Observation on feedback

This site has a tremendous wealth of stories and authors. There literally is something for everyone. However, with all that talent available ......all free of charge.........I am frankly stunned by the lack of feedback that authors receive.

At first I thought it might just be me, and that perhaps my stories were not very popular (althoughI did receive two very nice comments from the same visitor), but as I scanned the other authors, I noticed the same trend. No one is really tallying up any real volume of commentary.

Does anyone have any idea as to why this is? I would think that a site that has authors as members would generate a greater community of feedback.....sort of like a colony of artists, all sharing opinions on one another's work. I can understand that readers might just visit a library to read what they can and then log off, but not other authors who would probably welcome feedback on their own work.

Keep in mind that when I say "feedback" I truly mean that in the sense of healthy critique and input rather than just "feedback = praise". Certainly things should be civil and kind, but we could all benefit from feedback from others who share our love of language so that we could all improve and even modify what we've written to make it better. Do other authors think that mere 'feelgood' remarks are silly and that "critique" would just hurt feelings and therefore it's safer and easier to post nothing?

Any thoughts on this?

It's a pretty common thing on most spanking story sites. I'm not sure why, I do understand why little beyond 'fantastic story' is offered, though. I've seen people offended when negative criticism is offered and I've also had people (not the writers mind you) take me to task when I've attempted to give some constructive criticism.
Seegee

Most of us here are not 'authors' in the professional sense. Writing is something we do for our own pleasure, and hopefully, the pleasure of others. While I would like to see more feedback, I feel that any criticism, no matter how helpfully intended, could lead to hurt feelings, and maybe put people off even trying to write.

Perhaps, if you see someone who could do with help in structuring a story, or even with basics such as punctuation or paragraphing, it might be kinder to try and contact him/her privately. I certainly would not like my own literary shortcomings pointed out on a public board.

Linda

There is almost too much here to take in; I doubt I will live long enough to read even a small part of these stories, and to comment, as well . . . but that having been said, positive comments are truly appreciated, and negative ones can be ignored.

Yes, it would be better to send the negatives in email, on a personal level, but how to do that? Many of us just don't want to reveal that much of themselves - based on prior experience with usenet and other groups which can break into flames, or worse. But it would be a good thing is there were some way for readers to alert others that they have seen something they really like and would recommend to others . . . is there a way to do this?

JS

Positive comments take only a moment to make - the facility is there at the end of each story. The 'Latest Comments' list shows on the home page, and I think people do look at it, and read the stories commented on. Perhaps on the basis that if someone thought it worthy of comment, then it might be worth reading!

Sending ctiticism privately is more of a problem, since as fas as I'm aware, the only means of private communication here is through pop-ups, and that only when the parties are actually on the site. How about a Forum where writers could ask for ideas or assistance? Then those who wanted to offer advice could do so without feeling they were pushing their noses in where they weren't wanted.

Just a thought.

Linda

It is true we certainly have very few comments, particularly when you look at the number of stories read per day (around 1800 - 3,000). In an attempt to try and get people to give more author feedback, we inserted a statement at the end of each story file which specifically asks people to make a comment of they have enjoyed the story. However, although the comments have increased a little, the quantity we get is still pretty low. I'm not sure what more we can do - we can't make people comment if they choose not to. (Though it might be fun trying)

The actual comments are moderated. This is to prevent any abuse as we obviously don't want someone rampaging around hurling insults. So once a library admin has approved the comments, they go live for everyone to see.

I personally wouldn't mind people being critical of my stories, assuming they do it with some civility - but I can appreciate feathers getting ruffled and feelings being hurt.

If our members would only use this forum more, there could be regular postings about stories which someone finds outstandingly good/interesting etc


flopsy

If authors wish to receive email feedback but don't wish to reveal themselves via a personal email account then it's easy enough to create a new email account purely for this purpose, there's no shortage of free web-based email account providers although personally I'd recommend Google Mail. Email links can be added to author pages, all you need to do is send us the email address you'd like to use and we'll add it.

There's currently no "recommend to a friend" type facility if that's what you were thinking of as the site is a members only site and this would only work if the person they were recommending something to was already a member.

It might be par for the course on usenet but flaming on here won't be tolerated and if someone doesn't like something they've read then I'd suggest moving on to find something they do like. Genuine constructive criticism is another matter.

There are some very intriguing and worthy ideas here. I like the idea of a forum thread...or perhaps just a list where authors can voluntarily add their names if they would appreciate critique. (I know I would add my name to such a list. I would also make a link available for my other stories which are a bit more BDSM than merely spanking. I am trying to examine mindsets in my stories moreso than tell a spanking tale, but I also realize that while some may appreciate that perspective, others could be bored by it.)

I doubt that anyone would be mean to anyone here, and if the posts are moderated there is little chance for offense. The presence of writers among writers lends rare potential for learning. It would be a shame to not tap this waiting resource.

(Linda, I read the story you recommended and would have to agree that it is a very good story. Perhaps because it is a story. Yes, spanking plays a major part in it, but it is first and foremost a story.)

Linda
BTW, if you like stories about couples grappling with the spanking quirk may I humbly request that you try a story of mine called "Sting, Parts 1&2"? It is F/M so it may not be you 'thing', but hopefully you might like the dialog and idea behind it.

Actually if a list such as kdpierre mentioned were available I'd put my name there, too. I like to receive feedback, although I write the stories purely and simply for my enjoyment and I hope that of others as well.
Seegee