The Beauty of Comments

Comments.

Comments are a beautiful thing.

Feedback is the lifeline of this author. I don't know how it is for most other authors, but I know what keeps me going and motivates me to continue. Feedback. Comments. Communication. "I liked this part," "I disliked this part," "that part did not make any sense," "this part made me cry." I love to hear from readers. If that's readers of my books, it helps me to understand what works and what doesn't. What people like to read and what they don't. I can adjust, learn, grow in my art. If that's readers of my blog, it encourages me to continue this little piece of my world (which admittedly I sometimes have no inspiration to continue).

Communication.

If that's encouragement, criticism (hopefully constructive) or everything in between it is a very useful tool in many areas of life. But I'm talking about communication today because it's what keeps me going. I write for people, so when I don't hear from people I find it difficult to continue sometimes. Not always, of course. Sometimes the simple joy of writing is enough to carry me through. Sometimes it's not. But every comment, whether in person, via email, or even here on this blog, gives me a little more gas in my tank so I can start up my engine and get writing again. :)

So thank you, readers. All of you who have ever said anything to me, via any medium. I write for you, and perhaps because of you. Because feedback is my lifeline.

For the record, this is not a plea for more comments, in case you were wondering. This is just what I've been thinking about lately. Sometimes I'll find myself having a less than pleasant day and left with no inclination or motivation to write and then I'll receive some sort of communication about one or another of my various writings and (even when it has negative vibe) I suddenly have the oomph to sit down and write again. So this post is just me musing on that fact, and also thanking those of you who are in some small way responsible for keeping me writing. :)

Like I said, comments are a beautiful thing.