I like the idea of comments from readers at the end of a story. It gives me an insight into what they may be thinking - particularly if those comments come as the story is being posted.
But not all comments are going to be positive. I accept that. Think everyone does. But if the replies to a comment by "christianjordan" on Eternally & Evermore are anything to go by, it seems that some people make a habit of posting negative comments on a story. This is always going to happen on open forums. You see it all the time on Twitter & Facebook etc.
But I thought I'd take Mr Jordan's comments in good faith and respond to them as such anyway. Below is his comment and my reply. i feel I can post it here because both the comment and my reply are already public.
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@christianjordan: So why do I give a shit about any of these characters? A run of the mill lawyer and essentially a gold digger? This entire novel seems like a exposition on the lives of very ordinary people with few if any redeeming qualities and for no apparent reason we're supposed to care about?
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Christian, thank you for your comment, which appears to have come after Chapter 20, which represents the end of "Part II" of the story.
Let me address each point you make.
"So why do I give a shit about any of these characters?"
That was kind of the whole point of "Part I". Giving you their history together as youths who seemed destined to be together, was meant to make you care about why they didn't end up together. If it didn't, then I have failed you.
"A run of the mill lawyer and essentially a gold digger?"
Run of the Mill is harsh. The early chapters of "Part II" establish Will as one of the most respected Lawyers for the Elderly in hie region - that's hardly run of the mill
As for Amy being a Gold Digger, I'd genuinely like to know what gives you that impression of her. Genuinely Interested. At this point of the story, I don't think we've seen enough of Amy as an adult to for that opinion - or indeed, form any opinion of her.
"This entire novel seems like a exposition on the lives of very ordinary people with few if any redeeming qualities and for no apparent reason we're supposed to care about?"
Aren't all novels essentially just a slice of people's lives? And, in all honesty, I think the best ones are about "ordinary" people, because these are the ones most people are able to relate to, because most people are "ordinary". As for not caring about them, well, that was what "Part 1" was supposed to do. If it didn't, then I suspect that say more about you than the book.
Again, thank you for your comment. It made me think.