Replying to story comments as an author: do it.

So today I came to a sort of revelation. An epiphany, if you will.

Basically I realized just how big of a deal it is to answer story comments. I'll start off by saying that I almost NEVER comment on stories. I'm more of a silent reader, and if I really liked it I'll give kudos. But rarely do I take the time to comment.

Anyway, that being said, I commented on a fic I really liked recently. I wrote a small paragraph and went into detail about what it was that I enjoyed about the fic etc, and I even asked the author a question about the story itself.

No answer.

Two weeks later, still not response from the author. So needless to say, they probably won't respond to my comment.

And like... I sort of felt bad? Like I felt a bit bummed. I really wanted to express how much I liked the story and I was sort of seeking an acknowledgement from the author about my comment and even an answer to my question in the comment itself, but nothing ever came.

Anyway!

This made me think to myself and my own stories. I have hundreds of comments of each of my stories, and although I've responded to like 50%~ of them, there's still so so so many that I haven't replied to.

I feel so ty! :(((

So to those of you that have ever commented on one of my stories and I've not replied to... I'M SO SORRY. I AM A TERRIBLE HUMAN BEING.

Like seriously, it's not even that hard to reply to comments. It takes more work reading a fic and commenting on it than it does for me to read the comment and just say something back, even if it's just "Thanks!" or something.

So, starting now, I'll be responding to every. single. last. comment I get. I owe the readers that much. They don't have to read my dribbles, but they do, and if they show how much they like them to me, I need to respond.

(This also means I'll be going back into each and every comment and commenting on every single one I've missed, even if they're duplicates.)

xoxo, ohhhkenneth

Comments

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GazettExoticfan12 #1 May 18, 2017 14:01:53

True! Even when I comment on fics and get a reply or I get comments on my fics, I appreciate it when there's a reply. Even when I don't have sth specific to comment, I think it's nice to tell the authors that I enjoyed their fics. It makes me feel giddy and good when I get comments on my fics, so I guess that the same applies for other authors, it's a confidence boost :)

Affybear #2 May 18, 2017 12:18:36

I also answer everyone's comments whether its long or short
Because i know i would enjoy it if the author replied to me ^^

hopelesswriter #3 May 18, 2017 10:05:22

blogwalking n decided to comment. i never thought that authors are obligated to reply to each n every comments (though i somehow end up doing it anyway even to comments that are so short, vague n hardly say anything about what they read...unless i'm not in the mood or i just forgot after delaying it) but if you ask a question, it's only basic manners for the author to reply...

....i get what you're trying to say with this post though...usually, when i comment, i'd get replies with so much love from the authors since my comments are usually long and expressive/detailed/analytical. and their replies make me feel so happy too, though i don't always expect them to reply when i comment to their fics. i don't think you need to feel bad about not always replying. one sincere reply to me worth more than a million obligated/forced ones(since not all comments are easy to reply to, other than saying 'thank you for the comment' since many comments are just short n vague like 'great update' or 'love it'...)

and to me, readers' efforts to read fic and comment are the response to author's efforts to write them...writers provided the fic n readers kinda paid to the free service through their comments, so they already even out each other. although yeah, it doesn't take that much effort to reply though that depends too, on what kind of reply you're giving out...