How influential are comments?

[karina_jayde]

I've definitely never rewritten anything or changed course mid-series because of comments.

I have gotten some helpful feedback, to include readers mentioning my overuse of certain words ('smirk' in particular). I also had a reader comment on a recent series about how hot a double vaginal scene would be with a few characters. Those characters were going to all hook up anyway, but the comment did inspire me to take the threesome in that direction.

So comments may guide or inspire, but they never dictate or fully control what I write.

 

[happyyy_]

I’ve been here about 6 months now, so very much so still a newbie. I’m a post-as-you-write type, and I have found comments can be very insightful. I haven’t finished a series yet so no feedback on the endings, but I have gotten predictions and character-plot analyses so far. At first I found those kinds of comments a little intimidating, because I’m not used to people engaging deeply in my writing. But at the end of the day I have the plot planned, so it is fun to see people chat about what they expect and what they hope for. I am very greatful for reader engagement. And I am slowly growing that thicker skin everybody talks about haha.

As far as critical feedback goes I have gotten some off-lit feedback from a reader suggesting changes to the beginning of one of my stories. I think it’s because they didn’t see the chemistry between the main characters in their first interaction. I have ruminated on possible edits and I think if I do go back and edit I would tweak it/change the first scene some.

 

[Plathfan]

I’ve been here about 6 months now, so very much so still a newbie. I’m a post-as-you-write type, and I have found comments can be very insightful. I haven’t finished a series yet so no feedback on the endings, but I have gotten predictions and character-plot analyses so far. At first I found those kinds of comments a little intimidating, because I’m not used to people engaging deeply in my writing. But at the end of the day I have the plot planned, so it is fun to see people chat about what they expect and what they hope for. I am very greatful for reader engagement. And I am slowly growing that thicker skin everybody talks about haha.

As far as critical feedback goes I have gotten some off-lit feedback from a reader suggesting changes to the beginning of one of my stories. I think it’s because they didn’t see the chemistry between the main characters in their first interaction. I have ruminated on possible edits and I think if I do go back and edit I would tweak it/change the first scene some.

As social beings, we are bound to respond to feedback. No one can remain indifferent to flattery or disdain. If you try to please every reader, you'll end up revising your stories endlessly.

Your high scores reflect your skill, but also your drive to satisfy the majority.

There are very few whose opinions truly matter to me, but I’m aware that even they are human, and therefore biased. I take their feedback with a pinch of salt. Everyone has their own literary preferences, and that inevitably colors their critiques, no matter how objective they try to be.

I carefully review every suggestion but accept only those that resonate with me, primarily technical details such as contradictions, redundant or missing scenes, imbalanced descriptions, or rushed sections.

Suggestions to alter the skeleton of the work, such as changing character traits, roles, or perspective, are likely to be rejected. It's somewhat disrespectful to seek feedback before thoroughly considering the very core of the work.

My guiding principle is: "What serves the story best?" Before the reader, before the editor, even before me—the story always comes first. If not everyone likes it, so be it. There will always be those who do. I wouldn’t like myself otherwise.

 

[designatedvictim]

So, while I like the comments, and I have used good comments to help tweak the narrative a bit, I don't let them be too controlling. My most frequent commenter actually told me he liked the story better without the sex!

Wait...

You've been at this only three months and already have a 'frequent commenter'???

I'm jealous! -pouts-

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

Wait...

You've been at this only three months and already have a 'frequent commenter'???

I'm jealous! -pouts-

LOL, he spent most of his early posts hating on the main character, then telling me they were all spending too much time having sex, but I think I've won him over.