Reader feedback and sticking to your plans

[RoyalAuthor]

I knew this before writing here, but I've been finding a good deal of amusement in the comments and feedback I receive on my ongoing serial story. It's mostly a playful fantasy, but recently I injected some previously planned drama to keep the story interesting. On one hand, I have a bunch of regular readers who would prefer that it remain drama-free, and a bunch of other regular readers who have called for more drama and tension who are happy about the shift, and I'm sure they'll all flip again when it strays back in the other direction (spoiler: as already planned). They even argued in the comments on the last few chapters about the merits of cliffhangers.

All their opinions are valid, and both sides have merit, and I'm grateful that they all like the story enough to form opinions on it. It's been a nice reminder that we as writers should stick to our own vision and shouldn't try to pander to the loudest voices, because there are often contradictory thoughts even in the small subset of readers who comment. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I knew this before writing here, but I've been finding a good deal of amusement in the comments and feedback I receive on my ongoing serial story. It's mostly a playful fantasy, but recently I injected some previously planned drama to keep the story interesting. On one hand, I have a bunch of regular readers who would prefer that it remain drama-free, and a bunch of other regular readers who have called for more drama and tension who are happy about the shift, and I'm sure they'll all flip again when it strays back in the other direction (spoiler: as already planned). They even argued in the comments on the last few chapters about the merits of cliffhangers.

All their opinions are valid, and both sides have merit, and I'm grateful that they all like the story enough to form opinions on it. It's been a nice reminder that we as writers should stick to our own vision and shouldn't try to pander to the loudest voices, because there are often contradictory thoughts even in the small subset of readers who comment. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

I have on two occasions. The first time; The Emasculation of Henry Smith, complaints about Bonnie not having any justification for her actions led to a massive rewrite of te story. The second; Amber’s Ambush, was designed from the start to be driven by user feedback. Parts 2-4 were written completely based on suggestions from readers. I think we all probably use feedback to tweak our writing on future stories, but these are the only two times I can think of where user input had a direct impact on a story that it changed that story.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

Not quite the same, but - after reading through all 87,000 words of The Story of Nix - @THBGato made a comment on Part VI, which - though virtually all complimentary - took me to task about one aspect of what happened to a character.

It stuck with me and I determined that she was right. I just submitted a revised version of the whole text, mostly fixing a couple of things that I wasn’t 100% happy about (like why Nix couldn’t use the nutrient tanks of other gynoids) and addressing some errors (like using formaldehyde to preserve tissue DNA - oh Emily ). But THBG’s comment stuck with me and I ended up reworking the end to move at least half way to her suggestion; which frankly was tonally superior.

I think the opinion of an author I respect holds more weight than most comments.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Comments like that from readers here used to annoy the crap out of me when I published stories by chapter.

The stories were always complete, so suggestions on where the story should go, or what a character should do were moot points and I would frequently get additional comments from readers in later chapters saying that they should have waited. You think?

Just because a story is written serially and published in pieces doesn't mean that it isn't already carved in stone. Even months after a story has been completely published I would still see the occasional premature comment from a reader that was already addressed if they would have simply read on.

IMO, a definite advantage to not publishing by chapters. Publishing all the chapters as a single work provides for feedback on the complete work only.

 

[RoyalAuthor]

I think the opinion of an author I respect holds more weight than most comments.

I think this is very true, I've taken a few suggestions from authors that stuck with me and adjusted things going forward. My main plotline has been all mine and is planned at least half a dozen chapters out at any given time, with the ending already half-written, but I've left enough room to add things in future installments based on feedback.

 

[MrPixel]

I have but two or three instances of comments offering suggestions about story direction in a big series, and all were requesting more prominence of a particular character. I made minor adjustments to move this FC forward a little in subsequent episodes, but it didn't last long because most of the story is centered around our dashing MMC and his two favored FMCs in the polyamorous setting.

The funny part is the requested FC is modeled on my IRL wife in numerous ways. How could they possibly know?

 

[SimonDoom]

I knew this before writing here, but I've been finding a good deal of amusement in the comments and feedback I receive on my ongoing serial story. It's mostly a playful fantasy, but recently I injected some previously planned drama to keep the story interesting. On one hand, I have a bunch of regular readers who would prefer that it remain drama-free, and a bunch of other regular readers who have called for more drama and tension who are happy about the shift, and I'm sure they'll all flip again when it strays back in the other direction (spoiler: as already planned). They even argued in the comments on the last few chapters about the merits of cliffhangers.

All their opinions are valid, and both sides have merit, and I'm grateful that they all like the story enough to form opinions on it. It's been a nice reminder that we as writers should stick to our own vision and shouldn't try to pander to the loudest voices, because there are often contradictory thoughts even in the small subset of readers who comment. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

I haven't changed story plans, but I've written sequels in response to reader interest where I hadn't intended to write a sequel before.

The result was meh. I got some added attention for the sequel, but I didn't get that much satisfaction out of it. I think it's generally better to stick to your vision.

 

[RoyalAuthor]

Comments like that from readers here used to annoy the crap out of me when I published stories by chapter.

The stories were always complete, so suggestions on where the story should go, or what a character should do were moot points and I would frequently get additional comments from readers in later chapters saying that they should have waited. You think?

Just because a story is written serially and published in pieces doesn't mean that it isn't already carved in stone. Even months after a story has been completely published I would still see the occasional premature comment from a reader that was already addressed if they would have simply read on.

IMO, a definite advantage to not publishing by chapters. Publishing all the chapters as a single work provides for feedback on the complete work only.

I like writing as a serial, though for shorter stories I've planned I'm going to write them and release either as one story or in quick chapter succession after writing the whole thing.

I've been annoyed, but I also find it kind of funny when someone suggests something I've already thought of and incorporated. I've also had people tell me what my characters are feeling, which is kind of comically outrageous.

 

[Duleigh]

Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

I experience it all the time. I try to make my characters "people" that my readers will either love or hate as the story progresses. While I know where each character is going to end up by the end of the story, I may not have a set plan for their journey to that point. That allows me the freedom to indulge my readers on occasion. This is primarily true with the Stormwatch and the Alan Scarlett series. However on my Gods Save the Queen series, only my editor has a say in the progression of the characters. This series is 100% mine, and my readers respect that. The only thing they're angry about is that I don't make the map of the world I built available except in the epub version.

When the stories are published as novels, Gods Save the Queen is my best selling series.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I like writing as a serial, though for shorter stories I've planned I'm going to write them and release either as one story or in quick chapter succession after writing the whole thing.

I've been annoyed, but I also find it kind of funny when someone suggests something I've already thought of and incorporated. I've also had people tell me what my characters are feeling, which is kind of comically outrageous.

There is nothing wrong with writing serially. There are pros and cons to publishing that way. One of the most popular stories on this site is the Lady in Red by Harddaysknight. It was published in three parts over 65 chapters, and took over six years to complete.

I used to do it that way and had success when submitting the completed work all at the same time. One chapter would publish each day until the entire story was out.

My readers voiced their preference for single submissions, so I had my four chapter stories converted and now only publish whole stories as a single file, typically in the Novels/Novellas category. I find the feedback on the whole story more beneficial, but that is obviously influenced by the story being complete.

 

[millamomud]

I usually only start publishing once I'm finished, so no, no major changes on my side.

 

[SmilingLez]

I knew this before writing here, but I've been finding a good deal of amusement in the comments and feedback I receive on my ongoing serial story. It's mostly a playful fantasy, but recently I injected some previously planned drama to keep the story interesting. On one hand, I have a bunch of regular readers who would prefer that it remain drama-free, and a bunch of other regular readers who have called for more drama and tension who are happy about the shift, and I'm sure they'll all flip again when it strays back in the other direction (spoiler: as already planned). They even argued in the comments on the last few chapters about the merits of cliffhangers.

All their opinions are valid, and both sides have merit, and I'm grateful that they all like the story enough to form opinions on it. It's been a nice reminder that we as writers should stick to our own vision and shouldn't try to pander to the loudest voices, because there are often contradictory thoughts even in the small subset of readers who comment. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

I have gotten several comments on my flash fiction from readers wanting me to expand them. I'm choosing to follow my own drum and sticking to flash fiction. There's plenty of longer stories / novels for these folks to read. My own personal preference is coffee break reads which are micro fiction and flash fiction stories

 

[KittyOfSteele]

The allure of publishing a series is the element of surprise. As a reader, you don't know what's coming next, and you're just salivating to know when the new chapter drops. There is also a certain expectation that series are also being written as they go, and plenty authors have used a series to finish projects where they've found themselves stuck, not knowing where to go next on their novels, thus readers are more encouraged to give feedback, which creates a parasocial relationship with the author and the work, obviously. That only makes it more engaging.

That is why I'm very conflicted when people break their finished works to a series and each chapter gets released on a daily basis. I know they're trying to game the game, like, not everyone likes a series, not everyone reads full works, whatever the unwritten rules of Literotica are, and yadda yadda, I complained enough. The thing that conflicts me is that I understand the intention, and I understand them, but the problem is that you can't please everyone, and you can't control what other people say.

Again, your writing is valid, write whatever you want. If you want to publish your finished work as a series, I'm not going to stop you. You do you, and I'm chill with it.

I'm just explaining the allure of the series is exactly that: the illusion that the story is being written as it goes. And that's what happened to my series, and that's why I only succeeded at one of them: that's a type of pressure that I can't take, especially when I'm reading advice that the submissions that are being read are the ones that span 10K to 15K, yet the best examples of a serialized or episodic novels that I have in my shelf, which are Treasure Island, The Dain Curse, and Amadis of Gaul have chapters that go for less than 2K; hell, some chapters in Amadis of Gaul have less than 750 words! Chapter two has only 450 words; less than Lit's minimum! So, are series published chapter by chapter, or are named X Ch. Y but it's not chapter but a bundle of chapters, pulp style... it's something that eludes me. I did them chapter by chapter and had good success for what it's worth... People read less than 2 Lit pages, who knew?

But anyway, the bottom line is that you can't control the feedback. People are going to talk, no matter what, and they'll say whatever they want. The core here is to choose which comment to pay attention to. All feedback is welcomed, but not all feedback is appreciated. If that was the case, threads like the one with comments leaving you shaking your head would have a completely different tone.

As for me writing series... Well, I tried to pick it back up, but ultimately got discouraged by it. I tried to replicate my first success six times already, out of which half of them are still in my profile, and one never saw the light of day and can pretty much be considered lost media, yet I managed to finish that story... See, for a few of them I would've loved to have suggestions on where to steer the story, especially in one of them that got quite some traction, but got stuck because there was no plot, no character... Plus, there was this strange pressure for me to write, and it turned writing into more like a chore, and whatever that came up was actually crap. I do want to try again now to write a series on the go like I used to, but I don't see the point of it anymore, and I prefer to just release finished works as a whole here instead of dripping them down slowly. There's just enough problems on Lit through the publishing end (false AIs, submissions falling through the cracks, pending limbo, careless wording that triggers guideline violations) that I just can't be bothered with giving it a shot here, more so with the canon of 10K minimum per submission that, right now, I find it as annoying as a mosquito who wouldn't leave my ear alone when I'm trying to sleep. I barely get comments anyway.

 

[Djmac1031]

Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

When I wrote part one of The Jenna Arrangement, I didn't really have a road map going forward, just the idea that i wanted the stories to center mostly on Exhibitionist / Voyeur adventures between the main characters.

But I also wanted to develop their relationship as well.

Reader feedback was very positive on early chapters, with the only real devision between readers being that some wanted the budding romance to grow and bloom while others were more interested in keeping things focused on the EV stuff.

And I appreciated both points of view, and did my best to balance the two. To give readers both the EV adventures they craved while also letting the characters grow and develop as a couple.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Reader feedback was very positive on early chapters, with the only real devision between readers being that some wanted the budding romance to grow and bloom while others were more interested in keeping things focused on the EV stuff.

And one reader wanted them to fuck already

 

[Djmac1031]

And one reader wanted them to fuck already

Yeah and then you bailed on the series right after they did

 

[EmilyMiller]

Yeah and then you bailed on the series right after they did

I needed a cigarette

 

[Djmac1031]

I needed a cigarette

Edging will do that...

 

[Rob_Royale]

Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

Yes. Twice. One better, one worse.

 

[Bramblethorn]

All their opinions are valid, and both sides have merit, and I'm grateful that they all like the story enough to form opinions on it. It's been a nice reminder that we as writers should stick to our own vision and shouldn't try to pander to the loudest voices, because there are often contradictory thoughts even in the small subset of readers who comment. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

I had one reader begging "please no more puns" so I made a point of putting a pun in every chapter from there on.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I had one reader begging "please no more puns" so I made a point of putting a pun in every chapter from there on.

You and Piers Anthony...

 

[Bramblethorn]

You and Piers Anthony...

...okay THAT would've made me stop.

 

[WittyUserName]

I knew this before writing here, but I've been finding a good deal of amusement in the comments and feedback I receive on my ongoing serial story. It's mostly a playful fantasy, but recently I injected some previously planned drama to keep the story interesting. On one hand, I have a bunch of regular readers who would prefer that it remain drama-free, and a bunch of other regular readers who have called for more drama and tension who are happy about the shift, and I'm sure they'll all flip again when it strays back in the other direction (spoiler: as already planned). They even argued in the comments on the last few chapters about the merits of cliffhangers.

All their opinions are valid, and both sides have merit, and I'm grateful that they all like the story enough to form opinions on it. It's been a nice reminder that we as writers should stick to our own vision and shouldn't try to pander to the loudest voices, because there are often contradictory thoughts even in the small subset of readers who comment. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this? Has anybody ever decided their readers were right and changed story plans, for better or worse?

Yup. I didn't plan on having incest in my story, but people kept commenting about the two characters and saying they couldn't wait for it to finally happen. I felt obligated. And I still regret it.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Yup. I didn't plan on having incest in my story, but people kept commenting about the two characters and saying they couldn't wait for it to finally happen. I felt obligated. And I still regret it.

Same here, but it was already an incest story. I just wasn't planning to include the additional characters and I think I ended up screwing up the story.

 

[WittyUserName]

Same here, but it was already an incest story. I just wasn't planning to include the additional characters and I think I ended up screwing up the story.

Sorry to hear that Feedback and suggestions can be great, as long as you don't compromise your story.