TopShelf TG Fiction in the BigCloset!
Greetings all,
I am wondering if I should continue with Maiden of Magic. I only had 7 comments from people other than myself on the second chapter thus far. The lack of comments is disheartening, since I enjoy reading the feedback that I get from them, which helps with writing the additional chapters.
Also, are the retcons themselves disinteresting now?
Comments?
Drakira
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Comments
Hard to comment
when I haven't had time to read them yet.
Please don't get disheartened Drakira
the readers here don't always comment, they will leave kudos occasionally... what's your read count? that's a fair indicator of the story... some readers will never leave a comment... right this moment there are 45 logged in users and 198 guests at the site... i have doubt the guests are anything more than read and run... (apologies to the guests who aren't) don't get discouraged Drakira... retcon comes and goes... give it a couple of days...
Hugs and stuff,
Diana
lack of comments
Please comtinue the story as it's just getting interesting :)
Sammi
Coming from me this IS the pot calling the kettle black...
But the longish gap between chapters hurt. And yes yes I HAVE sat on Timeout for three years.
I really should go back and reread the first posting to fully appreciate the latest.
The tale is at a critical point now. His transformation is underway, dad has REAL magic yet is acting very mysterious.
Then we have this unseen, behind-the-scenes might be more accurate, *player* who clearly knows more about our hero/soon to be heroine than he/she knows. Perhaps this person knows as much as the child's enigmatic dad.
So, ONE: continue this please. But remember it is YOUR baby -- though we WILL shout out from the *cheap seats* -- Do as you will. But if you post we will comment. An occasional reminder does help. Just do pad the 2x4 BEFORE you whack us as they really hurt!
John in Wauwatosa
P.S. Two: WHO is this mystery man bent on triggering our hero/heroine's *gift* -- be it magical/meta or whatever -- and why? Does he think he can steal her powers? Make her do his bidding? What's the deal here? And why did dad hide all this from his kids?
Nice set-up. The stage is set, just waiting for the big confrontation or whatever is coming but it will be big.
-- grin --
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Maiden of Magic's Future
Please continue story.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
A True Author Writes and Writes Until it Is Finished.
I have not read this story because I don't like serials. However, what I can say is that the number of comments and the number of readers are unimportant.
What is important for you to decide to continue a story?
1. Do I have more to say?
2. Is the story good?
3. Can I improve it?
4. Is there a negative comment that can enable me to write better?
5. Can the characters tell me what to say? (don't laugh)
6. Should I give it to an editor or proofreader? (sometimes an author can't see the forest from the trees)
If you follow these rules, and others to improve your craft, you will become a better author.
shalimar
GREAT point, Shalimar
Sometimes negative feedback is more useful than positive feed back, even if it hurts.
IF, and I must emphasize *IF*, the commenter explains why they are confused, upset, having a snit over something in a story that can be an useful clue as to how to fix it and make it better.
Knowing that something does not work, confuses the reader is the key to making the story work.
In a way comments, positive and negative are a bit like having a proofer or editor. They see the work from a different perspective than you do as the writer.
Can't see the forest for the trees is sooooo right. I agree feedback is a must.
DO continue Drakira.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Low Reader Response
Also, not everyone reads new stuff right away. Speaking from experience, there's so much to read, and I'm such a slow reader (minor case of dyslexia), I've got a huge backlog of stories I WANT to read, so some of us may not get to it right away...
Getting responses is nice for the ego, and comments can be helpful to improve the story and your own writing skills and stuff, but you should write primarily for yourself, even if NO ONE else reads them.
When I finally get something finished and posted, I hope people read it and like it, though. *insecure whine*
Lisa
What are you complaining about?
I haven't read either story yet, but may. So upon seeing your blog I went scouting. In your second chapter you got 41 kudos and in my book, that is not bad at all. I think the highest I have seen is a little over 100, and most are around 60.
Mine are usually below 40.
Lighten up here. Things will get better in time. Personally I write what I like to write and most of the time I don't get the big traffic. Though recently I did publish a story that I specifically pitched to get the most kudos. Guess what? My Kudo count improved. Hmmmm
I've been out and living as a woman for almost 7 years, and I really get bored with first bra, first skirt, first time out stories. It is not because they are bad but I just got bored with them. So, for me, there has to be some literary meat in there that would attract me.
Some of you get the idea that we can all drag fantasy into reality, and a lot of the time, I can do it. But there is always that next time I will be outed and spoken to in really demeaning terms. It never goes away, there will always be a next time. The best a woman like me can do is try to shake off the pain, put on a bit of lippy, hold my head up and know that there are many more people that will treat me kindly. I don't need to worry about the next boor, he'll come on his own.
I'd never read comics, or heard of retcon stories before about 6 months ago. I've just been too busy to read comics, no disrespect here. Some of the stories are engaging and others, not so much.
Chin up.
Gwendolyn
If only ...
You have a great start here, and by presenting in chapters, it will bring back readers again and again, why just the other day I reread a story I dearly wish to see the end to but never the less still love. More often then not I will hold comments until the end of a story as I have found myself too prone to giving unwanted advice or at times unearned or needless criticism. It is next to impossible to remove a comment once submitted, (I have however "edited" one or two) so hopefully I am now more careful before leaving them.
Please continue to tickle our imaginations with your work.
BTW, 9 comments is the most I have for any story by Dreammaker at this time.
Only seven comments!!!!!.
Bloody hell girl! If I get seven comments after one of my chapters, I'm over the bloody moon with joy. Just look at the comment ratio for 'The Angry mermaid.'
It averages about 2.5 comments per chapter but do you hear me complain? No. All it does is tell me that this particular story is crap and I should quit ASAP (Which is exactly what I'm going to do.)
Then I'll try another idea and see what sort of responses it gets.
Seven comments!!!! Bloody hell! That's a fantastic response by my standards. Be thankful for small mercies girl!!
XZXX.
Bev.
Knock it off, your story is not crap.
I don't read stories for a variety of reasons and none of them should reflect on the ability of the writer. Angry Mermaid is especially not crap, in my opinion. I'm going to go back to it. I started it before and had to stop for a reason I do not remember.
I do not do well with certain types of menacing and suspense.
I do not do well when reading about Vietnam, or Japanese stories. Too many sad memories.
Coming out stories have gotten really old for me.
Gay or Lesbian sex does not appeal to me.
Femdom stories once were part of my reading but since I quit being a punishable male, not so much.
We all have our own little weak spots and hot buttons.
My own stories aren't star material though I do seem to have a few loyal readers. Who can figure it out? Not me.
Much peace
Gwendolyn
OMG
7 COMMENTS? I didn't even get that in mine, you should be honoured.
I'm really enjoying it. Please continue.
I wish
RAMI
I have posted 3 stories. I had 4, 5 and 9 comments. The first story was posted March 2010. I would be happy with 7. I think the best judge would be Kudos. They are easy to give and show appreiation without taking time to comment. I have not read it yet but will do so soon.
RAMI
Comments
I have to admit that I rarely comment publicly on another person's story. This is mostly because I will either be simply aping another's comments, or I don't have anything to say. Judging the acceptance of a story is difficult on a site with an arbitrary rating system like this one.
We might get more response with a graded rating system, but that would open up a whole new can of worms that I'd never really want to deal with.
If you get some Kudos and you get some comments, assume that people are reading and let it remain at that ;)
He entered the hall to get warm. She left it two hundred years later.
Faeriemage
He entered the hall to get warm. She left it two hundred years later.
Faeriemage
Thank You All
Thank you all for your commentary and feedback. I will keep writing this story, and see how it progresses along. I was definitely jealous of some of the other authors on this site. Fail me, :P.
You have all inspired me to continue on and write this story to its conclusion, barring any real life curveballs.
Drakira
Drakira
One Favor to Ask....
I do have one favor to ask. I'm looking for a new editor, anyone know someone willing to help me out?
Drakira
Drakira
Just an FYI
First chapter seemed pretty good, with a nice cliffhanger. Chapter Two took me way to long to remember what was going on. Readers, such as myself, need to be lead into the story via flashbacks or something, 'cause we forget what was going on previously. Even the last paragraph of the previous chapter can work, as long as it sets the scene. Not having that, this chapter felt a bit like marking time. No real meat, just a few morsels here and there. Certainly not enough to really sustain interest if Chapter Three is as long coming as Chapter Two was.
I would suggest getting several chapters done before posting anymore, then dole them out a chapter a week while writing the next several chapters. Getting readers is like fishing. First you have to have a lure that will attract the reader, then you've got to get them to bite, then you have to set the hook and keep your line tight while you reel them in.
Just my personal thoughts; I too hope you keep on with the story. See, I'm nibbling now, but I haven't swallowed the bait yet.
* * *
Karen J.
“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king. The palace becomes a circus.” - Turkish Proverb
Sometimes no comment...
Is the best comment of them all. At least for me.
Quite often, if a story grips me entirely and doesn't let go, it quite truly, doesn't let go. I have to sit on it and let my mind come back to reality fully before I can even think about analyzing the story to comment on it. Sadly, this delayed response on a site like these often leads to me simply not commenting, because by the time I've come back down from the realm of my imagination, any thoughts of analyzing or commenting are pretty well gone.
Of course... I could read your stories in editor mode if you REALLY want me to comment... but trust me, you won't like the kind of comments that come from editor mode. People get bitchy at me for pointing out the small flaws I notice when NOT in editor mode.
Abigail Drew.
gotta read em all...
I do my best to read all the retcons... ;)
Ditto
I agree, please continue the story line.
Kn