To all writers recieving feedback...

[Lying Eyes]

Now that i'm finally editing a 4th story I'm somewhat in the position of worrying about not being able to reply for months yet again and not sure how to solve it other than an apology for not being able to check my mail, or to disable feedback.

I would put a note on your bio page and at the end of your next story, letting readers know you cant check email very often but still appreciate it.

 

[ferociouskittycat]

I don't agree that an author needs reply.

I always do, but that's me.

I don't do it so they respond with a thank you. I do it so they know I appreciated the efforts they went to in writing the story for our entertainment.

I'm doormouse, this is my alias. I always comment or send private feedback when I read a story I enjoy. Some people don't have public feedback turned on for a reason. For them, I respect their wishes and send them a polite thank you for the enjoyment I got from their words.

As a writer, I never expected the emails I have received, and have been overwhelmed by some of the comments. I naturally thank them, yet I don't expect the thanks in return.

If I did, I'd expect all of my stories to be HOT and monthly nominations.

I thank them because I want to.

 

[redice]

Well said…. valid feedback is an excellent tool, in which to gauge my work by. And to date I can say without a doubt I have answered each and everyone that was valid, of course those that were anonymous were summarily ignored.

Each comment no matter how small, whether it is loved or hated, is well received and cherished. To answer and say thank you is the least I could do for someone who has taken the time to comment on my work.

Of the anonymous…well…

The way I see it every ship has rats hiding in the bow. Or in our case those who don’t care to participate, but rather leach off the stories, and give a negative assault if the story didn’t fill their preferred perversion. My only comment is “To Bad.”

 

[Lying Eyes]

Another writer I know has a nice short sweet "thank you" form letter that she sends out to the ones that just say "great story." She does send it out individually rather than having ten or fifteen address in the "send to" box, but it 's a form letter. Any opinions? Is this okay, or totally disrepectful of your readership? I'm kind of thinking it's a bit disrespectful. If I sent someone a "great story" letter for two or three different stories, and got the same response to all three. I might be a little offended. I don't know for sure, but I might be.

I guess its okay if the feedback is a very short and simple but I would never do this, it seems so stuffy and distant using a form letter. I don't think its necessary anyway. Just how many writers recieve so much feedback that he/she has no time to type a simple reply?

I sometimes put alot of effort in trying to send helpful feedback and recieving a form letter would turn me off to that writer. In a way it shows my feedback wasn't cared for much so I figure I'm better off sending off feedback to someone who really wants it.

 

[R M Roxinger]

Originally posted by carsonshepherd
I politely replied to some feedback and answered a few questions the sender had; and this person apparently took it the wrong way, because this person e-mailed me like seven times in one night and wanted to meet me.

Some of the things this person said they would like to do (with me, or me to do to them) were quite unnerving and really kinda freaked me out. It's made me uneasy about answering feedback now. . . .

Thankfully, I've never been stalked, although some of the feedback I did receive was full of off-putting crude language, so naturally I ignored it. But you do bring up a good point. Most stalkings are based on false hopes of one or more of the following: dating, r'ships, marriage, sexual encounters. Thus, at a sex-related website like this one, one's risk of being stalked is high. That's why, when I gave FB to other authors, I usually didn't leave my e-mail address, but instead told them, I'm R M Roxinger & I too am an author at Lit, implying that if they wanted to answer the feedback, they could do so by finding my profile & clicking on my alias.

Someone else mentioned turning FB off entirely. Recently I did just that, since I so seldom get it anymore anyway. FB usually comes when stories are new, & I don't write (or even read) as much as I used to, so my visits here have gotten fewer & farther between. However, I left voting on for all my writings, so people can still vote.

In summary, I've turned feedback off for the following reasons:
1. Lack of feedback (use it or lose it)
2. Safety considerations
3. Dwindling interest in Lit

But to all who have ever left me FB (esp. constructive FB), thank you very much.

R M

 

[cloudy]

I guess its okay if the feedback is a very short and simple but I would never do this, it seems so stuffy and distant using a form letter. I don't think its necessary anyway. Just how many writers recieve so much feedback that he/she has no time to type a simple reply?

I sometimes put alot of effort in trying to send helpful feedback and recieving a form letter would turn me off to that writer. In a way it shows my feedback wasn't cared for much so I figure I'm better off sending off feedback to someone who really wants it.

I wanted to thank you, publicly, for the helpful feedback you've sent to me. You truly put a lot of thought and effort into it, and I appreciate it.

 

[Lying Eyes]

I wanted to thank you, publicly, for the helpful feedback you've sent to me. You truly put a lot of thought and effort into it, and I appreciate it.

cloudy! No need to publicly say thanks but your very welcome

I would wish you luck on your next chapter of the Atlantis series but with the talent you have you wont need any luck.