Being a silent reader is not always a choice!! *DT Note: Page 42* - Page 11

Okk some serious discussion goin on here seems like...:D

p.s. Shruti dont hv time to write serious cmnt but keep track on this:p
externals r kiliing us;(

btw i read that;)
chane ka zad indeed

Originally posted by: Titaliya_AP

I've always been pretty neutral on this topic being both a reader and a writer.

As both I understand why writers ask for and enjoy comments, but it bugs me when they demand them, I mean this is a free forum and a free country.

I for one will always ask, and express how good comments make me feel, but never will I say "next update only after n pages of comments."

And then as a reader, I do not comment when I am not satisfied with what I just read. I mean, I know rude and disliking comments demotivated a writer and I would in no way want to do that just because I didn't like one thing they wrote or their style or whatever.

Despite time, I try to leave heartfelt comments when I can for those who's stories I do read.

A writer says the update was late because life got in the way so can't a reader say the same about commenting? I mean some writers say that a single word is fine, but there are readers who feel a single word isn't enough and won't comment.

So both readers and writer need to stop battling it out as to why this and not that in their defense, but try to understand each other.

So stop coming up with reason and excuses and just try to consider each other's situations.

Wonderful post and echoed lots of readers feelings who have been kind of left heartbroken because of some writers who just don't bother their readers feelings but only their egos and so-called popularity. They just forget that without readers their stories would be nothing, regardless whatever talents/skills they have.

Thanks!!

Great post Shruti.

Originally posted by: 1chilly

Great post Shruti.

For once somebody made a post concerning readers too.

One can also be a silent reaser due to genuine reasons.

I was very ill all through ladt year and would read some stories on IF on my visit home over weekends from hospital. I spent a long time in and out of hospital and didn't want to talk about it, as I didn't know anyone here. And then I didn't have wifi in my room as I had machines attached to my body.

And I came back home to find myself blocked out from certain stories because I didn't comment. I requested access but was denied. You can imagine how I felt.

Ms. N thank u for replying..
i am really tired...

@all- the lady Nexus_13 has also contributed to the main post...so she has a right to answer u ppl..dnt think she is interfering..!!

thank u

Originally posted by: Shruti21

Ms. N thank u for replying..
i am really tired...

@all- the lady Nexus_13 has also contributed to the main post...so she has a right to answer u ppl..dnt think she is interfrng..!!

thank u

I had posted this in another thread about silent readers. It kind of overlaps here. May be not all points but some, yes :) (I have not edited out anything :) )

Originally posted by: lazyleaves

I was very shy initially before I became vocal on the forum. Even then, I had PMed my favourite authors as I was too apprehensive to post my reviews on the main forum. Later, I don't know how but I started commenting and now you can see where I am :P


I am not a silent reader. If I like something I will tell the author about it (unless it slipped my mind because of some external factors. I will never intentionally not comment). Yes, if I don't like something and its a new or upcoming author, I don't say it because they might feel bad. So I quietly leave :) And this is because I don't know how the author will take it :)


Many readers tell me that they are too shy to post on the public forum and hence PMs me their reviews and I am fine with it. They are not silent any more ;)


1) Some say they are not good with words. I understand that too because once upon a time my siblings used to have a gala time poking fun at my grammatical and spelling errors! But what I don't understand is why so many authors silently read stories (I mean only by liking each and every chapter but never uttering a word about the story) They are pretty good with words, hence they should try to say something about the story and especially so because that author becomes happy that an established author from the forum read him/her.


2) Time. Time is the main culprit. I don't get time at all these days to even read anything, commenting is a different business altogether. These days I read only when something is highly recommended. But I always feel that if you are vocal otherwise, then you should try to drop in at least one emoticon. How much time does it take to type this -> :) ?


3) Ego. I have seen and experienced this. Some people are too egoistic to comment. I don't know what their thought process is. But this happens. Some are so egoistic that even if they like something they will not even 'Like' it. Their 'Like's are very precious


4) Enmity. Yes. If a reader stops liking an author, then he or she will turn silent (But yes, they do read) So my previous point on ego does feature here as well.


5) Give and take. I read you. You read me. I comment. You comment. This I have seen almost everywhere on the FF forum...


6) Scared. Some authors are not approachable and hence readers get afraid to comment. What if the author and her whole brigade would come forward to attack you?


7) Competition. Notice this, most popular authors don't read each other on the forum


8) Falling sick. It is a part of our real life. We fall sick and we just like to lie down and read and have no energy to type. And often the sick 'leaves' are so long that the readers are never able to tell what they wanted to about the story


9) PMs. If an author doesn't PM, the reader will not comment.


10) Prejudice/Experience. If the author doesn't acknowledge the comments, the reader turns silent


P.S. Sorry for such a long essay and point wise reply. I have studied under the Maharashtra Board and Mumbai University so...

P.P.S These points may not apply fully to all and one. Its just my observation :)

I know Shruti, you have seen this on the other thread but just felt like sharing it here as well :)

oh god i cant even tell u how much i love ur post...specially this one

i myself as a reader am very disappointed wd some writers who left deir stories at a crucial part...i kept pming dem ...scrapping dem...but sigh no reply...though my pms are read already...


ok i started reading IF stories wen IPK ended...so ofcourse by den many writers already left IF...stopped writing on my fav chars...or shifted to blogs...

dere are some stories dat i started reading...but did nt comment...as initially i was nt comfortable on the communication part...nd now wen m so anxious abt wat happened wd the story ...dey have been shifted to personal blogs...whose access i hav been denied...coz i did nt comment earlier...dere are some stories dat i want to read now coz i came to know abt dem later nd the writers do nt let me acces deir stories...

such is the situation wd me dat i either read completed stories...or the ones which are updated regularly...i am a very emotional reader...i get involved into the story the chars...nd it leaves me wd certain kind of uneasiness wen i dnt read the entire story...
infact i hate sad endings as well...considering this fact just thnk abt my plight who fears reading completed stories wd sad endings...how would i read an incomplete story...

nd i hate dese notes which says...500 likes...nd 10 pages...den ull get d next update...i mean seriously...if u are writing stuffs for readers ...u would nt want dem to comment just becoz u are forcing dem...accolades ...praises...approbations... are not demanded but commanded...

nd i respect a lot many authors who irrespective of how many comments nd likes he/shhe gets...continue wd the story...


i generally ask my authors to nt send me the pms coz...i love stalking the stories here on IF...becoz dey are worth it

Originally posted by: 1chilly

Great post Shruti.

For once somebody made a post concerning readers too.

One can also be a silent reaser due to genuine reasons.

I was very ill all through ladt year and would read some stories on IF on my visit home over weekends from hospital. I spent a long time in and out of hospital and didn't want to talk about it, as I didn't know anyone here. And then I didn't have wifi in my room as I had machines attached to my body.

And I came back home to find myself blocked out from certain stories because I didn't comment. I requested access but was denied. You can imagine how I felt.

Oh no, Chilly, I am so sorry to hear about your illness. I hope you are fully recovered now.
I can imagine how it must have hurt you must have felt about being banned. I really felt bad when i read your post.

🤗