Did I turn something off? I like the readers to comment about my stories whether it is good or bad. I like for my other readers to be able to read the comments and comment about it. I like to write for my enjoyment, but I like to know when I do things wrong and then try and fix them. This writing is a teaching experience for me, I am by far not a expert writer like some that do stories here. So I would like to allow comments on all my stories. Thanks Syd
Comments have to be deliberately enabled for each story, and that can only be done once they've 'gone live'.
AJ
Generally, the 'Story Comments' are for readers to discuss the story amongst themselves, not for them to offer advice to the author, although I, like several other authors, often respond to topics raised.
Most often, if someone wants to raise an issue (like a factual error in a story, or typos), they'll respond with a Personal Message, so only the author sees it.
Both need to be turned of for each story, though the 'Personal Messages' establish a default once set.
As for story comments, I have two recent stories in the same series, one got a TON of comments, the second started off well, but the comments soon ceased.
Sometimes, authors are merely left scratching their heads over why something falls flat. Does the lack of comment mean there's nothing to object to, or that the story failed to inspire and challenge readers, essentially, a snooze-fest? There are no easy answers to those questions.
Oddly, though, the first story got higher ratings on SOL, while the second story got higher ratings on FS, so clearly, much of my story issues are based on the desires of the people reading the story, rather than on the story themselves. I hope that provides some comfort that it's not always about the story.
What I think is funny is that my lowest rated story is both the most downloaded AND the one most added to premium authors libraries. It has also been out for only a week and has over 4,000 more downloads than my oldest story which has been out about 11 1/2 months longer.
What I think is funny is that my lowest rated story is both the most downloaded AND the one most added to premium authors libraries. It has also been out for only a week and has over 4,000 more downloads than my oldest story which has been out about 11 1/2 months longer.
That's not so uncommon. Stories that 'play it safe' rarely break new ground, and stories that provoke an emotional reaction also garner the most criticism. As Kingsley Amis said: "If you can't annoy somebody, there is little point in writing."
Out of my stories, the ones which have received the most criticism, are also my most popular, though the 'criticism' mostly comes from select quarters (primarily women who either dislike harem stories, or who are turned off by lesbian content). And as I've said, the one story of mine that many people couldn't finish, was the one that kept them coming back for the sequels.
Criticism gives you insights, but it doesn't determine success. If you ignore it, you stand to learn important lessons, but it's no indication of how popular a story is.
As Kingsley Amis said: "If you can't annoy somebody, there is little point in writing."
Which puts him squarely in the ranks of idiot bullies.
Many people, like me, write for entertainment or to be informative - none of which requires me to go out of my way to annoy someone like an enraged rioter or idiot out to cause harm just for the fun of it.
Which puts him squarely in the ranks of idiot bullies.
Many people, like me, write for entertainment or to be informative - none of which requires me to go out of my way to annoy someone like an enraged rioter or idiot out to cause harm just for the fun of it.
I was actually searching for another quote, and not finding it, went with the 'next best' option. The point I was trying to make, was that if your story doesn't annoy someone, then it's simply not exciting anyone either, as the two seem intricately linked together.
A story which receives no complaints isn't more successful, it's usually only more mediocre. (I'll post the alternate quote if I can find it.)