I don't know about others, but any suggestions folks want to share that might "improve" my writing would be GREATLY appreciated.

Phrances

marie c.

Thanks for the promotion, Sephy. Readers should know that Sephy is one of those backroom people who has one of those jobs you don't hear about much. Without her work none of us would be seeing our creativity on this screen! Thanks again Sephy.

Nuff said

Ditto
:)

A.A.

If you like a story by an author but feel it is lacking something,a comment can be highly helpful. Just saying you enjoyed the story and its concept can be relatively beneficial.
Not everything I write is gold, but if someone does not tell me I may continue on the premise that I am writing wondefully when in reality I am not.
I can say I do not like writing continuing stories, but there are those who do write such stories I like to follow.
I can say I have been remisss in reading and not commednting. Usually it is when I am seeking an enjoyable read and it sneaks up on me by comments from others that I forget to tell the author I was intrigued and satisified.

Jill Micayla
May you have a wonderful today and a better tomorrow

Well, maybe not by leaving a comment. ;-)

Good things can happen, though.

"Beth's Story" was written strictly because someone asked about her in a comment. The interludes are another 'cause-you-asked inclusion.

Who knows what might happen because of a comment?

Nicole (a.k.a. Itinerant)

--
"Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite."
Robert A. Heinlein

but I check every day, in case anyone has commented on something I wrote earlier. I read every comment made on my stuff, some of which are better than my stories:(

Angharad

Speak for others that is, but every comment I have ever received on a story has been treasured, and any comment on an older story would be even more so.

There are some who seem to feel that any criticism isn't allowed, but I don't know where that idea comes from. It's true that saying things like, "stories like this should be banned," or "this stinks (or a stronger word)", is discouraged and is useless, but even saying, "This needs proofing," or "You need to work on this some more, it is impossible to follow," can be kindly meant and helpful.

I, at least, would have not problem with people pointing out the errors of my ways in a comment, or a PM, but the comment gives the oppertunity for others to refute or agree, and that too gives me the chance to learn.

Quite often I recognize the problems soon after I post. (Sometimes I do even before hand, but charge forward because I'm committed to an idea that didn't really work.) The thing is my stories that I have worked hardest on, giving close reading after close reading, editing and rewriting until every word sang to me, are not my most popular (if any of my stories deserve that word.) Part of that is style questions and what people seek, but there are other things too that I wish people would tell me about.

So comment! Its not only the "pay" writers seek, it is also the way you make better writers.

Jan

Comments are a joy as a writer. However, after some of the recent blogs I wish to speak up for the readers.

168 13 0 4 22 0 1 2 15 0 2 6 3-2 0 2 23-24 2 6 15 42 4 0 9 3 0 18 0 4 6 180ish 6 2 0 8 2 23 4 3 16 13 0 1

The above numbers represent the stories on the first page of top shelf, in particular they represent the chapter/section/installment of that story with the zeros representing, where I assume, will only be a single posting for the entire story. It is wonderful in a way, so many authors creating so many stories of depth. However, it has also created a tremendous work load for readers tracking multiple character arcs from multiple authors/stories across multiple sittings. I believe it makes it much harder for any author to keep reader's engaged in their characters.

Now do not take this as a slant against serials, I have enjoyed many of them and I have a couple multi-part stories of my own. Still I think they may have become too much of the norm, after all the best buffets do not consist only of meat dishes.

I will not ask authors to quit posting in this manner. However, I do ask that everyone who posts so to strongly question whether it is the best method for engaging your readers and telling your story.

Lastly, I would strongly caution anyone who plans to begin writing an ongoing saga story with regular postings, you are putting yourself in a stressful situation. You are committing (without any contractual obligations or rewards) to deadlines and perceptions. And you are asking people to engage in your character to a degree that they will question what happens to your character, so make sure you are ready for such questioning. So tread carefully, for here be dragons.

First Submitted by Sarah Lynn Morgan on Tue, 2005-04-26 12:18.

I understand the fear of leaving a trail that might not be
explainable to persons for whom gender disphoria is an
abstraction. I think it’s a rational concern, and I have
to respect those who act accordingly. In doing so, however,
I also hope that they will continue to find ways to be more
comfortable with the subject and with themselves.

On the other hand, I do agree completely with what
Angel, amongst so many others, has said. The reader’s
comments are most probably the only payment we will
ever receive for the work we have put fourth in creating
these stories for you. In fact, my second story, which
represented many months of very late nights, was
written solely because one person said that they really loved
my first story. It is a much more powerful motivator than
most readers really appreciate.

Anyone with an appreciation for this genus, no matter
what their particular motivation, should recognize that it
is well within their own interest to encourage those writers
whose stories they admire. Given the cost of a mass market
book, I believe that the payment requested for some of these
wonderful works, by these many and amazingly talented
authors, is quite reasonable indeed.

Also, I have a word of encouragement for respondents. If
you are afraid that you won’t be able to make a worthwhile
comment, you should think about the following. Even the
best authors make little errors; and, more so in their casual
communications. Don’t let that fear keep you from
expressing yourselves. A good feeling, a kindness, and yes,
even a little advice is more than good enough for us. Minor
errors don’t mean much in comparison.

Also, you don’t need to leave a great work of poetry or prose
to tell us how you feel. We authors are impressed by the
thoughtfulness, and cleverness of some of the nicer comments,
just as I’m sure the readers themselves are; but, even the
simple comments are precious to us. “I just loved your story!”
really is good enough.

It may be simple and quick, but it satisfies quite nicely the
contract between the two people the story was written to please:
the author, and the reader. As a new author, I can tell you, that
“I just loved your story!” rates about a nine on the happiness scale.
That also is an exceedingly good return for the effort.

Sarah Lynn Morgan.
SarahLynnMorgan@hotmail.com

Good point Sephy!

Oh we poor writers!

We sit and bash away on or keyboards, inspired by God knows what, to produce our meagre offerings so that others may share in those jumbled thoughts as they present themselves in story form.

Like many other writers who have commented on this thread, I can only speak for myself.
I write because : -

a) I want to. Something inside me makes me put my ideas into a story form, so that I can find some form of release from the very things that constrain me.

b) I feel the need to share, if not directly of myself, then of those things my mind creates.

c) I need to feel that what I do is appreciated and gives pleasure. Having said that, I also feel the need to improve and without feedback, I never shall. Writing is a developing skill, and all writers need constructive criticsm and encouragement. What we don't need is zero response.

This site allows us to post our stories to get a fair readership. My intention (eventually) is to get published so I can make a reasonable living, but as I received great pleasure from reading other writers' work, I seek to return the favour to others. If I post a story (or part) and get 1000 reads but only one comment, I'm confused and left wondering why the heck to I bother?
Is my work such rubbish that people don't want to bother leaving a comment?
Then why can't they at least leave a comment to that effect and I'll go find something better to do with my time.
Mark my words, if they had to pay for it, then the moans and groans would fill the pages soon enough.

I know I'm not pereft, and never shall be, so I know my typing can be awful and errors will happen. That's because I often post without an editor looking over my work. If I had to publish and was going to receive payment, then that's a different thing.
My work is in rough draft to see if it is hitting the mark. I can edit (and do) while it is posted, so that's not a problem.

For me, well, I shall continue writing. All I ask is that if my work is worth a comment, then please leave one. If it isn't, then leave a comment as to why not.

Thanks

Tanya

There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!

Thank you Sephrena, for issuing this timely reminder. I am suitably reprimanded and will endeavour to leave more comments from now on.
In my defence, I will say that as per usual, I seem to be a day or so behind in my reading of new stories. Therefore, having read the comments already posted, there is little I could add other than I enjoyed or loved it. Perhaps this reflects more on my passive nature as a reader than in any ability i may have in critiquing others.
For example, I have noticed that many of my favourite writers have left comments to this entry already. So thank you to them, and all of those, who take the time, effort, skill and sheer willpower to turn an idea into a story. After all that hard work, my inadequate response remains mainly in my head.
If the authors are happy with a ‘well done’, or ‘I love it’ I shall try harder in the future

Love
Anne G.

I know I LOVE comments. It gives me feedback in that I know what people are liking and what they don't like. I write the stories for me, but I do try to please the readers. The plot stays the same, but the style changes in response to comments. So tell me.
----
May the Stars Light Your Path
Maid Joy

Ummm... am I padding your comments totals here... ;-)
Michelle

To being a comment whore. Of course I write for myself and in some cases because I like my characters and I like to give them an outing (not THAT kind of outing) and see how they develop. I don't always know how that will be when I put fingers to keyboard, or I think I do and then they change my mind for me.
However, for me it is important to know that I have connected with at least some people out there. I have only ever had one utterly rude comment and that was because I grafted a real-life persona onto one of my characters and a reader took offence (it wasn't on BC by the way). I have received a fair few critical comments and wish I had received more. They have always been helpful to me, either pointing out possible directions for future plot development, or giving me an insight into what others see in my characters (which is not always what I intended). Naturally I also like the ones that say that the reader enjoyed what I wrote.
For my own part I really try to comment on the stories that I read. The times when I do not are;
*when I absolutely dislike the story and I have stopped reading before the end
*when so many others have already commented that I have nothing new to say and I feel any comment I could make would not be missed.In these cases I always vote.

That is the other vital statistic for me, THE VOTE!!!! Please,if you don't have the time or inclination to comment, just one little click is all it takes, especially now that the voting booth is at the end of the posting.

I know I started by saying that I write mostly for myself, but if I got no comments and no votes I would honestly feel that I was wasting everybody elses time and just go back to playing with myself,
Joanne

I think comments are over rated. As an ex FictionMania reader, one of the many advantages I see here is the ability to Vote for a story rather than having to comment upon it. If you're the first person to read a story, fine, there's usually something original you can say about it - although that always takes time, and some may not want to spend time, and others simply may not have time - but when 10 people have already commented, what more can you say? Most readers are nothing like as good at creative writing as the authors.

On FM, where commenting was the only way of providing feedback, comments were frequently very bitchy, and sometimes used to make ongoing personal attacks against authors.

Finally, I would question the value of feedback. Sure, if there's something an author can do about a problem, such as using a spell and grammar checker, then that's fine, but simply to say this story lacks this, or they couldn't undertand that, doesn't usually help an author to write their next story. I know some authors enjoy the masochism of receiving "constructive" feedback, but I suspect that most simply want a few words that say: "Great story" which is exactly what the Vote button does.

That's the simple message. Voting is also encouraged. Why? Because comments and voting encourage the authors. It's really just that simple.

Keeping the purpose of comments in mind, we encourage everyone to comment or vote or both. Criticisms are often better dealt with by a private message which is also available. But you don't have to comment, it's just nice when you do.

Other sites have a philosophy that comments are "reviews" intended for other readers. That's only a secondary purpose for comments and voting here at BC. Mostly comments and votes and PMs are intended to be used as encouragement for the authors because this is an amateur setting and people write and post because they love doing it.

Commenting and voting are just ways to give a little love back to the authors. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

by the number of votes and the comments attracted by my latest offering "Retiring Gracefully" and one of my previous stories "She's Not You".

I write because I'm inspired to do so, because I enjoy it, and because I want to contribute to this wonderful community of ours.

That's not to say that 'he or she doesn't contribute who merely sits and reads.' By no means; without our much-valued readers, there'd be no point in writing. But, as has been said, comments and votes are an encouragement.

I very much doubt that my stories will ever be good enough, even with a tweak in the right direction, to be acceptable to the paying public. That is not the point for me.

I rarely read stories with certain themes; I don't comment on that which I don't read, it doesn't seem fair. I have, though, been moved to read and, often, enjoy stories outside my usual taste-range, by reading a positive comment. So comments can encourage readers to try something new.

I, as I'm sure many of us do, have my favourite authors, but that list is changing and growing all the time.

That's enough from me on the subject.

Susie

Votes and comments are quite useful, especially in a story like "A Lion in Waiting." In that case, the steady decline in votes tells me I have made a serious error in my plot line and that there is little point in pursuing it. The vote count also tells me that a story such as "A Lion in Waiting" has no place in The Big Closet when compared to the usual fare offered here. I can only assume it does not dwell enough on TG specific issues or the things people come to a TG web site for.

I am not really discouraged. More disappointed than anything else. I have been over this ground before and have tried different things, but so far to no avail. So, in this case I guess it is time to scrap another misguided venture and move onto something else.

Nancy Cole

—

Maybe I am wrong in my thinking, but I feel as a reader of these stories given to all of us freely and with love by some very excellent writers and some writers who are trying to get their "feet wet" should always be voted on and a comment left. Altho I don't feel myself to be a good enough writer to even attempt placing a story on BC-TS or any other web page, I do feel myself a reader who wants those writers to know what I thought or felt about their particular story or stories and also as a way of saying thank you for your efforts.
I noticed Nancy Cole, for example, believing her stories don't seem to be "worthy" of this site and to that I would have to totally disagree. I find her to be an excellent writer who researches her subject matter most thoroughly and even present it to us to get a better understanding of how her stories fit into the period she is writing about. We all have to remember, that it was not so long ago that any references to any thing or person considered in what is now the GLTG life was totally hidden and in some cases still is. Nancy's stories show us this in and from a historical perspective. I for one, would hope that she does not stop writing for all of us. Janice Lynn Miller (J-Lynn)

I do know I am not a polific writer, but when I see how many people have red a story of mine and the amount of comments I begin to wonder what I have done wrong. I already have low self esteem going on in my life. With less than five comments for stories tells me I have failed to reach the reader.

I am busy with my current project on as can do nature. I'm involved in a grass roots movement so there are days when i am doing public speaking and presentations that keep me from my goal.

When I come here it is to see wha tis being written and find something that grabs my interest. I like sweet and sentimental, because I was an abused child ilike to see the sugary side of life.

I don't believe in forced femininity or magical mystery tours from other dimensions. I like stories to not go on forever and leave me feeling good.

Thank you Sephy for your blog.

Jill Micayla
May you have a wonderful today and a better tomorrow

I am also guilty of not leaving comments unless I really like the story, and when I do, it's simply I love the story. I don't get into where the plot should go, because that's the author's business. I on the other hand love getting comments on my stories. It's like telling a woman she's pretty. Flattery will get you there every time, Arecee

I like to help people succeed and grow, but I am not comfortable leaving meaningless comments. I try to leave relavant comments, but it sometimes takes me longer to write a semi-intelligent comment than to read the story.

Are comments supposed to be your gut (tummy) reaction, or a critique, or an evaluation, or glitterintg generalities?

Just like creative story telling, making intelligent feedback is an art. It is not easy to do, especially free form comments. For me, I must think through what made it a good read for me or what didn't work for me the reader. Once I've figured out what I want to say, I then need to write it down. Sometimes the thought gets Lost in translation. My brilliant insightful feedback looks stupid when written.

Once you've said 'I like the light and airy style Sue Brown uses in her "Changes" series (just like the picture she uses).' Or when Lilith Langtree uses situational humor in "Either Do it Right, or Don't Do it at All" Or SaraUK's use of dialog for helping us understand/relate to her characters in "You Have It All Wrong" what else is there? Am I supposed to repeat them every installment?

My only qualification is being a voracious reader having read 10's of thousands of books, articles, cereal boxes and lables etc. on just about any subject. I am not a creative writer. My prose is dense and floats like a block of concrete. I respect any one who makes an honest effort to write and publish.

I read to escape and keep my mind from thinking. This site is great for the number of well written stories. Thanks to all the great writers and their editors, for making it so.

Hugs
Trish-Ann

to read a good story and leave a comment when I like it. As a reader only (Goddess help me if I were to ever try to write something)there are just so many series/serials running right now that it is almost impossible (at least for this reader) to keep them all straight. I think I had/have some 20+ bookmarked to try and keep track. Some are writing chapters that are just too short for me to really comment on, even if (and in most cases they are) the story line is really good.

Some write a great chapter of good length with a great story line and then nothing for weeks, months, a couple a year or more and some are never finished or pulled. It is becoming harder for a reader (at least me) to remember and keep track of story lines on some. I do vote if I liked a chapter as some way to let a writer knows in one way I liked the chapter. I know RL and other things happen to mess up a writer so I do mostly private comments so as not to embarrass myself. As a reader I just do not find that enjoyable anymore and it being an enjoyable story is the only reason I read.

I find myself going back to finished stories (even ones I have read before) more and more that are completed while waiting for the newer ones to be finished or at least multiple chapters before starting something new anymore. My only exception is Bike and that has proven addicting as a soap opera on TV each and every day but each and every chapter is of a good length and something, so far, I can count on being there day and day out. It is my exception.

As I discussed somewhere else here a few weeks ago, don't be afraid to comment on stories / chapters that were posted months/years ago - even if the last comment was made back then!

It may seem strange, but the authors appreciate it - besides which, it proves to them that their efforts are still being read (and hopefully enjoyed!) months/years after they've disappeared from the front page! I've even speculated on future events in the plot, even though the next x chapters worth of the plot have already been written and posted, so are immutable. My theory was that most other people arriving at that chapter probably wouldn't have read ahead, so, like me, would be at the same level of plot knowledge as those commenting when the chapter first went 'live'.

Oh, and old stories are another reason why the public-facing "Favourites" lists are worth keeping (in addition to private bookmarks) - if you read comments by someone who seems to share your viewpoint on the plot, you can dive into their favourites and see which stories they've been reading (a kind of recommendation system). This is very useful for a site with hundreds (thousands?) of different stories written and posted over several years, and helps you discover authors who don't post new chapters / stories every day / week.

-oOo-

As for the earlier comment about writing serials "committing" the author to upload new chapters on a regular schedule, I'd have to disagree. Although most authors will try and push out new chapters every day / week / month, we as readers are (hopefully!) smart enough to realise this is a hobby for them, and they do have a *real life* which occupies them for (probably at least) 20 hours/day. Unsurprisingly, real life can sometimes take more time than that, so we know and expect that occasionally updates won't happen on schedule, or the author will need to take an extended break from writing. A classic example is Tiff's "Something Feels Strange" - she writes a burst of updates, then takes a break of several months to concentrate on work (you know, that daily activity which earns enough money to survive on!) Do we resent her for it, or write acidic comments? No! We may be a little disappointed the story will be entering a temporary hiatus, but we know and understand the reasons why, so don't feel bitter.

 
 
--Ben

and you do a wonderful job in all, you both do. I did not envision this to be an attack either by me or someone else. However I do get upset when someone comments on my comment, misreads the whole thing, and then feels honor bound to chastise me over it. I give up, no more public comments from me period never again end all. One less thing for you to have to worry about. We both have way to much in RL to take time for this kind of thing. Over reaction, probably, no make that surely, but as bad as I feel you can remove me as a registered user, after 4+ years, I just do not need this (neither do you - you should not have to referee anything) and I never should have commented my feelings in the fist place. This is after all supposed to be "A friendly place......." Right now I just do not have a friendly place anywhere.

At last - I've found you and your writing's beautiful. Thanks!! Ginger xx

While I do read every comment ever made on any story I ever read here, or, recently, write myself, I don't really care if people comment on my stories or not. It's nice. I read them. Sometimes I reply back. But it has nothing to do with my writing, really.

I write simply because if I didn't, I'd never get any sleep. Character creation is an idle activity of my brain, it happens whether I'm actively paying attention or not, and eventually, if I don't pay attention, those characters will make their presence VERY well known in my head and refuse to let me sleep, clamoring for their stories to be told.

I'm probably fairly unique though :P

Chapter readings are a favor though, if no one says they like them, I probably won't do them again.

I read comments by the authors that they are not receiving appreciation for thier efforts.
On my computer, when I press the "Good Story" button I normally get "An error occured" message. This happens about 90% of the time. If succesful I get "Thanks for the kudos". Maybe others are having the same problem. I do not leave comments, just press the button. It took me ten minutes to figure how to send this comment as it did not seem obvious as to how to do it.
Do I need to setup something on the computer?
Keep up the good work.
Fiona