It would be wise to help the reader to decide to read your story

[canaryh.livejournal.com]

 Hi,

I'm a new member, Ela. I've been lurking for some time. There are a lot of stories without comments here. If a writer wants comments on a story, it would be wise to help the reader to decide to read the story.

• First, summary is essential. The reader needs a reason to move to the story.
• Second, it would help if, in the summary, a genre (and sub-genre) would be included. The reader might decide on that fact only.
• Third, the location of the excerpt should be included. The reader needs to know if she/he is reading the opening chapter or some other part of the story. If it's not the opening chapter some info should be there about the events leading to the excerpt.

Comments

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with you. :-)

I would also add that the writer might want to state what s/he is looking for from the readers' comments, for example, a critique, grammar, readability, characterization...

[starlight83.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with this.

I generally won't read or comment unless the poster specifies what they're looking for because I don't want to give critique where it's not wanted and end up upsetting someone.

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

Yes, sometimes it's hard to guess what the writer wants when they don't say anything.

[canaryh.livejournal.com]

Yes, that should absolutely be added to the list. :)

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

As the _mome_wrath suggested, it's now in the comm guidelines. Thanks for bringing it up.

[the-mome-wrath.livejournal.com]

Maybe some kind of template/guideline could be added to the community info for people to follow?

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

Done!