if you think someone's story is "garbage" and there must be something wrong with the author, do you tell him, or just stop reading the story and find something more to your liking? Just happened to me.
I just walk away. Life's too short to write somebody that I dislike their story. I would never get to write something. If the story is absolute thrash (Grammar wrong in sentence every, Typos alll the tmie and a story line filled with contradictories) it is going to die in due time anyway.
Comment. Always comment. Comment until it stops working. We all started with three word sentences when we learned to talk, possibly less if we weren't raised on English. And I guarantee you tense, perspective, and conjugation sucked. We didn't get better by giving up, or by being complacent. We got better because we were thrust into a world that criticized us and challenged us. Writing requires the same sort of challenge to evoke progress in the author. That said, "garbage" and "there must be something wrong with the author" are terms that I would never use. Constructive criticism is what's necessary, not trash talking. I even ask questions and get into conversations with authors. And the payoff has been there. I've seen improvement in some of these authors. Of course, there are times it doesn't. Some stagnate, others give up, and one actually got worse. On the flip side of this, any opinion that's worth even the time it takes to read it is able to be articulated to some degree. Comments like your examples are just a waste of cyberspace. Frankly, I think it's worth the effort. Not just because it means I get to read better work, but because it turns into a motivation for me to improve. Once everyone else starts growing, I'm compelled to grow myself and not be left behind. Sometimes it doesn't even take another's growth. I've caught myself typing out criticisms and in the middle of it realized some of my comments applied to me as well. Being critical of another helps me to identify and overcome my own faults. It's far too valuable to myself. the other person, and the site to simply give up on it before it gives up on itself. It is time consuming, I'll give Funatic that much, but the reward is ample compensation for me.
To be honest... And maybe I shouldn't be... This website has a lot of 'garbage'. A lot. Every day. I could go around all day hating. But I really, really like the format, atmosphere, and community. I started writing here for the first time *anywhere*. And I won't go elsewhere unless I'm forced to. I think the site layout and, to be perfectly, frankly, honest, Friedman, are amazing. And those others that program the code that make this place have so... So much potential that I will never utilize. The layout is genius. Even at its most basic level (the only level I utilize). The potential beyond that is... Incredible. I love this place, for what it could be. Its a lot more that what it is currently. I've... Well this place has meant a lot to me for reasons I don't need to get into. But that I *do* appreciate every day. Umm.... This wasn't the focus of the topic, was it? Shit... Okay. Constructive criticism is a good thing. If you're not *sure* if its constructive you're probably just venting - which feels good but isn't all that great for anyone else. If you're pretty sure you're just being a douchebag or critic, you probably are. If you think you can help someone with potential improve then that is a meaningful service. I think private messages to a responsive person are, for practical reasons, the most likely place where that kind of growth might happen, but maybe communicating your feelings in a respectful way elsewhere would help an author. Either way, being a meaningful instructor, rather than a douchebag critic, takes effort. Its being a teacher. If you're not willing to put in the extra effort, help someone realize that potential... Honestly? Don't start if you're not willing to do your part to teach. And even if you're willing, not everyone wants to learn. There's every reason to let poor stories stand... And then die.
Depends on the reason, why you see the story as "garbage": As previously posters said: Either ignore / walk away. Or: If you think that there are only specific points, like language, grammar, spelling etc., that prevent you from enjoying the story: Point it out in a polite and helpful manner by giving constructive feedback to the author.
I'm going to ignore, but I'm just curious why someone would come to a site that specialized in all kinds of kinks and fetishes and do such a thing. Obviously the person took time to register so he could make a comment. It's not like it was some religious nut telling me I'm going to hell for liking porn! I don't get incest at all, and it's a major turn off for me, but I'm not going to judge someone else's kink for it since I get off on humiliation and domination. I'm not a person to judge.
Oh... reading comprehension *facepalm* Someone said that your stuff was trash. Yes... ignore, if you can. I can't imagine it's fun to hear though.
If I don't like the kinks or fetishes of a story I wouldn't tell the author because it doesn't tell anything about the quality of the writing or original ideas. (except themes not allowed by the site rules)
To be fair i didn't understand either... there is no indication that somebody commented on his story instead of him pondering over whether or not to comment on something. When somebody states that my story is garbage i would press them for the 'Why', if they can't formulate an answer or only get out another insulting comment they are to be dismissed as trolls. It is simple as that, insulting comments are white noise, try to filter out some good criticism, if impossible, walk away.
It's important to comment if you have actual criticism (poor grammer/formatting, bad sentence structure, nonsensical plot, etc.), now more than ever because the site has disabled "Dislikes". If people don't at least comment to let them know what's wrong, they'll continue posting blindly and make the same mistakes. Posting that you hate furries or something is not very helpful to most authors since that isn't something they can improve; that would be more of an opinion thing. Sometimes though, they just don't listen for some reason and there's nothing really that can be done, like that kid that's been spamming all the anime/superhero fanfics. Despite the wave of bystanders trying to slow down his out-of-control trolley of abysmal grammer and abused character personalities, I don't think he'll be stopping anytime soon.
I got one of those comments on one of my stories. I sad to admit it angers me more than I'd like to. Comments to tell someone he made a mistake/typo etc or suggestions about how to improve are welcomed. To cite from memory "this story sucks, what is wrong with you?" is a sentiment that I could do without. If I don't like something I don't read it, I can only advise people to do the same. If you don't like a story, it is not for you. It is not your fault nor the authors fault and neither should be blamed, just find something you like and the author will find readers that like his work.
what I hate is where people criticize your stuff but they never write any alternatives. This just happened to me. Two guys said how much they hated a posted of mine, but where is there alternative thread from them?
Okay, no. This is where i step in and tell you that your READER has no obligation to become a WRITER to have his criticism be valid. It helps to show what he means but is not necessary. He can be an arse about it and that is uncalled for but that only means that he is unable to write constructive criticism, not that he should provide a thread on his own.
Hey, at least you get comments! ;-) There will be some people who enjoy what you write, and there will be others who dislike what you write. I personally see it this way: It's most important that you like and enjoy what you write here on chyoa for yourself. When i see something here that i don't like, i'll just skip it and read something else. If i do like something, i'll hit the like button or comment if i feel like sharing my thoughts. I see no advantage for me in telling other people that i do not enjoy their writing. And imho only the owner of a story is entitled to that judgment, and the owner can reject a chapter if he doesn't like it for whatever reason. However others might see it different, and enjoy posting comments when they do not like something. And there is nothing you can do about that. So if these comments bother you, that would be my advice/suggestion: If the comments you complain about are really offensive, report them. Otherwise, just ignore them.
it's annoying when someone says they hate the way you develop a character but provide no alternative thread of their own. It's like a guy on the couch yelling at an athlete on TV
Hey those couch guys can have good points! Like... Make your free throws! You're paid 17m dollars! Or... Why did you let the ball get loose?!? You're an idiot!
it's like what they say about good managers: praise in public, criticize in private. Making comments on posts when you don't give an alternate is craven
It looks like they did give an alternative. It's the second paragraph, about not being too malicious. There is also an implied criticism overall that your protagonist is abusing her powers too quickly despite only gaining them only a few minutes ago. Seems that they would have liked some more character development, such as watching your protagonist feel out her powers with smaller acts and building up to bolder pranks. Note, I'm not necessarily agreeing with them, just pointing this out.
It's not though. The guy on TV can't hear you. You can see the comment very well. If anything the reader is your coach and your coach has no obligation to be better at running than you are, he is there to tell you what you should do better. Of course we are not olympic level runners so our coach's are self-proclaimed at best, therefore the advise is not always sound and rarely goes into the direction we want it too but that DOES NOT FUCKING MEAN HE HAS TO RUN HIMSELF TO SAY THAT YOU SHOULDN'T TRIP. Look, i am sure whatever that guy said was something you disagree with, seemingly on a character level, but for heavens sake people are entitled to an opinion without having to write a whole different branch. I really can't stretch enough that i find the idea of that dumb already. "You can't have an opinion on sports unless you play yourself!" "You can't have an opinion on videogames unless you developed one!" "You can't have an opinion on this piece of art unless you paint one!" "Why?" """BECAUSE YOU SAID SOMETHING I, THE CREATOR, DISAGREE WITH!"""
I would think a private message to the author would work better. Now if the story is garbage I say let it go. It's highly doubtful any criticism you can give a "garbage" story will save it. If you see an author that is generally a good author but making a bad decision (i.e. flaw in logic, plot hole, whatever) I would say send them a PM explaining your position. A harsh comment can to some people feel like they are being called out. Then they get defensive and double down on their writing mistake and everyone loses.
