.

[Robin_Starveling]

.

 

[StillStunned]

Is there a particular point to this post, besides sneering at people for doing something that you've never managed? Every one of those stories on the Top Lists has entertained, moved or aroused thousands of readers. All you've managed to write is a few posts with very little substance or value.

 

[yowser]

He's back.

 

[Statius]

Is there a particular point to this post, besides sneering at people for doing something that you've never managed? Every one of those stories on the Top Lists has entertained, moved or aroused thousands of readers. All you've managed to write is a few posts with very little substance or value.

Very little? Seems like a lot of credit given there.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Is there a particular point to this post, besides sneering at people for doing something that you've never managed? Every one of those stories on the Top Lists has entertained, moved or aroused thousands of readers. All you've managed to write is a few posts with very little substance or value.

Is there a particular reason for attacking this member who's only crime so far as I can see is to have an opinion on AI that differs from most. Am I missing something?

 

[StillStunned]

Is there a particular reason for attacking this member who's only crime so far as I can see is to have an opinion on AI that differs from most. Am I missing something?

Well, besides the increasing suspicion that this is the latest incarnation of Tilan/Plathfan, and earlier boasts about leaving negative comments on stories, the whole OP is a snide comment on the authors here on Lit, and by extension the readers. Without, of course, giving us the chance to judge their own skills.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I'm very sensitive to caffeine. Even a single cup can delay my bedtime by hours. That's why I try my best to resist this forbidden fruit, but being only human, I sometimes fail miserably and find myself tossing and turning long past midnight.

Trying to force yourself to sleep usually achieves the exact opposite, so what better way to spend the hours of involuntary wakefulness than with some quality reading?

So I turn on the bedside lamp, fluff my pillow against the headboard, and ceremoniously select one of the finest categories on Lit. I scroll through the Top List of the past twelve months and, with a flutter of excitement, step into the Hall of Fame...

I make sure that beyond an impressive score, the story also has solid supporting stats: plenty of views, favorites, and comments. Just to be safe, I take a quick peek at the comment section to confirm that the praise flows as lavishly as befits a true literary masterpiece. Then, with a satisfied, slightly idiotic grin, I proceed to the first page.

The opening almost never disappoints. Our celebrated authors certainly know how to turn a phrase! Line after line of sheer talent blend into a kind of literary music. The writing's so eloquent, so elevated, that somewhere deep into the first page a small miracle occurs: my overwhelmed head begins to nod, and before I know it, I wake up the next morning from the healthiest sleep imaginable.

One can hardly complain about a good night’s sleep, especially when fully aware of its marvelous physical benefits. Yet I still feel a twinge of guilt for having abandoned a masterpiece midway, and at the first opportunity I return to the text. Still, the same strange enchantment repeats itself. Though this time I have no excuse for fatigue, my head again begins to droop, and once more I enjoy the bliss of an impromptu afternoon nap.

And here’s the thing. Am I the only one? Am I the only reader who, though perfectly aware that somewhere ahead await a few juicy moments, a cathartic climax, and a thoroughly satisfying happy ending, somehow never makes it to the promised land? Does your rebellious brain, too, refuse, for reasons unknown, to go with the stream and enjoy what must surely be a one-of-a-kind masterpiece?

You should do readers a service and provide some of your unique stories. Quality is best gauged when compared to something else. Show the dilettantes how it's done.

 

[SimonDoom]

You should do readers a service and provide some of your unique stories. Quality is best gauged when compared to something else. Show the dilettantes how it's done.

I suggest you do not hold your breath.

 

[Duleigh]

And here’s the thing. Am I the only one? Am I the only reader who, though perfectly aware that somewhere ahead await a few juicy moments, a cathartic climax, and a thoroughly satisfying happy ending, somehow never makes it to the promised land?

This is the Authors Hangout. We write stories here. If you want to poll readers, there are other forums for those that excel in that skill.

 

[Rob_Royale]

This is a common pattern in dog-pack psychology: the least confident member is often the first to attack a passing stranger, and the others follow almost instinctively. It’s important for wild packs to find an outsider to vent on; without one, that aggression can turn inward.

Yes but that's not the norm around here, which is why I asked. They fight and bicker amongst themselves but they are usually very welcoming of newbies to the AH because no one wants to discourage a budding writer.

I remember this Tilan character that they suspect you of being and he was an asshat of the first order. And if you are this person, you behavior will soon reveal that truth.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

This is a common pattern in dog-pack psychology: the least confident member is often the first to attack a passing stranger, and the others follow almost instinctively. It’s important for wild packs to find an outsider to vent on; without one, that aggression can turn inward.

I asked a fairly simple question: have you ever come across a work that seems to have all the right ingredients, yet somehow you just can’t get through it? I’m willing to bet everyone has a few examples. The problem, it seems, is that if people aren’t careful when sharing them, the supportive, polite facade can vanish, and the pack may descend into mayhem.

I don't think there's anyone here who hasn't read a story that's high on the top list, has plenty of views and comments, yet makes you question the sanity of readers whose votes and views had carried it there. You haven't discovered anything new here. If there's a particular story you want to discuss, I'm all game.

On the other hand, if you don't want to be treated as a troll, stop acting like one. Put your words in proper context, show us an example of such stories, show us your review of it. I'll be happy to participate in such a thread.
But these vague posts of yours don't seem to contain anything but self-aggrandizement based on nothing but the belittling of other authors. Show us you can put your money where your mouth is.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I suggest you do not hold your breath.

Oh, I don't even expect him to publish a story anymore. But imagine if Tilan created a story review thread here, where he would dissect and evaluate the stories he read on Lit. It would be the most popular and most fun thread in AH.

 

[SimonDoom]

Oh, I don't even expect him to publish a story anymore. But imagine if Tilan created a story review thread here, where he would dissect and evaluate the stories he read on Lit. It would be the most popular and most fun thread in AH.

I'll give him some style points for the angry chihuahua post.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I'll give him some style points for the angry chihuahua post.

¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!

 

[crookedletter]

As chihuahuas go, that little guy does look pretty tough.

 

[lovecraft68]

This is a common pattern in dog-pack psychology: the least confident member is often the first to attack a passing stranger, and the others follow almost instinctively. It’s important for wild packs to find an outsider to vent on; without one, that aggression can turn inward.

I asked a fairly simple question: have you ever come across a work that seems to have all the right ingredients, yet somehow you just can’t get through it? I’m willing to bet everyone has a few examples. The problem, it seems, is that if people aren’t careful when sharing them, the supportive, polite facade can vanish, and the pack may descend into mayhem.

The least confident member is also the one who posts 24/7 and is incessantly begging for attention. Good news is they're easy to spot because they want everyone to look. They'll also attack anyone who could be a threat by getting attention that should be theirs. Dog pack is one term, back in the day we just said needy.

To your point, one of the most faved I/T stories on the site that has insane numbers in every stat I couldn't get through. It felt like it should have been good, but I found it very easy to put down and never go back or give anything about it a second thought.

All things are subjective

 

[lovecraft68]

Is there a particular point to this post, besides sneering at people for doing something that you've never managed? Every one of those stories on the Top Lists has entertained, moved or aroused thousands of readers. All you've managed to write is a few posts with very little substance or value.

True, but there is something refreshing about someone who isn't here for a slurpfest and has their own opinions.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

So I turn on the bedside lamp, fluff my pillow against the headboard, and ceremoniously select one of the finest categories on Lit. I scroll through the Top List of the past twelve months and, with a flutter of excitement, step into the Hall of Fame...

If you are truly suffering from insomnia, I would recommend you read somewhere that is not your bed. Even in the face of a caffeinated beverage, avoiding spending excess time *not* sleeping in your bed when you are having trouble sleeping can help further sleep troubles. For some, this is a non-issue as they do not suffer from difficulty sleeping. For others, this is a major one and a few behavioral changes can make a big difference in sleep quality and quantity without the need for any further intervention. (For a final subset, even the greatest of behavioral changes don't have an impact on the insomnia, and visits to a sleep specialist are in order).

Though this time I have no excuse for fatigue, my head again begins to droop, and once more I enjoy the bliss of an impromptu afternoon nap.

This is likely a classically conditioned response. You have paired falling asleep with this reading and now your body associates the sleep state with what you were reading. It is not a feature of the story itself but rather the context in which you introduced yourself to the story. Although such things typically require repeated pairings, strengthening the bond with the chemical changes caused by the caffeine likely strengthened the association on the first pairing. The nap the second time further strengthened it.


You're probably not the only one as there are many who pair both arousal and reading with sleeping, but it's not as much a feature of the stories themselves as it is a feature of the reader and the context in which they seek out such stories.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

If I were needy, I wouldn’t be hanging around a 20-member pack, half of whom I ignore, and joining four threads.

Aww, but he wasn't aiming at you with that post. You're getting old.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Which story was it?

 

[KittyOfSteele]

 

[Actingup]

The original post, maybe due to its tongue-in-cheek tone, was clearly misunderstood. The humor was deliberately ambiguous, but I keep forgetting that damned spoon. I’m not saying the story was bad. The opening hooked me. I wouldn’t have kept reading otherwise. The premise was promising, and the technique top-notch. Yet, after about 2,000 words, I simply fell asleep. Twice.

That doesn’t mean it was boring. Maybe hyper-refined writing has this oddly soothing effect that lulls certain brains into theta-wave mode, like those who drift off at the opera. It doesn’t necessarily mean the music is dull. They may love it, and still the brain just shuts off.

Or maybe a promising premise, a vivid opening, and perfect technique cannot always cover a wrong turn taken somewhere along the way.

From what you say, the issue is with the reader. Chose a time of day to read that won't have you falling asleep, or choose a different story. You've chosen a story that resonated with a lot of people, but that doesn't mean that it was for you. Your respondents here all have catalogs of stories to read, and as long as you don't st_cnash them, I'm sure all will be well.

 

[lovecraft68]

View attachment 2569605

They should post that at the top of the Politics Board

 

[TheRedLantern]

At first I wasn't sure that this thread would live up to its title, but I'm satisfied that it has.