Disheartening

[FlyontheWall99]

I'd be the first to admit that since I began writing and submitting to Lit I've always enjoyed getting feedback from readers and fellow authors about my work. I've also enjoyed seeing how my stories faired in the views and votes department. After a hot start (twelve stories in a row getting the little 'H') I took a bit of a break from writing and disappeared for six months.

I returned to writing and submitting in the last month and picked up where I left off. Except in terms of feedback, votes and views. I've noticed all of a sudden that they just aren't there like they were before. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a 'downturn' of sorts over the last couple of months.

The reason for writing this post is that only two days ago I submitted a couple of stories and had the opportunity to check my submissions page. I noticed that in two nights three of my stories (old ones) which had been up for more than nine months had been bombarded with bad ratings and lost their 'H' status. I then noticed all my recent stuff which had been sitting around the 20-30 vote mark had also taken a slide on the ratings.

I have to say that it is a little disheartening. It made me start thinking that perhaps I'm on someone's blacklist and they are systematically going through my work and bombing it to prove some sort of point. Last night alone I received three anonymous feedbacks which were all either telling me I was a bad writer or they hated the story. It was a bit of a shock because I had never received bad feedback other than suggestions about improvements that I could make in my writing. All the feedback looked like it had originated from the same person, (i.e. all one line in lower case, all anon, ann basically saying the same thing) and all targeting old stories of mine which were close to the 4.5 mark.

So is it just me??? Or am I on someone's blacklist??? Or is this a phenomenon that up until the last couple of months I was sheltered from??? Has anyone else had similar experiences???

I should categorically state that I'm not going to give up writing. But it is a disheartening thing to see when you log on and have a look at how your work is being received by readers .....

 

[Guest]

Give it some time -

This site runs in cycles. In the past few months I haven't received many votes on my work, either. I think it's just one of those times; maybe the world is going through mood swings!

As for repeated '1' bombs, Laurel does sweep votes periodically to remove obvious cheaters. You may find your vote totals going down within the next month as your overall score goes up.

And even though it is difficult, you should always try to ignore comments made from anyone who remains "anonymous."

Anonymous is always a small-minded, creepy little cowardly troll-like being.

 

[CharleyH]

As many here will mention, there are many threads on this topic, and so, here are a couple to save you the irritation of searching or waiting for replies:

Some opinions


Some more opinions

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I'd be the first to admit that since I began writing and submitting to Lit I've always enjoyed getting feedback from readers and fellow authors about my work. I've also enjoyed seeing how my stories faired in the views and votes department. After a hot start (twelve stories in a row getting the little 'H') I took a bit of a break from writing and disappeared for six months.

I returned to writing and submitting in the last month and picked up where I left off. Except in terms of feedback, votes and views. I've noticed all of a sudden that they just aren't there like they were before. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a 'downturn' of sorts over the last couple of months.

The reason for writing this post is that only two days ago I submitted a couple of stories and had the opportunity to check my submissions page. I noticed that in two nights three of my stories (old ones) which had been up for more than nine months had been bombarded with bad ratings and lost their 'H' status. I then noticed all my recent stuff which had been sitting around the 20-30 vote mark had also taken a slide on the ratings.

I have to say that it is a little disheartening. It made me start thinking that perhaps I'm on someone's blacklist and they are systematically going through my work and bombing it to prove some sort of point. Last night alone I received three anonymous feedbacks which were all either telling me I was a bad writer or they hated the story. It was a bit of a shock because I had never received bad feedback other than suggestions about improvements that I could make in my writing. All the feedback looked like it had originated from the same person, (i.e. all one line in lower case, all anon, ann basically saying the same thing) and all targeting old stories of mine which were close to the 4.5 mark.

So is it just me??? Or am I on someone's blacklist??? Or is this a phenomenon that up until the last couple of months I was sheltered from??? Has anyone else had similar experiences???

I should categorically state that I'm not going to give up writing. But it is a disheartening thing to see when you log on and have a look at how your work is being received by readers .....

It's warmer out, the sun is shining, there is a lot to do outside now. I think one component of the slowdown in views/votes/feedback is that people(at least here in the states) are shaking off winter and are able to get out and do things. A lot of people take vacations, or go out to ake in a ball game, or watch the kids soccer game or... the list is endless. I think you probably have a lot of people out doing, rather than in with time & inclination to read during the summermonths.

-Colly