Replying to feedback

[dr_mabeuse]

I know for a fact that female writers get about 10,000 times the feedback that male writers get.

One time I made a form-letter reply I intended to use for responding to feedback, but it's easier to write a genuine response than it was to try and remember where I'd saved the thing.

So no, this isn't a problem for me.

--Zoot

 

[rgraham666]

I've never failed to respond to a comment, either PC or e-mail.

I used to worry about being formulaic in my replies but then I though "Why?" There's only so many ways you can say "Thanks".

On the other hand, I don't have a huge list of stories. And being a guy, who generally writes pretty standard stuff, I don't get any offers of sexual favours.

I had a point here, but I've forgotten what it was.

 

[Guest]

I know for a fact that female writers get about 10,000 times the feedback that male writers get.

One time I made a form-letter reply I intended to use for responding to feedback, but it's easier to write a genuine response than it was to try and remember where I'd saved the thing.

So no, this isn't a problem for me.

--Zoot

Says the man who probably gets more feedback than the rest of us on this thread put together.

Good to know that some of us are conscientious.

 

[Guest]

I've never failed to respond to a comment, either PC or e-mail.

I used to worry about being formulaic in my replies but then I though "Why?" There's only so many ways you can say "Thanks".

On the other hand, I don't have a huge list of stories. And being a guy, who generally writes pretty standard stuff, I don't get any offers of sexual favours.

I had a point here, but I've forgotten what it was.

But I'm sure it was a fine one.

 

[neonlyte]

I'm reasonably good at replying, though far from perfect, and try to deal with them when they arrive, otherwise...

I have two e-mails glaring at me from a couple of months ago that required more than just a 'thank you', it's almost too late to reply.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I actually got my first bizarre feedback and I'm not sure if it's someone pulling my leg or seriously in need of help.

 

[Guest]

I'm reasonably good at replying, though far from perfect, and try to deal with them when they arrive, otherwise...

I have two e-mails glaring at me from a couple of months ago that required more than just a 'thank you', it's almost too late to reply.

Yep, I get like that, too. There comes a time (like a year, maybe? ), when it becomes embarrassing to send a reply. They'd be like, "Who the fuck is this? Story? I don't remember a story."

I guess two months is pushing it, but you should be cool for a while.

 

[Guest]

I actually got my first bizarre feedback and I'm not sure if it's someone pulling my leg or seriously in need of help.

Both?

Do share.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Both?

Do share.

OKay, It was on Dr. Bob and his Dildo:


Wow! That story was a little _TOO_ close to home! I happen to be both
a pyrotechnician and a Viet Nam vet, so one can easily see the
connection. Although, to be frank, I could not help but wonder whether this
story was 100% true or not; I tend to assume everything on this fine
literary site is true, but this story made me wonder. Being a Viet Nam vet
and all. Must stop writing now; the orderlies are eyeing me with
unbridled lust.

 

[minsue]

OKay, It was on Dr. Bob and his Dildo:


Wow! That story was a little _TOO_ close to home! I happen to be both
a pyrotechnician and a Viet Nam vet, so one can easily see the
connection. Although, to be frank, I could not help but wonder whether this
story was 100% true or not; I tend to assume everything on this fine
literary site is true, but this story made me wonder. Being a Viet Nam vet
and all. Must stop writing now; the orderlies are eyeing me with
unbridled lust.

Found yourself a soulmate, did you?

 

[rgraham666]

Abs, I vote for funny.

Well, hoping for funny. Too fucking disturbing otherwise.

 

[Guest]

OKay, It was on Dr. Bob and his Dildo:


Wow! That story was a little _TOO_ close to home! I happen to be both
a pyrotechnician and a Viet Nam vet, so one can easily see the
connection. Although, to be frank, I could not help but wonder whether this
story was 100% true or not; I tend to assume everything on this fine
literary site is true, but this story made me wonder. Being a Viet Nam vet
and all. Must stop writing now; the orderlies are eyeing me with
unbridled lust.

I'm so jealous. That kind of feedback is priceless.

 

[cantdog]

I go with the leg pull, Abby. No contest. Full sentences, all that. Makes me believe his fundamental solidity.

 

[neonlyte]

I'm keeping the clothes, you know.

You could get money for those on Ebay... not much, but it'll cover the postage.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Found yourself a soulmate, did you?

Jealous?

 

[carsonshepherd]

I know for a fact that female writers get about 10,000 times the feedback that male writers get.

One time I made a form-letter reply I intended to use for responding to feedback, but it's easier to write a genuine response than it was to try and remember where I'd saved the thing.

So no, this isn't a problem for me.

--Zoot

this is why you are so wonderful.

 

[Alex De Kok]

I think I've managed to reply to the feedback I've received by email, where there was a return address. One or two I didn't, mainly because I wasn't sure how! Not as strange as Abs', but definitely off-centre. Those I don't feel guilty about.

PCs I plead guilty to not responding. Sometimes I don't know I have one on older stuff, where I still pick up the occasional comment. I have responded to some, but not all, in fact, not very many. With email feedback, it's there in my mailbox, saying 'Answer me!' but a PC just lurks out of sight. Is there a consensus on answering PCs? Do I or don't I?

Alex

 

[sophia jane]

I answer most of my email feedback. I don't answer the strange ones or the ones that ask for very personal info from me. I have answered a few that I really wish I hadn't.
I usually only respond to pc's if I know the person who left it for me, or if it is a really great pc. Sometimes, I'll just pm them and say thanks. But I do forget to respond to these more than the email feedback.
And I do use a "form" letter now to thank people I don't know- saves alot of time.

SJ

 

[yui]

Like everyone else, I try to reply. It didn’t occur to me until recently to use PM to thank people for a PC. I'm an idiot. In the past, I have been slow about replying to the first deluge of feedback after a story posts, but I think I've replied to the majority of them.

I find myself replying directly to the specific feedback in most cases. Personally, I'm always a little put-off by the impersonal form replies I have received to feedback I've offered, so even though I'm basically saying, "Thanks for taking the time to read and send feedback," I still try to personalize my reply. I know I'm not always successful but I do try.

The converse of this is that it also makes me slow, at times, to respond because of the need to put more thought and effort into my reply.

Luck,

Yui

 

[cantdog]

I think I've managed to reply to the feedback I've received by email, where there was a return address. One or two I didn't, mainly because I wasn't sure how! Not as strange as Abs', but definitely off-centre. Those I don't feel guilty about.

PCs I plead guilty to not responding. Sometimes I don't know I have one on older stuff, where I still pick up the occasional comment. I have responded to some, but not all, in fact, not very many. With email feedback, it's there in my mailbox, saying 'Answer me!' but a PC just lurks out of sight. Is there a consensus on answering PCs? Do I or don't I?

Alex

I got only one e-mail in the last couple of months, from that marine, if you remember the thread about weird feedbacks that wishful began. I check my PC's once every two days or so. I try to reply to everything, if they will leave me a way to do so.

I treat it like fanmail. I describe some feature about the story or its creation which they wouldn't know otherwise, like, "The character is much like some of the firemen I worked with," or whatever it might be.

It has never blossomed into an exchange, back and forth, except for occasionally when it's an AH person I already "know" somewhat.

 

[English Lady]

If I recieve feedback by email I respond to it and I try to do it straight away too. I must admit I tend not to follow up on PC's and maybe I should but it's a bit more work than just sending a reply email

 

[minsue]

Jealous?

Yes.

 

[carsonshepherd]

It has never blossomed into an exchange, back and forth, except for occasionally when it's an AH person I already "know" somewhat.

I have actually become friends with someone who emailed me in response to a story.

 

[Goldie Munro]

Feedback? You get feedback?

No I'm crap too!

 

[CharleyH]

I'll admit it, I'm crap.

Are you as flakey as me, or do you make sure you always reply to feedback which isn't anonymous?

I try. I love getting it and it always means so much, then I get distracted by one thing or another and think to myself, I must do that later, then I don't go back to it.

Anyone willing to reply to my feedback for me? I have quite a backlog.

To all who have sent me feedback, especially those I haven't replied to yet, thank you. It really does mean a lot to me, I'm just crap.

Lou

I do. I am guilty, but I am an odd figure, with sometimes odd stories that throw my readers off, still they are loyal, bless them.

I missed one response recently, and feel guilty in deleting it accidentally. It was quite complimentary, but mistakes happen. Thank YOU, whomever you were. Hope you keep reading.