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These are some rules for commenting on stories at BCTS.
First Rule: Be polite. No name-calling, even by implication. No ranting.
Second Rule: Discuss the story, not other comments. If a thread wanders, take it to a blog or forum.
Third Rule: The comments section on a story belongs to the author. An author does not need a reason to ask me to remove a comment. I may discuss reasons privately with the author before taking action but the decision is the author's to make. This is sometimes why threads violating the first two rules are allowed to continue--I don't read everything and if the author does not complain to me, I frequently let things run their course. Not to say that for egregious violations of 1 and 2, I won't make a pre-emptive strike. In the next update of BC software, I hope to be able to actually move comment threads that violate 2 into their own blogs. I may get a little more proactive with that capability.
Fourth Rule: Be positive if you can. This doesn't mean don't make negative comments but be aware of the effect a public negative comment can have. Perhaps what you want to say should better be done with the |Write to author| link than as a comment for everyone to read. If you're posting a negative comment in order for that comment to be seen by other readers, you are doing it wrong.
Fifth Rule: Don't respond publicly to trollish comments. Note that I didn't say trolls, I said trollish comments. There are no trolls here but anyone can make a trollish comment, many times without meaning to.
Sixth Rule: Think about it. I made it so you have to see your own comment before you hit submit. Look at it and think about it. Does this comment accomplish your aim? If your aim is to prove someone else wrong, then does that advance the purpose of the comment section which is to encourage authors and readers to write and read stories?
- Erin
moving mutated comment streams
I like the idea of moving comment "debates" that have strayed too far
from the story (story? huh? WHAT story?) being discussed into a seperate blog.
This seems fair- a way of maintaining an orderly public space without censoring anyone.
Like the barkeep's injunction of "Take it outside"...
~~~hugs, Laika
And remember...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifLqzLEB3E0
Could You Provide Examples?
Who do you like in the NBA finals?
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Commenting
I try to say only positive things in my comments. It is sad when Erin has to step in when somebody goes overboard. Please be kind.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Seventh Reminder
Remember that rare is the story where the author has less invested in the story than does the reader. They care about their story more than anybody else cares about that story. So, like many things that people care about, it is extremely easy to hurt an author with a careless remark.
This reminder also applies to the authors. Remember that comments may have been knocked out in a hurry or be an initial reaction, more than a thought about reaction. Also remember that words come more difficulty to some people, it is rarely easy to express one's own thoughts, which is one of the beautiful things about writing fiction, it is so much easier to express other's thoughts.
Eighth Potential Thing-a-majig:
If you don't like a person, if you argue constantly with that person, don't comment on that person's work. Spare us all the dick-swinging between the two of you.
"Negative" comments
Sometimes a negative comment can be useful to the writer, like if you notice a factual error or grammatical mistake, or even if you're having trouble understanding a character's motivation.
A private message works well for that sort of thing.