Random pondering about feedback

[ratherastory]

So I've been trying to catch up on comments to my fic, because I'm behind on everything fandom-related and feeling a bit guilt-ridden as a result. Anyway, that's moving along, so I thought I would indulge my curiosity and ask my ever-understanding flist for your opinions.

Do you guys care at all whether an author replies to your feedback? Do you feel annoyed/insulted/whatever if your comment goes unanswered, especially when you've taken the time to leave really detailed feedback?

To make it easier for y'all, I've made a poll. It's totally not because I like fiddling around with the LJ toys. No. Not at all... *shifty look*

What are your thoughts?

[Poll #1652078]

Comments

[marlowe78.livejournal.com]

So, I posted "Other".

I really kinda expect an answer to a long comment, if I only say "Good work", I think it's ok if they don't reply, or only answer with "Thanks".

Of course, nobody owes me for giving a review, and there might be stuff happening and after all, around two weeks after I gave a review, I kinda forget about it.
BUT: I am one of those persons who don't review (much) for meh-stories. Meaning stories that are fine, but haven't got "it", you know?
Or I really don't like saying: "Sorry, but you should go and get a Beta", so stories which are written really horribly won't get a review (to be fair, they don't get read either...)

If I leave a comment, it's because I want to tell the author how much I appreciate their writing and the plot. It's only fair to tell them if I liked it a lot, and for longer stories I tend to write long or at least well-thought-about reviews.

It's a gift for the writer, and even though I gave it freely and without force, a "Thanks, dude" is kinda fair, I think.

I even go so far that in a story where I see the author never answers the reviews, I don't leave any feedback.
Maybe "Cool", if I feel that way. Is it unfair? Maybe. On the other hand, seeing that there is no reply implies that the writer doesn't even read the comments, and if that's the case...why bother?

Even worse, if I go and give long, happy, beaming feedback because I simply loved the story, and all I get is "Thanks" - like everybody else - I feel a bit robbed.
I don't expect novel-length, but a few lines that show that it was actually read... Would not only be nice, but polite.

So yes, I expect some gratification for giving my thoughts to them!

I know of authors who say outright that they like writing and love reviews, read them all but have no time or whatever to reply to all. That's fine! If they tell me so, I certainly won't withhold deserved praise.


So, saying that, I could have ticked "ten days to two weeks" as well, because after two weeks, I kinda forget the feedback myself :-D
Which doesn't mean that I'm not happy to see some feedback from months ago. Indeed, that feels awesome too.