Official Support Thread - 5th Annual 750 Word Project

[ElectricBlue]

My story checked as having 750 words in the body of the text. As I stated early, for some reason, the front matter dispersed, even the title isn't inside the story. I didn't receive anything indicating it was too short or too long.

Provided you have the site's minimum 750 words, the story will be published.

Why anyone thinks Laurel will knock a story back because it's not "exactly" 750 words is beyond me. The word constraint is for us writers, to meet the spirit of the thing, not to get all anal retentive and pedantic about the bloody software they're using. It's about writing, not coding. Sheesh!!

 

[ElectricBlue]

Anyone recall if Lit tends to run sweeps following initial release of 750 word stories? It would seem like a good idea given the likelihood of bitter 1-bombers trying to discourage future 750 word challenges. I’m pretty sure mine has received a few…

I don't recall it, in the past. You'll have to wait for the next monthly or contest sweep, not that it will make much difference, the stories being so short. It's not as if people can jump several pages and leave a dodgy vote.

Don't worry about it, it's part of the 750 Word landscape.

 

[FifthEstate]

I'm sure all recent stories will be considered when the Valentine Contest sweeps take place. However, especially for this challenge, I wonder how many of those 1* votes should be considered troll-work, and how many of them are given by people who truly very much don't appreciate the stories that they've been given. I'm not really following the event, as I'm someone who definitely doesn't appreciate it, but even so I've read some of the stories. And although there are some of them I liked (Sticky!), I've also seen a couple of stories that, in my opinion, clearly suffered from the size restrictions and maybe also from the 'Well this is an easy way to crank up my story-volume' or 'Let's see what I can do in an hour'. I didn't vote on the ones I didn't like, but I can imagine that some people are tempted.

RubenR,
You make a great point I hadn’t really considered. Removing “low score” votes takes away the ability of Lit readers who don’t like short stories to tell us (aside from comments). This might be the only challenge/contest that is really much more for those of us participating authors, than it is for the millions of readers who visit here. I mean I’m proud of my story, but two months from now, if I had to pick one story from my library I was least excited to read, it would be this one. We might not love the idea, but they should have the right to tell us if they feel that way too. If they abstain or their votes are wiped away, we might all be encouraged to write more of these after February !

 

[ecorche]

Are the sweeps really as simple as just erasing 1-star votes? Or do they also contain some mechanism to detect and erase multiple votes coming from the same person? (Sorry, my perverted geeky nerd personality shining through again.)
And I can't help but be curious. How are you getting a vote breakdown? I can eyeball my average and make an educated guess, but as far as I can tell, there's no way to view how many 1-star votes, how many 2-stars, etc. I just get an "average / total".

 

[GrantBricksly]

Are the sweeps really as simple as just erasing 1-star votes? Or do they also contain some mechanism to detect and erase multiple votes coming from the same person? (Sorry, my perverted geeky nerd personality shining through again.)
And I can't help but be curious. How are you getting a vote breakdown? I can eyeball my average and make an educated guess, but as far as I can tell, there's no way to view how many 1-star votes, how many 2-stars, etc. I just get an "average / total".

I assume they are just making educated guesses as well...I try to keep a close eye on my score...and so when the votes are slow enough coming in, I can tell what each individual one is..(if I know my total is 445, with 99 votes, and the 100th vote comes in and my rating is now at 4.5, I know it was a 5*...)

As for the sweeps...I assume that it looks at things like multiple votes from the same IP...as well as how long the page was open before the vote was cast...(IE: If the vote was cast 30 seconds after the story was opened...and it's a 6 page story...they clearly did not read it...that vote is suspect..) That's just a guess...but that's how I would do it..

 

[KeithD]

Are the sweeps really as simple as just erasing 1-star votes? Or do they also contain some mechanism to detect and erase multiple votes coming from the same person?

The Web site doesn't reveal the formula. If they did, someone would just devise the workaround.

 

[KeithD]

Removing “low score” votes takes away the ability of Lit readers who don’t like short stories to tell us (aside from comments).

True, but I don't mind a bit that they would be made to keep that to themselves rather than punishing the author for their personal quirk. If they don't like the shorter stories, they could just not read them and leave them for those who do to appreciate.

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

I personally wouldn't mind a 1 if it was accompanied by a coherent, legitimate explanation in the comments

__________________

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of the word 'oxymoron'.

'A Literotica one-bomber giving a coherent, legitimate explanation of their action.'

 

[GrantBricksly]

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of the word 'oxymoron'.

'A Literotica one-bomber giving a coherent, legitimate explanation of their action.'

Not every 1* vote is a "1-bomber" Sometimes they just truly do not like the story. I've read some that were truly bad. For what it's worth, I tend not to vote, unless it's part of a contest, and if I do vote, anything less than a 4 gets a comment about what my issues were (in coherent thoughts)

Again, the point of the rating/comment system, is for readers, to communicate to us the writers, what they do and don't like.

And yea, when there is something bad enough to warrant anything 1-3*s, I'd like to get a comment too. I like to improve..and it's hard to do that, If I do not know what was wrong. I can't please everyone...but I can't fix a problem I don't know exists either...

 

[ElectricBlue]

Are the sweeps really as simple as just erasing 1-star votes? Or do they also contain some mechanism to detect and erase multiple votes coming from the same person? (Sorry, my perverted geeky nerd personality shining through again.)
And I can't help but be curious. How are you getting a vote breakdown? I can eyeball my average and make an educated guess, but as far as I can tell, there's no way to view how many 1-star votes, how many 2-stars, etc. I just get an "average / total".

There is a logic and a tech to the sweeps, but the site discourages speculation as to how they work, for obvious reasons. They've been developed and refined over several years, and it's enough to say they work reasonably well. With some astute observation you could probably figure it out, but if you do, don't tell.

In terms of following scores, if you watch closely enough and often enough as the story goes live, you can figure out what's arriving, but no, there's no visible data other than what you can track yourself.
.

 

[DarkWhispers2U]

Sweeps also have the potential to remove 5* votes. I learned that the hard way. Guess I shouldn't care so much about scores when they can be manipulated so easily.

 

[Differentendeavours]

Whatever their motivation, just or unjust, the one bombers find me, so I try to ignore them and focus on those who like my stories. ...I am working on two stories now for the challenge and look forward to posting them in the next week, or so!

 

[Duleigh]

I am working on two stories now for the challenge and look forward to posting them in the next week, or so!

Can't wait to see them, post a link here so we can all read them

 

[Differentendeavours]

Can't wait to see them, post a link here so we can all read them

I certainly will. Thanks!

 

[Duleigh]

Day 2 is DONE, only more to go. I need to come up with 2 more before the end of the month to make it an even 7.

 

[DarkWhispers2U]

Post a link here so we can find it!
There are a few 750 Word Project tags also

Here is my first one: https://literotica.com/s/spycraft-101-fuentes-and-fiore

 

[ecorche]

An author friend says she doesn't bother to read 1-star reviews of her books on Amazon. It's an easy click for haters. But she says if someone gives her book a 2-star review, she pays attention to that. Doesn't apply to Lit, of course, as star ratings aren't tied to comments. But the ease of the thoughtless 1-star bomb is universal.

 

[stickygirl]

An author friend says she doesn't bother to read 1-star reviews of her books on Amazon. It's an easy click for haters. But she says if someone gives her book a 2-star review, she pays attention to that. Doesn't apply to Lit, of course, as star ratings aren't tied to comments. But the ease of the thoughtless 1-star bomb is universal.

I do the same with product reviews on amazon and elsewhere. If you look at the 1-stars it's all "It wasn't blue as I'd ordered, now you've ruined Xmas" The 2s and3s are much more useful, citing 'It opens most tins in the kitchen but struggled with the Castrol Motor oil'.

 

[theWollstonecraftWoman]

I worked on a total JAP story for the contest. And I may still publish it at some point. Having been raised a JAP, I know the subject well.

"But daddy, I wanted a BMW."

 

[MrPixel]

My 750s all seem to be hovering in the mid-3s. Pretty much the same as last year at this juncture; through the year they gradually improved into the low-4s. Since I had a keyword on all three this time that would attract the attention of the more critical of our readership, I expect the periodic statistical adjustment will straighten things out.

On the plus side, my follower count has increased by 10% just since the stories went up, and all three are drawing 'favorite' hearts. I'll take it.

 

[FifthEstate]

My 750s all seem to be hovering in the mid-3s. Pretty much the same as last year at this juncture; through the year they gradually improved into the low-4s. Since I had a keyword on all three this time that would attract the attention of the more critical of our readership, I expect the periodic statistical adjustment will straighten things out.

On the plus side, my follower count has increased by 10% just since the stories went up, and all three are drawing 'favorite' hearts. I'll take it.

I checked out Stood Up Again, it was a fun read, just gave it 5️’s. No reason for it to be hovering in the mid-3’s except for the 750 word dislike thing. Mine is feeling it too.

 

[SamScribble]

How's this for high praise?

'Hmmm? Kind of strange to my thinking, but others seem to like it.'

 

[FifthEstate]

How's this for high praise?

'Hmmm? Kind of strange to my thinking, but others seem to like it.'

Not bad. Certainly beats the last 5 comments I received since last night :

"Hoping both hubby and wife get STD's and spare the world of their idiotic nonsense."

"This is the ultimate prize for submitting pure racist, cuck shit in just 750 words. Nothing redeeming in this trash. You are so much better than this, Fifth."

"What a crock of shit. Good way to lose your license as a therapist though."

"The answer is no one can write a great story in 750 words. Period!"

"Fifth....please dont waste your time and talent on the 750 word challenge...its the stupidest concept I've ever heard of. No matter how good the stories are (and this one is good), they ALL come across as unfinished......."

These came after 6 or 7 flattering ones...but I have to give some credit, only 2 were sent anonymously. I think I can safely say, my audience might not be feeling this (content or format) and I write a lot of IR…

 

[theWollstonecraftWoman]

Wow, I don't get comments that much. I have only two on my 750-word challenge. The count on the webpage for the story says 790, with disclaimer being 40 words, which means I nailed it.

 

[FifthEstate]

Not bad. Certainly beats the last 5 comments I received since last night :

"Hoping both hubby and wife get STD's and spare the world of their idiotic nonsense."

"This is the ultimate prize for submitting pure racist, cuck shit in just 750 words. Nothing redeeming in this trash. You are so much better than this, Fifth."

"What a crock of shit. Good way to lose your license as a therapist though."

"The answer is no one can write a great story in 750 words. Period!"

"Fifth....please dont waste your time and talent on the 750 word challenge...its the stupidest concept I've ever heard of. No matter how good the stories are (and this one is good), they ALL come across as unfinished......."

These came after 6 or 7 flattering ones...but I have to give some credit, only 2 were sent anonymously. I think I can safely say, my readers aren't really feeling this(content or format) and I write a lot of IR…

Ooooh...I just got another one (Anon this time):
"Awww, do all the little guilt-ridden cucks feel better about themselves for down-voting a story that made them cum?
They bead off to incest, taboo and all kinds of pervy stuff, but this is a bridge too far? ROFL!"
I'm going to have to learn how to "bead" off...sounds kind of fun !