Comments

"Note to commenters:
Thank you for commenting on the stories you read. We are sure it is much appreciated by the authors, but if you are commenting, please do so meaningfully. Repeatedly saying only 'good story' or 'nice story' and nothing else every time you comment, isn't really helpful, and such comments are likely to be rejected. Thanks."

Most readers are not authors or critics themselves and it is difficult to respond with anything other than saying that you enjoyed the story. I hope that at least that is appreciated. Those among us who know how stories should be constructed can respond with meaningful criticism and advice. Sadly, the rest of us including myself do not have that ability. However, we enjoy reading and thats how the likes of WH Smith and Waterstones exist.

I do take the point and I will try to make my comments more meaningful in future.

Graham

As a author I and many others appreciate ANY effort made by readers to respond to the story. I think once a reader begins to comment, and they might start off with short responses that gradually might grow into something more comprehensive however if it does not, please be assured any response is better then no response.

Graham just by the paragraph above I would say you disprove the point about yourself and many others, if you can write the paragraph, your commenting will improve as you practice. Practice makes prefect the saying goes and all of us begin small and build up, do not worry about long comprehensive comments, they made come in the future, start small and let things build. As long as a reader shows effort and appreciation I know all the authors on site would really like it.

We all learn by reading the other comments in the comment section, sometimes rewording what we like in others comments or taking an opposing or supportive stance to a comment can work for some. Some think that every comment has to be unique, that is not possible except for very few on this site. Do what you can and like everything your commenting will grow, trust me, many authors started off saying little on the forum and now we can't shut them up...LOL.

How about saying that the author's descriptions were good?

Or that you identified with a particular character?

Or that the leading character got what he/she deserved?

Or that it made you laugh?

Or that it was sexy?

Or that you enjoyed the plot twist?

None of those take much effort or writing skill, and when added to "good job!" will be appreciated by the author, because it'll give feedback that he/she accomplished what he/she set out to do. CS makes another good suggestion - agree, or disagree, with a previous commenter.

Comments are always welcome and appreciated, even the negative ones. However the one response I find myself frequently making to commenters is (or words to that effect) "please remember it is a work of fiction, not fact."

I do agree with this. After all, it might be the author's first story and how delighted they will be to have any recognition at all.
I think what everyone's trying to say is that a detailed critique is NOT what is wanted, and that in commenting - as in writing - practice makes perfect!

While I always appreciate a detailed comment with feedback and critique, I don't expect one from every commenter - or even most commenters. A typical comment should just say what you liked about the story, or what struck you as memorable about the story, and maybe a suggestion or advice for how to make it even better in the future. Just two or three, short sentences can do the trick.

SNM is right on target. Just say what you liked. This isn't the New York Times Book Review.

Or say what you don't like. There are a couple of commentators who are getting good at spotting when I wrote a story - based off how I've improved my style over the years - and they will mention it when they see one I wrote years ago.

I enjoy getting feedback. Even if the comment is isn't "this was great" but something like "this has an underlying feel of darkness that's scary". The only way I can tell how people are reacting to what I write is if they let me know.

Goodgulf

I have only posted one comment so far, which I will admit I felt I had to, in order to use the board freely. I have no wish just to be a lurker and very much appreciate the efforts that people make to supply the content on the site and the fact they give so freely of their time deserves recognition and feedback, so that they are motivated to keep it up, gain some validation, or may benefit from advice/input/feedback etc. However, I think the wording on the comment box makes it a little intimidating for first time comments, especially as it is such a specific thing for so many people that it is hard to be glowing if one detail wrecked it on a personal level, yet it seems totally unreasonable to say it should not have been there, or my preference is.... given that so many others may well really enjoy it and someone put a great deal of effort into writing it. I feel that those instances are about me and my preferences, not due to the writer and I would never want to make someone feel that their own take is inappropriate or unwelcome.

Several times I have wanted to post when I have really liked something but have felt quite shy. If it were possible to simply say I liked a story, I would have commented many times, from almost the very beginning. However I felt warned off that by the advice to posters. I have wondered why can't people start with a "good job" or other such quick comment, so that they can overcome their initial reticence at commenting at all. I think many people "lurk" due to a lack of confidence and that the site could be a little more helpful with that, especially given that people may have had negative experiences posting in other places in which cliques reign and posting seems very daunting (spanking or otherwise). Or maybe it is just me, but in any case, I do really appreciate people making the effort.

I even write myself, but having been shy about posting, I wouldn't be waiting on me spurring into action if I were a reader. I just wanted to say that some people take a wee bit more time feeling confident about things than others, but encouragement is better than restriction for the most part.

Or perhaps that is just me again, remembering where I am, maybe the punishment thing is the most effective. I have now posted twice in a day, so hey, it worked

I think it's important to read the wording on the comment box carefully as it doesn't say you can't simply say "Good story":


I've highlighted a couple of words to show what it is we want to avoid which is someone simply saying "good story" or variations thereof every time. This is what happened in the past shortly after we introduced the requirement to comment once every 500 stories viewed in order to maintain unlimited daily viewing capability. I recall one person commenting "good story" and nothing else over 40 times in a row.

Also, picking up on the points raised by Ramus I don't think anyone expects readers to respond as if they were informed literary critics but if you read something you consider to be a good story rather than simply typing "good story" it's so much more interesting to both authors and other readers alike if you are able to say a little of what it was that you enjoyed about it, what made it a good story. Equally, if you read something which you enjoyed but which also contained elements which you didn't like then why not express that too.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your feelings with us and hopefully I've clarified what the wording on the comment box is intended to convey.