Replying to comments

[Just_Big]

I've been on Literotica for a few years as a reader, now I'm starting to write my own stories.

I've gotten a few comments on my stories and I'd like to be able to reply back directly to the people commenting. I can't seem to figure out if this is possible or not. (if not... it should be)

If this is possible, how do I do it?

 

[TheWritingGroup]

It's not possible. Comments tend to be one-way. Some of us (me, for one) ask people to start threads in this forum, or comment here, but almost no one does. You could send private feedback to non-anonymous commenters, but that's more intimate than a public reply to a public comment and seemingly very few people do that.

Hey, fellow authors: what do you think of requesting a new feature: every story automatically gets a comment thread in the Story Feedback forum, instead of the current comment system. You lose anonymous comments, of course.

 

[NotWise]

It's not possible. Comments tend to be one-way. Some of us (me, for one) ask people to start threads in this forum, or comment here, but almost no one does. You could send private feedback to non-anonymous commenters, but that's more intimate than a public reply to a public comment and seemingly very few people do that.

Hey, fellow authors: what do you think of requesting a new feature: every story automatically gets a comment thread in the Story Feedback forum, instead of the current comment system. You lose anonymous comments, of course.

You realize that would be 150+ new threads in the forum every day, right? The forum would be useless.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

You realize that would be 150+ new threads in the forum every day, right? The forum would be useless.

I agree.

I try to send a thank you and briefly reply directly to commenters who leave civil comments, whether I agree or not. It's not that hard and doesn't take that long. It's a little different if you're writing in Loving Wives or possibly a couple of other high response categories, but in the Loving Wives case, a lot of those may not be that civil in the first place.

 

[NotWise]

I agree.

I try to send a thank you and briefly reply directly to commenters who leave civil comments, whether I agree or not. It's not that hard and doesn't take that long. It's a little different if you're writing in Loving Wives or possibly a couple of other high response categories, but in the Loving Wives case, a lot of those may not be that civil in the first place.

Which takes us back to the OP.

If the comment is from a registered user, then you can try to respond to them directly. Follow the link from their user name to their profile page, and click on the envelope to reply directly to them.

I've never tried that. I understand that replies are rare.

For anonymous users, you can reply in the comments. I think some people return to their comment and will see your reply, but most don't.

I recall that threaded discussions in the comment section is one of the site's to-dos.

 

[IWroteThis]

It depends on the nature of the comment. If it's a question that I think others might have, I reply in the comments and send a copy through direct feedback (if possible). If my response is solely for them, I just use the direct feedback method.

 

[bumpercars]

I reply to everyone in the comments, and just say who I'm responding to as the opener of the comment. It's not as easy to follow as threaded comments but it works.

 

[latent_heat]

I reply to everyone in the comments, and just say who I'm responding to as the opener of the comment. It's not as easy to follow as threaded comments but it works.

I also reply in the comments, and try to identify which comment I am replying to (I think more than half of the comments on my stories are posted anonymously, so it's less of responding to a commenter so much as the specific comment.) I assume that those who wish to see responses will check back in on the story at some point, though I rarely have a 'back and forth' in the comments. Mostly, I think I reply so that future readers who have similar questions or thoughts can see my answers.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

You realize that would be 150+ new threads in the forum every day, right? The forum would be useless.

It actually isn't hard to ignore new threads in a forum ....

 

[IWroteThis]

It actually isn't hard to ignore new threads in a forum ....

True, but the real issue is finding the needles in the haystack, not ignoring the haystack that suddenly appeared.

 

[Djmac1031]

I generally only reply to comments if a reader had a question about something or gets something wrong I feel obligated to correct.

Ive also had readers point out mistakes, technical or plot points, and i gratefully acknowledge them bringing it to my attention.

I make sure to say thank you to readers at the end of every story and encourage them to leave comments or send feedback. As everyone else here will attest, the results of course vary.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Replying to comments​

Worked example:

 

[DanDraper]

You can only reply one way on the comments.

Most people usually begin @ username, so they know who it's directed to, and then you just see if they respond.

I did it today to reply to some comments on a recent story I published here.

Other then that, if you want a more direct conversation you just send them a DM on their user page and see if they respond.