Do the scores discourage you from reading?

[MayorReynolds]

First, an embarrassing confession: I've been on this site almost three years now, and despite all the lessons I've learned about the scoring system I was always been picky about the numbers. I tended to skip over anything that didn't have at least a 4. Again, this was after submitting stories myself and dealing with trolls, vote bombers and Anons with their own improvised rules. The third and final installment of my "I'll Be Home" series currently holds the lowest score of anything I've ever submitted, even lower than my first story from December 2012.

The number scrutiny made it difficult to browse new submissions. Then I came up with an idea. The way Literotica is laid out on my monitor puts a wide gap between the story titles and the scores, making it easy for me to completely ignore the right column. By cutting out the numbers I can just focus on the titles and descriptions. The two I read so far today were actually quite good!

It was a harsh reminder that the 'H' is only a letter and the ratings aren't always picked with the best intentions.

Has anyone else ever struggled with this problem?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

All struggle except a few who seem immune to it all.

 

[Vanadorn]

Scores don't mean anything to me in my interest in reading - it's pretty much genre, author, and sometimes the undertitle that gets me to read.

Now as for what I like to see under my own name? Sure - a field of 4.9's would be nice - and so would a handful of blowjobs and a new Goldwing.

So take 'em or leave 'em - sometimes the scoring system is just a popularity contest.

-V

 

[patientlee]

Any deviation from what the Lit Masses view as ideal brings a low score. When I'm reading something from an author that's new to me, I do consider score because I don't want to waste time on a poorly written story, and poorly written doesn't usually score highly. When I read stories by authors I know I like, I often choose the low scoring stories. To me it indicates that they took a chance, and wrote something that might not appeal to the masses, but might be adventurous, dark, interesting, surprising, etc.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I prefer to score 5 or not score at all. If someone asks for an opinion I give it without qualification or apology, its what I think.

But most here have a PC checklist, and that doesn't exist in the real world where most writers include plenty of offensive material. In fact I frown on writers who insert PC comments to discount characters they create.

 

[Privates1stClass]

There are a lot of pearls among low scoring stories, but generally, the low scorers aren't worth my time, so I'll read the description and maybe the comments before I read one scoring less than 3.5.

Just because a story has a red 'H,' doesn't mean it's a great story, either. There are plenty of dogs wearing a good score.

Sometimes I think instead of a numeric scoring system, Lit would benefit by using a 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' system, and report the number of 'thumbs up' compared to the total votes. Really, how much of a difference is there between two stories rating 4.51 and 4.31 other than a red 'H?'

 

[Swilly]

Any deviation from what the Lit Masses view as ideal brings a low score. When I'm reading something from an author that's new to me, I do consider score because I don't want to waste time on a poorly written story, and poorly written doesn't usually score highly. When I read stories by authors I know I like, I often choose the low scoring stories. To me it indicates that they took a chance, and wrote something that might not appeal to the masses, but might be adventurous, dark, interesting, surprising, etc.

Thank you pl. That is pretty much exactly what I was going to write.

 

[lovecraft68]

I never look at score. I go to whatever category I am in the mood for and go by title and tag line. If it sounds interesting I check it out.

When I do look at top lists I find them hit and miss. Some seem worth the score to me. But everything here is subjective. My five is another person's two.

I also go by author sometimes anything by tex tall tales is a must read.

 

[Montanos]

*****Do the scores matter?*****

I'll try to explain my reasoning through my own experiences.

I happen to try to read the 4.0 or higher. While doing so, I have also read thousands of 'H' marked chapters, stories, essays, etc.

My experience has been a general disappointment with the occasional gem shining through all the mud.

Many of the "H" marked stories I've read have the POSSIBILITY of greatness. The tales are involving in the underlying framework ... the potential that the story can reach.

As I explore other aspects of these stories, few take great effort on.

1. Proofreading. (<--- This one really upsets me. This is basic. If you care about your work, take some time to remove as many spelling errors as you can. )
2. Character synergy. (Do the conversations mesh well with the overall story and with each other? Are the conversations believable or simply hokey messes?)
3. Character evolution. (Does the character mentally evolve or do we simply explore aspects of a personality without the character developing new aspects)
4. Character dimensions (1 dimensional, 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional)
4. Story pacing. (Do the scenes follow a thematically consistent rhythm that draws the reader in or are they simply thrown in there because they might seem cool or give someone an erection/stiff nipples?)
5. Inability to decide what the story goals are. (Many stories simply don't know what their ultimate goal is beyond inserting sex scenes of particular genres. If a quick fap story is the goal, then make it the best darn fap story you can make it within the scope of what you want to achieve. Don't let the story wander off. Focus)

The usual prudent response is to say "these are amateur works". I agree. Many of them are. Thus, take into consideration the fact that EVEN THE 'H' STORIES ARE AMATEUR WORKS. They will, mostly, have many flaws.

Perhaps I am being harsh in my description. My current main hobby is reviewing books on Amazon and through the past couple of years it has sharpened my understanding of critical reviewing. At least, I reasonably believe it has. For all I know, I might just be a meandering fool doing more harm than good. I hope I'm not.

Some of the authors in Literotica are -not- amateurs or are amateurs with such talent that I couldn't tell the difference. I have read SOME stories, very few, which are both erotic, sexy, molded with an artistic blend of prose and infused with a vitality that sent thrills through me.

I separate those great stories from my guilty pleasures. Guilty pleasures, to me, are stories, which even when I can see the jarring mess the stories become, I enjoy because the stories touch on my personal perversity.

One tragic story, ONE, of all the thousands I have read here, made me cry. It was like reading beauty in words. I felt the tragedy down to my very toes. It was better than reading Romeo and Juliet. It was simply magnificent.

It was also a VERY risky story that touched some deep taboos. Thus, I could see how many people would despise the story, regardless of its quality.

............ Forgive me. I am prattling.

The point is simple. Most of the stories here are written by amateurs. They will be significantly underwhelming regardless of the "H" or not. The "H" is NOT a significant indication of a compelling story. It really isn't.

Most readers WILL focus only on the "H" or 4.0 and higher stories. That's simple realism. That means nothing if you search for quality.

Thus, and forgive me for sounding so crude, read at your own risk.

My very best wishes in your searches.

Montanos

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I never look at score. I go to whatever category I am in the mood for and go by title and tag line. If it sounds interesting I check it out.

When I do look at top lists I find them hit and miss. Some seem worth the score to me. But everything here is subjective. My five is another person's two.

I also go by author sometimes anything by tex tall tales is a must read.

Doesn't take much to please you.

I wouldn't 5 many of the Nobel Laureates...maybe THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Hemingway. They impressed because so many others were awful. And that's the same at LIT.

 

[stlgoddessfreya]

I find the scoring useful for avoiding the real dogs. If it's scored below a 3, I'm definitely not going to look at it unless it's brand new and I know other things the author has done. For authors I do know, their lower-rated stories are probably things I'll like better because, as pl said, those are the ones most likely to have taken a risk, especially for more established authors.

 

[sr71plt]

The rare times I read a story here it's for some other reason than the rating. Either the read was requested, it's in connection with a contest or event, or it's an author I want to read.

 

[loquere]

Sadly yes I judge by the numbers as well. Still a few of the best stories I've read were rated 3 #. I've made it a point to favourite two stories where it was clear the author was a victim.

1.http://www.literotica.com/s/babysitter-nikki
2.http://www.literotica.com/s/give-me-an-ohhhhhhh

Sometimes a storyline will piss off some and excite others.
I once wrote a Loving wife story where I chose not to punish the cheating wife, who was simply in a bad relationship. That was my first and only 3 # Story. Angry readers read that story and then went on to my other stories to vote down my most popular stories.

 

[Hypoxia]

I find the scoring useful for avoiding the real dogs. If it's scored below a 3, I'm definitely not going to look at it unless it's brand new and I know other things the author has done. For authors I do know, their lower-rated stories are probably things I'll like better because, as pl said, those are the ones most likely to have taken a risk, especially for more established authors.

Anyone glancing at my story submissions page will find a fair number of Red H's (about 40% of the stories), with most of the rest scoring 4+. And there are a very few down in -3 territory. Those are also my most-viewed. Hmmm...

We use a single voting system to measure three very different things -- let's call them technical, literary, and personal responses.

1) Technical - is the story readable? How is the orthography (spelling, grammar, etc)
2) Literary - is the story well-constructed? Does the writing flow? Is it cohesive?
3) Personal - is the story interesting to me? Does it turn me on, elicit feelings?

I've read technically dismal stories with fascinating storylines that turn me on. Do I vote on the author's intention (idea) or its actual execution? I *know* that my low-scoring pieces pass the technical and (hopefully) literary tests. They get low votes because most readers just operate on a different frequency.

I've suggested a different voting system, one similar to the old (and now dead) SensibleErection site. All votes (called mods) are either +1 or -1 but are attached to a label: +1 classy pr0n, -1 illegal pr0n, +1 interesting, +1 WTF, -1 WTF, -1 redundant, etc. A similar system here might include -1 orthography, -1 stupid, +1 rocked me, etc.

Think of it as a fine-grain voting system. The scores would be informative, not just yay or yuk.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Sadly yes I judge by the numbers as well. Still a few of the best stories I've read were rated 3 #. I've made it a point to favourite two stories where it was clear the author was a victim.

1.http://www.literotica.com/s/babysitter-nikki
2.http://www.literotica.com/s/give-me-an-ohhhhhhh

Sometimes a storyline will piss off some and excite others.
I once wrote a Loving wife story where I chose not to punish the cheating wife, who was simply in a bad relationship. That was my first and only 3 # Story. Angry readers read that story and then went on to my other stories to vote down my most popular stories.

You mean she was unhappy and moved on with her life? Oh, horrors!

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Given the number of times I've been one-bombed by gutless trolls who didn't have the balls to actually say their names, I'm highly skeptical of the scores. Yeah, 'nuff said here. That stuff is bullshit.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I don't consider scores a reliable indicator of story quality. Some categories have softer scoring than others, longer stories achieve higher scores from a decreasing number of readers, and some stories/authors/subject matter get bombed for reasons wholly unrelated to the merits of the story.

That being said, I rarely click on anything with a score below 4.0, for stories that have been up for more than a few days. I've read a few good ones between 3.5 and 4.0, but mostly they tend to be disappointing.

With new stories the scoring is so volatile and at the same time the lag between updates is so vast that the posted score is almost meaningless. With those, I just look at the title, author and tag line.

 

[HeyAll]

It depends on the category.

Some of my favorite stories on Lit have low ratings. Heck, some of my favorite stories that I've written have low scores.

The fact is, people will low-vote a story if they don't like the content or certain plot points. It doesn't matter how well written it is. One wrong story turn, or the use of certain fetishes, and the story may receive a low score from a peeved reader.

 

[49greg]

When I first started reading on Lit, in my 'anon' days, I didn't know what the scores meant, but I kept seeing the red H's. So I read those. I quickly found that some of them didn't appeal to me.

I tend to look at the score's now, but after I am attracted by the title and tag line. I pay more attention to the tag line than the score.

Having said that, I probably don't read that many stories here anymore. I'll go a week or more without reading here then one lazy afternoon I'll read several. I'd probably read more here if I didn't spend so much time on the AH.

edited: So to answer the question: No, a well written tag line will discount the scores and get me to start reading. But the story has to back up the promise of the tag line/title combo.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I tend to go more by author and story description than by rating; I've read plenty of excellent stories in the 4.0-4.49 range, and a few that were below 4.

One thing I've seen in my own stats is that the most effective way to get a good score is to winnow out the people who won't vote a 5, e.g. by length.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

Any deviation from what the Lit Masses view as ideal brings a low score. When I'm reading something from an author that's new to me, I do consider score because I don't want to waste time on a poorly written story, and poorly written doesn't usually score highly. When I read stories by authors I know I like, I often choose the low scoring stories. To me it indicates that they took a chance, and wrote something that might not appeal to the masses, but might be adventurous, dark, interesting, surprising, etc.

I find that too true in some categories.

I prefer to score 5 or not score at all. If someone asks for an opinion I give it without qualification or apology, its what I think.

But most here have a PC checklist, and that doesn't exist in the real world where most writers include plenty of offensive material. In fact I frown on writers who insert PC comments to discount characters they create.

I've adopted the same policy - either a 5 or no score at all. Additionally, I keep in mind that I'm reading a free story posted on a free website by someone willing to risk public ridicule. So, yeah, my 5 threshold is greatly reduced. If you keep me around until the end of the story, you're probably getting 5 from me.

If I leave a comment (and it's not often), I leave something glowing and truthful that might help attract other eyeballs who see the comment.

As for writers who insert PC comments, that doesn't bother me as much as commentators who claim to down vote because the story doesn't match their politically correct view of the world.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I find that too true in some categories.



I've adopted the same policy - either a 5 or no score at all. Additionally, I keep in mind that I'm reading a free story posted on a free website by someone willing to risk public ridicule. So, yeah, my 5 threshold is greatly reduced. If you keep me around until the end of the story, you're probably getting 5 from me.

If I leave a comment (and it's not often), I leave something glowing and truthful that might help attract other eyeballs who see the comment.

As for writers who insert PC comments, that doesn't bother me as much as commentators who claim to down vote because the story doesn't match their politically correct view of the world.

In recent weeks I switched to a new scoring system. If I'm still reading after 1500 words but lack the enthusiasm to read more, you get a 3. If I totally get pulled in and read more than 1500 words you get a 4, if its something I gotta finish, you get a 5. So far I apply it to commercial writing only.

I expect to make comments like: I read 1500 words of it and lost interest, or I read a paragraph and lost interest. No score below 5.

 

[sr71plt]

So where do you send these ratings on commercial writing? And can you hear the laughter when "whoever" receives them?

 

[49greg]

In recent weeks I switched to a new scoring system. If I'm still reading after 1500 words but lack the enthusiasm to read more, you get a 3. If I totally get pulled in and read more than 1500 words you get a 4, if its something I gotta finish, you get a 5. So far I apply it to commercial writing only.

I expect to make comments like: I read 1500 words of it and lost interest, or I read a paragraph and lost interest. No score below 5.

On Lit I've been giving scores of only 5 for a while, but only if I finish it. And I only finish a story if it's one that I HAD to finish. If I pull out before the end I just don't want to take the trouble to scroll and page and scroll again to the end and comment or score.

 

[TamLin01]

If the title, tagline, and story tags interest me, I'll probably read it no matter what. If it's a 3 or higher I'll assume it was well-received, and if it's hovering around the 2 or even 1 range (does anything really ever get that low) I'll be curious whether it's actually that bad.

Of course, it probably makes a difference if you're browsing categories and tags that attract a lot of authors. There are so many "I Fucked My Mom While Drunk--Chapter 17" style stories to choose from that I guess you've got to narrow the field somehow.