*Hart will be so happy with the naked title!
And hey, this is post number four hundred for me! That’s
about two hundred per year. Yeah, I’m really burning up the blogging world…
First, another round of CassaFacts.
Hey, let’s just go with the question I get the most -
Why
were there no women in CassaStar?
1 - Wasn’t sure I could pull of a female character! Yeah,
dumb but true.
2 - As I said before, there was a war going on - Byron really
didn’t have time for a girlfriend. (Although he might’ve had time for one of
those ‘fast women’ on Spaceport 89.)
3 - Since the story focuses on a mentor/brother friendship,
set during a time of war, I didn’t want any other distractions, so I went old
school with the war setting. (During WWI and WWII, it was mostly men in the trenches.) Since my father
was military, I understand the bond when
your buddies stand between you and death. I wanted that atmosphere, that focus. (And women are distracting - trust me! I'm thinking about Kate right now...)
4 - Finally, there really is a reason why Cassan women don’t pilot
ships and why only a few serve on the various spacecraft. I explain it in the
next book… (What, you didn’t think I was going to TELL you, did you?)
Now, as I am totally out of ideas, your turn - what would
you like to know?
Second, I have a question about comments. All right, several
questions.
If you read, do you always comment?
Are you ever afraid to comment?
Do you return comments? (As in, do you visit those who leave comments?)
If I read, I almost always comment. I sometimes wonder if
others are afraid to leave a comment though. Do the amount of comments I
receive scare some people. (Crap, some days they scare me!) And what about
those who never return your comments? Do they only visit their regulars? I TRY
to return comments!! Really, I do. Do you?
So many questions for a Monday morning.
And sorry no one was really naked. Just be thankful
it wasn’t me!
about comments... you have so many great friends/bloggers, it is amazing that you do get to respond to the comments. i get like six a week and you heading the pack i have been returning to respond to those. i think my problem is i have a safety where i have to approve the comments, if not i will have many "swiss watches", "enhancement pills" or "how to find love" spammers. I LOVE COMMENTS....
ReplyDeleteSecond space-chicks rule!
Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
Visit The Madness:
IZOMBIE
I don't always comment - simply because sometimes I don't have anything to say.
ReplyDeleteI was watching a documentary about words the other day and blogger Belle de Jour (I hope that's her name, or I'm going to feel silly) was saying that commenting on posts is only a recently occurance - she's been blogging for years, of course, and therefore seen the way blogs have developed.
I usually leave a comment and return comments unless my home life is in complete chaos - one can only do so much if the preschooler is in tyrant mode. I am only afraid to leave a comment when I'm too tired to string together words. Maybe too tired now.
ReplyDeleteI don't always comment, either. Not because I'm afraid, but because I don't always have time to comment on all of the ones I read. I do, however, try to comment back.
ReplyDeleteI mostly comment. Occasionally I'm in a quiet mood and don't. But I like to put a short comment in, even if I don't have much new to say, because I know it's nice for a blogger to get comments knowing people are reading the blog posts.
ReplyDeleteOccasionally I'll read and not comment--if it's a tricky post/controversial, I won't comment. Sometimes I get distracted and forget to comment (lol), And sometimes I don't comment when there's LOTS of comments and everyone has said everything I wanted to say anyway. I try to return comments. One or two may slip through if I'm super busy, but it just means I might take a tad longer to comment.
ReplyDeletePS I didn't really notice the absence of women in CassaStar...am I strange?
Thanks for the shoutout Alex! The links don't work, though. My blog can be reached by clicking on my name above. As for the book, it's at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/A-Fine-Likeness-ebook/dp/B006ANR3TM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321800185&sr=8-2
I read your blog regularly now, but I don't always comment. I do comment on 90% of the blogs I visit. Why not yours? I'm not scared. I just don't think I can add anything new that hasn't been said in the 100 other comments already posted. Also, I think about you reading all those comments. There's no way to even respond to that many! Congrats on your active readers and commenters.
ReplyDeleteAs for comments, I only comment if I feel I have something to add to the discussion. With popular blogs like this one I comment less because often someone else has already said what I planned to say.
ReplyDeleteI'm a professional blogger at the travel blog gadling.com and I've had posts that have received tens of thousands of hits but got no comments. Potentially controversial posts with fewer hits often garner more comments. I just posted about London's Temple of Mithras being returned to its original location and that started a religious flame war between Christians, pagans, and secularists.
I hope you are not going to be sorry you asked me about comments.
ReplyDeleteI live for the comments. I love them. Good bad or indifferent. I don't think there is any such thing as a bad comment. If you cared enough to comment, you cared enough.
Commenting back - I've learned from you. I am blown away that you will have over a hundred comments and you manage to comment back to almost every single one. That's why people comment and care so much about you. You care/comment back.
Sometimes I'm afraid to comment. Sometimes I'm intimidated by the articulate comments already made, sometimes the number of comments already made and sometimes I think I just need to shut it. (you probably haven't noticed but I do tend to go on).Sometimes I'm in a snarky mood and don't want that to come through.
I'm trying to get better about comments all around. If I live for the comments,others probably do to. So I try to always say something and say it nice. I'm trying not to be afraid. As I learn to kill those Vampires in my head,I'm getting better. I'm taking it from you and working on returning comments.
This is what makes you one of the nicest bloggers out there.
Interesting Cassa Facts. I promise to read it as soon as I'm through being NaNo crazy.
Hi Alex .. congratulations on 400 posts .. that's amazing ..
ReplyDeleteThe Cassa trilogy is ticking along isn't it .. it's still on my TBR list ..
Comments: I usually comment; sometimes I need to go away and think about commenting - then come back ..;
I usually check the comments and any replies via my email follow-ups; (then sometimes add further to the conversation ..)
while on professional blogs - I read and don't comment - theoretically inwardly digest and learn?!
Cheers Hilary
I had no idea there were no female characters in CassaStar.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the comments, I'm never afraid to comment and I always return comments, except when I', in a rush.
No women, women are a distraction, no time for a girlfriend, fast women on Spaceport 89!!!!... As an ardent feminist, I am shocked and sooo disappointed, Captain Alex. If I didn't like you, I would be hopping mad. :)
ReplyDeleteI try to return comments though I usually end up doing it late, sometimes a day or two late because of my schedule. I'm awful, I know. :)
ARGH! I wanna know why Cassan women don't pilot ships. You throw a little nugget out there like that and now it will haunt me...
ReplyDeleteAlways interesting to hear how others handle comments/commenting...I keep hoping to find the silver bullet that will allow me to read/comment/reply more!
The comment thing is tricky. And I think bloggers have as many different reasons for why they choose to comment and why they don't as there are bloggers to have them. (Hope that convoluted sentence made sense.)
ReplyDeleteI think nothing can kill the fun of blogging faster than wondering why someone didn't comment, though. So you gotta just keep posting and keep reading what you want to read and commenting where you want to comment.
Jeremy, you know I'll always visit your site. And maybe drop the safety net one week and see what happens,
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa, that's interesting.
Tonja, your words made sense to me.
Natalie, it is nice!
Lynda, funny you get distracted. And no, I don't think it's strange. Means you were wrapped up in the story.
Sean, not sure what happened. I'll fix it.
Bridal, I don't mind reading all those comments.
Thanks, Faraway! Comments don't have to be brilliant though. Mine aren't!
George, no women - really!
I want NAKED!! Men!! Naked men.
ReplyDeleteNot FAIR!!!
:-(
Ooh you did so have a female character in Cassastar!!!
The sister!! She wasn't very nice but I thought you wrote her quite well!!
I always return comments!! Oh ok, very very rarely I don't. Like there was this blog - the blogger very kindly commented on my blog so of course I went over to their blog but it was all weird stuff I knew nothing about - the blog had loads of ads and graphics and animation and strobe lighting! Seriously! I didn't know where to start or look!!!
How could anyone be scared of the amount comments you receive?!?! Awwww! Me - I want to get in there quick!
Take care
x
I try to hit everyone's blog once a week to tweet or to comment at least...sometimes more, if I can make it. Used to get to everyone's blog every day, then got tripped up by books and promo. I've noticed that only 10% of my visitors comment.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, you need to read the line about the fast women to understand...
ReplyDeleteVicki, I had to get your attention!
Suze, you are a ver wise woman.
Kitty, I've hit a couple blogs like that. I just back away quietly. And too true - Byron's sister was in the book.
Elizabeth, then I thank you for always stopping here!
I'll raise my hand and admit that yes, sometimes I'm too intimidated to comment. Especially if when I stop by there are already 50 comments that have said every single conceivable thing I could have said. I have a terrible aversion to repetition.
ReplyDeleteI comment probably 95% of the time. When I don't it's because of something in the post I have no idea how to respond to.
ReplyDeleteNot afraid :)
I comment back on my blog and if the commenter has a blog I comment there as well. I also try to follow a guest post link and comment there if the person who commented on my blog is guesting elsewhere.
I read more than I comment. If I have something to say, I'll say it but it doesn't mean I haven't read yer blog.
ReplyDeleteDo I always comment? No. If the blogger chooses to talk about or describe something I have no interest in, then I'll leave quietly because I don't have anything constructive to add. I have been known to use the "GREAT POST" comment because I enjoyed what was written, but don't really have an opinion worth voicing.
ReplyDeleteAre you ever afraid to comment?
Nope. I used to...very early on...but not anymore.
Do you return comments? Yes, but I email my responses directly to the person leaving the comment. From my own perspective, it's too hard to check back to see if my comment was responded to.
If the subject of the day interests me, I'll read. If I feel as if I can put together a coherent comment, I will (I don't always feel so ambitious or have the time to go beyond my GoogleReader).
ReplyDeleteSeeing a long string of comments ahead of mine used to intimidate me, but not so much anymore. And I always return comments in response to my own posts, and nearly always visit and reciprocate.
That said, I've had less than 100 followers for the longest time and WAY less comments. I honestly don't know how you guys with dozens of comments per post keep up! I know I couldn't...
I'm not only amazed at the amount of comments but the quality of each. No one-liner generic comments here. :)I still love the fact you didn't have a heroine in CassaStar.
ReplyDeleteI always had this notion that I needed to say something profound if I was going to comment, I mean, why bother if I'm just going to repeat what everybody else said. It took me a long time to figure out that it's really just a way of letting the author know you're reading their stuff. I came by here for a long time on a semi-regular basis before I actually started commenting. Somewhere around the time you mentioned Blue Murder in one of your posts.
ReplyDeleteI do my best to come back to see if you (or whoever's blog I was on) has commented back and said something that might require additional comments from me, but that rarely happens.
That said, I personally don't respond to comments with the consistency I should have. I figure not that many people return to see if I've responded or not. I do respond to comments on my own blog via email sometimes, which is cool, but a lot of people have that ability turned off.
You do quite well, I'm always impressed that you keep up with everyone. I'm not sure how you do it.
I've gotten far more comfortable over time writing female characters. You know if you get it wrong you'll have trouble.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 400 posts!
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I leave a comment if I read the whole post. And yes, I do like to answer comments as well. I like to have comments on my blog, and I figure if I'm good at responding, people will comment more!
Sarah, I don't mind repetition.
ReplyDeleteDL, if I don't read, I don't comment. As for returning comments, I meant do you go comment on the other person's blog?
JB, visiting and reciprocating is good!
Ciara, I guess that's a good thing my posts entice longer responses. And glad you liked the lack of women in my book.
Rusty, let's hear it for Blue Murder! Sometimes I check back, although I do receive a frightening amount of replies via email.
Charles, exactly.
Karen, my photo is in my bio up above! And when it comes to blogging, I'm just a Ninja.
Yay to CassaFacts! Okay. I was so engrossed with what was going on in CassaStar it didn't matter to me that there were no women in the story. It worked out great for CassaFire because now we all want to know why they don't pilot ships. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI normally do leave comments on the blogs I read. I respond to comments made on my blog through email and also visit the blog of those who left comments.
Congratulations to Sean! :)
Comments are not only fun, but they are an indicator that folks are actually reading what a person posts. I try to always respond to each and every comment. Let's face facts, reading and commenting on the blogs of other people, generates comments on your own blog. I understand that a lot of people, read and don't comment, but I just don't do that.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 400th post. You'll have to plan something really special for your 500th. A homage to Kate maybe...
ReplyDeleteI almost always leave comments on posts I read. It's usually just a time issue. And when people are kind enough to comment on my blog, I do try to respond. Again, it's a time issue and I am terrible at managing it.
Alex, I'm perplexed by the comment question too. As you've probably guessed, I have no fear of leaving comments on people's blogs. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI believe some people are just more comfortable being lurkers. I think it works against them though, because without leaving comments people can't really tell if you're reciprocating in the blogging relationship. And if things start to feel one sided then it's easy to lose interest. Just saying.
'K, #2 just made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteAbout comments: I almost always leave a comment after reading a post. I feel it's the right thing to do. Otherwise, it'd be like having a one-sided conversation. *shakes head* Not nice.
(This is the third time I've written this comment! Blogger is acting wacky. 'Nuf said.)
There have been times, after reading a post, that I haven't felt knowledgeable enough on said subject to comment. But I always compliment the writer on his/her post.
Dang. That's a lot of posts. Way more than me!! I think I've had 200 posts in 2 years. ha.
ReplyDeleteI do try to return comments, but it's not always possible. I try though! If nothing else, just seeing their comment on my blog reminds me to check in on them. It's also nice to have that interaction.
Alex, you are a postin' son-of-a-gun!
ReplyDeleteSure, I usually comment ... not always intelligently, but that's never stopped me.
Do I answer comments? You bet ... if I'm lucky enough to have someone drop by my blog I'm thrilled to death ... well, happy, anyhow.
I didn't even realized there were no women in the story.
ReplyDeleteJamie, thanks, that means I did a good job with the story.
ReplyDeletePat, that is correct!
MJ, that sounds like a great idea! A whole post of Kate...
LG, I think you've nailed it. Blogging is all about relationships.
SA, glad it amused you! And sorry you're having commenting issues.
Carolina, and I know those who've written twice that in two years!
forgot to answer the comments question. I don't always comment. With technical issues on my work computer (hey, I read during lunch) sometimes I can't when I want to. I will reply to comments should they need replying to, but I find few ever check back for the reply. I will sometimes try and return comments, but it is hard because some blogs are way more niche than the the people writing them.
ReplyDeleteNo women in your book is your prerogative, especially if you have a motive for it. You'll draw more readers for book 2!
ReplyDeleteAs for comments, no matter how many people read and comment, if I read, I comment. I like to let you know I've been here. How else will you know that I bask in your awesomeness?
Your blog is one I always try to comment on. Sometimes though, I just don't have an opion worth voicing. But most of the time, since I use my iPhone to read then comment, I happen NOT to comment, it's probably because of some technical problem I'm having with Blogger, like it freezes up & I can't even copy & re-paste the comment. If I'm wordy, as is often the case, I don't want to retype everything a second time. But I do love your blog. It's one of my faves & I never miss it. As for my own commenters, I ALWAYS try to comment back.
ReplyDeleteYour female character is probably written well. Can't wait to read it. As to commenting, I usually comment on every blog I read.
ReplyDeleteGreat Cassan Q&A. Oh and that civil war book looks great as well. Yeah, glad no one was naked.
ReplyDeleteAbout comments -
ReplyDeleteI always read your blog. I check it every day (except saturday and sundays) as a matter of habit :-) I do not always comment. Especially for blogs like yours who get TONS of comments, I try to limit my comments to those that add meaningful dialogue to the subject. Often I read and enjoy but I have nothing to add that hasn't been said. For blogs that have a smaller comment count, I usually comment *something*, but again, everyone's time is limited so I try to only comment when I have something to say.
I sometimes return comment. It depends, again, on if I have something to add.
No women!?! I guess that makes sense if you felt uncomfortable writing it...nothing worse than some crazy-ass woman where you're like, Oh, a guy wrote her, of course!
ReplyDeleteAs for comments, if I read a blog I try to comment because I know how much I like it when people comment, even if it's just to say hi. I do try to return comments and visit people on all the days I blog.
Budd, no women! And the only time I have problems is with Wordpress blogs when using my iPad. Can't comment then.
ReplyDeleteER, I like your attitude!
Thank you, Nancy!!
Clarissa, I really hope so.
Copyboy, I didn't think anyone wanted me naked.
Sommer, you always leave meaningful comments.
I comment regularly unless I'm at a total loss, in which case I try to return with something. If it's something I'm completely clueless about (e.g., music, technology), I'm scared to comment. I visit blogs of those who comment. It seems the only/best way to keep up.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your regular comments, Alex, especially given your huge following.
xoRobyn
I'm intrigued by the info to be revealed about the women... (nothing like creating a little suspense and pulling in all those who asked the question). . .
ReplyDeleteAbout your questions:
I read and usually comment, unless I'm really late to the party. I will check some links and some of the blogger sites of those who comment.
I have a select few blogs that I comment on on a regular basis, but I read many more. It all depends on the subject being discussed and whether I think I have something to add to it.
You seem to be great at responding as far as I can tell. If everyone commented, you might have to give up some sleep. . .
I can live with women in a book :) Not when the prose is as good as yours, and the action is interesting.
ReplyDeleteFour hundred posts. And I always see your face on my new posts. You're awesome.
Ann Best, Memoir Author
I try to make sure I get back to everyone within a certain amount of time. Some days are harder to comment than others, naturally, but if one comments on my blog, I respond to each one.
ReplyDeleteWow! You've had a lot of comments about comments. Normally I try to read other people's comments but I'll admit I'm not trying to read them all today.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I always try to comment on anyone's blog who comments on mine. I will occasionally read and not comment if I really don't have anything to say but not often. I love getting comments so it's only right to give them.
Robyn, you're one of my favorite blogger buddies!
ReplyDeleteDG, I like my sleep, so it's probably for the best that my average isn't higher.
Ann, thank you!
Congrats man! Think how far you'll go in another two years.
ReplyDeleteCommenting is tricky. I always leave comments when I visit and try to visit those who comment on mine. It's a balancing act though since if I visited everyone every day I'd have to quit my job. ;)
Well, well ... must find a bride or already have in CassaFire?
ReplyDeleteWow - 400?! That's cool...
ReplyDeleteI leave comments on 99% of the posts that I read, and the ones that I don't really do tend to be because there's really nothing for me to say. I do try to get back around to the bloggers who comment at my place as often and as soon as possible. I'm rubbish at answering comments on my blog or by email unless there's a direct question - I dunno - I just like to spend that time reading around blogs instead I guess.
I have to say, I'm never afraid to comment.
Finally - thanks for being such a generous commenter - it does mean a lot
Lx
Good grief 200 post a year! When do you have time to write?
ReplyDeleteI love the CassaFacts!
Q&A time.
I try to return visit all comments. The couple of times I haven't was due to problems with the other blog (popups ads, odd content, etc).
I don't always comment. time is a factor, and sometimes I just son't know what to say. I really wish google reader had a quick reply feature.
Hey, I figured if I could fall in love with Band of Brothers (no women in the cast), I could fall for CassaStar, which I've FINALLY ordered.
ReplyDeleteComments: sometimes I leave one, but not always. I'm trying to step that up.
Nakedness: It's been too cold these days to indulge in that.
Naked facts are the best sort! I love the bromance angle (just as I love female friendships)--I think friendship is often more honest than romance, so i think it's okay you skipped a girl first time around. But it's good to get out your stilettos and tiara once in a while, too... *wink*
ReplyDeleteI pretty much always comment, with the rare exception of a blog that is running on too long, so I give up, or a topic I just can't think of anything on. If I were guessing, I think most bloggers comment, as we get how nice comments are to get. The people who read without commenting are just readers. (usually)--I have friends who comment at FB instead-- but the tend to not be bloggers.
Naked facts are the best sort! I love the bromance angle (just as I love female friendships)--I think friendship is often more honest than romance, so i think it's okay you skipped a girl first time around. But it's good to get out your stilettos and tiara once in a while, too... *wink*
ReplyDeleteI pretty much always comment, with the rare exception of a blog that is running on too long, so I give up, or a topic I just can't think of anything on. If I were guessing, I think most bloggers comment, as we get how nice comments are to get. The people who read without commenting are just readers. (usually)--I have friends who comment at FB instead-- but the tend to not be bloggers.
I do try to answer comments......honest but I do appreciate the comments I get.
ReplyDeleteso for all the times I have never thank you, I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
I try tp comment on all the people I follow but it is not always returned .
Yvonne.
If I see a lot of comments, I usually think that I probably don't have anything to say that hasn't been already said by other people. Other than that, I always try to comment.
ReplyDeleteExplained in the next book, eh? I'm intrigued!
first off - a civil war horror? That sounds AWESOME!!
ReplyDeleteI never had an issue with their being no women in cassastar. I mean, i noticed, but wasn't bothered.
As for comments, i'll sometimes read and not comment, but that's usually when i feel i have nothing to add to the conversation.
No women? That's terrible LOL
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about this commenting business too, so it's good to read all the comments here. I think it really helps if a blogger includes a question at the end of their post. Give a visitor a reason to comment.
Congrats on your 400th post! And I want to say something about there being no women in your story, but I'm not sure what, so I'm going to keep quiet *looks innocent*.
ReplyDeleteI have looked at your comments before, and thought, "Wow, I think you probably have enough", but sometimes I'll still add something. Usually, if I read, I comment, and I certainly return comments.
I do return all comments, sometimes a little late, admittedly.
ReplyDeleteI almost always comment after reading; sometimes an interruption will force me to stop and I'll forget to go back.
I don't remember any occasion where I was afraid to comment.
Interesting CassaFacts. I'll be interested to learn why women don't pilot ships or serve on spacecraft!
Rarely do I read and not comment--might as well say something even if it's just hello and that's rare. I try to comment back to everyone who leaves me a comment and that's what really get's time consuming. I try, but I often get way behind.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Happy Monday!!!!!!
ReplyDelete1. I do NOT always comment. Only when I have something to say. :) LOL
2. Afraid to comment. Sometimes. I'm not all that witty, you know. I figured my words pale in comparison to some.
3. I try to return comments. Again, I might not always comment back, but I do check out the sites. :)
:)
Although the question was posed to you, it seems that everyone has decided to chime in.
ReplyDeleteI like to comment; however, I won't leave one of those "great job" comments. Especially if 30 other people have already said the same thing. Basically, I need to feel like what I'm going to say is something of substance before I'm going to stop and type it out.
Also, I tend to shy away from making duplicate points unless I can add to what the other person has said. That can be an obstacle if there are already 50 comments, and I don't have time to read them all, and, really, I never have time to do more than scan through 50 comments.
I always subscribe to comments when there is the option, and I've left a comment. I will even comment again if it's warranted. That rarely happens, though. I try to remember to go back and check other places where I've left comments (like Rusty's blog (who needs to just make it so I can subscribe to his comments)), but I don't always remember, especially if it takes the blogger days before he responds.
Thanks for all the info and keeping us up to date. If I can't find anything remotely educated to say, or anything I agree with, I'll skip a comment. But generally I comment when I stop by a blog. I figure this is the best way to let the blogger know I was there.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Maurice, fortunately I can blog from work.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU Laura!
Southpaw, some people do twice that amount!
Helena, thank you!
Hart, that makes sense.
Yvonne, you always comment!
Sarah, I didn't't want to cause issues.
Hey, Shelley! I always try to include my buddies in the conversation. One sided conversations are boring.
CD, I like comments! Feel free to leave one anytime.
Cate, you'll find out.
Lee, that's my struggle since I visit blogger buddies first.
Lynn, witty isn't a necessity here! Not in the comments anyway.
Andrew, duplicate comments don't bother me.
Karen, happyThanksgiving!
First, Alex, I believe a precedent has been set in Egypt so you ought to be more careful when you use the word "naked" in the blogging atmosphere. You don't want to cause any misunderstandings.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your questions -
1. No, I only comment if I have something to comment about. I didn't use to do this, but I'd rather write one good comment a year than 365 worth of throw away comments trying to do one every day.
2. Never. If people want to judge my comment, that's entirely up to them.
3. I'll admit some of it depends on what they say on my blog. I'm more likely to click the link of someone who writes an insightful comment in response to a post - or posts - than someone who tries to sneak in a "fun blog, check out mine!" where it's clear they don't care for your content and just want to the trackback views.
Here's a question for you - or maybe better put your readers - on something I've noticed happening quite a bit in the blogging world: "Have you ever lied about how often you read someone's blog?" I know lie is a 'big word' but because there's such a big push in blogging to be constantly reading and checking everyone elses stuff, it's something I've noticed pop up every now and then.
I'm interested to learn more about Cassan women. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I visit someone, I almost always comment. Some take more skill than others to comment to. I visit everyone who visits me that I know about.
Hits are more important, but it's nice to have the commments, so I'm not talking to myself.
Alex, you always amaze me with your comments and your ability to visit so many blogs. Unless the post is something I don't feel qualified to comment on, I always try to leave a comment. If someone comments on mine, I try to go to that person's blog and leave a comment as well.
ReplyDeleteMonti
I always try to comment if I read. Even if I'm not qualified. (I try to act like I am.) Ha! I wouldn't want anyone to know that I'm not. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut you comment on so many blogs. What is your secret? Do tell! Do you pull all nighters?
I do return comments. Even if it's the next day. And I try to get around to as many blogs as possible.
No one was naked!!!!!!!!! Aww shucks!
Univarn!
ReplyDeleteIf I read, I usually comment, although exceptions happen. I read a many movie blogs, yours included, where I don't comment. And if I start reading a post and it offends me, I don't comment. But I won't lie and say I'm visiting someone when I'm not. I mean, what's the point in that?
Mary, comments matter more than hits to me. I know it shouldn't, but I prefer interaction to drive-bys.
Monti, you are always faithful in your visits.
Robyn, you didn't want me naked, I promise. And I just make it a point to visit all of my blogger friends. Takes time, but you are all worth it.
I do return comments too. And if I read, I comment. I don't think I've ever read and not commented. I like knowing if people have dropped by, so I try to do the same for them :)
ReplyDeleteLove those CassFacts, they're great! Congrats to Sean on the book release - I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI always try to comment as much as I can on the blogs I read, regulars, and ones that commented on mine. It's hard to keep it up sometimes though! :)
Wow Alex, this is a lot to digest but here goes...
ReplyDeleteCassian women don't pilot ships because it is only the Cassian males that have the necessary mental ability to "connect" with their ship and co-pilot. My best guess.
Regarding comments, There are a few sites I always try and comment on. There are many I read and based on the material I may or may not comment but I do read all their posts. Then there are sites I follow that I only read posts that intrigue me after reading the lead-in.
Regarding quantity of comments...that sometimes does scare me off from commenting. Good example (though extreme) is the Hyperbole And A Half site. When Allie posts, there are always like 1600 comments before I even get a chance to read the post. Her last post has 4264 comments. I eagerly read every one of her posts but almost never have commented.
I comment back (kind of an extension of my first note above). I also have adopted the habit of re-commenting on comments knowing full well most of them are never read by the intended target. But just in case...they are there.
Oh yeah...I wasn't really expecting anyone naked, I am used to that hook from other sites!
Have a good Turkey Day!
Jemi, that's how I feel.
ReplyDeleteAmy, it is - and I don't always get to yours and I apologize.
Chuck, you're good! But yes - women can't teleport. They bond instead.
She has that many comments? Wow, I feel so inadequate now...
Your buddy's civil war horror story sounds very interesting. Thanks for the book rec!
ReplyDeleteI usually comment if I visit a blog and try my darnedest to return the favor to those who comment too. (Lately though I've been crazy busy. Sorry to my blog friends!)
And happy 400th post, Alex!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI almost always comment if I read. I try to visit those who visit me if not the same day then the next time I see they have a new post.
ReplyDeleteLove the little tidbits of info you're giving us :) Looking forward to the full thing!
ReplyDeleteI do my best to comment on everything I read. I tend to read the opening para of a blog post then skip if I know I'm not gonna have much to contribute beyond "OK!" or "That's nice".
I try to make a comment unless I'm like Mr. Ed and have nothing to say. I would love to know your tricks for getting through so many blogs. Once you even mentioned something that I wrote in the middle of a story, unless you were just trying to throw me off! Julie
ReplyDeleteI know I've read plenty of scifi where women were peripheral at best, absent all together at worst.
ReplyDeleteAs for comments. If someone comments on my blog I go to theirs and leave a comment. I do my best to answer comments left on my blog through emails. And I almost always leave a comment when I visit a blog.
I almost always comment if I read, unless the post is something that turned me off or offended me or I just have no response to. I'm never afraid to comment due to the number of comments on a post, but I might be if it's a super controversial post and I'm afraid my comment might be taken the wrong way. And I try to always return comments, though I do so when I post my next post, so it won't be right away.
ReplyDeleteKelly, you're really good about visiting.
ReplyDeleteJamie, just building up some suspense!
Julie, it's the Ninja in me! Really though, not sure how I do it some days as I am a slow reader.
Susan, I don't plan on anything really controversial here!
I comment most times, but I know people get busy and I don't always expect comments back.
ReplyDeleteHappy 400th post - wow!
Interesting point you make about wondering if you could write a woman. I've read some novels where I knew immediately that it was written by a man and the females were unconvincing, so I worry that I can write male characters well enough to convince men.
ReplyDeleteI always reciprocate if someone comments on my blog.
I rarely read a post without commenting unless it is a newblog I'm visiting where the post is utterly dire ;O)
Congrats on your 400th post!! As to comments, I try to return all of them, but haven't been very good with that lately!
ReplyDeleteWaay too many questions with only one cuppa coffee in me.
ReplyDelete*insert quote from The Princes Bride here, let me sum up*
You are amazing. Comment-wise, that is. I don't want to know how you do it because it's probably something creepy that involves horcrux or space-time continuum.
Thanks for the Q&A about CassaStar. It reminded me of Saving Private Ryan. No estrogen in that movie either.
Same to you, Amish!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Talli!
Madeleine, hopefully we both nail it then.
Camu, some days I don't keep up with all the comments.
Huntress, thank you. And that's a good comparison.
I have a habit of responding to all comments I make. As public every day and many comments I get I have little time to browse and comment. Fortunately most people meet me again and I repeat so the chain does not break.
ReplyDeleteHi Alex! As always, you've got an interesting blog post.
ReplyDeleteI always return comments but when blog hopping, I cannot say I always comment - there are times that I read but leave without commenting. Sometimes I don't find anything to say and I feel it would sound daft to just say hello :)
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I comment 90% of the time. But there are days when I'm lazy and just read...especially when I'm on the iPad. Your iPad and iPhone readers are probably not commenters.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you don't feel you had the confidence to write "women". As a straight guy...you live with one everyday. That seems like to me it would be easy because you have one at all times.
Congrats on so many posts! And thanks for the link to Sean's blog, really cool!
ReplyDeleteI read and almost NEVER comment. Fear, is my reason. I do not want to seem stupid and you have SO MANY intelligent people here, my voice seems redundant.
ReplyDeleteBut I visit everyone (and read) that comments on my blog. I'm hoping to develop "relationships" but it is hard when so many of my favorite writers are so damn intimidating!
You do get an insane amount of comments! I try to leave a comment every time I visit a blog. Sometimes, I just skim them in Reader, and if something doesn't pop into my head, I go on to the next one. When you get so many comments - close to 100! - it seems less necessary to let you know I was here. But, since you are a regular at my "house" (blogspot), I like to return the favor.
ReplyDeleteAnyone reading this, it's good to leave comments. People love the feedback and encouragement and chance to make friends via the internet.
Re: Comments.
ReplyDeleteI only comment if I have something to say but fortunately most of the blogs I visit are written by people who always know how to stimulate convo with a topic/question.
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ReplyDeleteHi Alex -- no, I don't always comment on the blog posts I read...and I'm more likely to comment on newer blogs with few responses in an effort to encourage the blogger. I remember how disheartening it is to publish a post and get no feedback. It's like throwing a party and having no one show up.
ReplyDeleteI'm never afraid to comment, but for blogs with lots of followers already adding their responses, I don't feel it's necessary unless I have something significant to contribute.
I don't always have the time to visit those who comment that same day, but I tend to binge read and comment from time to time to catch up on my favorite blogs. The few that I subscribe to by e-mail (like yours, for instance) see more of me than those I follow through my Google Reader.
Hmm...so much to comment about! First, LOL on the naked thing. Her blog is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI think you should have a contest to see who can correctly guess why Cassan women aren't pilots. Cuz I have what I think is a cool idea...
So about comments. I comment if I read. We all know how nice it is to have someone notice us. I try to find something positive in each post and mention that. Those of us who are insecure need a lot of atta-boys! As to those who comment on my blog, I either respond by email (when that's enabled) and if not, I go visit. I follow those blogs I'd like to read again. If someone follows me, I again visit.
And just btw, I finally got the catch fire badge mostly working. Blogger's been hating me this week!
Tina @ Life is Good
LOL - I think I pulled your leg about there not being any women in CassaStar!
ReplyDeleteI'm naughty. I DO read blogs and often glean great information, but I don't always comment. Bad Sue.
I try and comment on every blog I read but sometimes I am uninterested in what they are saying or it's just boring! So I don't want to comment something bad LOL I adore having comments myself (as still new to this whole blogging thing). I have taken the lead of more experienced bloggers like yourself and try to respond to every comment and go and repay compliment. You are amazing though as you have soooo many comments.
ReplyDeleteLen, I try to stay interesting.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I still comment with my iPad, just not on Wordpress blogs because I can't. And because I've lived with a woman so long, I know they are incredibly complicated, which scared me even more!
Heather, don't be intimidated! That's how you build relationships. And if you think my posts are really intelligent, I need to direct you to my Sharktopus play-by-play.
Patricia, thank you for subscribing to my blog. I feel honored!
Tina, sorry you've struggled with the badge! And a contest sounds interesting.
Claire, I'm just a dude with a lot of blogging friends!
Alex, you set a great example for how I feel bloggers should be. I know you get hundreds of comments, but I notice that you almost always comment on my blog after I have visited yours (don't rush over right now, lol) I have not posted in over a week. I have been killing myself with NaNo, my new critique partner and my plot consultations with Martha Alderson, but I love all of it so not complaining.
ReplyDeleteI try to always comment on the blogs of those who comment on mine and other blogs I enjoy. I am not great about responding to the comments left for me (other than hopping over to their blog) because I don't think people return very often to read replies. I do reply if I am asked a direct question. I have only discovered a small amount of bloggers who never comment or read my blog when I comment on theirs often. I won't name names, but one such person, is someone I met through your wonderful blogfest and he is someone I enjoy reading, but I have left probably fifteen or more comments and have never received any in return so I guess I just need to assume that my blog does not interest this person and that is okay. We cannot expect everyone to read our blogs. I need your help on a comment problem I am having on my blog, but I will email you.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Alex. I am thankful to have you as a blogger friend.
You are awesome at returning comments, Alex! A total master ninja-commentor(okay so i invented the word). I often feel guilty for not being able to return the wonderful comments you leave on my blog right away. I wish I had your ninja powers when it came to blog hopping/commenting and just being a great bloggy friend.
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing Thanksgiving Day!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Congratulations to your friend, Sean!
ReplyDeleteAs for the comments: I almost always leave them. I try to be friendly, helpful and respectful in my comments. I'm not scared to leave them but I can understand some peole might be apprehensive if they are not very social.
Oh, congrats on the 400th blog post! Wow, you're amazing.
When someone comments on my blog, I always return a comment, unless the entry I am reading is about something I totally do not understand (like when an author talks about his/her book plots) or if it is something really personal.
ReplyDeleteIt may take a few days because I do not always check my comments though.
...Which explains my delay in returning your comment... thanks for stopping by!
I agree with Brinda...It has all been said by the time I get here.
ReplyDeleteIf I get comments, yes, I return the favor. If I read it, then most likely will leave a comment.
Melissa, I appreciate your kind words. I'm sorry one of my blogger buddies ignores your comment. I sometimes miss a single comment, but never several.
ReplyDeleteNutschell, thank you!
Angela, thanks.
Alexandra, thank you for stopping by.
Danjor, I still appreciate that you left a comment though.
just a little disappointed there is no naked in this post. That's false advertising, dude. I like to comment when I have something to say or if a post particularly spoke to me. I read a lot of blogs on my phone, though, which is not quite as conducive to commenting. It'd be nice if there was a quick "like" button to hit in those instances. Congrats on #400!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I admit (in shame) I do not always comment when I stop by and read a blog. For carious reasons. Phone rings. Kids are beating the hell out of each other. Its a chick blog of smutty slutty stuff that could make a sailor blush.
ReplyDeleteBut I almost always return comments. About 95 percent or more of the time. See above paragraph for reasons O may not. If you leave a comment on my blog, I will do the right thing and reciprocate.
No women and no romance? Maybe for the third book, you will have women and romance only.
ReplyDeleteMy Darcy Vibrates…
I don't always comment if I read. I prefer to comment only if I have something to say, but I'm the same way about talking, so there ya' go...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm ever afraid to comment. Though I guess I get moments where I'm thinking I've misunderstood something and I'm going to make myself look stupid, so maybe my first part of this answer was wrong. I usually do it anyway.
I always visit those who leave me comments. It may take a few days, but I visit. And that is one instance where I always leave a comment (unless they haven't posted a new post since the last one I commented on, in which case I'll usually read back and find something else to comment on, but it depends on the day and the amount of time I have).
Thanks, Julie! And at least I enabled mobile viewing for my site.
ReplyDeleteStephen, then it's a good thing I'm not a parent - I'd let them kill one another.
Enid - not going to happen!
Shannon, I doubt you could say anything stupid!
This was an interesting post to read about cassastar and commenting.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 400.
If I read, I comment a lot but not always. Sometimes I feel my opinion is repetitive or I don't have anything worthwhile to say. I also try to return comments, but this month NaNo has owned me. I need to get back into the habit of returning and responding to comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching the newest Pirates of the Caribbean right now. They shouldn't have made a fourth.