Are comments back in fashion?

Thanks for pointing out the stats, TheEnglishMaster. I didn't know they were there and I have a nerdy liking for such things. I'm also pleased to see that when the top commenters list is extended to three, I've now just made it into the bottom of that list.

The trouble for me is that people have different opinions on just about every aspect of a story. What one person might find really good I might find a boring old drone. I find the number of comments a better gauge of how good a story is. Presumably, if a story is bad most people simply don't comment. Or am I just unlucky?

I suspect most readers who like the story do not comment.

Whilst it is always nice to receive compliments, I think most of us write for our own pleasure and if it brings pleasure to someone else that is great, whether they comment or not.

Maybe Brosse6. But if we only wrote for our own pleasure, would we share our stories with tens of thousands of strangers? I share my spanking thoughts and stories with an audience to receive comments, opinions from thoughtful and knowledgeable people and friends. Many readers' comments on my first story caused me to think newly about spanking and my particular tastes and inspired two sequels. Comments are valuable to authors. I view commenting on a story that I read as the price of admission to this free library for those that do not or cannot subscribe to it.

I remain,

The Spanking Agent

I like to leave a comment on every story that I read, I agree with SBW that my comment is a small price to pay to reward the author for his efforts. I will comment on what I liked and disliked about a story. I do have a particular dislike of hand punishments with cane and paddle, way too many small bones in the hand, none in the bum! I also dislike Parental intransigence and indications of abuse.

In my early years I would write a comment but omit to post it - stupid boy that I was!

Nowadays I am very much more selective in the stories I read, relying heavily on our excellent Validators to select stories that meet my preferences. I am also guilty, however, on occasion, of reading the comments already posted prior to engaging with the story. A heinous crime to some members!

samslipper

Is it a crime? I look at recent comments to see if any of them indicate a story I'd like to read.

I agree Katie, but I recall it being suggested that reading the comments first was like reading the last pages in a murder mystery before reading the story!

I agree it's confusing, but isn't it also part of the charm? I occasionally make a point of saying something positive about what others have criticized, just to make it clear that what may be too lame, too unrealistic or too brief for some is perfectly fine for others. Literary criticism is not a science and neither is the spanking fetish!

I tend to go for particular themes that I like, often around issues where someone desires or is inquisitive about a spanking and fate or planning earns them one. I also like stories that are within domestic parameters and are not excessive or unrealistic.