Why do people make the comments they do?

[LissaSue]

Sigh. I was reading the raving reviews of a really great story earlier this evening, when I came across a rather rude sounding one. It was about how the author needed to learn how to use the right homonym to not screw up his story. However, it's completly not true. The author used the correct words, and very well I might add.
What makes people post untrue comments like that? Are they that hard up for people to talk to that they result to trolling for hate email?

 

[sr71plt]

Making a comment on a story--either in the story file or on this board--doesn't, in itself, make the commenter an expert. In fact, most who comment aren't any more trained/experienced than the author of the story they are commenting on. Quite often they haven't even done as much erotica writing as the one they are commenting to or have any knowledge of the specific genre they are critiquing.

So, authors should go with just the comments that ring true to them. (And they won't always be right to do so even then.)

An author seeking useful comment here would be best served by reading stories of others writing the same themes they want to do--and, in the author's opinion, doing it very well--and going straight to these other authors to request a read and comment.

 

[Guest]

deleted

 

[PennLady]

Anonymity gives a lot of people the freedom to comment on anything, where they might not have before. Unfortunately, it also gives them the ability to spout off, be rude, and etc., with little or no repercussions. Courtesy goes begging on the internet a lot of the time.

As others have said, and I frequently say, take it all with some detachment. Enjoy the positives, consider the negatives and ignore the trolls.

 

[postry]

"crap" by "Anoymous"

I wholeheartedly agree with a lot of the comments here. I notice the negative criticism is almost always from "Anonymous" and those actually giving a name haven't written anything anyway. It should not be forgotten that this site functions thanks to contributions from its members and those wanting to read something erotic. Obviously, not everyone is a budding author, but constructive criticism should be the norm, which, unfortunately, it is not. Such a comment would take too long and most probably reveal the critic's total lack of command of the English language. "Crap" written anonymously is a cowardly "hit and run" approach.

 

[SydneyBlake]

Make lemonade, darlin'

I know what you mean. PennLady says it best.

My last chapter wasn't as well received as the previous ones. I expected that, yet it still bothered me some. Go figure. The upside is that I know I've created characters that the reader cares about. So I'm not going where he/she was hoping I would go. So what? It's my story. They'll either quit reading or not.

What's more, one comment actually sparked another story. I wouldn't have thought to write it had it not been for the words from someone who disagreed with me.

 

[hottchic]

My problem is when I see anon comments on people's work where it seems very clear to me that the person who made the comment deliberately chose to read something that would make that person angry, in order that they could verbally abuse the writer after reading it.

From what I have seen this clearly happens, it is not my imagination.

Fortunately for me, I write in a catagory where most of the people who go there to read stories tend to be very open minded so, so far at least all the feedback has been positive, even where the person has said the writing could be improved they usually like the content.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Making a comment on a story--either in the story file or on this board--doesn't, in itself, make the commenter an expert. In fact, most who comment aren't any more trained/experienced than the author of the story they are commenting on. Quite often they haven't even done as much erotica writing as the one they are commenting to or have any knowledge of the specific genre they are critiquing.

So, authors should go with just the comments that ring true to them. (And they won't always be right to do so even then.)

An author seeking useful comment here would be best served by reading stories of others writing the same themes they want to do--and, in the author's opinion, doing it very well--and going straight to these other authors to request a read and comment.

Before you stuck your arrogant and self-opionated proboscis in here we muddled along on a kind of self-help group that you have done more to destroy than scouries. Your undoubted expertise as a copy editor and grammarian is ill-suited to the erotica 101 we hope to promote here. I honestly believe you don't have any empathy for either the fledging writers or the readership - who can't aspire to your laureate standards.

Only an insecure phoney trumpets his supposed brilliance. Your ad hominem attack on bronzeage was cheap and petty and he ridiculed you.

Please, I beg you, use your talent to help newbies and read their stories and stop hurling tablets from Mount Olympus.

 

[sr71plt]

And all phonies rail like this against those who unmask them, I'm sure.

Last couple of contests you've pretended that you were entering something. And still, the latest "brilliant" "story" you've posted to Lit. was five years ago--an essay on bra sizes.

Let's see if you're all blow and no go. Let's see you demonstrate this writing expertise you like to pontificate to others on this board.

 

[SydneyBlake]

My problem is when I see anon comments on people's work where it seems very clear to me that the person who made the comment deliberately chose to read something that would make that person angry, in order that they could verbally abuse the writer after reading it.

From what I have seen this clearly happens, it is not my imagination.

Yes, it happens on the bulletin boards, too.

Years ago when I was on Lit under a different username, I don't remember people being so rude.

WTF you just gotta roll with it baby.

 

[hottchic]

Yes, it happens on the bulletin boards, too.

Years ago when I was on Lit under a different username, I don't remember people being so rude.

WTF you just gotta roll with it baby.

Well I have fortunately reached a position in my life of being able to say I don't give a shit what other people say when I percieve it to be unwarrented. And despite that I still regard myself as a sensitive and kind pesron even though I can be a bitch when people out right verbally abuse me.

Having said that, call me naive if you like, but I never have been able to figure out why it is that some people appear to enjoy making derogatory comments about others, it's just so negative.

 

[SydneyBlake]

An author seeking useful comment here would be best served by reading stories of others writing the same themes they want to do--and, in the author's opinion, doing it very well--and going straight to these other authors to request a read and comment.

This does seem like a reasonable expectation, but my experience has been that it doesn't happen. I've tried that route with no luck. I do try to give useful feedback to others, but I haven't seen much quid pro quo.

As with men, I keep my expectations low; then, when they are exceeded, I am pleasantly surprised and even grateful.

 

[sr71plt]

As long as when you are seriously seeking advice on anything that you really want to do well you check out the bonafides of those giving the advice as best you can and also apply the "does this sound realistic/sensible?" test to the advice.

The "advice" that first person, the most intimate voice, isn't appropriate for erotica, for instance, would be one of those "this is phony" flags flying that wouldn't pass the common sense sniff test.

One of the false axioms of the Internet is that everyone is equal here--brings equal knowledge to the table. That just isn't true. For chit chat, that's fine, but when you asking for help with something you really care about . . .

 

[sr71plt]

This does seem like a reasonable expectation, but my experience has been that it doesn't happen. I've tried that route with no luck. I do try to give useful feedback to others, but I haven't seen much quid pro quo.

As with men, I keep my expectations low; then, when they are exceeded, I am pleasantly surprised and even grateful.

Sorry it hasn't worked for you. I have responded when approached directly (I'm pretty sure I've fully responded to every direct communication you've made to me, for instance). That's how I picked up my editor, my coauthor, and one of my publishers.

I think it's the quickest way to cut through all of the "is this a good match?/is this advice on this genre useful?" foreplay dancing.

 

[SydneyBlake]

Well I have fortunately reached a position in my life of being able to say I don't give a shit .....

You remind me of an email I got recently. It said something like "I thought that with my advancing years, that I'd really grown in patience. Then I realized that I just don't give a shit."

Maybe this is why I have a hard time writing arguments between characters.

 

[jeninflorida]

Sigh. I was reading the raving reviews of a really great story earlier this evening, when I came across a rather rude sounding one. It was about how the author needed to learn how to use the right homonym to not screw up his story. However, it's completly not true. The author used the correct words, and very well I might add.
What makes people post untrue comments like that? Are they that hard up for people to talk to that they result to trolling for hate email?

well, if you want some comments write a Loving Wife story. you will get lots of nasty comments (and good ones), and lots of emails.

 

[SydneyBlake]

Yes you have

Sorry it hasn't worked for you. I have responded when approached directly (I'm pretty sure I've fully responded to every direct communication you've made to me, for instance). That's how I picked up my editor, my coauthor, and one of my publishers.

I think it's the quickest way to cut through all of the "is this a good match?/is this advice on this genre useful?" foreplay dancing.

Which I have appreciated. And I've recently connected with an editor; we'll see how that goes. So far, so good. But in the past, I've approached an author who had a similar style to me and asked her to read my writing. I also read 2 or 3 of her full-length novels and some shorter works and offered critiques. She did respond, but, to my knowledge, she never reciprocated. It was disappointing.

Granted - the saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" certainly applies.

 

[sr71plt]

Which I have appreciated. And I've recently connected with an editor; we'll see how that goes. So far, so good. But in the past, I've approached an author who had a similar style to me and asked her to read my writing. I also read 2 or 3 of her full-length novels and some shorter works and offered critiques. She did respond, but, to my knowledge, she never reciprocated. It was disappointing.

Granted - the saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" certainly applies.

Well, not all will respond, of course. They are writing themselves. When I'm pushing a deadline, I won't do it at that point either--and I'd be hardpressed to find the time to read a whole novel from a Lit. requrest for comment (although I won't just ignore the contact or say I'll do something that I don't do). I think the persistence issue is the right one. I shudder to think that I would have been too busy to carry through when my now coauthor contacted me to wonder if we could do something together. I would have lost out on a very rich partnership and creative writing experiences (and some revenue to boot).

 

[lovecraft68]

Approach comments the same way you approached high school. You'll make some friends, you'll be ignored by many and you will get insulted by the immature boneheads.

Anonymous commentators when they are negative (and not constructively so) are the kids that wrote crap about other kids on bathroom walls. The kids who got their milk money taken and a lot of wedgies and swirlies. They are bitter and use the internet to spout out their hate with no repercussions.

Me personally I have always been one who can not only dish it but can take it just as well. I get a laugh out of the over the top "Your fucking sick" or "Worst author ever!" cracks. I mean what else can you do but laugh at them? If you take these types seriously you are going to get no where.

Now all authors hate this Anonymous guy but I would also like to toss in that (probably because I write in incest) I get a lot of very nice anonymous remarks and they frustrate a little as well be cause I would like a chance to reply to some of the nicer remarks.

In general treat these people the same way you treated the name calling nimrods from childhood just ignore them they are not worth the conversation.

 

[colddiesel]

Now all authors hate this Anonymous guy but I would also like to toss in that (probably because I write in incest) I get a lot of very nice anonymous remarks and they frustrate a little as well be cause I would like a chance to reply to some of the nicer remarks.

Why do you imply that 'nice' comment is good or helpful. I would suggest that most comments of the 'nice' variety, are of no constructive use to the improvement of an authors work. Fan mail merely cements the writers good opinion of him/herself, and is counter productive to improvement as often as not.

Recently, I read a story where there were a dozen fawning tributes and one quite mild criticism by 'anonymous', which I partly agreed with. The mild criticism was dismissed by the author, firstly because it was by 'anon,' and secondly, because it was not 'particular' enough.

Yet none of the fawners was criticized for their even more obvious lack of particularity.

My conclusion is that 'nice ' comment is useless, and we need to give (non abusive) 'anon' a break.

 

[sr71plt]

I think this just goes to the other extreme, although a large dose of it would bring balance the "nice comment is good comment folks."

Affirmation does help a writer develop. If that's all a writer gets--and it's fake affirmation--it doesn't help, of course. But a writer isn't going to develop with just constant criticism either--the writer is more likely just to give up without affirmation of what the writer is doing right--in the eyes of multiple readers.

 

[SydneyBlake]

I agree

Nice comments let an author know that, if nothing else, their work is appreciated. Not everybody is going to like your writing style or the topics you choose to write about. An author's objective shouldn't be to please everyone, but to find that niche of readers who like their work. And you won't know that you've found them unless they tell you.

Syd

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Making a comment on a story--either in the story file or on this board--doesn't, in itself, make the commenter an expert. In fact, most who comment aren't any more trained/experienced than the author of the story they are commenting on. Quite often they haven't even done as much erotica writing as the one they are commenting to or have any knowledge of the specific genre they are critiquing.

So, authors should go with just the comments that ring true to them. (And they won't always be right to do so even then.)

An author seeking useful comment here would be best served by reading stories of others writing the same themes they want to do--and, in the author's opinion, doing it very well--and going straight to these other authors to request a read and comment.

And all phonies rail like this against those who unmask them, I'm sure.

Last couple of contests you've pretended that you were entering something. And still, the latest "brilliant" "story" you've posted to Lit. was five years ago--an essay on bra sizes.

Let's see if you're all blow and no go. Let's see you demonstrate this writing expertise you like to pontificate to others on this board.

As long as when you are seriously seeking advice on anything that you really want to do well you check out the bonafides of those giving the advice as best you can and also apply the "does this sound realistic/sensible?" test to the advice.

The "advice" that first person, the most intimate voice, isn't appropriate for erotica, for instance, would be one of those "this is phony" flags flying that wouldn't pass the common sense sniff test.

One of the false axioms of the Internet is that everyone is equal here--brings equal knowledge to the table. That just isn't true. For chit chat, that's fine, but when you asking for help with something you really care about . . .

Sorry it hasn't worked for you. I have responded when approached directly (I'm pretty sure I've fully responded to every direct communication you've made to me, for instance). That's how I picked up my editor, my coauthor, and one of my publishers.

I think it's the quickest way to cut through all of the "is this a good match?/is this advice on this genre useful?" foreplay dancing.

Well, not all will respond, of course. They are writing themselves. When I'm pushing a deadline, I won't do it at that point either--and I'd be hardpressed to find the time to read a whole novel from a Lit. requrest for comment (although I won't just ignore the contact or say I'll do something that I don't do). I think the persistence issue is the right one. I shudder to think that I would have been too busy to carry through when my now coauthor contacted me to wonder if we could do something together. I would have lost out on a very rich partnership and creative writing experiences (and some revenue to boot).

I think this just goes to the other extreme, although a large dose of it would bring balance the "nice comment is good comment folks."

Affirmation does help a writer develop. If that's all a writer gets--and it's fake affirmation--it doesn't help, of course. But a writer isn't going to develop with just constant criticism either--the writer is more likely just to give up without affirmation of what the writer is doing right--in the eyes of multiple readers.

What a cesspit of arrogant, introverted egotism - sr, you should redden on reading this bullshit.

Sydney was spot-on, we mere mortals just want a simple thumbs up or down on creative fiction we haven't gone near for years. You poison the waters with your intellect and talent that is beyond the simple objective of the site. Why you bother to rail, insult and generally get bellicose with writers here defeats me.

First person POV is emotional, but most newbie erotica writers can't handle it so your advice is a load of muck and bullets. Your concept of first person is a zillion miles away from what is written here, which you have the contempt to never read, and you have no idea of the problems.

Making a comment here makes no-one an expert - even you - but it was, before you played the bully, a self-help group.

Read your comments above. They are so far removed with what goes on here that puts you on another planet.

Just relax and go with the flow. We are not experts, we just post or comment on erotic stories. Just rein in the intellectual arrogance and devote a tad of your knowledge to helping people without your immense knowledge of compound subjects.

BTW, Paco has gone, probably pissed off with you, and my contest entries sit on my PC. As you've never demeaned yourself to participate in a vulgar contest, I don't think you're in any position to throw stones.

 

[kinkypixie]

There are just rude people out there that spend all their time posting unnecessarily rude comments. I can understand a little criticism every now and then, but when it is obviously just someone attacking another it is so...I cant even think of the word to describe it. So many websites have gone downhill because of constant trolling, this being one of them.

 

[sr71plt]

BTW, Paco has gone, probably pissed off with you, and my contest entries sit on my PC. As you've never demeaned yourself to participate in a vulgar contest, I don't think you're in any position to throw stones.

I'd love to hear Paco's take on that.

Your "never demeaned yourself to participate" is a good exhibit of both your lying about me and your lack of research skills. I've entered a lot of contests here--usually with multiple entries. I have probably four or five times the contest entries at Literotica as you have stories posted to Literotica in total--and years more recent too.

What a screwball you are.