That’s a fantastic question–and one I ask myself often. Particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays when I receive the most comments.
The reasons are multi-faceted, but rooted in distraction. (actually, my daughter has been trying to convince me that I have some sort of undiagnosed Attention-Deficit Disorder, and there might be something to it)
-
- I thought I did.
- I started to and a metaphorical squirrel popped-up in front of me (a dog, a grandchild, my wife saying something, an email/text)
- I forgot to check the comments.
- Poor time management (when I’m not at work)
- Worse organization skills (ditto)
- I’m super-busy and or tired, and things like being polite and attentive to readers falls off my radar.
- There is NOOOOO reason 7.
- I desperately want to, but I’m trapped under something heavy.
I do actually read them all within minutes of getting a notification (even when I tell myself I should wait until I have time to respond), and I generally mentally compose a response that I can’t make until later in the day. This is a significant problem leading to Number 1 above. I really do think I did respond in a timely fashion. Then I realize I didn’t when I’m back in a situation where I can’t. And then the guilt ferrets come.
I’m not saying I’ll do better–but I’m trying. But now you might understand.
Smartass Lockhaven
Just hoping this gets a response…
Carol
And then…legit comments end up in spam from time to time and I discover them a couple months later!
HCNewton
Thanks for the reminder to go check Spam!!
Priscilla King
On some blogs people try to reply to every single comment. On some, none. One of the correlations is with how many comments the blogs get. I don’t usually check back to see when or whether people replied to my comments, though on Disqus I’ll usually find the replies, eventually, and “like” that the person went to the trouble to reply. Blog commenting can feel like a conversation or like graffiti-ing…it depends on the blog!
(But I do try to post polite graffiti that adds some value to the total wall.)
HCNewton
I’m glad Carol said something about Spam so I went and found your comment.
I appreciate the graffiti!! (or, feel free to make it a conversation)
Allyson Y Johnson
I just assumed you were not longer responding to comments. It has lowered my motivation to comment, but it is still good for me to think about what I have been reading, so l, like you, intend to do better.
HCNewton
Sure looks like I haven’t been–it’s a reasonable assumption. Any news on your book?
(see, I am reading!) 🙂