After an illness of nine months I've only just come back to writers and artists website. They're clearly doesn't seem to be many people using this site lately.
Looking through peoples shared work I can see that not many people get much support or comments. Some people have a handful of comments some have one or two some go without a single comment.
What's your reasoning for not commenting on a shared work? Do you only comment on people that comment back to you or is it if the subject suits then you feel fit to leave a comment. My reason... I try not to be judgemental when I am no expert myself.
Perhaps there are other people who are ill and unable to look through the shared work or have other reasons?
I have a 13 month old baby and also work 4 days a week - I do not have much free time!!! So if I do have time to look through shared work, I will choose the titles or genres that stand out the most and catch my attention- isn't that what publishers would do when inundated with manuscripts? I do believe the title is very important, however, if it's poetry I won't bother at all as it simply doesn't interest me. Also, even if the title is catchy and I click on it to read, if it's pages and pages long, I simply don't have the time to finish unfortunately. I am more likely to read other uses work if I have a connection with them
I don't think you should have to comment on other work just because you are a member of the site - it has other uses!!
PS I find the Q&A section most useful for me, perhaps other people do to and I think that is also supporting other users of the site:o)
Hi Damien
I have to agree with the other comments, just to make a comment because you have read work I feel isn't always a good thing. I am not an expert in anything let alone writing, even though I enjoy the art and reading others work, but I feel sometimes we could be like the football pundits who just have to say something and afterwards people listen and say "what was all that about" I will only comment if I feel I have something to say, bit like now. Hope this doesn't sound defencive it's not meant to be. Comments and opinions must be honest and constructive, when I get round to sharing a piece of my work I hope people will comment but be honest without being cruel or patronising, I think the latter the worse!
Regards Paul
Hi Damien
Sometimes I try to say something about a shared work that has no comments, just because I feel bad that no one has bothered to respond
Also I do not want to risk saying anything too negative - writing is subjective
If I read something I like I always respond, if not I tend to keep quiet
It takes quite a lot of time to read and comment as well
But I agree with your sentiments - its up to us as users of this site to make the change !