Why hold chapters for ransom?

One of my biggest pet peeves about this site is when you're done reading a chapter and at the bottom it says "10000 votes and you'll get the next chapter!!!!" Okay so I don't think I've seen it that high but still.

It pisses off the people reading and enjoying it. Be thankful for THEM. Why do they need to vote? I do not understand WHY writers on here feel like they deserve so many votes. Just be happy someone is reading instead of telling them to vote. This accomplishes nothing and just makes the people reading your story mad. I can't control if thirteen other people vote on your story or not, just post the damn chapter!

Also, it's a FREE site. Your readers can go off and find a better story, whre the writer doesn't hold chapters for ransom.

If you do this, explain to me WHY. Cause as a reader--and a writer--I don't get it.

Reply Report

I don't do it, but it wasn't till yesterday the number of overall votes I had was higher than the number of fans, most the people who have my stories in their reading lists aren't my fans, and I'd rather have comments and votes than fans, because the whole reason I post the stories in the first place is for feedback, which I have to go and place a request in the critiqe club before that really happens.

But yes, it is a bit irritating. @ForeverMalak

Reply Report

@Katybug1337 don't ya hate that? Like when only a few fans read your stuff and then it's like what are the rest of you doing?

Haha it is. It seriously pisses me off!

Love the profile pic btw. Very cool

Reply Report

Thanks :) @ForeverMalak

Reply Report

@Katybug1337 Haha yep;)

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak Holding things for ransom is awesome because... um.. uh... yeah I've got nothing. I never understood it either. I see a story that does that and it basically means that I don't come back to it.

Reply Report

@Prisim HAHAHA. I'm glad you were kidding about the 100K, I would've cried

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak Who says I'm kidding? Maybe I really WILL hold my sequel for ransom until my baby hit's 100K. >:)

Reply Report

@Prisim :(( Don't tease me!

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Reply Report

@Prisim -_- I will curl up into the fetal position.

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak It suppose it can be frustrating when you don't get any votes. However, refusing to post until you have so many votes and comments comes across as a bit desperate as far as I'm concerned.

Reply Report

That drives me crazy too! I am, heck! We would all like some more comments and/or votes, but saying that?? No, it's not all fault you're not satisfied. I also hate when author's write notes broadcasting to fans about how they need to vote and such. I'm like if I truly liked your work, I would have already. Don't tell me what to do! @ForeverMalak

Reply Report

@alissende It does come across as desperate!

@CamilleJones Lol right?

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak You know what I do then? I unfan them because it pisses me off... no need for that to happen on this friendly website. :)

Reply Report

@CamilleJones Ahh good idea! Haha but it does piss me off.

Reply Report

you know what also pisses me off? when you go on a thread, read abou a comment for comment / read for read . you do it, giving the person a really great review about what you liked or disliked -- really put thought into it, you know? then they NEVER comment on yours... it's like really? REALLY?!?!? @ForeverMalak

Reply Report

@CamilleJones OMG. That is the WORST. I hate R4R threads because barely anyone follows through.

Reply Report

I have a thread opened -- I really will read yours if you read mine. @ForeverMalak http://www.wattpad.com/forums/discussion/251126/read-for-read-comment-for-comment-will-be-meaningful./#Item_8

I am hatin' on the other girl that commented, tryna act like she own the place! But I let her, so whatever. She still hasn't commented, so I'm SO close to deleting my comment.

Reply Report

I agree with you and i DON'T do it!

I guess some people are just too full of themselves and stuff..

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak well, the reason why some authors do that is because how do you know that people are still reading? the same people I mean. If you don't vote or comment on AT LEAST every other chapter then how do they know that the reads they're getting aren't just a product of having been on the "new list" due to an update or newer readers who just happened to stumble upon it?

Getting votes isn't so much as an ego thing, (though for some it is) as it is more of notification that you're fans are still readingb your work.

But that just justifies the other side of the argument.

I agree with what you said anyway=p

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak I'm wholly against ransoming but, at the same time, I can see where they're coming from.

They're writing a story and putting their time into it and the reads go up but the votes and comments don't. Quite frankly, it's frustrating to know that people will stick around to read but not to drop you a line or even click a button. After the effort of writing and editing and perfecting, it's kind of a punch in the gut and, sometimes, in their desperation for some feedback, they'll do so.

Alternatively, they just want to be popular. Which sucks. And is no way a good reason for demanding votes and comments.

Reply Report

@ForeverMalak Oh, I agree. It's not very nice. The only thing I offer is if I get to, well right now 500 reads, I'll throw in an extra update on whatever day it happens. The normal update is never in jeopardy: it'll still happen Friday, with perhaps an extra on the way. It just seems mean otherwise.

I remember one author (different site) refused to update until she got thirty comments and she typically got like four or so. She made it to thirty after a while, and then she came back crowing on the next chapter saying, "You guys said it was cruel, but I proved a point: I should be receiving at least thirty comments per chapter!"

But by the way, I found the title of this thread to be very funny.

Reply Report

@Massey Lol that's messed up :P

@TwinPeacock Yeah. I mean I guess it can be a way of seeing who is reading but I mean I just try to promote commenting. I tell my readers that whoever has the best comment will get a dedication. So far, it's been working and I have a good idea of who is reading the story, so if they don't like voting, they don't need to do it.

@perfectrain Yeah, I see what you mean.

Still people are cray.

Reply Report

@Katybug1337

Not to mention that most fans are fake anyway! How many of your fans have even taken a glance at your stories?

@ForeverMalak

And I agree that it's stupid. My sister, obviously on here, did that the other day. Though, she only asked for like ten. Of course she didn't get it, but wrote the next chapter anyway.

Reply Report