Writers blocking comments and feedback

[sr71plt]

And, no. Lovecraft, you would attack me on the forum (as does Elfin) simply because I'm here--and am going to still be here when you are gone.

 

[lovecraft68]

It's ironic that I get dinged for being a snob on Literotica when so often, as here, I'm arguing for people to be left alone to enjoy using this free-write/read website as they please--and as the website gives them latitude to do.

That works for critiquing writers' works as well. I'm quite often on the side of the author against the demands of the vigilante (and, so often, self-proclaimed) critiquer.

No one has to take it to heart either. That is up to the author.

You write something.

I express an opinion of what I think. It is only my opinion

You can then choose whether or not there is any credence to my remark.

What is the dilemma?

In your case all positive remarks must be well informed qualified readers and all negative must be ill advised crack pots.

 

[lovecraft68]

And, no. Lovecraft, you would attack me on the forum (as does Elfin) simply because I'm here--and am going to still be here when you are gone.

Hate to break it you but I'm twenty plus years your junior. I'll stick around until you're gone just out of spite.

 

[Series 6]

I'm a big fan of the PM. Even a few friendships have developed.

That is part of the fun of writing on this site.

 

[sr71plt]

What is the dilemma?

The dilemma apparently is that you've already forgotten the topic of the thread. The OP calls turning PC comments on stories off as rude and some sort of unjustifiable action.

So, we're agreed then. If the author chooses to do that, it's quite all right and a signal that they aren't posting the story because they want to develop a professional writing career (or to feed a puff-up vigilante self-proclaimed erotica writing expert's need for attention).

 

[sr71plt]

As far as outlasting me here, Lovecraft, I write professionally and in a broad spectrum. I have no doubt you will wind down on your one-note samba--and get bored with teeing off on me here on the forum--a lot sooner than I stop writing and publishing and discussing the full range of erotica here. It isn't going to take twenty years. You're just dabbling here.

 

[GinaTina]

There's nothing wrong with being a snob. Or arrogant. I find that people who are, usually have good reason to be.

If I'm awesome (and, ohmygod, I AM) I'd shout it from the rooftops as well (and I do).


So, Mr. Lovecraft and Mr. Pilot, is it what it is and neither of you will likely change in the near future. Sooooooooooo.....why don't you two call a truce?

Not that I don't enjoy your endless back-and-forth though.

 

[sr71plt]

There's nothing wrong with being a snob. Or arrogant. I find that people who are, usually have good reason to be.

If I'm awesome (and, ohmygod, I AM) I'd shout it from the rooftops as well (and I do).


So, Mr. Lovecraft and Mr. Pilot, is it what it is and neither of you will likely change in the near future. Sooooooooooo.....why don't you two call a truce?

Not that I don't enjoy your endless back-and-forth though.

You apparently haven't noticed how many attacks from Lovecraft (and Elfin) I receive before responding in any way. "Back and forth" doesn't really describe it.

 

[GinaTina]

You apparently haven't noticed how many attacks from Lovecraft (and Elfin) I receive before responding in any way. "Back and forth" doesn't really describe it.

/pets/ I have. But it's ok. I like you. :3

 

[lovecraft68]

You apparently haven't noticed how many attacks from Lovecraft (and Elfin) I receive before responding in any way. "Back and forth" doesn't really describe it.

Oh poor you. You're breaking my fucking heart with your whining. You don't know what an attack is.

Stop being such a dink and people won't be rude in return.

 

[lovecraft68]

There's nothing wrong with being a snob. Or arrogant. I find that people who are, usually have good reason to be.

If I'm awesome (and, ohmygod, I AM) I'd shout it from the rooftops as well (and I do).


So, Mr. Lovecraft and Mr. Pilot, is it what it is and neither of you will likely change in the near future. Sooooooooooo.....why don't you two call a truce?

Not that I don't enjoy your endless back-and-forth though.

Truce? No fun there. If I leave him be he just jumps on in as well, but claims he is ever the victim.

Just like he was the class snitch in school he still tries to be here as well. Someone else always starts it.

You'd think an ex operative would be more thick skinned no?

 

[GinaTina]

Truce? No fun there. If I leave him be he just jumps on in as well, but claims he is ever the victim.

Just like he was the class snitch in school he still tries to be here as well. Someone else always starts it.

You'd think an ex operative would be more thick skinned no?

Thought I'd give it a shot.

 

[lovecraft68]

Thought I'd give it a shot.

Never hurts to try. Love your sig by the way. The first part. My kind of girl.

 

[estragon]

I believe there is also an "Ignore" function readily available on this site, whereby one can ignore posts from such persons as one may select. So one can disable voting, comments (both public and private), feedback, IMs, and even ignore all posts by persons one finds offensive, all of this offered by Laurel and Manu (bless you both!) at no extra charge. So if one writes purely for fun and is perfectly satisfied with one's glorious self, or even if one writes for oodles of money and has such a low self-image that one must denigrate anyone and everyone else, one can yell at any time "stop the world, I want to get off", and disable all communication and ignore all but the chosen few--or even them, too.

 

[Fraxo]

The OP calls turning PC comments on stories off as rude and some sort of unjustifiable action.

I wrote the comment late and it came out a bit wrong. I made a comment about my first post as soon as I discovered that. What I really meant was unfair, not rude. Sorry that it came out wrong and it might have sounded a bit harsh.

 

[PennLady]

I wrote the comment late and it came out a bit wrong. I made a comment about my first post as soon as I discovered that. What I really meant was unfair, not rude. Sorry that it came out wrong and it might have sounded a bit harsh.

I have to tell you, you're a bit off base here. The authors here do not owe you a method of contacting them, no do readers owe the authors anything. If someone doesn't want feedback, well, then they don't. This isn't a creative writing class. People don't have to receive feedback if they don't want it. So it's neither unfair, nor rude, although I can see where it might be frustrating for the reader.

But hey, if you want to send feedback, read something of mine and fire away.

 

[sr71plt]

This isn't a creative writing class. People don't have to receive feedback if they don't want it.

Bingo!

 

[Sam231]

What's the point in putting a story up to be read if you don't want it to be judged.
Like you say, this is a free website and tool for people sharing their creative work.
Since it's free, people should feel an obligation to post the very best stuff they can and part of being the best you can be is taking on other people's judgment.

Is there not the option to block individual critiquers who are either spamming, trolling or dribbling?
If there is THAT should always be sufficient and whole sale blocking should not be used.

 

[PennLady]

What's the point in putting a story up to be read if you don't want it to be judged.
Like you say, this is a free website and tool for people sharing their creative work.
Since it's free, people should feel an obligation to post the very best stuff they can and part of being the best you can be is taking on other people's judgment.

Is there not the option to block individual critiquers who are either spamming, trolling or dribbling?
If there is THAT should always be sufficient and whole sale blocking should not be used.

I'm sorry, but again, you're off base.

The point in putting a story up is whatever the author wants it to be. They may just want it out of their system. They may just want to know it's out there. I know, for myself, that I was never much of a diarist or journal-keeper because no one else would see it. Others may just want to know it's there and not keep any kind of score.

"Since it's free, people should feel an obligation to post the very best stuff they can"

No offense, but you have totally lost me with your logic here. Since when does free = obligation? No one's obligated to do anything here. To quote my earlier post, this is not a creative writing class. Not everyone here is looking to improve their writing, or story-telling ability, or anything else.

Speaking for myself, I try to put up well-written stories because I am competitive with myself, always have been, and can't stand to put up things that aren't as good as I can make them. However, not everyone feels that way, and that's fine. I think what it comes down to is not everyone is trying to be "the best they can be," and you shouldn't expect them to.

Sure, there are blocking options.

But if this is a free site, where do you get off making demands of me, as a writer, or any writer? If you want to send feedback, find authors who want it, or at least leave you a means to send it.

I'll say it again -- the writers do not owe you anything; nor do you owe the writers.

 

[Sam231]

Sounds like coward talk to me. If you guys are intent upon levying no condition or judgment on a work, you wouldn't have editors.
People clearly post stories on this website for them to be read and the writer should feel obligated to hear the opinions of those who bothered to read their work.
If someone wants to block all the comments, hey, that's their prerogative. They should just be aware of the fact that they're engaging in a pointless act, that they are cowards and are potentially posting poor content consistently.


I'd never take away that right from people, but I can judge them for indulging in it.

 

[PennLady]

Sounds like coward talk to me. If you guys are intent upon levying no condition or judgment on a work, you wouldn't have editors.
People clearly post stories on this website for them to be read and the writer should feel obligated to hear the opinions of those who bothered to read their work.
If some one wants to block all the comments, hey, that's their prerogative. They should just be aware of the fact that they're engaging in a pointless act, that they are cowards and are potentially posting poor content consistently.

I'd never take away that right from people, but I can judge them for indulging in it.

Okay, now you're being a wee bit ridiculous.

First, please don't tell me what I would or would not do, or why I do or don't write, or anything else. There's a huge range of people who write here for their own reasons. I do ask people to edit and beta read for me, and that is my choice. Plenty of others don't, and that's theirs.

People post their stories for them to be read, yes, but the rest of your statement does not follow. I am not obligated to hear anything. I like to, but that's different. Readers are not obligated to comment or send feedback, either, although I'm pleased when they do.

Until you put your stuff up, I'd be careful about calling anyone a coward. And what you're missing is that they MAY NOT CARE whether their stories are poor or not. You're projecting what you want onto others, and you will be wrong at least part of the time.

 

[Sam231]

Okay, now you're being a wee bit ridiculous.

First, please don't tell me what I would or would not do, or why I do or don't write, or anything else. There's a huge range of people who write here for their own reasons. I do ask people to edit and beta read for me, and that is my choice. Plenty of others don't, and that's theirs.

People post their stories for them to be read, yes, but the rest of your statement does not follow. I am not obligated to hear anything. I like to, but that's different. Readers are not obligated to comment or send feedback, either, although I'm pleased when they do.

Until you put your stuff up, I'd be careful about calling anyone a coward. And what you're missing is that they MAY NOT CARE whether their stories are poor or not. You're projecting what you want onto others, and you will be wrong at least part of the time.

If my stuff is rejected or considered poor, I'll take it on the chin and move on. I already know where a lot of criticism could come in from with my first experiment.
I believe that writers have an obligation to listen to what their readers say, you don't. I believe that every writer has the potential to improve with constructive criticism, you don't. That's ok, I understand where you're coming from.

I'm never wrong about people.

 

[MicKay]

Also Sam, some feedback falls outside of criticism and becomes more of a threat or public bashing. Like PL said, wait until you have some submissions - try Loving Wives for starters. I hear those folks are looking for some fresh meat.

Ah, if only we could identity the trolls...but the bastards keep hiding under bridges.

For the record, I think most of the folks responding to this thread are open to feedback.

 

[Sam231]

Also Sam, some feedback falls outside of criticism and becomes more of a threat or public bashing. Like PL said, wait until you have some submissions - try Loving Wives for starters. I hear those folks are looking for some fresh meat.

.

There are organized groups of trolls on this website?

 

[PennLady]

If my stuff is rejected or considered poor, I'll take it on the chin and move on. I already know where a lot of criticism could come in from with my first experiment.

I believe that writers have an obligation to listen to what their readers say, you don't. I believe that every writer has the potential to improve with constructive criticism, you don't. That's ok, I understand where you're coming from.

I'm never wrong about people.

Let me go backwards. According to your profile, you are between 18-22 -- just where did you get all this experience in your life, which is half the length of mine, so that you are "never wrong about people." Trust me, if you haven't been, you will be.

Writers who want to improve should listen to criticism, no question. But not everyone here wants to improve. That may be hard for you to wrap your mind around (it was for me, to a degree), but that's the truth.

And also, let me say (and I'm sorry for those of you who have heard this before from me) -- this is NOT a class in writing; this is NOT peer review. The readers who leave feedback are not necessarily 'qualified' to do so. Why should I listen to you, for example? (Or you to me?) You're just some random person on the internet -- why should your opinion matter to me? What makes you qualified to give me feedback?

I believe that every writer has the potential to improve with constructive criticism, you don't. That's ok, I understand where you're coming from.

I never said anything like this, so no, you do not understand where I'm coming from. What I said was that not everyone wants to improve. That's a completely different thing. I'd agree with your statement to some extent -- every writer on this site WHO WANTS TO BE A BETTER WRITER has the potential to improve with constructive criticism. What you seem to be missing is that not every writer on this site wants to improve.

As for if your stuff is rejected, it's likely that as long as it's decently written, adheres to standard punctuation and grammar rules, and doesn't break the rules (such as no underage sex, and no bestiality), you'll be fine. Many, if not most, rejections that people write about turn out to be system glitches that have nothing to do with content or anything else.

It's good if you can take it on the chin; writers who want to write and improve need a thick skin. If you'd like feedback from me, I'd be happy to provide it. If not, I'll be happy not to.

The problem here is that you are new to the site and you've come in making some pretty sweeping generalizations about those who provide the site's content.