Nasty comments

[manmac]

I have just had my first stories posted (3) and the same people have posted comments that are just stupidly profane and more or less the same, do I leave them, report them or just delete them.

They are nothing to do with the actual stories...just personal attacks from a couple of idiots that obviously have nothing better to do.....but I'm wondering if it would look bad on me by deleting them...I don't know if readers can see some comments have been wiped off.

 

[manyeyedhydra]

Ah ha, one quick search and surprise surprise it's the loving wives category.

I wouldn't worry about it. Wear them like a badge of honour.

 

[The_Fractal_King]

I have just had my first stories posted (3) and the same people have posted comments that are just stupidly profane and more or less the same, do I leave them, report them or just delete them.

They are nothing to do with the actual stories...just personal attacks from a couple of idiots that obviously have nothing better to do.....but I'm wondering if it would look bad on me by deleting them...I don't know if readers can see some comments have been wiped off.

Loving Wives is misleadingly titled and full of angry people. Ignore them. Many writers enjoy seeing what reactions they get from the readers over there.

 

[tickledkitty]

I think if you remove them, they might come back again. Hopefully, though, they'll have forgotten all about you by now. I like to leave them up. It's fun to try to guess who they might be.

 

[Darkniciad]

You'll learn from experience not to delete comments, follow up with your own comments, or let the trolls get to you. Loving Wives has far more than most categories, but they're everywhere. Deleting comments will sometimes bring back the same troll to repeat his spouting, adding an indignant whine about how you deleted his brilliant commentary because you can't take criticism ( which will have a far more detrimental effect than anything in the original venom spitting )

The rule most people end up settling on is to leave up any comment that doesn't attack someone other than you ( another author, another commenter ) and just laugh at the absurdity of the comments.

When you get down to it, the true trolls are incredibly amusing. They seem to believe that everything in the LW category is autobiographical. The concept of fiction is far too difficult for them to comprehend. Most of them can't spell, or form a legible sentence for spit. The only people that pay any attention to their incoherent ramblings ( other than those who read the comments for pure amusement ) are other reality-challenged trolls just like them.

Don't discount every harsh comment as trollery, though. Even the most vitriolic spouting can contain relevant criticism that you shouldn't just gloss over due to the tone of the comment. Hunt for nuggets of truth before you start giggling ( or at least keep your eyes open while you're giggling )

 

[manmac]

Thank you that all actually makes sense, I had, meanwhile, deleted the other posts but as you so rightly say..they have started again so they can stay...they aren't eating anything afterall so once again I thank you all for your time and advise

 

[sr71plt]

If I get a nasty or dumb comment that doesn't relate to the story, I delete it. If they post again, I delete it again. Eventually they go away, as frustrated as they thought they were making me.

 

[Darkniciad]

If I get a nasty or dumb comment that doesn't relate to the story, I delete it. If they post again, I delete it again. Eventually they go away, as frustrated as they thought they were making me.

I've actually read as many stories based upon foaming-at-the-mouth innane comments as I have for any other purpose. Seeing a long, ignorant rant in the comment section actually encourages me to read the thing *laugh*

Sometimes, the stories actually are less than stellar. Other times, the reason for the comments becomes apparent pretty quickly -- jealousy. I've found enough gems this way that it's a regular part of deciding what I'm going to read when I'm taking a few minutes for it.

 

[starrkers]

I've actually read as many stories based upon foaming-at-the-mouth innane comments as I have for any other purpose. Seeing a long, ignorant rant in the comment section actually encourages me to read the thing *laugh*

Sometimes, the stories actually are less than stellar. Other times, the reason for the comments becomes apparent pretty quickly -- jealousy. I've found enough gems this way that it's a regular part of deciding what I'm going to read when I'm taking a few minutes for it.

Perverse creatures, aren't we? I do the same.

 

[sr71plt]

I've actually read as many stories based upon foaming-at-the-mouth innane comments as I have for any other purpose. Seeing a long, ignorant rant in the comment section actually encourages me to read the thing *laugh*

Sometimes, the stories actually are less than stellar. Other times, the reason for the comments becomes apparent pretty quickly -- jealousy. I've found enough gems this way that it's a regular part of deciding what I'm going to read when I'm taking a few minutes for it.

I understand that. But nasty comments that aren't related to the story (and particularly those that are obviously related to this forum, like unique phrases showing up both here and in the comments on stories) aren't about the writing; they are about what is perceived as uncontrollable "punishment." They are easily controlled, though, by simply deleting them. Which, when that appears to be what is going on, I do. The frustration is then transferred back to the one giving the comment.

Of course if you are obsessed about getting in someone's 1,000 votes or comments list, you leave them, because it doesn't really matter what any of them say; they all help you to your goal.

 

[Darkniciad]

I understand that. But nasty comments that aren't related to the story (and particularly those that are obviously related to this forum, like unique phrases showing up both here and in the comments on stories) aren't about the writing; they are about what is perceived as uncontrollable "punishment." They are easily controlled, though, by simply deleting them. Which, when that appears to be what is going on, I do. The frustration is then transferred back to the one giving the comment.

Of course if you are obsessed about getting in someone's 1,000 votes or comments list, you leave them, because it doesn't really matter what any of them say; they all help you to your goal.

*chuckle* Granted.

Most of mine that are obviously forum related seem to come to email rather than showing up in the PC board.