An Open Letter to the Readers

[Zenith77]

Hi.

I'm an author, I'm a reader, and I've been around on here for years. I've written and published a million+ words on Lit, and got those little red Hs in abundance. This profile isn't the one I publish under.

I'd like to talk about voting, categories, and how to get the most out of the buttons you click.

As you are no doubt aware, Lit authors earn absolutely fucking nothing for their work and time. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Yes, we do it anyway, because we love to write, and we love to get comments from you, the readers, when you've enjoyed what we've written. That's the only payment we get, and it's not very much. No one is complaining - we do it because we love it. Still. A comment goes a long way, and motivated authors write more.

I expect you have your favourite category. Perhaps you like Non-Con, or Romance, or maybe Incest is more your thing. It's all good - that's why we have categories. But one of the reasons I'm writing this is to ask you to think about what that category means. Let's take Romance, as a great example. Romance generally refers to "a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an 'emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending,'" according to Wiki. But not every story that's a romance has a 'Happy Ever After', and that doesn't mean it's not a romance. Maybe you only like 'nice' characters - that's fine - but it doesn't mean that romances with flawed characters aren't still romances.

And it doesn't mean the story isn't good, just because you didn't like it.

It's the same in all categories. The Incest story mentioned a mom, when all you wanted was daddy/daughter? Or the non-con didn't have enough permission, or maybe too much? Maybe you didn't think that woman in LW deserved a second chance, or the sex in that non-human story was too 'human'. For that matter, maybe there was too much sex, or not enough - tough break!

But is that really a reason to down-vote the story if it's well-written? Fantasies are so subjective. Everyone has their own unique take. Vive la difference, right?

Here's the thing: don't punish the authors if what they've written isn't what you want to read.

If you want to want to score them poorly for bad writing, that's up to you - though even then you could, like, not score them instead, and perhaps leave a constructive comment on where they might improve. Or just click 'back'. You can always just click 'back'.

But an author that has poured hours and hours and hours of effort to bring you a quality piece of work that is free, with all the blood, sweat, and tears that goes with that - I think they deserve better than to be scored down because they didn't hit your buttons on that particular try.

Why should you care?

Because demotivated authors write less. A lot less. Some stop entirely. Good authors, who write good stories, stop. They don't always try again and get better, they stop. Best case: they don't write in that category anymore (y'know? The category you wanted to read?). Worst case: they go elsewhere. Then you have less to read.

I know this will fall on a lot of deaf ears. I get that most of you have already stopped reading and are frustrated there's not a '1' button on the bottom of this thread. But if just a few of you can reflect on the benefits of constructive feedback, and a few more can accept that the story was good - even though it wasn't your thing, in that moment - then Lit can be a happier place for it.

Happy, motivated authors write more.

Perhaps you could go read something new and leave the author a nice comment.

Thanks,
Z.

 

[AceDesSpades]

I don't think you're in the right forum.

 

[Debbie]

Try the story feedback forum.

 

[John Doe]

So you want people on a porn site to vote on and review stories objectively instead of by whether or not it trips their particular trigger? Good luck with that.

 

[Saint_Ann]

There are stories here?

 

[Llehlla]

Hi.

I'm an author, I'm a reader, and I've been around on here for years. I've written and published a million+ words on Lit, and got those little red Hs in abundance. This profile isn't the one I publish under.

I'd like to talk about voting, categories, and how to get the most out of the buttons you click.

As you are no doubt aware, Lit authors earn absolutely fucking nothing for their work and time. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Yes, we do it anyway, because we love to write, and we love to get comments from you, the readers, when you've enjoyed what we've written. That's the only payment we get, and it's not very much. No one is complaining - we do it because we love it. Still. A comment goes a long way, and motivated authors write more.

I expect you have your favourite category. Perhaps you like Non-Con, or Romance, or maybe Incest is more your thing. It's all good - that's why we have categories. But one of the reasons I'm writing this is to ask you to think about what that category means. Let's take Romance, as a great example. Romance generally refers to "a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an 'emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending,'" according to Wiki. But not every story that's a romance has a 'Happy Ever After', and that doesn't mean it's not a romance. Maybe you only like 'nice' characters - that's fine - but it doesn't mean that romances with flawed characters aren't still romances.

And it doesn't mean the story isn't good, just because you didn't like it.

It's the same in all categories. The Incest story mentioned a mom, when all you wanted was daddy/daughter? Or the non-con didn't have enough permission, or maybe too much? Maybe you didn't think that woman in LW deserved a second chance, or the sex in that non-human story was too 'human'. For that matter, maybe there was too much sex, or not enough - tough break!

But is that really a reason to down-vote the story if it's well-written? Fantasies are so subjective. Everyone has their own unique take. Vive la difference, right?

Here's the thing: don't punish the authors if what they've written isn't what you want to read.

If you want to want to score them poorly for bad writing, that's up to you - though even then you could, like, not score them instead, and perhaps leave a constructive comment on where they might improve. Or just click 'back'. You can always just click 'back'.

But an author that has poured hours and hours and hours of effort to bring you a quality piece of work that is free, with all the blood, sweat, and tears that goes with that - I think they deserve better than to be scored down because they didn't hit your buttons on that particular try.

Why should you care?

Because demotivated authors write less. A lot less. Some stop entirely. Good authors, who write good stories, stop. They don't always try again and get better, they stop. Best case: they don't write in that category anymore (y'know? The category you wanted to read?). Worst case: they go elsewhere. Then you have less to read.

I know this will fall on a lot of deaf ears. I get that most of you have already stopped reading and are frustrated there's not a '1' button on the bottom of this thread. But if just a few of you can reflect on the benefits of constructive feedback, and a few more can accept that the story was good - even though it wasn't your thing, in that moment - then Lit can be a happier place for it.

Happy, motivated authors write more.

Perhaps you could go read something new and leave the author a nice comment.

Thanks,
Z.

Agree. What I would give for a comment! A “great story!” would help so much. I sometimes feel like I’m writing and drawing in a ghost town. Pretty lonely.

 

[KayakJack]

I don't think you're in the right forum.

I HATE how dismissive people here can be. An author pours their heart out, then - crickets. I see you editor - not a good look. At all.

 

[Llehlla]

Try the story feedback forum.

I HATE how dismissive people here can be. An author pours their heart out, then - crickets. I see you editor - not a good look. At all.

Agree.

 

[AmberSolis]

The thing is, different categories bring different responses. A tale of a cheating wife in Loving Wives usually gets a bunch of negative responses. Whereas a a cheating wife in Erotic Couplings, gets a lot of "OMG! That was SO HOT!!!"

Long story short: Write what you want, post it in a category, and you, as the author, are done.

Love,
Amber

 

[live4thebj]

Hi.

I'm an author, I'm a reader, and I've been around on here for years. I've written and published a million+ words on Lit, and got those little red Hs in abundance. This profile isn't the one I publish under.

I'd like to talk about voting, categories, and how to get the most out of the buttons you click.

As you are no doubt aware, Lit authors earn absolutely fucking nothing for their work and time. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Yes, we do it anyway, because we love to write, and we love to get comments from you, the readers, when you've enjoyed what we've written. That's the only payment we get, and it's not very much. No one is complaining - we do it because we love it. Still. A comment goes a long way, and motivated authors write more.

I expect you have your favourite category. Perhaps you like Non-Con, or Romance, or maybe Incest is more your thing. It's all good - that's why we have categories. But one of the reasons I'm writing this is to ask you to think about what that category means. Let's take Romance, as a great example. Romance generally refers to "a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an 'emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending,'" according to Wiki. But not every story that's a romance has a 'Happy Ever After', and that doesn't mean it's not a romance. Maybe you only like 'nice' characters - that's fine - but it doesn't mean that romances with flawed characters aren't still romances.

And it doesn't mean the story isn't good, just because you didn't like it.

It's the same in all categories. The Incest story mentioned a mom, when all you wanted was daddy/daughter? Or the non-con didn't have enough permission, or maybe too much? Maybe you didn't think that woman in LW deserved a second chance, or the sex in that non-human story was too 'human'. For that matter, maybe there was too much sex, or not enough - tough break!

But is that really a reason to down-vote the story if it's well-written? Fantasies are so subjective. Everyone has their own unique take. Vive la difference, right?

Here's the thing: don't punish the authors if what they've written isn't what you want to read.

If you want to want to score them poorly for bad writing, that's up to you - though even then you could, like, not score them instead, and perhaps leave a constructive comment on where they might improve. Or just click 'back'. You can always just click 'back'.

But an author that has poured hours and hours and hours of effort to bring you a quality piece of work that is free, with all the blood, sweat, and tears that goes with that - I think they deserve better than to be scored down because they didn't hit your buttons on that particular try.

Why should you care?

Because demotivated authors write less. A lot less. Some stop entirely. Good authors, who write good stories, stop. They don't always try again and get better, they stop. Best case: they don't write in that category anymore (y'know? The category you wanted to read?). Worst case: they go elsewhere. Then you have less to read.

I know this will fall on a lot of deaf ears. I get that most of you have already stopped reading and are frustrated there's not a '1' button on the bottom of this thread. But if just a few of you can reflect on the benefits of constructive feedback, and a few more can accept that the story was good - even though it wasn't your thing, in that moment - then Lit can be a happier place for it.

Happy, motivated authors write more.

Perhaps you could go read something new and leave the author a nice comment.

Thanks,
Z.

Blah blah blah!!! I am an author and I say shut up. You want this and that for your work. Well nice to want things. Don’t want a one star. Disable voting.

 

[lil_jenni]

As I was reading the OP's post, I had this nagging thought that the rating system is actually based on what the reader likes, not the quality of the story. So, I checked it. Here is Lit's rating system for stories:

– Hate it
– Dislike
– Average
– Like it
– Love it

I will admit that 'average' is a little odd compared to the others (it should probably be 'Meh'). But given the other options, the rating system is not based on objective quality; it is based on subjective reaction. The best a writer can hope for is that a reader who hates the story chooses not to vote. But I don't think we should be castigating readers for using the rating system the site has in place.

 

[Llehlla]

As I was reading the OP's post, I had this nagging thought that the rating system is actually based on what the reader likes, not the quality of the story. So, I checked it. Here is Lit's rating system for stories:

– Hate it
– Dislike
– Average
– Like it
– Love it

I will admit that 'average' is a little odd compared to the others (it should probably be 'Meh'). But given the other options, the rating system is not based on objective quality; it is based on subjective reaction. The best a writer can hope for is that a reader who hates the story chooses not to vote. But I don't think we should be castigating readers for using the rating system the site has in place.

I never expected otherwise from the rating system. We aren’t putting our efforts in front of a panel of literary experts (although there may be some in the audience). I think it’s a perfectly appropriate rating system for an erotica site. People come here to read/look at things that they hope will excite them sexually. That’s a subjective, individual reaction; there’s nothing objective about it.

 

[lc69hunter]

Hi.

I'm an author, I'm a reader, and I've been around on here for years. I've written and published a million+ words on Lit, and got those little red Hs in abundance. This profile isn't the one I publish under.

I'd like to talk about voting, categories, and how to get the most out of the buttons you click.

As you are no doubt aware, Lit authors earn absolutely fucking nothing for their work and time. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Yes, we do it anyway, because we love to write, and we love to get comments from you, the readers, when you've enjoyed what we've written. That's the only payment we get, and it's not very much. No one is complaining - we do it because we love it. Still. A comment goes a long way, and motivated authors write more.

I expect you have your favourite category. Perhaps you like Non-Con, or Romance, or maybe Incest is more your thing. It's all good - that's why we have categories. But one of the reasons I'm writing this is to ask you to think about what that category means. Let's take Romance, as a great example. Romance generally refers to "a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an 'emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending,'" according to Wiki. But not every story that's a romance has a 'Happy Ever After', and that doesn't mean it's not a romance. Maybe you only like 'nice' characters - that's fine - but it doesn't mean that romances with flawed characters aren't still romances.

And it doesn't mean the story isn't good, just because you didn't like it.

It's the same in all categories. The Incest story mentioned a mom, when all you wanted was daddy/daughter? Or the non-con didn't have enough permission, or maybe too much? Maybe you didn't think that woman in LW deserved a second chance, or the sex in that non-human story was too 'human'. For that matter, maybe there was too much sex, or not enough - tough break!

But is that really a reason to down-vote the story if it's well-written? Fantasies are so subjective. Everyone has their own unique take. Vive la difference, right?

Here's the thing: don't punish the authors if what they've written isn't what you want to read.

If you want to want to score them poorly for bad writing, that's up to you - though even then you could, like, not score them instead, and perhaps leave a constructive comment on where they might improve. Or just click 'back'. You can always just click 'back'.

But an author that has poured hours and hours and hours of effort to bring you a quality piece of work that is free, with all the blood, sweat, and tears that goes with that - I think they deserve better than to be scored down because they didn't hit your buttons on that particular try.

Why should you care?

Because demotivated authors write less. A lot less. Some stop entirely. Good authors, who write good stories, stop. They don't always try again and get better, they stop. Best case: they don't write in that category anymore (y'know? The category you wanted to read?). Worst case: they go elsewhere. Then you have less to read.

I know this will fall on a lot of deaf ears. I get that most of you have already stopped reading and are frustrated there's not a '1' button on the bottom of this thread. But if just a few of you can reflect on the benefits of constructive feedback, and a few more can accept that the story was good - even though it wasn't your thing, in that moment - then Lit can be a happier place for it.

Happy, motivated authors write more.

Perhaps you could go read something new and leave the author a nice comment.

Thanks,
Z.

We have discussed this in the Authors Hangout quite extensively, as well as here on the general board. The General Board is probably not the best place to discuss this, as we tend to get the lowest common denominator, (except for the Politics Board) of all forums on Lit.