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I was reading Lilith's little rant about people taking the time to comment on stories. I want to give some examples from my own stories on how your comments make a difference to me. I wrote "Vision Spring", and the first official story "A little nudge" got 11 comments, more than enough to encourage me to to continue. I wrote "This is how a heart breaks." which got seven, but I figured I would do another one anyway. I worked very hard at the third story, taking time to research many aspects, and even found a song that fit the mood of the story. Obviously, I failed to make it any good, because only four people took a few moments to write a comment. I had some ideas for another story in the series, but the lack of response led me to conclude it was not going to be worth it, so I haven't bothered. The same thing happened with "The lucky one", and I almost left that one unfinished when only two people commented on part three. Compare that to Lilith, who probably has more comments on some stories than I do for all my stories put together, and you can see why it might make me worry about my skills.
Comments
I should add
that the same principal applies to this blog. when no one comments, I wonder if anybody is listening.
Dorothycolleen
This blog is the third topic
This blog is the third topic today that I've started to comment on but that my Ooh-look-shiny! reflex led me away from finishing. Let's just say that your and Lilith's stories have a radically different nature and probably very different audiences. I find it much easier to find words to say on an ongoing longer story or a huge finished story. Harder when the story is your average story length. (I like speculative comments and it's hard to do that on short works.)
How long have you been writing?
Damn few of us start out as good writers. I started out downright horrible and doubt that I will ever be literary award winner. Just relax, don't let every little thing trigger you. It's taken me my whole damn life to realise that "it is not about me", though I still respond that way sometimes.
Just about anyone can write linguistically correct, properly structured sentences, but damn few of us can put their heart and soul into what they write. The ability that some have to make us laugh, cry, feel joy and remorse just ain't had easily.
Much peace
Khadijah
Icing on the cake
Dorothy
Comments are a nice icing on the cake - a thank you for producing a story someone has enjoyed. But they are not a reason for writing a story. Authors write because there is a story inside burning to get out. It's hard work, but the pressure from that story drives you on to completion - sometimes!
But if you only write stories because you hope to get some comments then you're on a hiding to nothing. Stick with Blogs, where you can write something in a few minutes which generates many replies. You will never achieve that response for such a minimum investment of time with a story.
But if you do want to write a story then expect nothing and you might be pleased.
comment whore
Me, I try to leave a constructive or humorous comment or links to some item in the story.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
comments
dorothy, im sorry i might not have left comments about your stories but i do try to leave kudos on stories i read. im not a great writer much less able to write a story but i do enjoy reading what people can imagine in their heads and put on paper. please dont give up on us poor readers. keep up the good work.
robert
Writing
Dorothy please keep on writing. I get very little comments but to me they are a plus. I write to share things with others and to get things off my chest. If others enjoy them, I am happy, they are there to be read. I started off writing for others and trying to write what pleases others, now I write because I enjoy it. I do have have the characters telling me there story, so if I don't write parts to stories right away, the characters haven't been telling me their stories. I think you should write for yourself, and don't sweat the comments.