There are a few posts/memes I rarely bother commenting on. What are they and why, you ask? (just pretend you care)
Now here's a post I'll read but that I just plain struggle to comment on. Who the heck am I supposed to address? The Interviewer/blogger or the author? And what am I even supposed to say? Maybe it's easy for others but I struggle so hard to come up with something to say.
No, my uninvolvement in this meme has nothing to do with the debacle involving The Story Siren, I just don't get books in the mail. Not from publishers. Not from ordering them(very often) so I just don't see the point in participating. But the reason I don't comment is because I don't know what to say. "Oh, you got such and such a book" "that one looks fun" "have fun reading so and so". See? They're not very fun comments. Maybe it's just me that struggles with commenting on these posts, though.
Please tell me I'm not the only one who reads a post and wants to comment but just can't figure out what to say. What about you? What posts do you struggle to comment on? And if you do struggle what do you do about it? And who the heck are we supposed to be addressing on those interview posts?
For both WoW/IMM I just try and discuss the book with the poster. Maybe I didn't like the book before (if it's in a series), but this installment seems redeeming. Or if I notice the cover design is done by the same artist as another I liked. Sometimes there's not a lot to say, and well, I don't say anything then.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I usually just comment on the covers or what I've heard about he series but that feels so generic. Oh well. I don't mind generic comments on my blog so maybe others don't either.
Deleteboy, I can't tell you how many times I start to try to comment on blogs and finally just shake my head and walk away. Is it rude to leave a lame comment, or ruder not to comment at all? Who has time for lame comments anyway?
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a good blog topic, though.
LOL! That's been discussed at length out there in the blogging world. Some people would rather you not leave a comment if it's boring and generic but I don't mind, it shows you bothered to read my post at least. ;) Just depends on the person, I suppose.
DeleteAs much as I love reading WOW postings (I love hearing about new books depsite the effect it can have on my bank account) I find it awkward commenting on them too! Totally understand your position!
ReplyDeleteIt is awkward right?! Plus the book buying it induces is just too much!
DeleteYou are not alone!!! I pretty much feel the same way. I just don't have anything to say except Great Books! or Nice Choice! So I tend not to comment at all. And generally if it's not one of my favorite blogs I tend not to read them anyway because I really don't need to add to my to read pile.
ReplyDeleteOh good, I'm glad I'm not alone. :)
DeleteI avoid most memes on blogs I follow. I just keep hitting page down until I spot something interesting. WOW distracts me too much. Most of the time it's books I already know about anyway. I just got sick of memes in general last year. The only reason I even do a monthly 'Stacking The Shelves' post is for fun and kinda for myself to keep track of things. :P
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't participate in many memes anymore either. I get so bored reading them that I can't bother writing them.
DeleteThat happens to me a lot, where I want to make a comment but I can't come up with anything. And it's not like you can say "I wanted to leave a comment but I don't have anything to add. So .... yeah"
ReplyDeleteWas there some drama with The Story Siren? I've been out of the loop for awhile.
You could totally leave a comment like that hear. LOL! I'd get a good laugh out of that. :)
DeleteThe Story Siren sorta got caught plagiarizing. It was a big dramafest.
I don't really comment on a ton of memes either. I like Waiting on Wednesday, but you're right, it does make me want to read a TON more books. But I just figure if I keep seeing it around, I'll get to it eventually. haha
ReplyDeleteAs for the interviews, I tend to address the author...and then if I'm talking to the blogger, I put their name in there somewhere or vice versa. It can be a bit confusing, I'm sure, but I figure if the author took the time to answer the questions and I actually read the interview, I should say SOMETHING, even if it's not much. :)
-Lauren
That's a good idea. Thanks!
DeleteI admit to sometimes leaving lame replies as I can't think of anything to say, but want to let the blogger know that I stopped by and read their post. I always have trouble with commenting on author interviews, so I either won't comment or do the lame game and say "great interview" or somesuch.
ReplyDeleteI like the WoW and mailbox posts, as that's how I'm discovering most of my new reads now! Again, my comments can be pretty lame. *shrugs*
I'm all for "lame" comments on my posts. :) I just feel bad leaving them on other peoples blogs.
DeleteI don't think I click on what's in my mailbox posts anymore because I know I'll never be able to comment with anything worth the time and energy put into the post.
ReplyDeleteBut for author interviews I ask questions to both such as "Was there a particular reason Character A did this?" either person can answer if their have one :) Clever right?
Yeah, if I know I won't have anything to say I sometimes don't even bother looking at the post. :(
DeleteI like your idea for author interviews. Thanks!
I don't comment on any of these posts either. I also don't comment on Teaser Tuesday. I don't comment on reviews unless I'm interested in the book or I've already read it. I don't always know what to say on those posts either, you know?
ReplyDeleteYeah, commenting on reviews of books I haven't read or even heard about is so hard. I forgot about Teaser Tuesday. I have a really hard time commenting on that meme too.
DeleteLike you, I not only don't comment on some but will skip them entirely. Waiting on Wednesday, for example . . . I have nothing to say about that, ever. I do comment on Mailbox Monday posts if I see something I'm dying to read in someone's arrival pile, but I'm most interested in the review/reader reaction. There's only so much you can say about a pretty pile of books. Still, they're fun to look at. Author interviews -- I skip 'em. I also stopped interviewing authors when they became common, also, although sometimes I'll check in with an old favorite and ask the author new questions.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the also-also. I meant to say that interviews were unusual in the early blogging days. Then, all of a sudden *everyone* was doing author interviews and they became so repetitive I didn't see the point of continuing to interview anyone, much less read all those interviews that were out there. I hope I'm making sense. I need a nap.
DeleteA pile of books is fun too look at, I'll admit that. Still don't know what to say about it though. Author interviews are hugely popular now. Especially with all the indi authors there are now.
DeleteHmmm I did comment on IMMs when I particpated in it, mostly just comments about the books like whether I'd want to read them, or enjoyed them, or heard good things about them etc. Don't bother with WoW. I like reading author interviews but never know what to say really...
ReplyDeleteSo I'm not the only one who doesn't quite know what to say. Phew! :)
DeleteI love reading other peoples WOW post because I always find something new. But I agree it is hard to not just repeat the same type of comment over and over. I really like to read author interviews especially if they talk about their writing process. I generally comment to the author on them. I read many more post than I comment on though...just in general. I am very happy to hear that someone else has a hard time figuring out what to comment sometimes. I really liked this post! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for enjoying. You're right, its hard to come up with new things to say. That's why I just don't say anything much. Doesn't mean I don't care, though.
DeleteGreat post topic. I have to admit, I tend to skip everything and just read reviews. The only time I read any other posts is when I have free time, which isn't very often. The other stuff just doesn't grab me like book reviews.
ReplyDeleteThat's rather unique, Camille. I mean, yeah we book bloggers read reviews but it seems like they are the least read and commented on at the end of the day.
Delete1.)Umm, good post thingy, yeah! 2.)You're a real good writer person. 3.)I told my mom that you were reading that one book and that I might read it too. She said, "Who is that and why are you telling me this." LOL 4.) Schwiensteiger! 5) My mailbox only has bills in it... and $300 dollars off a New Bathroom In a Day if I purchase by June 17th. 6.) I just love that you interviewed this author and that you asked real good questions and that you answered real good answers, Author Person. 7.) Yay! 8.) So, the other day my husband and I were eating sushi and I thought I saw you at the sushi restaurant but that could have been some other book blogger. 9.) Way to put down that book and write a post. I hope you did the dishes too. 10.) I think you meant to say you're not your.
ReplyDeleteSome really great comments of mine that you can use.
Oh gee, thanks! I'm going to mix a few together and come up with the awesome-st comment for your blog. Just you wait!
DeleteLOL Great post, Jenny!! NOW I understand why I never see your name on the comment section of my WoWs!! Seriously my TBR list is becoming SO long now I think I might have to stop reading and commenting on WoWs too! :P And I only comment on an author interview if I have heard of the author, or just if it interests me and i have something to say... I don't just blab on and on about nothing. As for IMM, I only comment if I see that they have a book or something that I am genuinely interested in. If they have commented on my post, but nothing really catches my attention, I say something like 'Great haul! Hope you enjoy it!' Lame, I know. :P Amazing and thoughtful post, Jenny!! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I just never know what to say. Glad to see I'm not the only one who's TBR list suffers from WoW. ;)
DeleteYour "lame" post has resonated with lots of people! It's rare for me to read author interviews by bloggers, especially when I've not heard of the author, which is the case with most of the interviews I've come across. And now that you mention it, I find myself avoiding IMM and WoW and all such posts. Although I will read about library books people are checking out. I guess the difference being that I like that glimpse at their (the blogger's) interests as opposed to publicity driven posts.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I didn't expect it to be so interesting. Apparently I'm not the only one who suffers on commenting. I agree about library posts being more worth a read than the publicity/showing off thing.
DeleteI'm totally on the same page. But I haven't had to cut myself off from WoW, yet. I found it is an easy way to keep up with a lot of upcoming releases and I really like the anticipation of waiting on a new release. But I totally get your point and at some point, I will have to cut myself off.
ReplyDeleteAuthor interviews... exactly. I'm doing one on my blog in August and I'm nervous about it, but I THINK I asked some good questions that will give people something to comment on. Maybe I'll ask a question at the end of the interview... now i'm just thinking out loud. But I know you aren't the only one who has this issue.
In My Mailbox... I know! I try to comment as much as possible and when I comment on those posts I always feel stupid, even though I do it anyway. Because I like comments, so I figure I might as well try for my bloggy friends. :)
Yeah, I had to cut myself off. I figure I'll see the book again if it was worth the read.
DeleteI think I might be doing an author interview soon too. Very nerve wrecking!
IMM is almost impossible to leave a good comment on. Maybe I should make it my goal to come up with some unique comments that will blow the blogger away! ;)
I only comment on author interviews when I find something to say. For example if they are asked their opinion on a topic or if the interviewer asks a very interesting question. Mostly I don't know what to say.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do with IMM and similar posts is that when I don't know what to say I leave the tab open and go do something else and come back later. I also try no to comment on many posts of the same meme in a row.
I try to leave more or less thoughtful comments. I don't mind generic comments, but I know there are people who don't like this kind of comments.
See, that's the problem. I don't mind generic comments but I've heard enough people complain about them that I don't want to leave one on anyone's posts.
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteWhen I do a post on books I received in the mail, it's mostly to thank the people who sent them to me. Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I also have a story to tell about how I got the book that will be interesting to "disinterested" readers as well. But I do have a "haul" post planned for the near futurethat isn't going to be of interest to anyone other than the bloggers whose giveaways I won and to whom I owe some link love. So I know what you mean.
There are some memes that seem totally pointless unless you "make them your own" (as we've learned to say from TV singing competitions!), and I try to do that whenever I link up to something. But sometimes it doesn't seem worth the effort. The last time I joined Theme Thursday, for instance, the theme was "Drink", and I shared not just an excerpt which surprised me because it had Muslim characters who drank alcohol, but also the quick research I did about wine in Islamic cultures and my thoughts on wine in all cultures. It was--if I may flatter myself--rather interesting. But what comments did I get? "Nice snippet!"--the same as everyone else. =P
I also recall the example of someone who was reading a really long Victorian novel (whose title I can't remember!) with an online bookclub and whose Teaser Tuesdays became meaningful because of that. Her TT posts got lots of equally meaningful comments, although she only shared two lines and no context, because other people were reading along with her.
It's also easier to comment on any post when there is a sense of community. But I've found that this is hard to create in the book blogosphere, although I'm not sure why.
Ah, TV singing competitions, where would we be without them? ;) I hate putting too much effort into a post because I swear when I do no one cares or comments. It's just not worth the time.
Delete+JMJ+
DeleteI have an artist friend who scans and uploads his sketches on his blog, and he said that the curious thing is that when he works really hard on a drawing and expects everyone to gush over it, hardly anyone does--but when he puts up what was a quick exercise just for the sake of having something to upload on a slow week, the comments come raining down!
I've experienced the same thing. The most random, "throw away" remarks will be a magnet for comments, while posts I put more of my heart into get ignored. It's really weird, and I wish I knew the secret "formula" to attracting more discussion.
I know! I don't get it. Ah well, I often don't get it.
DeleteYay! Finally someone else who doesn't like IMM. And wait, what whole thing with Story Siren? Did I miss out on some book blogging drama? All I know is there are now about a million different forms of IMM and I don't like any of them.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the whole drama caused lots of people to pull out of IMM and start their own thing. Now there's just millions of posts I don't know what to say to!
DeleteShe, The Story Siren, got caught plagiarizing.
Wow confession time for you and a ton other bloggers, eh? I skip all these memes and don't read them... maybe glance over an author interview a little bit, but usually they are way too long for me to deal with. I've never liked IMM (and it doesn't have to just be mailbox books you know.. just whatever new books you got that week!) because it seems to a brag session. I do like to post my pile of new books.. now and then, but not every week!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the interview posts go... hmmm... the author I guess! But they will probably never be reading the comments, so never mind. I have no idea!!!
I know! I never know if the author will be back to read comments and if not, what can you say to the blogger? Great questions? It's so hard!
DeleteI always love a comment, no matter what. The only thing I don't like are copy paste comments, but when someone just says: "Hi, I love that book and happy reading" I'm glad that they put the time in a comment :) It feels like someone appreciate the time you put in your blog. If I post a review, I always love when people go deeper into the book: telling me whether they liked it or not and why. If you don't get comments, than it's almost like you are doing it for nothing.. because you want to know if people read it.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I don't mind generic comments either. At least I know someone read my post. Still, the thought out comments are nice too.
DeleteI know what you mean about author interviews, but I love doing them so I don't really mind if people don't comment. If i see an interview with one of my favorite authors I'll usually comment on one or two questions that stood out, and compliment the blogger for asking that or relate to the author's answer somehow. I just love author interviews :)
ReplyDeleteI like them, I love them. Even if it's an author I've never heard of I find them interesting. I just never know what to say.
DeleteI have to completely agree with you on the WOW, I participated at first but like you said, my TBR list got completely out of control!
ReplyDeleteI do have a hard time commenting on a lot of posts, even reviews. I want to say something to show bloggers I love their posts and want more of them but sometimes there isn't much to say that hasn't already been said.
That Wow is horrible to the poor TBR list!
DeleteYeah, commenting can be difficult. Especially on a review of a book that you haven't read and have no intention of reading. Those are the worst to comment on.
I always find it hard to know what to say on a post complaining about not knowing what to say in a comment box on certain types of posts. Like, if I say, "You are so right, I have the same problem" I've affirmed the post author but it's only commiseration, pees in a pod or something else.
ReplyDeleteI could say, "Here's a nice suggestion. Why don't you just try doing this or maybe that", like the author hasn't done that or this a million million times already, the fact of which has brought them to the point of venting their frustration.
I could say, "I have no problem at all commenting on the kind of posts the author has such vexation with." That one is kinda a slap in the combox that only serves to make me look better than the author.
I could write and say, "Why did you waste my time writing that post. Why not just not comment and leave it at that." That one is a winner.
Actually I think all of the above, except maybe the last one, are above (or below depending on what happens after I hit Publish).
Well, I hope that helped. Enbrethiliel's post linked here. Blame her ;-)
P.S. Enbrethiliel wrote:
ReplyDelete"I have an artist friend who scans and uploads his sketches on his blog, and he said that the curious thing is that when he works really hard on a drawing and expects everyone to gush over it, hardly anyone does--but when he puts up what was a quick exercise just for the sake of having something to upload on a slow week, the comments come raining down!"
That's not me, though it could be as I do post my art to my site and have experienced what you note and I recall your friend saying what you note he said when he said it. (I really like his sketches)
Maybe what is happening is that we are (wait - to avoid flame I'll keep it first person) maybe what I am looking for is unnecessary affirmation of what I consider to be valuable, good art or great post. I put a lot into it and expect a lot out of it. But whose value system is out of potentially whack, mine or the guest? Perhaps I could learn from what is actually speaking to people and not what I think or want to have speak to people. Maybe that quick rendering that or toss-off thought is more inspired, fresher, more truly my own voice coming through such that others identify more strongly with it than they do my great dissertation, magnum opus, chapel ceiling art.
M-m-m, or maybe since in the post my guest sees how strongly I feel about what I've said or rendered, expressing/showing all there is to show that my guest is at a loss to know what to add without sound lame, trite, flattering; maybe have a different opinon but they are daunted to counter my POV; more simply, maybe they just ain't got the time I had to put into this and move on. :-)