commenting on other people's stories

[Stacy]

I feel really bad for not commenting more than I do, but it's just - I read your comments and they're all these amazing in-depth concrete detailed things, and all I can come up with is an abstract "This was wonderful!" and it feels so not good enough, like you guys will think I'm just commenting to say that I commented and like I didn't really appreciate your story.

So how do you guys write your comments? Could I train myself to be more concrete and detailed? Or is it a difference in personality and perception and so "This was wonderful" is just what I'm capable of and that's it? And would you guys think that I didn't really care about your story and was just commenting due to obligation or wanting to say I commented or whatever?

Also - I know we had a thread a while ago about comments from the author's perspective, but I don't remember a lot of discussion about comments from the reader's perspective. As a reader - what makes you want to leave a comment? What do you try to put in your comments? Do you check back to see if the author responded?

[laura]

I think the brain we write from, and the brain we read from, are on opposite sides. For me, at least, writing is about creativity - right brain? Reading is about comprehension - left brain? It's natural then that some of us, including me, might be better at one while lacking in the other.

I often think my comments fall short of the kinds of in-depth responses others are able to give. I often miss the fine details that the real readers notice on the first go-through. And I often find myself, especially on first reaction, more squealing like a fan-girl than actually deciphering the story for its complexities.

I'm not sure if it is something that can be trained, so I'll be eager to hear from others on this one. I'm still the same kind of reader I was back in uni - the desperately doggy-paddling kind, in a class full of expert swimmers, lol! Somehow I manage to keep my head above water, and sometimes I wonder if I'm just faking it.

Or maybe it's something we all feel a little insecure about? I do wonder if these people, the ones who leave the long and thoughtful and brilliant comments, do they know they're good at it?

As for commenting as a reader - I comment when I have something to say - even if it's just a fangirl squeal (because as a writer, I know that writers do appreciate those too). And yes, I always check back, with great enthusiasm, and get a little antsy when the author doesn't respond, lol!

[celebkiriedhel]

I agree with Laura - there's a difference between writing and reading. I think there's also a difference between commenting and critiquing.

Most of the time for me - I like to express the effect that the story is having on me. How I'm seeing the characters and what's happening. How I interpret that.

In a lot of ways that can be useful, because then the author can tell if we're on the same page. Readers can also pick up on nuances that although they are there, aren't something that the author was overtly aware of. When that happens it's really cool.

I'm primarily a reader, and a voracious one at that. But commenting on stories is still pretty new to me, and I'm generally amazed at what other people come up with in the comments. I read everyone's comments as well!

When I comment, I generally do so because I hope I have something worthwhile to say - for appreciation, encouragement, appraisal, etc.

I like making comments like

The story is wonderful because....
I really like it when....
I feel [emotion] here with this character because...

Trying to pin down exactly what it is that makes a story wonderful can be hard - but ultimately worthwhile - because I learn from them, for my stories too.

Does any of the above rambling make any sense at all?

[dinuriel]

I struggle with comments too. I try to comment on most posts, but sometimes words just fail me--even though 99% of the time, I really enjoyed the piece. But yeah, I'll have to agree with all of you here--reading is a completely different mental process.

I enjoy in-depth comments--sometimes the readers get something that even I miss--but any comment makes me smile, so I can sort of justify leaving short, to-the-point comments to just briefly express my liking of the story and to let the author know that I'm reading. I am trying to get better at commenting, though.

[lhasa]

Oh man, I've been struggling with this for a good year now!

I actually read most of the stories on VSS, but I rarely comment because I feel bad for leaving a comment that's fairly fangirly while others are leaving completely in-depth comments featuring things I didn't pick up on the first read. : ( It makes me feel like I'm not comprehending the story enough and that I just fail as a reader. Usually, it takes another read-through to glean all the information other readers pick up on the first try. I'm terrible at it.

Glad I'm not alone on this! I'm trying to work harder on getting over my hate of commenting and sounding like a squealer, but it's hard because I don't want to feel like the odd one who just glosses over the deeper meanings and just focuses on the superficial stuff.

I do tend to check back to see if the writer responded. It makes me feel better if the writer does respond because...I don't know. I feel like less of an idiot, lol.

[raquelaroden]

I think I react a lot like most of you do--I tend to think, "eeee!! Sew-and-sew did what?!" at first....and I tend to put those comments first, because I like it when my readers are so invested in my characters that they get excited when things happen to them. I guess I assume that others would be delighted with that reaction as well. So I start out with the gushy "oh gosh I'm so excited you wrote them as X" thing, then I re-read and try to find things that are deeper or that address some of the more technical details. I know that I love comments in which people will pick out a sentence and tell me why they liked it or thought it particularly fitting. I also like comments that talk about my pictures because I like taking them and I think they are what keeps me writing, actually. I've never stuck with a writing project as long as this before, and the only difference is that now I'm adding pictures to my writing.

[sfe]

Commenting is a tough job!!

Kiri mentions the best technique for commenting I think. Ask yourself some questions and make your comment based on them. But first of all, you need to decide whether it is a simple comment or a critique you want to leave.

Most times all I can think of is "Good job!" so I don't comment because I feel stupid when the rest of the comments are, like, 2 paragraphs long. (I read all the comments as well) But as a writer I would appreciate a short comment equally, so now I feel bad for all those comments that I could have left and I didn't

There are some stories that put me into a lot of thinking as to why something is happening or what could the outcome be, like illandrya's Veronika, in which case the comment comes more naturally to me: I just describe my thoughts and my speculations, which I think are important to writers so that they know if they have accomplished their goals or not.

Also, if I notice that the writer takes the time to patiently respond to every comment, I usually get more thorough as to what my impressions are of the story (I like this particular part because... , The specific character is good/bad/acting weird/...) and might even mention imperfections I've noticed (though I generally avoid that, since not everyone is mature enough to face constructive critisism). I always check back for the writer's response too, and if I see no response, it is unlikely that I'll leave another comment in the future.

In other words, commenting is not only about the reader. It is also about how comment-inspiring (lol at the term I just invented ;D) the story is, and about the writer's stance towards the comments.

[lhasa]

Thank you for making this thread, Stacy! It's really insightful to see the thought processes behind making comments and it's helping me formulate a plan to start structuring my comments more.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm also pretty bad with replying to comments others have left. It's not that I appreciate the comments (I love and appreciate all comments), but I often find it hard to put a response into words and I hate leaving the standard "Thanks for Reading!". I'm the worst commenter in the world.

It's something I need to work on. I have to crack that whip! (lol, I love the smilies here!)

[sb]

You're right, Stacy. This is a hard one. As a reader, I love to comment. Sometimes I'm at odds with the the majority of readers, but I think that's ok. I have readers who take differing positions and state their cases eloquently, and I love it.

It becomes difficult when the chapter is long and complicated and includes several different threads. Some readers rehash the whole update. Maybe I'm lazy, but I just don't like to do that. I'd rather pick out a couple of high points, or areas where I have a question, and focus on those. I also enjoy giving the writer praise when it's obvious she spent a lot of time on the shots. I'm a very visual reader and writer.

Do I check back to see if the writer responded? Yes. It is very disheartening to leave a careful comment and the writer blows me off. I stopped commenting on a couple of those, and stopped reading a couple more altogether. It takes time and energy to comment. I think readers who do take the time deserve the writer's respect and time to respond. Even if the comment is nothing more than 'great update'.

[somuchsong]

This is all so interesting!

I love leaving comments, to the point where I'm actually a little annoyed with the number of LJs that don't allow OpenID. Why not make it easy for people to tell you they enjoy what they're reading?

Anyway, what I usually do when I comment is keep Flashnote open and I jot down anything that comes to mind as I'm reading. Maybe that's really geeky but it helps me remember what really stood out to me in the story and what I wanted to comment on. I tend towards novel-length comments even without my nerdy note taking, but it helps me get my thoughts in order.

Nov 28, 2010 11:41:17 GMT -5 @sb said:

Do I check back to see if the writer responded? Yes. It is very disheartening to leave a careful comment and the writer blows me off. I stopped commenting on a couple of those, and stopped reading a couple more altogether. It takes time and energy to comment. I think readers who do take the time deserve the writer's respect and time to respond. Even if the comment is nothing more than 'great update'.

I agree. If I check back several times and the writer hasn't responded to anything I've said, I usually won't comment again. Not only is it not worth my time but I also figure that perhaps the writer isn't that keen on comments anyway. I don't understand that, because I love getting comments but I guess everyone's different.

With my own comments, I reply to everybody individually. Sometimes that means I say something to Poster B that I've already said to Poster A but that's okay. I don't mind if my commenters say something that's already been said by someone else, so I hope they can forgive me for repeating myself!

The comments I like the best are the ones touch on the specifics of what I've written, or the pictures (because posing is hard work sometimes and it's nice when people notice!) but I couldn't ever be annoyed with someone for just saying "great update". I love getting in-depth comments but I'm also happy to know someone is reading and enjoying it, even if they don't have much to say beyond that.

And I always respond to those people as well, even if all I can say is "thank you".

[heredoncove]

I try to always leave comments and the type of story often dictates what kind of comment I leave. I'm trying to get better at leaving detailed comments and stop leaving the few "This was great" that I do.

I try to make notes of things that stood out to me and any new character developments that I find interesting. I try not to overthink the process while still giving something of substance.

I have to admit that as a writer in the beginning I wasn't too great at commenting on each person's comment but I've gotten much better. I think it adjusted to match the amount of commenting I did on other people's blog and checking to see if they commented on my comment. It's all cyclical.

[blackdaisies]

Oh god, I tend to be like that too, Stacy... Sometimes all I can say is "Great update" or something like that, but it feels so generic and lame that most times I just don't say anything at all. When I do have the brain cells to comment, I like to mention with what stood out for me, what surprised me, what made me laugh, what made me go "what?!?" I do like to mention the pictures and the posing too because believe me, I can appreciate how difficult it could be to get sims to look like they're doing a certain action, and to get that perfect camera angle.

@sb, I know what you mean about some readers rehashing the whole update. And in my comments, I see people actually apologizing for not having a paragraph to say in which case I do a little "eeps" inside and want to reassure people that no one is grading essays or reviews. ^_^ I would always hope that people comment because they want to and they say what they want to. As a reader commenting on someone else's work, I'd love that same respect.

I don't tend to critique work though. I don't know if it's a bad thing or not. I don't feel really qualified to critique anyone on things like grammar, story structure, or plot points. I will critique when its requested and if I feel like I genuinely have something to say that could be helpful. And it's not to say that I see terrible things in people's stories all the time and I just shut up about it... I'd rather just enjoy the story as presented and talk about the parts of the story I really enjoyed.

Do I check back to see if the writer responded? On LJ I usually get all replies and comments to my e-mail so yeah I do. On Wordpress or Blogger I check back because I enjoy the interaction with the writer and honestly I like peeking into people's brains and talking about their process. I personally don't mind if a writer doesn't respond back though. If I enjoyed the work enough to comment in the first place, I'll still most likely go back and keep commenting.

[mmmcheezy225]

These are my feelings, exactly. It's extremely hard for me to go in-depth in story analysis, so I leave brief comments and feel guilty about not being able to go further with it. I do love the in-depth comments though. It's fun to read through a story, check out the comments on that update, and see them fully analyze the characters, their history, their motives, etc. It helps me catch things that I wouldn't have noticed otherwise, and it also helps me appreciate the story more. It also helps the writer figure out what they need to do to make the story continue to improve.

I've learned that even the "great update!" comments are worth something, though. It feels good to know that your story is being enjoyed by someone. I think all comments are appreciated by the writer.

[drew]

I don't like discussing comments too much. But since my rant at my own blog some months back, I have softened a bit toward them.

I get all manner of comments from two words, 'great chapter' to a few paragraphs. I love them all. Doesn't matter to me what they say, even if it is 'beautiful shots, wonderful update'. I am just thrilled someone enjoyed the update enough to say anything. Doesn't matter to me if it has been said before, I don't expect critiques or summaries, but if someone wants to do it, cool. I love talking about the story and characters. Nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism either.

As for leaving comments, some days I feel as Dunuriel, my mind draws a blank. Nothing deep or insightful to say. So I go away and come back, and if I still can't, then I may leave the standard 'great update' thing, because I do want the storyteller to know I read it and enjoyed it, even if the words to express it are inadequate.

Also, I agree I am not inclined to re-visit a blog/story if the storyteller doesn't respond to comments. I have been noticing that trend a bit lately at a few stories and I cant figure out why.
To each their own.
I guess for me, bottom line, I love comments, giving and receiving.

[mdpthatsme]

[long sigh] I'm a horrible commenter. I don't comment enough and when I comment it's something corny like "awesome chapter." Though I know as a writer, you don't care what the comment is, as long as someone noticed your work and commented. I feel bad though. You all know I love your work. I just can't seem to form the correct words when it comes time to type something.

[blackdaisies]

I'd like to offer an alternate perspective on why some writers don't respond to comments.

First of all, I really do think that all writers appreciate that their work was read and I do think all feedback is appreciated. Some writers do a "blanket" thank you comment either in their notes or in another comment that isn't a specific reply to anyone. Some get a substantial amount of comments that it really is hard to respond to each one with the same generic "thank you". Some may not have the time. Some may have other blogs and don't check in to their story blog as often. Some have serious anxieties, about posting their work, and then having to "socialize" with the guests. I kind of fall into the last point.

Seriously, I kind of get embarassed when someone posts a really nice comment. I do make an effort to reply back but that's me. I don't know why I get embarassed (to the point that I shut down the computer completely and left the room when a more recognized sim player left a comment on my work, eeps!) But I do get weird, I can't help it. Anyway, If I leave a comment on someone's work, the comment stands whether it's replied to or not. If I really enjoyed the work I will come back and likely comment again. Who knows, maybe the writer will come out of whatever shell they're in and write back.

If I sense that all the writer wants to know is if their work is being read, then I'll leave a note saying "Hi, I've been reading your work..." kind of thing and probably leave it at that.

I know some people might actually have no sense of etiquette at all and not know that what they're doing is rude. When I started, I certainly thought that it was okay to just leave a blanket "thank you for all the comments" on a later update. Maybe they only respond to their friends... if that's the case, then yeah, that's kind of lame, and maybe I won't return or comment again. But I don't think this is the case for all of them.

[thelunarfox]

Nov 30, 2010 16:30:41 GMT -5 blackdaisies said:

First of all, I really do think that all writers appreciate that their work was read and I do think all feedback is appreciated. Some writers do a "blanket" thank you comment either in their notes or in another comment that isn't a specific reply to anyone. Some get a substantial amount of comments that it really is hard to respond to each one with the same generic "thank you". Some may not have the time. Some may have other blogs and don't check in to their story blog as often.

See, I see all those reasons, and those reasons are exactly why I won't comment on someone's stuff if I'm reading it. If you have so many comments that you can't thank people for taking the time to comment, well then I don't think you need an extra comment from me, y'know? If they have that many, then I think my comment is just extra spam which they don't need.


Except this one reason:

Some have serious anxieties, about posting their work, and then having to "socialize" with the guests.

That I understand, but I still won't comment then because the last thing I want to do is make someone feel anxious.


And it's true, others may not know that not responding to a comment is kinda bad etiquette to someone like me, so I don't hold it against them. I still don't comment.


lol, do I sound mean? I guess in a way I kinda am sometimes, but I'm all for simplification. If you want to encourage comments, then you water them and take time on them. The friendships I've made from responding to comments has been worth so much to me, and I enjoy responding to comments.

I say you should do what you enjoy, and so if you don't enjoy responding to comments, that's fine too.

[blackdaisies]

Oo don't get me wrong, I totally love interacting with readers. I still do get anxieties, but they're mine and I try not to take it out on anyone else or make it a big issue. And you're absolutely right, don't ever do anything you don't enjoy doing... leaving comments, replying to comments, what not I personally appreciate all of them, but I'd hate if someone felt obliged to leave a comment for whatever reason.

There are some writers I read faithfully who may fall into the 'way too many comments to reply to them all' category. But I follow their posts, and I know they're sincere and not at all ungrateful. I still leave comments (for them, and for any story I enjoy popular or not) just on the offchance that it puts a smile on their face.

*sigh* I wish I had more time to read more stories now. >.<

[thelunarfox]

Nov 30, 2010 18:06:41 GMT -5 blackdaisies said:

Oo don't get me wrong, I totally love interacting with readers.

Ooh, no worries. I worried about that once I was at work. I was like, "She's gonna think I'm a total jerk!" lol! But I was commenting right when lunch finished.

Frankly, you seem like a very genuine and kind person, and I have no doubt you show it to your readers. That goes a long way too.

[drew]

Nov 30, 2010 15:18:41 GMT -5 @illandrya said:

I deleted my previous comment on comments because there are certain times of the month you should stay away from forums. I went back and re-read it and cringed.

The comments I value the most are those that hypothesise about a character's actions and what will happen next as well as pose questions, because that's how I usually comment and I find them particularly useful when I'm a bit stuck where to go next because quite often they will inspire a scene or two that I can build on; but bottom line is (judging by my neurotic behaviour and lack of confidence this week) I'll take any comments I can get.

Illandrya,

Apparently there are certain times of the month you shouldn't make comments on sim stories, I am finding out.

But I agree about the hypothesis, and the questions. I must remember that when making my own comments in future!

And hey, I have deleted a few comments myself. If it made you cringe, then, yeah. Delete.