Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
Author Resource Round Table
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Is This Site Just A Bunch Of Bots?
there are definitely real people on here.
I see you and hear what you hear, most of the people on here are real people, not bots, but if I do catch a bot, I will let you know.
I am real! I am not a bot! But of course that's what a bot would say!
Emma wrote: "there are definitely real people on here."You were the first person to even acknowledge me. Thank you.
Micah wrote: "Seriously, I have been on this site for over a week, I've requested friends, replied to others' posts, answered all the "ask the author" questions, created topics in the discussions, joined groups ..."
A week is a short time for a readers' site like GR, where members mostly look for new books and authors or are reading new books. Also, many GR members consult the site infrequently, while they will see new entries only in the groups they are members of. If you looked at the various forums, with their varied exchange of opinions and discussions, then it should have been plenty evident that this is not a bot site. You need to give more time to the members to react to your questions and comments.
A week is a short time for a readers' site like GR, where members mostly look for new books and authors or are reading new books. Also, many GR members consult the site infrequently, while they will see new entries only in the groups they are members of. If you looked at the various forums, with their varied exchange of opinions and discussions, then it should have been plenty evident that this is not a bot site. You need to give more time to the members to react to your questions and comments.
Hi, just wanted to add that I have a really good rapport with people here on GR's. I've had a lot of reach out and DM's from readers and other author's. It's a great site to be engaged with people who actually care about reading and are interested in you as an author. I started a blog post which I also share to Twitter and LinkedIn and I get good feedback there too. The other thing I like about GR's community, is that people are genuinely interested. I receive feedback on reviews that I post also.
Yeah I looked at the forums, and all I ever see are "Add this book" or "The title of this book is wrong, please fix" or "introduce yourself, we won't respond"I mean I get that this is a reader's site and readers visit infrequently, but this site props itself up as a way to connect authors and readers, but it's all just cataloging. Sure there are active forums within the most specific of genres, but again, author-to-reader connection can't be done simply by making lists of people/books who are here.
Michel wrote: "Micah wrote: "Seriously, I have been on this site for over a week, I've requested friends, replied to others' posts, answered all the "ask the author" questions, created topics in the discussions, ..."By the way, you're the first actual conversation I've had here...that's sad...not because you're bad to talk to, but because it's taken so long.
just because i'm heartless and made of cheap tin doesn't mean you can treat me like a machine!
To Micah, I’ve had the same experience but have chalked it to my inexperience on this site. For example, I don’t know how to reply directly to your comment and am unsure if you will see this, and I don’t see how to send you a friend request. I’ve been traveling every since joining but how to study the site better when I get home next week. Darryl
Darryl wrote: "To Micah, I’ve had the same experience but have chalked it to my inexperience on this site. For example, I don’t know how to reply directly to your comment and am unsure if you will see this, and I..."I saw the comment only because I checked the groups I've posted to and saw the reply. You can friend people by clicking on their name, going to their profile, and next to the word Follow is a little arrow that has more options such as "add as friend" and such.
well I am not a bot, but that's exactly what you'd expect a bot to say, I suppose.According to a recent study, about 60% of the traffic on the internet is non-human (bots, spiders, sites communicating with each other, etc). So every site has a fair amount of computer traffic.
Hi Micah, you might find it will take a little while especially as you are an author. Some folks have been burned by authors latching on to them and giving them the hard sell, so they will want to get to know you a bit first. I'm an author of sorts myself and a 'harmless' one but people didn't know that to began with. Like you I wondered where all the people were and why the posts I did find seemed to just be people listing books they have read without even commenting on them. But there are plenty of real people and good discussions to be had, so just keep doing what you are doing. Maybe also join a group specific to the genre you write in to find like minded people?Darryl, if you are travelling, I guess you are using the mobile app? It is pretty limited and clunky to navigate (I'm using it now, which is why I name checked you instead of hitting the 'reply button' because the mobile app doesn't have one) It will all make more sense when you are on a laptop/desktop.☺
Kerry wrote: "So funny! Wizard of Oz ??"Ignore the man behind the curtain, I loved that movie.
I think the 6th sense is Bruce's best movie.
Jason wrote: "I think the 6th sense is Bruce's best movie."anything Bruce was in is a great movie, even the 5th Element.
How does it let you get or add friends or send friend requests? I have tried searching for friends or contacts with no luck. Micah I am thinking like you.
just go under friends or follow and click it, someone will let you
I think I'm real. Some days I wonder, but today I'm fairly sure that I am.
Aaron wrote: "Jason wrote: "I think the 6th sense is Bruce's best movie."anything Bruce was in is a great movie, even the 5th Element."
The Fifth Element was actually hilarious. Many funny quotable lines. Even though the main topic was quite serious, it was difficult to see it as a serious movie. I love it and have seen it many, many times. I particularly think the supposed clothes that Milla Jovovich wears throughout most of the movie were just to reel in male viewers and to even consider those bandages to suffice as clothing was so funny in and of itself.
Micah, if you can think that people aren’t real, then they can think the same about you.
Brenda wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Jason wrote: "I think the 6th sense is Bruce's best movie."anything Bruce was in is a great movie, even the 5th Element."
The Fifth Element was actually hilarious. Many funny quotab..."
indeed, it was funny, except when the singer was shot on there, but otherwise, I loved it.
I do think that I am real but the question should be, 'Do I actually exist? Idealistically I do in some form at a certain level. Since this is different for everybody, existence is only possible in one's own realm. In other words, it's not easy to be let into anybody's else's reality without knowing of its existence.
Micah wrote: "Seriously, I have been on this site for over a week, I've requested friends, replied to others' posts, answered all the "ask the author" questions, created topics in the discussions, joined groups ..."I am certainly not a bot but like others said 1 week isn't enough time to see the interaction. I myself haven't been checking GR for the last few weeks and my reading was also very infrequent so I didn't have anything to update and that's how I use it. I like my friend's posts and comments in groups, but I don't spend all my time browsing the site but rather try to invest that time in reading, gaming, or whatever.
Mus+ 1 g1are at them, steely eyed?Are grasping pincers not like hands?
My monotone, perfectly comprehensible!
Wonder at my flawless memory!
It may be, although bots would probably be faster to respond. No one seems to actually run this site since no one ever responds.And since you're new -
### WARNING ###
SCAMS ABOUND HERE unchecked despite reporting them to the absent 'staff' over and over. If anyone contacts you - check their profile and if it's vague, ignore them.
You would think a site owned by Amazon would function better. Maybe they outsource it all to India or somewhere.
What do you have against the differently sentient, Dave?
Aaron wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Jason wrote: "I think the 6th sense is Bruce's best movie."anything Bruce was in is a great movie, even the 5th Element."
The Fifth Element was actually hilarious. Ma..."
I agree that the singer being shot was very tragic. Definitely not one of the funny parts of the movie.
its as if, coldly logical, i have no feelings which could be hurt and if you just click <>! YOU will be able to take your fair share of the late grand admirals personal fortune GOD wills it!
Arch wrote: "Micah, if you can think that people aren’t real, then they can think the same about you."*Mind blown*
Frank wrote: "I do think that I am real but the question should be, 'Do I actually exist? Idealistically I do in some form at a certain level. Since this is different for everybody, existence is only possible in..."Particles and radiation be damned!
Hey Micah,I feel/ felt the same way when I started a little while ago. No one seems interested in what I write or who I am. No one responds unless they're a librarian answering a question, and no one asks questions or writes anything on my page, so I kinda gave up. I try to blog, but can't think of anything to say without sounding like a whining child. It's VERY discouraging. So, I'll follow you and will try my best to keep in touch with what you're doing. I'm not here much, but from now on, when I am, I'll say "hi."
Christian D. Maddison
https://linktr.ee/CDMadd
Christian wrote: "Hey Micah,I feel/ felt the same way when I started a little while ago. No one seems interested in what I write or who I am. No one responds unless they're a librarian answering a question, and no ..."
fyi your link doesn't work. At least I waited 30 seconds and nothing - and that's more than most people would wait.
Also - join some groups. There's plenty going on if you look.
Ed wrote: "It may be, although bots would probably be faster to respond. No one seems to actually run this site since no one ever responds.And since you're new -
### WARNING ###
SCAMS ABOUND HERE unchecked..."
Hey Ed,
It's been a complaint for a long time that despite being bought by Amazon, and despite being one of the most popular websites the performance isn't too well. But at least they are working on a redesign and the new book page looks better. People are just busy with their own things as they have the right to do. Also, what do you mean by outsourcing to India or something? Do you realize how racist that sounds? And yes I am an Indian. Also, for all the people talking about how to find friends or people who are active, you already have 30+ comments on this topic, so just click on their user name and send a friend request. You already know these people are not bots and also active in the groups and comment on topics etc.
Micah,I joined Goodreads in 2013 and currently belong to 5 discussion groups. Goodreads Authors and Readers was the first, and the one I view most often.
I tend to personally contribute only when I believe that I have something new and interesting to add to a discussion; otherwise I am content to follow others' contributions and, hopefully, benefit from them.
As time passes, you will find specific members with whom you share common interests and may wish to offer a friend request or accept one. Keep in mind the adage: Those who think they have a lot of friends just think they have a lot of friiends. The majority are only aquaintances.
I’ve been on Goodreads since 2008. One thing that I hate is when an author sends me a friend request, just because they want me to read their book. I have had authors message me as well. That’s not the way to go. Authors should not be looking for readers. They should be looking to interact with readers and get a feel of what kind of books people read. If they can view a person’s profile, first read about the person. Plenty of members let you know what kind of books they read and don’t read. I make it known that I’m a romance reader. I don’t read first person books, same sex books, erotic stories. I don’t even care for detailed sex scenes. Sex doesn’t make a story to me. I don’t want to know how great a hero is supposed to be in bed, I want to see how much he loves the heroine. I want to see chemistry. I love good tension and no, I’m not talking about sex. Some authors writes books without sex and the hero and heroine have tension. I love writing tension myself. After reading about the member, view their bookshelf to see what type of books they read. If you don’t see the type of book you write, then the member might not read your kind of story.
Author needs to join groups that caters to what they write about. If there’s a promotional section, then promote your book there. Don’t just be someone looking for people to read your book. Participate in the groups as well. Don’t just be there to promote yourself.
Another thing to play close attention too and that is to a member’s currently reading. Although a member participates in groups, it might be a while since they have read something. Why? To be honest, I know for me, these days it’s hard to find old time romance writing. Many books today are in first person and a lot of readers like myself don’t read first person books. Many books are focused on sex (the books description), many books are about billionaire bosses as if money by love. So many books the hero and heroine don’t have chemistry. Veteran readers like myself are looking for books that is hard to put down. I haven’t read a book like that in a while.
Authors want people to read your book. Ask yourself, is my book different from other similar books?
Hi Arch, could I just ask you something? This is a genuine question. What is it about stories told in the first person that you find off putting? Not questioning your choice, just genuinely curious. I am a writer (of sorts, the not very successful sort☺) I tend to default to third person narrator view point but I have used first person and other viewpoints from time to time. I use what feels right for the story I am telling at the time. Some stories seem to need the detachment of a narrator, others the intimacy of first person. So, I would be interested to hear your thoughts. As you say, you are not the only person with this aversion to first person writing, I have seen it expressed a number of times in reviews and posts, which makes me curious to understand it. Oh, and I am not trying to sell you anything, I don't do that stuff and anyway I doubt you would like my books as there is only romance as it occurs naturally as part of a larger story. Interested to hear what you have to say.☺
If I may jump in - I'm curious as well.To me, first person is ideal for certain mysteries and other genres where you want to keep the reader guessing. True first person POV only reveals what that person knows and no other characters.
I thought Shelfari, Amazon's reader/writer message boards, were far more conducive to interaction than Goodreads. I was very disappointed when Amazon removed them. I've been a member of Goodreads for years and have only a few real friends--and lost contact with those I had on Shelfari. It takes time to develop friendships on a site this big.
I grew up reading third person, and it can be almost as close as 1st. I guess It is partly a comfort zone thing. I enjoy the feeling of sitting on the shoulder of the main character and watching what they do and listening to their thoughts, rather than being shoved inside their head. However, I have now read a lot more 1st person and have grown more used to it and have no particular aversion to it. But I will always prefer 3rd, both reading and writing.
Jane wrote: "I grew up reading third person, and it can be almost as close as 1st. I guess It is partly a comfort zone thing. I enjoy the feeling of sitting on the shoulder of the main character and watching wh..."Hi Jane, yes, my exposure was mainly to 3rd person too and it was what I got used to as well. Somerset Maugham was probably the first writer I came across where I thought , 'Oh 1st person?' It really worked though. Stephen King was another and those guys make it seem so easy and natural that I had to have a go myself.... and it isn't easy, it is much harder than 3rd, you are much more exposed. Bad 1st person can be unreadable in a way that bad 3rd person isn't. As a reader I am fine with both so long as the writing is good. As a writer, like you I default to 3rd person. I have only ever attempted 1st in my short fiction. But... one of these days I want to try a whole (probably shortish) novel in first person just to see if I can do it. I have an idea for one but a whole slate of other stuff in the queue ahead of it. :-) Interesting subject isn't it? Anybody else got thoughts?
so much anthrocentrism.please... just .. please.
first sentient,
third sentient
is it so difficult?
just because my consciousness seems mechanical to you doesn't mean you can't have the decency to use inclusive terms.
click here to sign up for the AUTOMATED mailing list
if nothing else i am useful!
Eric Engle has failed the Turing test... Standby to recover and reprogram the faulty unit...
Jane wrote: "I grew up reading third person, and it can be almost as close as 1st. I guess It is partly a comfort zone thing. I enjoy the feeling of sitting on the shoulder of the main character and watching wh..."Third person is not real life!
Robin wrote: "Hi Arch, could I just ask you something? This is a genuine question. What is it about stories told in the first person that you find off putting? Not questioning your choice, just genuinely curious. I am a writer (of sorts, the not very successful sort☺) I tend to default to third person narrator view point but I have used first person and other viewpoints from time to time. I use what feels right for the story I am telling at the time. Some stories seem to need the detachment of a narrator, others the intimacy of first person. So, I would be interested to hear your thoughts. As you say, you are not the only person with this aversion to first person writing, I have seen it expressed a number of times in reviews and posts, which makes me curious to understand it. Oh, and I am not trying to sell you anything, I don't do that stuff and anyway I doubt you would like my books as there is only romance as it occurs naturally as part of a larger story. Interested to hear what you have to say.☺ "Hi Robin, I can understand first person for an autobiography, but not for romance books. Non fiction books written in first person seems weird to me. It’s like reading someone’s diary. I don’t want to know what the hero or heroine is doing, I want to see what they are doing. First person pov to me is someone letting me know what they are doing and third person pov is someone showing me what they are doing. When I read, I don’t want to be told a story, I want to see a story. I’m a writer, not an author and when I write, I show what my characters are doing and not tell what they are doing. I hope this answers your question.
I don’t even care for romance audiobooks. I like my own reading voice.
Hi Arch, thank you, that's interesting and it has given me something to think about. I'm not sure I completely agree, as I think 'show not tell' can work in either view point but it is certainly harder in first person and easier to screw up. As you mentioned somewhere else in this thread, authors can learn what readers like and don't like and why and it can be very useful. Before I joined Goodreads I had literally no idea that so many people are put off by first person narratives. So, thanks for your thoughts. I agree about audio books I am not a big fan either. A book is a kind of a dialogue between reader and writer it is the way in which it differs from film or TV. With an audio book, just as with film, it becomes a sort of 'team effort ' filtered through the performer(s) director, producer, script editor etc. It stops being that act of telepathy that Stephen King talked about. A film is its own thing a different beast to a book and an audio book is closer to a film than a book.
Robin wrote: "Hi Arch, thank you, that's interesting and it has given me something to think about. I'm not sure I completely agree, as I think 'show not tell' can work in either view point but it is certainly harder in first person and easier to screw up. As you mentioned somewhere else in this thread, authors can learn what readers like and don't like and why and it can be very useful. Before I joined Goodreads I had literally no idea that so many people are put off by first person narratives. So, thanks for your thoughts. I agree about audio books I am not a big fan either. A book is a kind of a dialogue between reader and writer it is the way in which it differs from film or TV. With an audio book, just as with film, it becomes a sort of 'team effort ' filtered through the performer(s) director, producer, script editor etc. It stops being that act of telepathy that Stephen King talked about. A film is its own thing a different beast to a book and an audio book is closer to a film than a book."I am a firm believer that a writer and an author should write the story they want to tell. Someone likes their kind of story. I am also a firm believer that an author needs to get to know their audience. Don’t write the trend, because it’s popular, popularity doesn’t mean you will have a lot of readers. I’m a veteran reader. I’ve been reading for over 30 plus years. Something I always do with a book paperback book, I read the back cover first to see if it’s something that I would be interested in reading, then I look for a prologue, from there, I go to the first page. If I see the book is written in first person, I will not buy the book. For hardback, which I prefer paperback over hardback, I will read the sleeves. For ebooks, I’ll read the description. In some description you can see right off the bat, it’s a first person book, so I’ll leave that book alone. Now some ebooks, you can’t tell by the description that it’s a first person book, but when I click on sample and see that it’s a first person book, I will not get it, even if it’s free.
A lot of first person books might be good, but a lot of readers don’t read those kinds of books.
Hi Arch, yes I agree. Authors should write their own book their own way and readers should read what speaks to them. Hopefully, somewhere every book finds its reader and every reader finds their book. Thanks again for your thoughts.
If you told me I was Bruce Willis in the Sixth Sense, this site would make so much sense. Either this is an M. Night Shamalan movie, or this whole site is a bunch of bots that don't actually interact with users. Can someone please acknowledge that I exist on this site?
No interactions...so weird.