

"In my year of submitting stories to this site, I've learned that I need to remind readers that I write only what turns ME on, what arouses ME – not you. I thoroughly enjoyed going on this imaginary ten day cruise. If you don't, that's not my problem.

Everything you read is in this story was specifically written for tw_holt, by tw_holt, as a gift – totally free! So before you feel like criticizing my fantasies, or even insulting me as a person, please contact me. We will work out prices and payment options for me to write a story that caters to your fantasies. "


the backlash wasn't what i was expecting. more insults by anons, certain users commenting on a bad attitude or hubris i have. i have no idea how or why that message came off like that. yes there's a "if you don't like this, oh well, i wasn't writing it to turn you on anyway" vibe - but that's the truth. i write to get my own jollies and then show others. hateful comments or comments about how my fantasies are wrong, are like insulting someone b/c the food they like isn't the same as you. my author's note was to address that person who does this to me.
so where/how did i mess up? i don't know. please help

the story is here. https://www.literotica.com/s/the-long-absence-ted-s-story
i enjoy this raunchy tale. i'm guessing it's bombing b/c of my note??

 

[lovecraft68]

I hate to say it but you asked for it and got it.

Personally I think you made a mistake sayong that to all your readers when It seems it was only one picking at you so I can see why some readers might be offended Or think you are coming across as an ass. Especially those who have slways been supportive of you.

Having said that these are your stories and you handled this as you saw fit and that is your right. Now you just have to deal with it.

My advice would be to edit that out of the story as it is going to cost you readers. Just my take anyway

 

[tw_holt]

I hate to say it but you asked for it and got it.

Personally I think you made a mistake sayong that to all your readers when It seems it was only one picking at you so I can see why some readers might be offended Or think you are coming across as an ass. Especially those who have slways been supportive of you.

Having said that these are your stories and you handled this as you saw fit and that is your right. Now you just have to deal with it.

My advice would be to edit that out of the story as it is going to cost you readers. Just my take anyway

Yeah i think you're right. I think i was letting one (maybe more if they harass ma as anons) get to me. i was assuming readers would see it and think "ah, well that's not me they are referring to. i get what they're saying though," but that may not be the case
I think i need to take a break from writing too. recharge, relax, refocus and so on.

 

[PennLady]

You don't have to respond to these kinds of comments. You can delete them from the public comments, and you can simply ignore anything else you receive via email or whatever. It's tough not to respond, I know, but you really don't owe them a response.

I agree with LC, though. I know how it feels to want to get out in front of the trolls or negative comments, but it rarely works too well.

Best thing is to realize you can't control how people respond to your stories (or paintings or songs or whatever), but you can control what you do -- whether that's ignoring comments, deleting them, etc.

 

[sr71plt]

I think any defensive proslug on a story cheapens it, leads with the chin, and invites down voting and negative comments. I try to keep them to information on length and posting times placed on the first chapter and/or note that it's a requested story.

 

[slyc_willie]

I had a personal troll at one point who apparently thought it necessary to negatively comment on every story I posted for six months or so. Some of the comments actually included some criticism, but most found something wrong with a character, word choices, whatever. After one comment was just a slam-fest targeted at me, I deleted it. Within hours, a new one was posted, bashing me for deleting the comment. I deleted that one as well.

I never addressed my troll in the comments section, though at the time I was tempted to do so. Instead, I just ignored the person, and they eventually went away.

Everyone who posts stories on this site is going to be attacked by a troll at some point. There seems to be nothing they enjoy more than getting a rise out of a particular author. The moment you let them know they're getting to you, it's like tossing a bucket of chum in the water. Suddenly, every troll will swarm on you. I've seen it happen to numerous authors here. Some have let a troll/trolls get to them to the extent that they've pulled their work.

You can't let that happen. Be the bigger person, so to speak, and ignore the comments, ignore the taunts. You always have the power to delete them. The trolls have no power whatsoever unless you give it to them.

 

[sr71plt]

I had a personal troll at one point who apparently thought it necessary to negatively comment on every story I posted for six months or so. Some of the comments actually included some criticism, but most found something wrong with a character, word choices, whatever. After one comment was just a slam-fest targeted at me, I deleted it. Within hours, a new one was posted, bashing me for deleting the comment. I deleted that one as well.

I never addressed my troll in the comments section, though at the time I was tempted to do so. Instead, I just ignored the person, and they eventually went away.

Yep, in contrast to what some others on the forum claim, I believe (and have found) that eventually they go away if you just keep zeroing their comments out.

 

[TamLin01]

What do you mean by "that horrible"? The sentiment isn't terribly objectionable--of course a writer writes things that please his or herself and of course not every story is going to appeal to every reader.

But you really shouldn't pick fights. Or let someone else pick a fight with you. Writers who "fire back" usually come off as petulant and petty. By making a statement that you "don't care" what certain people think, you betray that you actually do care quite a bit. After all, we rarely stop to acknowledge things we don't care about. Certainly not to this degree. And there's no way to win such a conflict: Whatever you say only gives the critic more to work with. If you just let him talk, he's more likely to come off as a lone nut or curmudgeon.

 

[Katiecat]

The comments you wrote weren't even in the comments section, in direct reply to the troll (not that it would have helped; I don't believe you can appeal to a troll's sense of reason or decency, because they have neither). You put it at the beginning of your story, addressed to all readers, so yes, that's a problem. I don't typically read stuff in the incest category, but went to check out your intro based on this thread. If I read that disclaimer even at the beginning of story from one of my categories of interest, it would be an immediate turn off, and I wouldn't bother reading any further. As others have suggested, I would edit out that intro and let your story stand on its own, and just delete obvious troll comments without acknowledging them.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Once I realized LIT comments and votes are bull shit I switched OFF both, and life got better.

If LAUREL did scores the way Amazon does writers could see what the real deal is. I mean, if a story accrues five ONES and ten FIVES, the average is 3.7 but the two blocks of scores reveal something else, the troll infestation.

 

[sr71plt]

Agree that an Amazon-style bar chart on the range of scores on a story would be a nice addition to the Web site.

 

[HoneyFortune]

In my vast experience with trolls of my writing, the best strategy is to simply ignore them. That always takes care of the problem.

 

[Over_Red]

I agree with the above.

Two rules I've learned the hard way: do not respond to negativity. Never argue in public.

It can be very, very tempting to respond. Letting bad comments go without rebuke can seem like a poor decision, especially when the words are unfair, personally insulting, or not based in reality. It's easy to convince yourself that you can, with your wit and good faith, bury that message under a tidal wave of logic and sway the masses to your side.

However, any response you make, no matter how well-worded or how carefully considered, can be interpreted as defensive and self-centered. More importantly, by responding, you personally draw more attention to the negativity, and thereby give it credence that it otherwise wouldn't have. You can become pulled into an argument, and there's nothing more petty or pathetic than a comment battle on the internet. Even if you are in the right, you risk damaging your reputation (as much as your username holds a reputation, anyway).

Worse still, if you respond, you're allowing someone else to control your emotions and dictate your actions. Check your pride at the door and fugetaboutit.

There is a difference between harsh criticism and negativity. Where you draw the line is a personal judgement call. If you must act, delete the comment, but never respond.

 

[Tigersman]

Anon comments

As a reader I have never understood why the Anon post as Anon. The only answer I could come up with is so they can tear down the authors writings without anyone being able to identifying them. I have seen them make comments such as "I lost interest in your story about a quarter or half way through because of this or that." if they lost interest the why did they read the whole story as evidenced by their comments instead of moving on to another story.

I normally leave positive public comments unless a character in a story really pushes one of my buttons. I will not say this or that character should have been omitted or that the plot was poor. If I think the story was in such poor shape that it needed work before submission I will send a private message to the author making specific suggestions on how to improve their story. One thing I see a lot of is over reliance on spellcheck which only tells you if you spelled the word you used correctly, not if is the right word, such as using the word "war" when you meant to use the word "wear." When writing a story an author should have an old-fashion dictionary on hand not too just check spelling but to also check the definition of the word you are using which will tell you instantly if the word you are planning on using is the correct word. An example is using "waste" instead of "waist." this is a common mistake i see. I also have noticed authors switching character names in the story only to go back to using the correct character name which is quite confusing. Add to these things the author duplicating a word such as "then then," leaving out words or using wrong tenses. All of these errors in a story makes for a hard read which is why I send private comments to the author. I almost always let the author know how well I liked there story plus I encourage them to keep writing hoping they will put to use my suggestions. I have received positive feedback from some of the authors.

As to the disclaimer tw used after reading the public comments if it were my story I would try to edit it out as it appears to be more of a distraction than a help to the story. I do agree that the authors are writing stories that turn them on not for individual readers. Unfortunately trolls or Anons feel the author is writing for their personal entertainment which translates into meaning they feel free to make all the nasty comments they so desire.

My advice is to delete all negative public and private comments. Ignore the pests. Keep writing as you put out a quality story.

 

[Katiecat]

That may be true for negative Anon comments, but what about the positive ones? Most of my stories have some positive comments from anonymous readers. Can't quite figure that out...

 

[LesLumens]

Positive anon comments are easy. A lot of people don't want to register on an adult site, and a lot of people probably read here with their browser's privacy mode engaged.

Privacy mode = no cookies = can't login even if you have an account.

 

[slyc_willie]

That may be true for negative Anon comments, but what about the positive ones? Most of my stories have some positive comments from anonymous readers. Can't quite figure that out...

Simple enough answer: they don't have an account with Lit. They just want to read the stories, and they can do so freely without signing up to the site.

Edit: I see Dark beat me to it by ten seconds or so . . .

 

[sr71plt]

That may be true for negative Anon comments, but what about the positive ones? Most of my stories have some positive comments from anonymous readers. Can't quite figure that out...

Yep, I get far (far) more positive anonymous comments on my stories than negative ones, which is why I don't just turn them off.

 

[tw_holt]

I've since edited out the disclaimer at the top of the story. It's been in the queue to be re-posted for several days now (no idea when it'll get posted). the story has since disappeared from the newest story listings.

 

[AZMotherLover]

The only way to deal with trolls is to ignore them.