You're so right about that! I have been lucky on my stories (plus I publish pretty rarely, so my friends tend to speak up) but I hear from authors I beta for how heartbreaking it is to only get a comment or two. I try to leave lots of comments now.

Despite how much I enjoy them, I think angsty, disturbing stories are tougher to comment on, unless I know the author well enough to feel comfortable saying something like "Ouch! *cries* the poor boys! You must make them feel better immediately. :D" without offending.

Even my slashwife emmademarais has some pieces that were mighty uncomfortable to weigh in on. :shrugs:

Are you still watching or writing N3?