Posted:
NOTE
Sermon to Errant readers: A writer's predicament.
Don't scare away from the title, its just to bug you guys a bit😆
Rarely do I surf the forum; and on a rarer than rare occasion when I did last night I found a writer leaving this forum. Her reasons were clear and simple; as most other writers' who have left or planning to leave, that the readers don't respond well.
I wonder what goes into the whole process so I went back and checked my own threads. I don't make it a habit to analyse statistics on my threads because simply put, I channelize all the time and energy into either writing or replying to my readers.
But now when I happened to check Rescuing Heaven, I am quite surprised. Why?
Because when I updated Chapter 1, there were around 1200 views I had noted absentmindedly.
As I type now, there are 1645 views.
Huge! You say; a sham I say. Again, why?
Because there are 21 Likes and fewer comments on that Chapter.
So where do these balance of 424 readers go?
While I wrote Back to You and pointed out a similar disputation, many readers came up to say that they came back to read and re read the previous chapters; to which I agreed and moved on. But the same cannot be said here because only a single chapter endures until now.
Now, I have always maintained that the appreciation doesn't make or break me but this is not only about me.
Today as I talk, I cover all the writers this forum has ever seen. What do they expect? They are faceless writers who don't even give in their names, who bring in stories about which sometimes their own families or friends know less, who put up a slice of themselves with every update.
There is no remuneration too, unlike publishing and yet there is more fun in writing here; simply because it is about Maaneet and for an abundance of readers; most of whom open, read, enjoy and close.
I cannot force or demand, have learnt that one thing in life that you cannot make someone do something by force. One might force and readers might respond for the next update and the next. And then what? They vanish again.
All I want to try is to change a bit of habit here. Don't know if it might work or no but then what harm in trying?
What is wrong readers? Why so lethargic?
If it takes you ten minutes to read through a chapter that the writer has spent a week or more to think and draft then another five minutes to sit down and write a feed back shouldn't hurt. Should it now?
There is no compulsion to flatter the writer, write only what is good and what others are writing. You can always sit back and give an honest feedback if you disliked an update or a part of it. And I, at least here wouldn't take offense. And offer my replies as I always did through my previous threads.
And I am sure most writers would do the same.
I agree I am a passive member on this forum and seldom come out of my own updates to see around. For all I know, most of you reading this wouldn't even know who I am! But whenever I happen to read something, I make sure to jot down and leave a piece to the writer. Not mainly to praise or criticize, that comes secondary. But mainly to let that writer know that I was there.
That makes a lot of difference, you know!
So as I said, this writer, her decisiveness to leave this forum takes away another gem from the forum. But then, We Cannot help it, can we? Or We Can...depends!
Her boldness has given me some ideas but I'm sure my readers are not going to like them. So for now I shall keep them to myself and then see.
I agree Rescuing Heaven is still nascent and the story has to build up. So I will keep the virtue of patience for now. Saint Frosty!
And now if you'll think Frosty has suddenly shunned the worldly ties and taken sainthood to deliver sermons, then no! Gah! It is only a little free time speaking.
Haha
But no, seriously; I didn't want to write this note but somewhere I thought I should point out the obvious and see if things change.
There are numerous writers here whose works, if published can shoot up into bestsellers. And yet they have to write after every update: Do leave your Likes and Comments.
Why?
Readers who feel they cannot participate in discussions, feel they are introvert can always comment on their read stories and close back. I am sure the writer will revert to you and make you an indispensable part of her journey.
Truthfully, I have found some amazing people like that. Who still continue to be open and participating.
So only if readers would sit up and take notice, and for once take a more active route! Writers will always embrace you with open arms. I will, for sure.
Done now, Saint Frosty back into her hiding.😛😳
Do Ponder
<3
Frosted starlit
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
