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A Quick Survey For Users by Televassi
Yes, it was a trick, but I've got to get your attention somehow. Apologies for the deception, but I really, really have some questions that I've be very grateful to hear your opinions on. It shouldn't take more than five minutes, and you can answer in simple yes/no if you wish. =)
For an extended period of time it feels like I've hit a glass ceiling with my writing, and I'm struggling to find ways to break through. What puzzling me is despite favourable comments and fairly regular updates, my works are not generating any interest with new watchers. I recently noticed that I had over 100 watchers here, and to be blunt, I don't recognize the vast majority of them.
Below are the questions. I'd be very grateful if you took the time to read through them and answer. Even if you're shy, silent, or just prefer to lurk, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.
For what reason did you initially watch this account? Was if for the writing, for the character artwork, or for another reason?
In the time you have been watching, have you ever read some of my writing?
a) If Yes to above, do you comment, and if not, why?
b) If No to the above (question 2), what would make you consider reading?Are you more likely to read something that is published in print (say, though a furry publisher or conbook), or something posted online.
Do you actively browse FA, Weasyl, and other art sites for stories to read? If yes, what things do you look for in a story? If you're unsure, respond with tags (eg - Nature, forest, wolf, romance, etc).
Do you make a distinction between reading 'furry' literature and literature in general? Do you have a preference for one over the other?
What things will you not tolerate in a piece of writing? For example, poor dialogue, explicit language, adult content, typos, poor formatting, etc.
If I were to make changes regarding the contest I post, would you be more likely to read? For example, if I were to write a romance story.
Do thumbnail images on writing submission help attract your attention?
In spite of changes, would you still not read my writing?
Did you manage to read and answer this journal to the end, or did you just skip it? The serious question is rather, do you enjoy reading as a form of entertainment?
Would you ever consider writing commissions?
Do you use Twitter? If so, would you use it to follow posts about new writing submissions?
Thank you very much for reading through and answering! Really, it means a lot.
Journal Information
- Views:
- 233
- Comments:
- 6
- Favorites:
- 0
- Rating:
- General
Comments
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Eh, it's fine, no one has read it here yet. XD
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- You're a furry writer and I've been prowling around for furry authors to read. I've been on this site for awhile but I've only recently looked at Furry authors.
- I have, though it's only been the poetry. Poetry is my background but I do intend on reading your fiction when time permits. I don't comment, that's more of a time issue with me. I tend to have a lot of things going on at once all the time. I do enjoy what I've read so far. I'm also a lurker. Social interactions just aren't my strong point unless I'm doing something work or publishing related.
- Most will probably say online as it's free. And I get it, it's why we all post our work to here and Tumblr and Wordpress, etc. It's a great way to network and chat with other writers. For me it's a bit mixed, I love the feel of a book (though I work with books so that may be a bit biased). If an author I like puts out a book though I usually support it when I get the money to.
- I don't actively browse it. I sometimes find great authors with the FWG forums, and there's a fur writers group on FA that I keep watch on.
- My background is general literature, horror, and poetry so I tend to lean more towards those areas. But I'm finding some furry literature that I'm enjoying here and there.
- Cliches. If there's a ton of grammar errors and mistakes, like the author wrote it over night and didn't brush it over before posting, that usually turns me away. Poor writing in general. Dialogue is difficult to do, but if it seems like the author didn't event try then I don't bother with it. I hate that awkward transition in the text. 7.I can't really comment on this one as I'm not aware of it. The internet is a scarce thing when you're busy x.x
- I think I'm more inclined to look over something with a thumbnail when I first experience an author, but after the first encounter I don't usually pay attention.
- I intend on reading it :)
- Yes. and I read a ton for both work and pleasure.
- I rarely do commissions, it's a possibility for me, but it depends on what's going on at the time.
- I use twitter yes, it's how I get notified when you post stuff since I rarely check the furry sites like FA and Weasyl.
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Awesome, thanks for the detailed replies you gave - they are greatly appreciated! It's interesting to see the general themes emerging from people's responses so far, and some create interesting obstacles. For instance, people like online stuff because it is free, yet they tend to come across it not by browsing art sites, but rather FWG and word of mouth. At the same time, there are emotional preferences as to having a print book, and the benefit that it's been through an editing process, which at least makes you have some confidence in the writing's quality. Anyway, there are quite a few things, so I'll probably write them up in a couple of days.
Again, thank you for the responses, and don't worry - I do quite a bit of lurking myself. =)
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Blimey, this is a lot of questions! Let's give it a shot:
1: I followed because your presence on the FWG forums suggested you were both nice and literate.
2: Of course! And sometimes. Usually I comment if I particularly like something. I'm less likely to comment with criticism/suggestions on a public site like this.
3: Not sure what you mean here. I guess I'm more likely to respond to 'read my thing online free here' to 'read my thing by buying a book'?
4: Not as much as I used to, now I follow a lot of writers. Tags: pilot, aviation, husky :)
5: Yes. And I tend not to think of mainstream novels with anthro animals as 'furry'. Furry lit is a bit of a guilty pleasure, as if I was into Mills & Boon or something; a bit 'I do read real books too!'
6: I can forgive a lot if the plot and characters are sound. I think my least favourite thing is when the good and bad guys are very black and white, and telegraphed frantically as such.
7: I'd probably read whatever you wrote, unless you suddenly decided to post hardcore fetish stuff or 'bizarro', which always seems code for 'can't be bothered with a proper plot'.
8: Yes, if they're unique to the story.
9: N/A :P
10: Yes. But I find it harder to read long form on a screen and groan a bit if I have 10,000 words to get through, even if they're really good (HI ROB BAIRD).
11: I tried, but I write too slowly for it to make economic sense. Also considering poetry commissions.
12: Yes, but I wouldn't rely on it to pick everything up, as I don't catch up on what I've missed after leaving Twitter alone for a few hours.-
Oh, it's been quite a while since I heard a 'blimey' uttered. xD
Thanks for your responses Husky, it helps flesh out a general idea of what people want to see, as well as their browsing habits. I'm going to write all the responses I get up into a journal in a couple of days, so I'll deal with more details there. Still, I am pleased to see the ideas around 'furry' literature on the whole remaining in the territory that its something read alongside other traditional forms. Since I'm writing a lot of books that are fantasy and science fiction, but with some anthro characters, I'm quite hopeful of a broad appeal.
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Utunu
Your renaming of this journal from the FA version makes the first sentence confusing. ;)