Random compliments on your writing - Odd, or good?

[Degusaurusrex]

I think this is the area this goes in, if not, then womp my bad.

Been going around browsing and dropping lines, so now I'm curious.

For any of you who have gotten random compliments on your writing, how does that make you feel? Is it weird, or good? I've messaged people just to compliment their writing, even if I have zero interest in what their RT says. Example; having mild interest based on the title, finding out I'm not interested, but still loving their writing. I'm curious because a couple of the people that I messaged have been very surprised, although most have just said thank you. Is this uncommon to receive compliments?

Hit me with your feels!

[Nico]

Personally, I do not find it odd to express interest in other peoples writing. Admitted, I rarely get compliments of random PMs, but if I get them, It always makes me smile. I'm happy if someone enjoys what I cook up.

[Azuresun]

I love to get them. It's really nice to know that someone else enjoyed my work enough to send me a compliment.

[Inkidu]

I'm always up for compliments, critiques, and criticism. I hardly think anyone beyond my writing partners ever cares about my writing, so it's good to know actually.

[Endorphin]

I've sent and received many compliments and expect the trend to continue. Having the maturity to appreciate the skill and effort someone puts into something is a beautiful thing!

[Sara Nilsson]

I got one I remember, and I had a grin on my lips for days afterwards. It was such a wonderful feeling! :) I am all for it

[Beautiful Poison]

Usually I get a compliment with a story pitch or availability check DM but only once in my 10 years on E did I ever get what I like to call fanmail. Just someone really gushing about one story I was working on and how much they enjoyed the character.

SO I think it's fair to say that it is extremely rare that I get compliments like that, but when I did I swear it made my whole week! I never ever expect that anyone other than my writing partner reads my stories and if someone does they are already a friend of mine so I find it equal parts humbling and almost perplexing to think about someone not writing with me still enjoying the work I'm helping to create.

[Mr Quixotic]

I think it's great. The most memorable one I can recall is a random PM from someone telling me they despised an antagonist character I'd written so much that they were shaking in anger and would keep following the story in the hopes he'd get his comeuppance. (Which was actually the thrust of the story; I wanted him to deserve his end fate).

On reading that, I did a fist-pump and thought, "If I can affect a random stranger with no investment in the story like that, then I've absolutely nailed him."

That out-of-the blue compliment inspired confidence and had me on a high for a week! 

On the flip side, I should probably do it more often myself, but it can feel a bit awkward.

[Twisted Crow]

I like knowing that my writing appeals to someone. So, it makes me feel good. Though this usually only happens to me when people are interested in writing with me. Which isn't bad, but I guess I don't get the random compliment very often. Once or twice a year, maybe? Besides the "Love on Person Above You's Writing" thread in AS. I am just counting out of the blue PMs.

[CaptainErotica]

I often read glance read other peoples stories and more often than not I enjoy them enough to PM the writers and let them know so. I know that personally I like getting feedback on my writing and knowing that people outside my personal circle of friends or my co-writer are reading and enjoying my writing makes me feel good. I'd like to think that most of us here feel the same.

[RainbowKirin]

Compliments are always good. Truth be told, constructive criticism is good as well. I love hearing that people enjoyed my writing, but I know it is far from perfect and I am open to suggestion on how to improve it. I am not saying I will implement those ideas, but I will consider them.

[Esoterica]

I have gotten a few random pms where someone complimented my writing. It is a nice feeling. I don't find it weird at all. I think it is a nice thing to do. Now if someone were to randomly write me a pm picking my writing apart for no reason, I'd be like, hmm, were you really that bored? Like I can see feedback when it is asked for that is constructive criticism, nine times out of time if you randomly write someone and pick apart their writing, they probably aren't going to like that.

[Ariamella]

Compliments can be really nice! They brighten up my day, even when someone says something about a certain aesthetic of a thread I have, not necessarily my actual writing. Regardless, it's flattering and I think everyone likes to be appreciated every now and again.

I have had the weird, occasional backhanded compliment, but those are very rare. Lol.

[AmberStarfire]

I enjoy compliments but sometimes they can be false because someone wants something. I can usually tell when someone's trying to use a compliment to find their way in or start a conversation on my good side before making what they really want known. And that's what makes me uncomfortable.

Compliments for the right reasons are good. :) That can be about writing, or personal compliments, or things like my avatar.

[Nico]

I enjoy compliments but sometimes they can be false because someone wants something. I can usually tell when someone's trying to use a compliment to find their way in or start a conversation on my good side before making what they really want known. And that's what makes me uncomfortable.

Same here.

[Twisted Crow]

Generic praise seems kinda disingenuous, but I do like it when people say what they do like. Moments, delivery of a line, etc. Makes it clear that they read (at least, some of) what I wrote.

[Degusaurusrex]

I am finding that apparently it creeps a lot of people out some places, so it's interesting to see the variation of opinions for sure!

[Degusaurusrex]

Generic praise seems kinda disingenuous, but I do like it when people say what they do like. Moments, delivery of a line, etc. Makes it clear that they read (at least, some of) what I wrote.

Thank you for saying this! I never thought of it that way, because I'll often look at several different posts of people's, so it's different stories and things I liked. I've now made a note to specify what I liked, because of this comment. It's a great point.

[Nico]

I am finding that apparently it creeps a lot of people out some places, so it's interesting to see the variation of opinions for sure!

I can see how that can happen. If things are worded in an unfortunate way instead of a serious one, I cannot blame a person for being creeped out or feel uncomfortable.

[Degusaurusrex]

I can see how that can happen. If things are worded in an unfortunate way instead of a serious one, I cannot blame a person for being creeped out or feel uncomfortable.

Oh, I absolutely agree with that. I was more so surprised people were creeped out by even the THOUGHT of maybe getting random compliments. To each their own I was just surprised.

[Calie]

I have received a few compliments here and there, but mostly on my use of "dirty talk". So, I'm not sure how I feel about that really....

[TheSithChicken]

I love random compliments. It is so hard in general for me to get someone to read some of my work who isn't a partner or an editor - and I need that feedback. I am trying to be this author but getting people to read my work is like pulling fucking teeth.