I might be commenting a bit more...

Everybody has to decide for themselves what their comment policy is going to be as long as it is within the rules of the site, but I’m a bit nervous about setting the standards too high. If you’re an ‘ordinary’ writer of fiction, you get feedback in two different ways: You get - if you’re lucky - serious criticism from professional literary critics, and in addition you get informal comments from ordinary readers that cross your path. In this Library, there is only one channel for feedback, the comment section, and for good reason the comments are a mixed lot - some can almost be considered serious criticism, while others are more like a slap on the back (or, on rare occasions, a punch in the face). I wouldn’t miss any of them; although the former may be more helpful, the latter are also a welcome boost. When I started writing spanking stories, I first got them published on a (Scandinavian) site with no comment or feedback facilities, and it took something like a year and a half before I got an indication that somebody had actually read one of the stories. Publishing there seemed a bit like throwing a stone into the water and watch the rings disappear. For this reason I tend to disagree with

It may be correct from an intellectual point of view, but I consider it just as important to keep the Library vibrant with activity. And believe me, when you haven't got a comment for a month or two, everything is welcome!

I know when I have something new hit the site, I may get a small flurry of comments, some good, some, well, not so good. I remember one story I wrote last year that someone gave a rather shall we say poor comment to saying it was mediocre, too short, pacing was wrong, just all matter of ills. I was surprised and heartened at how many read that comment, took exception to it and let them know that in their opinion the person in question was wrong. It was good to see that kind of support.

Something else that happens from time to tim is readers will happen on some older work, say from a few years ago, and comment on that. Now, that is always sweet, because we all know, frequently older stories that have been up for a few years are forgotten, never to see the light of day again.

One concern I do have with comments, is that there has been a growing number of occasions where comments I’ve made never show up. In other cases, comments are truncated and the full message is not posted. I don’t think I’ve ever published a negative comment, except maybe in jest, so I’m not sure why these were edited or rejected? Knowing how important comments are to the author, I would hate for any of these to be missed. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

I agree with Alef on the need to “keep the library vibrant with activity.” I like his description of the “Ripple” effect. It made think of the Grateful Dead song.

We all have the need to understand and be understood. And we're all vain to some degree. But I wish story comments were more like forum comments. Interactive.

Stevenr. I've been using “Lucky Dip” for older, forgotten stories.

Hotscot. I've made comments that never show up. Usually it's my own fault. Sometimes I've sent a message instead of commenting. Or I failed to complete the process.

I'm making more of an effort to comment. I’m rereading my reading list and favorites. Hopefully I'll think of something to say.

I'm trying to be careful when I make jests. Humor can be very subjective.

Just a brief remark: I have noticed that the system is allergic to certain characters; whenever I try a dash more ambitious than an ordinary hyphen, the message gets cut. It used to be the same with the special Scandinavian letters, but I haven't tried them for a while.

Hotscot, I haven't had comments disappear, but regularly my comments remain in "waiting for validation" status longer than the comments from other readers. As in, the comments of readers who commented more recently than I did on the same story seem to get validated before my comment. But my comments do eventually show up with the date on which I commented, so then they don't show up in the list of most recent story comments on the home page
Very strange, a little frustrating, but at least the author will get my comment eventually.

Good to know. I'll be sure to keep the text pure.


So, are the story validators also tasked with validating comments? That would explain why some comments are delayed.

I think I read a few years ago that comments are validated to make sure they aren't personal attacks on authors or otherwise unsuitable for publishing.

Makes sense. I've been on numerous forums where spam and nonsense take over the conversation. I hope the comments I make never fall into either of those categories.