Just My Opinion as A Reader

Okay. I don't know who'll read this post. Whether you're an author or reader or both. I want to say this after I saw many authors wants to take a break from AFF because of silent readers. English is not my first language. So, sorry for my grammar mistakes. 

When I joined this site, I was a silent reader. I subscribed the story, read it, and left. I couldn't even upvoted the story because everytime I tried to, the app will closed by itself. I didn't know what's wrong with the app (I know how to check feed, pm, walls, and comment replies after a year and a half after I joined. That's how bad I was with this app). So, I just gave up. And continue being a silent reader.

But one day, an author decided to not continue a story I really really really liked because she got no feedback from her readers. The story was so damn good. I remember waiting for her update every single day. She thought her story was bad because people barely left their thoughts. I thought she'll be back, but she never did. Until I wrote this blog, she never did. 

So, I decided to stop being a silent reader. Authors spend HOURS to write their stories. Some even doing research for it. The least we can do is left a simple "thankyou for the update" or "this chapter is so good" or "I'm so excited for next chapter" or whatever we wanted to say. These comments only takes few minutes or even seconds to write. It's not something hard to do, right? Hehe. 

And this is main reason why I want to write this blog. DON'T STOP LEAVING COMMENTS, JUST BECAUSE THE AUTHOR DIDN'T REPLY TO IT. JUST DON'T. I believe authors saw our comments, and they really really really appreciate it. I saw someone said: "I stop leaving comments because the author didn't respond to it". Sorry, but this kind of mindset is so wrong in my opinion. Reader got an update, author got a comment. Our comments were probably only up to 200 words, their updates were more than 2000 words or even 7000 words. And you still expect a reply? It's not wrong to expect a reply, but it's wrong when you think IT'S A MUST to get a reply. It's like you think: "this person should be grateful that I left a comment, s/he should thank me". So, please, don't do this again. 

Last. I'm not saying this because I'm a role model reader or something. There are many stories and updates that I subscribed but I haven't read it yet. So, for some authors I might be a silent reader as well. I actually don't have much time these days to keep up with the updates, especially long ones. But it's weekend now! So I probably will start to read all the new updates!

That's all. Hehehe. This is so random and unnecessary. But I just wanted to say it. Let's do our part, leave comments, even a simple "thank you". And for authors who decided to take a break from this site, please take as much time as you need to rest. Hehehe. I hope you all will be back soon. ♥

Thank you for reading. I hope everyone to be happy and healthy! Take care of yourself! ♥♥♥

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Bhumig #1
Wow! Thank you for writing this blog! It means a lot to all the authors that someone out there so cares fir them and think they way they think too...! It’s readers like you that make an author to belie in his or her work and continue telling their stories :D
Those authors are indeed blessed to have you as one of their readers :D
I’m so happy to see this post ^^ thank you for thinking about others and instead of backing off with the fear to be backlashed, you did write it and every word speaks of your pure intentions ^^
_Kaira #2
In beginning I was also a silent reader but I shared their stories and slowly I’m leaving comments and sharing them too... your post is a well said one! Mostly it’s authors who wrote posts to let readers an fellow authors know about their plight, it’s really good and motivating to see a reader doing this. Thanks from all the readers here ^^
cowboyzkdlin #3
POINT'S WERE MADE IN THIS BLOG POST !!!

i personally believe both the author and reader should put in efforts to communicate with one another for so many reasons, espiecally because i believe readers are able to help boost confidence and can even contribute to stimulate a writers mind into writing something better from the feedback received ~ it's lovely to know everything a reader feels so the writer can develop. having a good relationship between the author and reader is important and all your points only prove so ! although i know i have many silent readers, the ones who comment i can't help but appreciate them so much.

thank you so much for writing this ♡♡♡
koalaclings #4
Well said!
hayan_champagne #5
I normally don't read blog posts on this site but your topic got me. First, I thought I should see what the readers want to tell us, so started reading this. (Mainly because you're one of my most devoted and most remembered readers to be honest. ^^)
and then, after reading this, I have nothing but a truckload of thanks to give you. Many readers doesn't realize this, so it was so valuable of you to speak this topic out.
as a writer, I write stories because thoughts pile up in my head, and I want a way to let them out. It's my hobby, which I love the most. But when we start posting the story here, the main intention changes a bit, and as the number of views start showing up on a chapter, we start feeling the urge to know what the person who read our stories think about it. 'did they enjoy it?' or 'did I bore them away?'
So when the notification pops up saying 'New story comments!' after updating a chapter, you guys have no idea how happy that makes a writer. Their story might not be the perfect one, but still, even a comment with two emojies can give them a lot of courage, showing that their writing for hours have been acknowledged by someone.
And yes, most of my closest writers in the site, (including myself), we don't just write anything up because it's just about an idol. We do research, ask others' opinions, and put our everything into making the reader not disappointed. So a little comment always leave us with a smile, and encouragement to continue the rest of the story.

finally, with this rant I just wanted to thank you, a hell lot that is, because you have understood what a tiny comment can mean to a writer. thank you so much for writing this, and always rooting for my stories as well.
Love you, and treasure you so much!
Stay safe! XOXO
dreamshun #6
hi, idk you but your words touched my heart and really helped me as an author on this site! every time i read a story, i tend to leave a comment every two chapters or every chapter if i extremely enjoyed it. i also have some silent readers, but trust me even if i get at least one comment from them it really makes my day T_T

really really thank you for writing this! this was much needed ♡
Hunniepieee #7
Thank you for writing this and thank you for being such an active reader of my stories. I have seen your name on the comment section a lot of times and I can't express how grateful I am for all the active readers, like you, who would leave comment after every chapter :) Your appreciation is a form of motivation for me to update asap :) Thank you
Seul77dI #8
Here is my unpopular opinion...

Yes, having silent and ungrateful readers , and that's the reason why most authors discontinues a story.

But let us not put all the blame on the READERS alone.

Sometimes it is also the AUTHOR'S EGO that kills a story.

Not all stories/updates deserves a comment, let's all be real here. Sometimes you would like to comment something like "hey author your writing is crap" or "hey author i wish you could write something that is more original, less cliche or less /o themed story" but of course we cannot do that because we are afraid to hurt the AUTHOR'S EGO and we know (or you must know) that an author's ego is so fragile that it will easily break and crumble over one negative comment. So being silent is also a reader's way of being polite.

There are arrogant and self centered authors i tell you, the ones who think their writing is so superior and acts as if they are the superstars of the fanfiction world. They constantly get irritated with comments like "please update" because they wanted to read praises on the comment sections, they wanted their bums kissed. They held their updates hostages until their readers gives them the attention they are so craving for.

So if you are a silent reader, dont feel bad for not commenting, maybe you are just too shy or something, it is fine. Anyway you can always opt for the UPVOTE button, its just a click a way, if it doesnt work on the app then try it on the desktop. Dont ever feel guilty of not leaving a comment. And in case you do write one, please be honest and really say what you wanted to say.

Advise for the authors, put a disclaimer on your stories like this,

"Warning: Subscribe with caution. Story may be discontinued without further notice. Make sure to UPVOTE and please only leave 'positive' comments. P.S. Im kinda a big thing here in AFF so don't expect me to reply to your comments."

Trust me it will save us both time and effort.
HeadToToesLove #9
Thank you for this 🙏
norinka #10
I try not to be silent reader
seulrenewrld #11
I love my readers even though most of them are the silent type. But readers like you are the reason why I feel great about my work. Thank you ^^
Lynderella143 #12
This blog left me teary eyed. I love this mindset. I hope others will think like this too. Thank you! ♡
misunnie7791 #13
As an author, you really voiced out my thoughts. Thank you for this post!
Kuro1412 #14
As an author and a reader, I can relate to this

I (mostly) leaves comment on stories because I know what it's like to see a comment from a reader. I always feel the thrill and excitement when I saw people subscribed, comments, or upvote. I always love it I swear. I'm sure all authors out there appreciate every comment, even the small ones, like what I got
"It's cute"

Just that simple and it already make me very happy and excited to write more. I appreciate this post a lot, thank you very much!
Baekkyoongja #15
Lol actually its the same, i used to be a silent reader, just because im feeing shy and i didnt know what to say lol.. but then I started to write what Im feeling or thinking when reading the stories coz i realized so many authors expecting comments or feedbacks from the readers. Anyhow, the funny thing is that I just knew that theres this menu called comment story replies after more than a year I joined this app muahaha..
also for me, im trying to be very generous with the upvotes, like am very bad at writing, and those authors really spend a lot of their times to write a very good pieces so why not? Its a form of our appreciation as well :)
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