Please Update Comments

Hi Everyone,

You've probably noticed a very prevalent comment that we see on our favourite stories not yet being updated by their authors: Please Update!

Whether this has been posted with the word 'please', adding a number of emoticons such as :) ^^ T_T 0_0 on it to print a few, or ending it with an exclamation point! The message remains the same: Author, update the story, I'm waiting.

Now you can read the last sentence as positive or negative. But what's important to identify as a reader, is to know on what emotion you wrote down that comment for the author to read. Because your message can encourage the author to write more chapters faster or even stop writing altogether.

Who wouldn't want to know what happens next in the story that you took the time to read and enjoy? Like you, I feel a number of emotions when I see no progression in the story that I want to read the next chapter on. But what we have to understand is that these authors are writing their stories for free, even if they are Crowdfunded, we are able to read them still for free after a set time, not unless if they put it in as friends only.

I'm not saying the comment please update is bad, it just tells the author that readers are interested in the story that they took the time to write and edit - and that's a good thing. But you also have to consider their perspective of just being told to update a story. A writer first and foremost writes for themselves, it's a joyful activity to be able to create, to compose your ideas into words that can be read and reread by other people. Give them respect by not repeatedly posting this blatant request. If you do want to get the message across that you are interested and excited for their update, it would help if you write down what you like about the story. It doesn't have to be per chapter, but just as the Author's story details give us a clearer picture of what's happening in that universe to imagine, our comments give the author a clearer picture of their reader's appreciation of their work.