Reacting to Hate Comments

[Maple-Leaf]

Hasn’t happened yet, but with my writing skills, it’s only inevitable.

Therefore, I would like to ask about addressing those hate comments.
Many hate comments have valid criticism and advice, and it can be okay to react or respond to them (Or at least I think so?)

Other times it’s just: hey this fuckin sucks I’m leaving.
Where I’d say a simple:

or something like that, would do.

Any advice on what does and doesn’t spiral down into an argument?
I’d hope for a kind of: “k thanks bro I’m leaving now.”
Or at least a somewhat peaceful departure.

But I don’t want to come off like I’m dismissive of criticism in fear that others will hold back with theirs, an outcome I’d rather avoid.

I don’t think I can go with any Amitabha Buddha solution where I ignore the bad ones and respond to the constructive ones. It’s more than likely I’ll get pissed eventually and end up responding. So I’d hope to have a personal guideline to follow for that situation.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Hasn’t happened yet, but with my writing skills, it’s only inevitable.

Therefore, I would like to ask about addressing those hate comments.
Many hate comments have valid criticism and advice, and it can be okay to react or respond to them (Or at least I think so?)

Other times it’s just: hey this fuckin sucks I’m leaving.
Where I’d say a simple:
View attachment 3885
or something like that, would do.

Any advice on what does and doesn’t spiral down into an argument?
I’d hope for a kind of: “k thanks bro I’m leaving now.”
Or at least a somewhat peaceful departure.

But I don’t want to come off like I’m dismissive of criticism in fear that others will hold back with theirs, an outcome I’d rather avoid.

I don’t think I can go with any Amitabha Buddha solution where I ignore the bad ones and respond to the constructive ones. It’s more than likely I’ll get pissed eventually and end up responding. So I’d hope to have a personal guideline to follow for that situation.

First of all, my opinion of a hate comment involves, expletives against the author and/ or nothing or minimal constructive on the author's story structure and writing.

Anything else is fair. If the guy says he is leaving so be it. Unless he is a paying customer, then you need to think if it is worth your time or paycheck to entertain the guy.

Also, I will be posting my work In the near foreseeable future, after hearing from like, one or two authors that there are no way to delete comments... hmm...

Suck it up I guess, people are people, take it what's useful and wash away the rest. Like I said, you are writing something out of your imagination, not for your academic paper.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

I received some hate comments on my work, the most prominent is that they hate my MC for being 'dense'.

Not that I could help it. I based my MC's actions on our cultural sensibilities, and for us, it's not being dense.

That said, my reaction was to explain why my MC is like that. But then, the comments just got repetitive that I eventually stopped explaining and just let go.

Some readers would like to be vocal about their disagreement with the author. While some may be 'innocent' disapproval, others comment for the sake of trolling the author. Again, it doesn't apply to all, so it's better that you take your feedbacks with a grain of salt.

And remember, if you know the direction your story is taking and is confident in that, some negative comments would turn out to be compliments. ?

 

[Deleted member 29081]

First of all, my opinion of a hate comment involves expletives against the author and/ or nothing or minimal constructive on the author's story structure and writing.

"Hey, man, just popping in to say that I fucking love your work. You are the fucking bomb, and I would fucking have your kids if I was a fucking chick. God fucking dammit, great work!"

 

[LostLibrarian]

"I'm sorry you didn't like this free piece of art you weren't obligated to read..." (Hofstetter)


That said, I personally wouldn't see confrontation or give too much attention to it. If they really hate it, there is no way anything you say will change their mind. So just either acknowledge it with a short "Sad it wasn't for you" or just ignore it all together...

Worst thing to do is go on the personal level, because other readers will read that comment and think you are also an asshole...

 

[Nahrenne]

Hasn’t happened yet, but with my writing skills, it’s only inevitable.

Therefore, I would like to ask about addressing those hate comments.
Many hate comments have valid criticism and advice, and it can be okay to react or respond to them (Or at least I think so?)

Other times it’s just: hey this fuckin sucks I’m leaving.
Where I’d say a simple:
View attachment 3885
or something like that, would do.

Any advice on what does and doesn’t spiral down into an argument?
I’d hope for a kind of: “k thanks bro I’m leaving now.”
Or at least a somewhat peaceful departure.

But I don’t want to come off like I’m dismissive of criticism in fear that others will hold back with theirs, an outcome I’d rather avoid.

I don’t think I can go with any Amitabha Buddha solution where I ignore the bad ones and respond to the constructive ones. It’s more than likely I’ll get pissed eventually and end up responding. So I’d hope to have a personal guideline to follow for that situation.

If they said they didn't like it, then I'd respond with something like:

I'm sorry you didn't like it. I'm glad you at least gave it a go.
(^-^)

X

X

 

[Maple-Leaf]

If they said they didn't like it, then I'd respond with something like:


X

But you are of the purest hearted maiden kind, I don’t think I could say something like that without it sounding like complete bullshit or sarcasm, but I’ll give it a shot

 

[Ral]

I really want to know what you mean by hate comments.

As a reader, i think it is okay to just ignore. I never really believe that the authors would listen to me. After all, there are dozens of others giving praise against my single criticism.

Though, if you don't want to dismiss the criticisms, then, what works best for me is when they ask for clarifications and suggestions then ended with a final thank you. It make me feel that they listen and consider what I say.

That said, my reaction was to explain why my MC is like that. But then, the comments just got repetitive that I eventually stopped explaining and just let go.

However, don't do this. This never really makes me change my mind. It is not like you can make someone like a dense MC by explaining why being them being dense make sense, just like you can't make a child love to eat their veggies by explaining that eating them are healthy for you.

 

[Kaguro]

Just don't even bother. Seriously not worth your time.

The relationship between author and reader is asymmetrical, you have many many commenters compared to you being just one person. Thanking nice people for their comments is nice because it makes you feel good, but most of the negative comments are just a form of 'I don't like this', and while that's useful to some extent, comments can be misleading because they are only one person out of your entire reader base.

If you want feedback for some specific part, polls are the way to go and far more constructive.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

However, don't do this. This never really makes me change my mind. It is not like you can make someone like a dense MC by explaining why being them being dense make sense, just like you can't make a child love to eat their veggies by explaining that eating them are healthy for you.

Well, for you, such explanations might not apply.

Some readers, though, manage to understand; it's not like I'm explaining to make them like the character. It's just a matter of how they deal with my explanation, I'm just adding my perspective on why my character is like that.

People have different approach to reading.

 

[Ral]

Well, for you, such explanations might not apply. Some readers, though, manage to understand. It's just a matter of how they deal with your explanation. People have different approach to reading.

Well, it is not exactly making someone understand it but making someone like it. It the case you mentioned, it is someone who don't like a dense MC (or their definition of dense MC). I don't really think any explanation as to why the MC being dense makes sense will make them like the MC. Sure some might understand that, yes, the MC's behavior makes sense, but that doesn't mean they would like the MC, it would be more like they would just ignore or bear with the MC.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

Well, it is not exactly making someone understand but making someone like. It the case you mentioned, it is someone who don't like a dense MC (or their definition of dense MC). I don't really think any explanation as to why the MC being dense makes sense will make them like the MC. Sure some might understand that yes, the MC's behavior makes sense, but that doesn't mean they would like the MC, it would be more like they would just ignore or bear with the MC.

Like what I said in my earlier thread reply, I explain to my readers just to add my perspective. It's a good way to have connections to your audience, as well as to answer questions in their mind (if they have those). Not necessarily make them like the character or the story.

Besides, what's the harm of having something to talk about to your readers?

 

[Unianonanymity]

Not really an author/creator of anything etc, but i'd think that those comments saying a work "sucks" or whatever could be taken as constructive criticism, ignoring those insults, and using what they've said as a way to improve(I've read a number of novels here and on royalroad where the author has just went and told people to write their own novel if they don't like the one they are reading, which strikes me as a bad move, as it could be a way of improving. If you read comments on your work and see several people criticise the same thing, it could be a taken as way to improve, and get more readers behind you. Though, those that just say "this is stupid" or "this novel sucks" with no reason are just talking out their ass.

Though, with all this said, I'm not a writer, nor do I have any talent at writing, this is just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt

 

[Maple-Leaf]

I really want to know what you mean by hate comments.

I don’t mean hate comments like hate hate comments, simply a broad term for different forms of criticism.

I realize that naming criticism as hate comments is somewhat dismissive in itself, but well...

oops.

 

[Ral]

Like what I said in my earlier thread reply, I explain to my readers just to add my perspective.

The thing is, you end up look at it only in your perspective not theirs. After all, their comment is in their perspective. In their eyes, your MC is dense. By trying to explain to them (why the MC isn't dense) gives the sense that you think their perspective is wrong and you are not trying to understand their perspective.

It's a good way to have connections to your audience, as well as to answer questions in their mind (if they have those).

Uh . . . clearly, in this case, it doesn't?

To me, giving explanation to your audience builds the connection if your audience actually asks for explanation out of interest. But if they go like "I hate dense MC" or "I hate Harems" or "I hate Lolis," you are not going to build a connection at all. Your explanation would only divides you as it makes it clear that you have two different perspective that are destined to never meet.

Besides, what's the harm of having something to talk about to your readers?

Well, depends on the case.

If someone asks why the MC is acting this way or they are confused with something, sure, explain; but, if someone says they hate something, don't.

I don’t mean hate comments like hate hate comments, simply a broad term for different forms of criticism.

I realize that naming criticism as hate comments is somewhat dismissive in itself, but well...

oops.

That means, even positive criticism, ones that praises and points out the positives, are hate comments too.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

The thing is, you end up look at it only in your perspective not theirs. After all, their comment is in their perspective. In their eyes, your MC is dense. By trying to explain to them (why the MC isn't dense) gives the sense that you think their perspective is wrong and you are not trying to understand their perspective.

Uh . . . clearly, in this case, it doesn't?

To me, giving explanation to your audience builds the connection if your audience actually asks for explanation out of interest. But if they go like "I hate dense MC" or "I hate Harems" or "I hate Lolis," you are not going to build a connection at all. Your explanation would only divides you as it makes it clear that you have two different perspective that are destined to never meet.

Well, depends on the case.

If someone asks why the MC is acting this way or they are confused with something, sure, explain; but, if someone says they hate something, don't.

Well, I don't know with you, but I'm having fun with talking to my readers and explaining to them my perspectives. Besides, what you're giving me is your own take on things. If you claim that explaining to the hater your perspective would only divide us, then I beg to differ. I got readers who hate my MC and yet they manage to understand my perspective, and I know where they are coming from as well. We even became friends because of that; if that's not a connection, then I don't know what 'connection' for you is. Your take is not 100% correct, nor do I claim mine is. In the end, it's up to the reader.

Did I tell them their perspective is wrong? Again, like what I said on my previous thread replies, it depends on how they take it. Don't assume on things. You know that phrase "Agree to disagree", right?

Look, it's clear to me that we both have different take on things. Your point might be from your experience, I don't know. Mine is also from my experience, and I'm sharing it here. Let's agree to disagree.

 

[shiopan]

@Maple-Leaf I checked out your story and wth you're good at writing. It's flowing nicely and easy to read, I actually like your writing style. I don't think you will get any hate bruh

 

[ForestDweller]

Like Hans, I also got similar criticisms, though it's more about my MC being pathetic than dense.

I mean, it's in the title. That's how I want him to be.

 

[Ral]

Well, I don't know with you, but I'm having fun with talking to my readers and explaining to them my perspectives. Besides, what you're giving me is your own take on things. If you claim that explaining to the hater your perspective would only divide us, then I beg to differ. I got readers who hate my MC and yet they manage to understand my perspective, and I know where they are coming from.

Oh, it does, but that doesn't mean you would go hating each other.

Also, notice that you added something here. "I know where they are coming from" is not something I really get from your post before.

Did I tell them their perspective is wrong? Again, like what I said on my previous thread replies, it depends on how they take it. Don't assume on things. You know that phrase "Agree to disagree", right?

I didn't say that you (directly) tell their perspective is wrong, but ...

Just look at our discussion. What exactly are you trying to tell me? Did you really say that you "know where I'm coming from" or you are trying to dismiss what I said?

This is pretty much how such discussion go right?

You might not exactly tell them but you actually didn't think that they are right, did you? Like, did you think I'm right? That you agree with me?

This is what I mean. You didn't say that you said to my face that my perspective is wrong but . . .

Sure, I even agree to disagree, but that doesn't mean that we have something in common now or that we are getting close. In fact, it just drives the fact that we don't agree. This would be a topic we would not discuss anymore.

Like Hans, I also got similar criticisms, though it's more about my MC being pathetic than dense.

I mean, it's in the title. That's how I want him to be.

That means you got the character right.

Though, in a sense, being dense is also being pathetic too, just a more specific kind of pathetic.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

Oh, it does, but that doesn't mean you would go hating each other.

Also, notice that you added something here. "I know where they are coming from" is not something I really get from your post before.

I didn't say that you (directly) tell their perspective is wrong, but ...

Just look at our discussion. What exactly are you trying to tell me? Did you really say that you "know where I'm coming from" or are trying to dismiss what I said?

This is pretty much how such discussion go right?

You might not exactly tell them but you actually didn't think that they are right, did you? Like, did you think I'm right?

This is what I mean. You didn't say that my perspective is wrong but . . .

Sure, I even agree to disagree, but that doesn't mean that we have something in common now are we are getting close. In fact, it just drives the fact that we don't agree. This would be a topic we would not discuss anymore.

'I know where they are coming from means' that I know where their hate comes from. It doesn't necessarily have to appear in my first post, because it was only raised by you.

Plus, the way you talk is like your perspective is the only thing that is valid. That's why I shared my views in contrast of your own. And yep, I'm telling you that you're not 100% correct, and neither do I. There are gray areas in our perspectives.

Now, did I say to the haters that they are wrong? Is merely sharing your view on things telling them that they are wrong? That's a pretty narrow take on things. What if my and his perspective are both correct? Couldn't we have a gray area?

And yes, it's nice to talk with you again!