For a Reader to Digest- part2 page11 - Page 6

Originally posted by: .Euphoria.

Honestly speaking, it puts me off when writers begin to dictate the volume of comments, or even the content of comments. If readers are pressurizing writers to 'upd8 soon', then I think some (not all) writers fall prey to this cycle and demand more comments on their updates.

Seriously, how many different ways can you say 'awesome update' 'you are too good' ' without sounding like a creeper? When the update hits the spot with the readers, the comments flood in...And when the comments do come in try and see where the reader is coming from. You never know, sat on the opposite computer screen is some 15 year old kid reading about an adult themed FF, demanding to know why the frick are there no Rabba Ve's in this story.

Just sayin', if you're mature enough to write FF's, you should be mature enough to ignore trolls.

Some of my readers have standard comments not even changing the number of dots and exclamation marks. I of course do not mind that but when they write a slightly longer comment I feel as if I have won some trophy and my parents are proud about that :-)

Originally posted by: Nici0306

I am reader and not a writer. But I do understand what writer is expecting after spending hours on a beautiful story. I have a few points that I hate it when I see other readers doing.

Things I don't like from a reader as a reader:
1. Reserving a post
I just don't understand the need. Why is it important to reserve a post. I can understand if someone does that to be the first to post after the update (that should be updated as soon as they read the update, which would make sense) but other than that what is the point? I have seen post reserved 2-3 pages after the update.

2. Commenting for the sake of doing it
As Aveiro mentioned 'nice', ':D' ,etc, etc. I mean as a reader if I don't have anything special to say, I click on 'like' and move on. It is a story, so there would be 'filler' updates. I am not saying that no one should comment on them; I am just not really good at super analysing all the updates. I am just simple reader, who enjoying reading and would write down what I feel as a comment. If I have things to say I would and if not, I will not force myself into writing a comment. Definitely the writer deserves better than forced comments.

3. Requesting for a scene
I passionately hate this when readers start requesting for an intimate scene or something similar. I guess what is the point if writer just does what you ask for, where would be the surprise element and the writer's point of view.

4. Requesting update
It is not bad to ask for an update, it would make writer feel special but when it is done like the next day after the update and until the writer updates. I feel like we are pressurising the writer to write; so definitely it wouldn't be a leisure activity for them instead a compulsory act. Most of the writers here are doing this for free and they have their life and responsibilities.

5. Commenting on the length of update
If you don't like it, move on. Why disappoint the person who has taken out their time to write an update for us; whether short or long. The reader would understand this only when they sit down to pen down a scene and the importance of ending a chapter before starting a new scene.

Maya (inked), I didn't realise but I came up with 5 points (yash's 5 point theory).. it works.. hehehehe [if you read -khushi- by Maya, you will understand what I am talking about]

There is just one point I want to mention about the writers. I have seen this in some authors here; they reply back to the questions or comments by their forum friends and ignore the ones they don't know. I am not saying this is done by all. But is it fair to do that? I get hurt when I have written a long comment with a question in that too. The writer wouldn't bother to respond to that but would respond to some silly comment by their friend in forum. If the writer chose not to answer anyone's questions, it is understandable.

Yash will be happy to know that his theory works.

As far as replying to comments is concerned, I have seen 'famous' authors doing that, replying to their friends or start chatting. It would hurt the readers :-(


Also I have seen some authors making fun of their readers behind their backs (yes this happens) I think we should respect our readers no matter how they are.

When readers give me names like lazy, fairy, double LL, Zehy, Zehs,etc. I feel they consider me as their own resulting in a stupid smile on my face :-D

yeah!!! totally agreed!!! one must read the whole thing before going all HANDS UP on you. :)

i think a good reader is the one who tries to go with the writers flow... i mean cmon in the end its going to be what we write so why the hell not wait a little patiently!!! obviously a writer keeps in check with the readers demands but when the story becomes all about demands then ,as a writer, i loose interest in the story!

Also a good readers points out the mistakes in a non insulting manner, as in constructive criticism! feedback is something every writer needs from his readers, regardless if its praising or criticizing!

oh and they don't troll the writers with UPDATE SOON posts! it gets stressful sometimes especially when you're going through a rough patch as a writer, you know what i mean.

Alhamdulillah so far all my readers have been really good :) and i appreciate that they take the time to read my updates and comment. Even if its simply just a "Nice", it does make my day :)

Originally posted by: lazyleaves

As far as replying to comments is concerned, I have seen 'famous' authors doing that, replying to their friends or start chatting. It would hurt the readers :-(

Originally posted by: lazyleaves

Yash will be happy to know that his theory works.

As far as replying to comments is concerned, I have seen 'famous' authors doing that, replying to their friends or start chatting. It would hurt the readers :-(


Also I have seen some authors making fun of their readers behind their backs (yes this happens) I think we should respect our readers no matter how they are.

Yep Yash's theory works :)

I understand that it is not practically possible to reply to all the comments.. but it hurts when they respond to their friends silly comment and not the serious in detail comment of the reader who is not their friend.. i know it might not be intentional.. but as writers want their feelings to be taken in consideration.. so it should be mutual..

Making fun of readers/anyone/their understanding of the story is of course immature.. writer has to understand that it is not necessary that the reader is seeing the story the same way they have envisioned in their mind.. everyone's perceptive of looking at it would be different.. i remember when i first read harry potter.. my vision of everything that was described was different then when I read it again after the second book was released.. i was old enough to understand and then the perspective changed..

Originally posted by: CravingKhana

Now heres an auther i respect and not because i have read your work but because of your attitude...

As writers one chooses to write...for ones own given reasons...the audience here is your customer if you will...

now your writing needs to do the talking...

if you need to put up a manual and demean the reader to... you shall you shall not...

then the question is why write...

.real world you write the mkt likes it they buy...yes there are influences the times you live the economy...

and the reviewers and they can be a hundred times more harsh than your writng in pink in comic sans

Originally posted by: Tiyali

I agree with what you said: any reader should read the material, and give an appropriate comment.

But that's how much any author can really expect. Any comment, in the form of a like ( as many don't have the time to comment) or a sentence expressing their pleasure or an essay, is up to the reader.

An author cant really perceive how the reader can and will absorb the material and react to it subsequently. They arent in your heads, as they read it, to understand exactly what it is that you have written. That's what makes readers unique, they understand your chapter differently, they interpret it differently and thus, it adds more flavor. If everyone was like-minded, then somewhere it would be anti-climatic, no?

I have noticed, some people may be discouraged from commenting, due to this very sentence: "where the commentor has asked something that has been clearly specified in the particular chapter. And when I see stuff like that, I'm sorry, but my blood boils, and then I wear my horned armour and get down to battle. Literally. Get down to battle."

When they sense that, they might be afraid. And whats the harm in asking again? Maybe he or she missed it? God knows, I can miss a line, or mistake can happen! An author cannot exactly predict how his or her material will be perceived and understood.

I dont understand what a "good reader" is? Is it who picks up on the subtle nuances? or is it someone who comments on every chapter? or is it who unfailingly understands and supports the vision of the author, despite it all?

To me, any reader is a good reader. I, myself, dont comment on many FFs/OSs and if I do, its short and crisp. Does that make me a bad reader?

Finally, we are all writing, and reading stories based on a fictional show. Through this process, I have come across phenomenal writers and talented human beings. But your audience isnt the typical 18-49 demographic with XYZ income and interest in a genre. Its an everyday fangirl, who come from various backgrounds, walks of life. Cut them some slack?😆😳

In my opinion, we cannot box readers, just like we cant box writers! That is simply the beauty of the relationship.

Originally posted by: segad

I am a reader. Good, bad, indifferent depending on the story. Some stories move me to comment in detail. Sometimes less is more. Some updates don't move me enough to comment. That is the honest truth. In such cases I will usually just "like" and leave. Some stories are so bad that I will not even "like" Usually will not return to such stories.

i refuse to hit like on stories that glorify violence against women. I don't care how good the writer, might even be one of my favorites but I will not read such stories. My choice.

I get turned off by writers who demand certain number of pages of comments. trust in your work, if it is good, the comments will come. I also tend to get turned off by writers who ask for comments but then do not read those comments. If you as a writer say that you read every comment then hit the like button to let the reader know you did. Else I feel unappreciated and demotivated by that writer.

Regarding comments previous to this which said, don't ask me to change the story. Agree to a certain extent. It is your story, write it the way you want. But if based on my experience I see you make errors, I retain the right to alert you to the pitfalls. For e.g. you write a story where the protagonist gets TB but continues to indulge in kissing scenes and refuses medical treatment, I am going to call you on it. Writing involves research about the topic as well. The more mature writers may be aware of this need, some of the younger ones can benefit from this advice.

Ok long comment, I will stop now.