Commenting on peoples work - a dilemma I have.

Definitely say something if you want to. I'd rather someone liked it and just said that than if they thought it and said nothing. I see what you mean about wanting to seem more inciteful but it's a lot to ask anyone to give a critique unless they were totally blown away by a piece. In fact I'd rather get more detail about why people didn't like it as that gives me something to work with.

I agree with what everyone else has said, I would rather get some kind of feedback than nothing. True, more detailed feedback, questions, or critiques are helpful but sometimes all you know is that you like it, and that is better than hating it :) I find the same thing at times when I am reading someone's work. I want to offer something helpful but can't think of anything to say. Another option is to say that you enjoyed reading it and will try to think of more detailed feedback after it has sunk in a bit. Don't worry, there are no wrong answers when giving feedback!

Some time ago, back before we could leave comments beneath a piece, the only way to comment was to flag it in the forums. It was, so I recall, bad form to flag a piece and only say something simple like, I liked this (but on several occasions, I did just that. Now, with the new system of commenting, I think it's very appropriate to say something along those lines. If you like a piece and want to let the writer know in three words, what's the harm in that? I'd rather get three words than none.

I agree with Foster. I always appreciate a comment, but some writers work is so awful (a personal opinion) that the only polite thing to do is ignore it. With this in mind it so happens that the majority of people ignore my work. Alright so poetry that rhymes and children's stories are not every one' cup of tea. A good way to increase your readership is to get a cherry or two! Incidentally I've never come acros Foster's work, nor he mine probabably so it becomes difficult to leave any comment at all. Ps. I've just looked at Foster's profile. He hasn't posted anything so that solves that little problem. If you post something you stand more chance of getting a comment.

I'm glad this topic has been raised. I'm one of those people who also finds it hard to say anything constructive when my `technical' (for want of a better word) knowledge of the craft of writing is very limited. For myself, if someone simply tells me they liked or enjoyed a piece then I'm happy! I think if we're honest, most of us are insecure about our work and find it difficult to judge whether or not it's of value so all feedback welcome as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes it's easy to write more but often you just know you like it and say so. Once or twice I have had constructive suggestions regarding prose pieces (which don't come easily to me at all) and I've really welcomed the fact that someone has taken the time and trouble to do this. I'm learning a lot through reading other people's work and the more we read the more we want to comment. I have also appreciated suggestions from more experienced writers as to further reading material which shows they are understanding what I'm trying to do. In summary though - even one positive word is a welcome comment to me.

It's nice to get comments, but not all comments are nice. But those are the exceptions to the rule. 99% are positive. And I always like it when someone has taken the time to say something. The downside, of course, is that anything such as 'you should have done that, or you have a comma missing here' is taken as slanderous. Most of my writing is full of grammatical errors. I really appreciate it when other writers point them out. I like it even more when they have taken the time to say something like you should have done this or that. That happens more with my attempts at poetry, where the comments are often better than my poem. The poets here are better at criticism. Geoffry's point is also a valid one. Some works are so bad it is better saying nothing than saying something. So, don't always comment, just post a comment!

In an ideal world I would like everyone who reads any of my work to leave a comment, even if it's just one or two words, hopefully positive. But I don't leave comments on everything I read either, mostly because, like others, i don't really know what to say, especially on poetry which I might not even fully comprehend. I suppose there is also a line that no-one wants to cross when critiquing others' work for fear of upsetting. The only problem being that line is in a different place for every writer. Of course time is another important scarce resource that lots of us don't have enough of to offer in-depth analysis on many works. And every minute spent reading and reviewing is time that could otherwise be spent writing. It's a fine balancing act. Personally, I would love to improve my reviewing skills, and I get the feeling that quite a few others on here would also like to improve theirs. So with that in mind, and maybe with the help of the more experienced members, and with some wider reading, we could set up a little group or groups to help us achive this. Just a thought. In the meantime feel free to drop in anytime and just say, "I liked it" or "very funny" or even "call yourself a writer, son?" Okay, so maybe that last one's a tad harsh for a sensitive big jessie like myself.

The most common reason I've seen over the years for not commenting is the very simple and hardly adequate "I don't know what to say," which is why I think it's very appropriate to just say you liked it, good writing, etc. Seems simple enough, and those fOew words go a long way with the writer.

I like getting comments - its not the reason I write or post here but it is nice when someone acknowledges the work you've done, even if it is only to say something as simple as 'I like this'. I also like to receive constructive criticism but understand it is not something everyone can provide. If I can provide the same, I will but often, I am reduced to a simple acknowledgement myself.

Of your options, "I really enjoyed this" seems the best, for reasons a little hard to explain. I don't imagine many writers would find such a response, even if it were repetitive, to be troublesome. There are many people who read and never comment, and that's okay, too. But I think most writers enjoy some feedback, and I wouldn't think your repetition would be a problem for most people.

that just how I feel k! yet it just as nice for me to get any good comment :)

I think everyone on here needs to first ask themselves this question: 'Why am I posting work on a writing site?' If you want simply 'That's a lovely poem,' then show it to your Mum or your friends. On the other hand, it's always great when someone says they like your work - but the question is always 'WHY?' I always try to highlight a phrase or a line or two that especially struck me, the reason the work is 'good' in my opinion. If I read a piece, I always try to leave a comment to (a) show I have engaged with it, read it through, not just clicked on and clicked away again, and (b) to offer any advice I might have on how to improve it. You see, surely we post work on here to show it to OTHER WRITERS in order to get opinions from people who might know a bit more about writing? I am constantly seeking to improve my writing, and the only way to do that is to write and write and write and to read and read and read - reading the work on here often inspires me to write myself. I always appreciate comments of all kinds, criticism aimed at making it better is most welcome, but I draw the line at the downright rude - as Wilky says, 'tread softly' - just a warning, if you do write rude things, I'll probably rebuff you in poetry! J x

My reasons for posting on ABC are a bit different. As I prepare to make something public, something I've written with my real name on it (at least my first name), knowing it will be "out there" forces me to edit meticulously, more thoroughly than if it were to just sit in my laptop. This process, coupled with any constructive crit or words of encouragement I receive here, gives me a nice boost before I submit to various magazines. ABC serves a different purpose for each of us...and that's mine.