How do you deal with foolishness of your readers

[Laeyioun]

The title says it all

Things like imposing, correcting on the story while expecting their words to be treated as facts.
Readers piling trash on other readers because they don't share the same opinions, but really totally avoidable.
Impatience and impulsive commenting on their negative thoughts - which may be uninformed or not the whole picture at all.
Hate for the writing because they compare it to something else or they don't plainly like something your book is based on.
Stupid messages and commenting that makes you think if the one who sent it really thought about it. Or the person thought it was cool and smart, when it really.... wasn't.
Expecting and requesting unrealistic things for your story and writing.
Not thinking of the author's thoughts and feelings when talking to them.
Immature audiences and your interaction with them (and no, I'm not disparaging them). And if any of you have dealt with a young reader who shouldn't have been reading your writing and thinking of some (possible disturbing, mature, hurtful etc.) stuff.

Share other things that bug displease, impact you negatively, bother you, trigger some perfectionism and obsessions and more. But please be informative and detailed. I would not know how to deal with it if you rant something I can't understand ?>?

 

[Milk.Milkan]

Me liking deir post.
Me answer with some explanation if its needed or could be done.

But mostly me just "eeh, okay. Dats also a pow."

In a way going in and comment something dat u plainly just doesnt like without any proper criticism is bad manners but heey, they r showing off deir bad manners to everyone, so let em be look stupid if deyre or correct them if it could be done as it could be done sometimes.

The next point should be "if ure actually feel bad reading dis kind of shit what should you do?"
But how the hell should i know. I feel bad ofc but its not like i myself never hated something just cuz haters gonna hate. It wasnt some random creators work dat he do cuz he like dat but still, i hate stuff and i was prepared for my stuff to be hated if it will be hated.

Gladly its not hated(me happy) and i got just a few comments dat do criticism in a rather objective way so maybe im actually have no rights to talk but still id do what i said if shit happens anyway.

 

[LotsChrono]

Okay look.

Here’s a secret.

I write what I would like.

I post it.

The only thing I take from my readers is grammatical and typographical corrections, and usually only when I’ve already finished the volume and I’m actually editing.

Anything else, I ignore. (If you want to provide plot input; write a review, I’m not looking in the comments for stuff like that)

Of course, I interact with my readers as well as anyone should, but that’s it.

Correcting anything they get wrong? I do that. Chatting about the world and its characters? Do that too.

If they start spewing plots they want? I simply don’t attach a comment to that comment. If they start cursing or harassing other readers? I simply delete that comment.

Any ranting, which I rarely do, is done privately or on Discord with other writers/authors.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Inb4 SH becomes a toxic fuckfest like RRL.

Lol, don't let the lot of self entitled idiots disrupt your process.

 

[Laeyioun]

Thanks, and keep commenting guys!

I'm just curious really, but I can handle criticism. For me, I can handle everything because every little bit of interaction can help me gain experience. And I'm aware hate can't be avoided, at least when you deal with a large enough audience (so you can't guarantee all of their personalities).

It's just the thought that passes through my mind: "Why? Why is that possible? Why would you do that?" when I see toxicity, self-entitlement, negative comments, unhelpful statements, misguided self-righteousness, bad manners and hate on other stories or just when plain interacting on different forums.

 

[Milk.Milkan]

every little bit of interaction can help me gain experience.

Dats a great saying. Totally agree with dis position.

 

[Deleted member 5560]

I wouldn't answer. I make a point of answering legitimate questions and comments, or even earnest criticisms, but ones that are just pushy and presumptuous I make a pointed effort to ignore.

I think that presumptuousness only gets fed by having the author acknowledge you, even if it's negative, because it feels like either way your words have weight. Even if you're rebuking them, they know that you saw their comment and they got a reaction out of you, which made what they had to say some measure of important.

As the saying goes, let them punch cotton. Just leave them to yell into the void. Don't validate them.

 

[Freesia.Cutepearl]

Maybe I'm weird but I have this compulsion to reply to every comment, and I like almost all of them(or maybe all of them, I can't recall if I liked the one truly negative comment I've received)

Someone said something along the lines that their dog was smarter and got less distracted than my main character.

The tone seemed kinda mean to me, but... idk?

I commented on what they said and took from it, that maybe, I hadn't made it clear enough that Lilith didn't know how to use any of her stuff really, and her trying to figure it out was going rather slow by Isekai standards I guess? I was trying to be more realistic, and portray an average person.

The commenter seemed to be annoyed too that Lilith compared herself to an action movie character, though the way he wrote it made it sound as if he thought it was favorable when she was instead thinking, "I'm not like <insert character>"

Lilith also has a character trait of getting distracted easily and lost in thought, something that she had learned to manage on earth but at the time he commented she has no one to talk to and was just experimenting with her powers.

I tried to make a nice reply, explaining everything and what I intended and I asked if they might have any thoughts or feedback?

This is my first story after all, my first attempt at writing, ever.

It did make me panic a bit, seeing on their profile they were a "Well-Known Author" but later I was told not to put much stock in that.

I was a little disappointed another author would be like that and not offer suggestions. I looked at their story briefly, and the initial impression I got is they like, or at least for their story, they liked a super smart, very capable main character, so.. I think it was my first real experience with realizing, there's a difference between personal preference and constructive feedback?

Most of what I have gotten otherwise has been helpful, even if a bit blunt. I did realize that maybe I wasn't being clear enough with some things when I got comments about my character missing something that should seem obvious, when, I had considered it but there was reasoning behind her feeling the way she did/not doing the "obvious" thing.

Maybe I can be a bit of a door mat, but I try to kill them with kindness.

 

[Laeyioun]

Maybe I'm weird but I have this compulsion to reply to every comment, and I like almost all of them(or maybe all of them, I can't recall if I liked the one truly negative comment I've received)

Someone said something along the lines that their dog was smarter and got less distracted than my main character.

The tone seemed kinda mean to me, but... idk?

I commented on what they said and took from it, that maybe, I hadn't made it clear enough that Lilith didn't know how to use any of her stuff really, and her trying to figure it out was going rather slow by Isekai standards I guess? I was trying to be more realistic, and portray an average person.

The commenter seemed to be annoyed too that Lilith compared herself to an action movie character, though the way he wrote it made it sound as if he thought it was favorable when she was instead thinking, "I'm not like <insert character>"

Lilith also has a character trait of getting distracted easily and lost in thought, something that she had learned to manage on earth but at the time he commented she has no one to talk to and was just experimenting with her powers.

I tried to make a nice reply, explaining everything and what I intended and I asked if they might have any thoughts or feedback?

This is my first story after all, my first attempt at writing, ever.

It did make me panic a bit, seeing on their profile they were a "Well-Known Author" but later I was told not to put much stock in that.

I was a little disappointed another author would be like that and not offer suggestions. I looked at their story briefly, and the initial impression I got is they like, or at least for their story, they liked a super smart, very capable main character, so.. I think it was my first real experience with realizing, there's a difference between personal preference and constructive feedback?

Most of what I have gotten otherwise has been helpful, even if a bit blunt. I did realize that maybe I wasn't being clear enough with some things when I got comments about my character missing something that should seem obvious, when, I had considered it but there was reasoning behind her feeling the way she did/not doing the "obvious" thing.

Maybe I can be a bit of a door mat, but I try to kill them with kindness.

Thanks for this, it really highlights one of my curiosities - in this case is if the author is both compulsive and well-meaning. Probably because I'll be that way, and my compulsion comes and goes depending on my mood or situation even if I'm self-aware.

The way you reacted to it was nice though :)

 

[Deleted member 5560]

Maybe I can be a bit of a door mat, but I try to kill them with kindness.

You are too sweet and cute to deserve that kind of rudeness. I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a kind approach - I think it can be healthier, in fact, and I mean for yourself. At the end of it, you can look back on that interaction and say "I am proud of how I acted".



While I also have a type of MC archetype that I like reading and some that annoy me, I don't think I would ever go directly comment it on the story. At the end of the day, people should have more discretion about realising when a story just isn't for them and stop reading, instead of being rude to authors and trying to coerce them into writing... basically a different story entirely because they think it's more "correct" storytelling. A lot of people do conflate "this is what I like" with "this is what makes a story good". Took me a while to get the fuck over myself and learn the difference myself, so I try to just ignore people who haven't gotten there yet.

 

[Laeyioun]

I wouldn't answer. I make a point of answering legitimate questions and comments, or even earnest criticisms, but ones that are just pushy and presumptuous I make a pointed effort to ignore.

I think that presumptuousness only gets fed by having the author acknowledge you, even if it's negative, because it feels like either way your words have weight. Even if you're rebuking them, they know that you saw their comment and they got a reaction out of you, which made what they had to say some measure of important.

As the saying goes, let them punch cotton. Just leave them to yell into the void. Don't validate them.

Ohhh! I see this happening in real life too. I'll keep this in mind, thanks.

 

[Laeyioun]

You are too sweet and cute to deserve that kind of rudeness. I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a kind approach - I think it can be healthier, in fact, and I mean for yourself. At the end of it, you can look back on that interaction and say "I am proud of how I acted".



While I also have a type of MC archetype that I like reading and some that annoy me, I don't think I would ever go directly comment it on the story. At the end of the day, people should have more discretion about realising when a story just isn't for them and stop reading, instead of being rude to authors and trying to coerce them into writing... basically a different story entirely because they think it's more "correct" storytelling. A lot of people do conflate "this is what I like" with "this is what makes a story good". Took me a while to get the fuck over myself and learn the difference myself, so I try to just ignore people who haven't gotten there yet.

I'm glad I realized the difference due to my experiences in reading. It's not that the story isn't good, the reader, I, can't just relate or feel a connection to it. Maybe I can slog it out and see it's good points, but I usually just keep it for later when it won't do to force it.

Admittedly though I'm still sometimes confused to distinguish the two, so when commenting I always make it a point it's my personal opinion, and state that it should be taken with a grain of salt..

And I agree too; self-love, self-respect, and embracing the flaws and just trying to build upon them are powerful ways of caring for oneself. I'm glad that I stumbled upon this from well-meaning writers on the internet or else I couldn't try to be positive like I am now.

 

[Laeyioun]

Okay look.

Here’s a secret.

I write what I would like.

I post it.

The only thing I take from my readers is grammatical and typographical corrections, and usually only when I’ve already finished the volume and I’m actually editing.

Anything else, I ignore. (If you want to provide plot input; write a review, I’m not looking in the comments for stuff like that)

Of course, I interact with my readers as well as anyone should, but that’s it.

Correcting anything they get wrong? I do that. Chatting about the world and its characters? Do that too.

If they start spewing plots they want? I simply don’t attach a comment to that comment. If they start cursing or harassing other readers? I simply delete that comment.

Any ranting, which I rarely do, is done privately or on Discord with other writers/authors.

If you could clarify: so you take any correction you can, but you don't let other's opinion or preferences of the plot steer it in another direction so you can stay true to your plans?

 

[Nahrenne]

The title says it all

Things like imposing, correcting on the story while expecting their words to be treated as facts.
Readers piling trash on other readers because they don't share the same opinions, but really totally avoidable.
Impatience and impulsive commenting on their negative thoughts - which may be uninformed or not the whole picture at all.
Hate for the writing because they compare it to something else or they don't plainly like something your book is based on.
Stupid messages and commenting that makes you think if the one who sent it really thought about it. Or the person thought it was cool and smart, when it really.... wasn't.
Expecting and requesting unrealistic things for your story and writing.
Not thinking of the author's thoughts and feelings when talking to them.
Immature audiences and your interaction with them (and no, I'm not disparaging them). And if any of you have dealt with a young reader who shouldn't have been reading your writing and thinking of some (possible disturbing, mature, hurtful etc.) stuff.

Share other things that bug displease, impact you negatively, bother you, trigger some perfectionism and obsessions and more. But please be informative and detailed. I would not know how to deal with it if you rant something I can't understand ?>?

Hmm...
I've yet to really experience that kind of thing.
I guess the closest I got to something like that would be when a reader posted how they didn't like the depressing point my characters were in at the time of the most recent chapters.
At that time, I was posting 2 chaps daily.
Long story short, they didn't like the fact they couldn't read the next chapter so they could get out of the depressing point of the story, so they rated me 3 stars and stopped reading.
'-'

As for if anyone gets something wrong, I just thank them for reading and hope they continue to enjoy the story.
Or if they have an idea on what might happen, I just tease them by saying they'll have to find out if it does or doesn't happen by continuing to read.

Saying that, I need to get out of my hiatus so my readers can get the next segment of the story.

X

 

[DubstheDuke]

I dont get many comments but the few I do are usually either positive or constructive when regarding to criticism.

I have received some of the things you speak of- specifically where readers simply hate the content of my story because they didn't enjoy it or whatever. It's not their preferred genre, or they think there is something wrong with my mcs, or whatever.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

The title says it all

Things like imposing, correcting on the story while expecting their words to be treated as facts.
Readers piling trash on other readers because they don't share the same opinions, but really totally avoidable.
Impatience and impulsive commenting on their negative thoughts - which may be uninformed or not the whole picture at all.
Hate for the writing because they compare it to something else or they don't plainly like something your book is based on.
Stupid messages and commenting that makes you think if the one who sent it really thought about it. Or the person thought it was cool and smart, when it really.... wasn't.
Expecting and requesting unrealistic things for your story and writing.
Not thinking of the author's thoughts and feelings when talking to them.
Immature audiences and your interaction with them (and no, I'm not disparaging them). And if any of you have dealt with a young reader who shouldn't have been reading your writing and thinking of some (possible disturbing, mature, hurtful etc.) stuff.

Share other things that bug displease, impact you negatively, bother you, trigger some perfectionism and obsessions and more. But please be informative and detailed. I would not know how to deal with it if you rant something I can't understand ?>?

"Fuck off mate"

 

[Laeyioun]

Hmm...
I've yet to really experience that kind of thing.
I guess the closest I got to something like that would be when a reader posted how they didn't like the depressing point my characters were in at the time of the most recent chapters.
At that time, I was posting 2 chaps daily.
Long story short, they didn't like the fact they couldn't read the next chapter so they could get out of the depressing point of the story, so they rated me 3 stars and stopped reading.
'-'

As for if anyone gets something wrong, I just thank them for reading and hope they continue to enjoy the story.
Or if they have an idea on what might happen, I just tease them by saying they'll have to find out if it does or doesn't happen by continuing to read.

Saying that, I need to get out of my hiatus so my readers can get the next segment of the story.

X

I don't know what happened in your story, but in my opinion as an avid reader, if I'm very invested in a story - a depressing part or event that is skimmed or not addressed thoroughly (or worse rewritten when the original chapter was impactful, and even worse is when inspecting the terrible feeling parts it didn't make much sense but to add forced 'tragedy') can potentially make or break the story. I have spent weeks and months sorting my confusion regarding the author's intent, logic of the storyline, other's opinion and criticism, and my own views mixed with my enjoyment and attachment on a story - and I dropped it because it was too much and the story didn't feel worth it on closer inspection (this is on webnovel.com).

And a depressing part if stretched too long can hurt like sh!t just like what happened to me, but I won't drop something if it hadn't touched my bottom line or the author has clearly not yet written all of the implications of the depressing part. Patience is paramount in seeing if a story is worth it for me.
But yeah, if that's the only reason of the reader and I was you, I can see myself going "WTF?". It feels unfair to the story. Or more like, it's speechless inducing because their reasoning also feels a bit understandable, yet it got rated negatively.

 

[Nahrenne]

I don't know what happened in your story, but in my opinion as an avid reader, if I'm very invested in a story - a depressing part or event that is skimmed or not addressed thoroughly (or worse rewritten when the original chapter was impactful, and even worse is when inspecting the terrible feeling parts it didn't make much sense but to add forced 'tragedy') can potentially make or break the story. I have spent weeks and months sorting my confusion regarding the author's intent, logic of the storyline, other's opinion and criticism, and my own views on a story - and I dropped it because it was too much and the story didn't feel worth it on closer inspection (this is on webnovel.com).

And a depressing part if stretched too long can hurt like sh!t just like what happened to me, but I won't drop something if it hadn't touched my bottom line or the author has clearly not yet written all of the implications of the depressing part. Patience is paramount in seeing if a story is worth it for me.
But yeah, if that's the only reason of the reader and I was you, I can see myself going "WTF?". It feels unfair to the story.

I don't think I stretched the dark period for too long, in the grand scheme of things, and the events were believable and natural. I'm just glad they didn't rate it 1, tbh.
But yeah, it did feel a bit...bleh when it happened.
I took it as a tutorial for when a much more negative thing happens in the comments.
(^-^)

X

 

[Laeyioun]

I don't think I stretched the dark period for too long, in the grand scheme of things, and the events were believable and natural. I'm just glad they didn't rate it 1, tbh.
But yeah, it did feel a bit...bleh when it happened.
I took it as a tutorial for when a much more negative thing happens in the comments.
(^-^)

X

Oh yeah, I didn't think of the possibility of a lower star. Well, it all boils down to personal preference in the end. I could bear the protag getting shat and dark things on a novel it meant having a good story that evokes emotions.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

"Thanks for your thoughtful and thorough review. I will take your suggestions into consideration for my next rewrite."

Note that I never specify when my next rewrite will be nor give any guarantees that I will actually implement the suggestions.