How to get Feedback?

[tales2tell]

I have two posted stories (Welcome Home and Welcome Home part 2) and have not received a lot of feedback. Actually, I haven't received any.

I wondered if there is anything you can do to attract more feedback? One of my stories has a decent amount of views (I think), but I still don't hear any response from readers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[amicus]

Welcome to the forum site...I am pleased to be the first to respond to your thread and I only wish I had some help to offer you.

I have some stories with 10,000 reads, 40 votes and no comments, no feedback. I have other stories that generate a lot of initial feedback..10 to 20 responses...and then they stop.

I think it somewhat depends on the classification of the story, I am told that 'incest' stories draw a large audience and you do not indicate what your stories are about in your post..so I shall go look and read and perhaps offer a feedback.

Again...welcome...be persistent..do not depend on feedback or response...just keep writing and posting...you will find your audience...

regards...amicus veritas...

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

I have two posted stories (Welcome Home and Welcome Home part 2) and have not received a lot of feedback. Actually, I haven't received any.

I wondered if there is anything you can do to attract more feedback? One of my stories has a decent amount of views (I think), but I still don't hear any response from readers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

From my minimal experience it seems to go that the best way to get a lot of feedback is to write something controversial (read anything posted under reviews and essays). Another way to get a modest amount of feedback is to write something decent in a popular category. Otherwise, it's up to the gods if you get any. Oh, another hint is to participate in the "I'll read yours if you'll read mine" threads and whatnot because often they will give you feedback there and on your story. Also, welcome to the community.

 

[bg23]

I've always found that, when writing a story, its more important to focus on the actual story than the sex. From my experience the readers who are only reading a story for a wank won't bother to give feedback - its the ones who read a story for its own sake that will give you any, and they like to read a story with a little more substance than just one involving a sex scene. However that's just my experience.

Its important that you find a category that suits you, and bear in mind that not all categories will yield a great deal of feedback. I've read your style and I think you could do very well in the Romance category, with a bit of fleshing up of your stories to add slightly more depth to it. The romance category will generally score high, and the feedback is quite good. (Perhaps because its mostly a woman's category? Women do like to talk. Witness the length of this post.)

As you develop as an author, you will gradually gain readers, who, if you please them, remain loyal. Its just a matter of them finding you, or you finding them. Remember - don't give up!

Good luck

xxx

 

[Belegon]

ahhh, feedback...

Feedback is very hard to come by for all of us I am afraid. As are votes of any kind. Don't get discouraged! Write for yourself and make sure you enjoy it and the rest will follow eventually.

Welcome to Lit.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Welcome to lit Tales, like it was previously posted, ask for feedback, but expect some good and some bad, we all get it.



HI Belegon, thanks for the sigline tribute

 

[Belegon]

Abs

Actually, I just get a kick out of the idea that you might come into the room while I am sleeping...

 

[wishfulthinking]

I've always found that, when writing a story, its more important to focus on the actual story than the sex. From my experience the readers who are only reading a story for a wank won't bother to give feedback - its the ones who read a story for its own sake that will give you any, and they like to read a story with a little more substance than just one involving a sex scene. However that's just my experience.

Its important that you find a category that suits you, and bear in mind that not all categories will yield a great deal of feedback. I've read your style and I think you could do very well in the Romance category, with a bit of fleshing up of your stories to add slightly more depth to it. The romance category will generally score high, and the feedback is quite good. (Perhaps because its mostly a woman's category? Women do like to talk. Witness the length of this post.)

As you develop as an author, you will gradually gain readers, who, if you please them, remain loyal. Its just a matter of them finding you, or you finding them. Remember - don't give up!

Good luck

xxx

What badgirl said.

 

[Guest]

I have two posted stories (Welcome Home and Welcome Home part 2) and have not received a lot of feedback. Actually, I haven't received any.

I wondered if there is anything you can do to attract more feedback? One of my stories has a decent amount of views (I think), but I still don't hear any response from readers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

To add to the terrific comments you've already received on this thread:

First - it does take some time to build up a reader fan base. Once readers become familiar with your name and story style you'll see more feedback.

Next - if you have the public comment option turned on you'll see more public comments than the emailed feedback.

AND - probably the most important thing is that in order to get feedback from other writers you must give them feedback as well. Don't be shy about reading and commenting on other stories on Lit. We all love and need helpful feedback to improve our writing skills!

 

[Alex De Kok]

I don't know about the others, but I find that the great majority of the feedback comes immediately a story gets posted, then dwindles to virtually zero. I would have said zero, but I have some stories a year or two old which still collect the very occasional feedback.

I'm a feedback whore, I ask for it at the end of my stories. Not that it seems to do much goood ...

Alex

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I have been getting good feedback on my stories since I started posting. In fact, without it I would never have posted past the first. I think category has a lot to do with your feedback. Perhaps as much as style, and skill.

Keep posting. As you become more known, your feedback will go up. People who like your work will eventually say something. I got one the other day from a gent, who says he has been faithfully reading my works since I first started posing, but only now finally felt comfortable saying something to me.

Try jumping categories, and seeing what kind f response you get, it may surprise you.

-Colly

 

[tales2tell]

Thanks!

Thank you all for your great responses. Everyone's advice was so helpful and I'm taking it to heart. You all made me want to get busy again and write some more.
And thank you too for the warm welcome to the forums.
Tales2Tell

 

[Belegon]

Just a quick note: I did a quick look and I appear to average about 1 vote for every hundred views. I would estimate one piece of feedback or a public comment for about every 15 votes.

Based unscientifically on my personal results only.

 

[angela146]

Remember, reading a story is almost always a solo experience (unless the story is read aloud to a group which would be a whole nuther thing).

You aren't trying to reach a group of readers. You are trying to reach one person. So what you want is to make that one person excited enough to write you an email.

If you want feedback, try to inspire something in the reader that will make them burst with energy to write you something.

As you write a story, try to envision the person who is reading it. What effect do you want to have on him/her? Make them horny? Make them come hard? Make them want to have sex with you? Make them want to worship the ground you walk on? Make them go out and find someone to have sex with?

 

[psychocatblah]

This was actually something I was thinking about today. About feedback and such. I have one of t stories on another site and I'm getting good reviews, but here it doesn't seem to do as well and I'm not sure why. It is my first long work and I know I have plenty of room to grow, but I feel like it's pretty good. Not brilliant or perfect, but the opinions on it seem to be pretty... varied? I got one comment that it was one of the better stories in Erotic Horror, and then another one that it was terrible. Is that typical?

And also, is there a board for "I'll show you mine if you show me yours?" Err... I mean, "If you read mine I'll read yours"? Or do you just start a thread here?

 

[gauchecritic]

One way to vitually guarantee feedback is to be of the female gender with a matching AV. (Yes I know the difference, but the average reader isn't au fait with the concept)

The drawback with this is that the feedback won't necessarily be about the stories you write.

I'll have to disagree with Badgirl too. A pure sex story from word one will generate feedback. Again not necessarily about the writing.

Gauche

 

[psychocatblah]

One way to vitually guarantee feedback is to be of the female gender with a matching AV. (Yes I know the difference, but the average reader isn't au fait with the concept)

The drawback with this is that the feedback won't necessarily be about the stories you write.

I'll have to disagree with Badgirl too. A pure sex story from word one will generate feedback. Again not necessarily about the writing.

Gauche

Well I am working on having enough posts to put up an AV, although that was mostly for my own vanity.

I was looking over the other comments... I think Erotic Horror is where the story belongs, although there is also incest in it. I guess I didn't really think of it as an incest story in particular because it really has more to do with the corruption of spirit in the characters than a "weehee, sex with daddy is fun!" sort of thing. And for the most part, sex is used as a way of stealing power or gaining power rather than, you know it being fun or an expression of anything other than dominance.

But I'm not sure it reads that way, I guess. I've been told the first chapter comes off as a bit sterile, but there again... it's not meant to be touchy feely either. I don't know, I'm rambling. Probably the sure sign of a thin-skinned virgin. Although it does say I'm experienced. It lies. Lies, I tell you!

Well, no, it doesn't. I'm just commenting a lot because I want to get that 100th post so I can put my little piccie up

 

[dr_mabeuse]

There's a board that's dedicated to soliciting feedback. It's called, oddly enough, "Story Feedback". You might post a request there and include a link to your story. At least someone will respond.

---ZQL

 

[Rusty914]

When you find out please post it, cause we'd all like to know, lol. I have stories with 30,000 reads and only 400 votes.......some worse then that in the ratio....but I've posted on this.........Good luck....on and in your signature put a link to your stories, I'm sure we'd be glad to read them.........

 

[psychocatblah]

There's a board that's dedicated to soliciting feedback. It's called, oddly enough, "Story Feedback". You might post a request there and include a link to your story. At least someone will respond.

---ZQL

Well... isn't that just... you know, to the point and right in front of me? Well there you go then. Now I just have to brace myself for really wanting honest feedback, I suppose.

 

[Lying Eyes]

If you want constructive criticism you might want to consider submiting your work to the "Story Discussion Circle" board. Though you have to be willing to give a critique to two other stories in return for the help. Some very inteligent writers give valuable comments such as Pure, Rumple Foreskin and dr_mabeuse. Some very thoughtful advice and sugestions can be gained over on that board.

I would caution you on putting up an AV with a hot babe pic. I remember sending some feedback with constructive criticism and also notes of things I thought worked well in a story to one young female writer on the "feedback" forum. She was very happy and relieved that I sent her constructive criticism because she was used to only getting pure empty flattery from readers who seemed much more intrested in her then her work.

Note in the first 7 days your story will be listed on "New Stories" list and at this time you will get most of your views and feedback. I had to pull my last story off the site after the first day when I noticed formating problems and when I fixed it and resubmited it without the technical flaws a week later I realized the views were almost stalled since it was no longer considered new.

Write something that people can relate too. Write with some emotional content beyond pure sex. You may get less feedback but it will be more rewarding. That story that I had with the formating problems up on the first day recieved two personal private emails from readers that could relate to some emotions and the situation of a character. That feedback was much more gratifying then a dozen "your story made he horny, wet" comments.

 

[psychocatblah]

If you want constructive criticism you might want to consider submiting your work to the "Story Discussion Circle" board. Though you have to be willing to give a critique to two other stories in return for the help. Some very inteligent writers give valuable comments such as Pure, Rumple Foreskin and dr_mabeuse. Some very thoughtful advice and sugestions can be gained over on that board.

I would caution you on putting up an AV with a hot babe pic. I remember sending some feedback with constructive criticism and also notes of things I thought worked well in a story to one young female writer on the "feedback" forum. She was very happy and relieved that I sent her constructive criticism because she was used to only getting pure empty flattery from readers who seemed much more intrested in her then her work.

Note in the first 7 days your story will be listed on "New Stories" list and at this time you will get most of your views and feedback. I had to pull my last story off the site after the first day when I noticed formating problems and when I fixed it and resubmited it without the technical flaws a week later I realized the views were almost stalled since it was no longer considered new.

Write something that people can relate too. Write with some emotional content beyond pure sex. You may get less feedback but it will be more rewarding. That story that I had with the formating problems up on the first day recieved two personal private emails from readers that could relate to some emotions and the situation of a character. That feedback was much more gratifying then a dozen "your story made he horny, wet" comments.

Well... a couple of horny or wet comments wouldn't really bother me *smirks* although I don't personally think my stories for the most part lead to that. Maybe they do. I'm not sure how much normal relating most people will do to it since the story's in the erotic horror section, although I do try to make the characters true to their own motives and some of them have started with people I know. Although clearly the situation isn't in anything they've dealt with.

I think that board is what I'm looking for, but I do need to brace myself a little bit for the feedback and the story's not quite all posted since I was posting it by chapter and the last couple of chapters are in my head but not written and mulled over as they should be. But thanks so much. I'm kind of new to using boards and not so adept just yet at them, so I don't see a lot of things. I'll learn.

 

[Lying Eyes]

I think that board is what I'm looking for, but I do need to brace myself a little bit for the feedback and the story's not quite all posted since I was posting it by chapter and the last couple of chapters are in my head but not written and mulled over as they should be. But thanks so much. I'm kind of new to using boards and not so adept just yet at them, so I don't see a lot of things. I'll learn.

Asking for your whole work reviewed, not just a single chapter is a bit much unless it is only 3 chapters long. What you might consider is if you have a chapter that is almost ready to be submited is to offer that draft to be critiqued before you have it posted so you see what needs to be worked on. Then you will have a chance to improve it before posting it on Literotica.

Of course it is only fair that you share your thoughts on other writers work in return for getting advice. The last two stories on the board that have been reviewed are Tecnoslut's and MyLyons. But you can give your insight on any story on the board if you wish, you might be intrested in A7inchPhildo's work which has a voodoo theme to his story or WyldKarde's work which is in the sci-fi genre.

When your ready post on the first "Sticky" thread titled "Discussion: Feedback and review of stories..." and request to have a story or chapter reviewed. If their is anything specific in the story that you want looked at then be sure to post your questions. Pure who is basicly the defacto moderator while the regular modertor is away will PM you. If you have any questions about the Story Discussion Circle board or are confused please PM Pure or me.

Please don't be afraid of the forum while some of the comments might be negative it is always meant to help the writer not to put them down. Unlike some regular feedback that is either "U SuK!" or "U R awesum!" which won't give you much info on what you are doing right or wrong.

Anyone intrested should check the "Story Discussion Circle" forum even if you don't want a story reviewed you may find the thoughts, advice and sugestions for other writers work usefull for your own.

 

[psychocatblah]

Asking for your whole work reviewed, not just a single chapter is a bit much unless it is only 3 chapters long. What you might consider is if you have a chapter that is almost ready to be submited is to offer that draft to be critiqued before you have it posted so you see what needs to be worked on. Then you will have a chance to improve it before posting it on Literotica.

Of course it is only fair that you share your thoughts on other writers work in return for getting advice. The last two stories on the board that have been reviewed are Tecnoslut's and MyLyons. But you can give your insight on any story on the board if you wish, you might be intrested in A7inchPhildo's work which has a voodoo theme to his story or WyldKarde's work which is in the sci-fi genre.

When your ready post on the first "Sticky" thread titled "Discussion: Feedback and review of stories..." and request to have a story or chapter reviewed. If their is anything specific in the story that you want looked at then be sure to post your questions. Pure who is basicly the defacto moderator while the regular modertor is away will PM you. If you have any questions about the Story Discussion Circle board or are confused please PM Pure or me.

Please don't be afraid of the forum while some of the comments might be negative it is always meant to help the writer not to put them down. Unlike some regular feedback that is either "U SuK!" or "U R awesum!" which won't give you much info on what you are doing right or wrong.

Anyone intrested should check the "Story Discussion Circle" forum even if you don't want a story reviewed you may find the thoughts, advice and sugestions for other writers work usefull for your own.

Ahh, I wasn't sure what was a tall or short order, I do have a new story that I'm starting out on, and perhaps that would be a better place to solicit reviews, although the first chapter of the story I'm thinking of I'm actually fairly concerned about, so maybe that's a more logical start. I do feel like it is a little stilted, I've rewritten it 3-4 times by now, although never completely started over from scratch. Gar. Don't you hate it when things don't come together?

I'm more than willing to try to share my thoughts on things, although I'm pretty inexperienced in doing so but there's really only one way to get better. I've been sporadically reading stories by the people I'm corresponding with on here, although leaving not much feedback other than voting and comments here and there, working up to feeling comfortable, I guess.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[MLyons]

Just to make things a little easier:

Here's a link to the first sticky thread in the story discussion circle. This is where you would sign up to get in the queue for discussion (which right now is quite short), and as far as leaving critique on other stories, both Killermuffin and Pure have posted guides to follow in how to do that.

Discussion: Feedback and review of stories that you have posted at Literotica!

When it is posted, your story will be "featured" for a period of one week so that everyone can focus on it--although comments after that week has expired are certainly still encouraged and welcome.

Hope to see you over there, and we would love to see others who want to participate as well.