Should I delete obsolete comments?

[HappySpouse]

Without much consideration, I put my first published story in the wrong category. It made the comments and ratings a bit of a beating. They were right, and now I've changed the category.

I have no intention of removing a negative comment (I kind of like the one that says that I've clearly never had sex and should try to write again after I do), that's their two cents and their entitled to it. However, most of the comments are just about it being in the wrong category and don't make sense anymore. Should I delete them?

Here's a link so you can read the comments in question. https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=2222830&pagehint=6

 

[Salacious_Scribe]

Without much consideration, I put my first published story in the wrong category. It made the comments and ratings a bit of a beating. They were right, and now I've changed the category.

I have no intention of removing a negative comment (I kind of like the one that says that I've clearly never had sex and should try to write again after I do), that's their two cents and their entitled to it. However, most of the comments are just about it being in the wrong category and don't make sense anymore. Should I delete them?

Here's a link so you can read the comments in question. https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=2222830&pagehint=6

It's up to you. I would. If I get comments about POV changes in a story or lots of typos, I leave them until an edited version of the story is posted, then delete them.

I leave all other comments.

 

[KeithD]

Or you could just leave your own comment, saying that you responded to the "wrong category" comments and changed the category.

Whatever you want. Authority has been given to you to do as you like with it.

 

[HappySpouse]

Thanks. I didn't know if this was standard practice or if some rando was going to start chewing me out for deleting his comment.

 

[SimonDoom]

You can do whatever you want to do. It's unlikely anybody will chew you out for deletion because they probably won't come back to it, especially if it's a negative comment. So they'll never know.

I have only deleted one comment in three and a half years of publishing. It was particularly vile and used obscene language and made a foolish point. Otherwise, I save everything, even ridiculous comments, as a record of the feedback I've gotten.

But you should feel free to handle it however you wish, without reservation.

 

[KeithD]

they may chew you out and rag on you about what you choose to do with comments on your stories, yes, but that says more about their need and their nosiness than you, I think. It often also outs them as the one who's been leaving you cowardly anonymous comments. Who else would know, really, what you were doing with the comments?

 

[HeyAll]

I always just delete them. Why let such comments put a stain on your hard work?

 

[ElectricBlue]

An irrelevant comment is irrelevant, a stupid comment is stupid. You're under no obligation to keep any comment. Delete anything you want to delete, using criteria set by you and no-one else.

I consider comments to be part of a story's advertising, the discussion it engenders, and a reflection on the readers and the writing. I don't seem to attract the hostile comments many writers report getting, and I can punctuate and spell, so avoid that drivel. I also subscribe to the principle that if many people are saying the same thing, perhaps it's time to pay attention.

 

[HappySpouse]

I consider comments to be part of a story's advertising, the discussion it engenders, and a reflection on the readers and the writing. I don't seem to attract the hostile comments many writers report getting, and I can punctuate and spell, so avoid that drivel. I also subscribe to the principle that if many people are saying the same thing, perhaps it's time to pay attention.

It was definitely time to pay attention to the point they were making. It was the wrong category. Now I feel like the discussion it engendered is nonsensical, but I suppose it tells a history if nothing else.

I always found stories by searching for tags and had never read the discussion boards, so I didn't realize how hardlined "Loving Wives" is as a category. Matter of fact, I'm not sure it use to be that way. I think of been coming to the site for 15 or more years and seem to remember that had a different vibe at some point, but it could be faulty memory.

 

[HappySpouse]

Or you could just leave your own comment, saying that you responded to the "wrong category" comments and changed the category.

I think this is the way to go. Something about just deleting the comments feels off to me. Thank you.