Absolute Chaos Discussion Boards
Fic Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: kevmylove on September 16, 2011, 10:59:03 AM
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I know these questions have probably been answered before, but the thread seems so dead to me lately. Plus, I miss talking to you guys :(
A story looks interesting to you...
1. You click on it and notice the word count. (In example: every chapter is more than 3000 or less than 1000 words.) Does that stop you from even starting to read?
If you are already reading a story...
2. You leave a review for each chapter that you read, but never get a response from the author. (I don't mean when the author takes a bit to answer; I'm guilty of that.) Does that make you stop reading?
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A story looks interesting to you...
1. You click on it and notice the word count. (In example: every chapter is more than 3000 or less than 1000 words.) Does that stop you from even starting to read?
If you are already reading a story...
2. You leave a review for each chapter that you read, but never get a response from the author. (I don't mean when the author takes a bit to answer; I'm guilty of that.) Does that make you stop reading?
1. Word count is not important to me as long as I am really interested in the story. I even read stories that are in bad format because of the plot. lol
2. that doesn't make me stop reading the story but makes me think twice if I should leave a review 'cause I'm not sure if the author appreciates it or not. But If I really have a reaction I wanted to post, I'd still leave a review anyway.
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Word count doesn't matter much to me. If I'm enjoying what I'm reading then I'll read it no matter what.
As for authors not responding to reviews. That annoys me. But what annoys me more is authors who only respond to certain people's reviews. It makes me not want to review.
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But what annoys me more is authors who only respond to certain people's reviews. It makes me not want to review.
I feel the same way. It's not the authors are obligated to respond to our reviews, since we are the one who decided to read the story and leave a review, but our efforts should be appreciated at one point or another.
I hope I am making sense here. lol
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Yeah, you are making sense. If an author doesn't respond to any reviews at all, then that's up to them. But to only respond to a select few people makes me feel like they don't care about their other readers.
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I do have an issue with word count. I'll admit that if a story has long chapters I tend to be turned off because my attention span to read on the computer is small. If the plot looks interesting enough or if I have liked something by the author in the past, I am more opt to give it a go but if I can't make it through without my eyes glazing over, I might stop.
If I liked the story I don't think I'd stop reading if my reviews weren't answered. I leave reviews for the author sure, but I do tend to leave reviews as a placeholder for myself so I know where I left off too. ;) Especially if the story is complete.
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I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. Word count doesn't matter to me, unless the whole story is only a few hundred words long... if that's the case, I'm like, what's the point? I prefer stories with substance. I'm certainly not afraid of long stories or long chapters, though they do need to move at a pace that holds my attention.
Lack of an author response doesn't make me stop reading a story, but it might make me stop reviewing or at least not review every chapter because, as most everyone else said, it makes me wonder if the author appreciates or even bothers to read their reviews.
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You know over the years, I have noticed that word count is important to me. I tend to not want to read stories where the word count is pretty high (to me that's 3,000 words and up) if only a few go that high it's different but if it's a story that already has a ton of chapters and each one of those is over 3,000 I kind of know I am not ready to invest myself into a fanfic like that. It's weird because for me, I don't care at all about that in novels. It's more of a sitting at the computer and having to scroll down and read issue and probably because it's fanfic too. LOL I guess back in the day when I was more into fanfic it didn't matter.
If i'm reading it as it's being written I usually give it a go but if it's not holding my attention because of length I usually stop reading.
It's funny because I just asked my readers at the end of my last chapter which they preferred. Shorter chapters with more frequent updates or longer chapters. Because of my own personal preference I found myself wondering if I would read my own story. LOL
As far as not responding to reviews. Honestly, it will detract me from reading the story. I think it's douchey. I've said it before and i'll say it again lol And what Steph said, bugs me too. People who only respond to certain reviews as if one person is more worthy than another. The thing that bothers me most though is the people who don't respond to reviews and whine about not getting reviews! I want to smack them over the head with a dirty diaper.
Another good question is, how do you feel about AUTHORS who don't leave reviews for stories they read but then complain when they don't get reviews? I find that a HUGE turn off.
I need to stock up on dirty diapers to throw at people. LOL
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^ That's a huge turn-off to me, too, authors who beg for reviews or complain about not getting enough that don't review themselves.
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I hope none of these were directed at me lol ;) I usually respond to reviews right away but sometimes I forget and I got to stop doing that, it is purely unintentional I promise :)
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That's also a huge turn off for me too, especially when they beg for reviews/are constantly reminding readers that's they've updated. You'd think they'd have the decency to review what they read too.
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I don't think we're talking about any one writer in particular; it's just a general pet peeve.
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No Tracy, no one is talking about you, it's just like Julie says.
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I asked the first question cause I just can't get into reading a story that has 600-900 in each chapter. It leaves me hanging more than a cliffie. Then the 3000+ is just too much for me, no matter how good the story is. I have the attention span of a gnat! :shrug:
I kinda missworded the second question, didn't really mean stop reading. It was more like stop reviewing. I have read stories where I review and the author totally skips responding to my review or doesn't answer any at ALL! (Although, I do tend to answer reviews late or back in the day not at all...would say cause I always have internet issues, but that might just be an excuse. I'm much better at it now ;))
I actuallly get embarassed to plug my stories...haha ...but it's exciting when readers talk about it, so I do join in. lol.
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Its ok :) personally I don't like when someone says "if I don't get this many reviews I won't update...." that to me is a huge turnoff. I stopped reading a story completely because of that!
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^ That's a huge turnoff to me too.
As far as chapter length goes, that's never been an issue with me, except for the extremes - chapters that are only 100 words long and chapters that are, like, 10,000+ words. 100 words is hardly enough to contain anything with substance, and 10,000 is a little excessive, though I probably have written a few chapters that long... usually mine end up being more in the 2,000-5,000 range, I think.
Word count isn't something I pay attention to as I'm writing, though; I go more by pages and natural scene breaks. I would never end a chapter just because it went past 3,000 words, and I would never not read a story just because its chapters were longer than that, either.
In published fiction, 3,000 words equals roughly 12 pages, which doesn't seem like that long of a chapter. It depends on the author, but a lot of the books I read have chapters of 20 pages or more. But just as I don't count pages in a chapter before I decide whether or not to read a book, I don't even look at word count when I decide whether or not to read or continue a fanfic.
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I think if I was able to hold the story in my hands like I do a book, the word count wouldn't bother me. It's a comfort thing. I hate sitting at the computer and reading off of a screen. That's why i'd never buy one of those Kindle things. I am one of those old fashioned folks that like the feel of turning a page. LOL
I also always check to see how many pages a chapter is before I start reading the chapter. If it's long it doesn't make a difference but for some reason I still need to know lmao maybe it's an OCD thing.
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Erika, I also hate plugging my stories, I feel embarrassed, lol
I don't mind reading on my laptop/work computer/iphone but must admit that I do love real books.
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Oh, I forgot to comment on the plugging stories thing. I don't really do that very often either and I don't enjoy it at all. I actually wish I was better at that especially when it came to the book lol
I don't see a problem with mentioning it when you first start writing and want people to know but when it seems like all you do is talk about or plug your own story, the less I would ever want to read it. It reeks of desperation if you do it all the time but like I said, when it's first posted or very occasionally it's all good. (for me anyway lol)
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I know I said word count bothers me but it's only when reading on a computer. I don't care about word count or pages in a book. I think it bothers me on the computer because of the glare and there are SOOOO many other things that distract me on the computer. I don't have an issue with the Kindle like I thought I would, to me it still closer to reading a book than reading on the computer.
I've only plugged one of my stories and I'm sure it comes off as appearing desparate for people to read but I really just love the story that much that I feel like sharing and talking about it. If I annoy you I'm sorry, I don't expect anyone to read it from my tweets, I save that expectation for next month ;) I jest. ;D
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I do understand about the computer; I used to be able to sit and read fanfics off a desktop for hours, but I can't stand to do that anymore. I use my netbook when I'm reading more than a few chapters at a time because at least I can take that to my bed or the couch and be comfortable. I don't have a Kindle and will never buy one for myself; I love actual books.
As for plugging stories, I agree with what's been said - it's fine to plug when you first start a new story and then announce when you update, but when it gets to be excessive, it does come across as needy and is a turn off. It's different when you're a published author trying to earn money or even make a living by selling your books, but since we're not trying to make any money off this, it just seems like an attention-seeking thing. Everyone wants readers, but it should be the quality of your work and the frequency of your updates that attracts them, not the intensity of your begging.
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One thing I like about the Kindle app is that I can download a sample of the book to see whether I like it first. I wouldn't buy a Kindle though, I just use the app on my phone when I'm not at home. I like real books and have a stack of them on my bedside drawers ready to read :)
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Hubby got me the kindle because he was sick of the house exploding with books. LOL. I actually like it when traveling, I have a score of books and not an entire suitcase for them alone. :)
I still love the feel of books but with so many bookstores closing I don't have one near to buy anymore or browse for new books. When I browse I browse on Amazon, I download the free chapters to my kindle to read so I might as well just get it on the Kindle. There are still a few books I have to get because they aren't available on the Kindle and a few that I want to own to own. I was against the Kindle at first but it has its good points.
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Yeah, the Kindle app is very handy when travelling :)
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A story looks interesting to you...
1. You click on it and notice the word count. (In example: every chapter is more than 3000 or less than 1000 words.) Does that stop you from even starting to read?
No, I don't think its particularly about word count. What I look for is description in stories and as long as its something, could be a person or setting has somewhat of a description, then its interesting enough.
If you are already reading a story...
2. You leave a review for each chapter that you read, but never get a response from the author. (I don't mean when the author takes a bit to answer; I'm guilty of that.) Does that make you stop reading?
No, I mean I know just like if it was switched around and they left a review, I'd still notice it. I actually personally thank them via email sometimes or just offer a short little response. If I like something a lot I definitely read and review. Sometimes the author has a life from the site (as do I and others) and can't be around to check reviews on the archive but I've noticed on the few reviews I've left for people, there hasn't been a response; which is fine. A lot of times I'll stop reading only because the author stopped updating. And I don't believe in posting up reviews for someone to update. Seems a bit annoying. When they can, they will. Its something that can't be rushed.
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Unless it's the extreme of 100 words or 10,000 words in every single chapter, I ignore word counts. If a story captures my interest, it captures it. As for responding to reviews, unless they ignore every single one and never reply...well, it makes me review less. Maybe not stop reading, or even stop reviewing, but I won't review every chapter or even every other chapter anymore. Cause what's the point? It doesn't take long to reply.
Oh, I forgot to comment on the plugging stories thing. I don't really do that very often either and I don't enjoy it at all. I actually wish I was better at that especially when it came to the book lol
I don't see a problem with mentioning it when you first start writing and want people to know but when it seems like all you do is talk about or plug your own story, the less I would ever want to read it. It reeks of desperation if you do it all the time but like I said, when it's first posted or very occasionally it's all good. (for me anyway lol)
OMG YES.
When people plug their story that desperately, it makes me not want to read it at ALL. It annoys me that freaking much. Even if it's something I'd normally click on. It's just pure desperation, and it's pathetic, or comes off that way. A few plugs when you first start, and then update announcements, that's understandable . Anything more than that? It's needy.
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I don't mind when someone plugs their story but it gets annoying when that's all they talk about...but if they are talking with readers about it it is ok to me. Just some people go overboard with it. As for responding to reviews, I won't stop reading if I don't get a response, but if I see someone begging for reviews constantly (once in a while asking for feedback is fine) I will just not read anymore. Begging for reviews and threatening for feedback is desperate.
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Yes, when all people talk about is their fanfics it's annoying. Luckily I don't follow people who do that, for the most part. lol
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I think there's a difference between plugging and discussing it with readers who initiate the discussion first, too. I don't mind when people tweet about their fanfics, as long as it's not all the time and not with the attitude of "Go read this! Why aren't you reading this? Why aren't I getting reviews? Have you read my story? Why not? Please?" LOL
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I think there's a difference between plugging and discussing it with readers who initiate the discussion first, too. I don't mind when people tweet about their fanfics, as long as it's not all the time and not with the attitude of "Go read this! Why aren't you reading this? Why aren't I getting reviews? Have you read my story? Why not? Please?" LOL
Agreed, there totally is, if people tweet you about it, that's different. Or if you just announce updates.
Stuff like this, for example...
I love my story, have you read my story?
And then a few minutes later...
Look how many reviews my story has! You should read it too!
And then another few minutes...
I love my story so much! I bet you would love it too if you read it! You should! hehe
And a few more...
Did you know I updated *insert name here*? Why haven't you reviewed?
And another minute goes by...
Just letting you know I updated...why haven't you read yet *insert name here* ?
THAT is annoying. That is what we mean by total douchey shamelessness lol. I sometimes wonder if people who do that realize just how they come off and just how much they turn people off from reading. And that maybe that's why they don't have as many reviews.
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Yes, when people tweet you about your story, it's different. (except when they are tweeting you BACK after you tweet them about your own fanfic lol) I think it's okay to talk about your fanfics. I mean we are all proud of our work, it's just not all we want to hear about. If I do that, I want someone to tweet slap me please!
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Yeah I talk with my readers about my stories but initiating a convo is just desperate. I am proud of my work but I don't sit there tweeting about my fanfics every five minutes. I also hate when people RT those complimenting them constantly along with the story plugs. It gets old and it makes you look like you just want attention.
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^ OMG Tracy, the RT thing is so annoying! But yeah, I agree with Mare, I think it's normal to tweet about writing the same way you tweet about the other things you do in your life. There's a difference between doing that and begging people to read your stories or trying to make them feel guilty for not.
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I hate people who are RTing compliments about themselves. Egotistical much? Ugh.
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Yeah which is why I don't compliment too much on twitter LOL. The constant RTs and omg I got feedback you guys love me..yeah lol
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I'm sure I've been one of the annoying ones lately... sorry if I've upset anyone by it.
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Aw. I'm sure nobody meant you either! I don't find you annoying at all.
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Agreed, there totally is, if people tweet you about it, that's different. Or if you just announce updates.
Stuff like this, for example...
I love my story, have you read my story?
And then a few minutes later...
Look how many reviews my story has! You should read it too!
And then another few minutes...
I love my story so much! I bet you would love it too if you read it! You should! hehe
And a few more...
Did you know I updated *insert name here*? Why haven't you reviewed?
And another minute goes by...
Just letting you know I updated...why haven't you read yet *insert name here* ?
THAT is annoying. That is what we mean by total douchey shamelessness lol. I sometimes wonder if people who do that realize just how they come off and just how much they turn people off from reading. And that maybe that's why they don't have as many reviews.
I don't really see that behavior going on with how people write nowadays. I think a lot of us are much more respectful and don't see a need to act that way to gain an audience.
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I'm sure I've been one of the annoying ones lately... sorry if I've upset anyone by it.
No, you're not, trust me.
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I don't really see that behavior going on with how people write nowadays. I think a lot of us are much more respectful and don't see a need to act that way to gain an audience.
Sadly, it does go on. I don't think it is as bad as it used to be back in the day but yes, it happens a lot. In that very same way Rose mapped out. I swear I might have even seen those very tweets on my timeline at one point lol
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I'm rarely on Twitter so I don't really see what's going on with writers these days. Frankly I thought we all grew up. Guess not. lol
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I don't really see that behavior going on with how people write nowadays. I think a lot of us are much more respectful and don't see a need to act that way to gain an audience.
No, it's there. I've seen it. Drives me insane, because you'd think people would be.
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Yeah I see it too and it gets old fast. I try not to tweet about fanfic too much...but like I said talking with readers is ok if they asked you something.
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I stopped doing the plugging thing, mostly cuz I forgot and I mainly use twitter to rant. I figure the most recent stories will be enough to let people know I've updated. Just seems like too much plugging for me other ways. I tend to forget a lot of the time.
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I think plugging is okay. I mean it makes sense for us to want people to read what we write. I just think sometimes some of us get too carried away with it. I'm sure it's not the case but I know if I based my opinoin on people solely by what they say on the internet (Particularly twitter since I don't do FB with BSB peeps) I would swear that fanfic consumes their lives. It's all some people talk about. Their own stuff and how everyone should be reading it. I would actually prefer to read 140 character rants about life instead of 140 character self adulation posts lol
Things have seemed to calm down lately, so that's good.
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Ranting on twitter=my new obsession since it goes with my new phone. Finally got out of the flips and converted to the touch screens. Life is good.
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I just got a droid.. lol now I'm always on twitter. LOL as is apparent by my story plugging
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I see what you mean, mare and it does exist, some people take fanfic too seriously.
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I think plugging is okay. I mean it makes sense for us to want people to read what we write. I just think sometimes some of us get too carried away with it. I'm sure it's not the case but I know if I based my opinoin on people solely by what they say on the internet (Particularly twitter since I don't do FB with BSB peeps) I would swear that fanfic consumes their lives. It's all some people talk about. Their own stuff and how everyone should be reading it. I would actually prefer to read 140 character rants about life instead of 140 character self adulation posts lol
Things have seemed to calm down lately, so that's good.
Most of my tweets are food related or what I'm watching on TV. I'm boring, lol.
I don't mind tweets telling me that stories I'm reading have been updated, and I don't mind talking about stories with writers either.