Apparently. I was getting a bit disappointed in how few comments I was getting to my series River in the latter chapters. Since retiring I have started getting onto a roll, and have several chapters ahead. So I decided to let me readers know that I would post a second chapter this week if I got at least 12 comments. So it is three hours since posting, and normally I would get my first comment about now, or maybe a second one. Today there are 8 (I have made two replies, which don't count).
I have seen other good writers ask for comments at the end of their stories, and I always thought it was kinda cheesy. Now I know it isn't. I wonder if the non-writers out there realize how important comments are to the writers. I have reread the comments through the whole series several times, and it always inspires me.
I don't know about others, but I write about 1000 words an hour. Thus there are three to five hours of writing for each chapter. Then there is rewriting (at least one pass on each chapter) as well as formatting. And in between, my editor Eric goes through each chapter at least twice, and I know that a good editor like him can take as much as half the time I spend in writing in the first place. So I spend about eight hours on a chapter, and Eric, maybe three or four.
A comment takes what, three minutes to write? Non-writers in the community should consider this as their payment for the time we invest as writers and editors.
Dawn Natelle
Comments
i like to comment!
can you tell?
You do?
And here I thought you just liked to post your pretty picture on all of the awesome stories I've been reading.
Me, I think I usually comment if the story has been posted recently. I may or may not on the older stuff, especially when the the story is spread over many posts. But, yes, comments are very important, especially on the new stuff. It provides feedback to the authors and shows appreciation for the stories.
you hadn't left some on my
you hadn't left some on my most recent stories :(
I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime
that because I fell behind reading them
I'll catch up, promise!
Oh thank goodness, I thought
Oh thank goodness, I thought the weren't interesting you anymore! Thanks Dorothy!
I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime
Re: Oh, thank goodness
I could post comments on every piece I read, but most of them would be "good story, thanks" as other folks have usually said just about anything that I wanted to say. If I can say something constructive, I will, posting just to post seems pointless to me.
Frequency of comments on stories/chapters
I've posted close to fifty pieces (chapters or stories) since early December, some pieces have generated lots of comments, some very few. I try to respond to most comments from others on my pieces, especially when they ask questions about the story/chapter.
I don't beg for comments, mostly because I rarely beg for anything, and I do my own editing and proofreading. The writing, editing and proofreading can take anywhere from about three to four hours for a small piece to nearly thirty-eight hours for the first chapter of my story "No Place To Call Home". The usual for me is about six to twelve hours of work before I post a story or chapter.
I'm lucky if I can manage to type ten to fifteen words a minute myself, so I average about 750 an hour.
A few comments would be appreciated, but as I said already, I don't beg for or demand them, it just isn't my style.
Not begging
Just an economic exchange, present comments for future chapter.
Commentator
Visit my Caption Blog: Dawn's Girly Site
Visit my Amazon Page: D R Jehs
I love all ou stories
Me being crppled gives them specail meaning in my heart. I try to leve commentsbbut typing while flat on my back is hard. for what it is worth I may recover, hope is everything.
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/68921/being-anonym...
The River
I wish I could get you into the river. I'm sure it would decide you are 'one of the good ones' and cure you. You have also inspired me to add a disabled person into the story. Wheels are turning even as I speak. May I message you about this?
Dawn
It appears I'll have to wait
for five months or so to comment as you've indicated there's about 20 chapters to go before it's finished and I can read the story in its entirety. Sorry, but I'm afraid I'm one of 'those people' who waits until a story is finished to read it and comment.
Commentator
Visit my Caption Blog: Dawn's Girly Site
Visit my Amazon Page: D R Jehs
Too bad
Too bad for you. There are a lot of good stories out there that haven't finished, but have given me hours of enjoyment. Writers like Bailey Summers and Angharad, for instance. But it is your choice. I know it is a pain when stories just die away without conclusion, but in many cases even a partial story can be rewarding.
Dawn
I try
I try to either leave a comment or send a PM to the authors I read. If I have not done that for you I am truly sorry, sometimes I can get a bit chocked up over a really good chapter and forget, that's what happens when we get a bit older. I will say truthfully I have enjoyed every chapter of River. If I don't at least leave a comment or PM for you, YOU may take me out back of the woodshed and spank me.
Charolotte
opinor ergo sum
Charlotte Van Goethem
I'm too critical to comment!
I'm not one of those people who can say nice things about a story which I feel has significant weaknesses and I believe I would do more harm than good with my criticism. So I tend to keep quiet, unless I have really enjoyed a well-written story. I would hate to be the cause of an author losing heart. Occasionally, I might PM a comment to someone, but I'll always hit the Kudos button on any story I finish.
As a writer, I'm quite sensitive to public criticism so I usually publish here with the public comment feature turned off. I do get people PM me comments, and I'm happy to take the bad with the good in PMs, but I get my main feedback from the silent majority - the Kudos button.
Always
Compliment in public, criticize in private. And even then always say something nice before the criticism. We writer's have very fragile egos.
Dawn
Precisely
Which is why I only comment publicly when I have enjoyed a well written story.
And to give a criticism properly takes much more than the three minutes you talk about.
My comments
I try to comment whenever I read something but I think some people would prefer I didn't. I rarely manage to stay on topic, going off on some anecdote; tangent generator that my squirrelly brain tends to be...
~hugs, Veronica
What borders on pure insanity?
Canada and Mexico.
.