My innocence is forever lost!!

[M.A.Thompson]

Perhaps this is a bitch thread, nosing up to my contemporaries at the Literotica Authors Bar & Grill for a little consolation, but there is a question I have once my rambling is done.

I realize that by relative terms I a mere infant here at lit, however, I took some pride in the fact that after three submissions, I had yet to receive any negative feedback from a reader. Until today.

Now, I am entirely receptive to criticism, especially that of a constructive nature, but this feedback was just totally nonsensical. The story in question is my first, On Being the ‘Other Man’, posted in the mature category, and until today, well recieved and highly rated.

On to the feedback. Rex Reed here informs me that the reason he feels my story sucks (his opinion, his right) is because my female lead should have been “at least 30 years younger and able to get pregnant.” It’s a fucking ‘Mature’ story. Last time I checked the readers were informed what that meant…"Sexy OLDER Folks!!” And what’s with the pregnancy thing? If you have a pregnant chick fetish, check out the fetish section.

He also showed his displeasure by yielding the power of vote and lambasting not only that story, but my other two as well.

I give him credit for one thing however, he did not do so by way of the coward; he left his e-mail for my reply. Wherein lies my question…

What approach would you take, or have you taken, in responding to such feedback?

I’m terribly torn. Part of me wants to spell out in plain English how unreasonable his comments were in light of the type of story it is; part wants to just say thanks for reading it, sorry it was not up to your standards. What to do, what to do?

Thank you for letting me vent!!!!

Emmay

 

[wildsweetone]

oh fantastic!!!!!!

how incredible that a reader should want to know your character at another time in their life!!!

congratulations Emmay, that is one huge compliment. it means you have interested him/her enough to actually make them contemplate what your character was like before your story began!

to respond to your correspondant, i would simply say:

Thanks for taking the time to read my story and send feedback.

i wouldn't consider sending much more than that. if the guy intended to be nasty then to say more is only joining in the argument. if he was being kind, then he may well write again, decide then whether to respond for a second time or not.

just my opinion

wildsweetone

 

[KillerMuffin]

Be POLITE. Sticks in the ol' craw, but that's my advice.

Inform him that you put it in the mature category because it was about older, mature people and there was enough of an emphasis on age in the story that you felt it appropriate in the mature category. Since the editors obviously agreed that it belongs on the mature category, it will remain there. Tell him that you do appreciate his honesty and his integrity in explaining to you what the problem was and including an email address while doing so. Thank him for taking the time to write to you, sign your name, spell check, press send.

 

[TheEarl]

Collect together all of your positive feeback and copy the best comments into an e-mail to this bloke. Then point out the wonder that is democracy.

The Earl

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Chill

ANYTIME something upsets you like that let it cool for 24 hours before responding.

Now if I could only follow my own advice...

---dr.M.

 

[BigTexan]

I second WildSweetOne. I think her response is the best.

BigTexan

 

[damppanties]

Tell him why you think his response is totally nonsensical - but in a restrained way.

I second KillerMuffin.

 

[Guest]

Actually..........

I'd respond to him simply by saying: "Thanks".

Give's you the ability to say a hell of a lot in one word without having to explain it.

Let "him" wonder what you "really" meant..........

I remain,

 

[HomerPindar]

On top of everyone elses fine suggestions, I have this to offer: forget the votes. While your stories are doing well (congrats) the votes are subject to people with nothing better to do with their time then slam folks they see as doing better than them.

Of couse, I mostly write poetry, and votes there are a real joke.

HomerPindar

 

[Whispersecret]

I have gotten some nonsensical mail like that too. The person even accused me of being a horrible teacher.

I, like dr_mabeuse suggested, waited a while before responding. Then, I carefully explained why I disagreed with his observations of my story. I pointed out that my writing has no bearing on my performance as a professional. I was polite throughout, but firm. I thanked him for including his email address.

He actually replied and we had a nice conversation.

Not everyone has the ability to think logically. This person just may not understand that stories in the mature category are supposed to include mature characters. Or maybe he thinks that just the male should be mature, and the female should still be a hot young babe. Who knows?

The point is, if you write back in a businesslike but friendly tone, you might get a rational answer, and you might be able to enlighten the poor soul.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I would consider not replying if I couldn't reply in a restrained and polite manner.

I might also leave it at "thank you for taking the time to comment on my story".

 

[M.A.Thompson]

First off, thank you one and all. Any time I have sought advice or assistance here in the Authors Hangout, I have never been let down.

On to business.

I have considered all of the above and I think I borrowed a little bit from everyone. Here is the response I sent out moments ago……..



Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and especially for sending your feedback. While I am sorry that you found certain aspect of it not up to your particular standards, I stand by my story as is. If stories about older women are not to your taste, perhaps you should not choose those posted in the “Mature” section, as my story was.

Thank you again and I hope you continue to take pleasure in the stories at Literotica. Hopefully there is a story in me that one day will satisfy your literary expectations.

with aprreciation,
M.A.Thompson


Thank you all again!!!!!!

Emmay

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Kudos MA....

Well Done