About reader reactions
It’s often impossible for me to predict the reaction of readers to a new strip. For example, I expected a massive backlash when I posted the short story arc where Larisa dressed up as a pedophile for Halloween. I wrote the story already in 2011, but postponed it for a year since I was afraid it would upset too many readers. However, the comment sections of those strips remained completely calm. In contrast, I had absolutely no negative expectations when posting the current strip Ruthless?. But at least two readers have now vocally expressed their intention to stop reading Sandra and Woo because of it. Which I find strange and unjustified since the strip has unquestionably a positive message. It also already has almost 100 comments, a feat usually reserved for strips specifically about Christianity (the only certain hot topic apparently) or Sandra kissing Cloud ;).
In other news, I removed the social media widget which was used very rarely. I also made visited links turquoise so that you can see more easily which pages you have already visited.
Look, I tend to have a preference towards lighter material myself, but I’m no slave to my preferences. If a dark story is done well, then I feel it’s worth reading/viewing.
@ Rhadamanthus:
Human children, sure, squirrel children probably not so much.
@ Timber Wolf:
Timber Wolf wrote:
Aw, don’t be mean. That page hit me, too. It was much better when the storyline was completed and it was clear everything was still a comedy about goofy carnivorous animals and their strange sense of morality. Of course, two lost readers isn’t much worth anyone’s tears(unless you have a dozen readers and count on them to survive), but there’s no need to call them stupid.
@ A Person:
Well, even if there’s legit reasons to be turned off from the darker aspect of this story, criticisms/opinions should be delivered in the manner you did as opposed to juvenile means like:
– It’s dark so its teh suk.
– It’s dark and therefore I hate your work.
That’s not constructive criticism, that’s throwing a temper tantrum.
I think part of it’s Mufasa syndrome. It doesn’t help that the orphans are cats either ;). So there’s a knee-jerk reaction to the emphasis of loss that’s been reinforced via similar set of circumstances to a deep emotional tie or trauma established years before.
Even so, I think provoking deep, sometimes painful emotional responses are part of being a writer and telling a good story. Sadness and pain are just as important as joy and laughter.
Gee, talk about reader reactions! Comments got locked down fast on the July 8, 2013 “Woozilla” comic!