Because I've been holding my tongue...

[FallingToFly]

I don't normally say such cruel things directed at AHers. I'm better bred and better mannered than that, but this is something that annoys me, completely, and so has to be stated.

Let me say first: I expect NO support in this. Not everyone has my sense of self, or my sense of what is right and what is wrong.

Now, to my gripe.

The AH purports itself as the kinder, gentler Literotica. The AH doesn't DO the flaming and nastiness that the GB does, right?

Bullshit. The only difference is that the people in here do it behind everyone's backs. It's the difference between elementary school- all the nasty comments up front- and high school- everyone whispering in the corners about how so-and-so is this or that.

If one of the golden boys or girls needs support, they get it, unstintingly. I have no issue with that, because you know what, it's a positive. But if it's someone who isn't "favored" then they get nothing except a few half-assed platitudes, and more shit-slinging behind their backs.

It's pathetic, and worse, it's a lack of maturity. So far, the AH has managed to run off two, or possibly three, reviewers with this idiocy. On top of that, they've treated established and new authors with shabby disregard, because those authors weren't part of the "clique."

Take your cliques and shove them. I've offered support and friendship to anyone who seemed to need it, and spit venom where I needed to, generally in the opposite direction of those who deserved most of it. I don't care who you are, or who your friends are- I for one KNOW I didn't say to anyone that LadyCibelle (sorry for dragging your name into this, love) or any other reviewers dragged the reviews down. Lizzy left, as did Selena- that's three reviewers who can reasonably be eliminated. I'm sure that LC didn't bitch about herself.

So, either there's more of the AHers LYING about what other people said in order to get what THEY want, or there are three reviewers who should have burning ears right about now.

And as to any of the reviewers doing anythign to hold anyone back- get off your ass and throw a few reviews up yourself if you think it's lacking. We're doing this as a favor to those too busy or self-involved to RCV and find the good stories on their own. We're taking time out of our lives, which are at least as hectic and complicated as yours, to provide authors and readers with this service.

If you're not doing it, sit down and shut the fuck up. You have NO right to complain.

 

[Guest]

You've got my vote, firefly!!!

 

[Aurora Black]

This whole situation makes my skin crawl, and it's got to stop.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

This is the kind of thing I naively thought I'd left behind in high school. Losing three great reviewers is a very disturbing idea. All of them I have considered to be close friends, and that despite only being here for less than a year. I don't attack people, unless they attack me, and none of my friends here have done so. Only people who don't like me already have done so. Them I just put on ignore, if I can, in the interests of civility and peace. It's very upsetting to read about this.

 

[Aurora Black]

It's very upsetting to read about this.

But not a bit surprising.

 

[Tom Collins]

Heyla, FTF. You seem incredibly upset. I'm going to have to admit my ignorance on this matter. I honestly don't know what this is about, and would really like a little more light shed on the situation. If it's not asking too much?

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

This whole situation makes my skin crawl, and it's got to stop.

I find it sad that this is happening in the AH. Lady C always gave fair reviews regardless of good or bad. Frankly I apprecieate her and all the reviewers. They do a great service to both the authors and readers on Lit.

I agree with Ms. Black. This has to stop before the whole system breaks down into pissing, moaning and back-biting between the various cliques.

Irritates me

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

But not a bit surprising.

When people I consider friends and family are fighting with each other or don't along, it upsets me a lot. I get caught in the middle. I understand that it happens and probably will happen again in some cases, but I still get upset over it.

 

[Recidiva]

I'm lost

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I'm lost

I only have the vaguest of ideas, but then I usually never know what's going on around here anyway. I'm assuming there has been backbiting or complaints about quality or quantity of some of the reviews, but that's a guess based on what I've read in the review off topic thread.

 

[Aurora Black]

I'm lost

Our reviewers are being run off because of petty shit.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Our reviewers are being run off because of petty shit.

And if they keep it up, I'll seriously consider hanging my own hat.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm lost

Myself as well.

 

[Recidiva]

Our reviewers are being run off because of petty shit.

I'm sorry to hear that, I don't know enough to say anything except to thank the people who were putting in time and effort. It always meant a lot to me to be mentioned.

 

[Tom Collins]

Our reviewers are being run off because of petty shit.

By whom?
Why would anyone want to run of a reviewer?

 

[Aurora Black]

By whom?
Why would anyone want to run of a reviewer?

I have no idea. Maybe they'll come forward and explain.

 

[cantdog]

I suppose those of us who are clueless about this don't even read reviewers.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

whoa whoa whoa... back the truck up...

I didn't get "run off" the reviews... I did NOT stop reviewing because of anything that was said (or not being said?) to me (or behind my back? how would I know? )

I had to stop reviewing because of time... I have other commitments and expect to have them in the future that I didn't have when I said I would review in the first place... Rob graciously stepped in and took my place...

I'm sorry if others have had a bad experience... but I haven't been "run off." I don't know if others have. Lady C? Lizzy? Perhaps they will speak for themselves.

I hope the reviews will continue and that others will step in and take the place of those reviewers who decide to step down, for whatever reason(s)...

 

[wyckdwench]

As one of the new writers speaking for myself, I am glad to have anything reviewed. If it sucks and someone says so then I should know how to take it as an adult. If it doesn't suck and is reviewed as such then I should advocate for it as any adult would. I would hope that I would not result to tongue wagging behind the reviewers back. Though I might ask someone what their deal was to determine if they had a bad day and I just was there. So if it counts for anything FTF you have my support.

 

[FallingToFly]

By whom?
Why would anyone want to run of a reviewer?

That is a very good question, Tom.No names were mentioned- I don't KNOW who did it, but I'm so sick of this bullhockey that I can spit.

My work on the Review thread earned me a personal troll, who seems to have slid back under the rock he crawled out from under. Lizzy has left, LC flat out told me she left because she was told by AHers that the reviewers had been complaining about her (which if that's true, I owe some people a virtual horsewhipping, now don't I?) and Selena left because it was taking time she didn't have.

I nearly left, my own bitchiness refused to allow it.

However, it isn't only the reviews that this happens in. It happens with the Plug You Own... threads, it happens with the "Hey, need a hand" threads, it happens with the "This is what's happening, please, I need advice/support/comfort threads." If you aren't in good with the right people, you get very little if any encouragement around here.

I got lucky- several of us formed an outside writing group, we ask advice and editing support from each other, we discuss things openly, we give first reactions to things before they go on Lit. We don't leap to each other's defense on the boards- we don't HAVE to.. we know the score. The fact that this is happening to the person who has gotten the Most Helpful Editor award is just flat out disgusting and lower than the earthworm shit in the dirt beneath the scum's feet who is doing it.

Shall I continue?

 

[Aurora Black]

I'd like to state for the record that I have always been fair in my reviews. Each story that I've picked, read, voted and commented on was selected without any bias or malice in my heart whatsoever. There was never any hidden agenda. I was just doing my part to help stories get the recognition they deserve.

 

[Guest]

As one of the new writers speaking for myself, I am glad to have anything reviewed. If it sucks and someone says so then I should know how to take it as an adult.

Amen. I appreciate any and all reviews--good & bad. If I were to disagree strongly, I'd PM the reviewer much as I'd write a letter to the NY Times if they said my play sucked. (It didn't--it was just the lousy director's fault).

I usually never know what's going on around here anyway.

Me too, and in that way, it is much like high school was for me.

 

[FallingToFly]

whoa whoa whoa... back the truck up...

I didn't get "run off" the reviews... I did NOT stop reviewing because of anything that was said (or not being said?) to me (or behind my back? how would I know? )

I had to stop reviewing because of time... I have other commitments and expect to have them in the future that I didn't have when I said I would review in the first place... Rob graciously stepped in and took my place...

I'm sorry if others have had a bad experience... but I haven't been "run off." I don't know if others have. Lady C? Lizzy? Perhaps they will speak for themselves.

I hope the reviews will continue and that others will step in and take the place of those reviewers who decide to step down, for whatever reason(s)...

We weren't assuming that, Selena- I think I said that. It's what I was told today, and what LC said on the Review off topic thread (you can go check it out) that started my rant.

 

[Aurora Black]

The fact that this is happening to the person who has gotten the Most Helpful Editor award is just flat out disgusting and lower than the earthworm shit in the dirt beneath the scum's feet who is doing it.

I second that. She got that award for a reason, and she does not deserve the treatment that she has gotten here at the oh-so friendly AH, whether as a reviewer or as a person. She's too good for this crap.

 

[CharleyH]

Now, to my gripe.

The AH purports itself as the kinder, gentler Literotica. The AH doesn't DO the flaming and nastiness that the GB does, right?

Well, I do not know about nasty talk behind closed doors as I usually just hope to irritate people outright. THE AH IS SUPPOSED TO BE as the name says - an authours hang out - to discuss writing and all things writing. One makes of it what they will by post or thread. I don't know of Golden girls or boys, so please tell me? I am never without my sting.

I think, and this is just me - that this particular post shows a lack of maturity. I am not really certain abut what you mean by:

It's pathetic, and worse, it's a lack of maturity. So far, the AH has managed to run off two, or possibly three, reviewers with this idiocy. On top of that, they've treated established and new authors with shabby disregard, because those authors weren't part of the "clique."

I have never run off anyone, and if I have with my dumb ass remarks? LOL It begs to question - WTF? Seriously? LOL

What is your complaint? I see nothing other than complaining in this post and there is a HUGE difference between a complaint ... and whining and qualifying yourself for it as you are whining and qualifying right now. You are your own worst enemy, love - see it - Or keep looking.