Disapointed

[GoldenCojones]

I got this comment on my Valentine's Day contest entry:

Disappointed
01/21/16 By: Anonymous
I'm disappointed. Your other stories are better with lots more sex. One group is not enough. Do better!

It is also shaping up to be one of my lower scoring stories. It's short, only two lit pages but I thought it was a cute little story and I honestly thought it would do better. I hate that I disappointed this reader, but honestly do they expect wall to wall sex in EVERY story?

I guess some do.

 

[NotWise]

Wall-to-wall humping. Buckets of ooze. Not all of us want that all the time but I guess he did. Or maybe he just wanted that right then. You're supposed to anticipate his need. It's your fault

 

[GoldenMaia]

Oh that sucks.

You are not alone. At least you got feedback not just one bombed to hell.

Still...sorry to hear about the slam.

 

[MarkoAaron]

I got this comment on my Valentine's Day contest entry:



It is also shaping up to be one of my lower scoring stories. It's short, only two lit pages but I thought it was a cute little story and I honestly thought it would do better. I hate that I disappointed this reader, but honestly do they expect wall to wall sex in EVERY story?

I guess some do.

My grandpa had an old saying, "Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one".
I wouldn't let one person get to you. It's your story, if you're satisfied with it, then that's all that matters.

Write for yourself, not other people.

 

[sr71plt]

Don't put much annoyance into contest score until the sweeps are done at the end. The scores typically go way up then.

 

[Darkniciad]

In group sex, I would say yes, most readers do expect significant, detailed sex.

There are categories where sex-lite does just fine, but that ain't one of 'em.

 

[SamScribble]

In group sex, I would say yes, most readers do expect significant, detailed sex.

There are categories where sex-lite does just fine, but that ain't one of 'em.

I wrote a group sex story once. Just to see if I could do it. It was blatant A into B, then B into C, then C into D, and so on. In between the physical bits there was what I thought was some quite witty conversation. The only comment I got said something like: 'It wasn't bad - but it would have been better if they hadn't talked so much.' Oh well ....

 

[SecondCircle]

Anyone can take pats. Our bruises are what define us.

 

[sr71plt]

The point, I think (and this has become a great divide on the forum) is that most writers here write for the pats, not the bruises. Most of them aren't thinking about developing writing skills--they are just blowing off sexual steam and looking for connections and agreement. And, in this vein, maybe those providing the bruises are the ones who just don't get what the Web site is about.

 

[GoldenCojones]

The point, I think (and this has become a great divide on the forum) is that most writers here write for the pats, not the bruises. Most of them aren't thinking about developing writing skills--they are just blowing off sexual steam and looking for connections and agreement. And, in this vein, maybe those providing the bruises are the ones who just don't get what the Web site is about.

I certainly can't speak for other writers, but I'll be honest. I get enough bruises in my day job and I don't really need any more for something I don't get any compensation, other than the pats, for. So, yeah, when I get several "You Suck" comments in a row it makes me question why the fuck I'm doing this.

Then I get a great feedback, in a comment or an email, and the next thing you know I'm back at my keyboard typing away like a mad man.

 

[le_kitty]

I certainly can't speak for other writers, but I'll be honest. I get enough bruises in my day job and I don't really need any more for something I don't get any compensation, other than the pats, for. So, yeah, when I get several "You Suck" comments in a row it makes me question why the fuck I'm doing this.

Then I get a great feedback, in a comment or an email, and the next thing you know I'm back at my keyboard typing away like a mad man.

I understand that.

 

[SecondCircle]

I certainly can't speak for other writers, but I'll be honest. I get enough bruises in my day job and I don't really need any more for something I don't get any compensation, other than the pats, for. So, yeah, when I get several "You Suck" comments in a row it makes me question why the fuck I'm doing this.

Then I get a great feedback, in a comment or an email, and the next thing you know I'm back at my keyboard typing away like a mad man.

Hm. Bruises will come. Pats will come. Regardless of the fact that this site is mostly for entertainment. If you share something, people will respond, sometimes in ways that make you ecstatic, sometimes in less than favorable ways that make you rethink your passion. If you built a statue out of pancakes, plenty will laugh and love it, and many more will undoubtedly critique it and ask you how long you cooked the pancakes on each side.

GC, I could give the tried and true advice of "thicker skin" but in all honesty I can't say I abide by it. To me, thick skin lends the impression of armor plating, with which you allow the favorable comments in and deflect the ones that are negative. I'd call for eh, more "absorbent skin" as it were. No, I am NOT saying you take every charlatan's advice on why your story didn't meet their expectations. Because plain and simple, any art is not going to please them all. If we are going to share we should at least be realistic and accept this. Too many people, too many tastes, too many individuals, and too many different ideas of "what is good" to even entertain the thought of pleasing them all.

Nay, what I'd call for is simply that we consider what we're given. At least consider it. Granted, this may simply take you only as far as to conclude "well, this story just wasn't their taste". Or even "hmm, they sound like they don't really have a clue." And that's FINE. It may even take you to "huh, you know what, that's kind of a good point."

Some bruises are just result of soneone throwing punches just because they felt like it. Some bruises are from people that just think you need a bruise. Others are bruises we need. Others are scars that we learn from. It is up to the artist, the person that shares, to discern one type from the other as best they can.

And Nine Hells, don't be discouraged. Whether we're just doing this for entertainment or whatever reason, we have a passion. If you have passion to do it, then keep going. Be passionate, realistic, openminded, and ultimately just have fun.

 

[legerdemer]

The point, I think (and this has become a great divide on the forum) is that most writers here write for the pats, not the bruises. Most of them aren't thinking about developing writing skills--they are just blowing off sexual steam and looking for connections and agreement. And, in this vein, maybe those providing the bruises are the ones who just don't get what the Web site is about.

I don't belong to one school or the other, but honestly, I don't see why the two sides you've delineated have to be mutually exclusive. In my mind, they aren't. It's simply a question of how you deliver the goods.

 

[legerdemer]

Hm. Bruises will come. Pats will come. ...

And Nine Hells, don't be discouraged. Whether we're just doing this for entertainment or whatever reason, we have a passion. If you have passion to do it, then keep going. Be passionate, realistic, openminded, and ultimately just have fun.

This!

 

[sr71plt]

I don't belong to one school or the other, but honestly, I don't see why the two sides you've delineated have to be mutually exclusive. In my mind, they aren't. It's simply a question of how you deliver the goods.

The one side (we're here to develop our craft) tends to self-identify and not leave room for the other side and the other side tends not to give a shit what the "we're here to develop our craft" side thinks about anything. Where it gets rough is where the "developers" give vigilante critiques where they weren't requested and lift their noses on the forum to declare that writers are here to develop their craft and to tell others how to write.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I'm reading some early efforts of Max Allan Collins. He says, and they are, bald imitations of Jim Thompson. Mickey Spillane, and Don Westlake. In fact, until he got published in the 60s, his audience was the above writers. He says he collected a pile of rejection slips and some helpful notes from the popular pulp writers of those times.

The writing is competent and obvious imitation. But he sold two books before he completed his first college writing course. His instructors hadn't sold shit.

If you wanna write lame imitations of popular LIT authors, go for it.

If you wanna find your path and niche, go for it.

STFU and write.

 

[TxRad]

Also learn to spell disappointed.

 

[Hypoxia]

Large portions of LIT's readership will automatically like or dislike anything you've written. An even larger portion won't give a shit. Some tiny fraction of those who do give a shit will log a vote or a fave. Some even tinier slice will post a comment or (gasp!) mail feedback.

I'll take whatever responses I get. If I provoke a response, I've done my job.

 

[lovecraft68]

I certainly can't speak for other writers, but I'll be honest. I get enough bruises in my day job and I don't really need any more for something I don't get any compensation, other than the pats, for. So, yeah, when I get several "You Suck" comments in a row it makes me question why the fuck I'm doing this.

Then I get a great feedback, in a comment or an email, and the next thing you know I'm back at my keyboard typing away like a mad man.

The problem I have with this is you're making yourself sound like you are literally writing for the readers, not yourself.

Now if you are, you are, but the problem with that is on full display here. You're figuratively speaking living and dying on every comment.

Bad comment-Why the fuck am I doing this?

Good comment-yay I'll keep writing.

If that's what you want fine, but I can't imagine it being any fun to be on that kind of constant roller coaster.

You said your first post you thought this was a cute story and was happy with it. Well that's what counts. We don't get paid here, if there was money involved with glowing feedback maybe it would be different, but writing should be something you do as much for yourself as to entertain others.

We all like the pats. We all like when someone 'gets it' but we also all here take our bruises to. Some I shrug off as cheap shots taken by haters-both readers and authors-some bruises I take more seriously if I think they may have made a good point, but the one thing we do is shrug them off and say 'Let's go again."

 

[lovecraft68]

Also learn to spell disappointed.

Oh, Tx adds a bruise!

 

[lovecraft68]

Anyone can take pats. Our bruises are what define us.

Like Keanu Reeves says in the replacements, Chicks dig scars.

 

[lovecraft68]

In group sex, I would say yes, most readers do expect significant, detailed sex.

There are categories where sex-lite does just fine, but that ain't one of 'em.

I agree, I've often felt group is the strokiest of all categories. They will accept plot lines-and a stretch to call many of them that-that are so idiotic they would be one bombed in other sections, as long as there is plenty of orgies and gang bangs, but they will flame anything that goes for more than how many people can play naked twister at the same time.

In one sense that makes it a fun category, the hey, I want to check my mind at the door and write/read some raunchy fun. On the other it can be maddening if you're the type of reader that looks for anything resembling realism.

 

[GoldenCojones]

Well Crap!

Also learn to spell disappointed.

LOL I had to go back and see what you meant. It's amuses me that I misspelled it in the title and the damned commentator got it right.

 

[GoldenCojones]

The problem I have with this is you're making yourself sound like you are literally writing for the readers, not yourself.

Now if you are, you are, but the problem with that is on full display here. You're figuratively speaking living and dying on every comment.

Bad comment-Why the fuck am I doing this?

Good comment-yay I'll keep writing.

If that's what you want fine, but I can't imagine it being any fun to be on that kind of constant roller coaster.

It isn't so much who I write for, it's what I write. I write because I'm a writer. But if nobody want's to read what you write, it makes writing less gratifying. So why write porn if all your going to get is hateful jabs? The question isn't why do it, but why do it here?

I could no more give up writing than I could give up breathing. But I could, and have for long periods of time, give up writing porn. Porn is fun to write and I enjoy it, but there are other genres that are truly more fulfilling.

You said your first post you thought this was a cute story and was happy with it. Well that's what counts. We don't get paid here, if there was money involved with glowing feedback maybe it would be different, but writing should be something you do as much for yourself as to entertain others.

I'm a technical writer in real life. Well I was a technical writer, now I manage a team of technical writers, but I still do my share of writing. That is writing for money and it is quite possibly the least rewarding writing I do. Although the least rewarding writing is still better than sitting in a meeting and listening to a stuffed suit drone on for two hours. My advice to anyone is, if you have a job you love and someone offers you a promotion, kick him in the nuts and run.

We all like the pats. We all like when someone 'gets it' but we also all here take our bruises to. Some I shrug off as cheap shots taken by haters-both readers and authors-some bruises I take more seriously if I think they may have made a good point, but the one thing we do is shrug them off and say 'Let's go again."

I'm actually pretty good at letting the "You Suck" comments go, but this comment stuck mainly because, I think, the reader seemed to like my other stories and didn't like this one. That and when I tried to vent to my wife about it, her response was "Well this one was pretty short and light on sex for what you usually put on lit." or something like that. Which didn't help a bit.

Your point is well taken, though. I need to pull up my big boy pants and get on with life. I've spent enough time down in the pity-party well and need to get out. So I'll suck it up and get back to writing my Brady-Bunch rip off story, or maybe one of the others I have started. Hmm, I think I hear "The Prize" calling me.

 

[CharlieB4]

I got this comment on my Valentine's Day contest entry:



It is also shaping up to be one of my lower scoring stories. It's short, only two lit pages but I thought it was a cute little story and I honestly thought it would do better. I hate that I disappointed this reader, but honestly do they expect wall to wall sex in EVERY story?

I guess some do.

From my limited experience as an amateur scribbler on this site I've found readers like to put authors in a pigeon hole. If you deviate from their perceived ideas of your genre they get antsy. I mostly post in the Loving Wives section where the BTB(burn the bitch) and cuckold/cheating divide can sometimes get ugly.
My couple of stories had some cuckold/cheating themes. My next two where in the BTB camp. It was very funny looking at my recent activity page to see positive comments and favorite author status from a reader and then about four down the same reader would unfavorite me. No doubt they'd gone and read my previous work.
Generally I get a laugh at negative comments. It's incredible how hot under the collar some readers get over a dodgy little story.

CharlieB4