Feedback Please (Trans Erotic Story Enthusiasts Only Please)

[comegently]

I'm a little puzzled as to why my latest story, https://www.literotica.com/s/tgirl-gets-5g-connection, is lower-rated than my others, especially as I put more work into it.
Is it not focussed enough, maybe? Or do the illustrations detract from the content?
Can anyone enlighten me?
I'm interested in the opinions of those who are into Trans Erotica. I know it isn't everyone's thing.
Do you prefer stories written in the First Person?

 

[Soshameless11]

I thought it was quite enjoyable, and I loved the illustrations.

 

[SasquatchMD]

I also thought this was quite nice, and that the illustrations added to the experience. I do notice that this was posted to the Illustrations category while your other stories are posted to the Trans category. I'm not that familiar with the nuances of how voting tends to go, but perhaps that could account for the lower rating?

 

[KeithD]

I'm not an enthusiast, so won't comment on the story, but I think SasquatchMD is spot on with the "it's probably the category it's posted too" explanation and I think it makes sense trans stories posted to the Illustrated category will rate lower than those posted to the Trans/Crossdressing category. Your other story posted to Illustrated is lower scored as well.

Trans has a very specific audience. Although you'd think that having the story illustrated would enhance it, that doesn't seem to be the case here. Illustrated trumps Trans, but many trans readers don't know to look in Illustrated for their interest in trans, and Illustrated is how it's going to be listed on the daily New list.

 

[comegently]

I'm not an enthusiast, so won't comment on the story, but I think SasquatchMD is spot on with the "it's probably the category it's posted too" explanation and I think it makes sense trans stories posted to the Illustrated category will rate lower than those posted to the Trans/Crossdressing category. Your other story posted to Illustrated is lower scored as well.

Trans has a very specific audience. Although you'd think that having the story illustrated would enhance it, that doesn't seem to be the case here. Illustrated trumps Trans, but many trans readers don't know to look in Illustrated for their interest in trans, and Illustrated is how it's going to be listed on the daily New list.

Now that's interesting and probably very relevant. So if you submit an illustrated story, that presumably happens automatically. I wonder if there is any way to submit an illustrated story but make the main category something else. Thank you to you and Sasquatch for this observation, because I think it is key.

 

[KeithD]

Now that's interesting and probably very relevant. So if you submit an illustrated story, that presumably happens automatically. I wonder if there is any way to submit an illustrated story but make the main category something else. Thank you to you and Sasquatch for this observation, because I think it is key.

No, I think it can only goes in Illustrated if it has illustrations (but I don't include illustrations in mine, so maybe someone who does can weigh in on this). GM stories are somewhat similar. Whether they are Romances or Fetish, they all have to go in GM to avoid being overlooked by the base readership.

 

[AngstIgnored]

Is it possible to post two versions, one illustrated, one not, then have the plain text one reference the existence of the other if people want that instead?

 

[KeithD]

Is it possible to post two versions, one illustrated, one not, then have the plain text one reference the existence of the other if people want that instead?

Laurel has not accepted two versions of anything (at least without a struggle--I have one and I no longer remember what the circumstance of that was) into the file as far as I have experienced.

 

[comegently]

Is it possible to post two versions, one illustrated, one not, then have the plain text one reference the existence of the other if people want that instead?

I think that would add too much confusion, but for a somewhat niche category like Transgender, that category should be at the top of the categorization, rather than the fact it happens to be an illustrated story.
If there were a European tourist guide to castles, one might imagine the content top-liners to remain French Castles, German Castles, Spanish Castles, etc., even if only some of the descriptions included color photos.

My opinion, really, is that the fact a story is illustrated is incidental. A tag rather than a category. I know the presence of illustrations affects reviews, so it's still something one would have to indicate on submission, but after that, maybe just something to indicate in a viewed list, rather than to categorize by.

 

[comegently]

No, I think it can only goes in Illustrated if it has illustrations (but I don't include illustrations in mine, so maybe someone who does can weigh in on this). GM stories are somewhat similar. Whether they are Romances or Fetish, they all have to go in GM to avoid being overlooked by the base readership.

Sorry I don't quite understand the point here. I clicked "submit an illustrated story" because the word doc contained illustrations. My understanding is that you have to do that, whether or not you want it to be reclassified.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Is it possible to post two versions, one illustrated, one not, then have the plain text one reference the existence of the other if people want that instead?

No. The site doesn't allow duplicates, and the default for illustrated stories is that single category - possibly to do with the additional server space required for the larger data files, a dedicated server, maybe (I don't know).

The alternative is to submit your story in plain text and the illustrations separately, and put in a note either at the bottom of the story or in the comments. Linking them all together can be done but gets complicated, and is it really worth the effort?

Embedded illustrations diminish the effect of a story for me, because what's the likelihood that I'll like the visual imagery? Not high. Whereas word imagery allows my imagination to run, which is always going to be more effective.

 

[comegently]

No. The site doesn't allow duplicates, and the default for illustrated stories is that single category - possibly to do with the additional server space required for the larger data files, a dedicated server, maybe (I don't know).

The alternative is to submit your story in plain text and the illustrations separately, and put in a note either at the bottom of the story or in the comments. Linking them all together can be done but gets complicated, and is it really worth the effort?

Embedded illustrations diminish the effect of a story for me, because what's the likelihood that I'll like the visual imagery? Not high. Whereas word imagery allows my imagination to run, which is always going to be more effective.

Very interesting points. Maybe I should stick to text only. Maybe it's like fancy-flavoring coffee. It's suppose to be better but in the end maybe it isn't.

 

[AlexBailey]

I’m into trans-erotica.

A few thoughts:

* I agree with others who have posted here about the category issue. Trans tends to be a down vote for many readers who aren’t looking for such a story. Even if you were down voted by only one-in-ten it would make a significant hit on your story rating.

* While the story was about a fun little romp, it didn’t pull me into being interested in the characters, and I didn’t have any emotional connection to them. Also, while ‘5G’ was in the title, it had little to do with the story - not that it has to, but i think the title should help set the stage. (Take this with a grain of salt as it is just a matter of taste.)

* I’ve seen some stories where a link to a picture page was added or mentioned in comments by the author. Unless you’re doing a graphic novel, I like separating them because the pictures can interfere with my imagination and pull me out of the action. The separate page makes it so I can take the pics or leave them and it doesn’t affect my enjoyment of the story. (Again, this is just a matter of taste - there are probably lots of readers who will love the pics.)

I haven’t read your other stories for comparison yet, but I’ll bet they got a better reception simply by being in the TG/CD section. I’ll check out your other stuff this weekend.

-Alex

 

[AlexBailey]

...
I'm interested in the opinions of those who are into Trans Erotica. I know it isn't everyone's thing.
Do you prefer stories written in the First Person?

I read 'Seduced At My Friend's Wedding', I like your use of first person. I felt more connected to the character than I did with 5G, but that's just my preference, I wrote my novel in first person present. I like your short storys - quick and fun little fantasy pieces.