How does one know what the devil people want? (PC/feedback)

[OhMissScarlett]

No . . . and, admittedly, I'm kinda dissapointed.

I'm starting to think this is like that movie The Village...

 

[hugo_sam]

I'm starting to think this is like that movie The Village...

Hey Scarlett!

First time I noticed the 'Cho' quote, Great!

 

[AppleBiter]

I'm starting to think this is like that movie The Village...

*snickers*

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Hey Scarlett!

First time I noticed the 'Cho' quote, Great!

LOL. She's too freakin' funny.

 

[CharleyH]

LOL. She's too freakin' funny.

Frankly, Scarlett?



(DAMN! That was almost satisfying to articulate your name in that movie context ... to bad I couldn't rhyme it )

 

[LadyJeanne]

Frankly, Scarlett?



(DAMN! That was almost satisfying to articulate your name in that movie context ... to bad I couldn't rhyme it )

psst, try "harlot"

 

[BlackShanglan]

"... a rollicking good time!", "... a refreshing new take on mother-son anal didlo incest!"

Laughed so hard I nearly lost the laptop.

Thank you all for the comments, especially you devil-people wherever you might be. I do think I've learned this: no negatives in PC's. I think that makes perfect sense, and probably should have picked up on it before. I usually don't, or if I do I try to be tactful, but I think you're right that it's too like criticizing people in public. Add to list of things to remember.

I have tried, for the contest at least, to send feedbacks if I vote under a 5. Call it insanity if you like. I would just hate people to think they were being hatefully trolled, and I would personally feel like a coward voting at 3 without facing the potential wrath of the author.

Maybe it's the masochist in me. I have a PC that someone whom I hold in farily low esteem posted to inform me that one of my favorite stories was "whiny." I've left it up on the grounds that I refuse to be petty about such things and I am determined to take my lumps as they come. It's slowly turning into a badge of honor - but very slowly.

Shanglan

 

[AppleBiter]

Thank you all for the comments, especially you devil-people wherever you might be.

Shanglan

According to one certain thread, turns out the devil-people may include none other than Mr. Harry Potter. LOL

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Maybe it's the masochist in me. I have a PC that someone whom I hold in farily low esteem posted to inform me that one of my favorite stories was "whiny." I've left it up on the grounds that I refuse to be petty about such things and I am determined to take my lumps as they come. It's slowly turning into a badge of honor - but very slowly.

Shanglan

I have to ask. How many lumps do you want?

and Charley, rhyme it all you want, baby.

 

[AppleBiter]

Maybe it's the masochist in me. I have a PC that someone whom I hold in farily low esteem posted to inform me that one of my favorite stories was "whiny." I've left it up on the grounds that I refuse to be petty about such things and I am determined to take my lumps as they come. It's slowly turning into a badge of honor - but very slowly.

Shanglan

You're braver than I, horsey. I admit it -- I have deleted one not-so-great PC.

 

[hugo_sam]

Shanglan

Hey Shang!

Question: As someone new to actual writing, I'm trying to put context to the votes/comments thing. I certainly do not know enough about writing base on. I know what I like to read, but don't have enough experience to contextualize FB/PC/votes.

For stories posted in September, what would be an average of total reads, votes ratio, PC ratio? I realize this is general, but there is no guide other than experience to use. In a not as popular catagory like novels, etc. or any others, rather than Ec or some of the others.

Thanks Hugo

 

[BlackShanglan]

I have to ask. How many lumps do you want?

From you? All you will give me. I can think of no more deliciously enticing demise than being lumped to death by MsS.

Hey Shang!
For stories posted in September, what would be an average of total reads, votes ratio, PC ratio? I realize this is general, but there is no guide other than experience to use. In a not as popular catagory like novels, etc. or any others, rather than Ec or some of the others.

You know, you hit the issue at the end of it. It's all about category. It's almost impossible to give a general figure for that reason. Stories in "Incest" are famously heavily read; stories in "Letters and Transcripts" get very little traffic. The differences are so broad that it's difficult to generalize at all. The best I can manage myself is just to look at the stories I already have up and see how this one is doing in comparison.

Shanglan

 

[cloudy]

Shang, for what it's worth, when you critiqued a story of mine in a PM, it wasn't in the least bit harsh, and I took it as a great way to learn.

my $.02.

 

[hugo_sam]

Shanglan

Thanks Shang

I realize it is a virtually impossible question. My feeble stories have not been up long enough to gather much from their history. I guess time will tell. Mind you, I am not writing for FB/PC/votes. Mainly because I love to read and have too much time on my hands, but some 'feedback' is appreciated in the general since of the term.

Thank you for thinking about it anyway.

 

[cloudy]

Thanks Shang

I realize it is a virtually impossible question. My feeble stories have not been up long enough to gather much from their history. I guess time will tell. Mind you, I am not writing for FB/PC/votes. Mainly because I love to read and have too much time on my hands, but some 'feedback' is appreciated in the general since of the term.

Thank you for thinking about it anyway.

Hugo....the more stories you post, the more reads you'll get, because people who have read one of your stories, and liked it, will go on to read another. The contests are a wonderful way to get reads, and new fans, as I showed above with a reader who read my contest entry, and went on to read at least two more of my stories today - and swears she'll read my new ones from now on.

 

[hugo_sam]

Hugo....the more stories you post, the more reads you'll get, because people who have read one of your stories, and liked it, will go on to read another. The contests are a wonderful way to get reads, and new fans, as I showed above with a reader who read my contest entry, and went on to read at least two more of my stories today - and swears she'll read my new ones from now on.

Thanks Cloudy

I understand

Been kind of stopped up on writing the last week. Got three in various stages.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Shang, for what it's worth, when you critiqued a story of mine in a PM, it wasn't in the least bit harsh, and I took it as a great way to learn.

my $.02.

Thank you very much, Cloudy. It was a great story that I remember fondly.

Shanglan

 

[hugo_sam]

Thank you very much, Cloudy. It was a great story that I remember fondly.

Shanglan

It is amazing the helpful people around here.

Eventually I will probably ask someone to read mine, but I am waiting for the re-edits to post. I imagine they are busy with the Halloween entries, so it is taking some time.

 

[BlackShanglan]

It is amazing the helpful people around here.

Eventually I will probably ask someone to read mine, but I am waiting for the re-edits to post. I imagine they are busy with the Halloween entries, so it is taking some time.

*nods* Probably it is the contest that's doing it.

If you want in-depth feedback, let me plug the Story Discussion Circle for a moment. It's very helpful and right now I believe they're looking for stories to critique as well. It works on a "give first" basis; first you critique two other stories, and then you can put your story on the list to be critiqued. I've never been dissapointed with the quality of feedback I've gotten on the SDC, and it's often helped me to see things about my work that I would never have guessed. Highly recommended.

Shanglan

 

[hugo_sam]

*nods* Probably it is the contest that's doing it.

If you want in-depth feedback, let me plug the Story Discussion Circle for a moment. It's very helpful and right now I believe they're looking for stories to critique as well. It works on a "give first" basis; first you critique two other stories, and then you can put your story on the list to be critiqued. I've never been dissapointed with the quality of feedback I've gotten on the SDC, and it's often helped me to see things about my work that I would never have guessed. Highly recommended.

Shanglan

Thanks

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Since we're tossing around pennies like they were one cent pieces, I'll add mine to the pile.

Hugo: Both reads and votes can vary depending on category. As Shang said, Incest gets a slug of reads. BDSM gets a fair number of reads but the scores are low. Romance gets modest reads but the voters tend to be kind. You might check out the TOPS lists to get a feel for number of votes and scores.

Also, if you want honest feedback, I second Shang's suggestion that you check out the Story Discussion Circle.

IMHO, the bottom line on critiques is if the writer doesn't ask, don't volunteer. I'm going to try and think up a universal disclaimer for my stories begging, pleading, whining, whatever it takes, for honest feedback. However, truth be told, it's only the opinion of AH'ers that I prize.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[hugo_sam]

Rumple Foreskin

Living and learning. As I said, waiting for re-edits to post. Will look at that for new stories. I was just looking for any type of yardstsck. I mean I see my reads, votes and score. Feedback is not prolific but have actually had more emailed than PC. Only one really bad one that was very short and unsweet, other than some of being impatient. Anon from Botswanna???? It's also in the Novels and Novellas cat so I'm sure with a lower turn than much shorter pieces and 'stroke' stories.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Oh, goody! My short, syrupy, sentimental Halloween contest story has been posted. No overt sex, and except for what I do to good taste and the English language, no violence or horror. It hasn't made it to the contest list, but consider yourself warned.

Till We Meet Again

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Living and learning. As I said, waiting for re-edits to post. Will look at that for new stories. I was just looking for any type of yardstsck. I mean I see my reads, votes and score. Feedback is not prolific but have actually had more emailed than PC. Only one really bad one that was very short and unsweet, other than some of being impatient. Anon from Botswanna???? It's also in the Novels and Novellas cat so I'm sure with a lower turn than much shorter pieces and 'stroke' stories.

Some folks use Lit to try and improve their writing. That tends to be the case with most folks at the AH. Most however, seem to just like to relax and write smut, often including their fantasies.

There are ways to boost your scores and readers. However, in the long run it will slow your improvement as a writer. If you want to become a better writer, then write. Ask for feedback. Most folks here are happy (or at least willing) to give input. Check out the "How-To" forum, there's lots of good info there on writing, among other things.

I've got a hunch that before long, you'll get to feel like the rest of us, that while votes, scores, PC and e-mail "atta boys" are all nice, hearing some of the better AH writers say your stuff is good and/or getting better, is the biggest rush of all.

Rumple Foreskin

ps: One easy thing to do that often increases readership is to include a link to your story list in your sig line. If the thought of fiddle with that sends cold chills down your spine, worry not and warm up. Plenty of folks here will be happy to advise you on how it's done. rf

 

[minsue]

You think YOU'RE disillusioned? How'd you like to have folks hurling barbed comments, sly innuedos, and scathing comments while looking down their noses at you everytime some subject related to the atom comes up? It's the type of thing that can make a fella all skittish, let me tell you.

Rumple Foreskin

Having recently had the surreal experience of actually arguing whether it's TO-MAY-TO or TO-MAH-TO, I feel your pronunciation angst.