I think I'm done.

[Smokey125]

Well, I just said in my last update—which probably really was my last update—that if my most recent story that just got published this morning bombed too, I’d most likely just call it quits on Literotica…and it did. Like the last one. And I haven’t definitely 100% made that decision, but I’m leaning toward it. I know most reading this are thinking big deal, who cares, quit whining...

But if you're not thinking that, here's the rest. I figure I’m dealing with one of three scenarios here (or maybe two or maybe all three): 1) I’ve totally lost whatever touch I might’ve had to write a halfway decent story—which I’m not sure is accurate or not; I didn’t think I was doing anything that vastly different the last couple times, 2) a surplus abundance of trolls has emerged, or they’ve just started especially targeting me, or 3) I’ve inadvertently offended or angered certain folks one way or another, with the stories or some other way, so they are now expressing that offense/anger each time I publish something.

If it’s the first, I can live with that; at least I was writing decent ones for a while. If it’s the second, hey, they’re just out there, what’re ya gonna do…if it’s the third, sorry, no offense intended. Tempted to say this is just one more thing that hasn’t gone so great for me in life, but that sounds a little “waaaahhh.” Whatever the case, with what feels like virtually no positive attention anymore, I’m not real eager to write or contribute anything more to the site right now.

 

[lovecraft68]

Keep one thing in mind on today's story.

Voting is partially broken. It seems only anonymous voters can vote.

So....that means all the bombers are just fine and the people with legit accounts can't vote and they tend to vote a little better.

So this story might not go over well for that reason. If you log out you can vote, but most people are not going to figure it out.

The site has been aware of this since yesterday and chose to just keep putting up stories anyway. So right now the anon trolls are having a field day.

 

[Smokey125]

Thanks, LC...

...and okay, I wasn't aware of that, but I understand...but has that also been the case for the last three weeks? 'Cause like I mentioned, it wasn't just this one.

 

[medusathesedusa]

Smokey, Hi there! Hang in there and don't stop doing what you love. I have had a couple of trolls make comments on a couple of my stories and to see someone under the anonymous title commenting only tells me they are cowards to not have the courage to post their names. It wasn't even constructive criticism, just rudeness.

 

[slyc_willie]

While ratings are nice, and everyone likes seeing those magical little red Hs next to a story, if you worry too much about your score you're going to drive yourself up a wall. If you think it's trolls, or jealous sniping by another author, or whatever, you can either let it pass or walk out the door.

But if you leave Lit, you're robbing yourself of the Internet's best place to post erotic stories. A lot of authors here have gone on to publish online to varying degrees of success, spurred on by their successes here. Maybe that's something you want to do, maybe it's not, but the fact remains that there's some real talent on this site, and it's a great place to hone your writing. Also, I guarantee you that you'll earn some fans, and those will be disappointed if you leave.

 

[Smokey125]

Well thanks guys...

Hey Medusa, thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I had the anon-trolls too, then I turned off the anon-feedback. Doesn't mean they can't vote though, unfortunately. Sorry to read that happened to you too, although you're probably a little more used/immune to it. Though I don't mean to make assumptions.

And hey Willie, thanks also. I just turned off the voting on the last two. I know the reward SHOULD—SHOULD—be the writing itself, I'm just a little unable to comprehend why the first 22 did...well, overall pretty well, on average, and after that they've just gone steadily downhill. I haven't been doing anything that dramatically different; why the big change in the response? They might not be the best stories ever but they can't be THAT bad. That's nice of you to say about the fans, though it's also hard for me to believe. Thanks, though, I don't want you to think I don't appreciate it.

Like I said, I haven't decided for sure to leave. The reactions and approval and validation on these things have filled a void in my life the last several months, it would be a shame to just chuck that all away...even if I'm not really getting any of that anymore.

 

[slyc_willie]

It's hard to not look at your story ratings on the submissions page and watch them fall, and not think it's a reflection on your writing. There was a time when a vast majority of mine were over 4.5. A lot of them have slipped since. But that's not because of the quality of the writing, since the stories themselves haven't changed. Readers are fickle and unpredictable, and yes, there is always the factor of malicious voting.

But don't forget that things can always swing back in your favor, too. Downward spirals sometimes get flipped over.

 

[StrangeLife]

How about putting a link to your stories in your signature? I would like to check out for myself what we're talking about here...

 

[Smokey125]

Willie and StrangeLife

Also good points, Willie. Yeah, believe it or not, I noticed today that two of mine went up by a hundredth of a point—wowie. I know, right?—but I was unable to focus on it because...eh, well, you know. Yeah, many of mine jumped or started over the 4.5 "H" level, but then the same thing happened to me. I do still have two "H"s for the time being, though.

And StrangeLife, okay, good idea, I've just done so, but I'll warn you right now, if you go to check out my stories: if you don't like lesbians, playful bondage, feet tickling or just cute women with high libidos in general, you might not want to bother.

 

[mikoli5763]

Something else you

could try is taking your latest story to the "Story Feedback" forum and asking for honest opinions whether it is good, just okay, or stinks.

 

[TxRad]

You could also leave voting on and wait for the end of the month sweeps to see if the scores suddenly jump back up. You might be surprised. The couple of days after the sweeps are about the only time the scores reflect the true numbers in my case. Funny how that works.

 

[Smokey125]

Mikoli

Had not thought of that—suppose that could be an idea as well, thanks. Of course, subject matter is subjective, and I don't know if the folks there would be interested in my particular brand of stuff...then again, they probably have eclectic tastes among them, depending on how many people hang out there.

 

[Smokey125]

TxRad

REALly...how bizarre. That is an option, I suppose...looking at the consistently dropping numbers would probably turn my stomach, but I don't have to keep the submissions view page up or open, I guess...end of the month, you say? So...around when would you say your scores do that—suddenly jump back up like that? Couple days after the next month starts, something like that?

 

[StrangeLife]

...or just cute women with high libidos in general...

Do I like cute women with high libidos?


Hmmm.... let me see....


You are kidding right?



Thanks for the link.

 

[Smokey125]

Do I like cute women with high libidos?


Hmmm.... let me see....


You are kidding right?



Thanks for the link.

*innocently* Just checking... *hands behind back, rocking on heels*

 

[HeyAll]

Just a note:

If I could offer a blunt piece of advice, if you want a popular story, then you need a catchy title and story description. "Wargasm" doesn't sound like something a lot of people would read.

 

[Smokey125]

HeyAll

Really...I kinda thought that WAS a clever title...
Oh well, I see it's actually just gotten a '5' since the last time I checked it, so go me...

 

[Smokey125]

And...

And...
Oh hey, look at that! I'm no longer a Virgin.

 

[slyc_willie]

I think just spending time on the Lit Forum has already made a difference for you. We may be a strange and often conflicting bunch, but there's a lot of support to be found here.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Hey, welcome to the AH. I really didn't see any really bad numbers. You have a couple of red "H's" and all of your stories are above average. Average would be 2.50. Half of 5. Most are even in the low to middle 4's. Not bad. Really, not bad.

I haven't read any of your stories, not my type, sorry. But you have got to be proud of any above the average mark.

Keep up the good work.

 

[MrFoxwood]

I think it's fairly easy to get disheartened here if you take voting personally. My favourite story of my own has by far the lowest score and that makes me question my ability as a writer, but I know that's a fucking stupid attitude to take. Spend ten minutes looking at a list of the most popular anything from the last 12 months and you pretty quickly realise that there's not much correlation between good and popular.

If you're down because your stories bomb stop submitting them or turn off voting, get back to why you started writing in the first place (I'm guessing it wasn't for the approval of internet strangers) and try to recapture the excitement you felt when you wrote your fantasies. When you're pleasing yourself you might find that you begin pleasing other people too.

 

[Hypoxia]

Define, for yourself, exactly why you are writing and posting stories. It's probably not for money. It may be for facile approval. Or, more likely, you feel you MUST, that inner voices demand to be heard. Will low votes or few faves or nasty comment quiet those voices, or still your other drives?

Yes, I am competitive. Yes, I would like approval. Yes, I'd like to be a star, or at least a paid hack. I am realistic enough that I don't expect to hit a Hall Of Fame anytime soon. But I ain't here for the brownie points. Rather, I like crafting stories, and learning to write better, and maybe provoking a few thoughts.

What drives you?

 

[Smokey125]

I've gotta be honest...

This is a lot more replies than I was expecting. 'Course, most of them seem to be from folks for whom my stuff isn't their cup of tea, but at least they're bothering to respond. Anyway...

Willie: Well, I've definitely learned never to post anything on the *ahem ahem* General Board, I'll tell you that (I hesitate to even capitalize that).

Zeb: You think so? I'd have thought average would be closer to 3.00, 3.50, around there. At least that's the indication I got from my public school system. And 2 equals the reader didn't like it very much, 3 at least equals they seemed to like it a little (on Lit's scale). But as for the first thing you said, my point exactly; all those higher numbers originally I guess "spoiled" me. They were consistently up there, I kept doing pretty much the same basic thing, then they just inexplicably started...I guess I can't really say "plummeting," but I think you get the idea.

Mr. Fox: Well...I won't say "guess again," 'cause I don't want you to think you're totally off, but...it kinda WAS for approval. And validation. I was doing this just for myself for a long time, then it stopped being fulfilling. I don't mean to turn this into a sob story, but I've never been popular, never had any really close lifelong friends, never been very good at a lot, pretty much everything I've done with other people's come to an end for one reason or another...you just go ahead and stop me anytime here.

Hypnoxia: No, it's definitely not for "money"; I learned a long time ago I'm not gonna paid for stuff I like doing. I'd say it's probably for the same reasons as my YouTube channel: it's a cure for boredom and something creative to do, and—when they get attention—it makes me feel visible. If you've read the other content in this thread so far, it was also to actually receive some positive attention for once. I realize that can't always happen, but when it did—for a long while, I might add—I started feeling halfway confident. Like maybe I'm NOT just a total failure with everything. It eventually gets really tiresome to see everyone else getting showered with praise and attention over what seems like anything, and being totally ignored myself. Thought I was finally actually accomplishing something here. Also, unlike the YT, partially it's to grind the "ax" and take my frustrations in life out...but that only works if the stories are appreciated. Trust me, I'd LOVE to be able to be like probably the rest of y'all, and just be able to get by without the appreciation. If I was, I probably wouldn't even be on the site. Oh well...thanks for the replies, guys.

 

[patientlee]

Remember that voters aren't professional critics or teachers. Your score isn't a grade of your writing ability. An excellent story can have a low score for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with how well you've written. Some of the most effective stories I've read have dismal scores because they're too dark or they don't have enough sex.

There are formulas to getting high scores in individual categories. (There are some "how-to" stories that deal with this.) Lit readers are fickle. They want ONLY what they want, and they expect the authors to give it to them. If we don't, they punish us with low scores for not reading their minds.

I also think that voting makes some readers feel power that they don't get in their day-to-day lives. I can't tell my boss to go to hell, but I can one-bomb an author that snuck something into a story I didn't like.

Good luck and don't get discouraged.

 

[Smokey125]

patientlee

Thank ya patientlee, I really am aware there could be lots of reasons a story doesn't do well. It's when it gets to be a pattern when it starts bothering me. All of a sudden, I can't get one to do that great to save my life. And...if you'll forgive me for saying so, that also looks a little easier for you to say, 'cause if your stuff's any indication, you're obviously much, much better at this. Like everybody. Or my preferred categories/content just aren't very popular. Figures. Or maybe...

Of course, just about everyone seems better at this than I am, again, if their scores and comments and all are any indication. It's not just the votes; there are views—I don't know what a decent number of views constitutes—but I'm not really getting ANYthing on them otherwise. I know the readers may be fickle, but they don't seem to be punishing anyone else. I appreciate you saying don't get discouraged, but...I can't really help it, I just am, so...