Honest non-troll criticism hurts so much more...

[jomar]

I wrote a story hoping to get flamed and/or praised by racists on both end of the spectrum.

Not a thing, God damn it!

Consternating isn't it? See post #20.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jomar
I tried a troll baiting story on LW, but failed miserably. I didn't know the rules well enough to break them correctly and readers liked my story.

I wrote a story hoping to get flamed and/or praised by racists on both end of the spectrum.

Not a thing, God damn it!

I have never written a story for the purpose of being flamed. However, I have written stories expecting to be flamed, but not really caring. In fact, I was rather looking forward to some of the illiterate rants I would receive.

I wasn't disappointed. They were actually fun to read.

 

[glynndah]

I never get "trolled". I think I must be doing something wrong.

 

[damppanties]

I never get "trolled". I think I must be doing something wrong.

There was a time I thought so too. Then I wrote a controversial LW story. Success!!

Keep trying.

 

[gauchecritic]

I introduced anal sex as a method of birth control in one of my stories and unfortunately mentioned that the rain water falling on their bodies was tinged pink with blood.

Anonymous commented solely about the dangers of rupturing the anal wall another commenter said they had a similar moment of pause about the blood (then went on to say they really liked the story).

Now I realise that it is a fair conclusion, without evidence to the contrary, to assume the blood was from the anal cavity.

In actual fact it was drawn from experience and the blood was from a split in the foreskin of the guy (although I never actually mentioned that).

I found the comment rather amusing really, but left it there as a lesson to buttfuckers.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I find that honest criticism always hurts, no matter what. I do my best to be gracious, but even when I really want the criticism, it hurts, and I have to let myself do my little internal pout before I can get down and do anything useful with it. It embarrasses me and I hate that about myself but I can't seem to do anything about it.

But then I think about it. Sometimes the criticism is valid and sometimes it isn't, and I'm surprised at what firm opinions I have about things. "The guy says he doesn't like my dialogue but he's wrong. The dialogue is fine there. He doesn't know what he's talking about." or, "Yeah, he's right. That dialogue is lousy. I really have to work on that." Hopefully I learn something and move on.

I'm terribly self-critical already though - defensively self-critical - so I don't know if I've ever gotten any criticism that's caught me totally by surprise.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Angela,

A copy of Abraham Lincoln's famous line about pleasing people should be kept near every writer's work area.

You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time; but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

That thought leads to the following immortal words of wisdom by the late Ricky Nelson:

You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself.

Sometimes writers can give other writers great advice. At the suggestion of F.S. Fitzgerald, Hemingway, one of the most egotistical writers in the history of English letters, cut thousands of words from the opening of the manuscript that eventually became, "The Sun Also Rises."

On the other hand, can you imagine Hemingway giving advice to James Joyce or Proust?

Writing ain't for sissies. Listen to all valid advice. Act only on that you feel will improve your work.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Boxlicker101]

Angela,

A copy of Abraham Lincoln's famous line about pleasing people should be kept near every writer's work area.

You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time; but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

That thought leads to the following immortal words of wisdom by the late Ricky Nelson:

You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself.

Sometimes writers can give other writers great advice. At the suggestion of F.S. Fitzgerald, Hemingway, one of the most egotistical writers in the history of English letters, cut thousands of words from the opening of the manuscript that eventually became, "The Sun Also Rises."

On the other hand, can you imagine Hemingway giving advice to James Joyce or Proust?

Writing ain't for sissies. Listen to all valid advice. Act only on that you feel will improve your work.

Rumple Foreskin

I thought that Lincoln quote was about fooling people.

 

[Edward Teach]

I never get "trolled". I think I must be doing something wrong.

It's the kisses

But if it'll make you feel better, I'll troll you

Eddie the Benevolent

 

[BlackShanglan]

Ezra Pound once send T. S. Elliot a manuscript back with his feedback in the form of the word "Putrid" scrawled across the front. At least my fellow writers have generally been kinder than that.

 

[CeriseNoire]

The non-troll criticism does get to me, because it usually shows the reader actually read the story before giving me the feedback. Actually it only stings for a moment if I think they are right, because then I end up feeling like I should have known better. I still enjoy it though. And if I'm too close to a particular piece, then I don't post it.

The troll-ish comments say so much about the people who leave them that I end up thinking that I'd rather not please them in the first place.

 

[unpredictablebijou]

where am I?

Hey wait a minute. You people are all actually being nice, saying intelligent things, agreeing and disagreeing in kind and rational ways, and even occasionally making sexy comments to each other, just like I had been dreaming Lit was going to be like before I actually started looking around at the boards.

Am I still on Literotica, or have I been shunted to a parallel universe?

perhaps there's hope after all. I could use a little tonight. Thank you!

bijou

oh - as to the topic, yeah... I always have to get myself through defensiveness about critique, even after years and years of it, even if it's appropriate and correct, and even when I claim that it's why I'm here in the first place. oy. Every once in a while, though, I handle it okay. Had someone correct a piece of terminology I used in one of my stories the other day and I only wasted a minute feeling dumb before I got over it and was grateful.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Hey wait a minute. You people are all actually being nice, saying intelligent things, agreeing and disagreeing in kind and rational ways, and even occasionally making sexy comments to each other, just like I had been dreaming Lit was going to be like before I actually started looking around at the boards.

Am I still on Literotica, or have I been shunted to a parallel universe?

perhaps there's hope after all. I could use a little tonight. Thank you!

bijou

oh - as to the topic, yeah... I always have to get myself through defensiveness about critique, even after years and years of it, even if it's appropriate and correct, and even when I claim that it's why I'm here in the first place. oy. Every once in a while, though, I handle it okay. Had someone correct a piece of terminology I used in one of my stories the other day and I only wasted a minute feeling dumb before I got over it and was grateful.

Welcome to AH

But-- don't count on it being like this all the time... Sometimes we descend to pulling hair.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Welcome to AH

But-- don't count on it being like this all the time... Sometimes we descend to pulling hair.

If you ask her nicely.

 

[3113]

But-- don't count on it being like this all the time... Sometimes we descend to pulling hair.

Tugging on Stella's pigtail

 

[CeriseNoire]

Tugging Stella's pigtails

*picturing Stella in pigtails and nothing else*

 

[Stella_Omega]

Tugging on Stella's pigtail

Ow, you big ol' bully!

 

[angela146]

Wow! What a scintillating discussion! Thank you all.

The point has been made eloquently several times: valid criticism hurts but it helps us grow.

And now for the flip side: The trolls don't seem to understand that venomous, mean-spirited criticism doesn't inflict anywhere near as much pain as calm, honest, accurate feedback.

For those who have a sadistic streak and want to make us cry, a simple honest email, calmly spelling out the serious flaws and ignoring the nitpicks will flay the heart and soul of an author. It may even result in a response in which we thank the critic for the feedback, display the bloody wounds in our pride and perhaps even apologize for our sins.

But, alas, trolls are fucking idiots and don't deserve the pleasure.

 

[MarshAlien]

I never get "trolled". I think I must be doing something wrong.

[size=-2]bitch[/size]

I had a story here that ended up quite highly rated, but after its first two votes had an average rating of 1.00. Must have been early morning trolls.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I thought that Lincoln quote was about fooling people.

It is Box. What you read was Rumple's variation #1 in BS minor. You may be more familiar with variation #2 in No Shit major

"You can piss-off some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time; but you can't piss-off all of the people all of the time, probably."

I apologize to anyone confused my failure to properly label the quote.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[snake307]

I write the stories I want to read.

I got into writing for the same reason Homer Hickam did, I wanted to read a story that wasn't writen. Selfish of me wasn't it?

I am not a writer by training, or vocation, I work in the transportation field. I am certainly not skilled at using the english language, many here have pointed out my grammer sucks. I readily agree, my grammer does suck, you would think I would be better at english since it's the language of my birth.

 

[CharleyH]

Yes, they hurt. Those are the ones you need to take to heart though. Those are the ones that after the sting is gone that will make you a better writer. Good luck.

I disagree. Sure they sting, but take them to heart? Let's face it - these are not editors from Harper Collins et al. that we are speaking about, and even if they were? Well, the editors at Grove Press would have something completely different to say about it.

If you felt, as a writer (as you said, Angela) that this person was right? Well, take it to good use, but never, ever take it to heart because you won't last long as a writer if you do.

 

[flavortang]

People are too lazy to troll my writing. After reading 15 pages they get bored and give up. lol

 

[glynndah]

It's the kisses

But if it'll make you feel better, I'll troll you

Eddie the Benevolent

Yes, please. I'd be honored. A few for my favorite trolling pirate from the good little witch.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I look at it like this. FTSOA, Suppose I get the following two PC or emails:

My dear sir:
I am Professor Pecksniff, PHD, in the Creative Writing Department at Podunk University, and I must say, I was quite dismayed at this amateurish effort. Here at PU, it would not be at all acceptable. There was no conflict whatsoever, and virtually no character development. The motivation of the principals was never explained; all they did was get together and have carnal knowledge of one another. I really wish you would apply more of the principles of creative writing to your future stories.


Hey, Dude
I rilly dug your storry. You write real good. I just red the first half a page and my cunt was so wet I hadda get my fingers in it and play with my clit. I cum before I was even thru and I red it the next day and cum agin. I shure hope yu write sum more.

Now, which of those two comments should I pay more attention to? The second one, of course. The woman who wrote it is one of the persons I write for, not the first twit. Old Pecksniff can be dismayed all he wants; I'm not gonna change my smut for him.