Should I be replying/responding to commentors?

[WhoNeedsAUsername]

Like most who write here, I love getting comments but I didn't consider responding to comments until I read on the forum that this is something authors do. Should I be responding to most comments or will people be weirded out by me responding? If I should respond, should I do it through the feedback option on their profile or on the forum?

 

[BronzePlaceWriter]

Like most who write here, I love getting comments but I didn't consider responding to comments until I read on the forum that this is something authors do. Should I be responding to most comments or will people be weirded out by me responding? If I should respond, should I do it through the feedback option on their profile or on the forum?

There's no hard yes or no. Depends on what you want to do. I typically will respond if I feel like I have a reason to - for example, if they ask a question or make a point. I do so in the form of a comment myself so that other readers can see it if they have the same question or want to make the same point.

Ultimately, up to you. Depends on the level of engagement you want to have with your readers. Not replying is fine, but there's also nothing really wrong with responding so long as you do not get obsessive about it.

 

[jsmiam]

Although I don’t do it much (and the delay makes it mostly irrelevant,) each response shows up on that story feedback thing, so there’s some chance your own reply buys you a few pairs of eyes.

 

[SamScribble]

I think the answer is: whatever works for you. I sometimes reply if the commenter has something useful to say - or something that needs a reply - but I don't make a habit of it.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I think the answer is: whatever works for you. I sometimes reply if the commenter has something useful to say - or something that needs a reply - but I don't make a habit of it.

If someone has a question, I'll answer it with a comment. Also, when several readers have commented favorably about a story, I'll make a point of thanking them the same way. I'll also mention if a story is nominated for something like, 'I'm Dreaming of a Hot Christmas' is nominated for a Reader's Choice Award in the Mature category. If your story wins in a contest, you may want to comment on that, too. I also put this type of info. in my bio. I think they like to see that we appreciate them taking the time to make a comment.

 

[ElectricBlue]

If there's an explicit question, I'll reply. Nothing ever leads any further, though, there's never dialogue as such. Occasionally there might be an exchange or two through PMs, but that's rare.

 

[Edey]

I usually respond to people with logins as it's hard to differentiate between Anonymous and address them accordingly

 

[Voboy]

If there's an explicit question, I'll reply.

This.

I really never feel like I've got much to add. I've already said my piece, usually in about 20k words. If there's a need for me to make a comment, I probably screwed up somewhere in the story.

 

[MelissaBaby]

If there's an explicit question, I'll reply. Nothing ever leads any further, though, there's never dialogue as such. Occasionally there might be an exchange or two through PMs, but that's rare.

I do not generally reply. The feature is there for the readers to have their say. I will reply to answer specific questions or explain anything a readers says they could not follow or did not understand. Although, as EB said, it doesn't usually lead to a dialogue, I assume that if one readers asked a question about something, there are likely other readers who have the same question and will read my reply.

 

[TadOverdon]

Only if it entertains you.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Generally not, but I will if they’re particularly nice or if a question has been raised.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Only if I can answer a question or add clarity. Responding to individual reader comments is a crap-shoot since you seldom know if they ever come back to read any comments after they left their own.

I get multiple e-mails from readers each week and respond to those regularly. Most are encouraging, and have led to some rewarding conversations that influenced my later writing.

 

[Agiel]

Responding to individual reader comments is a crap-shoot since you seldom know if they ever come back to read any comments after they left their own.

Responding to an anonymous comment telling you your story is shit is pointless. They will never come back to read any response from you.

When someone has left a particularly silly comment I have had subsequent readers tell them what a moron they are, again not that they will see it, and I think this is something many writers have come across.

When I leave a comment on a story I do return to see if the writer has responded. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I get a message from them.

***
In the last 24 hours I’ve received some strange pm’s from a LanceGibs. The last two said: “Would love to know you better” and “Insert myself into your online persona.”

Pretty weird, uh?

 

[tenyari]

I've been in a nearly 3 month long conversation now with an author I sent a comment to. Sometimes you can gain a lot from a back and forth. But that's an extremely rare thing. In the past for my own work when I would respond I rarely got any further comment back.

That said... that would be my only motivation for responding to a comment - a desire to spark a conversation. Which means I'd only do it when the comment made me feel like we'd have something in common and would enjoy rather than argue over it.

 

[Strixaluco]

I wouldn't ever expect the writer to respond everyone or even most. It would even feel weird in many cases. Answering questions feels nice, making me feel the writer cares, even if it isn't my questions answered. Also if several people are wondering or even understanding wrong, about something, it might be a good idea to answer.

 

[LdyHoneybee]

Responding to an anonymous comment telling you your story is shit is pointless. They will never come back to read any response from you.

When someone has left a particularly silly comment I have had subsequent readers tell them what a moron they are, again not that they will see it, and I think this is something many writers have come across.

When I leave a comment on a story I do return to see if the writer has responded. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I get a message from them.

***
In the last 24 hours I’ve received some strange pm’s from a LanceGibs. The last two said: “Would love to know you better” and “Insert myself into your online persona.”

Pretty weird, uh?

The legendary “do you want to watch me jerk off on camera” question, first pm, first day here. Huh? No thanks. Then i did a little impromptu marriage counseling with another guy and fielded 50 or so different styles of pick up lines. But i got a few nice get acquainted conversations too And a nice response to my question here as well.

 

[Strixaluco]

In the last 24 hours I’ve received some strange pm’s from a LanceGibs. The last two said: “Would love to know you better” and “Insert myself into your online persona.”

Pretty weird, uh?

Commonly ignored person, for a reason.

 

[GinnyPPC]

I've commented once in response to a comment on one of my stories. But anyone who sends me feedback gets a response. And thanked for being a reader of my work.

 

[jsmiam]

Al

The legendary “do you want to watch me jerk off on camera” question, first pm, first day here. Huh? No thanks. Then i did a little impromptu marriage counseling with another guy and fielded 50 or so different styles of pick up lines. But i got a few nice get acquainted conversations too And a nice response to my question here as well.

All in good humor I must point out to you, regarding the pick up lines, is that unless it’s intentional, your avatar causes a “whaaaat?!?” reaction, particularly on the smaller screen of a phone. Like, a “that looks sorta like a side view version of half the profile pics in the general board” sort of ‘whaaaaat?!?’

 

[YDB95]

Usually I don't. The only exception is one story about an abortion, which has attracted a lot of anti-choice propaganda. That, I won't let stand on its own.
Having said that, there is one person (not an anon; I know his screen name) who frequently posts responses that make it clear he either missed an incredibly obvious plot point or didn't actually read the story at all. One of these days I will probably give in and type out an exasperated response that explains in detail just what he missed this time.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I have one reader who delights in pointing out tiny details that he thinks I got wrong, and doesn't say if he likes the story or not. In one story that a lot of readers enjoyed, he estimated how long the couple would have been dating from Halloween where they connected, and gleefully informed me that they couldn't have been enjoying the colorful fall foliage together because he thought it would have been too late in the season to see any leaves. I never bother responding. When I see a comment from him, I always wonder what he gets out of picking a story apart. Guess it takes all kinds.

 

[LdyHoneybee]

Al

All in good humor I must point out to you, regarding the pick up lines, is that unless it’s intentional, your avatar causes a “whaaaat?!?” reaction, particularly on the smaller screen of a phone. Like, a “that looks sorta like a side view version of half the profile pics in the general board” sort of ‘whaaaaat?!?’

Sorry, i don’t get that. Why “whaaat?” Oh! . Well, it wasn’t my avatar then, but it is just art. It is Ariel pinned by a witch in a knotty pine for refusing her “hests.” The quote in my profile is part of “Ariel’s Song” from Shakespeare’s _The Tempest_. Ariel has always been my favorite character in my favorite Shakespeare play.

Thanks for the belly laugh!

 

[LdyHoneybee]

I have one reader who delights in pointing out tiny details that he thinks I got wrong, and doesn't say if he likes the story or not. In one story that a lot of readers enjoyed, he estimated how long the couple would have been dating from Halloween where they connected, and gleefully informed me that they couldn't have been enjoying the colorful fall foliage together because he thought it would have been too late in the season to see any leaves. I never bother responding. When I see a comment from him, I always wonder what he gets out of picking a story apart. Guess it takes all kinds.

Depends on where you are. In the southern US, the foliage can be very pretty well into November. . In Oz, you could be talking April. Just depends.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Sorry, i don’t get that. Why “whaaat?” Oh! . Well, it wasn’t my avatar then, but it is just art. It is Ariel pinned by a witch in a knotty pine for refusing her “hests.” The quote in my profile is part of “Ariel’s Song” from Shakespeare’s _The Tempest_. Ariel has always been my favorite character in my favorite Shakespeare play.

Thanks for the belly laugh!

You might think it's Ariel pinned to a tree, but step back and look at it again. You've let your knowledge of what it really is get in the way of not seeing a good old dick pic against a blue background!

 

[jsmiam]

Sorry, i don’t get that. Why “whaaat?” Oh! . Well, it wasn’t my avatar then, but it is just art. It is Ariel pinned by a witch in a knotty pine for refusing her “hests.” The quote in my profile is part of “Ariel’s Song” from Shakespeare’s _The Tempest_. Ariel has always been my favorite character in my favorite Shakespeare play.

Thanks for the belly laugh!

Wait. Ariel was in the tempest too??? Dang, mermaids live a long time! I wonder if that beach was where she first met Sebastian? ;-)

The quote gave me flashbacks! I remember the uproar amongst my classmates (aged 11 I believe) at the line “Where the bee sucks, there suck I”. Expecting us to learn that without snickering every time we had to say it was just insanity!