Why do YOU give 1star votes on other people's stories?

[maryanek]

I'm very curious about your reasons for giving 1-star votes. Are they...

1) A sudden, intense burst of anger triggered by only one situation described in the story, often referred to as emotional voting?
(Even if the story isn't bad overall, but contains an annoying or triggering element.)

2) Obvious technical imperfections, such as a poor writing style, typos, random plot holes, or a plotline that doesn't seem very logical?

3) Because of bad tagging or a lack of trigger warnings? For example, if you dislike certain elements like scat, watersport, armpit smelling and the authors didn't provide a warning in the tags, do you then give them a 1-star rating as a form of punishment?

4) Due to the story presenting political or social views that differ from your own?

5) Unsatisfactory sexual descriptions? Does it happen when you were expecting more arousing content?

6) A personal vendetta? Do you use 1-star ratings to "rain" them on authors you dislike or consider enemies whenever they release a new story?

7) The story was good overall, but the conclusion didn't meet your expectations?

8) Because a story isn't finished and that infuriates you?

9) Do you have another reason altogether?

So, what situations prompt you to give 1-star ratings? Please let me know!

 

[Buffy47]

I think 1 star votes are a bit harsh, ok some stories are poorly written with little character building or the story can go from hello to in bed within a few lines but the fact the writer tried and took the courage to then upload the story they had written means I normally give a 2 star but I try and take into account was it badly written or was it just not a story I enjoyed because I can't blame the writer for my taste in stories.

Then there is the problem of stories in the wrong Genre can be a reason to read a story that wasn't something one would enjoy and angrily rate as a one. I can imagine if someone doesn't like Incest and within the solo genre a story about sex with a sister could create a low rating even if well written.

 

[Escierto]

I give a story one star if it is complete bullshit. It’s fine if a story is a fantasy but if you are writing a story based in reality and everyone has nine inch cocks and they are fucking in the vegetable aisle of the grocery store - I am sorry. The story is unbelievable bullshit and not worthy of my interest. If you are writing porn at least make it believable!!

 

[Brains_N_Boobs]

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."

 

[yukonnights]

I never give one star ratings on a story. If it's so poorly written as to perhaps deserve such a rating, I'm already disengaged and moving on down the line. I figure a one star rating is more like a slap in the face than of any useful purpose. As a contributing author here on Lit, I know the level of effort that's involved to write and post a story here. More likely, I'll just leave a comment that hopefully includes a few words of advice that might help the author improve on the next story.

 

[patient1]

Usually, I give a story 4 or 5 stars.
But I've read some pretty bad stories here over the decades. I've given a couple of harsh reviews (usually "Get an editor!"), made a few formal complaints (all about people who become younger over the course of the story, even though they were supposedly 18 or more to begin with), and probably a couple of 1 star reviews. It all comes down to 2&3. To generalize, I think they need to go back to the drawing board and resubmit.

 

[ToPleaseHim]

I don’t give one star ratings. I only rate stories I finish and I’d give up on a story that I think is bad. I’ve only given 4s and 5s.

 

[Debbie]

I've never given a story a 1 star rating.

Why not?

Because I think some write stories for their own enjoyment and submit them hoping readers might like them too.

I get some readers have standards and expect good grammar etc.

As an occasional erotica writer here I know it isn't easy to just rattle off a story and be completely happy with submitting it.

If I'm in the mood for some sexxxy erotica and I find a story isn't to my liking or too hard to follow I move on.

Yes I give it a score and some feedback.

 

[Paul_Chance]

I've never given a one star rating. Like @ToPleaseHim, if the story is that bad, I never make it to the end. I think the lowest I've ever given is a three and those would have been for reason number 2.

 

[ToPleaseHim]

I've never given a one star rating. Like @ToPleaseHim, if the story is that bad, I never make it to the end. I think the lowest I've ever given is a three and those would have been for reason number 2.

Yeah, and also to clarify, “bad” sure can mean a lot of things. It could be the writing. It could just not be a good fit for me. Different strokes for different folks and all that. One bombs because it wasn’t my flavor of erotica doesn’t make sense to me. But, the Loving Wives category sure shows is that plenty of folks one bomb maliciously because of the category alone.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I don’t give one star ratings. I only rate stories I finish and I’d give up on a story that I think is bad. I’ve only given 4s and 5s.

Yep, what they said. If a story isn't to my taste, a simple alt-backarrow solves it.

 

[allclad]

My guess would be because the writing was shit.

 

[maryanek]

I never give one star ratings on a story. If it's so poorly written as to perhaps deserve such a rating, I'm already disengaged and moving on down the line. I figure a one star rating is more like a slap in the face than of any useful purpose. As a contributing author here on Lit, I know the level of effort that's involved to write and post a story here. More likely, I'll just leave a comment that hopefully includes a few words of advice that might help the author improve on the next story.

It's praiseworthy, I know that some people give out 1-star ratings somewhat on principle, handing them out as easily as candies, without considering the effort of the author. But has really no one deserved a one-star? Granted, it's a "slap," but don't some of them need it?

Yeah, and also to clarify, “bad” sure can mean a lot of things. It could be the writing. It could just not be a good fit for me. Different strokes for different folks and all that. One bombs because it wasn’t my flavor of erotica doesn’t make sense to me. But, the Loving Wives category sure shows is that plenty of folks one bomb maliciously because of the category alone.

The category "Loving Wives" is quite specific; indeed, people seem to hand out 1-star ratings there with great ease. Perhaps some are overwhelmed by certain repetitive patterns they constantly encounter. For me, giving out ones is a PUNISHMENT. Simply a punishment and an emotional decision. I've seen long and well-crafted stories bombarded with ones for reasons that are inexplicable to me. Are they enemies of the author? Are other writers jealous because their work got bumped off the top story list?

I'm trying to understand why people do this—is it a result of immaturity or perhaps excessive severity?

 

[FantasySharer1]

Never. The moment I know a story is trash I move on. I'm usually reading and trying to get off with the story with a medium burn, not too slow and not too fast. The trash story is just an obstacle but I understand it was someone else's "thing".

 

[live4thebj]

Let’s see.
Ridiculous size cocks
Ridiculous size breasts
And most importantly no warning that there is male on male sex.

Lastly it just sucks.

Almost forgot because a particular author is a jerk.

I am sure there is more but do you really care?

 

[maryanek]

And most importantly no warning that there is male on male sex.

So, if I come across straight sex scenes in gay stories (which are often included in threesomes and such), should I give those stories a 1-star rating? I'm not aroused by females.
Is this a reason to penalize an author for it?

The gay category is already unfair enough. Gay people don't have their own special categories like "Gay Fantasy," "Gay Incest," "Gay BDSM," and "Gay Romance," do they?
We are essentially in some Literotica's ghetto, is this fair?

 

[live4thebj]

So, if I come across straight sex scenes in gay stories (which are often included in threesomes and such), should I give those stories a 1-star rating? I'm not aroused by females.
Is this a reason to penalize an author for it?

The gay category is already unfair enough. Gay people don't have their own special categories like "Gay Fantasy," "Gay Incest," "Gay BDSM," and "Gay Romance," do they?
We are essentially in some Literotica's ghetto, is this fair?

It’s very simple and easy to do. List the types of things in the story. Not hard. Keep in mind I primarily read Incest stories. I prefer mother and son stories. I do venture past that. I don’t read any story that doesn’t have at least a four rating.

Example. Story of a son laying in bed. Mother comes in drunk naked and horny. At some point in the story the father gets on top of the mom and 69’s her while she lays her back on the son apparently not realizing it. But wait the cock missed her and goes in the sons mouth. One star! Now if the person let the reader know there was some male on male action I wouldn’t have read it.

 

[maryanek]

It’s very simple and easy to do. List the types of things in the story. Not hard. Keep in mind I primarily read Incest stories. I prefer mother and son stories. I do venture past that. I don’t read any story that doesn’t have at least a four rating.

Example. Story of a son laying in bed. Mother comes in drunk naked and horny. At some point in the story the father gets on top of the mom and 69’s her while she lays her back on the son apparently not realizing it. But wait the cock missed her and goes in the sons mouth. One star! Now if the person let the reader know there was some male on male action I wouldn’t have read it.

You still haven't answered the question: if I come across heterosexual sex scenes in the Gay category, should I give the author a 1-star rating?

And believe me, a lot of people don't tag their stories properly. People consider straight sex as the default. It's the same in the trans category. There are straight sex scenes.

Personally, I believe that sexual orientation/activity of MCs shouldn't be a reason to penalize an author. Someone might simply forget to tag or make a mistake with the category. But hey, that's my opinion.

 

[live4thebj]

You still haven't answered the question: if I come across heterosexual sex scenes in the Gay category, should I give the author a 1-star rating?

And believe me, a lot of people don't tag their stories properly. People consider straight sex as the default. It's the same in the trans category. There are straight sex scenes.

Personally, I believe that sexual orientation/activity of MCs shouldn't be a reason to penalize an author. Someone might simply forget to tag or make a mistake with the category. But hey, that's my opinion.

Blah blah blah. I will say this then I am done with you. If you want to give a one star go ahead. Me I am finishing up my walk. Have dinner. Spend time with my fiancé. And then read the rest of an incest story with no gay sex in it before bed if time allows. Nighty night.

 

[maryanek]

story with no gay sex in it

Don't need to emphasize it... unless you want to tell us something between the lines. Have a good night!

 

[scottstone7]

I never give one star ratings on a story. If it's so poorly written as to perhaps deserve such a rating, I'm already disengaged and moving on down the line. I figure a one star rating is more like a slap in the face than of any useful purpose. As a contributing author here on Lit, I know the level of effort that's involved to write and post a story here. More likely, I'll just leave a comment that hopefully includes a few words of advice that might help the author improve on the next story.

While I'm new here I have found this to be true. Minus minus writer and comment part. I'm a reader not a writer. I was always taught if you can't do better yourself then shutup and take what you can get. I don't think I could write half as well as some of the stories here that lost my interest

 

[maryanek]

I was always taught if you can't do better yourself then shutup and take what you can get.

That's fair. Especially because people do it for... free.

 

[davion2308]

I have read good porn on this site, and generally the stories are 'pretty good' or not bad. I have also read a few stories that are absolute trash.

By that, I mean the author didn't even try. Poor editing, bad punctuation, misspelled words, no story, no attempt to create any kind of atmosphere. All of it stinks and I just give up after a few paragraphs. If I read something like that, I'll score a 2 just to warn other readers not to waste their time.

I have never given a 1. Even that person who posted crap spent some time of their life, committed some brain cells and at least a bit of effort, to doing something. 1 seems too harsh no matter what because there's a tiny bit of that person in that story. 2? For sure as a warning to others. 1? Never.

 

[grenefire]

I have never given a 1. If I don't like a story I won't finish it and therefore never bother to go to the last page to rate it. I only rate stories if I like and complete them.

 

[32aa]

I figure a one star rating is more like a slap in the face than of any useful purpose. As a contributing author here on Lit, I know the level of effort that's involved to write and post a story here.

Exactly!!! Good for you and thank you. It takes a fair amount of courage to push that 'Publish' button. I think that all of the contributing authors here on Lit want to encourage new authors, even if the story leaves a lot to be desired... At least someone took the time and effort to put something together. Unlike the 'anonymous' commentators who probably couldn't put two sentences together that made any sense.

Again... Good for you!!