Getting a bad review

[naxet]

After one story that was written on the fly and another that was actually a joke changed to humorous story form, I posted my first real short story on the site a couple of weeks ago. The first two leveled out just above 4.0, which didn't bother me in the least since I didn't put a lot into them. Then I released my third story and saw it hover right at that target of 4.5 for some time, just begging to pop over the edge and give me an "H".

Then it happened. Someone apparently read the first part of the story, didn't like it, posted a slamming comment titled "Stupid Story" (annonymous, of course) where he listed all the problems he had with the story. I've been writing for some time, as a result, I've developed a thick skin when it comes to nonprofessional reviews. This one bothered me, though, since the problems he had with the story were part of the conclusion the story was working toward. It was like reading Old Yellar and saying it was a stupid tale because there was no way a dog could live through catching rabies. After his post the story quickly dropped from about 4.45 to 3.96.

the story:
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=467611

Keep in mind, I'm not saying that this story is award worthy or anything, and it would take something like 27 consecutive 5s to get it up to 4.5 now. I just hated to see it crash and burn, possibly due to one person's opinion - a person who admitted that he hadn't read the entire story.

I have another story coming up that may be my best erotica tale yet. Anyone reading the first three-quarters without finishing it will think it's a very sexist, anti-feminist tale - it's not. I'm thinking of adding a little author's note at the beginning asking the reader to finish the story if they plan on voting, but I don't want to sound snarky.

 

[Stella_Omega]

You are right, that would sound snarky-- although it is every writer's most fervent wish.

Your new story, with its anti-feminism feeling? I would not finish it. I do not read erotica in order to blow my head up.

however, IF there were a tip of the hat, a nod or a wink, within the story, that this ugliness you are portraying is not in fact an ugliness that you are endorsing-- do you understand what I mean? I might read it, because I might get the notion that you the writer are going to fix this situation in a way that will vindicate me.

There's a name for that technique, but I can't remember it.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

CHRIST! Another victim wanting Cosmic Justice.

 

[Boxlicker101]

After one story that was written on the fly and another that was actually a joke changed to humorous story form, I posted my first real short story on the site a couple of weeks ago. The first two leveled out just above 4.0, which didn't bother me in the least since I didn't put a lot into them. Then I released my third story and saw it hover right at that target of 4.5 for some time, just begging to pop over the edge and give me an "H".

Then it happened. Someone apparently read the first part of the story, didn't like it, posted a slamming comment titled "Stupid Story" (annonymous, of course) where he listed all the problems he had with the story. I've been writing for some time, as a result, I've developed a thick skin when it comes to nonprofessional reviews. This one bothered me, though, since the problems he had with the story were part of the conclusion the story was working toward. It was like reading Old Yellar and saying it was a stupid tale because there was no way a dog could live through catching rabies. After his post the story quickly dropped from about 4.45 to 3.96.

the story:
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=467611

Keep in mind, I'm not saying that this story is award worthy or anything, and it would take something like 27 consecutive 5s to get it up to 4.5 now. I just hated to see it crash and burn, possibly due to one person's opinion - a person who admitted that he hadn't read the entire story.

I have another story coming up that may be my best erotica tale yet. Anyone reading the first three-quarters without finishing it will think it's a very sexist, anti-feminist tale - it's not. I'm thinking of adding a little author's note at the beginning asking the reader to finish the story if they plan on voting, but I don't want to sound snarky.

People drop one bombs for the strangest reasons. I have gotten a couple because I spell the word for climax as "cum" and I spell the slang word for semen the same way. Sometimes I get slammed because I have the male character wear a condom. This is just something we live with.

 

[TxRad]

CHRIST! Another victim wanting Cosmic Justice.

CHRIST! Another stupid slam the newbie post from the King of such crap!

Naxet, you'll have to forgive our local pet troll, he's off his meds again.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

CHRIST! Another victim wanting Cosmic Justice.

http://media.skateboard.com.au/forum/images/you_cunt4747.jpg

 

[naxet]

CHRIST! Another stupid slam the newbie post from the King of such crap!

Naxet, you'll have to forgive our local pet troll, he's off his meds again.

It didn't bother me. Every site has one or two like him.

 

[naxet]

People drop one bombs for the strangest reasons. I have gotten a couple because I spell the word for climax as "cum" and I spell the slang word for semen the same way. Sometimes I get slammed because I have the male character wear a condom. This is just something we live with.

Yeah, and 'one' can really crater a story with only 25 votes, which is exactly what happened here.

coincidentally, I read one of your stories last night, really enjoyed it.

 

[Stella_Omega]

It didn't bother me. Every site has one or two like him.

You'll do fine here then.

Aside from that, did my comment make any sense to you? I'm not saying you have to do things that way, but I've seen this same complaint pretty often when a story or novel deals with something iffy.

 

[JackLuis]

Welcome to Lit and the greater Zoo.

The average score ( for a reasonable good story) is about 4.3. Some say it's getting tougher to get a 4.5 these days, but I don;t know, cause I've just been here a year or so.

Your scores will vary from week to week, if anyone reads them at all. There is a lot of smut here and if the story isn't listed on the "new" board it doesn't get read very often.

Congratulations on getting close to 4.5. You should try writing a "Loving Wives" tale and see how you do. That is the toughest category, I understand.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I just sit on the curb and clap when all the new artistes prance by.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I just sit on the curb and clap when all the new artistes prance by.

yup. you're still a cunt.

 

[Stella_Omega]

yup. you're still a cunt.

A cunt with the clap, in fact.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

A cunt with the clap, in fact.

that explains the smell.

is it time to get his nurse to change him?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

NAXET

Poor baby.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

NAXET

Poor baby.

not long until alzheimers now, huh?

 

[naxet]

You'll do fine here then.

Aside from that, did my comment make any sense to you? I'm not saying you have to do things that way, but I've seen this same complaint pretty often when a story or novel deals with something iffy.

Yeah, I was trying to think of how to reply. I know what you mean, but i don't know how to go about giving such a hint.

Probably the easiest way to explain would be to expalin the story itself (the one with the sexist underetone; not the above story).

The framework (but not the plot) is based on a horror story I sold to a paying market several years ago. In that story I started the story with two characters wounded in a getaway car while another was driving like a maniac, bringing the reder right into the action before flashing back to the bankrobbery, then past the initial beginning to the horror element - it worked like a charm. So I decided I wanted to do that with an erotica story, starting right in the middle of a really serious bout of rough sex, then flashing back to how it happened. The problem is, it starts with the man being very sexually dominant, and the woman submissive. Then it flashes back to the present where the couple actually hate each other an are have a heated business-related arguement. In the argument, the woman is often taking seen taking the feminist tack, and the guy is basically arguing that he's not sexist. He's not really being sexist, but, since I'm using his POV and starting with him dominating a person who is obviously a feminist, I can so see someone reading about half the story and saying, "Oh, I can see where this is going" and givng a 1 without reading to the end.

The plot for the story is sound, and the sex is solid as hell (a 6100 word story built around a 4800 word sex scene). Id' hate to see it cratered because of a few 1s given by people who didn't finish the story.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

not long until alzheimers now, huh?

I havent forgotten that your ass is prettier than your face.

 

[naxet]

not long until alzheimers now, huh?

ignore him. he wants the attention.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

No. I wanna watch the poorbaby whine about feedback.

 

[TxRad]

ignore him. he wants the attention.

With JBJ, it's not the attention he wants. He just likes to spread hate and discontent. It's his version of shit on a shingle with real shit.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I havent forgotten that your ass is prettier than your face.

oh dear, such cutting wit. what a retort. i'm crushed.

but i'd slap you and humiliate you in front of your family ... and you know it. never mind, old-timer. you just sit in your puddle of piss and bad-mouth everyone. everyone knows you're a cunt. i just wanted to say it to ya.

 

[TxRad]

No. I wanna watch the poorbaby whine about feedback.

At least they have something to whine about. You don't have anything posted to this site the last time I looked.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yeah, I was trying to think of how to reply. I know what you mean, but i don't know how to go about giving such a hint.

Probably the easiest way to explain would be to expalin the story itself (the one with the sexist underetone; not the above story).

The framework (but not the plot) is based on a horror story I sold to a paying market several years ago. In that story I started the story with two characters wounded in a getaway car while another was driving like a maniac, bringing the reder right into the action before flashing back to the bankrobbery, then past the initial beginning to the horror element - it worked like a charm. So I decided I wanted to do that with an erotica story, starting right in the middle of a really serious bout of rough sex, then flashing back to how it happened. The problem is, it starts with the man being very sexually dominant, and the woman submissive. Then it flashes back to the present where the couple actually hate each other an are have a heated business-related arguement. In the argument, the woman is often taking seen taking the feminist tack, and the guy is basically arguing that he's not sexist. He's not really being sexist, but, since I'm using his POV and starting with him dominating a person who is obviously a feminist, I can so see someone reading about half the story and saying, "Oh, I can see where this is going" and givng a 1 without reading to the end.

The plot for the story is sound, and the sex is solid as hell (a 6100 word story built around a 4800 word sex scene). Id' hate to see it cratered because of a few 1s given by people who didn't finish the story.

Yeah, that could be... problematic, in terms of reader response. And you'll get men who want to see the bitch demolished or whatever, and if she's vindicated at the end-- they'll bomb you.

If you're good with your handling of the argument, I think, you can make it work-- at least for feminist readers, who ought to be sensitive to nuances of argument. That's where you can tap your nose, so to speak.

You'll notice I ignore the rough sex part-- many a feminist has come to terms with her bedroom kinks, and for crissake if she hasn't, what is she doing on lit!

 

[Bobby_3111]

Comments on your stories you just have to decide what to leave up or take down. If it's just been posted then I would check it at least once a day for a couple of weeks for bad comments like those, then delete them and soldier on.