Thoughts on "unwanted" feedback

[TheEldritchGod]

this upsets writers at times

Good.
If you aren't suffering, you aren't a writer.

 

[BearlyAlive]

If they find a mistake, it's theirs to keep and mine to correct otherwise I'll take the good ideas and ridicule the bad. My personal favorite of "advice" will always be: "Why doesn't your pacifist MC with social anxiety kill all the assholes and get all the bitches? So unrealistic"

I don't even remember what story it was or on which site but this comment still haunts me and cruses me with unstoppable laughter.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Unwanted or not, feedback is feedback and it can be very helpful. If it's not then it will at least add some interaction for your story, making it be seen more.

 

[ZukoMee]

If you post something for others to see, you don't get to decide when and where, or even how you receive feedback. You lose that right the moment you hit "submit." After that, the ball is tossed to the reader to do as THEY like.

Basically, it sounds to me like you want control over another's ability to say their opinion because you might not like what you hear. Seems to be a whole lot of that going around as of late. Everyone is all about "freedom" and "democracy" and "right to free speech" until it suddenly starts hurting them personally. Then they want to control or censor what is said, when it is said, or how it is said.

Pick a lane kiddo. You don't get both. You don't deserve both. Post freely and accept that equally free feedback you may not like, or refrain from sharing your work and maintain control over what can be said. These are your options.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I don't have an issue if someone points out any spelling errors so I can fix them. Free proofreaders? Yes, please. Constructive feedback that can help me improve is also welcome, I can't write for shit after all. That doesn't mean that I will change anything, but it always helps to get another perspective.

However, if someone just comes along and complains that the story didn't happen the way they imagined then they can just sod off. They obviously have a keyboard since they put in the effort to complain, so they can just write their own story the way they want. Just ignore it and relish the fact that you now live rent-free in their head.

Undeniably based, and I agree.

I had someone write an essay because my story about an OP Witch wasn't being taken seriously. Well, yeah, the whole point of the story is that it's not serious. Still, they were nice about it, at least, and took the time to write that, so props to them.

 

[Bartun]

You guys are getting comments?

Very few readers took the time actually to comment on my story. You know who you are. But most of the feedback I got was because I posted my book in those Free Feedback posts here at the forums. So yeah, for me, all the feedback I got was wanted and appreciated, even if it was negative.

 

[Notadate]

Some people love hard and brash. Some people want to take it gently, and talk while doing it. I am talking about criticism

 

[Daitengu]

I do those before posting the chapter. But whatever works for you, Daitengu.

I meant from the position of a reader commenting general corrections.

 

[melchi]

Maybe I've just grown numb but it doesn't really bug me. People can say what they want. Scribblehub allows comments and as long as they are not violating any of the site's rules who am I to complain?

Yeah, some criticism isn't very helpful like when readers were hoping the story would go this way instead of that. But I've felt the same way at times. (I've been hoping runesmith's base gets geothermal power for 100 chapters) So, it is not like I can't empathize.

 

[placeintime]

If it's for grammar, I don't mind it being pointed out. Grammar isn't my strong suit XD. And I'm all for constructive feedback. The thing that I don't really care about is destructive feedback.

Like it's more of them complaining rather than giving feedback. I just ignore or delete them.

 

[Rhaps]

I am very good at multitasking, a.k.a, ADHD. So I can read feedbacks, correct those feedbacks, work on my story, information gathering, writing, all at the same time.

Getting distracted by negative feedbacks seem like a skill issue to me.

 

[KidBuu699]

So first off I would say if you don't want the readers to correct spelling or other problems like that then you don't want to improve your craft. Some writers are just doing this as a hobby and that is fine. However, others writers are trying to make this a starting step in a future career. The readers are free editors and a free test audience to see what it is that needs to be improved and worked on.

Now onto other negative feedback. I have gotten into quite a few arguments with authors. Quite a few have blocked me because of my comments. Personally I don't think I deserved the most of them(I did some). But anyway on negative feedback I think the first thing you need to look at if they are posting specific information and if its helpful in some way.

There is a difference between a "this story sucks" and "this story sucks to read because of (bad flow, constant commas, bad dialogue inserts, etc etc.) One of those comments is useless. The other points out problems in the story that a person can try to improve. Now could the commenter have been nicer in the wording? Yes, but you are dealing with people on the internet. If you haven't realized that people online will say whatever they want by now then I don't know what to tell you.

To throw some fuel on the fire I myself think the authors have gotten a little soft over the years. Been on this site and others for years and there has been a lot more complaining on all sides. Everyone, authors and commenters, think they are entitled and deserve better. Its the internet. The reader isn't a high-class reviewer who has hoards of fans reading their comments. The author isn't a best seller who people should bend over backwards to accommodate. And like I said above this is all free. You're not going to get everything you want on a free product.

Side rant: This is just on commenters. Stop complaining about aspects of the stories that are listed on the genre or tags. If you don't like harem, yuri, genderbender, etc etc then don't read the story! The genre and tags are there for a reason. I will say though that if the tag isn't there and you get a surprise NTR or rape or whatever then go ahead and complain all you want.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Many times, people post their stories for people to read. Some readers take it upon themselves to critique and make corrections, without asking beforehand.
In my experience, this upsets writers at times because they didn't ask to be told what they've done wrong in their writing. I have also had someone correct my work without asking me, and it has it's negative effects.

One thing I find is when you start editing your work while writing it, it ruins the creative flow and causes the mind to focus more on writing properly rather than just having fun writing. That most likely is one of the reasons why people don't like unwanted feedback.

But basically, what are your thoughts? Should people ask the author if they want feedback, or do you think its fine that someone just gives feedback regardless the situation?

if you put something you make out there to the public you basically sign yourself up to getting critique. If you can't handle it, don't publish

 

[Galaxyx]

I think it of course depends on the type of feedback but there really isn't anything to say against konstructive Feedback. Because if you get it, it means the readers like your story and want to see it become (in their eyes) better. This of course doesn't mean you need to adhere to the feedback or even read it if it hinders your writing, but many stories have a really good premise and underlying ideas but the writing doesn't do it justice. That's normal especially if it's the authors first story but I've seen too many stories that end because of that. In the end it's your decision but honestly why publish if not to get feedback and improve your writing. (just ignore all comments that have anything to say about the MCs personality, those are just bs)

 

[beast_regards]

Internet Jerks exist as long as the Internet does.
I just don't understand why the management of the Royal Road thinks that this behaviour would somehow lead to be better content from the entirely amateur writers working in their spare time.

 

[georgelee5786]

Feedback is feedback

 

[PancakesWitch]

If you take out the feedback then it pretty much takes the fun out it.. it a give and take you publish a story, people will Definitely give you input because they might like it enough.. nobody gives feedback unless they find it interesting..

the fun of it for me is writing my beloved stories and my beloved characters, i couldnt give a single fuck about attention given in teh internet, i only post it online as an afterthought. there are novels i've written and not shown to anybody that had reached over 250 chapters, see how much i care about people reading it?

 

[Tyranomaster]

View attachment 25861
Internet Jerks exist as long as the Internet does.
I just don't understand why the management of the Royal Road thinks that this behaviour would somehow lead to be better content from the entirely amateur writers working in their spare time.

I think RR gets a bad rep sometimes because they take less action than others. I've gotten reviews that were unfair removed by the RR team. It's the biggest free site for a reason, and as an amateur writer, its the first step to understanding a larger audience and attempting to become pro.

I enjoy scribblehub forums more and rarely venture onto RR forums, but posting on RR is like working at your local restaurant, and posting on SH is like cooking dinner for your friends twice a week. If you make something particularly bad, your friends will say something. If you cook trash as a restaurant cook you'll get called out constantly.

If you want to cook at a well known restaurant, best to hone your skills locally first.

 

[Lysander_Works]

Readers will do what readers will do. The best solution I can think of is to either find a way to disable suggested edits (some sites have this), or to find a way to kindly ask readers not to critique the grammar/writing style. Sometimes one may discover a plot hole, which I'd consider a big enough deal to want to hear it straight.

One thing I find is when you start editing your work while writing it, it ruins the creative flow and causes the mind to focus more on writing properly rather than just having fun writing.

I feel that. I assume this is the reason why you wish to hold back all feedback like a dam, keeping yourself focused until the end when it really is time to edit. The only other way I can think of solving this though, is to ignore it a bit, or to write off platform then upload later. Create a large enough buffer offline, edit offline, upload once/twice a week (consistently), and proceed that way. Maybe it would feel more balanced by then.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

If you post something for others to see, you don't get to decide when and where, or even how you receive feedback. You lose that right the moment you hit "submit." After that, the ball is tossed to the reader to do as THEY like.

Basically, it sounds to me like you want control over another's ability to say their opinion because you might not like what you hear. Seems to be a whole lot of that going around as of late. Everyone is all about "freedom" and "democracy" and "right to free speech" until it suddenly starts hurting them personally. Then they want to control or censor what is said, when it is said, or how it is said.

Pick a lane kiddo. You don't get both. You don't deserve both. Post freely and accept that equally free feedback you may not like, or refrain from sharing your work and maintain control over what can be said. These are your options.

A lot of what you say is true, but my dude, take a chill pill! My goodness! *places hand over heart in surprise* There are nicer ways to phrase things!

And as a friendly warning, you may want to be careful about politics here. Scribble Hub is super lax about the rules, so it's not like going on a rant is bad, but the forums are a lot more fun without politics, from a personal perspective.

Obviously, free will and all that! Just saying it's unnecessary! *thumbs-up*