Public Comments

[dr_mabeuse]

I'm just curious as to how many of us respond to public comments left on our stories.

I've always taken the position that public coments were just that: comments made for the benefit of other readers, and so I've never responded. I figured that if people wanted a response, they'd send you feedback instead, but now I'm wondering if I've been negligent or maybe even rude by not responding.

---dr.M.

 

[Dream Keeper]

I've posted some lame stories on other sites, most of them were stories I only spent a few minutes on, and were not fit for this website. I have one that will be on the website soon though. Hope everyone likes it. Anyway, i actually beg for comments, I love to hear the readers opinion, and if I get a couple people who tell me it sucked I look around that. You cn't please everyone. I wish more people would put in some comments, it helps me find out what readers most like in my stories, and what they are lacking.I say you should respond to them, thank them for their comments and encourage them to send more. Well hope that answers your question. (Please excuse any typos, I'm in a hurry.)

-Dk http://www.honorandglory.us/modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

 

[Guest]

For me it depends on the comment. When they're very thoughtful and especially focused on the literary I respond with a short note of appreciation. Some that are anon. I very much regret that I can't tell them how much their words meant.

I think the PCs are easier to use and many readers don't even think of the 'return' aspect of "feedback".

Perdita

 

[sailorm72003]

I've responded with an email to one, but only because I had corresponded with the reader before.

Otherwise I'm with you, they are left for the next reader to see and not always directed to the author as feedback.


Sailor

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

I see them the same way, for the public and if they wanted a response they's send feedback, therefore I've never responded to a PC.


Wicked

 

[Remec]

To tell the truth, I hadn't noticed that there was a difference. <look of chagrin> I thought it was just leave a public comment or send the author email...or is that what y'all mean by feedback?

As for replying to a PC, a lot of the time I've considered it, but always seem to forget when I get around to having the time to respond

 

[shereads]

I don't expect replies to public or private feedback, especially whn there are a lot of comments on the same story. An author who put a lot of thought into each reply wouldn't have time to do much else.

On the other hand, I know one reader who said he stopped writing comments because he never received a thoughtful response.

 

[impressive]

I don't have a thick enough skin to allow public comments. I'll keep my (potential) humiliation private, tyvm. However, when I get feedback via e-mail, I'll respond if an address is provided.

I just wish that once feedback is sent, I'd be taken directly back to the voting page automatically. I think more people would BOTH vote and send feedback if this was the case. As is stands, often readers just do one or the other.

 

[Guest]

maybe its the sub in me.. but i always respond to each and every PC that isnt anon. its just my way of saying thanks for reading my stuff, even if they didnt like it.

 

[English Lady]

I more often than not send an email to people who leave a public comment on one of my stories if they leave an email addy that is I like to thank people for reading my work

 

[yui]

Hello Dr. M,

I send a reply if the PC isn't anonymous…not that I have a great whopping lot of public comments...

Regards,

Yui ^_^

 

[damppanties]

i always respond to each and every PC that isnt anon. its just my way of saying thanks for reading my stuff, even if they didnt like it.

Me too. Sometimes it's just a thank you, sometimes more.

If they've taken the time to write something about my story, I figure I should take the time to acknowledge it. I mostly PM the people who leave PCs.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

I always try to respond to the emails I get. Good or bad they took the time to write and deserve a response. I thank them for the good and bad. Some keep bugging you and I refuse to return their emails. It's also a good way to promote a new story by telling them it's coming out soon and to keep an eye out.

I get alot of thanks for keeping them informed. And have a few PC's that give critiques on each story. Good or bad. They're always interested in when I post a new story.

 

[doormouse]

ewww don't do that LDW!!

I have an author that sends me an email when he lists his new stories.

It's like crying out for feedback, the way he writes his email, anyway.

His last was so lame, I didn't even comment. Since when does leaving a feedback give the author the right to add you to their personal mailing list?

 

[MagicFingers]

I'm just curious as to how many of us respond to public comments left on our stories.

I've always taken the position that public coments were just that: comments made for the benefit of other readers, and so I've never responded. I figured that if people wanted a response, they'd send you feedback instead, but now I'm wondering if I've been negligent or maybe even rude by not responding.

---dr.M.

I agree with you. I always respond to feedback when they leave an address. However, I usually don't reply to PC's. I don't think people expect replies to PC's.
One exception iswhen I released Ch.3 of a story, I emailed or PM'd every PC to chapter 2, stating why I took their advice on changing my story or style, or why not, in the latest chapter.

 

[Green_Gem]

I do reply to all feedback with an email address but don't generally respond with a PM of thanks directly to Lit members who post a public comment. I have responded to one or two that were exceptional but my feeling is that it's a comment that the person wanted to leave publicly on the site. More often than not though, I find that they send feedback anyway, and then obviously I reply to that.

What I have done in the past where I have had a number of public comments. (One of my stories has 23 PC's and another has about 16) I've just posted a public comment thanking everyone for their great comments.


Green_Gem

 

[Lisa Denton]

I didn't know we were supposed to respond to PC's. I try to answer all the e-mail feedbacks and PM's that don't want naked pictures or describe what they want to do to me after they tie me down. I plead ignorance on the PC's though, I didn't learn for the longest time that you could click on a name and get the profile and PM them. I made a PC the other night and she sent me a e-mail thanking me, I feel like I have ignored people but I didn't mean to. After reading this I am going to start responding.

 

[pop_54]

I often respond to PC's with a couple of nice smilies somewhere on the boards if they're from regulars who leave a name... I always respond to feedback emails with an address... good or bad comment... it's only polite.

I never delete bad comments or negative PC's... hell you've got to be fair.

 

[CharleyH]

I try to thank people who leave comments because, good or ill, it allows me the opportunity to see what people think even if they are pissed that they didn't get off the way the wanted too. Positive or negative, I appreciate it.

You'd be surprised how many people ask to let them know when you have posted something new, Doormouse. Most who have asked this refer to the lesbian category, so when I write a lesbian story, I send out a note telling them the title etc. I think I have a couple on that list who might not have asked, but generally, after I tell them there's a story, they send an email saying thanks along with more detailed feedback about what they liked or didn't.

I much prefer this more personalized approach because I get feedback that is more in depth than the proverbial 'I came 1000 times,' or this is the 'worst cock tease ever'.

I have had a couple of people, LOL, reprimand me when I forgot to send out a note saying I'd posted something new. I thought it was sweet.

 

[oggbashan]

I appreciate most of the PCs I get and I respond by PM to some of them.

Once or twice I have responded by adding a PC of my own but I doubt I will do that in future because I think the person who left the PC is unlikely to return to the story to read any more PCs.

I am very pleased to get PCs on my older stories because after a couple of weeks stories drop into limbo unless they are close to the top of a list for their category.

Og

 

[R. Richard]

I always repky to e-mail comments (except Anonymous of course). If someone takes the time to tell me what he/she thinks I want to let them know I appreciate the feedback. Often I will tell them why I will/will not do what they have requested.

I sometimes respond to PCs. Some PCs do not seem to want response, others do. I will delete really stupid PCs, as I do not want new readers confused by non sequitor statements. (One guy slammed me for my treatment of a character Anna. There was no Anna in my story.)

 

[doormouse]

I try to thank people who leave comments because, good or ill, it allows me the opportunity to see what people think even if they are pissed that they didn't get off the way the wanted too. Positive or negative, I appreciate it.

You'd be surprised how many people ask to let them know when you have posted something new, Doormouse. Most who have asked this refer to the lesbian category, so when I write a lesbian story, I send out a note telling them the title etc. I think I have a couple on that list who might not have asked, but generally, after I tell them there's a story, they send an email saying thanks along with more detailed feedback about what they liked or didn't.

I much prefer this more personalized approach because I get feedback that is more in depth than the proverbial 'I came 1000 times,' or this is the 'worst cock tease ever'.

I have had a couple of people, LOL, reprimand me when I forgot to send out a note saying I'd posted something new. I thought it was sweet.

I didn't mean to be so cold with my post, bad night I guess.

I thought his initial email was cute, and I read and voted accordingly.

It's like six stories later.. I tend to think, okay...

I have my fave authors who I read religiously. I don't criticise him for trying, though, his last couple of stories have been in the incest category. I love RF's incest stories, they're not sick, and his style, I love reading (hope I covered my ass there LOL).

Okay, I'm rambling. It's five am. I need sleep.

Nite all xoxoxoxooxx

 

[herecomestherain]

I respond with an email to anyone who leaves a public comment , I know it seems a bit circular, but I like them to know I sincerely appreciate the feedback.

 

[doormouse]

I, personally, find it hard to respond to all comments made.

Once you get a few stories listed, and me, having three names on here, find it hard to keep up with the public comments.

Emails are easy. I don't have a problem responding to those, but I have almost 40 stories/poems listed here, and on other sites, and responding to each and every one is hard sometimes. It's hard to keep track of who I've replied to, and who I haven't.

I'd rather read someone's story and return the favour with a vote and comment on one of theirs.

I've learned a LOT about a few people on here by reading their stories. I feel privileged to be part of such a talented community.

 

[flawed_ethics]

I do not respond to public comments. I would imagine that if someone wanted to be thanked or have their critizism responded to, they would use the feedback option. I don't think the public comment option was meant as an avenue of discourse - but rather a way to sound off in the view of other readers.

Opinions appears mixed. Maybe I should begin disclaiming my stories by stating I will not respond to public comments.