Comment much?

One of the things that I really enjoy about Vocal, amongst others, is the comments' section. I think we are all gratified when people read our work and even more so when someone leaves a comment about what they've read.

It's taken me a while to embrace this part of Vocal. At first, I was hesitant and a little wary, only offering a "Great read" or a "Well done". However, as time has gone by, I've realised as a recipient of such comments, that they don't really tell you a lot about how that person feels on reading your story. As a result of this epiphany, whilst I always try to engage with the text, I now try and ensure that I engage in the comments section too, offering insight and approval for the things that I've liked.

I don't offer criticism - if I don't like something, I don't comment.

We all want to know how our work has been received and so, I like to expand on that if I can for the benefit of the writer. Sometimes, someone has already said it for me but sometimes, I sit and format my thoughts and responses to glean what it was that I liked and offer it up for the perusal of its creator i.e. the writer.

Likewise, when I receive comments that are equally as insightful, I get a buzz. I also love a bit of banter and laugh out loud at where comments go - into the irreverent; the philosophical; the surreal; the confessional.

I am able to do this because I generally have engaged readers. They read and reflect in the same way that I do and due to this level of engagement, they have become my friends. We have a relationship of sorts through this platform that I very much enjoy and value. I look forward to seeing their input and have witty and enlightening exchanges on a daily basis.

But recently, I have noticed that there are some who merely use the comments' box as a means to draw attention to themselves. Nothing wrong with this, I hear you say, but I have a problem with this really.

My problem is, is that I don't think that these people have read my stuff. And that irks me.

Why write a comment on my piece if you've not read it?

To be honest, I think it shows bad manners and is really quite rude.

I like to challenge them if I have repeat offenders like I'm a comedian in a room full of hecklers. I don't think there's anything wrong in asking them to quantify what they liked, do you?

You know, I'm not expecting great detail. In fact, I'm not expecting anything really. I like getting detailed comments about what you've enjoyed especially about my creation, whatever it is. But, you know, just something that provides a bit of validation is sweet. So with that said, this is what I don't like:

Don't just use someone else's thread to draw attention to yourself.

I've had a person who has been consistently commenting on my work over the past few weeks. Not just mine...but let's not rush ahead. In this story, I'm going to regale you with the exchanges I've had with this member of Vocal and I'd love to know what you think about it all.

It started with this exchange on my story, Daffodils:

thank you for your comment! It seems that you are encouraging to attract visitors and increase the number of subscribers. This is a great step to boost audience engagement with your page. Keep encouraging people to subscribe and share your page, and you just might have an even greater positive impact on the world! 😊👍

A curious comment, I thought so I addressed it:

Um, I haven't commented, you have. Aren't those my lines? I'm confused by this.

I'm not encouraging to attract visitors - just writing stuff for people to read if they so choose.

I hope I have a positive impact on the world. Tell me - what do you think reading this story brought to you today? Was it uplifting? Did it inspire you? I see you haven't subscribed so I'm thinking it probably didn't hit the mark for you although you liked it...But then you left this mysterious comment and I am baffled now.

Any explanation would be gratefully received. Thanks, Abo!

He didn't deign to reply to this so I'll never know.

But it didn't end there. Up he popped again on The Rubbish Collector but with a different opener, although I was soon to realise that this was a favourite:

It's a wonderful story. You're the best. Keep subscribing, like, and comment. You're amazing. I love you. Thank you for watching

I decided to engage again as I must have something to offer if he'd returned to my work, right? And it would appear that I made an impression - the "L" word led me to believe that. Heady stuff indeed for a middle-aged woman.

So I responded thus:

Abo, that is very kind but tell me what you liked about it specifically. That's what would make me feel wonderful.

I think it's a bit premature for declarations of love but I thank you for the sentiment.

Also, what is it that I'm watching? I appreciate your gratitude but if you could clarify, I'd appreciate it.

All very polite. He came back with:

It is an amazing story about a snowman. This is my joy. Your work is excellent. I love you

Let's address those statements in turn: It's not about a snowman. Despite this being erroneous, it brought him joy (I can't argue with that). My work may or may not be excellent but as I think he's not read it, I'm going to take this with a pinch of salt. He loves me - but can I believe him? I want to so much, reader, but he's sending me mixed signals!

I replied with some gravitas:

Abo, it is as I feared.

He replied:

You are very kind. Work hard and continue to achieve your goals. Thank you very much. We wish you a happy life

Nice, eh? But random.

Dharrsheena then intervened in our exchange with much laughter thus:

I cannotttttt, I'm dying here!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

This has been known to happen quite frequently and I love her for it. She may actually encourage me in these exchanges just a tad and I rise to the challenge of it admirably to please her. Her name is Dharrsheena Raja Segarran and you can check her out here.

The exchange then ended with this coup de grace:

She continued✌️☺️

To which, I had no answer.

But it did not end here. No.

The Trail of the Snail was also commented on and I was gratified to see that I had sustained his readership, dubious though it might be.

Same opener - blah, blah, blah - wonderful...best...amazing...love...watching

I replied:

Abo, tell me what you liked. You put this comment on a story yesterday as well as that of others but I don't think you read my stuff at all. So how would you know it was a wonderful story.

His response:

Orchard snail: It has a bright yellow shell with a black stripe.

Burgundy snail: prized for its soft flesh and reddish shell.

Would it surprise you to learn that this was not what the story was about, although I'll give him credit, there's a story there, I think.

But before I replied, he commented again with this:

Terrible story

Gasp! I was shellshocked (excuse the pun)! Not only had he not read my story but he had the audacity to criticise the story that he thought I'd written. I mean, this guy has some nerve.

I couldn't let that go so I replied:

Interesting comment, Abo. Not about this story though. And with regard to the terrible story comment, the author of the one about the orchard snail and the burgundy snail is likely to be very upset about your harsh criticism.

To which he responded:

Who is the best? Sweet story

To which I showed my confusion with:

?

And he finished the exchange thus:

📍✌️

Dharrsheena then intervened again, much to my delight with:

I live for these comments 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

And he replied to finish:

Yes, you are the best. You like and follow me, haha

I am perplexed. I thought I was the best. But now, Dharrsheena's the best? I mean, I'm not going to argue the point but he is a duplicitous rogue, isn't he? I obviously cannot trust his opinion.

And this is where it takes a dark turn, reader.

It happened on Endurance, a story I published this week. There he was again with his smooth-talking opener:

It's a wonderful story. You're the best. Keep subscribing, like, and comment. You're amazing. I love you. Thank you for watching

This opener has been used on the following in no particular order:

Endurance

A Shocking Discovery

The Trail of the Snail

The Rubbish Collector

This was my reply on Endurance:

You know, Abo, it's been a few days since I've heard from you. How have you been? Concentrating on your writing, I hope? I don't want to cast doubt on your intentions but just as a polite enquiry, can you tell me what it was that you liked about my story please? Our interaction so far has been superficial, focused on lots of effusive praise from you as well as declarations of love (which I have noticed are not just reserved for me - naughty!) and so, as with others, let's engage with a detailed discussion of my work and I will return the favour. I notice that Judey Kalchik has already left her mark on the comment box on one of your stories - something to do with AI and content? Surely that can't be true? I am sure that there is as much variety in your writing and your authorial voice as there is in your comment choice.

To which he replied:

This is your work, Rachel. You are a very polite person. I have read all of your stories, and I have respect. I will respond to this comment of yours, and with respect and appreciation to you. Yes, this content is a title. I am Abu Al-Khawaja, and I write books without artificial intelligence. I hope you believe me and I do not want more discussions. I write a story and sell it to anyone for a full $150. This is a job, Rachel

I then answered:

Abo, thanks for your comment. I notice that you have addressed everything except a specific comment about my story. I don't want to be combative. I'd just like to know, to engage and find out your opinion based on the writing itself.

Give me a line from it that's not the first one you read or the title.

What did you think of the twist, if there was one?

Who was your favourite character?

Was there a description you particularly liked.

If I didn't know better, I'd presume that the only reason you put a comment on my work which is the same as you put on many others' work (cut and paste is such a time-saver, isn't it?), is just so that your stuff would be read. Not that there is anything wrong with that, per se, but at least be a little less disingenuous about it.

He replied:

🖕📍

I will be reporting this last one, readers as I do believe that that is the bird, the middle finger, an insult. But not before I placed it here for your scrutiny.

Luckily, this is an isolated exchange, which I have to say, I have found quite entertaining! And with regard to the AI, I am more inclined to believe Judey Kalchik than I am this person.

And so, to conclude, I would like to thank sincerely all of the generous commenters on this platform, who encourage and highlight and engage; who are curious and respectful and intelligent; who fill my days with humour and confidence and thoughtfulness; whose comments have brought me to their work and their skills and talent as writers and ultimately, allowed me to engage with some pretty fine humans.

You know who you are, all of you. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.