Author's Notes; Friend or Foe? - Comments

I don't like to add any of those things to my author's notes. I do thank certain users every once and a while, though. What I do is ask questions that get my readers thinking about the story itself and I talk about small things in the chapter to make sure that I get a specific point across. I don't ask for comments, however, I typically end my notes with 'Tell me what you think. :)' or something of that nature

Hm...... I don't think threat AN's are not necesssrialy 'threats' I think they say stuff like that to get 1 last laugh out of the reader.

I haven't seen any threats, but I have seen thanks and tons of pleads (I often do the latter, I hate to admit.) But what about when authors (like me) joke about or comment in the author's note about their story?

What category would a joking note go in? A subtle plead, I guess? Cuz if I really want comments on something I just write 'Feel free to comment, wink wink nudge nudge' and move on to something else explaining the work a bit...

I HATE the threat AN!! I do leave a story if I see a writer does that. Can't they just write for the pleasure of writing? Is 9/10 stars all that great?? I have 9/10 stories and 1/2 star stories. I don't care because I love my stories which makes me hate the writers that use threats. Sorry for the rant!! But it does really bug me, I usually just thank my readers though in mine :)

Usually my author notes is just for that specific chapter if I have put something in the chapter I'm not sure about and site it there with the * star beside it. But if I have a picture in the bottom of the page I don't want the words to cover it so I'll copy and paste a short section from my story down there or recap it at the end with few of the characters commenting.

lolz I do a little of everything for mine.

I agree. It really does get annoying when people demand comments. I thank people for reading, tell them that--if they want--they can comment and that I like concrit, and then thank them for reading again. I do think it's nice to thank people for helping out, though. There's just a happy medium, you know?

I hate Pleaders and Threateners.
When you read a really good update and it's followed by, [i]Oh this is shit, I'm sorry, I promise next time will be better[/i] or [i]10 comments this chapter or I delete the story![/i] It just kills the fun.

Though this made me laugh, I can't help but agree with some of the points made.
Personally, when I write an authors note I usually say stuff legit to the story. Do an all around thank you? Yes, if someone took the time to read and critique then it's only fair to show some gratitude. Unfortunately, my author notes usually include an apology for procrastinating as well. XP

I used my ANs to ask for comments and kick out Shadow Readers. XD Yep- maybe I need to add in a little thanks.

v agreed.

I agree with asteroid. I don't think you should use author's notes for anything except additional information regarding the story (translations of phrases in other languages or sources of quotes, for example).

And yes, I'm doing the "Comment and murder your family" one day. Seriously.

But yeah, this was pretty legit and got everything right about the different author's notes we use x] So yeah.

I loved this. It had humor in it which was awesome :)

This is a really good article. Loving the tone and the humour mixed with an actual point. Awesome. :]

this was good. i really don't like comment whores and to be honest i usually skip over them. but this was quality!

Lol, this was funny and insightful; very true.

I will now make an authors comment that only says:
"Comment or I'll murder your family."

Just kidding, xD

I usually alternate between the Threat and Plead. It's hard to not sound desperate and/or jerkish on ANs.