Not a Single Comment

[LAHomedog]

I rarely comment publicly on a story. When I want to comment I send a PM. But that's me.

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

I have 48 stories out there and 43 have a 'hot H' and the rest are pretty damned close.

I have a story with 150,000 views, 70 faves and only 3 comments.

Then there is a series of 11 chapters with the same amount of accumulated views and only 6 comments.

My latest story has got into double figures for comments at 32k views - first time for me. It also has 600+ ratings, 50% above any other story.

No idea how it all works and I don't sweat it anymore, but I did switch off anonymous comments ages ago as the majority were, in the main toxic.

We are but flotsam and jetsam on the sea of Lit readers. We think we deserve better, but what do we know? Every new
submission is prey to number of things - genre, time on the 'new' stories page, timing of release and the strange foibles and vagaries of this strange parallel universe we all inhabit.

Don't try to rationalise it - it's part of that effing weird life thing we all go through.

 

[sirhugs]

Finally got a comment. It was not anonymous, was positive.

 

[autoplot]

I've been talking to a friend who's said that comments and written feedback have been way down all over -- not just here but elsewhere on the internet. It may be that people are just stressed and strung out and don't feel much like giving written praise these days.

 

[sirhugs]

I've been talking to a friend who's said that comments and written feedback have been way down all over -- not just here but elsewhere on the internet. It may be that people are just stressed and strung out and don't feel much like giving written praise these days.

just when we need it most.

 

[SimonDoom]

Finally got a comment. It was not anonymous, was positive.

Excellent. Good to hear.

I published a story last October that still has only 2 comments, so this is pretty common. It was about Elf-Hobbit sex and I figured more than two people would be interested enough to say something, but I was wrong.

 

[tomlitilia]

To be brutally honest, "No tentacle monsters here, feel free to stroke" might be the worst story description I've ever seen. Most authors aim to attract readers by telling them what the story is about, not what it's not about

 

[sirhugs]

To be brutally honest, "No tentacle monsters here, feel free to stroke" might be the worst story description I've ever seen. Most authors aim to attract readers by telling them what the story is about, not what it's not about

the joke seems to have been too inside.

 

[Payne_Hall]

Excellent. Good to hear.

I published a story last October that still has only 2 comments, so this is pretty common. It was about Elf-Hobbit sex and I figured more than two people would be interested enough to say something, but I was wrong.

I’ve been thinking about this. I don’t know why. It’s just one of those things that’s made me think. It has a Zeppelin quote at the beginning and every geek I’ve ever met would lose their mind over that fact alone, right. This is why Zeppelin was so cool.

All I can come up with is that I think it was the pairing of hobbits and elves, maybe. It kind of seems like an awkward pairing. But then that started the thought, “Well, would it have been better if it was a Beren and Luthien Tinuviel story?” But I couldn’t claim that it would be because that’s awful niche.

So now, I don’t know.

 

[KeithD]

Or it could be that in most categories very few comment and in categories that a lot comment, many of the comments are about a broader ongoing discussion/argument more than they are about the specific story.

 

[nyc1975]

I have posted four stories (yes, hold your applause). Three Red H and a 4.36, almost 60k reads, 550 votes, and a whopping 5 comments. But one was from Chloe Tzang, so I have that going for me.

I am writing a story now that, if I post, will be in LW. I expect my comment count to go to a bazillion.

 

[tomlitilia]

I have posted four stories (yes, hold your applause). Three Red H and a 4.36, almost 60k reads, 550 votes, and a whopping 5 comments. But one was from Chloe Tzang, so I have that going for me.

I am writing a story now that, if I post, will be in LW. I expect my comment count to go to a bazillion.

Yes, LW-stories are a good way to get that type of attention. All of my stories receiving 20 or comments are about wives getting it on with someone other than her husband, one way or the other. The ones reaching > 100 comments were posted in LW. If I however sort my stories by rating, the LW stories stack up at the bottom, with only one breaking the red H line. Similar slutty wives themes stories posted in other categories tend to do OK with the score, IME. The point is, what you gain in comments by posting i LW, you have to be prepared to lose in the score.

 

[gordo12]

I'm puzzled why Funions, Onions, Bunions landed with a thud. It has a decent score - not great, but okay, but almost nobody read it, and zero comments, which is unusual for me.

I've read your stories before and liked them. So please don't be insulted by this. Nothing about the title or description of Funions made me want to read it! I think that the title/description is almost as important as the story itself. I've made the same mistake and had similar results as you.

My results say that a lot of the response is category, then story title and description. I don't think it's a matter of losing touch; sometimes, we make bad decisions. Or overate the interest in certain buzzwords.

 

[sirhugs]

I've read your stories before and liked them. So please don't be insulted by this. Nothing about the title or description of Funions made me want to read it! I think that the title/description is almost as important as the story itself. I've made the same mistake and had similar results as you.

My results say that a lot of the response is category, then story title and description. I don't think it's a matter of losing touch; sometimes, we make bad decisions. Or overate the interest in certain buzzwords.

Thanks.
your comments about title seem to be a consensus. It aimed to suggest "frothy fun" but seems to have missed the mark.

 

[PfcTr1x]

Definitely know the feeling. Last thing I wrote is so ridiculous and niche I feel like I'll be lucky if two people read it, let alone comment. It's still pending here but up elsewhere and one way or another it hasn't impressed (or offended) anyone enough for them to tell me.

Sometimes you just have to deal with it though, cause we write what we want to write. I'd rather get the idea out and have no one read it over spend weeks thinking about wanting to write it.

 

[nakedfool]

I had the opposite thing happen, my stories were a smorgasbord of hilarity, arguments, and insults. I had tears from laughing at them. Would do it again.

 

[PfcTr1x]

Still no comments for me but I did get this

 

[jarigi]

I am new to this site and erotic writing, but have read several stories here already and left comments on most, considering commenting on a story an important part of the site.
My three stories posted so far, have received good scores (4.36, 4.01, 4.64) and 10000 plus views but not one comment! Perhaps there is a lack of new readers, the 'veterans' being a bit jaded and 'over it' to post comments. How many of the long term writers here have posted a comment recently or when DID they last comment?

 

[ElectricBlue]

How many of the long term writers here have posted a comment recently or when DID they last comment?

I rarely read here, let alone comment. Although the last two stories I read, I left a comment; both in the last fortnight.

 

[sirhugs]

I am new to this site and erotic writing, but have read several stories here already and left comments on most, considering commenting on a story an important part of the site.
My three stories posted so far, have received good scores (4.36, 4.01, 4.64) and 10000 plus views but not one comment! Perhaps there is a lack of new readers, the 'veterans' being a bit jaded and 'over it' to post comments. How many of the long term writers here have posted a comment recently or when DID they last comment?

I comment regularly. My last comment before today was May 11, though, because I have not read much that entertained me, and I try only to give positive comments.

 

[lovecraft68]

I am new to this site and erotic writing, but have read several stories here already and left comments on most, considering commenting on a story an important part of the site.
My three stories posted so far, have received good scores (4.36, 4.01, 4.64) and 10000 plus views but not one comment! Perhaps there is a lack of new readers, the 'veterans' being a bit jaded and 'over it' to post comments. How many of the long term writers here have posted a comment recently or when DID they last comment?

I don't read much here, when I do its usually something someone asked feedback on that's short enough to be a quick read. Last one was maybe a little over a week ago, I voted, left a comment, and gave feedback on the forum.

 

[gordo12]

How many of the long term writers here have posted a comment recently or when DID they last comment?

24th, 25th, 2 on 26th, 27th, and three yesterday.

New authors tend to arrive here thinking their baby is the greatest thing ever. They can get very argumentative if you disagree with them. I tend to leave anon comments (nice) rather than get into an argument with them.

Also, authors commenting on other author's works can lead to one bombing. Or a tour through looking for all YOUR errors. Somebody pointed that out yesterday on another thread.

Categories like Loving Wives can attract trolls if you support a story you consider underrated. Anon comments help to keep them at bay.

I also should point out that, like others, I don't read much here anymore.

 

[SimonDoom]

I read fewer Literotica stories than I used to, but I try to make a point of reading at least a few every month, and if I like the story I will usually comment. My last comment was on May 23. I left a comment on a story I quite liked earlier in May. My tendency is to praise what I like about the story and sometimes to offer a criticism of something that I hope comes across as constructive and helpful. For instance, I commented on how a British author writing a story (which I liked) about Americans used some phrases in dialogue that an American would not use.

 

[yowser]

How many of the long term writers here have posted a comment recently or when DID they last comment?

The signal-to-noise ratio is quite lopsided here, not a surprise as it is an 'amateur' writing site, and there is a pervasive sense that since sex is so basic, anyone (even me!) should be able to write about it with clarity, passion, and verve. But most of what is here is neither very well crafted or imagined, there are more 'porn scripts' than real stories.

To answer your question, I have done four comments this week, three the week before. I think it valuable to encourage good ideas and execution, especially with new authors. I won't comment unless either the story is so good it deserves a 'thumbs-up' or there is something I notice that might help a writer make a better story. I have not found a way to comment on truly awful pieces (and don't vote on them either.)

It is a delicate balance, the writers I know who talk about providing criticism usually say (unless they know the recipient has unusually thick skin) that the best feedback is a 'praise sandwich' - you start with a positive, then gently point out flaws or misguided aspects of the work, and end with noticing something else worthy.

 

[Comentarista82]

I'm puzzled why Funions, Onions, Bunions landed with a thud. It has a decent score - not great, but okay, but almost nobody read it, and zero comments, which is unusual for me.

This story I wrote in one morning, as a "palate cleanser" after the controversy stirred up by my Loving Wives entry Not Another Loving Wives Tale! Now THAT one got comments. More than any other story I've posted. I thought a short simple stroker would find a decent audience.

If curious, some of the process is documented in my Story Ideas thread, A Side Piece.


Now I'm wondering if I need a palate cleanser from my palate cleanser or if I'm just losing my touch.

Funions is in Erotic Couplings.

I tell you what: I'll check your stories out. It's rare when I don't comment; however, I only comment on stories I know about, from people I already follow and I've enjoyed most (if not all) of their content. Fact is there are still lots of stories put out here, so unless one just happens to come to my attention, I'll undoubtedly miss many. I would also think it reasonable to assume not every reader is going to check out every kind of story available, as I'll check out sci-fi, romance, erotic couplings, interracial romance, maybe a loving wives tale (if it's an author I know and/or like), but that's about it. When I checked yesterday, I think there was something like 898 new stories added within the last week, so that's a LOT of things to peruse even if someone has the time. Some of it may also be that some don't frequent the forum as often, to see posts like this. About the only time I check out the greatest amount of stories is usually during when there's the yearly award contest.

I'd just chalk it up to the fact that "society" is now mainly concerned with the instant push-button gratification or what's most convenient; those are the biggest issues, so real feedback isn't so plentiful anymore.