AFF readers and writers

In less than 24 hours, I've seen posts by 2 different authors complaining that their readers don't appreciate them enough. Their readers are expecting to read the authors' precious stories without providing anything in return. How dare they! 

(I comment, pointing out that this is absurd. I get told how I'm just making assumptions, I don't know what's going on. Etc.

Well, I just read the posts and responded in that context. Silly me!)

As an author, I'm grateful for every comment, every upvote, every subscriber. But, I also write for myself, too. If I was only writing to "make readers happy", I'd drive myself crazy! Apparently that has happened to some authors here.

I view things much differently than these two authors. I hope you enjoy my stories. I hope you appreciate the thought and work that went into them. I hope you leave a lovely comment that's more than "update soon!"

But to think I deserve it is taking things too far, in my opinion. Some readers are too shy to leave comments. Some don't see the point in leaving a comment. Not every reader is there for the same reason. Not every reader sees the same things in the story. Not every reader can express themselves in words(I understand that one. My comments are horrid, despite my best efforts!)

As an author, I am not above asking if anyone is still reading the story or asking how readers viewed a certain thing in the story. I'm not against telling readers if I'm feeling discouraged due to lack of feedback. But making demands is too far, in my opinion.

Authors need readers and readers need authors. One without the other doesn't make sense for posting on a public fanfic site. I think if we all keep that in mind, we'll all have a better experience--authors and readers.

 

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MidnightOnyx #1
Agreed! When I was first writing, I used to base my writing on feedback and comments, I even stopped at one point cause no one was commenting. I didn't demand comments, but I figured if no one was commenting, it wasn't good enough. I fast learned that didn't work simply because I missed writing, it's in my blood, I have to. So I started to write again, only then, I wrote for me and if someone happened to enjoy it, even better. I love getting comments/feedback, it's rare, so when I does happen, I'm always excited because I know it doesn't happen often and I always take the time to thank the person for taking the time to do so. As a reader, I don't like to be blackmailed into commenting either, I don't want to feel like I HAVE to comment to get more. I've seen my share of "you can have more chapters only if you comment". It's fake then, commenting just to get more? I'd rather buy a book then to fake feedback. I would always tell my fellow writers you have to write for you, so long as you like what you write and enjoy it, that's what counts. I feel that comes with experience and time though, not for all, but for most. Some just need that validation because they don't feel they're good enough and again, that comes with time. I for one am a very rare commenter, I comment only if I feel the story "wowed" me enough to do so, that and if the author is still active, (I don't if the author isn't active, even if the story is phenomenal, it does get added to my favorites/labels though for reread later). It doesn't mean I don't like the story though and also, I'm usually more of a personal commenter, I'd rather tell the author privately how I feel, I don't feel I can be as open publicly and I'm also one of those semi shy commenters as well. I try not to do that often, but I dunno, I'd rather be more personal about it.
Erowindangle #2
Thank you. Seriously, thank you for writing what I felt when reading what one those authors said (not mentioning names because drama honestly terrifies me). Personally, I love their stories, I subscribe to each and everyone one of them and read them before going to bed. But after having experienced someone chew me out in the past for leaving a comment that "wasn't enough" (I'm guessing it wasn't insightful enough for them, and I apologize for not being as mature as they wish me to be) , I haven't posted a comment on this site since. It is scary for me to leave a comment because I'm not sure what to expect whenever I leave a "oh this chapter was great!" Or a "wow, this part really got to me because.." or even a "thank you for writing!" Because different people react so differently and I don't want any sort of drama to build up when I'm just trying to tell you how much I enjoy the time and effort you put into your stories....
So thank you for understanding from the readers point of view. Thank you for allowing me a space to write one insignificant comment about how I feel about he ordeal. It feels good to know I can hesitantly write this and not worry /as much/ about any backlash I can receive ...
Manunulat #3
Very well said. I started out grateful then thought I should get my comments. It was hard but I eventually realized that I needed to be happy with my own writing. Comments are appreciated but if I don't get them, it's not the end of the world. ^_^
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