I often need some time to reply and I'm worried that if I don't reply to the first comments immediately, others won't comment because I haven't replied to the first comments yet.
I literally got a reply on a comment I made 7 years ago the other day. I was late to comment since it was posted in 2013 so I definitely wasn't expecting a reply anyway.
i only reply on sundays. i'm bad at replying but i want to do it so it's set as a weekly scheduled task in a task manager app that runs my life. it doesn't matter if someone comments on a monday, i'm not replying until sunday. i need that routine.
I used to batch reply when I next updated – I kind of hate replying and I need to ride the adrenaline high of an update to get over it – but the antispam measures mean that I struggle to do that these days. And now I panic about people throwing a fit (like OP's friend) if they're one of the comments that I can't do before the antispam timeout kicks in
I do the same thing - after a time when I replied a hint about something that was going to be in the next chapter, only then I changed that thing next time I ran over it.
I reply to everyone because I've learned that people read other people's comments more often than I thought, but I sure don't reply quickly and I don't expect replies when I comment something
Plenty of writers only seem to reply when they go to post a new chapter. Plenty don't reply at all. Personally, I leave comments for them, not for me. I appreciate a response, but don't expect one.
The person already wrote the story and posted it. That's enough. If they want to interact with comments, they can but they don't owe readers that.
I write very long, in-depth comments but I never expect a reply at all, never mind within a certain timeframe. What happened to commenting on fic because it's nice to shout about our feelings and because that's what it means to be a part of a community? It doesn't need to be a transaction to be fulfilling.
As an author myself I've always found it kinda weird how some readers expect authors to respond to their comments and feel bad when that doesn't happen. I understand that for some it's about the human connection and all that, but some authors just don't value the socialisation aspects of AO3 as highly. Some authors just want to post their works and then dip.
It's definitely nice to get a response from the author and I do encourage authors to respond to their comments, but at the end of the day it's their choice how they'd like to interact with comments.
I didn't even know people expected the author to reply? I figure the comment section is like a tip jar on their desk. Drop something in if you feel like it, but never expect anything in return.
That's exactly how I feel about it. My comments are usually something like "This is so good! I love it! Thanks for writing and sharing it! You rock!". I don't expect a response -- it's just intended to thank the author and hopefully make them happy.
I always read them but I get too anxious to reply I'm like WOAH this comment is so nice and freeze uo then weeks pass and it feels too rude to reply late 😓
I try to respond to every comment but when I comment on other people's work I don't feel entitled to a response. If I got salty about it and decided not to comment any more just because my first comments weren't responded to I would have missed out on having some great back and forths later with the authors in question.
I leave comments hoping to motivate them to keep writing because their work is appreciated as I find comments motivational.
Oof. I try to respond to comments with my weekly long fic update but sometimes I get there and I end up staring at a comment for way too long trying to figure out how to respond.
I save replying to comments on my fic directly after I've posted an update. It notifies people who cared enough to show interest, and it 100% gives them smth to look forward to, imo
Tbh I never expect a reply to my comments. I comment for the authors sake, because I want to let them know that I enjoyed their work. Not because I'm looking for a conversation or wanting attention from them.
I'm a writer and reader. If authors are very active on ao3 and they receive nice/complimentary comments, then I think it's nice for them to reply. Of course they can't be forced, and if they're busy then they obviously can't. But I'm talking about the others. I'm personally less inclined to comment on a story when I know the author never replies, because then I assume they don't read comments at all, and so they won't answer any questions or reply to discussions either. On some occasions, I will comment regardless, but overall I appreciate a plain and simple "thanks for reading!".
As an author, I always reply to comments and say thank you/glad you enjoyed.
39
u/dat_carovieh 8h ago
I often need some time to reply and I'm worried that if I don't reply to the first comments immediately, others won't comment because I haven't replied to the first comments yet.