Forum Behavior That Makes You Crazy

[JRHoch]

There are people who ask questions, usually about their script or their characters designs, many, many times. When they post they always mention their comic (by the way, definitely read https://tapas.io/series/Afterlifer), and they rarely bother to advise other people who ask for help or bother to look at the comics of the various people who help them. This is what I mean by takers.

[Trevor]

just thought of a new one

-when someone posts and advertises their comic or novel in 99999 different “if you have X subs, post comic/novel” threads and spams the fuck out of my latest feed

[Kann]

I just thought of people, who make new thread whenever they update their comic/novel instead of keeping it all in one place. Though usually someone explaining them they shouldn't do that usually fixes the issue.

[vothnthorvaldson]

I understand, I did that also (when I asked for some critics for my comic I said what I wanted them to be directed at because I already knew some of the more blatant issues and did not care for hearing them again), so yes I can understand why people would put restrictions on what they want to discuss. But I don't consider that to be set in stone.

You know, I think this is a very small issue, but that is just adding to frustration, like another restriction on what can be discussed or what can't.
Actually, you're a good example (and as far as I know that's completely NOT your fault): I spent way too much time researching/verifying stuff to post in your subjects (the more controversial type you seem to like ) only to realize someone got them closed in the meantime. (Which means discussion discouraged AND people encouraged to reply fast without thinking and verifying facts. Whatever I'm being told I will never consider that healthy for a forum).
So that's why I stopped answering your subjects (or I do it very superficially). Not because they are not interesting, not because I don't like you, but because I don't think it's acceptable to shut up everyone because one individual may have said something that may irritate someone.
From what I have understood it's not yourself asking your subjects to be closed so that's not why I tell you. I just wanted to give you some context about my frustration.
That goes back to the subject, on a forum where discussion is encouraged, I would be way more careful about poster's wishes as I would not feel this is yet another constraint, like I feel here (and I would answer more of your 'controversial' threads ).

[Adeca]

My biggest turn offs are drama llamas, flame wars, fight posts, and general disrespect to people. People who complain for complaining sake.

Mostly this. It doesn't always madden me, though. It probably depends on if all the pointless arguing and complaining is about something interesting or relevant to me, to an extent, because it hinders the readability of the thread. Or because I'm already in a bad mood, idk.

when someone makes a reply and immediately deletes it

Also this.

My biggest issue with internet forums is moderation, though. Censorship just disgusts me in each and every one of its forms. Just... UGH. I only tolerate it against spam and hardcore trolling, because who cares. But when I see posts get deleted just because of unpopular opinions (even if VERY unpopular) or for containing the occasional meme (even if flat out unproductive)... Now THAT is what drives me mad af.

[AceRagz]

I don't know if someone has to be constantly asking for advice on their comic/novel they really don't sound like the best person for someone else to go seeking advice from.

[AceRagz]

It's not fair to say that if someone has low views or subs that they should blame it on their quality alone just the same as it is unfair to blame bl. I've seen comics with terrible art that still get a lot of attention. The truth of the matter is there is a high volume of comics/novels being published daily here even hourly. You can watch your comic be whipped off the fresh page in a matter of seconds some days. With the high volume of content being posted here it's like youtube people are going to be lost in the shuffle. It's just the nature of the beast.

[darthmongoose]

I think you've kind of reduced the meaning of my post to the point of missing a bit of the nuance here. I even said that there are comics that suffer in relative popularity due to subject matter or genre. But I don't see those people complaining on the forums. I was commenting on the prevalence of people complaining on the forums, blaming their lack of popularity on genre, and how the majority of the time, their comic is drawn and written to such a poor standard that it's far more likely the art or writing that's putting people off before they even get to the themes.

I've yet to see a comic with very high quality art and writing and more than a handful of pages that's got less than a few hundred followers, and I have been looking, because I've been on the lookout for good, underappreciated comics, trawling through the site and forums checking out anything that catches my eye. I'm drawing a non-BL comic in the Action genre (a genre with comparatively few comics here), so I've been looking to follow people making similar stuff and cheer them on. I don't expect to get a massive following myself, so I want to befriend people who similarly are passionate about making comics they care about to a high standard rather than chasing popularity. There might be some I haven't discovered yet, but I was talking about forum behaviour, not "stuff that happens on this site".

I have seen a few comics with pretty poor art and writing with lots of followers, but I don't think that's necessarily something that stops good comics getting readers, no matter how frustrating and unfair it might feel when you're working hard and comparing yourself to your peers. More people on the site reading comics, even bad ones, means more people on the site who might start reading your comic.

[Iris-Grimoire]

Still, marketing plays a big part on getting those followers, and even the best of artists might not really sell their comic right and relies too much on those precious 40 minutes on Fresh(which will only decrease the more people start actively posting on that hour). A less skillful artist might know exactly how to make you click that link on Twitter, or how to lure you in with composition and pacing, and it more than compensates. Though I do understand the examples that you're talking about, since there were some people posting works they didn't even seem to show off to friends or anyone before losing that precious first impression on Episode 1.

but boy this makes me self conscious about what I'm doing right or wrong with my comic regardless

[JRHoch]

I've yet to see a comic with very high quality art and writing and more than a handful of pages that's got less than a few hundred followers

Defining high-quality art and writing is very subjective. Where would you rate your own comic?

I've seen many popular comics that have neither quality art nor writing. What they have is marketing and visibility.

[LCT_m_a_d]

Cookie cutter "wholesome" responses to creative frustrations.

This drives me crazy, though it's not a bad behavior because It did force me to look elsewhere for answers and re-evaluate my role in the community here.
It's also admirable that people want to try to keep things positive here and you can only expect so much from online networks.

But yeah, when someone is frustrated I try to think no matter how silly the reason may be, they deserve to be supported and heard as a person and community member.

[LCT_m_a_d]

I've yet to see a comic with very high quality art and writing and more than a handful of pages that's got less than a few hundred followers, and I have been looking, because I've been on the lookout for good, underappreciated comics, trawling through the site and forums checking out anything that catches my eye.

Really? I'm following quite a few of them. You should check them out.
In regards to quality, maybe the better term would be a lot of genuine effort and skill is demonstrated on the art side.

[JRHoch]

In regards to quality, maybe the better term would be a lot of genuine effort and skill is demonstrated on the art side.

Maybe "genuine effort and skill is demonstrated on the art side" should be replaced by appeals to a 12-year-old.

[AceRagz]

My point is there is no point in complaining. It bothers me to see people complaining about stats in the forum. I don't care really what they want to blame it on in the end since I just get annoyed by it regardless. I see people with next to no subs complain alongside people with 1k+ subs complain they aren't getting the stats they believe they should. It turns me off from checking out their work to be honest. I never complain about my stats since I'm actually satisfied with them. I put out my comic and people read it and that is good enough for me.

[azzy-m]

“my comic may have bad art but the writing is EXCELLENT!”

To be honest, just this statement in general. Like, who says this to an artist's face?

[skicoak]

To be honest, just this statement in general. Like, who says this to an artist's face?

This is hilarious ! I never considered how this related back to the artist.

[JRHoch]

My parents had a certain policy when raising their children. No whining. And if you did, you got beaten with a shoe. Ahhh, the old days when good parenting and child abuse were the same thing.

[skicoak]

My parents had a certain policy when raising their children. No whining. And if you did, you got beaten with a shoe.

Your parents could afford shoes?!?

Well check out the fancy pants on Mr. Monopoly over here!

[AllynCrowe]

You had parents, pfft. Kids these days and their luxuries.

[vothnthorvaldson]

Time for this one