What entices people to comment?

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I don't really care that much because some comments are crap, but I noticed something curious. I have one series up with four parts so far. They each have the reads, the ratings and the favorites, but not one has even a single comment.

Another story that is not part of that series has several comments (some of which are kind of assholish).

These have all gone up this week, so it's not a matter of aging either.

 

[Mastered_again]

I haven't a clue. Comments are few and far between. Maybe I should onit the author's note at the end asking for feedback?

 

[Fatdog25]

Somebody here had a theory that people only comment if they really liked or really disliked your story.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I comment for one of two reasons; the story really got to me, or, in my innate hubris, I feel like I can offer the author some piece of advice I think may help.

From the comments I’ve received, those seem to hold true. Some of the ‘advice’ I’ve received has been, um, passionate to say the least.

 

[SimonDoom]

I comment usually in one of two situations:

1. I really like the story and I want the author to know that I appreciate it, or

2. I have a critique of the story that I think I can put in a useful and constructive way.

I don't ever leave a comment like, "This is just crap."

 

[SamBomb]

I only comment when I really want a next part, but that's just me.

Looking at my comments, I have no idea it seems so arbitrary.

 

[OffNSFW]

This is purely my guess, and I don't have any data to back it up other than my own experience as a writer. But if it's one where I feel I've nailed some sort of deeply felt scenario that derives in some way from my own life, and if it's something relatively unique, I think people feel seen, they tend to say so.

 

[Plathfan]

There are all kinds of comments. You have the feel-good stories that attract the annoyingly short 5, 6, 10 stars variations, along with the lame "well written," "good job," and "keep 'em coming," which, when you think about it, don't say much---just a lazy way of saying thanks.
Then there are the "meh," "yawn," "gross," and other dismissive responses, which are just a lazy way of saying they didn't like it (or you).

I don't even consider these real commentary.

The stories that spark detailed, meaningful, and insightful feedback---even when critical---are the ones that truly resonate with readers.

There’s no quick guide to getting readers to comment. It’s something in the content and the way it's presented that compels them to respond almost compulsively. I’ve said it about storytelling, and it’s true here too: the ability to reach people, to pull on their strings, is innate---you either have it or you don’t.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

There's a lot of variation that, like @Plathfan says, is hard to explain or predict. In a series I'm writing, Chapter One got 22 comments. Chapter Two got 4. In my opinion the second chapter is better-written. (I hope I'm learning to write better!) Maybe you have to write something interesting, but flawed, to get lots of comments?

-Annie

 

[lovecraft68]

A sad few take the second to leave a vote, even fewer take the time to say anything about the story, and short of writing something that really pisses them off, you can't really control what kind, or how many, comments you'll get.

Just keep writing and don't worry about it.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Don't like it one bit.

Why is it so hard to add a "Ch. 01" to the title if you KNOW you're posting a multichapter story? It only frustrates your readers. Stupid mistake.

Story is a four, missing indicator for incomplete story is a one, so two stars.

Very good story

Great start, and I enjoyed reading your story so far, but please you need to either proofread your writing or get someone to edit for you.I hope it continues.

Either this is all there is, which isn't much, or it's chapter 1. No chapter # in the title to warn this wasn't a complete story BEFORE opening it always earns an automatic rating of 1.

Five stars. Hot. Hot. Hot.

Interesting start. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.

What a start. From that start I can't wait to see where this is going.

Guessing this is the first part of multiple chapters. So far it's good.

Absolutely marvelous! Incredibly sexy & arousing, too. Left me looking for more.

Fantastic story and I am looking forward to reading the coming chapters!!!

 

[RejectReality]

Yeah, if you know you're writing a multi-part story, ALWAYS put that Ch. 01 on there. There are more than enough people with the 1-star attitude noted above to decimate that first chapter if you don't.

Now, if your first chapter was never meant to be a first chapter and has a full arch with a beginning, middle, and end, you can get away with it. You can post a Ch. 02 after that without running afoul of the no Ch., 1-star folks. Likewise if you're writing a series of complete stories, though you're far better off giving them individual titles and connecting them with the series feature if that's the case.

 

[Bamagan]

I don't ever leave a comment like, "This is just crap."

I left a comment like that once, but I feel it was defensible, since I was reviewing some fertilizer I'd ordered.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Don't like it one bit.

Why is it so hard to add a "Ch. 01" to the title if you KNOW you're posting a multichapter story? It only frustrates your readers. Stupid mistake.

Story is a four, missing indicator for incomplete story is a one, so two stars.

Very good story

Great start, and I enjoyed reading your story so far, but please you need to either proofread your writing or get someone to edit for you.I hope it continues.

Either this is all there is, which isn't much, or it's chapter 1. No chapter # in the title to warn this wasn't a complete story BEFORE opening it always earns an automatic rating of 1.

Five stars. Hot. Hot. Hot.

Interesting start. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.

What a start. From that start I can't wait to see where this is going.

Guessing this is the first part of multiple chapters. So far it's good.

Absolutely marvelous! Incredibly sexy & arousing, too. Left me looking for more.

Fantastic story and I am looking forward to reading the coming chapters!!!

I tried to give you the advice that you're posting too much too fast, and that you left a part "hanging" in that one story.

I still recommend slowing down between story post. Wait for a few days to see what triggers come out in the comments, and maybe adjust your next works accordingly.


Or not.

It's whatever your're getting out of it that really matters.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

I have found that having a continuity mistake, or even better, an anachronism in a historical story, really entices people to comment. If you're lucky, you'll get multiple comments pointing out the mistake.

But it comes from.a good place because they want to help you, I think. You only get the occasional know-it-all.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Somebody here had a theory that people only comment if they really liked or really disliked your story.

Seems reasonable to me.

Yes, that's me. Write really good stories and/or write them really well, or write mediocre stories and write them poorly, you'll know. If you write competent, capable stories in the middle of the bell curve, or write what everybody else does, Literotica is a feedback-lite place.

My rule of thumb over ten years and over 130 something stories or chapters, is one Vote per hundred Views, one Comment per thousand. When I get a better Comments ratio, that story has hit a chord.

Certain categories excepted, but I don't read or write there.

 

[Fatdog25]

Yes, that's me. Write really good stories and/or write them really well, or write mediocre stories and write them poorly, you'll know. If you write competent, capable stories in the middle of the bell curve, or write what everybody else does, Literotica is a feedback-lite place.

My rule of thumb over ten years and over 130 something stories or chapters, is one Vote per hundred Views, one Comment per thousand. When I get a better Comments ratio, that story has hit a chord.

Certain categories excepted, but I don't read or write there.

Thanks, EB. Going to make a note of that so I can give proper credit next time. I couldn't find the original post.

 

[RetroFan]

If you write a Cuckold story in Loving Wives you will be sure to get lots of comments, but few if any of them will be positive.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

If you write a Cuckold story in Loving Wives you will be sure to get lots of comments, but few if any of them will be positive.

Don’t know much about LW as I never play there. What would a story about a wronged husband cuckolding his cheating wife do?

 

[joy_of_cooking]

That's called cuckqueaning and I think it goes over rather well, from the few examples I've seen. I'm sure @NoTalentHack would know better though.

 

[NoTalentHack]

Don’t know much about LW as I never play there. What would a story about a wronged husband cuckolding his cheating wife do?

Cuckqueaning usually goes over better than cuckolding, ratings-wise, but that’s because (usually) cuckqueaning stories are written more gently than cuckolding ones, on average. Mixing it with revenge, though… it’s hard to say. My guess is it would do better than a revenge cuckolding story, but maybe not as well as a “nice” cuckqueaning one where the wife is into it in the first place. I guess we’ll find out, though; I’m working on a LW story with cuckqueaning themes at the moment.

 

[THBGato]

In answer to the question in the thread title, I comment on every story I finish reading (425 comments so far, plus another 50 or so left as anonymous, this year). That's for two reasons:

a) I've usually adored the story and want to encourage the author to write more. I'm quite an insatiable reader.

b) "Do as you would be done by". When I started writing, I thought I wouldn't care too much about comments. I was quickly disabused of that notion. So, knowing how much any kind of reaction means to me as a writer, I wanted to behave as I'd hope readers would to me. "Be the change you want to... etc, etc"

I'll also often comment on stories by first time writers in a kind of "welcome Lit, thanks for sharing, great first effort, really liked how you did X" kind of way, even if the story wasn't quite my bag.

Occasionally, I'll also leave some constructive criticism if I feel there is something worth pointing out, but I always try to temper such comments with praise.

 

[Plathfan]

plus another 50 or so left as anonymous, this year

Why?

 

[THBGato]

Why?

It was before I'd set up an account.

 

[MiaBabe23]

I think that many of the comments I’ve received were very much to encourage, since it was my first story; not quite there, (too short/ not enough graphic action etc), but enough in the writing that they might enjoy a better refined and developed attempt.
I think really, people comment to thank and say please write more, or please write it like this, because it would work better - or sometimes, please write less lol
Perhaps a cluster of comments on one suggests that the other chapters are evoking a similar response for readers, so they don’t feel the need to say that again?