“The reciprocity principle is one of the basic laws of social psychology: It says that in many social situations we pay back what we received from others. In other words, if John does you a favor, you're likely to return it to him.”
I have noticed over the three decades I’ve been posting stories that a large share of those who leave comments on my stories are authors.
Perhaps they leave comments because I leave comments on their stories.
Perhaps they leave comments because I’ve helped them with their stories by editing or reading for comment in the Beta stage.
Comments
Perhaps...
... they leave comments because they know what it's like not receiving comments.
-- Daphne Xu
Well
"The only thing worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about!" Oscar Wilde
I have tried with a recent dismal lack of success to comment more frequently. I am grateful for the privilege to read terrific stories by terrific authors! I do feel that the authors' works alone merit my comments. But, I also know that some authors do receive more of my attention because the relationships with several of you folks draw me to your efforts.
Love, Andrea Lena
I'm not sure what it is but...
I'm not sure what it is but I feel compelled to comment.
All kidding aside. We do seem to mirror behavior in lots of contexts. Walking down the street with a smile and you will see lots of smiles. The retelling of similar anecdotes in conversation. Gifting in response to tragic events. Retaliating when we feel wronged. It seems so automatic that we hardly think about it most if the time.
Crescenda
aka
Your friend
Crash
My excuses for not commenting....
This made me ask myself: why I rarely comment.
One reason: feeling I have nothing worthwhile to say. To some extent, it's because my main survival tactic my whole life has been to keep my head down and not draw attention to myself unless I've examined everything to be sure I won't get clobbered for it.
For another: I read (and write) stories to fill some psychological or spiritual need in me. Most stories don't, and in that case, I would have an even harder time coming up with anything at all to say. A few stories do, but I don't realize it until I've reread them over a period of time. I'm told that BigCloset software doesn't notify an author when someone adds a comment to their story, so the author may never see my appreciative comment. So now I just directly message the author.
I also prefer to directly message the author if what I want to say could be seen as critical or negative. I've noticed that a lot of authors have rather fragile egos (I've seen a few rather publicly leave), and I fear that publicly criticizing their work could make them want to leave. (Doing so privately might, as well, but I hope it's less likely.)
Finally, I've had the experience of posting a story and getting comments that completely miss the point of the story, or are just complaining that the story didn't go the way they wanted it to, and I'm worried about doing that to other authors. Especially since I seem to react differently from practically everyone else here, to judge by other people's comments on stories.
I Agred. . .But. . ..
I often check "My Stories" which does indicate new comments.
New comments on old stories are delicious. Your method of PMing is a great alternative.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
So does...
... your own track page. And I agree about new comments on old stories.
-- Daphne Xu