I wish people would actually comment on my story more...I rarely get comments at all. Sometimes it seems to me that almost nobody is reading my story.
Dozens of readers suddenly commenting? Yeah...never happened to me. Anyway, most readers who comment tell me straight up that they are dropping my story because it sucks one way or another, so I would just reply, "okay, bye."
TheAdventurer
Another trend I’ve been noticing recently is that readers feel the need to express their enthusiasm by demanding that an author “must update quicker” or “needs to start releasing chapters already”, and “releases way too slowly”.
The above mentioned demands are incredibly disrespectful; writers are not content machines. Personally, (do note that I am writing from the standpoint of an author that writes for free) I don’t owe it to anyone to create anything.
I write because of my own desire to practice my English, and the experience is soured whenever readers feel entitled to snap their fingers and demand more content. It’s disrespectful, and in my own personal experience, it repels me from writing.
Why not keep everything civil? Readers are under no obligation to read or follow stories, and, in retrospect, writers (who are not under contract) have no obligations to create content either.
IMHO
As a reviewer, I would like to receive an answer to my review and to the questions posed to the author. Since something was not clear to me. But the author may not respond to the review. Counting it (even if it is positive) is an unworthy answer. In view of the above-mentioned reasons, "TheAdventurer".
This is one aspect.
Second, if the reader urges the author, this is not respect for the author. Since the author is the same person and he has his own affairs, his own life in the real world. He writes as many chapters as he can. If the reader wants to get good chapters, he must learn to wait. A creative chapter is better than a formal one. I judge already as an author.
As an author, there are comments motivating and there are destructive ones.
In general, you don’t need to get angry either at the authors or at the readers. But anyway, there remains some kind of unpleasant aftertaste when you review a novel, ask questions, and in response to you - just silence. No thanks, no goodbyes, no answers at least some. Then what's the point of reviewing? It involves a dialogue between the author and the reviewer. A monologue.
Although, probably, here the reviewer goes into the category of reader and therefore cannot demand anything from the author. And so all this unpleasant aftertaste will remain for him simply from his choice to write a review. This is the choice of the reviewer and his mistake, he wrote a review of the wrong person.
Then everything falls into place and there is no regret.
Tomoyuki every post ive ever read you make is about how every single person thinks your story is trash. Seriously? I looked and you have 2M views with a 4.3/5 rating. Stop seeking attention and only posting about the negatives.
I'm not trying to be mean, but you're complaints and posts are quite pathetic, really
I wonder whether it is because I started off as a fanfic writer back in the days when fanfics were of better quality than anything commercial (and when I was too young to match the big names of the fanfic community) and when we called "ships" pairings (and pairing-wars were real and bloody). I've had my share of real abuse. In fact, I would say I went through all the categories of abuse imaginable. From getting passive-aggressive criticism about how everything, from grammar to style, was an insult to the fandom I was writing for and to the characters I was using, to downright being dragged into pairing-wars.
And how did I get rid of all that negativity? I answered EACH and EVERY comment kindly and extensively. I was known for my reply-novels. I could easily hit 2 000 words for a reply (I could also write chapters that were 37 000 words long - no kidding, I have proofs of that!). And I always kept a kind tone. People who insulted me I commended for their love of a pairing or of a job done well and also explained why I did not appreciate the tone or why I couldn't live up to their expectations, people who just demanded for updates I informed about things in my life that made me slow down with updates. In the end, I became known as the one fanfic-writer who replied to each and every comment, who sent personalized thank-you notes to new followers and favorites (did everyone reply back? No - but I made some lifelong friends like that) and all of a sudden all the "update fast", "you're garbage", "hah, that pairing never had a chance to exist" (I am being polite here - no need to tell you just how vulgar the insults I would get were) got replaced with long, thoughtful comments. And fans started talking about me too.
More importantly, the relationship I developed with my readers, the hours and hours and hours that it took me to write my replies, paid off. They started caring about ME. Not just about their pleasure. About MY work. My readership grew and grew. But not negatively. The mean comments became inexistent (and I am telling you, writing fanfics for Naruto, especially for non-canon pairings, especially for popular characters can be bloody as heck). So did the time that replying to comments took up. And I never regretted it. Not once. And never will. That is my brand. I am the Replier.
So, let me tell you something. Writing has become industrialized. The readers who read one of your stories, might not read your next story. Why would they? Your next story might not fit their likes. To them, the silent author is nothing but a worker in a Chinese factory, there to produce a product they will CONSUME. And when that product becomes obsolete in any way, they will buy the newer version of another product.
The reason Apple became a product that has deeply loyal buyers who come back and buy Apple over and over again is because it took the time to build its brand (besides having original products and being at the forefront of innovation). It has a personality. It is known for something that transcends the product. It is known for Steve Jobs, it is known for being artsy and edgy.
What is YOUR brand that transcends the fact you produce a consumption goods?! What are YOU known for?! For being a silent author? Millions of those out there. Your popularity of today does not mean that you be popular tomorrow. Ask great webcomic artists who faded after amazing popularity (I am looking at you, TUTU!). Ask great webnovel authors who had it all, from comic adaptations to drama adaptations, and were then never to be heard of again.
And while you are hiding from the pain of criticism and insults in the writing world, you are still not avoiding them in real life. People are going to be monstrous towards you. Absolutely abject. And there is nothing you will be able to do against it (unfortunately).
NingZuoYouXiaYu Thank you so much!!! This is exactly what I wanted to say (but I wasn't quite sure how to word it nicely). I personally find it so important that authors interact with readers, since it really teaches you how to take in feedback (and also, I just find it so nice to talk with my readers about my writing. It's just a very nice feeling haha).
Anyways, your post was awesome, and I just want to applaud it. :clap: :clap: :clap:
yaoyueyi (Oh my God, the legend talked to me … When I think of amazing historical webnovels only two names pop up in my mind … Yours is one. Give me a minute to steady my breathing and not appear like a complete clingy, pathetic fangirl. Act normal, act normal, act normal)
The truth is, we do not realize how much readers actually care about our stories. We only look at things from our perspective. We do not see the excitement behind the "update soon, please", we only see the pressure. We do not see the commitment to excellency behind the "I think you should consider Grammarly", we only see the criticism. I feel that sometimes we assume we are a class apart (and above) our readers rather than just the same groupe of people fangirling/fanboying about something. About the same tropes, about the same genre, about the same historical period. Just that we have that itty bitty more courage to get out there and show our work to the world.
Sometimes, I feel authors are a bit self-centered. But then again, this comes from my being a fanfic-writer at heart. Whatever I do, I do from a fan-perspective. As you said, there is so much fun just talking about things we are passionate about with people who are just as passionate about it too. It often isn't about us, often it isn't even about our story, but about something greater that brings us and readers together.
NingZuoYouXiaYu Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa omgg you make me blush !!!! You are too kind, seriouslyyy.
I totally agree with you (again)! Maybe because I came from fanfic origins too? hehe
I even think of myself as very self centered at times & I'm seriously trying to change it & become a better person. Interacting with my readers helps a lot.
NingZuoYouXiaYu The truth is, we do not realize how much readers actually care about our stories. We only look at things from our perspective
I have to admit that I'm guilty of doing this a looot in the past. (Looking at some of the old responses I have seriously make me cringe because I sound so entitled/arrogant). I think what you said-- how it's about bringing these two groups of people (readers & writers) together-- is so true. You word it a lot better than I do though :joy:
i actually want my readers to talk to me to give me encouragement and tell me where I should improve .i am a first-time writer and have always had trouble sharing my writing. this is a major step for me. I barely even graduated from school. So I write how I talk. I would like for the readers to tell me which characters they like and which ones we can do without.
Tomoyuki OMG. Did you just delete all your reviews to get your rating down to 2.3 ?
How come you have 12 reviews now? Are you mad?????
whoknowwhat What are you talking about? I always had a rating of 2.3 and only 12 reviews. Nothing changed at all.
Sighgray It is truly what I think of myself. I have often been told by readers and friends that I don't deserve to live and I should just kill myself because I'm such a failure. They are correct. I have done absolutely nothing in my life that I can be proud of, I have not achieved anything I can confidently call a "success," and I recognize that I am a worthless human being who is a waste of space and resources. Ghosty and all the other writers are right. I am nothing but a shame on all the other authors here, and should just rid the world of me before I make even more people such as Snowin or ShaneM25 angry.
The only reason why I haven't killed myself yet is because of my family, but I'm starting to reconsider because I have been nothing but a financial and emotional burden to them throughout my entire life.
Tomoyuki don't give up
The_Procrastinator I will do my best.
Tomoyuki im not angry. Its just annoying and uncomfortable to see you always post the same things. If you truly feel this way, webnovel's forum isn't the place for you to tell yourself you're a failure. Talk with your friends and family. Talk with people that are close to you. You need a mindset change, and a goal to accomplish.
Obviously, its easier said than done but constantly telling yourself about your failures is worthless. You need a positive mindset; start by complimenting your success's and throw away the failures.
Im not an expert, so its just some words of advice. Hope that helps, Good luck.
whoknowwhat wow... i just noticed that...
Sorry if that offends you. 
