I do not know how many on here are like me. I am here to read, and say very little. I do not think I have anything worth saying. I have stories in my head, but I would never be able to put them on paper the way some of these phenomenal authors do.
My question for the authors. Other than the kudos or buying the books from Amazon, what is there that a reader can do to encourage you. I am thinking especially of times when an author is struggling to think through what to write or how to continue a story. How can I as a reader be an encouragement to the authors.
Thank you for your hard work and great writings.
Melissa
Comments
There are many things you can do!
you can encourage authors on with juicy comments! Praise what you liked about the story! Also, if you like the author alot, can buy their book on amazon or maybe donate to them directly! Maybe talk with the author and share your ideas for them to use and expand on in making a story with you donating something towards it! So do not feel left out in the dark! You are most welcome here and I encourage you to participate.
Sephrena
Even the Over-productive need Encouragment
Yes, comments please.
Yes, contribution is tangible praise. I have a Patreon page with $1.00 starting membership giving access to my draft stories hot off the keyboard
https://www.patreon.com/maryannepeters.
I welcome private messages too.
I don't seem to have a problem with blocks (so far) but I have other calls on my time and encouragement brings me back to my fiction which for me is a beneficial catharsis.
Maryanne
comment! comment! comment!
we loves us some comments!
Encouragement
As those above have said, comments are wonderful. But I would also that add direct messages work too!
Kudos are great, don't get me wrong, but a kudo is binary. It can mean 'yep, clicked it, thanks for posting!' all the way to 'oh wow I laughed and cried reading this, omg!'...the difference is impossible to discern just watching the counter go blip up by one.
But a comment or message? Even if only stating 'I really enjoyed this!', that says a lot more. <3 :)
Everyone can Write EVERYONE
Ever shared a work project with someone? Ever give an opinion or advise? Join in a conversation? Wish to share something with a girl friend, boy friend? What are your favorite dreams when asleep or awake?
Can you "imagine" a five five girl operating some of the largest earth moving equipment made, flying airplanes, driving semi trucks? Your only obstacle is doubt. The one word I have come to dislike most in the English language is "impossible." I'll never be the best at anything. There are always others doing what I may do and do it better than me. I've been told I was the best Cat Skinner, best backhoe operator, best plumber, best air conditioning, refrigeration mech. None of it's true.
Some of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure to read are on this channel. Maybe you're one of them? Erin and the ladies like it when the stories have some of any part of LGBT content. They allow some stories not LGBT if one has posted ahead several that are.
Hugs mprecious, look forward to reading your stories.
Barb
Life is a gift, don't waste it wishing you had.
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Just Comment!
A simple "I liked this" will show a writer that somebody out there actually read her story.
Don't worry about it
Just read what you choose to read; enjoy what you enjoy without obligation. Nobody gives a gift (or free story) in the hope of reward.
If the reader community could come together to do one positive thing, I'd like to see more action taken against the story thieves who lift the free materials of (often dead) authors on here to rename them and sell them through sites like Amazon - this danger of theft being a huge disincentive to sharing free stories.
Other than that, I think all's well.
Sugar and Spiiice – TG Fiction by Bryony Marsh
Try saying hi!
Speaking as someone with a fickle creative muse, I've made a point to be a cheerleader for some of my writer and artist friends when they get stuck.
In my experience, the enemy of creativity is inertia. Once you get moving then all things are possible, but once you're creatively stalled, you're usually stalled everywhere.
So, with my friends, what I'll usually do is reach out and see what's on their minds. Frequently they'll say something like, "I'm really stuck on X, but I've been thinking a little about Y." So even just asking them about their new idea and letting them indulge that instinct helps kindle some motivation.
But, yeah, if you have a favorite writer who's gone quiet, don't be afraid to drop them a line directly and say hi, and let them know you're a fan. And if they're open to it, see if they have any random ideas they're willing to share. I've got a friend who's exasperated with people asking about continuing a popular series of stories they did, but if you ask about other concepts they're playing with, there's a lot of fun stuff there!
Comments or PMs
are always well received by authors, if you say why you like the story or what you didn't like, we like to know. I keep writing because some readers told me that my writing had helped them by knowing that they weren't alone. Sometimes we as authors wonder if anyone read the story. The actual count doesn't mean anyone read it. If they comment on something, you know that your effort was enough to have one person read it and hopefully got something out of your effort.
These days I only post one story a week, it takes up to three hours to write. I don't charge for my stories but It's nice when a reader says thank you, so the next time I'm putting a plot together I know why.
Angharad
Thank you
Thank you for all the feedback. I will work on being a better reader. Maybe one day I will be able to write, but for now, time is my enemy - lol