Another question, O flist...and pictures!

[tabaqui]

Or, rather - links to pictures. Remember when i posted about my books being mostly unpacked and bookshelves up? And i had pictures of said shelves?

Some of you were all 'i can't read the titles!' and i said i'd take pictures that showed the titles. I did! Of a few shelves. But they're *very big*, so i'm only putting the links here, rather than actually putting the images up. So click at your own risk! :)

Shelf one.
Shelf two.
Shelf three.
Shelf four.

And now...and observation. Or, the question. And this is not - let me be clear, *not* - a plea for more comments or a whine about how 'nobody wuvs me!'. It's just something i noticed and thought was interesting.

When i posted the first installment of Aftermath, it ended up with an astonishing 221 comments. Now, take out half of those for my replies, and say another ten for back-and-forth, that's still a *very*, very amazing 100 positive comments. The second and third parts, respectively, earned 133 and 95, or - 60 and say....42. Very, very nice. But why such a drop?

Was it because the second part didn't immediately follow on the first part, and people felt cheated? Was it because even though the header says Sam/Dean, there isn't any actual sex and in fact, only one brief kiss? Is it because it's 'unfinished' in that i don't have a number of parts and they can see how long until the end? It's odd.

And like i said - not begging for more comments, i'm perfectly happy with the amount that i get - my flist is amazing and wonderful and strokes my ego *quite* nicely. But the difference between parts one and three is really just...thought-provoking.

Any thoughts?

:)

Comments

[giandujakiss.livejournal.com]

Once you established it as a 'verse, people started waiting until the "end" of the story before commenting. I often do that with WIPs.

[tabaqui]

I suppose... Seems odd, though, to read and not feed. I can't imagine doing that! I like to leave comments.

But then, i also can't make myself wait for most fics to be finished - i want to read *now*, and so read each chapter as it comes out, as a rule.

[apetslife.livejournal.com]

I'd guess that it has something to do with being an ongoing story with no set posting schedule or part numbers. A lot of people hesitate to get invested in stories like that, because they're so often abandoned mid-way through! Also, some people wait for the end of a multi-part series, and then leave feedback for the whole thing. When you posted the first bit, it wasn't clear that there would be more, so people were leaving feedback for a finished story. Following parts make it into a WIP, and folks, as I said, will definitely leave less feedback for those, in my experience.

[tabaqui]

Now, i can understand that if i were a fic-abandoning crazy person but i *always* finish my stuff... :)

But yeah, i get ya. I tend to leave fb on *all* parts of a story unless i read it in one go, and then i only leave a comment on the last part.

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

I think most people see that happen, I think it's pretty common. There was an amazing response to the first wing!fic and while I know people read faithfully, the replies get less with each installment. I know the number of people reading doesn't drop though.

I though, completely understand that as a gen writer I'm pretty spoiled for feedback... :)

[tabaqui]

That's so weird to me, as i generally leave fb on every fic i read, unless i'm reading a multi-chapter in one go, then i usually leave fb on only the last part. Which is unfair to the writer, in some ways, and sometimes i leave fb on *every* part, but not often.

I can't imagine reading something i like and *not* leaving fb. Seems odd.

*but then, i like leaving fb*
:)

[ladysybylgrey.livejournal.com]

for me, alot of whether I respond or not will have to do with when in the week I read the story. I know that sounds weird, but I am in uni for most of the week, so if I'm reading something in the mornings mon-thur, I am not likely to respond to that part, because I'm in class and don't want to attract attention, or if I'm reading it in the evening, I am likely to be really tired from dealing with school and my kid&hubby so I may not respond more than a word or two. But if I read fri-sun, I do my best to respond with at least a full sentence.

G
ps - i wasn't one of the non-posters for this tho', as I rarely read spn, never having seen the show... just thought I would throw in my two cents worth... hope you don't mind...

[tabaqui]

RL always trumps lj life. :) And i can totally get behind being just too wiped out to do more than stare and zone.

And no, i don't mind - you don't have to have left a comment or even have read any fic to have an opinion. :) You should investigate SPN, though! It's really a fun show.
*pimps*

:)

[lomer.livejournal.com]

It could be as simple as people who read the first one didn't realize you'd written a part two since it took you (understandably!) a little time to write the sequel.

And yeah it might be the Sam/Dean thing. *shrug* Keep writing it though! Please! And you may not have lost readers, people may just not have commented this time.

[tabaqui]

It's possible! Although i do post to comms, as well...

I have more to say in this 'verse, for sure. :)

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

I think it's probably a variety of things. I don't think I will ever understand what causes people to comment on fic and what prohibits them.

Half the time I write something I think will be very popular I get decidedly less than the reaction I thought and can't figure out why. And half the time I write something that I think no one else will like or care about but me, I'm pleasantly surprised by the volume of comments I get.

*shrugs*

I think in SPN, nobody is reading anything except for Big Bang right now, so depending on when you posted the last bit that may have something to do with it.

[tabaqui]

Ooooh, yes - blame Big Bang!!
:)

Hehe. Yeah, the commenting habits of people are *very* odd.

[crimsonkitty88.livejournal.com]

So many books! *salivates*

As for your review question, I don't think it's anything you've done wrong. It just seems like the way of things with sequels. The first always gets the most reviews but the second and third instalments and so on always seems to get less. It's a pattern I've noticed myself. *shrugs* In other words, people are lazy. LOL

[tabaqui]

Heeeeeee!
It's quite possible, although i would never *say* that.
*cough*

:)

[realtsunamigirl.livejournal.com]

As your self-designated world's biggest fan (tm), I haven't commented because I've only seen the first two seasons of SPN and don't want to get spoiled.

Just in case you had some silly notion about me not loving you anymore;-D

Also, I find that I don't comment on all portions of a story because I often let them pile up so I can read several at once. Unless something specific about a chapter grabs me, I'll just comment on the last part I read.

[tabaqui]

Heeee!
*smooch*

Dude!! You need to watch season three *soon*!!
*bounce*

[eleke.livejournal.com]

In my very humble lurkery opinion, I think that the reason for the drop in comments is that with the first chapter, people thought it'd be the *only* chapter. Now that we, the readers, know that you'll be writing more in the verse, we're waiting for if/when you announce you're done to shower you with the praise you definately deserve.

I know it's often with me when I know that a story is chaptered, I really can't think of anything to say other than, "Great chapter! Looking forward to next one!" and once I finish I have a couple paragraphs worth of thoughts of this and that scene. I'm trying to do better about commenting now, though.

But this is just what I think - I can't really say anything for others.

[tabaqui]

That seems to be a big 'thing' with people, not wanting to read/comment until a fic is done. I'm usually way too impatient to *read* to be able to wait until a fic is all done.

I wants it naaaooooow!
:)

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

I can't speak to the particular story (don't read SPN, haven't seen more than 1/2 of one episode! *g*), but it's the way of the WiP. The most comments usually seem to be the first and last parts, with perhaps an upswing on any installment with lots of hot sex. :D

I imagine there are a variety of reasons for it, but the upshot of it is that most chapters of a multi-part fic seem to follow that pattern in terms of their responses.

[tabaqui]

Yeah, seems to be the 'consensus'. It's just odd to me, as i definitely comment on every chapter as i go, unless i do a 'read it all at once' thing...

:)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I usually comment on all parts of a WIP, but if it's presented as a finished thing, sometimes I'll only give feedback at the end, it depends on the person. Also you know how often I lose fics, it drives me nuts when I do that. But you, I like to FB each oart, even if it's just OMYEFFINGGOD THIS IS SO GOOD. ;)

[tabaqui]

Heeeeeee.
I know!! I have to bookmark stuff and friend things just so i don't miss stuff. Sad!

*smooches you*

You roxor with the commenting and the luuurve, bay-bee.

[rahmi.livejournal.com]

I know I don't tend to read WIPs unless there's a projected number of chapters. *g* I hate sitting here going, "Is it done in this part? This one? THIS ONE?" and I get really twitchy when I see a Part 3/?. Makes it seem like people don't know what the plot is or how they're going to write the story.

I'm picky.

*twirls you*

[tabaqui]

HA!
Yeah, i generally have no clue. I usually have about half of something written when i post, and then i finish as i go.
:)

[missus-grace.livejournal.com]

Love the book shelf pics. I think it should be a meme!

Not sure what to say about the drop in comments, but let's try an experiment. Start a new Spike/Xander story and see how many comments you get over a 3 chapter posting :)

A girl can hope, yeah?

*hopes desperately not to be flamed by SPN fans because I love the show, but I don't fanfic it*

[tabaqui]

If i could conceive of an original, good idea to write three parts of Spander, i would do it tonight! Sadly, i seem to come up with nothing fit for public perusal.

Never fear - no flames in this lj.
:)

[reremouse.livejournal.com]

People do that, man. Fact of life. I don't like it but there you go. I might get upwards of thirty comments on a first chapter but later ones are lucky to see ten. It's especially frustrating with second to last chapters - that get very little feedback as a rule - when it's a cowritten thing and someone else wrote the very last chapter. I'm pretty consistent - I either comment on every chapter or only on the last one if I read all at once. If I stop commenting it pretty much means I stopped reading.

There's days when it makes a body wonder why it bothers posting.

[tabaqui]

I find it *very* odd. I try to comment on all posts if i read them one at a time and yes, if i stop commenting, i'm probably not enjoying.

We post because...we must!
Writers!
:)

[bendtothesun.livejournal.com]

Books! So many good books and Little Bear! Firehouse Cat! I read those to the kids at my daycare all the time. Also I just want to come to your house and read. Mmm books.

Honestly with Aftermath verse, I read the first story liked it and commented because it was good but it wasn't my thing so I didn't come back. And I know a lot of people have a thing about WIP which I've never understood because well I've never been able to wait. :)

[tabaqui]

Hee. I luff my books.
:)

I can't wait, either! If the story's good i must have *more*....

[laazikaat.livejournal.com]

Yes! What missus_grace said!

Start a new Spike/Xander story and see how many comments you get over a 3 chapter posting *g*

*Spander fans unite!*

[tabaqui]

Heeee!
*wracks brain for decent idea that hasn't been done to death*

[innie_darling]

In my case, I absolutely loved the first piece - I thought it hit everything just right. I think because the first part felt like a finished story, I didn't think the other parts were necessary - not that they're bad stories, or poorly written, or anything like that. Just didn't have the impact that the first one did, because I thought the first one was all the verse that was needed.

Does that make sense?

(If it helps, my decision to have the Ben/Dean scenes end after scene twelve was based on the same reasoning - there's no more story to be told in this same way, in this same verse. Maybe at some point I'll write Ben and Dean, thirty years later, but it doesn't belong with the rest of the scenes.)

[tabaqui]

Oh, that makes perfect sense. I've felt the same way about many things. And i didn't have any plans for a 'verse when i wrote the first one. But i didn't like leaving the boys hanging, either, heh.

I do agree that the first one is more...something...than the others - i totally recognize that.
*pets the boys*

They really aren't *fixable*, or, Dean isn't, but i can't leave him in such misery, either.
:)

Insight into one lurker's mind

[lisas-secret.livejournal.com]

I rarely leave feedback, (even though I love everything you have ever written that I have read. I didn't read these stories because I am creeped out by Wincest, just a personal issue. But I have read all your Spander... repeatedly.) -- because I feel really, really self-conscious -- it's an anxiety disorder symptom that even my meds don't completely control. So, just to let you know, I love your stuff mightily and will try to give more fb. As for the drop off, if I had made a comment on the first one, I wouldn't do another because I would feel that the first was a major accomplishment. :-)

Re: Insight into one lurker's mind

[tabaqui]

Heh.

Good to know!
We writers love *whatever* fb we get. Well, okay, not so much the 'omg, you suck!' kind, but...
Yeah. Even a smile face is good.
:)

[randomstasis.livejournal.com]

LOL- Your bookshelves have the same *ahem* "personal organization system" mine do! (i.e., I've given up trying to sort by subject, and now they're pretty much size-graded, although I do try to keep non-fiction out of the fiction)
And I should have known you were a Gene Wolfe fan, just by the fascinations your writing displays.

FB- Haven't commented on the latest yet, just because I didn't realize it was posted- busy summer, so I didn't see it pop up on the flist, and I'm not sure I expected more in the 'verse.
The original was presented as a finished one-shot, and was great, so a lot of people came to read and comment, just because it was very timely too. The second and third were less so, (right now there are a lot of post finale fics- I think yours kicked off a whole lot of PTSD fics, in fact, so the sequels are tending to get lost in the crowd) & required reading the first, so it's a WIP, and that puts people off- most will wait and comment at the end. Besides, As I recall, you weren't committed to anymore than the one sequel, and at first even insisted it was only a one-shot.

And yeah, sequels, meh- you know!
And Wincest does scare many off- it's just kind of "eeuw" that this fandom's OTP is incest.
Many prefer case fics & gen to porn, slash and especially incest. (I'll never understand how females manage to consider M/M slash the hottest sort of sex, myself- never thought sex was a purely spectator sport before fanfic!;)
Thanks to folks like you and Astolat, I've been forced to reconsider my kneejerk rejection, though..hate to miss good fic because of prejudice! Even so, it's not something I go looking for.
And yeah, the people hoping for porn might have felt cheated.:) too bad!
Double whammy on the wincest warning there though!

[tabaqui]

Heee!
I have a sort of organization. I've got things grouped by umm...dunno how you'd call it...theme?

So i've got things like 'The Town and the City' with 'Shogun' and 'The Last Temptation of Christ' because that's modern lit, then things like 'Robin Hood', Keats, and 'My Antonia' together because....it's not? Hee.
Not *terribly* thematic but maybe it's more the feel than the actual content.

I wasn't really sure, as i finished the first one, that i *was* going to write more. But then it just seemed to cruel to leave Dean hanging, and i felt like i wanted to tell more - hopefully get him to a better place. So, a 'verse is born! :) I haven't seen *too* many PTSD fics, but i'll take your word for it. I imagine it's a pretty common 'bunny' right now.

Sequels, meh? You don't like sequels? :)

It's funny, but incest as far as in a movie/book/play has never bothered me. Or - let me qualify. Sibling incest doesn't bother me. Parent/child *does*, and i don't touch that, or read it, but some of the very first 'grown up' characters i ever wrote were brother and sister - usually twins - and always involved in some way. Either 'too close' or actually physically involved. I dunno why - it's just always been part of my writing. So Supernatural is like...nothing new, heh. And even if i write a story that's gen, in my head, they're together.

I cheat people on the pr0n a lot these days! Heeee.

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

I think I actually missed the second part. And I'm on your flist. Maybe that's happening with other people too? They aren't reading because they're not seeing them, since you are posting them in between gaps.
*strokes your ego, just for good measure*

[tabaqui]

Heee!
It's possible. Silly people - be more attentive! This is important!
*rurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

:)

Missed the second part! Oh noes!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_beetle_/]

They're duced-huge files, I wot. They're still opening after several minutes.

As to the drop in comments . . . dunno. I figure when it comes to multi-chap fics, people wait to do all the gushing in the last installment. I've seen it time and again. The first bits don't have much, the middle even less. but the last installment? Two and three pages worth of comments! It's happened to me a few times--I'd had no idea that many people were reading till the last bit went up.
::shrugs::

Pictures aren't opening. My poor, tired computer has been spamjangled!

But yeah, first and last parts will get the most comments.

Aftermath still rocks socks, though--exponentially with each installment.
::hugs::
::loffs::

[tabaqui]

Yes, *huge*, so sorry.

People are, then, essentially, just *lazy*. OMG! People!! Wake up and hit me with the texty lurve!!!
*shakes lj*

:)
Heee.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_beetle_/]

They opened!

I've read A Little Princess, Good Omens, Lord Of The Flies, Frankenstein, Dracula, A Christmas Carol--tried to get into Gibson, but wasn't smart enough--at least as of a few years ago :)

I'm gonna hit every book on these shelves--or die trying!
::is filled with determination::
::and spaghetti::

[tabaqui]

Wheeeeeee!!
Oh, dude.
*smooooooch*

You are silly and wonderful.
:)

[medjai-trowa.livejournal.com]

Yay! Someone whose shelves are as anomolous as mine! I have physics texts next to junk sci-fi next to my Russian language books next to The Illiad next to Walter Farley and Harry Potter in German....

Not to mention the odd cheesey romance that occasionally sneaks in and the cookery books that migrated from the "To Go" pile when my mother was on a chucking out phase.

Maybe people commented on the first one and thought that because they'd commented on the first one their opinion was already know? *is guilty of not commenting enough...mainly due to a non-linear thought process caused by 3 jobs*

[tabaqui]

I'm always thinking that there's *some* sort of order to my shelves, but it's such an internalized order that even *i* don't really get it.
:)

But you're supposed to tell me your opinion *every time! every!!!*

For i am needy.
*snicker*

[cream-fudge.livejournal.com]

Î can't give you an answer to your question, but I can tell you I'm checking your journal regularly if there's is another chapter up.
As I'm not completely convinced about Wincest I was rather glad there wasn't any sex. Furthermore I think sex just wouldn't fit into story.
I would really like to read wolfpack (and all your other fics). I hope I'll find some time to read them in the next months.

[tabaqui]

I hope you enjoy them when you get to them!
:)

I feel that a lot of stories don't really need to have big bits of explicit erotica. Sometimes, just a hint or an intimation is much better.