This is a really good post and raises some interesting questions.
I believe most fanfic authors write with themselves as the primary audience. This, so much. Except now I'm thinking of exceptions: gift fics, for example. I want to please the recipient. Still, I've got to enjoy the story I'm telling. Ditto for challenge comms, mostly I want to love what I'm writing. However there's a difference here; I write things (pairings, styles, etc) that I normally wouldn't, which is great for my development. I also complete what I'd usually abandon and share what I'd hide on my hard drive. I'm now wondering if I should stop rambling and go write my own post!
So, back to your questions
Would you try using polls to help encourage reader response? Why or why not? Maybe. I'm rather taken with the idea. As you say, FFnet for example, lets me see how many hits I've got whereas LJ...I didn't know about stats but if that's the thing where you have to let everyone see where you've been as well as how many leave footprints, I'm not keen. Sometimes I visit journals just to be sure, for example, someone isn't a troll. I don't want all of my visits made obvious. My only concern about polls is my inherent shyness. I've got better about sharing and every positive comment boosts my confidence. I know that leaving a poll would probably be useful but I'd feel a little like I was fishing for compliments...
Would you use polls after reading? Why or why not? Absolutely. Primarily because I'm lazy and I love ticky boxes. Also it takes the onus away from me having to find a way to say "love it" or "like it" when I have nothing else to say. I find I'm more likely to comment if there are particular words/phrases that stand out, if there's something very right or very different about a fic, or it just really rocked my boat. If it was just enjoyable while I read it I sometimes don't leave feedback. Also I may have concerns about the fic/character depiction but not want to address them if I don't know the author so I don't comment at all. I'd be happy even in those circumstances to click a "I read this" button since I did at least feel engaged enough to read the fic in its entirety.
Is receiving feedback via poll as satisfactory as receiving feedback in other ways? Why or why not? It's better than nothing :P I don't think a poll can beat having a nice comment that describes someone's favourite part, or that comments on technical ability.
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I believe most fanfic authors write with themselves as the primary audience.
This, so much.
Except now I'm thinking of exceptions: gift fics, for example. I want to please the recipient. Still, I've got to enjoy the story I'm telling.
Ditto for challenge comms, mostly I want to love what I'm writing. However there's a difference here; I write things (pairings, styles, etc) that I normally wouldn't, which is great for my development. I also complete what I'd usually abandon and share what I'd hide on my hard drive. I'm now wondering if I should stop rambling and go write my own post!
So, back to your questions
Would you try using polls to help encourage reader response? Why or why not?
Maybe. I'm rather taken with the idea. As you say, FFnet for example, lets me see how many hits I've got whereas LJ...I didn't know about stats but if that's the thing where you have to let everyone see where you've been as well as how many leave footprints, I'm not keen. Sometimes I visit journals just to be sure, for example, someone isn't a troll. I don't want all of my visits made obvious.
My only concern about polls is my inherent shyness. I've got better about sharing and every positive comment boosts my confidence. I know that leaving a poll would probably be useful but I'd feel a little like I was fishing for compliments...
Would you use polls after reading? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Primarily because I'm lazy and I love ticky boxes. Also it takes the onus away from me having to find a way to say "love it" or "like it" when I have nothing else to say.
I find I'm more likely to comment if there are particular words/phrases that stand out, if there's something very right or very different about a fic, or it just really rocked my boat. If it was just enjoyable while I read it I sometimes don't leave feedback.
Also I may have concerns about the fic/character depiction but not want to address them if I don't know the author so I don't comment at all. I'd be happy even in those circumstances to click a "I read this" button since I did at least feel engaged enough to read the fic in its entirety.
Is receiving feedback via poll as satisfactory as receiving feedback in other ways? Why or why not?
It's better than nothing :P
I don't think a poll can beat having a nice comment that describes someone's favourite part, or that comments on technical ability.