Well, I only posted 3 stories, and one of them were in french, so it didn't have many readers yet - I'm planning to post it in english soon (I hope). And I've received e-mails for each story. I have to say I kinda feel weird the first time. I knew that there was people who tended to give feedback by e-mail, but I though that it only happened with the well known authors, you know. I wasn't prepared for that. I was so surprised (but delighted
) that at first I didn't know how to react. I guess I was feeling a little inadequate. I was SO HAPPY that someone had liked my first story enough to write me an e-mail, but I just didn't know how to thank her properly. I had needed a little over a week to respond to that person.
With my second story, it became easier, but it was kinda special, I guess. I actually received more feedback by e-mail than I had on the boards, for that one. It took me even more by surprise because since there was only a dozen people giving me feedback on the boards, I have been really taken aback to receive so much e-mail about it when I submitted it to the Archives(somewhere between 15 and 20 people had send me e-mails concerning my second story). I can't say how delighted I was. I never though it was possible to have that many people to send me mail for a story which wasn't very good, all things considered. I was deeply touched by all the messages of the people telling me they liked it. I hadn't understood why this story hadn't worked on the boards, but had been popular on the archives, but I'm damn glad about having received all this mails
I tried to respond to everybody, but it is still possible I forgot one or two people. If it's the case, I really apologize! I have been OVER THE MOON with each mail I got.
The third story is something else entirely, since it is for now only available in french. I thought that since most people doesn't speak french I wouldn't have any feedback at all until I start to post the english version, but I've been wrong. I've received two feedbacks. And if I'm getting better at responding more quickly, I still am very surprised and embarassed (in a good way) every time. But that made me so happy I almost dance by happiness when I open my mailbox to see a feedback.
What I'm trying to say is that even if, personally, I have responded to every mail I received (god, I really hope I hadn't forgotten anybody), I understand why new author sometimes doesn't respond. It feels so awkward! I mean, we're nobody. Most people doesn't even know we had written stories, so when we receive the mail, it's weird (in a good way, again). And when it's a well-known author, one from who you read all stories, it's even more intimidating to respond "yeah, I'm glad you liked that bit. I wanted to do this and that". All the while you're thinking:"Oh my God! But what do I think I'm doing?! I should just go in hiding beneath my desk!". I do it because I really want to thank the people for having taken the time to email me their comments, but I absolutely don't find it easy to respond to these mails. It's very intimidating.