Should You Engage With Negative Commenters?

[MyBareTorso]

Hi authors! Just wondering what people thought about engaging with negative commenters in the "comments" section following stories. Is it wise to respond, or best just to stay out of it? I would like to respond to some comments directly and privately, but they are often from anonymous commenters. I know many potential readers look at the comments before they read the story, and I hate the idea of them being turned off by inaccurate or unfair comments. I know that comments can be disabled, but I like hearing from readers. I have actually benefited from some negative but constructive comments, so I would hate to lose this. I know negative comments are part of publishing, but some comments are so ill-informed, illogical and annoying that it's difficult not to respond. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[NotWise]

Hi authors! Just wondering what people thought about engaging with negative commenters in the "comments" section following stories. Is it wise to respond, or best just to stay out of it? I would like to respond to some comments directly and privately, but they are often from anonymous commenters. I know many potential readers look at the comments before they read the story, and I hate the idea of them being turned off by inaccurate or unfair comments. I know that comments can be disabled, but I like hearing from readers. I have actually benefited from some negative but constructive comments, so I would hate to lose this. I know negative comments are part of publishing, but some comments are so ill-informed, illogical and annoying that it's difficult not to respond. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

You can just delete any comment you want to delete. Your readers don't have to see them.

I once chose to reply to a negative comment, and that was only because the anonymous commenter was trying to instruct other readers about what to think. I may go back and delete both the comment and my reply.

 

[lovecraft68]

No, doing that is a win for them, makes them think they got under your skin.
Some people here say delete them and move on, others like me say leave them and don't reply because it shows them they're meaningless to you.
Pick which works for you, but as the saying goes don't feed the trolls.

 

[KeithD]

This isn't a group vote issue. Do what you want.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

Normally. I don't delete comments. I might have deleted just one or two. Also, I try not to respond to negative comments, especially ones that are just plain weird or hateful, because I don't want to egg them on. (Thankfully I haven't gotten too many of those). Mostly, I just let them roll off my back and appreciate the fact that the majority of readers have something nice to say about a story they enjoyed. Although you're always going to get one or two that seem to enjoy picking a story apart.

 

[TheRedChamber]

Abusive comments, obviously not.

Constructive criticism, sure.

But it's very unlikely that an anonymous comments is going to see your reply. Very few people are going to come back to a story once it's read. You could acknowledge issues with the story or explain why you made a certain decision and that may help other readers who come later.

 

[Voboy]

Do what you want.

But I bet most of them are drive-bys. They're not coming back to see your response. So you're just bleating into the wilderness at that point.

 

[KeithD]

They're not coming back to see your response.

I know of no evidence that supports this any more than the other. I think, having commented, that many of them do come back to check. But i know of no evidence either way that would support a declaration on this.

 

[Voboy]

But I bet most of them are drive-bys.

I didn't pick my words out of a hat. I know there's no evidence either way. It's my opinion.

 

[KeithD]

I didn't pick my words out of a hat. I know there's no evidence either way. It's my opinion.

This is a literary site. And this was a declarative sentence of a claimed fact, not the expression of a supposition. I respond to what is actually written. The claim is made by others as well that no one comes back to check on comments--and there is no evidence I've seen that this is true, and it's not helpful to other users to claim it's a fact.

"They're not coming back to see your response." Declaration, not supposition. (Since you make the point of choosing words carefully on a literary site.)

 

[BuckyDuckman]

<snip> I know many potential readers look at the comments before they read the story, and I hate the idea of them being turned off by inaccurate or unfair comments.<snip>

I question the validity of this. I think the most recent comments on a few stories show up, but does anyone check the comments before reading a story? I've never done this. I typically don't notice the comments until I've finished the story.

 

[SimonDoom]

I would suggest NOT engaging with anonymous readers who make abusive comments. You have no reason to believe they will read what you post (my take on the Voboy-KeithD debate: I have no clue at all, but to me that weighs AGAINST replying to a comment as a default. Why do something unless you have some reason to believe they might read and react to it?). There is a significant risk with certain kinds of commenters that if you get them riled up they'll attack you by downvoting your other stories.

If the comment makes a point about your story that you feel is misleading or wrong, you might respond, but address your general audience rather than the specific commenter. I've done that a few times, and haven't regretted it, but I cannot recall exactly when.

I agree with Bucky about this: I see no reason to believe that most, or many, readers read comments before they read a story. I don't do that. I read the tags, tagline, score, and title. I usually know after 5 paragraphs whether I might enjoy the story, and if I don't think I will I quit and move on and don't vote or comment.

 

[KeithD]

I delete anonymous abusive comments. I don't apologize doing so or feel obligated (or guilted) to leave them there.

 

[SimonDoom]

I delete anonymous abusive comments. I don't apologize doing so or feel obligated (or guilted) to leave them there.

Nobody should feel guilty, ever, about deleting comments that are obscene and abusive.

I leave most of them up because I see them as part of the history of my experience here, and I want to preserve that. Every once in a while I like to go back and re-read some of the nutty comments I've received. But nobody should feel obliged to do that.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I've done that as well. I have responded to a question about a story, or a suggestion. I've also thanked everyone for their kind comments and mentioned that constructive criticism is always appreciated, subtly hinting that nasty comments are not. I've actually taken a few suggestions from comments I've received and made changes to some stories I was working on.

 

[KeithD]

Nobody should feel guilty, ever, about deleting comments that are obscene and abusive.

I leave most of them up because I see them as part of the history of my experience here, and I want to preserve that. Every once in a while I like to go back and re-read some of the nutty comments I've received. But nobody should feel obliged to do that.

I think coming from the mainstream, where PR is important to sales and also being in categories that invite abuse (including on Literotica) makes it easier just to deep six personally attacking comments. I'm glad Literotica offers that function to authors. I don't know of any other story site that does that. I write my stories for those who will be happy to have them to read. Those who want to attack them or me can just piss off. Now, since I acquired a massive bomber last November who won't just move on, I'm not allowing voting either. If you enjoy what I write, I'm glad to offer the stories to you for free. If not, piss off. I don't have the time for you.

 

[SimonDoom]

I think coming from the mainstream, where PR is important to sales and also being in categories that invite abuse (including on Literotica) makes it easier just to deep six personally attacking comments. I'm glad Literotica offers that function to authors. I don't know of any other story site that does that. I write my stories for those who will be happy to have them to read. Those who want to attack them or me can just piss off. Now, since I acquired a massive bomber last November who won't just move on, I'm not allowing voting either. If you enjoy what I write, I'm glad to offer the stories to you for free. If not, piss off. I don't have the time for you.

The difference is you wrote before Literotica, and you continue to write elsewhere. It's not so novel for you here. This is my FIRST, and to date ONLY, foray into fiction. The idea of keeping a record of this, with the good and the bad, means something to me. PR doesn't mean much to me, although that may change in the future. I DO think it's important to let authors it's perfectly OK to delete the assholes. Nobody is obliged to put up with that nonsense.

 

[KeithD]

I DO think it's important to let authors it's perfectly OK to delete the assholes.

Good. When this issue comes up, some want to guilt folks for deleting.

I think another difference is that Literotica, for most stories other than contest ones, is an end-of-the-line depository for me. This isn't a time to bother to mess with them no matter what good points someone could make. Stories aren't precious babies to me. They are renewable resources (and, no, that doesn't mean I give them short shrift in composition).

 

[AlinaX]

Comments that are potentially abusive of other readers will get deleted by me.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I don't reply to comments directly, but if there is a comment from one or more readers which indicate that some clarification or explanation is warranted, I will post my own comment about it. Criticism related to the use of proper grammar when the specific example is character dialog rather than the narrative is such a case.

I prefer to let other readers respond to comments that are either negative or out of left field somewhere. They bash the trolls best.

 

[ElectricBlue]

My philosophy towards deadshit comments is the same as dog turds on my front lawn.

Some folk say, "Nah, leave them, they're a sign of manliness or herodom, something Iike a medal on your chest. It means you're in a great neighbourhood."

No, they're fucking dog turds. Get rid of them.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

If they're insulting but not personally abusive, I often leave them simply because it encourages the nice ones. If I find them funny, I leave them. I did a 750-word story where a guy wants to fuck a girl, she's not interested, she shags someone else, first guy witnesses it. Incels triggered, commented a lot. I deleted a few, kept some, just added a comment that "Note to self: clearly calling a character Rapeyfucker McBastardface is too subtle a way to say they are a fucking bastard rapist..."

I doubt any Anon will ever see a response. You can message a named user, but arguing with internet arseholes is like mudwrestling a pig - you both feel dirty but the pig enjoys it.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Hi authors! Just wondering what people thought about engaging with negative commenters in the "comments" section following stories. Is it wise to respond, or best just to stay out of it? I would like to respond to some comments directly and privately, but they are often from anonymous commenters. I know many potential readers look at the comments before they read the story, and I hate the idea of them being turned off by inaccurate or unfair comments. I know that comments can be disabled, but I like hearing from readers. I have actually benefited from some negative but constructive comments, so I would hate to lose this. I know negative comments are part of publishing, but some comments are so ill-informed, illogical and annoying that it's difficult not to respond. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Seeing as how the comment section isn't a BB and comments do take time to post due to moderation, why? Well, I have several time. Why? Because they were wrong in their assumptions.

Mostly, I just delete those idiots comments.

 

[8letters]

What I do is leave negative comments. That works for me because my stories get so many comments. The one time I removed a negative comment was because I didn't like that the person had attacked other commenters. Literotica will every so often remove comments, so they slowly get rid of the worst negative comments.

What I have seen quite a bit is commenters refer to prior comments, so some commenters will read all the comments on a story before commenting. What I've never seen is Anonymous leaves a comment, other commenters disagree, Anonymous comes back and replies to the other commenters. Negative anonymous comments seem to be a hit-and-run kind of thing.

That being said, negative anonymous commenters may have a point. If no one rebuts the criticism, it may well be because the other commenters agree with it.

Example! The third comment on my latest story was the anonymous:

Nothing on this site is worth the time to read 17 pages.

The twelfth comment refers to that comment:

Many stories are worth the time to read with 17 pages and more.(@anonymous that was to you) I did read the original stories. This was much better, thank you for sharing. I have read many of your stories and enjoyed them. 5*

The twenty-first comment:

I really like the way you portrayed this story! And to the other comment about 17 pages being too long, lol! I have read 12 BOOKS not chapters on another site, it took weeks but it was worth it just as these 17 pages were. Look forward to reading more of your work. Five stars for me.

The anonymous commenter who thought 17 pages was just too long for a Literotica story didn't engage with either of those comments.

 

[windar]

When you sign on here, it calls Literotica "A Free Adult Community". While this part (the boards) is a community, the story side really isn't. Here you can have a dialog, because there is immediacy-you post, it appears instantly, someone can respond while you are still there and you can reply to the reply. On the story side a comment takes hours to appear, the author may not see it for some time, because there is no alert (yes, I am aware that the comment will appear in the dashboard, but you have to actively go there and check for it).

Now saying "a community" doesn't mean that every interaction will be worthwhile or even enjoyable, just as in real world communities, but, at its best, there can be real dialog and learning from each other. For me the story side here is really like a pay site without money-authors post and commenters comment, but rarely is there an exchange, whereas on other free sites where I post my stories in threads, there is real dialog (which often can migrate away from the story, but that isn't necessarily bad).

Just as an example, my co-author and I often write stories set in different historical eras and they can be great fodder for good discussions of the history of those times and how they relate to things going on today. Just because a story includes some hot sex scenes doesn't preclude it appealing to the brain as well as the genitals. And if that doesn't appeal to a particular reader, they can skip over that.

Anyway, the lack of interesting interactions with readers is a big part of why I've not found posting stories here a very rewarding experience. But that's just my opinion, of course...