I know! I hate that about the replies to comments too!

Thanks! It's a rant that needs to be ranted every once in a while. lol I read a girl's short story last night and left a comment and saw I was the only one who did. Then I looked at her kudos and noticed all these names of people who actually write stories in the fandom and for some reason it made me really angry! It's like, they all know how important feedback is and they are too lazy to leave just a good job! Or something like that? I get it, a little with people who don't write. They may not understand how time-consuming writing tends to be, but writers get it.

The lack of feedback is crazy on AO3. I wish that stupid kudos button didn't exist. People hit that thing and think okay there ya go! We all did a lot better giving feedback on AC. I wish I could go back and see how many reviews I had and read the ones I got. I think we were spoiled there. I know I had way over 100 reviews typically on most of my more popular stories, and that didn't include our author responses which as you know is another pet peeve of mine. People who don't respond to their reviews.

At least the girl who randomly requested something, actually has left a couple reviews. But yes, don't make a request after not saying anything or like I said in my rant, don't let your very first comment be "How come this hasn't been updated?" lmao *smack!*

Hopefully!  People can be so pushy.  I don't mind people throwing out suggestions as long as they can accept the fact that I may not use them.  It bothers me when people I've never heard from otherwise do that, though.  Like, have you even read my work??  How come you've never left a comment before?  So rude.

I enjoy your occasional tweet thread about the importance of giving feedback, btw.  The lack of comments on AO3 is really pathetic.  I feel like I can't complain because, if you sort stories by number of comments within the BSB fandom, many of my novels show up on the first page... and yet, I get very few comments there compared to what I used to get on AC.  And most of the ones I do get are from the same few people.  (Thanks, Steph!)  I always reply, too, which then doubles the total number of comments.  I don't like that replies count because that is also misleading.  I don't know why people there - even fellow writers - are so reluctant to comment.  You don't even have to be registered or signed in to do it!

I mentioned that at the moment I had 3 WIP and I only enjoyed writing Roman and siblings centered Fics and wasn't into ships. I haven't heard back from the person so maybe they've moved on lol

Yes, that's exactly what that means.  It is a thing.  I would not recommend doing it LOL.  I tried writing a story or two based on someone else's idea that they wanted me to write back in the day, and it did not go well.  Even if it's a decent idea, I've found that it's harder to maintain enthusiasm for an idea that isn't mine.

Today someone asked me in a comment if I take requests. I've never heard of that before. Do you have any idea what that means? I'm assuming she or he is asking if I'll write a story based on something they want? Is that a thing? LOL

Yes, I think I'd only be interested in the concerts or if they did something all together with the exception of maybe if Howie does one of those Howie eatz things lol

I'm excited for you both with your cruises!  Sounds like fun!

I hope the Boys come up with better events when/if they do another Cancun thing.  The only one that was really fun was AJ's karaoke event.  Brian's was my second favorite because it was inside with seating, which was worth putting up with Leighanne and Baylee LOL.  At least Leighanne didn't sing... but Baylee sang his solo music, and Brian didn't, which was disappointing.  I would honestly rather they do fewer events but make the events one that involved all five guys and were something entertaining to watch.  I love Kevin, but watching him DJ is not entertaining.  I love Nick, but sitting in the sun on the hot sand for two hours to watch him play volleyball was also not that entertaining.  And I love Howie, but I did not get any guacamole or shots at his Guac and Shots event, so... meh.  I'm not complaining, but this is just another example of things looking more fun on the Boys' social media than they actually were for the average fan who was there LOL.  So you could totally skip out on some of the events and do something more fun.  The concerts and the game show they did were the best parts!

So glad you're feeling better after catching Nick Plague   Also good to hear you're writing again

Mare, I bet you can't wait for the cruise, it's a good feeling when you've finally paid it off as it feels real then.  We're going on a cruise in June, this will be our second one as we loved last years so much.

I'm really excited about the cruise. At this point it's probably one of only two items I have on my bucket list that I'll get to actually accomplish! Have fun in June! It seems like the general consensus is once you go cruising once, you'll want to do it forever! I hope that happens to us. I'm pretty frugal, but I would be able to afford a cruise every other year perhaps! I don't spend money on anything else really besides books. lol

Yay that your cruise is paid off!!  That is a good feeling!

I'll let you know when they announce it.  Hopefully they won't for a little while.  I think last year, they started hinting at it in May, and we booked over the summer.  I hope you can come and convince your sister to come, too!  The nice thing about this is, even if she's not a big fan of BSB, she can still enjoy the vacation aspect of it - the pool, the beach, the "free" food and drinks, etc.  She wouldn't necessarily have to go to all of the BSB events.

I am finally feeling almost back to normal!  I went to bed at 9:30 Friday night and stayed in bed until noon on Saturday, and that helped LOL.  Even managed to get a few hundred words written last night and finish the chapter I've been working on all month, so hopefully I'm back on track with my writing, too.

Glad you're feeling back to yourself! Sometimes all it takes is a good night's sleep or two lol

I'm sure your readers will be happy to know you've finished your chapter!

That's how I'll try to sell it, that she doesn't have to do the events if she doesn't want to. But it also depends on how much more expensive it is because they will be there. I know my sister and she'll bring that up. Even if I don't want to go to see them, I'll still be paying for them, argument. Honestly, I would probably skip out on some of the events as well only really wanting to go to the concerts. I know I can't play volleyball and I don't really care about watching other people do things.

So glad you're feeling better after catching Nick Plague   Also good to hear you're writing again

Mare, I bet you can't wait for the cruise, it's a good feeling when you've finally paid it off as it feels real then.  We're going on a cruise in June, this will be our second one as we loved last years so much.