Not scoring and commenting on stories.

I comment but as a nonsubscriber, I forfeit my right to vote.

I like every story that I read and enjoy. I also try to comment on every story. Even if it is a simple “great story!” I know that the author appreciates it and I appreciate seeing the stories I love with many likes and comments. The author has put in enough work to give us their story, I do not expect a thank you for reading, liking, or commenting. It is the least we can do as readers.

Quote by Icarus4

I comment but as a nonsubscriber, I forfeit my right to vote.

How so? Any registered member can hit the Like and Favourite buttons. There's no requirement that you be a paid member to do that (unless something changed and I missed it).

Quote by Babybunny004

I like every story that I read and enjoy. I also try to comment on every story. Even if it is a simple “great story!” I know that the author appreciates it and I appreciate seeing the stories I love with many likes and comments. The author has put in enough work to give us their story, I do not expect a thank you for reading, liking, or commenting. It is the least we can do as readers.

I always comment. The author did a lot of work. I would like to show them that it did not just disappear into the void.
On the other hand, if I comment on several stories and there is no 'like' or 'thanks', I assume they would prefer to be ignored, so I do.

As a reader, I certainly don’t Like every story that I read. But when I do, I almost always try to leave a few words as a Comment.

As an author (and, not fully understanding the etiquette, I didn’t necessarily do this the first year I was on here), I try to reply to absolutely every comment, without exception. I don’t usually PM, which never occurred to me might be expected, but I have started to post thank-you messages on the Walls of readers who’ve Liked or commented on my stories. Seems a nice practice.

When I read a story I will sometimes "like" and if I really enjoyed it I will "like" and comment. While I don't expect a "like" of my comment, a PM or a reply comment, it is nice to know they acknowledged my comment.
As a writer, I appreciate those who score and comment on my stories. WTS, I simply do not have the time to write a reply comment or PM to every reader. I do try to "like" their comments so they know I read it.

As a reader, if I enjoy a story, I will "like" it, and if I really enjoy it, I will also click on the "favorite" star. I try to always leave a comment on a story that I've liked. If I'm short on time, my comment might be short. But I want the author to know that I appreciated their hard work and effort in creating and sharing their story.

As a writer, I do my best to reply to every comment in a timely manner. I don't post thank you messages on profile walls because I've thanked them directly by replying to their comments. I know a lot of authors do both. I don't always have the time to do so, and I don't want to be inconsistent and make any reader feel as though their comment was less important to me than someone else's. I don't feel it necessary to PM every reader, for that same reason.

When I read a story I always like if I've enjoyed it along with leaving a comment to show that I've appreciated the writers work. With my own stories I always like and usually respond to any comments left by the reader.

Not everyone is on this site for the community. I love getting comments and likes on my stories, and do my best to leave them when I read stuff I like.

That said, I would never be upset at someone who's not looking to engage, just to read. That's fine! I have no expectations of readers beyond hoping they enjoy what I'm putting out there.

I've never posted on anyone else's wall, and I never DM anyone about stories. I think that's what the story comments are for.

Seems that less than 5% of people who read stories give them a like it comment. Many times, it’s even less if you look at the stats for most stories. If someone comments on my stories, I typically leave them a return comment of at least Thank you 🙏

I always take the time to write a reply to feedback. As someone who writes stories, it's nice to know that the reader has enjoed a story, it encourages a creator to do more. I wish more people would hit the like button or comment. For example one of my stories https://www.lushstories.com/stories/incest-fantasy/holiday-with-a-naturist-family-part-1 had 16,500k views, 234 likes and 21 comments the ratio just doesn't add. Obviously it's not everyones cup of tea, but part 2 had 9,743 views and 127 likes, and by part 5 there were still 7,912 views so it must have been liked by at least that number to read each part but only 101 likes and 8 comments. Good job I have thick skin, could be soul destroying

Quote by HotRodUK

I always take the time to write a reply to feedback. As someone who writes stories, it's nice to know that the reader has enjoed a story, it encourages a creator to do more. I wish more people would hit the like button or comment. For example one of my stories https://www.lushstories.com/stories/incest-fantasy/holiday-with-a-naturist-family-part-1 had 16,500k views, 234 likes and 21 comments the ratio just doesn't add. Obviously it's not everyones cup of tea, but part 2 had 9,743 views and 127 likes, and by part 5 there were still 7,912 views so it must have been liked by at least that number to read each part but only 101 likes and 8 comments. Good job I have thick skin, could be soul destroying

What you're describing here has been the norm ever since I joined Lush and started writing 16 years ago, except that the disparity between 'views', likes, and comments grows ever greater. To me, 'views' mean absolutely nothing. At best, somebody has clicked on your story, read the first line or the tags, decided it wasn't for them, or they've stumbled upon a big word and moved on to the next story.

'Likes' are always welcome and appreciated, but unfortunately, many will just be left by people trying to be polite. People who probably have not finished reading the story. Finally, we come to comments. Personally, I only leave likes and comments if I've read the story to its end, not otherwise. I appreciate all comments, especially those that are longer than just "Was good" or "Nice story". Considering all the effort that writers put in, I encourage readers not to leave a like or a comment unless it's sincere and meaningful. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Lastly, if you write multi-chapter series, you can expect diminishing returns on views, likes and comments. This is the voice of bitter experience speaking. Lol. The longer the series, the greater the diminishing returns. In 16 years, I've only ever had one person read and comment on all eight chapters of one of my multi-chapter stories. That's why I don't write series anymore.

Quote by Piquet

Lastly, if you write multi-chapter series, you can expect diminishing returns on views, likes and comments. This is the voice of bitter experience speaking. Lol. The longer the series, the greater the diminishing returns. In 16 years, I've only ever had one person read and comment on all eight chapters of one of my multi-chapter stories. That's why I don't write series anymore.

A big reason I never moved forward with tons of series ideas I had in my head too. Doesn't feel worth it, especially since series are way harder to write and edit.

Quote by Piquet

Lastly, if you write multi-chapter series, you can expect diminishing returns on views, likes and comments. This is the voice of bitter experience speaking. Lol. The longer the series, the greater the diminishing returns. In 16 years, I've only ever had one person read and comment on all eight chapters of one of my multi-chapter stories. That's why I don't write series anymore.

These are my thoughts, starting with being a story Reader... Generally, if I read a story to the end, I will give it both a like and a comment. If it's a competition story, and I do read every entry, you definitely get both, plus a favourite if I feel it's a top-ten contender. The reason I do this is to encourage people to enter and give them some feedback. I still remember writing my first entry and wondering if I would get any likes/comments.

As an Author, I do answer and thank every comment I am lucky enough to get. In fact, working with, okay, sometimes teasing, 😜 members who follow me is enjoyable for me. But, yes, I do get a little niggled if I get a nice comment but not a like... Nothing to do with egos. It's just that it took 3 1/4 years to get on the top 97 author board. Now that I am there, I wouldn't mind staying there.

Lastly, I agree with Piquet. Multi-chapter stories, which I have written a lot of, do seem to have a fall-off in both likes and comments. I would love to know the best way to win new readers and keep them interested.

To illustrate the point, my latest series, "Cash in Hand" (and hopefully winning new readers), although I'm very grateful to the readers who stick with me. 😀

Cash In Hand 1 - "A Job Opening?" - Part 1 Of 2

If it's a comment i try to reply. Might not if it's a simple Great story. I will for certain if there is feedback, Like someone saying I can't wait for the next part. I'll try to reply where that enxt part is, of if it's a one shot, I'll say Let them live happily

I comment on stories I really like. I might have forgotten to ‘Like’ some stories I’ve commented on!

Quote by CharlotteRusse1

I comment on stories I really like. I might have forgotten to ‘Like’ some stories I’ve commented on!

This is me, I constantly forget to hit the "like" but usually remember to go back and fix it. I try to comment on every story I read unless its really bad (rare.) I always try to read and comment on all Comp entries if I am in the same comp. I mostly need to read more.