When an argument gets going in the comments of your story about a character or plot direction, what do authors prefer those of us with different opinions to do?
Simply state our opinion in the comments? Debate in the comments? Send an email to the author with our opinion privately? Or a combination or something completely different?
Simply state our opinion in the comments? Debate in the comments?
I prefer the former - I like to know what my readers are thinking and I like the story comments to be balanced.
Debate is not a good option because, as you frequently see in the forums, debating isn't about creating clarity but trying to prove you have a bigger metaphorical penis than other contributors.
AJ
Simply state our opinion in the comments? Debate in the comments? Send an email to the author with our opinion privately? Or a combination or something completely different?
I would say a combination of the first and third options above. I would rather get private feedback than a reader deciding to not give any feedback at all due to the tone of the argument.
Hostility, of any kind, only breeds further hostility on both sides. So that's a wise policy, as who needs to further escalate things by tossing gasoline onto an already raging burning bonfire?
who needs to further escalate things by tossing gasoline onto an already raging burning bonfire?
A TROLL
If it's an issue discussed in the comments, I think it's better to leave it there, but if it's a notation of a typo or a story inconsistency, or even something the author may never have considered before (say, from someone who was active during that period), then I simply PM the author, so they can do whatever they want with the information.
But overall, just like everywhere else, I doubt you're likely to find any consistent opinion among authors, as they/we each do our own things and have our own personal preferences.
Better yet, PM the author (if they've enabled it, of course, as many don't) and ask them what they think? As I'm pretty sure how I started handling reader/author comments as I do.
I prefer whatever the reader is comfortable with. Posting in the comments is fine, but so is a direct message to me. Sometimes posting in comments gets a discussion (and/or argument) going, which can be a good thing, but it's also optional.
Genuine suggestions, I've thanked the poster in public.
For suggestions that I completely change the tenor and/or direction of a story, I've PMed the author and told them off in private. You want a story written a certain way? Write it yourself...
That's always been my attitude/advice. Luckily, several do to that advice to heart, though sadly, the majority won't even consider the advice (to shut their pie-holes, that is). But, you can either ban comments all together or accept it for what it is. Some deal with frustration better than others do. Me, not so well in most cases! ;)
Yeah, I have absolutely no patience these days (I'm surprised, but grateful, my wife has put up with me for so long…)
I prefer to receive PMs from readers. Constructive Criticism, in particular pointing out Errors to be corrected. I don't have an Editor. I sometimes get a Proofreader, so I miss things self editing.
If readers are going to be confrontational with Each Other, I would prefer they PM each other, and Not do it in a Story Comments section.
Isn't the Forum the place for arguing with people you'll Never Meet in real life? (snark)
"Isn't the Forum the place for arguing with people you'll Never Meet in real life?"
Ah, but we do sniping so well!