Printer-friendly versionThere are a lot of authors that really love comments on their stories. And, I'm one of those. These comments can be good or bad, as long as the bad ones are constructive, and don't go overboard. I do see some comments on stories here on Stardust, but there should be more. Authors learn from these comments, and have been a driving force on my Salt & Pepper story.
Teddie
I have to agree
I'm also upset at the lack of comments on the stories here. Yes, there are a few on some stories but not as many as there could or should be. I agree with Teddy that there needs to be more and urge each and every reader to submit a comment on the stories you read here. Its all the pay authors that post here get.
You don't need to be registered to leave a comment so please take a moment to give some much needed feedback to the authors.
Bob Arnold
Two stage comment system
Bob, I wonder how many people are put off by the two-stage system you have in place for making comments, as opposed to the single click and submit system on BC. I'm sure it makes some people rethink their first impulse after reading a story they don't like, but I wonder if it also affects the people who would otherwise post positive comments.
Just a thought.
Karen J.
Comments on Stardust
The "two stage" system I use is that way to discourage spammers and their "bots" from trying to enter endless amounts of spam in the system. I'm sorry if users seem reluctant to click on the "add comment" link but there isn't another easy way to block the spammers. Get rid of all the spammers in the world and I'll gladly change things on the site.
Bob
Comments...
I think it may be that some folks are hesitant about commenting in general - I probably should include myself in this group. Some of us may be more readers than writers.
I'm not sure if I should be trying to critique a story – commenting on the merits of the plot, the concept, the setting or, in some cases, the quality of the grammar. Or, am I even qualified to say anything about any of those points. I’m struggling myself - working on a couple stories that, I hope, might be interesting, entertaining and postable. (Is that a real word?) After stressing over dialog and scenes and knowing how hard that is, do I have the right to criticize someone else’s attempt? Especially someone who has the guts to put something out for the world to see?
Teddie, does it help to just say that I liked and enjoyed Salt & Pepper? The romantic idea of a woman accepting and enjoying her lover’s cross-dressing without becoming a controlling, dominating, bitch and turning him into a sissy/slut/French-maid/slave is –refreshing. But then I’m a hopeless romantic myself. Which is not to say that I haven’t enjoyed some stories of that latter ilk either…
So, back to the original question – I don’t know how to get more readers involved. Voting buttons maybe?
Jamie
Comments.
I don't read many stories but still, don't usually comment when I do. I'd much rather tick a few boxes on a story - grammar, editing, plot construction, character development - but it then becomes like grading an essay.
Learned a long time ago that the average is about 1 comment for 100-150 reads.
Even though I appreciate the comments and emails I receive, the fact that my books keep selling is a substantial comment in itself.
Much prefer to help new authors one on one via email. It's easier to be constructive without an audience. Authors can be a fragile lot.*smile*
Re: Comments
Jamie, I can only speak for myself, but it's as helpful to know that somebody enjoyed my stories as it is to know why. The worst thing is to put a story out there and hear nothing back from the readers. Constructive feedback is nice, but personally I'm not picky. A simple "I loved your story, looking forward to more." is enough to give me a glow that lasts for hours.
Bad feedback is a little more tricky, as I learned some months back. You can't just say "your story sucks", which is pretty much what I did to another writer. (I was wrong to do so, BTW.) If you can specify what problem you had with the story and do so in a non-confrontational way ("The spelling detracted from my enjoyment of your story.") then I'd say go for it. Don't do what one reader did the other day and list all the spelling errors he spotted in a story.
Awhile back I was quite complimentary about a series on BC, posting positive comments on the first several chapters. Then it took kind of a left turn into the bondage/humiliation scenario, which is not my thing. So I sent a private message to the author, letting her know that although I'd enjoyed the first parts, I couldn't continue reading it due to the direction the story was heading. I did not criticize her for going in that direction, and I let her know that the story itself was well-written, but I wouldn't be continuing reading it. She sent back a nice message saying she completely understood, that the sort of thing she was writing was not everybody's cup of tea, and thanked me for my previous comments. That is what I should have done in the other incident.
Hope this helps.
Karen J.
re: Comments...
Jamie,
You don't have to critique a story unless you feel comfortable doing it. But, if you do, go ahead. If you're going to point out a bunch problems, spelling errors, punctuation, etc., it might be better doing it in a private message to the author.
But, a short comment about the story, where it's going, if you feel it's good, or if you want to point out a little something that might help, then IMHO do it as a comment to the story. I've gotten a lot of comments with my stories on BC, and would love to see the same thing here. This is a great site.
And, just telling the author that you like a story is great. It might make their head swell a little ;-) But, it also show them that you like what you're reading, and helps keep the fire lit under their writing.
Teddie
I think,
although I have been accused of not at times, that the readers here expect quality when they come to read postings at Stardust, I know I do. The reader expects, maybe erroneously, the writers who post here have all had the great comments that are so deserved with quality stories posted elsewhere. Quite a few here are reposted from elsewhere and they should be posted here because they exemplify quality, at least I think they do. We, the readers, expect not to have to wallow through hard core erotica of the XXX type or dark dark stories at Stardust, at least I do. There are enough posting of those at most all other sites. I like to feel Stardust is different.
A real feel good romantic story like Teddie's Salt and Pepper is kind of hard to comment on other than to tell her what a great story it is and that is equally hard to do chapter by chapter. At the same time stories like Genomorph by Scott Ramsey or Ma-at by Itinerant are also great quality stories that should be posted here.
Maybe I am wrong or in the small minority but I like to think of Stardust stories as being of the highest quality you expect at a showcase site I like think of Stardust as being.
To be posted at Stardust and to be read here is, to me, a great comment in itself as to the writer's quality.
Leia Marie
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
re: I think,
LeiaMarie,
I realize that commenting on every chapter of a serialized story is not possible. But, if you have a favorite chapter, or even one that you don't like, just a short comment would be good. Or, if you really like a story, be sure and comment at least on the final chapter. That way the author knows their work is appreciated.
An author that publishes a book, knows it's good if it sells. With works published on a site like this, it's impossible to tell without comments.
Teddie
OH, I completely agree
as you know! It is why I comment on Salt & Pepper to keep you going. I guess I was trying to justify, at least in my mind, why some readers just never or infrequently comment. I think I told you once that I received several disagreeable comments when the authors or others did not like my *offensive* comments and believe me when I say I am about as inoffensive as I can possibly be. I really do not need anymore of that in my life. I guess I am at a position in my life where I like sweet and soapy a lot more. I comment when I like and don't anymore when I do not.
Leia Marie
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
I HAVE TRIED TO LEAVE COMMENT
I HAVE TRIED TO LEAVE COMMENTS BEFORE ON ALL THE STORIES I HAVE READ, BUT ON SOME OF THEM I CAN'T LEAVE A COMMENT OR EVEN ENTER THE COMMENT SITE. I GUEST IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FIRE WALL I HAVE ISNTALLED AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CLEAR THAT PROBLEM UP.
I MY SELF HAVE 6 STORIES THAT I HAVE STARTED AND JUST HAVE NOT FINISHED. I CAN'T EVEN POST THEM.
SO i'M VERY SORRY I HAVE NOT LEFT A COMMENT BUT UNTIL I CAN RESOLVE THE PROBLEM I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
I HAVE ASKED THE IT PERSON AT WORK FOR HELP AND ALSO MY SIS, SHE'S A IT HELP ON LINE PERSON FOR SOME IT COMPANY.
SO HOPEFULLY I WILL BE ABLE TO POST AND START TO LEAVE MORE COMMENTS TO THESE STORIES..
THE SITES I HAVE ACCES TO READ STORIES ARE
SAPPHIRE, BGTS, FM, SS, AND STARDUSTR
IF ANYBODY CAN HELP WITH A LITTLE EDITING, THAT ALSO WOULD HELP.
I NEED HELP IN SHOWING ME HOW TO SEND AND/OR POST MY STORIES TO THESE SITE.
CAN ANY OF YOU HELP ???
Help is available
As you can see, your comment DID make it. Next time, please don't use all CAPITAL letters though.
As for help, if you'll post an email address in the body of another comment I'm sure there are people out there that will be glad to try to help resolve your problem(s).
Bob Arnold