here from meta friday
I have to agree with a commenter above me that the example you used "Well, that was good" sort of seems negative to me as well. I think, too, that it's the 'Well' in the beginning of the sentence that makes it sound like the tone is slightly sarcastic or implies "it could have been better." A simple declaration of enjoyment like the example "I enjoyed this." or "This is good!" would please me greatly if it was a comment to one of my stories.

I have to say that as a writer, I enjoy each and everyone of the comments I get, even if its short or just says, "Aww, cute!" But I remember I used to be very shy in leaving comments myself when I couldn't figure out what to say, or articulate even why I enjoyed a particular fic or even a piece of art. It wasn't until I started writing and posting that writing online that I got better at commenting.

But as far as regular journal entries, I sometimes have no time to comment at all because I can barely keep up with my flist. I read everything, but yeah, sometimes I just run out of time, so I certainly understand when people on my flist don't comment to all of my entries in return. I also remember being a very shy commenter period, so I would never cut someone off my flist if they didn't comment enough. I don't necessarily always add people back in the first place though, unless I know them or they do comment once to say, Hi, I'm suchandsuch and I'm friending you because I enjoy reading your journal--or something similar to that.

Anyway, long story short, I'm sorry that people de-friend you because of your lack of commenting. I don't think that's cool at all. :/

As far as the poll idea goes, I put a hit counter on my fics so I can see if they're being read or not, and that helps me feel better even if there are a lack of comments. As far as my regular entries are concerned, I just don't worry about it. I realize that people have lives and don't always have time to comment on my entries and stuff. I definitely don't get upset about it.