I really love comments. I suppose that makes me needy and insecure, but what (wannabe) girl doesn’t crave attention? I recently posted a story called “Bordello Boys” which is only the second story I have posted on BCTS that got no comments. Of course, I am mortified.
To assuage my hurt I need only refer to my first story “Pretty” which still has the most comments – largely messages of welcome for the same people who revisit my writings again and again – THANK YOU TO ALL.
After that, I have received the most comments from an interesting variety of tales …
“Second Life” drew a response because people were drawn to judge the man who runs away and fakes his own death rather that face his family as the woman he wants to be. I think that we can draw much from the contrary views of comment makers.
“Neuter” was an odd one about a young man who despises manhood as a concept, until after de-sexing himself, “they” find themselves falling for one. On this one Beverly Taff commented: “Throughout the whole of BC it seems that the 'comments' habit has atrophied, nay, died even”. Maybe she is right?
“Bond Girl” was just a bit of fun, along the lines of “Pretty” but James Bond. And the there is that constant all-consuming quandary - who was the best Bond Girl? - Always evokes a special response. I am wondering if I need to tap into more classic movies and roles (?)
“Waif” remains a favorite of mine, probably because it was a pure stream which just flowed out of me one afternoon. It was a story that only had a beginning – a waif breaks into the house of a faded fashion icon – and then I just started tapping the keyboard. At the end I really did cry, but when I read it back there was nothing I could change. Spooky (?)
With “Christian Feminization” I knew I was opening a Pandora’s Box, but I think any writer likes to see that they have engaged their audience, and there is no better proof of that than an animated exchange of views.
I love comments, but I think they are good for my readers as well.
What do my readers think?
Maryanne
What! No Comments?
A word from our sponsor:
Comments
Chaos
I'm reminded of Rose's story, "Ye Canna' Break the Laws 'O Physics, Cap'n - Non Transgender". The second series of comments led to Rose commenting, "Chaos, Mayhem, Disagreements... My job here is done!"
-- Daphne Xu
Comments
I get very few comments these days. Kudos are nice, but you really don't get any feedback. It's like getting a rating instead of a review on Amazon. You really don't know what the reader thought of the story. Sometimes I leave an easter egg in the story, but I never know if anyone saw them. Stories take a lot of time to write. It'd be nice to know if it was worth the effort or not.
Melanie
Traffic
Traffic on site hits a nadir this time of year. Fewer stories and blogs posted, fewer comments and kudos. It picks up after T'Giving and is usually going well by January. This is pretty consistent, year to year.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Thanks Given
This is the best news I have received all month.
Hugs
Maryanne
Russet Is the Most Common Tater
A history lesson.
Checking this morning, Bordello Boys was listed on the front page 36th from the top. Front page is prime real estate. But it is far less "prime" than it was a few years ago.
Erin has worked diligently to make it MUCH easier to find stories.
At one time only about fifteen stories were on the front page. Because this shelf space was so limited an author could only have one story on the front page at a time.
The front page didn't have the "more" continue button which allows you to greatly expand an already expansive front page.
Random solos did not exist. This feature regularly brings readers to my older solo stories.
At one time when your story left the front page of went to story Siberia. I'm amazed at the two to three hits a day my old stories NOW get.
Comments are now posted on the front page and attract people to stories.
I understand your frustration. However, rather than being dismayed you might be more overtly thankful that BC exists. In RL finding readers is horribly hard. Your stories seem to attract an enviable amount of views, comments, and kudos.
Given the frequency of your postings -- a few years ago Bordello Boys would have been in a position to receive views, comments, and kudos for just over twenty-four hours.
In my experience that would mean that you would receive about sixty to seventy percent fewer views and maybe half as many kudos and comments.
Three or four of us comment on the majority of your stories. We are your russets. Maybe we had other things to do the last few days?
In my case, I read the story. Like so many others of your stories it read more like a synopsis than I would like. I've beaten that drum to death with you, so I didn't comment.
It's very possible others have found their comments to be somewhat repetitive since you've been so prolific.
If you want more comments the first thing you need to do is write serials rather than solos. A lot of readers post comments to serials because they feel like they're directing the story's future content or shape characters.
Stories with younger protagonists attract more comments. The sweet spot appears to be twelve to fifteen-years-old.
Sweet and sentimental stories always attract more comments.
HOWEVER, the number of comments is not an indicator of story quality. Many times comments are their own thread and have nothing to do with the story.
I try to respond to most comments. So, is my comment on a comment really a comment? Are the views to a story to read a comment really a view?
Over the last few months I've posted nearly one hundred stories. You've commented on very few of them. How is it you expect other people to do what you don't?
I look for your stories every day. I'm disappointed if one isn't posted. I'm sure others feel the same way!
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Great points Angela
especially with regard to many of the stories seem like synopses. I've read a good number of your stories and felt that there was a lot more that could have been done with the story.
I'm not sure if this is down to the fact that at the moment, I'm writing almost exclusively long stories (my current story is over 30K words and counting)
As for the 12-15-year-old soft spot. That is an area that I don't really touch along with cheerleaders and sororities. That's because they really don't interest me at all and if you don't care about a subject, it is difficult to write well about it.
I agree with the sweet and sentimental niche.
As I said in my previous comment to this thread, I replied to a comment on a story that was posted in 2017. That act alone that caused a spike in readers of that story but some of my stories are read all the time especially one entitled, 'the Mother in Law'.
Marianne, perhaps slowing down a bit and letting a story sit for a while before editing it and then letting it sit again might let you think of the bits that are missing and that could even take it from a synopsis for a fully fleshed out story.
Samantha
PS, Angela, I only grow King Edwards and Maris Piper spuds. Russets really don't like clay soil.
Thank you, my russets
Russet n. - a brown area on fruit resulting from disease.
I sincerely appreciate knowing more about Big Closet Top Shelf.
You will understand that I only started posting here this year - its seems hard to believe with 212 stories up.
But of course the first 6 months were simply posting here what was up on the other site. But since then it has been first offerings (excluding stuff on my Patreon).
And yes, they are all short stories. So many short stories! What is wrong with me?!
Why not a long one? I think I will blog on that: "Go away Maryanne, and write a novel"
But thank you for support and suggestions
Maryanne
P.S. I don't mind repetitive comments if they are nice!
What! You get no comments too?
I am guilty and not worthy.
Please forgive me, Jill, but I have not read your stories in enough detail to comment.
From what I have read I can see that beautifully written and literary, but quite long.
You are the graceful steed to my busy mole - a higher form of quadruped.
I am in my burrow, never stopping producing hundreds of little molehills.
I know my place down here
With love and appreciation for your words
Maryanne
I try to leave comments.....
Every time I read a story, although sometimes it is more difficult than others to relate to what the author has written. Usually, if I don’t leave a comment, it is because the story has either disturbed me in some way - or I have made no connection whatsoever with it.
Having said that, there are many stories which I simply haven’t read yet.
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
It's The Hols.
I've been doing some reading off site, though I daren't name them. I think that I have read nearly everything a certain Sci Fi author has written. It was yesterday when I was struggling through his first series, that I concluded that many writers on BCTS are much better than the so called professionals.
I do try to comment on what ever I read. I was reading some stories from the early 2000's and frankly some of my comments were so nasty that I am surprised that Erin did not throw me out, and thankful that she didn't.
I am getting ready to paste a short story and this will be your chance to repay me. :)
Gwen
While comments are really, really, really nice
Just knowing that people are reading my words is more than enough.
Kudos points come next. The jam in the middle of the Victoria Sponge.
Comments are the icing on the cake. (which reminds me that I need to prepare to ice my Crimble Cake that I made in early October)
Yes, it is frustrating that sometimes, what you consider to be some of your best work gets very few comments. I just responded to a comment that was made to a story I posted nearly four years ago.
There have been a few readers who have gone through everything I have posted here and made comments on some even older pieces.
Then there are the stories that are 'slow burners'. Slow off the blocks but get a steady readership for years.
The way people read/react is different to almost every other species on this planet. That is what makes us almost unique.
Keep on posting Maryanne. Not everyone clicks with all stories that an author posts. That is life.
Samantha
Maybe Too Prolific?
I read all of your stories (unless I miss one for some reason) but I like some more than others, as is normal with any author's works. I tend not to comment on the ones that I like less because I don't want to be negative or because another commentator has already said what I thought.
Also, some themes engage more with my particular tastes than others. I think this is inevitable and because you post so regularly there may be a little reader fatigue involved. This does not mean there is anything wrong with your writing but often a little suspense in waiting for the next chapter may increase the reader response. Since you do not post serials you don't get the benefit of that.
If you are definitely concerned about a lack of comments then it may pay you to do some research on the responses to serial chapters compared to the responses to your stories. Personally I wouldn't worry. I think you are a good enough writer not to be concerned if one of your stories does not elicit the response you would have liked. The next one will.
Comments
I have enjoyed many stories on BCTS but unable to read all of the stories as there only so many hours in the day. As for commenting, I am not a very good wordsmith. I do click on the kudos but reluctant to comment as it is difficult to find things to say. Even the subject line is hard to parse a topic. Just a few thoughts on this...
Just do what I do
When I don't receive adequate recognition for my stories
I just tell myself these fools here at BCTS are too dull and stupid
to recognize what an incredibly talented genius I am, then I cackle
maniacally as I descend the dank stone spiral staircase to my secret lair
where I'm plotting my fiendish revenge... I'll show them!! I'll show them aLL!!!
~hugs, Veronica
.
(If you're not doing anything else
for the next hour and 40 minutes here's
a brilliant camp horror comedy with Vincent Price
as the world's most godawful ham actor getting his revenge
on the theater critics via a series of Shakespeare inspired murders,
with some wonderful scenes featuring a young Diana Rigg in male drag:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB78qR3nKUc )
Well shit, I guess it really CAN happen here..,
.
Totally Agree
I often respond the same way to a lack of respect for my genius.
When I do get a nice comment I'm amazed by how perfectly wonderful and intelligent all the people are on BC.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Theatre Of Blood
I've bookmarked it to view tonight. It has a cast which has most of the leading lights of British cinema of that day. They must have had a ball making that movie.
Comments: mindless babbling
Comments: mindless babbling from a posse of monkeys.
not something to crave. ;)
My activity levels have dropped a fair amount, moved twice this year, my lungs have gotten noticeably worse. I often wind up sleeping the day away.
Then, if a story doesn't grab me within the first paragraph, I move on. If I don't connect to the story I'm not going to comment. I tend to prefer longer stories that are completed ( and MARKED complete ) since I detest reading the abandoned stories. I generally don't even look at anything under 15 thousand words.
Stupidity is a capital offense. A summary not indictable.
Comments
I read and enjoy almost everything you have written. “Christian Feminization” is an exception - they don't do anything for me, so I'm now skipping them. I rarely leave a comment, because I usually don't feel I have anything meaningful to say. Just saying "I like it" to every story (which I use the kudo button for) seems boring and repetitive. I liked Bordello Boys and kudo'ed it.
The Solution, Maryanne
Don't write stories! Give them away and post a blog instead. Just look how many comments you got on this one.