The other night I had 1 vote added to 9 stories and each one plunged .04 each, and each one was over 25K words so I doubt my "Fan" read more than my name, (I don't doubt that it needed help with that part too) the stories were all in a series and he followed that series down and hit story after story. His or her childishness dropped my overall average score 0.01 - and that's over 80 stories.
And a couple of readers really dislike it already.
Thanks! The rating is slowly clawing its way up to the level of the other stories in the series.Not me. I left 5️ and a positive comment. I thought it was an excellent story.
Welcome to my Fan Club!
Some people seem to be really invested in winning the contest.
The buildup was good, and the sex was hot, but to be honest, the scene felt a little disjointed and rushed.
It's difficult even generally. The conclusion that I have come to is that the line isn't some objective realism, but consistency with the "rules" the beginning of a story sets up. FTL, time travel, magic, wierd supernatural-ish events, those aren't realistic, but if a story is going to have those things, it needs to establish them right from the start, along with the limits on them, then stick to it throughout.
Right at the end, with "Aisha lying almost forgotten", is that what you mean? That came about because while I was writing that bit, I almost *had* forgotten about Aisha. I decided to leave it that way for the benefit of the I/T crowd. I'm surprised I haven't had a flood of comments yet about getting Sal pregnant.
You should see what happens to your scores if your story sits on top of the SciFi/Fantasy leaderboard for about a week.
That was the one halfway acknowlegement of it, but the vibe was already there. I think what might have set it firmly as foreshadowing rather than an oversight or unresolved loose thread would be a line, or even a phrase, where the MC felt something about it, even if it was a vague and half formed something. A subtle promise that you (the author) know that it is something to be resolved at some point.
That's what happens in pantsing. It can lead to entire sub plots, or even turn into the central conflict of the story, driving future chapters. I found myself kind of hoping he'd have to eventually have a come to Jesus moment where he was forced to make a decision, but the threesome aspect of this telegraphs that that might not happen. The series feels a little meandering at this point, I can't figure out what to worry about, what the stakes are and the risks to them.
Ahh, I know the feeling. But sometimes you have to deal with delayed gratification
It is, until you sit on top of that board for more than a couple of days then 1's start mysteriously appearing
I like it when the plot bunnies go wild and my stories wander off to unknown realms, it's kind of fun seeing what pops up
As the late Terry Pratchett said, you start writing with one idea of the plot and the characters have their own ideas and if you are good author you follow on for the ride! (approximate quote).
Welcome to the contest.
That's exactly what happened to me each time I put a story on his discworld
Duleigh: I have found your Enchantress series and will read it.
I'll take a look at your Fenchurch Chronicles.
