A comment on a story - Author Etiquette

[TheAlphabetGirl]

So someone left a comment on my story and I would like to understand more about what they meant exactly before I start any editing!

I agree with their comments so this isn’t anything negative and I also know user name as it wasn’t anonymous.

But didn’t know if there was an etiquette around these things - as in take all feedback (good & bad) as constructive as they took the time to say something and just leave it at that?

 

[NotWise]

So someone left a comment on my story and I would like to understand more about what they meant exactly before I start any editing!

I agree with their comments so this isn’t anything negative and I also know user name as it wasn’t anonymous.

But didn’t know if there was an etiquette around these things - as in take all feedback (good & bad) as constructive as they took the time to say something and just leave it at that?

There's no established etiquette. Don't feel compelled to use or respond to comments in any way. Even if they provided a user name, you still don't know their qualifications, or their background, or their approach.

Generally, edits to your published story go through at the end of the queue and may take a long time to appear. By the time they do appear, the viewing rate will be low, and few readers will see the edited story. Your time is better spent on your next story.

If they pointed out something that you find embarrassing, or that makes the story hard to read, then fixing it could be worthwhile. Even if the viewing rate is low, the number of readers who will eventually see it could be fairly large.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Responding to comments by editing stories? That way lies madness! Even if you agree with them, move on. Write the next story better.
If you know their username then reach out out and contact them.

 

[SimonDoom]

There is no established etiquette. I would feel no duty to respond by editing a story.

 

[ElectricBlue]

But didn’t know if there was an etiquette around these things - as in take all feedback (good & bad) as constructive as they took the time to say something and just leave it at that?

There's no etiquette or obligation to respond to any comment, but to think of editing a story just because one person says so? Not something I'd do.

If you think their critique is valid, take it on board for the next story, but I wouldn't go changing the one they commented on.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

The etiquette in my opinion is one of writer prerogative.

For example, I have had comments from readers criticizing the use of pronouns. These comments are universally related to something that a character said in their dialogue, so I ignore the comments entirely. That's the way that my character speaks and I make not apologies for that.

On the other hand, I have seen stories where a main character's name changed in the middle of the story. If someone was to point out a mistake like that to me, I might submit an edit to correct it. It wouldn't change the story or the character, just clear up an inconsistency.

We don't always know how readers will perceive certain things that we write. If it is a clarity issue or something similar that you now feel that you want to address, by all means, do so. Future readers might appreciate it.

 

[Duil2]

As some of the others have said already, I'd only edit a story if what was pointed out to me would cause other readers to not be able to enjoy the story but you have to be prepared for the long wait to have the edited version published. You'll also be spending a lot of time editing rather than applying the lessons learned to a new story.
I might edit offline but not republish as a learning exercise. Perhaps to hone the particular writing skill the feedback might have raised as the problem. Generally, however, I'm grateful for the feedback and the way I show this is to try to improve the next time I write.

 

[Lifestyle66]

There's almost no point to editing a story here after it's been published.

First: Any effort you make will place the revised story at a very low priority for the reviewers to approve, since they've already spent time reviewing the old version.

Second: The site is looking for new "views" and those who previously viewed your story are unlikely to open the revised version if they didn't like the first one.

Third: You can't please EVERYONE with any one story, so there are those who might have liked the original version and would then post a contradictory negative comment on the new one.

The best approach is to take comments and criticism to either incorporate it or not into your NEXT new story.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

There's almost no point to editing a story here after it's been published.

First: Any effort you make will place the revised story at a very low priority for the reviewers to approve, since they've already spent time reviewing the old version.

Second: The site is looking for new "views" and those who previously viewed your story are unlikely to open the revised version if they didn't like the first one.

Third: You can't please EVERYONE with any one story, so there are those who might have liked the original version and would then post a contradictory negative comment on the new one.

The best approach is to take comments and criticism to either incorporate it or not into your NEXT new story.

I think it depends on the intent of the edit(s) and the benefit to future readers.

Examples I gave about correcting a significant inconsistency in a character's name or inserting a missed word that puts the particular sentence/paragraph into the intended context, things like that are fine to edit. There are also times when an edit to the story's title are beneficial due to a decision to continue the story and needing to establish the correct order for it and subsequent editions.

Rewrites are the things that are a waste of time and effort.

 

[IWroteThis]

First, as far as contacting the commenter for clarification, go to their profile and see if they allow instant feedback. If they do, you are free to contact them through that feature. It's then up to then whether or not they respond. Don't keep bugging them for a reply, and you should keep in mind they might not want to share their e-mail address, so you might need to allow anonymous instant feedback to get a reply.

As far as updating the current story with an edit, I did it once after the switch from classic to the current environment stopped HTML tags from applying to multiple paragraphs. It went smoothly but slowly. Still, I wouldn't recommend it for little things. There are little things I've noticed after publishing almost every story that bug me, but every time I see them, it motivates me to do better on the next one. So, as others have said, use little things as a learning experience and move on.

Now, if it's a major change, you could always rewrite the story and submit it as a new, alternate version. I've seen several authors do this when something really pulled the rating down. Depending on how much you change, you can leave the old one up or remove it. The benefits of this approach is that it gives the new version of the story the new story exposure (although you should be clear that it's a rewrite) and clears the ratings slate.

Rewrites are the things that are a waste of time and effort.

Only if the rewrite is as bad as the original.

It's actually the same philosophy as teachers having their students correct their tests after getting them back. Pointing out what is wrong is not as useful as reinforcing what is right.

 

[AStrangeDesire]

I've been contacted by authors that I've left feedback for, and it's been really nice.

I've also reached out to commenters in the past when there's been a particularly nice or interesting comment. So, I say go for it.

As far a re-writes, I've not done that and wouldn't. But I have addressed a couple of comments by posting a reply when I think it may help future readers understand why I made a particular decision, especially if it's a series.

 

[EmilyMiller]

So someone left a comment on my story and I would like to understand more about what they meant exactly before I start any editing!

I’ve edited stories when a reader has pointed out a glaring error or plot hole. Or when I really messed up formatting.

The only time I’ve changed the plot of a story in response to a reader comment was @THBGato on the ending of Nix. I realized she had a very valid point and I have a mildly revised version pending. Her suggestion was truer to the characters. Then she’s not just some random reader.

 

[Kasumi_Lee]

But didn’t know if there was an etiquette around these things - as in take all feedback (good & bad) as constructive as they took the time to say something and just leave it at that?

The idea that all feedback is constructive in some way is a nice attitude to take, and it seems like this was the case with the person who commented on your story, but in case you're tempted to think that this is always true, take a look at the comment sections of the stories in Loving Wives.

 

[SmilingLez]

So someone left a comment on my story and I would like to understand more about what they meant exactly before I start any editing!

I agree with their comments so this isn’t anything negative and I also know user name as it wasn’t anonymous.

But didn’t know if there was an etiquette around these things - as in take all feedback (good & bad) as constructive as they took the time to say something and just leave it at that?

Comments are opinions. For me, unless it is a glaring craft/construction error, I would not edit my story. If it isn't a subject matter comment, I would use the comment to make my next story better. YMMV

 

[Lifestyle66]

I think it depends on the intent of the edit(s) and the benefit to future readers.

Examples I gave about correcting a significant inconsistency in a character's name or inserting a missed word that puts the particular sentence/paragraph into the intended context, things like that are fine to edit. There are also times when an edit to the story's title are beneficial due to a decision to continue the story and needing to establish the correct order for it and subsequent editions.

Rewrites are the things that are a waste of time and effort.

I wrote two stories which I had intended to be standalone stories, before writing a third and fourth story during which I tied them all together. My "The Fucking Bitch" story was never intended to be anything more than one story. And "His Vixen" was the same.

But after writing "Going Down Together" as an afterthought to His Vixen, I then had the idea for "Cheated Wives Club" and assembled the earlier ones into my "Book Club" series.

I didn't change any of the titles. But I used the site's "series" capability to list them in the correct order under the Book Club group when someone views my page. So, you don't need to retitle stories to order them on your author's home page.

Note that in MY Works author's page they show up in alphabetical order. But if I use an anonymous browser to look for "Lifestyle66" works, I see them as others would, with that series and in order.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I wrote two stories which I had intended to be standalone stories, before writing a third and fourth story during which I tied them all together. My "The Fucking Bitch" story was never intended to be anything more than one story. And "His Vixen" was the same.

But after writing "Going Down Together" as an afterthought to His Vixen, I then had the idea for "Cheated Wives Club" and assembled the earlier ones into my "Book Club" series.

I didn't change any of the titles. But I used the site's "series" capability to list them in the correct order under the Book Club group when someone views my page. So, you don't need to retitle stories to order them on your author's home page.

Note that in MY Works author's page they show up in alphabetical order. But if I use an anonymous browser to look for "Lifestyle66" works, I see them as others would, with that series and oder.

As with writing a story, edits, or the need for them, are not a one sizes fits all proposition.

In the cases you illustrate, you were able to achieve your goals without edits. Good for you.

 

[anthrodisiac]

My rule for feedback is take what helps and ditch the rest. Not all feedback is created equal, nor is the intent always the same. There are many factors, but the most important one is "does this help your story?" Doesn't matter if the person has never written a thing or they're a Pulitzer Prize winner. If you look at the feedback and decide it's helpful, then consider it thoughtfully. After all, nobody knows your story better than you; your vision, your characters, they exist inside your head, and as such you're in the best position to determine what's useful and what isn't.

For something that's already published, the bar should be pretty high as to whether it's worth changing the story over. IMO, edits of published works should be reserved for errors, not enhancements.

As for etiquette, if you wanted to follow up with the person, your best chance is to reach out to them directly. Be polite, courteous, assume good intentions. Be willing to engage thoughtfully, not defensively. Worst they can do is say no (albeit in a very impolite way), but I know several people here have had good relationships built up with those who left comments (my best friendship here is based on that), so if you want to reach out, I see no reason not to. You can do that through direct email, using methods that have been mentioned, or a DM in the forums (though not everyone has a forum presence, so email is the most reliable method, though it has a chance to get dumped into spam).

 

[TheAlphabetGirl]

The idea that all feedback is constructive in some way is a nice attitude to take, and it seems like this was the case with the person who commented on your story, but in case you're tempted to think that this is always true, take a look at the comment sections of the stories in Loving Wives.

I’m too much of a softie for loving wives!!

 

[TheAlphabetGirl]

Wow - thanks for everyone’s feedback! The Forum rocks again with good advice

So I’ll look if I can say thanks via his profile as he really put thought into what he said.

I won’t change the story (phew the story moderators sigh lol). - nothing technically wrong with it, just for the 750 word competition first attempt. I can see words which just don’t add value and therefore a better ending than a cliff hanger could be accomplished

Again - thanks everyone!