I've posted this before on my livejournal, but I also want to share about this here. this is a message for my silent readers.

I'm not going to ask you to quit being a silent reader, but I just want to share how I really feel about it.

I know I have no rights to force you or even politely ask you to leave some comments for my stories – and I don’t want to do it either – but honestly silent reader makes me sad. very sad and disappointed, in fact.

well okay, I think I need to assert one thing first. I don't hate you at all ... uhmm but maybe only a little, LOL. but seriously I feel thankful that there are still people who are willing to read my stories, I really do. even though most of them decided to keep it as a secret instead of telling me directly, I still feel thankful.

yet I also feel disappointed with myself at the same time. are my stories not good enough to receive some responses from you?

based on my experience, a very good story will reduce the number of silent reader on its own. like the story is so good that it makes you want to leave some words even a short one. that's why whenever my stories don't receive many comments, I can't blame anyone but myself, thinking "maybe it's not that good so that people are reluctant to leave any comments."

anyway.

I say this on behalf of many writers – at least those who feel the same way as I do.

I know being a silent reader is fun, I’ve been there done that. but then when I finally posted my first story, I realized how important a comment can be – even the simplest one. it makes us, writers, feel so much appreciated and probably inspired. that overwhelmed feeling when we see what we have written gain a lot of response ... we will be more encouraged to write more, knowing that some people out there love our stories and look forward to read more about it.

I love writing and I’m writing because I love doing what I love. I’m writing for myself, to make myself happy. so receiving comments is not the main purpose why I write. but I have to admit that writing only for myself is not as fun as sharing what I wrote to others and learn how they think about it. it’s okay if you don’t like my stories but at least let me know so that I can improve myself. constructive criticism is always welcomed, I don’t mind reading them at all, really :)

yes, you have your own reasons. busy, online using mobile device, don't have the site account, language issue, or just simply lazy. I will always try to understand and accept your reasons, that's why I told you I will never ask you to quit being a silent reader. but like I said above, I also have my own reason to feel sad and disappointed, especially at myself.

I'm sorry if this post offend you, I just want to share what I think and how I feel about silent reader from my standpoint as writer.