I wonder do forumites appreciate the stories on this site?

There are some stories on here that have attracted hundreds of views (450+) and yet solicited not a single response. Many others have managed hundreds of views and had but one or two responses. Why might this be I wonder? Didn't like the story? Tell the author why. Loved it? Tell the author.

Of course there is no compulsion to respond, just as there is no compulsion for authors to submit stories, but mostly they do for the benefit of others on this site. They might not be minded to do so in the future if they recieve so little feedback. The lack of responses might just mean that the stories peter out.

Just saying.

Hi,

As a writer of a few stories on this site I'd like to thank you for your comments here. The ones I've written seem to be fairly popular, and a few people have messaged me privately to say that they have liked what they have read. But these tend to be people I have communicated quite a bit in the past.

I think the community seems to like them, both of the last two stories have recieved 16 and 25 ratings (4 and a bit stars) each, but I don't know who liked them or why. I'd love to try and write a kindle book or something one day but I don't know if there is the market out there for something like that.

I had planned to write something for today, but never quite got round to it...

Happy Birthday Jim. I am sure that you, like me write mainly for your own entertainment. That said, if you feel a particular story would appeal to a wider audience, there are a number of sites upon which they can be posted. Most of mine wouldn't fit in to this site. There is often an element of WAM in them, but that is not always the main element of the stories, hence I rarely publish anything on here.

I looked at the stats and that is what prompted my original post. If others who are reading this, enjoy having stories on this site, please react to them, sometimes it only takes a click of a button. If you don't like the story, let the author know, because work without any critical review is only worth something to the person who produced it. If it chimes with you, or you hate it, react to it in order to give the author some semblance of whether it is acceptable or not.

I hope you continue to enjoy this site and what it produces for you.

T.

I don't have a catalogue of work or anything, but it's spread out over a long period of time. What I'm trying to say, is that I've been around the WAM fiction community for awhile. To me, it seems like it's been this way for a long time, especially as technology has made videos of WAM so much more accessible and available. Most WAM fiction sites or communities - that I've seen - have been mostly silent fans, with a few people talking and conversing. Even at Tellygunge - which has a fairly active and vocal community - it seems to be mostly just a dozen or so people.

I don't disagree with anything you've said, I think it's just a feature of the medium.

First: Don't worry about feedback.
Second: Write from your heart, you'll enjoy the time/task more.
Third: Learn "The Craft" a term used by authors to describe storytelling. There are subjects like racecraft, etc., etc. Writing is known as "The Craft" as everything we do rotates around writing and reading.
Fourth: Learn the difference between an active verb and a passive verb. Most work outside storytelling is done using passive verb, not active. So there is an art form to understanding active verb well. (Even some very famous authors wrote using passive verb as they couldn't wrap their head around the task. 1984 comes to mind.)
Final tip: Don't be scared of using programs such as "Grammarly" to help you with spelling and narrative; every author makes mistakes.

If you get stuck, drop a line.

Regards

Andy and the team.

Hi there, thanks for an interesting thread.
I've written many stories here.
The truest thing said already is that I have written them for my own benefit, first and foremost.
I enjoy writing. I write and re-write and am carried away with the erotic joy!
Then reality dawns, with the knowledge that it is likely that this story is a passion shared by one only!
Saying that, I've had several good comments and I appreciate them greatly.
This is a safe place to express innermost feelings!
Have fun, keep writing!

Mr W

This is interesting. I've written a few, with little response. But I wrote them for my own enjoyment really. If others like them then great! And we must remember that sometimes people love stuff without providing any feedback. But like an earlier commenter, I've had PMs from good friends on here telling me they love my writing. That'll do for me. I have loads more to come and hope that my contributions will be enjoyed. I'm not a "store", I don't do this for income, I just love it and enjoy sharing what I get up to!

Thanks for your tips and offer of help Andy,

No worries. If writers want links to programs to help them. Shout. I can add them to hear (oops typo, should read here!) and they are freeware with the option of a 12 months licence if the author wants to go up a few notches.

I'm sure MM and the mods could check the links to make sure all was good.

Regards

Andy and the team.

Hi all!
I uploaded one story so far on the Stories page and I occasionally read a few here and there. I think one of the reasons that writers don't get much reactions on it is because there are fewer people looking on that part of the site. I am often confused with where I can find the Stories page, since its under People. Maybe if the Stories button itself was on the top of the page, between Downloads, Videos and Wall, the users here see more easily that these stories exist?

Some people like to see pictures, some like to see videos and others like to read and put their own imagination in it. So why not put it among these buttons?

Hey! Interesting thread.
I LOVE reading the stories on here. But I don't think I've ever commented but have messaged authors directly. It's never occurred to me to leave feedback but maybe now it will.

I think I like that the stories encourage me to use the imagination that I had to rely on before I got online at college and could Ask Jeeves(!!) to show me some ladies covered in Gunge please.

Great tips too Andy. I'm a hopeless writer but will maybe try and write something to exercise my gungebrain

I have 23 stories up here on my blog. One is a series of stories and one is a stand alone story. I have turned the story on here into a full blown novel and will write a sequel to it.

I have also finished writing a novel about a mud wrestling club and am currently writing a collection of short wam stories. When I am finished with that, I am going to write another book that connects all of the wam stories together...kind of a Pixar theory type of thing.

I have not received much feedback on my stories since they have been up here. I do appreciate those who have commented on them. I always leave feedback to the author of the story just out of respect for them and their work.

Thank you for starting this conversation, I have been wondering myself the same thing.

I've posted various parts of the same ongoing story (was started out as a stand alone story) and see quite some people reading it, hundreds... and I'm really happy with that, but the amount of likes and comments is minimal.
Althought it is true that I write these stories mainly for my own pleasure, it is nice to hear what other people think of it. It gives a sense of validation and meaning, hearing that you are entertaining others.
But looking back, I have been 'silent' for years as well... reading stories, watching pictures and the occasional video, without speaking up or letting the author know I like it.

So I'll continue on writing, and cherish the comments I do get (not only here, but also on Instagram for instance)

I've written a few. No idea if anyone else enjoys them, But I do and I like to contribute something to the community.

I have started my next chapter, I really should get on with it.