Why I comment on stories

[Stimtheone]

I tend to rarely comment, and only when something has deeply impressed me.

Still, I think a much more elaborate message beats a rating.

Now I'm on the other side, wondering why no one commented on my works.

 

[NikkiSparrow]

I also leave 5-star ratings or none at all. While I agree that if everyone did this the system would be useless, that's not the reality. I think there are enough people 1-bombing in every category, or just leaving 1s to be jerks, that my 5-star is a tiny corrective to this negative influence. I also try to leave supportive feedback when I comment. Good writing should be supported and encouraged--I know it makes my day to get a nice comment on a story, particularly one showing some substantive thought beyond "great story, thanks".

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

I tend to rarely comment, and only when something has deeply impressed me.

Still, I think a much more elaborate message beats a rating.

Now I'm on the other side, wondering why no one commented on my works.

That's because every reader is actually you.

 

[Initiate_me]

Thank you to everyone who comments on stories. Despite "thousands" of views (I'm very suspicious of these figures, I suspect many, many bots), I only see a handful of comments. But I appreciate them massively. Honestly without comments I wouldn't bother publishing stories here. Not because I need praise, I'm glad to see criticism and general thoughts too. I just want to see what people thought of the story.

And I agree with AwkwardlySet - the rating system probably doesn't help any of us very much.

 

[PastMaster]

I understand why some say that they wouldnt leave a negative comment, but I guess it depends on how you define negative comments. Constructive criticism can be useful to help, particularly a newer author, learn their craft - I certainly have benefitted and learned from some of the feedback left on my stories.

Trolls - of course are idiots.
and Whackdoodle, i delete anything that jerk posts without even reading it.

 

[Djmac1031]

I think the reason I like to comment on stories now is simple: I like when people comment on mine.

I'm sure most of us do; why else would the "Comments That Make Your Day" thread exist and thrive?

"And in the end,
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make."

If you love a story, or even just like it, why NOT tell the the writer?

Unlike professionals, comments and compliments are our only form of payment here.

Give them. Hopefully, you'll get them.

 

[oneagainst]

I will often comment if I see a story I like being ripped apart in the comment section and I wish to counterbalance the negativity/offer some support, though this thread has made me reflect on the value of commenting just because. I'll bear it in mind. I know I certainly like to receive comments, after all.

Exactly that. I get some awful comments, but I'm honour-bound to not delete them because that's whitewashing, right? Invariably, someone jumps on after to take the commenter to task and deliver the opposing view. You have to commit to let the comments fall as they are.

Re stars and comments, I'll take a comment over a star rating every time. Love Is The Last spent ages languishing in the high 3's but those comments bloody made my week.

 

[SomaSlave]

I provide a comment when I really enjoyed a story and tell the write why I enjoyed it. In particular, if there was a certain line or bit of character development that caught my eye, I let them know. I also like to encourage new writers to continue writing; occasionally, I'll point out something they could tighten up, though, if it's a significant correction, I'll send it in a PM. I've got to know some really nice people that way, and they've made me a better writer by their own contributions.

One of my bigger frustrations is the relative lack of comments for my stories. When I write, I try to include something thought provoking or memorable (especially last lines). Reading a comment that notices that, or compliments me on some particular aspect of the story, does my heart good. While I'm not an attention whore (much), it does give me a certain amount of egoboo to know others are picking up on what I'm trying to do.

Of course, it could simply be that I'm deluding myself about the quality of my writing...

Question for the rest of you: I've resisted actively soliciting comments at the beginning/end of my stories. Does it actually help get more comments?

 

[SimonDoom]

I try to follow a "Golden Rule" concept of commenting: comment to others as you would want others to comment to you. But I may be quirky, because I don't mind getting negative criticism, as long as it's not just to tell me that they hate the subject matter. I like getting criticism of grammatical errors because I don't want to make any. So I may be more inclined to give some kinds of criticism in my comments that some don't want to receive. I will usually try to say something positive before I offer criticism.

 

[Djmac1031]

like getting criticism of grammatical errors because I don't want to make any.

I agree, but to a point.

If it's an obviously new author, or one who simply doesn't have a great degree of writing skills (I blame our education system, not the people), the last thing I want to is come off as some Grammar Nazi, nitpicking a turn of phrase or writing a breakdown of every mistake in spelling or punctuation.

Especially when I'm sure I've made many of those same mistakes early on, and, being honest, probably still do from time to time.

If I critique it at all, I try and be kind. There's already way too much meaness on the internet, people who go out of their way to criticize anything and everything.

If I have legitimate praise, I offer it. If I have a critique, I offer it as humbly and gently as I can.

If I have nothing nice to say, I won't comment.

 

[CiaoSteve]

I do comment from time to time, but very rarely on grammar as I know my first story was actually rejected for incorrect grammar around speech. What I tend to comment on more is...

... the way a story flows, whether it is plausible, enjoyable, and keeps the reader engaged
... the speed of the story (there is an author I really get on well with but sometimes the writing is like a 33.33 played at 45 for those who remember vinyl)
... the amount of emotion in the writing
... the fact I wished I'd thought of that storyline first

Always it is with encouragement, and never to beat somebody up for doing their best. As I tell myself from time to time... if you've got nothing good to say, then better don't say anything.

I will vote, usually 4 or 5, never lower... and the choice of 4 or 5 may indicate the level of grammar, but more often than not it is the response to the points above that I may have commented on. I wouldn't mention my vote in a comment, unless it was truly outstanding.

 

[SomaSlave]

If it's an obviously new author, or one who simply doesn't have a great degree of writing skills (I blame our education system, not the people), the last thing I want to is come off as some Grammar Nazi, nitpicking a turn of phrase or writing a breakdown of every mistake in spelling or punctuation.

While I don't want to discourage victims of our educational system, if the story is good but riddled with grammatical or spelling errors, I'll gently point out some of the more egregious ones and suggest fixing them will make the story flow better. I suppose I'm a curmudgeon: those types of errors will ruin my reading experience. I'm a compulsive editor (blame my schooling); I can't turn it off.

The bigger grating point for me when reading a story is what I call continuity errors: changing tense in the middle of a story (or even a paragraph), changing the POV from s/he to I, and factual errors in cultural reference. Generally, those can be caught by a second reading, or by having someone else read through it prior to publication.

 

[SimonDoom]

I agree, but to a point.

If it's an obviously new author, or one who simply doesn't have a great degree of writing skills (I blame our education system, not the people), the last thing I want to is come off as some Grammar Nazi, nitpicking a turn of phrase or writing a breakdown of every mistake in spelling or punctuation.

Especially when I'm sure I've made many of those same mistakes early on, and, being honest, probably still do from time to time.

If I critique it at all, I try and be kind. There's already way too much meaness on the internet, people who go out of their way to criticize anything and everything.

If I have legitimate praise, I offer it. If I have a critique, I offer it as humbly and gently as I can.

If I have nothing nice to say, I won't comment.

"Don't be an A-hole" is a good rule of thumb in almost every situation, including giving comments, and I try to keep that in mind. If I make a criticism, I try to make it constructive.

Some people really do not take criticism well, so it can be hard to gauge sometimes how to say things. But in the case of story feedback, I don't believe in the idea "if you have nothing positive to say, say nothing" because many authors, myself included, DO want constructive criticism. It's always a judgment call.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I agree, but to a point.

If it's an obviously new author, or one who simply doesn't have a great degree of writing skills (I blame our education system, not the people), the last thing I want to is come off as some Grammar Nazi, nitpicking a turn of phrase or writing a breakdown of every mistake in spelling or punctuation.

Especially when I'm sure I've made many of those same mistakes early on, and, being honest, probably still do from time to time.

If I critique it at all, I try and be kind. There's already way too much meaness on the internet, people who go out of their way to criticize anything and everything.

If I have legitimate praise, I offer it. If I have a critique, I offer it as humbly and gently as I can.

If I have nothing nice to say, I won't comment

Only rarely have I ever commented on anything that sticks out in a new writer's story. Normally I just give them a little encouragement to keep writing.

The one time I did mention that they might want to use a few contractions to make the dialogue sound more natural, like people really speak, the writer sent me a DM asking me to become his editor.
I did help him out, but I don't point out anything specific anymore.

 

[yowser]

For many of us writing is an intensely personal endeavor, and that makes the business of commentary often a fraught affair.

Intelligent comments, both positive and negative, are wonderful, and represent one of the better parts of Literotica to its tribe of creators, since such communications can represent several potentials: recognition of the work involved, praise for some aspect of the tale that was well done, suggestions for improved wording/plot/character development - all of this adds to writerly efforts. One might think that this would be a marvelous tool and feedback loop for readers to spur on their story stallions.

Unfortunately many comments are from the knee-jerk crowd, and while they involve a bit more effort than picking a handful of stars at the end of a story for voting, they often are more telling of the reader's preferences and expectations than a gauge of the work presented. I value comments that go beyond a quick reaction, even slightly.

It is easy to say 'thick skin required' (which is indeed an indispensable quality if one is to continue) but a written piece generally involves putting oneself out there, your writing as an extension of yourself, all your laundry out on the line, and getting trashed without any useful analysis is rarely pleasant or encouraging.

I am mindful of writers' sensibilities and tend not to provide any criticism unless I know the author welcomes such. But I am always happy to acknowledge something good and/or promising.