TopShelf TG Fiction in the BigCloset!
Are readers afraid of my story because I label it as horror? It really is mild horror, and it's only really at the beginning of the story. I should add the "Sweet/Sentimental" story tag because it's made a few readers cry.
There is no violence or gore in my story. It's just a little scary with a ghost visit at the beginning. I wish more people would give it a chance.
- Terry
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Comments
You are not
ALISON
'doing too badly with 1310 reads.How many do you want?
ALISON
Comments and Hits
Besides my editor and me, only three people have commented on my story. That's pretty sad.
And hits are not the same thing as reads. To me, it looks as if readers are giving it a quick look and then not reading (or commenting on) it.
Please forgive me for whining.
- Terry
*Ahem*
Over 1,300 hits - but you don't place too much store on them.
Eight comments - that's not too bad - just because people haven't been sufficiently motivated to write a comment, it doesn't necessarily mean they haven't enjoyed the story.
Besides which, it's got 39 kudos so far, which isn't bad. Also bear in mind that during the past week, there's been a veritable flood of halloween stories, so if somebody logged off just before you posted it, then didn't have a chance to log in again until the following day, it may have dropped out of QuickCuts.
On the other hand, the cynical might argue that this blog entry is a canny marketing strategy to encourage more reads / votes :)
Nevertheless, I've deliberately avoided the halloween stuff so far, to concentrate on the regular stories. However, as it's now the weekend, and I've got more time on my hands, I've got the ideal opportunity to start looking through the contest entries (including yours!)...
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Heart and Soul
I wondered if someone would think my blog was a cheap ploy to get more votes. But if I'm such a marketing genius, why haven't I replied to every comment to pad out the comments? And why haven't I added a photo of a beautiful young woman to catch everyone's eye?
I'm a marketing idiot. That's why.
The reason why I posted my blog is because I put my heart and soul into my story and I got a little frustrated. It seemed to me that people are avoiding my story and my insecurities led me to cry out for attention. I crave attention.
I added one comment. My editor added two other comments (last time I checked) and one other reader added two comments. I really don't have a lot of comments.
Anyway... thanks in advance for planning to make time to read my story. I really, really appreciate it.
- Terry
To be honest...
I've not looked at MOST of the "Halloween" entries. I know - I have a pre-conceived notion there. But, I have a limited amount of time to read, *sighs*, which takes away from my writing time...
Your read count's at least as good as most of mine - after a few days. On mine - I've seen little or no correlation between how hard I work on a story and how many hits and comments/votes it's gotten. Sucks, I know. It'd really be nice to get a good indicator of whether our work's hitting people or not.
The only "reliable" indicator we have these days is comments and it seems that the vast majority of our readers can't/won't/refuse to comment. On my stories, I tend to assume it's because there's nothing worth commenting on (yeah, I get frustrated too...)
BTW - on the marketing front. Your marketing would be MUCH more effective if you'd included a link to the story to make it easier for readers to jump to this story that's got you so worked up... Body and Soul
Good Luck. I don't promise a read though.
Anne
If it's any consolation,
If it's any consolation, your story is on my to do list to read. Promise!
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
I read
ALISON
"your story Terry but as I didn't particularly like it I did not comment,which is my normal practice.
ALISON
Ouch
Thanks for giving it a try.
But in the future, please consider leaving a private message if you're just going to tell me that you didn't like it. Making a public announcement like yours is like a slap in the face.
- Terry
Well...
You _asked_, and you got an answer. Being upset because of an honest answer doesn't seem right.
As for me, I read the story, and I didn't think it was bad, but it didn't jump right out at me and demand that I post a comment or reply - I haven't done many comments the last couple of weeks (or longer).
That said, like all art, there are two motivations. Internal, and External. Internal motivations are "I had to write this story!" and external is "I had to write this story because someone was demanding it!". Either way, it's probably best to not worry too much about how people react to it, unless your only goal in posting the story WAS for the reaction. If that's the case, say so at the top or bottom - you'll probably get a lot more PM's or comments.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Too Sensitive?
Maybe I'm just too sensitive.
My motivation for the story was mostly as therapy, as much for others as for myself. That's why I'm trying to get more people to read it.
I've left notes asking for comments but I find that it doesn't really make a difference. But thanks for the suggestion.
- Terry
I read
ALISON
"your story Terry but as I didn't particularly like it I did not comment,which is my normal practice.
ALISON
Terry, I feel much as you do, except...
I also get an ego boost from the comments on my stories. When Angarhad commented on my first story, "Together", I was in the midst of a Bike marathon, and I was over the moon!
The comments are important, The kudos are important, but most important is the readership. Although it is nice to know that they actually got to the end...
I read your story and thought it was great, but it posted with some other stories, and I put off my comment. I'm sorry, my friend. I DO know how important they are, and I have rectified the situation. As most people here know, I LOVE to make comments. It's a nice part of the fun, although my favorite part is reading all the wonderful stories!
Wren