Why I Don't Respond to Comments on Associated Content

I've been writing online (starting with blogs) for six years, and articles for almost three years (my article writing anniversary for Associated Content, the first content site I wrote for, will be this July 17th )

Surprised at my total lack of web-writing skills after this amount of time? I actually understand the basics of SEO, networking, promoting, back linking, and so on and on, I just choose to cruise by, getting mediocre payments for mostly mediocre work. I write what I feel like most of the time, with occasional inspirational attempts at actual "work". But then I get a grip on my insanity, and it's back to the old deal of sitting at the computer, writing what pops into my head at the moment. Relief.

I don't like being edited or deadlines, so I stick mainly to content sites where this isn't an issue. I don't consider myself a professional writer, nor do I ever pretend to be. I like writing, but it's not my passion. It's a way to make money, a way to get thoughts out of my head, and a way to communicate. Mostly, it's a useful tool for me. I don't have a way with words, I don't care for poetry or metaphor I just write mostly how I think or talk

I do actually have a point that deals with the topic of this article. Why don't I ever answer comments?

I realize that that's supposedly part of the online writing game, and I'm supposed to want to engage and interact with my readers, and defend my opinions and whatnot. But the truth is, I don't have the time. I write a lot. If I spent time commenting on comments all day, I would never have time to write articles and blog posts.

It would simple bog me down. I've seen a couple of people, Rebecca E on Hubpages, for example, comment on each and every comment she gets, on each article.

I find her level of dedication fascinating, but I could never imagine myself doing that. For one thing, I'm not extremely social. I tend to go through cycles of being more socially active, online and off, but most of the time I'm happy with my own company. I'm in no way shy, I just have to have a lot of "alone time".

Another reason I don't answer comments is because sometimes I get a nasty one, and it pisses me off. When I get pissed off, I tend to use bad words and just act like a troll. So in order to avoid getting kicked off the websites I write for, I stay out of the comment section as much as possible (and the forums as well, but that's a different story:)