Writers blocking comments and feedback

[sr71plt]

What I said was that not everyone wants to improve.

I will go (and have gone) beyond this and say that "improvement' is not a motivator at all for most of the writers posting stories to this free-read/write, "let's have lusty fun" story site nor is it in any way a requirement for posting here. Those who want writing help have forums (primarily this one) for asking for that help. Short of that, it's borish and arrogant to impose unsolicited vigilante "instruction" on a story writer here.

I think Sam and estragon sing an "interesting" but borish duet.

 

[PennLady]

I will go (and have gone) beyond this and say that "improvement' is not a motivator at all for most of the writers posting stories to this free-read/write, "let's have lusty fun" story site nor is it in any way a requirement for posting here. Those who want writing help have forums (primarily this one) for asking for that help. Short of that, it's borish and arrogant to impose unsolicited vigilante "instruction" on a story writer here.

I think Sam and estragon sing an "interesting" but borish duet.

I have to admit that Sam seems to be looking right past what I'm trying to say.

 

[sr71plt]

I have to admit that Sam seems to be looking right past what I'm trying to say.

Just as estragon is (probably purposely) looking right past what I have been trying to say.

 

[nakdsub]

You would think, sooner or later, they would learn

Once again, comments on my story have a very wide range, but that's pretty much the way I write. I always try to have an underlining theme that some get and some don't. Some get it, but don't like it. That's all good, I know all the comments are not going to be glowing accolades, but then there are the ones who simply like to call the author names. I have repeatedly warned those who do their comments will be deleted. Of course they continue their exercise in futility and I, of course, will continue to delete.

 

[PennLady]

Once again, comments on my story have a very wide range, but that's pretty much the way I write. I always try to have an underlining theme that some get and some don't. Some get it, but don't like it. That's all good, I know all the comments are not going to be glowing accolades, but then there are the ones who simply like to call the author names. I have repeatedly warned those who do their comments will be deleted. Of course they continue their exercise in futility and I, of course, will continue to delete.

I generally leave up all comments, but I have deleted a couple that were just personal attacks. Those aren't comments, they're attacks, and while I know others stepped up to defend me, that was just unwarranted.

 

[CarlusMagnus]

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.

OK, your stuff on this thread is extremely poor.

I'm never wrong about people.

A statement like this is wrong about people.

 

[Kojote]

I'm never wrong about people.

There were times when I said similar things. But I was up to prove it then. And you are not. So pack it...

Regarding the op:
Once I didn't comment much. Then I started to publish myself and that changed.
Coments are important to me and I give them the way I want to receive them. I always try to point out what I liked, disliked and how it would have been a better read for me.
If somebody doesn't want the kind of critical and detailed comment I tend to give (at least in german) they can tell me and I'll never bother them again. But I don't ask for permission before posting my opinion.

When someone disables comments that's fine with me.
Most of the time. Sometimes I'd love to give accolade and just can't...

What I personally dislike is a reaction like 'why did you read it, if you didn#t like it?'
I tell my opinion and if somebody enables comments s/he has to live with it. Even if it is critical.

 

[lovecraft68]

But not everyone here wants to improve[/I].

I agree, some people are just having fun doing what they do, and have no desire to take it to the next level.

Thing is to me, I would think it would still be fun to see the comments evben i n that case.

To me, when I see comments disabled 2 things come to mind.

1) maybe the author was being harassed to the point it wasn't worth it by one or more trolls.

2) maybe they literally cannot handle any form of criticism. We all know people like that in every day life.

Personally I want to improve and comments can be a good way to learn. But you have to be able to sort through them and determine what to take seriously or not.

Someone saying "stop writing you sick fuck" is nothing to learn from. One of my early stories had a two word comment "More Commas"

Simple to the point and I decided to go find an editor. Another useful comment I received was from someone who said one of my mother son stories is one of the top ten he ever read and could be number one except just before the son went to have sex with his mother she pushed him back and went down on him.

His claim was that broke momentum and not every scene needs oral to be hot. I took that comment seriously and it caused me to change the scene I had currently writing because I was doing it again.

It comes down to sticks and stones and some people are just too thin skinned for their own good.

 

[PennLady]

I agree, some people are just having fun doing what they do, and have no desire to take it to the next level.

Thing is to me, I would think it would still be fun to see the comments even in that case.

Yeah, I would too. But that's you and that's me and that doesn't mean that shutting off comments is "right" or "wrong." It's just an author's choice.

To me, when I see comments disabled 2 things come to mind.

1) maybe the author was being harassed to the point it wasn't worth it by one or more trolls.

2) maybe they literally cannot handle any form of criticism. We all know people like that in every day life.

I'd go along with 1), not so much with 2), although hey, you never know.

But it all comes down to the fact that turning off comments/feedback is the author's choice, and until that author tells us why they did it, any guessing is just guessing and means nothing.

 

[Sam231]

I leave the board for a day and already have about 3 trolls try to goad me. Not gonna happen.

 

[Dream59]

Sr71plt You and I have lived a pretty good life with lots of experiences. One of the things I have found, is that I learn much more in a discusson with someone I disagree with or who has a different opinion/belief, than someone that agrees with me. If you just listen to those of the same opinon then it turns into a circle jerk. I also have to disagree that few on here are qualified to give advice to writers. You do not have to graduate law school to know the law.

 

[sr71plt]

Sr71plt You and I have lived a pretty good life with lots of experiences. One of the things I have found, is that I learn much more in a discusson with someone I disagree with or who has a different opinion/belief, than someone that agrees with me. If you just listen to those of the same opinon then it turns into a circle jerk. I also have to disagree that few on here are qualified to give advice to writers. You do not have to graduate law school to know the law.

That wasn't the primary point of my objections. I hardly think I need to repeat them for the forty-eighth time.

 

[Dream59]

That wasn't the primary point of my objections. I hardly think I need to repeat them for the forty-eighth time.

Not at all.

 

[lovecraft68]

Sr71plt You and I have lived a pretty good life with lots of experiences. One of the things I have found, is that I learn much more in a discusson with someone I disagree with or who has a different opinion/belief, than someone that agrees with me. If you just listen to those of the same opinon then it turns into a circle jerk. I also have to disagree that few on here are qualified to give advice to writers. You do not have to graduate law school to know the law.

You may have lived a life with a lot of experience but the person you are speaking to is an absolute fraud. Don;t waste your words.

Pilot is also far to narcissistic and arrogant to learn anything from anyone.

And you are correct in saying that there are more than a few qualified to give advice. If you've been publishing her for awhile and have a general idea of how things work around here you are qualified to give advice to anyone who has a question that you feel you have the answer to.

 

[Dream59]

You may have lived a life with a lot of experience but the person you are speaking to is an absolute fraud. Don;t waste your words.

Pilot is also far to narcissistic and arrogant to learn anything from anyone.

And you are correct in saying that there are more than a few qualified to give advice. If you've been publishing her for awhile and have a general idea of how things work around here you are qualified to give advice to anyone who has a question that you feel you have the answer to.

I kinda got that hence my reply to him. My point is that stories or books are written to be read. That being said I have NO ability to write anything. But I am a voracious reader. I read as many as 4 books a week, that average 500 pages each. So I have no ability to write but I DO know what I like, and if a writer wants to be read it is always good to know what a reader likes to read. The 2 things that will put me off is that the guys all have monster cocks, and all the women are so turned on that they squirt. The percetage of each is so small that the chances of finding either is quite small.

 

[sr71plt]

I kinda got that hence my reply to him. My point is that stories or books are written to be read. That being said I have NO ability to write anything. But I am a voracious reader. I read as many as 4 books a week, that average 500 pages each. So I have no ability to write but I DO know what I like, and if a writer wants to be read it is always good to know what a reader likes to read. The 2 things that will put me off is that the guys all have monster cocks, and all the women are so turned on that they squirt. The percetage of each is so small that the chances of finding either is quite small.

So, you're swayed by the first personal attack one poster makes against another here? Interesting. I'm sure you're also checking the story files of each to see who has the experience here and who is trying to play catch up by pulling others down to his level.

 

[Dream59]

No actually I just think you are an arrogant prat. That has no bearing on wether I like your stories or his.

 

[sr71plt]

Fine. I think I can survive that.

 

[CarlusMagnus]

Fine. I think I can survive that.

More's the pity.

 

[estragon]

Just as estragon is (probably purposely) looking right past what I have been trying to say.

Hardly. If people don't want comments or feedback, they need simply disable the means this site provides for the giving thereof, and they will get none. If they don't take the trouble to do so, then they will get these, wanted or not.

You are free to say whatever you like, wherever you like, and I will do likewise. That's called free speech. Concomitant therewith is the right not to listen, or, as Justice Brandeis put it, "the right to be left alone". The interface between, or should I better say the ballet between, the First and Fourth Amendments to the United States Constitution provides an enlightening illustration. I can talk; you need not listen, and of course, vice versa.

Finally, this site is private property. The proprietors allow us free entry upon, and broad license to use, their property. For their largesse I am truly and humbly grateful. If writers do not want feedback or comments, the proprietors of this site have graciously provided this Bulletin Board where, to quote the proprietors, guests can "Post your feedback about Literotica stories you love or hate!".

I do, with thanks.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I like comments. Some people can just toss stuff out there, without wanting or needing a response, but I need a little reaction. I think that's why I never kept a diary or anything. However, if people don't want feedback, no problem. Not everyone is looking to be a writer, or improve their writing, or whatever.

i'm only here to pick up women.

 

[Spacefender]

I'm never wrong about people.

One of the dumbest statements I've read so far on the Lit boards. And this is the LIT boards we're talking about where dumb statements are a matter of course.

What part of "people don't need anyone's approval" do you not understand? You're going to judge people who disallow comments and feedback? Well, if they're blocking your ability to leave feedback that's a pretty good sign that they don't give a flying fuck about your judgement.

Even if you can't leave a public comment there is an option to send feedback by email or you can even PM the author if they haven't disables PMs. And if all else fails at the very least you can start a feedback thread in SF if the need to write your opinion about a story is truly that pressing.

Moral of the story: no one gives a crap if you find it offensive that some writers turn off the comments section to their stories.

 

[SimoneLisbon]

The other day I read 'Writer's block is when your imaginary friends stop talking to you.' It made me smile.

 

[patdown]

Some people write and like stories, a very few offer constructive criticism. But I've got no use for people who feel I care when they take the time to write something as astute as 'hey what are you GAY?' or' That was so stupid I stopped reading after two paragraphs' or 'that sucked.' or 'there's 20 minutes of my life I'll never get back'. You can't write slow enough or in all one syllable words for some people.

Somebody who offers their own take on how a story might be different is fine. But for the infantile remarks that some people take time out of their day to anonymously send to someone without the opportunity for me to see what kind of things they can write or respond, and tell them to fuck off. Who cares. Why they're too stupid to understand that I can't write something that suites everybody's tastes is beyond me but I also don't have to put up with them if I choose not to.

 

[cataleptik]

I've been reading stories here at literotica for a couple of months, and has of course found both stories I like and dislike. When I give feedback or comment on a story, I try to give my honest opinion of the story and point out changes and things I think will suit the story. We are all different, and sometimes the authors thoughts about a story doesn't match mine, or my thoughts doesn't match other readers and so on. I try to point out what I think is negative wihout being mean or rude, just point it out as criticism as my thoughts of improvement. We all have things to learn from each other even though we often has different opinions.

But today I read a story, and I wanted to give the author some feedback. But comments and feedback on the story was blocked, as well as the opportunity to send pm's and messages to the profile. I find that to be disrespectful towards the readers. How can you improve as a writer if you refuse to get feedback from your readers? Of course it's the authors story, and some people can't comment without getting rude. But you can remove anonymous comments, and of course you can choose not to read feedback you get if it doesn't suit you. But to refuse your readers the possibility to give feedback and comments goes against everything I think storywriting is about.


Edit: I wrote this comment late and wrote disrespectful. What I really meant was unfair.

not everyone can accept criticism, stranger. (Howdy! I'm Marq, editor and assistant director for Destructive Criticism Repertory Theater, Boulder Nomad and local Goody Two Shoes...I'll be fieldin' yer question!)

it's a writer's right to remain staid and constipated mentally.
if they're thinkin' their shit don't stank, Hell! let 'em hang on.

you, however, are another story. all i got to say to YOU is: if you think that lumpin' unsolicited attention (In German: "achtung") on strangers is gonna sharpen up YOUR electro-nib, there, stranger, well, we call that SPAM in moderation.

that being said, I accept criticism. ain't it up to th' individual?

i gotta story for ya. My ex-wife (as punk rock marriages go) told me before i kicked her the FUCK HELL OUT that she was gonna be a writer, but she couldn't stand to be criticized. Jersey doltroon. I wish that head had all the brains whut's still in that pussy, somewheres.


(lost in thought.)




oh, sorry! anyways, her cousin is Chelsea Handler!

So you see, yer right and yer wrong.

To be kinder, 'cause a lotta you New Yark innelectchewalls don't understand the Southwest and ahr stile -- why don't you just criticize people who WANT that? Could mean that you could become an editor (my mamma's doctor ain't no "doctrix," no one can criticize my feminism and get away with it.) because you have that goal in mine.

People HATE editors, even good ones.

Once again, welcome to Hollywood.

There ain't no way to win, but there ain't no escape! Want some heroin? You can have the rest of mine.
(Dies.)

(Bows.)


(REALLY dies.)