Replying to Online Comments

This is something that’s highly debated in the online writing community. Should you reply to comments on your piece?

Some people say yes, others say no, leaving the rest of us unsure how to engage more directly with our audience outside of our pieces or an email list.

(Traditionally-published writers are much luckier in this way, having PR people who handle that type of thing.)

I’m personally not very good about responding to a reader’s comment for both personal and writing-related posts. So while I am trying to be better about it, please don’t take it personally if I don’t reply to your praise.

Because, for one thing, I’m not sure what to say. Should I say thank you? Should I try to strike up a conversation? I don’t know. Then I feel awkward and don’t do anything.

And for another, I feel like if I reply to one, I have to reply to the rest. And while I haven’t received a ton of comments on most of my stories yet, I know it will be only a matter of time.

So if you don’t feel comfortable with direct replies or if you have a hectic schedule, that’s okay. Not all of us are social butterflies and have the perfect response or have bucket-fulls of free time.

As for the rest of you, we’re not ignoring you or anything, so don’t be offended if the author…