A reader asks about story scores & feedback

I originally posted this in response to FictionWriter's thread, "Why So Many Views and Votes." Then I realized I really wanted answers to these questions, and thought this might be more effective. So here, at the cost of several valuable lengths of thread and modules of electricity, is an avid Lit reader's p.o.v. on story scores - and questions about the kind of feedback you authors really value.

FIVES to everyone who answers and provides a story link!

-----------------

I know the authors take their "scores" seriously, but is that any way to judge the value of your work?

Most of us scorn 'people's choice' awards when it comes to music and movies and other entertainment. We know the difference between quality work with a narrow audience, and crap that's been focus-grouped to death.

My point isn't that everything that's popular sucks, but that winning "The People's Choice Award" only means that Britney Spears fans are more likely to have the time and inclination to vote for their fave than fans of Rene Marie.

"Who?"

Exactly.

I was an avid reader of Literotica for quite a while before I ever "voted" for a story, having learned from reading this forum that you place a lot of importance on scores and feedback. I'll venture a guess that there are lots of readers who don't bother to vote or comment. Discerning readers may have some incorrect assumptions: that the best writers already know they're the best; that there's no point in diminishing a stranger's pride in his work by telling him he's "average;" and that bad writing is effectively discouraged by ignoring it.

In other words, we don't know how our opinions can possibly help - or how best to convey them.

Even when I love a story, I rarely send feedback. Not because I'm less than grateful for having been entertained for free by your talent and hard work; but because I don't want to waste your time with an unqualified critique - or look like a fawning fan, if I have nothing of value to say. Never having posted a story myself, I picture you Authors as tortured souls, Hemingway with a perpetual, painful jones...

There you are, deep in concentration, when you're distracted by another incoming e-mail. "This one had better be from somebody whose opinion I respect," you snarl. Sighing, your patience reaching its limit and your train of thought derailed, you open my smiley-enhanced, well-intended, but lame and uninformed comment:

"Great story! I never considered hamsters and electricity as erotic bedroom companions before, but now I will! I sure wish I had an oversexed brother just like Big Jesse.

Your fan,
Shereads



P.S. Something tells me that "Whiskers' Bad Day" will score a LOT of 5's...At least sixteen!!"

Here are my questions, for any authors here who'd like help readers understand the importance of story scores and written feedback.

>> Aside from contests, what means more to you? High scores from a few readers, or getting on the most-read lists?

>> If you suspect you're dealing with people who see no reason to scroll past the A's, is there a fairer way to compare the audience appeal of "Aaalonso Aaanticipates Aaaanal" versus "Zzzzzzzzs Disrupted by Erotic Dream" ? (I know there's a Random Story Selector; I never use it for the same reason I don't join a book-of-the-month club. I want to choose my own reading, by whatever nebulous criteria happen to guide me.)

>> When readers provide feedback, is it enough just to say "thanks, I liked it," or do you want to read details of someone's likes and dislikes?

>> When you receive negative feedback, does it tend to come in the form of thoughtless slams, or is it more often meant to be constructive? Is it ever constructive, if not from an experienced editor or one of your peers?

>> Do authors ever low-ball their competitors' scores? (Human nature being what it is, that isn't likely to happen, but I had to ask.)

BTW, if I seem to worry more than most about the implications of scoring or critiquing someone else's work, it's the result of having spent too many years as a copywriter - the feedback is daily, and the "suggestions" are usually mandatory. These range from "No incomplete sentences," courtesy of the client's daughter who made A's in English, to "You are so creative, you crack me up...Can you write me a really kick-ass resume?"


dammit. a typo every time i loook

No need to bribe us

As an author I want constructive criticism, If you have no inclination to critique but just want to say hey enjoyed your story that's fine too but let me know why you enjoyed it.

Well, being a new writer at Lit (two stories posted so far), I would like to get feedback that tells me what the reader liked about the story, but I would also like to know what they didn't like about the story, so I will have an idea about what needs to be improved.

My second story, which I wrote for the Holiday contest, has gotten over 50 votes, but I have only received five pieces of feedback, all of those within the first few hours it was posted. My first story has been up for a couple of weeks and has a little over 30 votes and got 10 pieces of feedback within the first week and then none since.

I personally think readers should vote on the quality of the story (grammatically well written, interesting, arousing, etc.) I have yet to receive any negative feedback, though I am sure I will at some point.

As far as low-balling, I have heard that it is done, but I don't. I rate a story based on grammar, readability, interest, etc.

Oh, the links to both of my stories are in my siggy. Votes and feedback would be appreciated for both of them.

>> Aside from contests, what means more to you? High scores from a few readers, or getting on the most-read lists?

High scores. I figure I can't get onto the most read lists anyway.

>> If you suspect you're dealing with people who see no reason to scroll past the A's, is there a fairer way to compare the audience appeal of "Aaalonso's Adams Apple" versus "Zzzzzzzzs Disrupted by Erotic Dream" ? (I know there's a Random Story Selector; I never use it for the same reason I don't join a book-of-the-month club. I want to choose my own reading, by whatever nebulous criteria happen to guide me.)

You do not get the As when you click on a category from the story index. The page on which you land may be anywhere from A-Z. I think the alphabet changes every week or so. Never checked it out. I just went to fetish and clicked on the category and was put on a page with sotires starting with J.
If you choose your own reading, the A or Z doesn't matter.


>> When readers provide feedback, is it enough just to say "thanks, I liked it," or do you want to read details of someone's likes and dislikes?

Both have their own place. Of course I'd like readers to go completely ga-ga and write me about 500 words of feedback, but... what? Can't I dream?
Seroiusly, sometimes a simple I liked it is worth a lot on a bad day. Everyone cannot write about what they liked or disliked about your story, even though that is the preferred type.

>> When you receive negative feedback, does it tend to come in the form of thoughtless slams, or is it more often meant to be constructive? Is it ever constructive, if not from an experienced editor or one of your peers?

I have never recieved a truly negative feedback. People have pointed out what they disliked or have done better in my stories, but does that qualify as negative? Yes, some people, other than an experienced edotir or people form the AH have provided feedback which was helpful.

>> Do authors ever low-ball their competitors' scores? (Human nature being what it is, that isn't likely to happen, but I had to ask.)

Dunno. I don't.

I responded in the other thread you mentioned. If i were more talented with this, I would know how to link that post.

to recap: My satisfaction comes from finishing something to the point that I like it well enough to submit it and leave it vulnerable to criticism. Then if the story makes it through with no typos or misspellings or badly used grammar, I am pleased. Next important is hearing from a reader that the story had an impact. Getting thoughtful criticism, good or bad, is nice.

Votes are a 'bennie'. I've been fortunate so far, but there is a fickleness to it that you have identified. Quantity of viewing ('reads') is directly related to the genre within which a story is posted and the frequency of posting stories. I do not have many posts and don't expect to ever be prolific, so the votes and reads things are not something I sweat too much about.

Oh, yes, one thing I left out. It would be HUGE if I ever got an 'E', but expect that others that spend more time at this than I will earn those.

Does a "B" mean it's Baaaaahhhd?

I meant to ask: what are the Es and Hs and how are the awarded?

Having been out for a month doing my nano thing, I may sound a little out of touch to the regulars for a few posts.

First think I have to say, shereads, is thank you for caring about what we think.

To me, contests are simply fun. I don't write to win awards. A contest has a set of rules about the theme of a story and a deadline - those two points alone make for a good exercize.

Do I like to see that a lot of folks have looked at my stories? You et. Do I like getting those little H's next to my stories, sure, I like them a lot. I have one story that has a 4.75 score, but only 8 votes, which is not enough to get that neat little tag (it's The Chocoholic if you'd like to read it - hope you like it enough for a good vote). I hope to write something that get's an editor's choice tag too.

Feedback is always appreaciated. I too like to know what my readers do and don't like. It helps me in improving my craft. I've only gotten one negative feedback so far - on one of my stories where I was experimenting with a non-dialog approach (the first one went over well). Unfortunately it was also of the variety that is pretty useless, someone objected to my not using dialog, but they did so using a juvenile comment, so I can't tell if not having dialog is really what spoiled the story for them, or if they just objected to the idea.

I never low ball. I love a good story by anyone. There are even folks participating in the board that I'd rather not coverse with who have written good stories here and I tell them so with a good vote and feedback. If a story doesn't keep my attention long enough to get to the bottom of it, I've left before I could vote.

I have links to my words (stories and poems) in my sig. Give them a read and let me know what you think.

Thanks again-

-FF
ps. CrimsonMaiden - I like your new AV, and I'll have to read your Christmas Story, I always vote and try to send feedback when I can.

Good question, but do I have a good answer?

Do votes mean a lot to me? Most of the time, no, provided that the votes are somewhere in the range of my 'perceived value' of a story. When I post a new piece I watch the votes and scores like a hawk for the first few days, as I have found from experience that it gives me an idea of how a piece is being received. The twenty-three pieces (phrased that way because some are multi-part) I have on Literotica are approaching the one million mark in 'views', and have aggregated a total of almost 6000 votes between them. A return of 0.6%.

My feedback is even less. Thankfully, most is favourable. I can only remember one 'your story sucks' (from Anonymous, of course) and I did receive a long explanation from another reader of why I was being given a one for a story.

I would welcome constructive criticism, but most of that I have received has come from fellow Lit writers in an editorial capacity, very little from 'ordinary' (if there is such a thing) readers. Being British, but writing 'mid-Atlantic', sort of, I occasionally get pulled up on phrasing or spelling. Usually good-humoured, thank goodness.

I do treasure the feedback I received from one reader who finished his wonderfully favourable feedback with "Your stories are fantastic, and I ask, no, plead for your continuance as an erotic author." Thank you Gregory - if you'd given an e-mail address I'd have thanked you then.

To conclude, no, I don't low-ball competitors' stories. What's the point? 'As ye sow, so shall ye reap.' (Apologies if that's a misquote!)

Alex

PS: Link to my efforts is in my sig below.

Re: Does a "B" mean it's Baaaaahhhd?

shereads said:

I meant to ask: what are the Es and Hs and how are the awarded?

Click to expand...

You get an H when your story's score reaches 4.5 or higher. I believe the Es mean the story is by a Literotica Editor, though I could be wrong there.

Re: Does a "B" mean it's Baaaaahhhd?

shereads said:

I meant to ask: what are the Es and Hs and how are the awarded?

Click to expand...

From the Lit FAQs --

The red H's denote stories which have received 10 or more votes from readers, and maintain an average vote of 4.5 out of 5 or better.

The yellow E's denote "Editor's Choice" stories. These are pieces that we really like - just our opinion.

The green W's are next to stories that have been chosen by readers as winners in our Monthly, Yearly, or Special contests.

Re: Re: Does a "B" mean it's Baaaaahhhd?

damppanties said:

From the Lit FAQs --
The yellow E's denote "Editor's Choice" stories. These are pieces that we really like - just our opinion.

Click to expand...

Well, there it is. Thanks, Damppanties!

I agree with you that most readers don't even notice that they can send feedback and many don't even notice the voting button either because if my own personal experience.

Writing and submitting a story is sort of like having a child leave home, if you don't hear from them or about them you wonder what's going on. Most readers don't have a clue about how much time is involved in each submission. We have a lot invested in how it is received and we don't get paid for it.

Voting and feedback are our only means of getting any idea how our stories are taken by the readers. I reply to all feedback that leaves an e-mail addy. But since I am not the most prolific writer, my voting rate is around .4 %, but my scores are good. It is nice to know that I didn't waste all of my time writing and editing it for all those long hours (at least my second series).

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. It does help to know what motivates you authors to keep writing, without the lure of the Benjamins.

I hadn't realizec that high scores earn you more readers by getting you one of those "H's." Those were my first nebulous criteria for choosing stories when I arrived here - nebulous because I had no idea how they were earned, but when you're looking at thousands of stories, and aren't familiar with any of the authors, you have to look for clue.

I also didn't know what the "E" was for, but I probably avoided it instinctively, for the same reason I've put perfect lovely books back on the shelf after seeing Oprah's gold seal of approval.

I just don't want Oprah to have that kind of power over me, you know? So I give her more power, by missing out on some excellent fiction...People. We're such sheep!

I asked about the AAAs because FictionWriter noted a tendency for stories beginning with A to have higher readership. And you're right about the alphabet not being alphabetical...I've looked for favorite authors there, and gave up.

The reason I asked about negative feedback is not that I plan on providing some - I've tried, but I broke out in a rash - but that a friend recently told me she got "feedback" from a reader who blamed her poor writing on his suspicion that she's bisexual. (I'm guessing at the logic: "It's tough enough to do two things well...but three?")

Ella*, I enjoy your posts and AVs so want to give back a bit. I feel in the minority here (based on many similar threads and queries), i.e., I do not care in the least about readers, votes and scores; easy to say as I have a meager amount of votes though w/avg. of 4.5 scores. That's for 7 stories, my poems have less votes but higher scores.

I've never received mean or nasty feedback, mostly flattery, and a few items of critical insight that any writer would appreciate. Other than basic rhetorical corrections or suggestions (which I rarely heed), a few readers have enabled me to "see" my work better, to evaluate it better, even to think about it better. That's rare though.

I participated in one contest simply to join the crowd and had fun merely being part of the excitement. I'll do that again sometime for that reason alone. The story I almost didn't write was very difficult, personally, but in the end I was glad I finished it. However it's my least valued piece per the score (3.7) and most valued per the feedback.

I don't read that much anymore on Lit. but for a couple fave authors and the AH authors' contest entries. I rarely give 5s, mostly 3s and 4s or I don't vote.

I think I've covered most of your query, thanks for the thoughtful posts, keep them up, please.

regards, Perdita

*ella = she in Spanish; pr. A-ah w/hard first 'a'.
Your full name would be Ella quién lee (lee pr. lay-eh), that's literally 'she who reads', preferable to 'ella lee', she reads; at least it sounds better to me en español.

I think a lot of how you judge the importance of things depends on how you are doing. If you have high scores and low views you might convince yourself the scores are more important. If you have high views and low votes you may say to yourself well at least people are reading them. If you have a lot of votes but a low average you may convince yourself that the fact they are getting to the end and voting is most important.

To me votes, views and average mean very little. They tell me nothing about how I am doing and offer no help in correcting my problems. Feedback is the most important thing to me. Especially when it's constructive criticism. tell me you liked it or hatred it. As long as you tell me why I stand to improve my craft. Thats whats most important to me.

-Colly

shereads said:

Here are my questions, for any authors here who'd like help readers understand the importance of story scores and written feedback.

>> Aside from contests, what means more to you? High scores from a few readers, or getting on the most-read lists?

Getting on the most read list, although that might take a long time because I think the reader rate keeps climbing long after the submission ceases to be eligible for a popularity prize. I am astonished at how many readers stories can get at Literotica. Prizes are a bonus and Id love to win one, but I see the main value of Literotica as being self promotional. I'm switching to novels from newspaper and magazine writing. If I place in my profile a link to a novel available online, and my story gets 12,000 visitors in a few weeks, I believe it may translate into increased sales. Literotica also allows us to produce writer's promo pages (like resume pages), but I can't seem to make that feature work.

>> If you suspect you're dealing with people who see no reason to scroll past the A's, is there a fairer way to compare the audience appeal of "Aaalonso Aaanticipates Aaaanal" versus "Zzzzzzzzs Disrupted by Erotic Dream" ? (I know there's a Random Story Selector; I never use it for the same reason I don't join a book-of-the-month club. I want to choose my own reading, by whatever nebulous criteria happen to guide me.)

I've heard about this magical 'A' trick. I can't see myself writing endless stories about anal sex just to justify titles that start with 'A'. There are so many stories here any trick seems pointless anyway, other than consistently writing copy people want to read.

>> When readers provide feedback, is it enough just to say "thanks, I liked it," or do you want to read details of someone's likes and dislikes?

Details are always welcome, but we are in danger here of encouraging authors' perceptions of readers as 'strokers', one of my pet peeves. In the larger world of writing beyond Literotica, and beyond even the erotica genre, the thought of insulting one's readers with such terms would mark you as an amateur. I hate it when my fellow writers here casually refer to readers as strokers, although I know the term was in use long before Literotica existed. I refuse to believe the average reader sits with one hand on the scroll key and the other furiously rubbing their crotch. If nothing else, a few details of why someone liked or didn't like a story might help dispel that image of the reader.

>> When you receive negative feedback, does it tend to come in the form of thoughtless slams, or is it more often meant to be constructive? Is it ever constructive, if not from an experienced editor or one of your peers?

I haven't had any yet, but I suspect it would be useful in most cases. My background being journalism, I know that sometimes we are paid to be hated. I have a couple of stories I haven't shared with anyone yet, that I suspect will might get me some negative feedback. If it's the right kind of negative feedback I'll be overjoyed.

>> Do authors ever low-ball their competitors' scores? (Human nature being what it is, that isn't likely to happen, but I had to ask.)

Since your name is not Pollyanna, I assume your observation on human nature is a bit of irony. I'd bet money that it happens sometimes. On the other hand, I would expect other writers and editors like yourself to be harder to please than average readers. The way I see it, if I can pull of high scores knowing that I'm going to get the odd low-ball, that simply means I've made the nasty trick irrelevant.

BTW, if I seem to worry more than most about the implications of scoring or critiquing someone else's work, it's the result of having spent too many years as a copywriter - the feedback is daily, and the "suggestions" are usually mandatory. These range from "no incomplete sentences," usually courtesy of the client's daughter who made straight A's in English, to "you are so creative, you crack me up...Can you write me a really kick-ass resume?"


dammit. a typo every time i loook

Click to expand...

Among this particular group of writers you can probably find a few who would be happy to drop around and rub a little ointment on that rash, so don't be coy, Shereads, unleash those editing skills any time you feel in the mood to vent your frustration or earn a free massage.

BTW, the offer of fives for answering is generous, but I would genuinely prefer if you read my stuff that you vote based on an honest assessment of its worth. In the contest, don't forget every vote counts because we need 50 to even enter the running. I've yet to achieve that prerequisite, although Summer Stock seems to be getting more votes than my first story.

Colleen Thomas said:

To me votes, views and average mean very little. They tell me nothing about how I am doing and offer no help in correcting my problems. Feedback is the most important thing to me. Especially when it's constructive criticism. tell me you liked it or hatred it. As long as you tell me why I stand to improve my craft. Thats whats most important to me.

Click to expand...

Colleen, interesting point. Raises something else that Im curious about though - the constructiveness of constructive criticism.

Although I write for a living, I don't call myself a writer. In fact, I'm one of the few advertising writers who will admit that selling swampland is what I'm good at; I can't finish a limerick if it doesn't have a client's product in it. (Although, with apologies to the previous poster, I have been told i write a respectable Stroker over in SRP. We don't have to write endings, though, so those don't count.)



Still, I understand the importance of hearing positive feedback to give you the will to keep going; and the necessity of negative feedback to help you learn what sells.

But does it improve your craft? I know I"m better at what I do than I was a long time ago, and that part of what's made me better is learning not to confuse "my" writing with the product I'm paid for: writing that meets someone else's expectations and/or motivates people to consider a purchase.

The distinction I'm clumsily trying to make is that I've never felt that my craft was improved by any criticism other than a select group of mentors, people who were successful in the business. Most criticism has been constructive in the sense that it toughened my armor (useful) and taught me to lower my sites and "talk down" to people. Also useful. But not a tool for improvement.

I guess I'm asking a philosophical question of those of you who put your egos on the line not to pay the mortgage, which is the only reason I do it, but out of love of writing: do people's likes and dislikes have any direct relationship to the quality of your work? If lots of people don't like a sad or bittersweet ending, does that discourage you from writing that way in the futue? Do you find yourself fighting the urge to give the public what it wants? Does it become more difficult to write a bitter ending the next time, even though it seems right?

Case in point: Fatal Attraction was test-marketed with two different endings: the risky ending, where the crazy bitch kills herself and frames Michael Douglas for her murder; and the ending that "won," where the bitch gets what's coming to her. I'm surprised they even bothered to test it - Could anyone doubt which ending a few hundred people would vote for?

Does it make it a better movie?

And why am I asking these questions when I should have left for the office already? And what do you mean it's 'pining for the fjords'? You've nailed its bloody feet to the perch!

perdita said:

I think I've covered most of your query, thanks for the thoughtful posts, keep them up, please.

Click to expand...

Ignoring the shrieks of "Nooo! Don't encourage her!" I thank you for the encouragement. Also, your motivation for writing seems in line with the way you seek feedback. You write what you want to write, read what you like to read, and enjoy an exchange of opinions with your peers.

Best regards,

Ella-Mae

Sorry; I'm from the Southern U.S. where, if a woman is named Ella, it's gonna have 'Mae' after it and she's gonna be 72.

I will consider an Ella-Mae related AV, however.

shereads said:

I guess I'm asking a philosophical question of those of you who put your egos on the line not to pay the mortgage, which is the only reason I do it, but out of love of writing: do people's likes and dislikes have any direct relationship to the quality of your work? If lots of people don't like a sad or bittersweet ending, does that discourage you from writing that way in the futue? Do you find yourself fighting the urge to give the public what it wants? Does it become more difficult to write a bitter ending the next time, even though it seems right?

Click to expand...

shereads,

People's likes and dislikes are not what I call constructive feedback. Contructive feedback is something which betters your writing. For example, I had put one of my stories on the Story Feedback Forum sometimes back. One of the most beneficial points I got from there was that it had an insipid beginning. It really did. Now that is constructive criticism. It's not "I do not like your opening." That is a dislike. "I did not not like your opening because.... so n so reason and you could improve it by doing so n so" is contructive criticism.

Thats said, yes, sometimes people's expectations do matter. But only minimally. If I do want to write something sad or bitter, I know I'll take the consequences of it, and maybe warn the reader beforehand.

I would only write the ending which seems right. If the readers want another ending, they can read another story.

Does constructive criticism improve my craft? I think so. Until I reach the point where I think I have arrived it should. And afterwards it should even more

My stories are long. They are wordy. I can give a laundry list of problems with my writing style, But I won't see them unless someone points them out. My first five stories featured redheads. Until a reader noted this I was unconcious of it. Is it a flaw? I would say it is in that it makes all my characters read like variations on a theme rather than individuals. For a reader of an indivdual story it matters not, but for someone who has read the body of my work it would quickly become tiresome.

At some point my stories became forulamatic, big butch, little femme, one inexperienced, etc. I worked to change that. As people noted trends in my works I branched out. I broadened the horizons of my craft and have now achieved the ability to build characters that are engageing and seem more realistic. I didn't notice the trend, a fan did.

I submitted a work to the SDC and I got an earful. All of it, even that which I chose not to incorporate taught me a great deal. Are all feedbacks helpful? Of course not. A simple line that someone enjoyed the work makes me feel great and helps me focus on writing more, but it dosen't improve my writing. On occasion however someone notes something that does improve my overall ability to relate a story.

I consider my craft to be constantly evolving. Each story is a little stronger somewhere than its predeccesors. I feel that if I ever cease learning then I cease growing.

I never low vote people, in fact once posted I never check my scores or anyone elses in the competition. If anything I hurt my own chances because I love the style and work of so many Ah authors. I read their stories and hand out 5's like candy at Halloween. It isn't that they aren't deserving it's just that there are some fine writers here and I love thier works and it never enters my mind to look for a reason to give a lower score because it's competing with my own. If I loose beacuse my five vote pushed rumple or destine or jenny past myself I am not going to be angry. I am going to be happy for them as I consider those who post here my friends. If a non Ah author wins I will read their work and see if I think it is as good as my favorite of those I have read. Perhaps I am just not competitive enough

-Colly

A valid chunk of questions there, Shereads. Here are a vaild (?) chunk of answers.

I write stuff because writing is fun. That's the main thing. The process of putting coherent stories to paper has really become an addiction of mine. And then I publish my stories in different forms. Some in newsletters, some locally, some in essay magazines and some, the erotic ones, here. I choose Lit for one reason. Readers. It has a shitload of readers, a good statistics system so I can track reads, and a good way for readers to communicate with me, Votes and Feedback. There is also a really great author community (this board, duh) that I really enjoy.

So yes, I care alot about the number of reads (although I'm constantly amazed over the numbers, thousands of people read my stories here), but even more about those who care enough about what I write to cast a vote, or even better, so send a personal note.

When it comes to feedback, they come in all shapes and forms. I get flowery praise, I get pitch dark hate-mail, I get constructive critisism and I get "Hi, good story. Can you write one about my mom?". What I don't get is any indecent proposals, still waiting for those. Of course, getting constructive feedback is the best, but I take what I can get.

Finally... No, I don't low-ball competitiors' scores. Do I have competitors? I'm glad for everyone that gets a high score, especially if it's one of the fine folks that I have gottén to know here. They getting good ratings doesn't compete with me getting good ratings. Does it? Ok, maybe it matters in those contests, but I have'nt entered one of those willingly yet.

that was my 2c folx.

/Ice

She,

I'm only just beginning and have two stories up; a third is pending. I do not get a lot of feedback but I do appreciate it.

The fact alone that somebody read my story and took the trouble to email me, is amazing.

Feedback is nice if it's only to say "I like it", but I prefer the type with pointers to oversights on my part or suggestions. I can take the suggestions two ways you see. I can use them and make them part of the next story or I can use them to clarify my own point of view.
Of course I like to get high votes, but that's not what keeps me writing.

I just have this stories in my head and Lit is a place where they can come out.

Lo all

Sorry to put the damp cloth on it all but votes and feedback aren't my priority, I write for fun cos it makes me feel good, I'm not in any shape or form a serious author, I'm a serious electrical engineer, i have to be or I wouldn't still be here .

When I post a story I hope people will like it, if not I accept comment willingly, whether I act on that comment or not is another matter.

When read a story on a public erotic board like 'lit' perfection of writing style, grammar etc, comes second to content and interest level, in a story published in paper form obviously grammar and style are a must. It does annoy me slightly when a person sends feedback to the tune of, "It was a very well put together story and I loved the story line, but I had to vote one because you left a comma out" Supercilious wanker!!

I too am still waiting for the first indecent proposal in feedback.

pops

ffreak said:

ps. CrimsonMaiden - I like your new AV, and I'll have to read your Christmas Story, I always vote and try to send feedback when I can.

Click to expand...

I somehow missed this when reading this thread. Thanks for the compliment on the av. I look for sexy pics to use for this site. Occasionally, I will use pics of myself, but they don't stay up very long (had one of me wearing a satiny pink bra that stayed up for about a day, lol.)

Any feedback and votes on my stories are welcome.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=116250

That's the link to my only story on Lit. But don't give it a five if you don't feel it deserves one. I don't write or post for votes. I do want people to read my story and enjoy it. That's what is behind the whole premise of posting a story to a public forum anyway. But the fact of the matter is, I will always write what I want, popularity be damned. This is the only erotica I have ever written and it was well received by the few people I let read it, so I decided to find it a home where others might enjoy it. That is my whole motivation for posting here. I would say it is plugging for my upcoming book, but the subject matter is too different for me to consider that approach truly effective. I just want people to enjoy reading it. All the email I have gotten from women talking about how often they have masturbated to it is pretty cool, too.

I appreciate feedback from readers, be it good or bad. Nearly all of my feedback has been glowing. Some has come with what I found to be great and valid criticism (which I am using. Thanks, Whisper.) The only negative feedback I have gotten has been about subjective things, personal dislikes about the direction or events in the story. I make a note of it and go on. Not everyone is going to get the same thing from the same story. I have never received any insulting feedback, but if I did I would handle it maturely. With a click of the delete button. I would never respond to something like that. I do respond to all my feedback otherwise. If someone takes the time to write to me about my story, the least I can do is thank them.

I would never lowball an author for any reason. When someone puts something they have created out for public consumption, that is a very brave thing. They get automatic respect from me for having the balls to do it. If I find something I like, I score it accordingly. If I don't like something I just don't score it. There are things that I have read here where the story just didn't grab me, but the writing was excellent. Those got a good score from me for what I liked instead of a bad score for what I disliked.

Great post/questions, Shereads. Authors like to know that someone is reading their work.