Silent acceptance or vocal criticism--Which is better?

[CountVanBadger]

We all know that the vast majority of our readers aren't going to leave comments, no matter what site we're on. They're happy to just read the story and come back when more chapters get posted. So let's say that one of my chapters has two hundred readers. Two of those readers left comments saying they don't like the way the story is going. Those two comments are the only tangible feedback you've gotten for that chapter. But if two people left negative comments, does that mean that 198 people liked the story enough that they didn't feel the need to leave a comment criticizing it?

What do you guys think is more indicative of how you should proceed? Silent acceptance of where a story is going, or vocal criticism for what someone doesn't like?

 

[L1aei]

We all know that the vast majority of our readers aren't going to leave comments, no matter what site we're on. They're happy to just read the story and come back when more chapters get posted. So let's say that one of my chapters has two hundred readers. Two of those readers left comments saying they don't like the way the story is going. Those two comments are the only tangible feedback you've gotten for that chapter. But if two people left negative comments, does that mean that 198 people liked the story enough that they didn't feel the need to leave a comment criticizing it?

What do you guys think is more indicative of how you should proceed? Silent acceptance of where a story is going, or vocal criticism for what someone doesn't like?

Disney is a good example of what happens when they listen to the loudest.

 

[CountVanBadger]

Disney is a good example of what happens when they listen to the loudest.

I don't think that's the same thing. Anything Disney makes is going to be popular enough that thousands, if not millions, of people are going to be saying good and bad things about it. So for them it's a matter of whether they listen to the praise or the criticism. For us, those two comments could very well be the only feedback we get, unless you decide that the 198 silent readers deciding not to criticize your story counts as "feedback."

 

[L1aei]

I don't think that's the same thing. Anything Disney makes is going to be popular enough that thousands, if not millions, of people are going to be saying good and bad things about it. So for them it's a matter of whether they listen to the praise or the criticism. For us, those two comments could very well be the only feedback we get, unless you decide that the 198 silent readers deciding not to criticize your story counts as "feedback."

That is my point; thousands, if not millions, out of hundreds of millions. They listen to a fraction that is only a fraction of who's paying for what they have. That doesn't equal the same value.

Did... genuinely, did I make better sense? If not, I can keep trying to convey what I mean.

 

[CountVanBadger]

That is my point; thousands, if not millions, out of hundreds of millions. They listen to a fraction that is only a fraction of who's paying for what they have. That doesn't equal the same value.

Did... genuinely, did I make better sense? If not, I can keep trying to convey what I mean.

I'm still not sure that's the same thing. Disney gets to decide whether to listen to the praise they receive or the criticism. They're going to get both just by virtue of being Disney. That's far less likely to happen to us. Our hypothetical chapter gets 200 readers, and two of those readers leave negative comments. None of the readers leave positive comments. Do you accept that the negative comments are the only actual feedback you've gotten, or do you count the fact that nobody else is bothering to criticize you as positive feedback?

 

[L1aei]

I'm still not sure that's the same thing. Disney gets to decide whether to listen to the praise they receive or the criticism. They're going to get both just by virtue of being Disney. That's far less likely to happen to us. Our hypothetical chapter gets 200 readers, and two of those readers leave negative comments. None of the readers leave positive comments. Do you accept that the negative comments are the only actual feedback you've gotten, or do you count the fact that nobody else is bothering to criticize you as positive feedback?

I feel like you are debating the mechanics, but I'm debating the signal vs. the noise. Also, I'm pretty damn vocal about not giving a fuck what readers think, so, there is that.

 

[CountVanBadger]

I feel like you are debating the mechanics, but I'm debating the signal vs. the noise. Also, I'm pretty damn vocal about not giving a fuck what readers think, so, there is that.

Fair enough.

 

[Nyctoria]

Unless you are doing me narrative betrayal in broad daylight, you should not be worried. Most of them are just people who cannot read. They failed to see the synopsis and tags of your story then complain about not liking it.

 

[Eldoria]

Casual readers generally just say what they like or dislike based on their tastes.

It's very rare for readers to give constructive feedback like the pacing in this paragraph is slow, head-hopping in this conversation, plot holes in this chapter, etc, because casual readers generally just read to relax and enjoy the story.

So, if readers criticize solely based on their preferences, I'll just smile and write the next chapter.

 

[CountVanBadger]

It's very rare for readers to give constructive feedback like the pacing in this paragraph is slow, head-hopping in this conversation, plot holes in this chapter, etc, because casual readers generally just read to relax and enjoy the story.

In my case, they were saying that they don't like how XNPC will occasionally have two or three flashback chapters explaining parts of the characters' backstories. They say it makes the story drag because they want to hear the main characters' story, not how the secondary MC met the friends she was partied up with at the start of the book. The flashbacks do tie in with what's going on in the present, and I'm not just putting them in to pad out the chapters, but they're not wrong in saying that it pulls them away from the main story.

 

[Eldoria]

In my case, they were saying that they don't like how XNPC will occasionally have two or three flashback chapters explaining parts of the characters' backstories. They say it makes the story drag because they want to hear the main characters' story, not how the secondary MC met the friends she was partied up with at the start of the book. The flashbacks do tie in with what's going on in the present, and I'm not just putting them in to pad out the chapters, but they're not wrong in saying that it pulls them away from the main story.

If that's the case, this could be considered constructive feedback about pacing. You might consider making a compromise to accept their suggestion, such as shortening the flashback.

 

[Juia_Darkcrest]

If you truly want some feedback, you can give your readers a poll that lets them have some moderate influence over how the story progresses, or an A/N asking if you should be focusing more on your Dialogue or on your Scene descriptions.

There are ways to coax even short answers out of many readers who would otherwise remain silent; you just need to learn a little bit of baiting psychology... just don't go overboard with it, else you're just an asshole.

 

[Corty]

Unconditional worship.

 

[Daeron]

We all know that the vast majority of our readers aren't going to leave comments, no matter what site we're on. They're happy to just read the story and come back when more chapters get posted. So let's say that one of my chapters has two hundred readers. Two of those readers left comments saying they don't like the way the story is going. Those two comments are the only tangible feedback you've gotten for that chapter. But if two people left negative comments, does that mean that 198 people liked the story enough that they didn't feel the need to leave a comment criticizing it?

What do you guys think is more indicative of how you should proceed? Silent acceptance of where a story is going, or vocal criticism for what someone doesn't like?

First, did you enjoy writing your own story?
Second, did you enjoy reading it?
Third, what's your priority? For views? Or just for hobby?

I think that's the fundamental question we should ask ourself first before choose drastic action.

 

[CountVanBadger]

You might consider making a compromise to accept their suggestion, such as shortening the flashback.

Not sure I can without the entire story collapsing on itself. And I don't have time to do a total rewrite because I'm already being pressed to finish the book before my buffer runs out.

 

[Nyctoria]

If you truly want some feedback, you can give your readers a poll that lets them have some moderate influence over how the story progresses, or an A/N asking if you should be focusing more on your Dialogue or on your Scene descriptions.

There are ways to coax even short answers out of many readers who would otherwise remain silent; you just need to learn a little bit of baiting psychology... just don't go overboard with it, else you're just an asshole.

Nothing is stopping malicious actors from making alts to manipulate the poll. This is a big problem in sites like SV and SB.

 

[L1aei]

Not sure I can without the entire story collapsing on itself. And I don't have time to do a total rewrite because I'm already being pressed to finish the book before my buffer runs out.

Buffer? I'm guessing, but do you mean what's driving you to write?

 

[CountVanBadger]

Buffer? I'm guessing, but do you mean what's driving you to write?

No, I mean the chapters I already have finished so that I can keep a consistent upload schedule.

 

[Eldoria]

Not sure I can without the entire story collapsing on itself. And I don't have time to do a total rewrite because I'm already being pressed to finish the book before my buffer runs out.

Well, ultimately, you decide your story. One of my readers also made a similar comment.

He said he wanted to see more FMC because my chapters provided a lot of character development for the supporting characters.

I explained to him... that's impossible unless it ruins the flow of the story.

I compromised by including an interlude chapter. But he never commented again, apparently choosing to leave the story.

It's fine. Every choice carries risks. I can't please everyone.

 

[L1aei]

No, I mean the chapters I already have finished so that I can keep a consistent upload schedule.

Okay, yeah. That's a legit issue. You sort of made a promise to your readers, and you are upholding it on your end, but rewriting it all would jeopardize that obligation. Yep, I see your point.