What kind of comments would you like to receive on your stories?

[WeShallUnclench]

Inspired by this thread by @Five_Inch_Heels , I feel it might be worth while to ask ourselves what we are actually hoping for, when we are hoping for comments.

We all know there are comments we do not want.
But it's potentially a bit more subtle than saying "I want lots of positive comments".
And while most of us invite constructive criticism, what does that mean?

A few starter questions to get things rolling:

- How happy are you about very short comments that are essentially just a thumbs up ("I like this") ?

- How unhappy are you about the opposite - short negative comments ("this is bad") ?

- How does constructive criticism have to be phrased so you feel supported ("this is really gonna help me"), not disappointed ("oh no, I messed up")?

- How detailled and specific should positive comments ideally be?

- How do you feel about questions for clarification / requests of further discussion of your choices?

 

[Oniafox]

I like people reading my work - so I guess even a thumbs up would be nice. But then, that logic would suggest I’d be happy with a thumbs down …

My work is largely autobiographical - so I’m hoping my character isn’t judged too harshly.

I’m not looking for constructive (or otherwise) criticism.

I guess: Loved the story, made us both smile. Now we are tracking down your books on Amazon, to make you even richer

 

[WeShallUnclench]

My personal take is that I like any comment that shows me the reader connected to what I wrote in some way, however fleeting.

Doesn't even haveto be strictly positive "Oh wow [X character] is an asshole" - you formed an opinion about one of my mind gremlins!
Better yet of course the more clear it is you had fun, and were immersed.

 

[THBGato]

I'm not going to pretend that positive comments don't please me (and those coming from fellow writers please me the most). But really any interaction is welcome, with the exception of "hated the first paragraph, 1 star, didn't finish" which thankfully I've never had.

I've gone back and editted stories based on errors readers have pointed out in the comments, so I welcome those too.

The very best though are the personal, those where the reader explains "this aspect of your writing/story touched me because..." Those I'll always treasure even if a couple have left me feeling worrying responsible for something I didn't intend or predict.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I want them to say, You're the best writer ever. That story really scared the shit out of me. WOW, just wow!

And I'm just kidding. I just want any comments, anything at all, cause comments are rare as virgins in the swinging community.

 

[u1u1u1]

"I like it" is fine.

Someone once linked me to a "fan work" they'd done... would have been an utter delight on a fanfic, but was less pleasant on a piece of erotica.

On Loving Wives I delete anything misogynistic and would really like something remotely constructive, but the commenters just seemed to be complaining that the story was too short.

 

[dadadadiox]

I’m a serial writer with a small following. I don’t get many comments because I don’t allow anonymity. When I do it’s usually from the same handful of readers. Sometimes I’ll get one. At most I’ll get four or five and they’re generally positive and expressing gratitude for the work I put into my long-ass stories filled with many characters.

Constructive criticism is great but I don’t see much of that. If I want anything, I guess it would be specifics. Why do you like this story? What is it that makes you keep reading? How do they feel about this character or that dramatic event?

I get that in emails. Lately I’ve had far more emails than public comments because I block anonymous comments. My favorites are when they find something amiss, like having a female student at Yale before they admitted women. I was flagged for putting the wrong size engine in a 1978 Cadillac. I call those readers members of my Correction Club. I hope to keep their club small.

Reader feedback is great but I don’t expect it. I would continue without it. First I write for myself. If someone else enjoys what I do that’s a bonus.

 

[AG31]

We all know there are comments we do not want.

Actually, in my case that's not true. Of course I like positive comments. But I'm interested in negative comments also. Sometimes (rarely... ) they're helpful and I edit my story on Smashwords (don't want to clog up Lit.) Like the times people pointed out that I really needed to make lubrication available.

But often they just show me how broad ranging people's tastes are. I don't take it as something to act upon when a commenter is clearly just not into my style or content. But it's interesting to peek into their mind.

 

[StillStunned]

I've had a few that I've deleted either for being creepy ("Let me tell you about me and my little sister growing up") or for disrespecting the story ("She's a cunt who deserves to die"), but otherwise I'm happy with any feedback, up to and including "Hello, I'm a Nigerian Prince..."

 

[SimonDoom]

I appreciate all kinds of comments. I've been doing this long enough now (almost 8 years) that I can take a thick-skinned, philosophical approach, not take it too seriously, and appreciate different points of view. I let the "you suck" type comments roll off my back. Although, sometimes they're so bad they're funny and I appreciate them for making me laugh.

I like it when I've touched somebody in some way, and they let me know it with a nicely worded comment.

But I also like the simple "your story rocks!" type comments.

I appreciate intelligent constructive criticism, especially when it concerns issues of plausibility or motivation that give me something to think about with the next story I write.

I appreciate corrections to my grammar or punctuation or spelling, because I take pride in my knowledge of them and I want to get them as close to perfect as I can. I don't mind pedantry, because I can be pedantic at times.

 

[TheLobster]

Ideally? None. I do leave the option open, for the same reason offices have thermostats, but I hardly ever read them.

 

[summer_reine]

A few starter questions to get things rolling:

- How happy are you about very short comments that are essentially just a thumbs up ("I like this") ?
Any positive comment strokes the ego, short or long I appreciate it

- How unhappy are you about the opposite - short negative comments ("this is bad") ?
A reason for the dislike is helpful instead of a simple statement. Even saying that it is not their taste or too many grammatical errors helps

- How does constructive criticism have to be phrased so you feel supported ("this is really gonna help me"), not disappointed ("oh no, I messed up")?
The key to constructive criticism is to put some positives in with the negative.

- How detailled and specific should positive comments ideally be?
I like to know how the story made a commentor feel, sexual or not. (it is erotica after all) If someone connects with the characters or plot I'd like to know why, if they like my writing style, character dynamics, flow, or if it was arousing.

- How do you feel about questions for clarification / requests of further discussion of your choices?
I'd prefer that as feedback rather than a comment

 

[Firedog78]

I'd like something of substance. "This was great!" is nice but it would be helpful if the commentor highlighted what they liked (or disliked), such as "I really liked how you described her outfit" or "how you detailed his feelings as she touched him" or "you could have spent more time on the male character, most of the story centers on her; feels one sided."

 

[Mastered_again]

I just want any comments, anything at all, cause comments are rare as virgins in the swinging community.

Yeah, that.
Latest story went up on 9/12. >1000 views. Just one comment to let me know I'd misnumbered the latest chapter (fix already in work w/ Laurel). Since only 7 votes so far for a 4.71, I shouldn't expect much in the way of comments I suppose.

Seriously, it would be nice to know if they liked it and why. Less preferably, that it sucked and these are the things wrong with it.

 

[Bazzle]

To see that the reader has read the story?

That I've written it well enough for them to have "got" what I wanted to them to get from the story!

 

[Firedog78]

Yeah, that.
Latest story went up on 9/12. >1000 views. Just one comment to let me know I'd misnumbered the latest chapter (fix already in work w/ Laurel). Since only 7 votes so far for a 4.71, I shouldn't expect much in the way of comments I suppose.

Seriously, it would be nice to know if they liked it and why. Less preferably, that it sucked and these are the things wrong with it.

No kidding! I've got over 20k views between 3 stories and only 2 comments.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Ideally, a comment would share something they liked about the story with some specificity.
"I really liked how you set the scene back at her apartment."

And some constructive criticism.

"The part where they were discussing where to go to dinner felt awkward and didn't advance the plot."

 

[Kumquatqueen]

The comments I particularly enjoy go "I'm not even into" [queer stuff, BDSM, fetishes, whatever] "but I really liked this story and I've learnt something by reading it."

Or someone being happy to see certain characters again.

 

[Katie_Mae]

- How happy are you about very short comments that are essentially just a thumbs up ("I like this") ?
Very, shows they read the story and connected with it emotionally to comment.

- How unhappy are you about the opposite - short negative comments ("this is bad") ?
Dunno. Never had one of those. But it's still an indicator they were emotionally involved to some portion of the story at least.

- How does constructive criticism have to be phrased so you feel supported ("this is really gonna help me"), not disappointed ("oh no, I messed up")?
It doesn't need to be phrased a specific way, but my preference is for it not be stupid.
eg I've received a comment informing me that pants (underpants) are only ever outerwear. On a story where it's specifically noted in the author's note that the language used is not American English, and it was clear from the context they were underpants and the reader understood I was talking about underpants.
Of course, I can take the unstated criticism (consider the audience you're writing for won't be familiar with this usage of pants) but I do find the stupid comments a bit annoying lol.

- How detailled and specific should positive comments ideally be?
Don't care.

- How do you feel about questions for clarification / requests of further discussion of your choices?
I love this but Lit doesn't support it. I would love threaded comments or at least for a commentor to be notified if I reply to them. I'd love to be able to have a discussion in the comments.
I have included things in future chapters or expanded on things where I see from the comments my readers haven't understood.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

My favourites are always the short but sweet ones. If I'm ever feeling down on my writing, I just remember that someone, somewhere, bothered to type the words "This is really good" or "Loved it" into the comment box. I would happily receive those all day long.

But really I like comments of any variety. Negative ones aren't enjoyable, but hopefully they're constructive in some way.

 

[MK_Whimsy]

Any kind of feedback is always appreciated. Echoing some of the other responses here, I think the best comments are substantive ones that outline specifically what they liked or what they thought needed improvement. It's nice to know if I made a particular impression on the reader, or if there's something I need to do a better job of moving forward.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I'm happy with pretty much anything.

 

[HeyAll]

When someone says the story is unique or original -- that's my favorite kind of comment.

 

[Lucien_Al]

From my perspective we all have different likes, dislikes, kinks & fetishes and there is always going to be cases where a well written story does not tick the readers boxes and then subject to criticism.


A few starter questions to get things rolling:

- How happy are you about very short comments that are essentially just a thumbs up ("I like this") ?

I don't mind any comments, short and long and nice to know that they got far enough into my story and then took the trouble to comment.

- How unhappy are you about the opposite - short negative comments ("this is bad") ?

I don't mind them if they are constructive and most importantly that the commentator does not hide behind anonymous. I believe that the ability to score the story makes it possible for those people to indicate their feelings on the story.

- How does constructive criticism have to be phrased so you feel supported ("this is really gonna help me"), not disappointed ("oh no, I messed up")?

I don't mind either as long as it is justified and constructive.

- How detailled and specific should positive comments ideally be?

I like specific comments as this helps me with a direction a story can go and also whether you carry on with a story or rather just kill it for lack of interest.

- How do you feel about questions for clarification / requests of further discussion of your choices?

I do really enjoy a conversation with people who have enjoyed my stories and wish to add their own accounts of a specific aspect or portion of the story.

 

[madelinemasoch]

What would I like to see? Something that actually shows that they understand the work. I don’t really care about comments anymore because I realized it’s a fraction of a fraction of the people who read any story that comment on it, and a sample size that small can never accurately represent the readership’s opinions overall. I think writers care because we care more about quality than quantity. Not saying I’m the opposite, but that’s why one bad comment can make you frown and fume all day.

I’ve had way too many comments from people that showed me they had a blatant misunderstanding of what I wrote back when I was publishing actively on here. What would be nice (especially since the stuff I’m getting ready for the site nowadays is way more complicated and rich with meaning) is if someone left a comment that showed me they picked up what I was putting down. Something about a theme or a mood I was expressing, or something deep about the characters. It would be an even greater gift if they noticed something I hadn’t intended on, something I did by accident, but was there regardless.

I use the word regardless too much.