If they dont encourage it, many article directories provide for reader comments. It is easy for a reader to assume that a writer does not want to read the opinions of her readers and in some cases the assumption would be correct. Some writers write to see their words and name in print and they are not really interested in the small investment the reader makes to listen or to comment. I believe these writers are in a minority. Other writers are writing to provide value to the reader, whether or not they are selling a related product or service. For those selling a product or service, their sales testify to the value of their writing to others. For those not selling anything, they wonder. Am I wasting my time and that of my readers? What right do I have to waste their time? View counters tell them how many times their article was opened and they know not everyone hooked by a title is interested in the subject. To some extent articles are opened and not read. A gift refused. When giving is unappreciated, it decreases. The giver tires and looks for more rewarding activities with visible results. Karma says the writer will receive their propers sometime down the road for their giving. By that time, they could be writing and sharing much less. Nobody needs to comment on an article they do not like, however well or poorly written. If we dont have anything nice or constructive to say, it is better to say nothing. Yet good can come from honest criticism, even if it is not immediate, wanted, or appreciated and the criticism has to be repeated many times to be considered. If we are regular readers, we will from time to time, come across a writer who speaks our mind better than we do ourselves. Dont they deserve to be told? We might hire a tutor, a coach, a counselor, a guru, pay them money and believe no further appreciation need be shown but most of us know better. On the other hand, a writer who is not being paid is treated as though her work is only worth what it costs to consume and the time to consume it is a fair price to pay. Hence, there is no need to comment and spend any more time encouraging the writer to write more for an appreciative reader or two. Everybody loses. When a writer has organized their life in such a way to allow for a little correspondence with a reader and potential friend, and finds there are no readers with anything to say, she could easily become discouraged. Because many writers know the truth of these words, they have no excuse not to encourage one another. I can tell by my reading that other writers would be my most valuable critics, who if they took a little time to make a suggestion, would improve my work and raise the quality of the places my work is published. Maybe writers are a little more sensitive than others and we are afraid to offend them. On the other hand we might all beneft if we toughen each other up a little. Think about karma when you read. The writer has offered a gift of undeterminable value. The reader accepts the gift and creates a small karmic debt. It can be paid immediately. It can be paid down the road. Givers require receivers. Receivers require givers and it is not unlike sex or marriage. How well does one give? How well does one receive? Where is the comfortable balance? Let us all be more gracious receivers. Let us create some thoughtful dialog. Lets spend a little more time on something that matters more than we think. (PUBLISHERS! Free Promotion Here - Now! If you will leave a comment and your URL or hyperlink on this or any article of mine: 1.) Some of my on - site readers will visit your website. 2.) I will visit your website. If I like what I find, I will write a positive review and publish it here at EzineArticles. You may delete this generous offer when re - publishing this article.) |
