Introducing the Critic Laureate of Literotica... Johnny Spade!

[JohnnySpade]

Reviews by the Critic Laureate of Literotica, Johnny Spade

JohnnySpade is the official Critic Laureate of Literotica.com and is only offering well intentioned critiques and constructive criticism to the sites authorship in appreciation for their hard work and time. Johnny Spade accepts no bribes or compensation for positive reviews.

Incest/Taboo (I/T) stories aren't everyone's cup of tea but they are my favorite genre. They are mostly true fantasy, away from reality's confines allowing the writer & reader to experience the push and pull of these stories without worrying about suffering any real world repercussions from the admittedly sticky mindfield of social boundaries and expectations.

As the official Critic Laureate of Literotica, I am keenly aware of the difficulties erotic literature has in gaining respect from society. 50 Shades of Grey comes to the contemporary readers mind as an example of 'famous erotica' yet it also garners just as much parody and negative criticism. Lady Chatterley and other 'romance' novels of the soccer Mom variety also are very rarely taken seriously.

Literotica brings writers of all levels together. While the comments and critiques can be very supportive and friendly, I look to recognize the truly brilliant stories as well as offer constructive criticism to writers with obvious talent.

Either request reviews here in this thread or PM me your story link. Or, I will review your stories unsolicited as time permits, as I try to read as many new stories as I can from the front page new stories list.

All the best and write on!

UPDATE 3/20/16:
I have renamed the thread "Introducing the..." to "Reviews by the...". Since this is the Story Feedback section of the forum I want to have a thread to update with new review links & commentary, etc. I am not too keen on having several threads muddying the waters pretty much saying the same thing so editing this one into my defacto " Sticky" thread seemed best.

 

[lovecraft68]

Hey, welcome to the boards. You're going to need to remove the e-mail from your post, that violates the rules here. You can ask people to send you a link to their story in a PM instead or give them your e-mail through one, but can't post it on the boards.

Having said that....Go for it

https://www.literotica.com/s/mom-will-do-anything-ch-01

 

[JohnnySpade]

Hey, welcome to the boards. You're going to need to remove the e-mail from your post, that violates the rules here. You can ask people to send you a link to their story in a PM instead or give them your e-mail through one, but can't post it on the boards.

Having said that....Go for it

https://www.literotica.com/s/mom-will-do-anything-ch-01

Thanks for the heads up, been lurking Literotica for many years & a member for a few but never used the forum until now. Just wanted to let the authorship know that I am reviewing stories in a capacity that I alone can provide.

Mmm, lovecraft, lovecraft?...Yes, lovecraft! I have seen your work several times, may have reviewed some. The Mother Son Confessions series was excellent, I'd love to see it's conclusion where all the couple's introduced in chapters 1-4 meet and ???. Keep at it.
Thanks...

 

[NotWise]

Thanks for the heads up, been lurking Literotica for many years & a member for a few but never used the forum until now. Just wanted to let the authorship know that I am reviewing stories in a capacity that I alone can provide.

Feedback is appreciated, but umm, pardon me. Did Laurel provide you with the "Official Critic Laureate" title? Can you explain why your comments are more valuable than those readily available from Mr. Anonymous?

I'd like to see an example of your critique. Lovecraft has hundreds of stories up, but reviewing his writing can be intimidating. Be my guest to start with That Little Bitch. It's a short little piece. It's taboo rather than real incest and no-one who counts will be upset by your comments. Give it your best shot.

 

[JohnnySpade]

Feedback is appreciated, but umm, pardon me. Did Laurel provide you with the "Official Critic Laureate" title? Can you explain why your comments are more valuable than those readily available from Mr. Anonymous?

I'd like to see an example of your critique. Lovecraft has hundreds of stories up, but reviewing his writing can be intimidating. Be my guest to start with That Little Bitch. It's a short little piece. It's taboo rather than real incest and no-one who counts will be upset by your comments. Give it your best shot.

Oh...umm, pardon me. I am the self appointed Critic Laureate of Literotica. It's a title, my schtick I guess some could all it. I have provided print interviews on a variety of subjects (albums, film, TV music instrument trade, etc) for both national publications and online. I feel my critiques are concise but considered, tough but fair, and above all, genuine and unimpeachable. I have no dog in the hunt, I am not chums with the webmaster or writers. My opinions are clear, unbiased and honest.

As far as Mr. Anonymous? Let's just say I spend a very select amount of time online and Literotica. Not aware of his (hers? if really anonymous) standing as the preeminent critic on Literotica but I'm sure this town is big enough for the both of us. My reviews will be quality not quantity. Lovecraft? As stated, I have read several of his stories, am not 100% on whether I have reviewed one or not, and as stated above, I am a fan. He'll get some feedback soon, as time permits.

Below is my review of your story as you requested and just a few other examples it took me 30 seconds to find with search. They're just an example, not indicative of any standard review or best example possible. Thanks for the questions, I hope I straightened out any confusion. I am not offended in the least by your skepticism of my critiquing acumen, IF I was upset I might say something like you have probably the most apt screen name I've seen all month, LOL (ya know, lots of laughs!)...toodles!

Here is my review of your story 'That Little Bitch' :

https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=1212097&pagehint=6#tabs

And a few more examples of some of my reviews:

https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=1288379&page=1&pagehint=4

https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=1299591

https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=1196273&pagehint=6

 

[blin18]

Okay, I'll bite. I like your chutzpah Johnny.

My only 'taboo' story on Lit combines mind controlled daughter with a non consenting (under duress) father. I blame myself for the 1-bombs - it was stupid of me to publish it, so I'm not offering it up for further ridicule.

So instead, since you profess an enjoyment of other genres, here's a Fan Fiction. I prefer to think of it as homage, as I think it's how the great AC Doyle would like to have written if his era had Lit.

https://www.literotica.com/s/sherlock-holmes-and-the-case-of-the-virgin-bride

 

[NotWise]

IF I was upset I might say something like you have probably the most apt screen name I've seen all month, LOL (ya know, lots of laughs!)...toodles!

Here is my review of your story 'That Little Bitch' :

https://www.literotica.com/stories/storyfeedbackboard.php?id=1212097&pagehint=6#tabs

Well, I guess that could be expected You do a well-written review. Welcome to the board, and feel free to put your reviews into your forum posts.

 

[JohnnySpade]

Okay, I'll bite. I like your chutzpah Johnny.

My only 'taboo' story on Lit combines mind controlled daughter with a non consenting (under duress) father. I blame myself for the 1-bombs - it was stupid of me to publish it, so I'm not offering it up for further ridicule.

So instead, since you profess an enjoyment of other genres, here's a Fan Fiction. I prefer to think of it as homage, as I think it's how the great AC Doyle would like to have written if his era had Lit.

https://www.literotica.com/s/sherlock-holmes-and-the-case-of-the-virgin-bride

I have respect for anyone who looks at the blank page or screen and lets another time and place spring forth, I will certainly review other genres than just I/T and am happy to read yours ASAP. Thanks...

 

[JohnnySpade]

Well, I guess that could be expected You do a well-written review. Welcome to the board, and feel free to put your reviews into your forum posts.

We're cool brother, just a little good natured ball busting...

I want to note that I do not give out 5 star ratings all the time, I try to reserve it for the truly exceptional stories I read. To me, a black & white, red light-green light ratings mechanism of constant 5's given make the top rating seem suspect.There is no barometer for the author or reader so it's either 1 star or 5 star, which to me is very cheap. So for me, a 3 or 4 is a very good rating, akin to most reviews 4 or 5's. 1 & 2's aren't death sentence reviews in my book, just good constructive criticism and honest feedback.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't believe you've looked at any of mine. I'd recall the name and length of critique-and the fact its a well thought out one from the examples I just saw.

Feel free to give any of mine a whirl anytime you get a chance. I'll warn you away from SWB, the early chapters are some of my earliest writing so... and the series has developed a bit of infamy for being dark and depressing.

 

[JohnnySpade]

I don't believe you've looked at any of mine. I'd recall the name and length of critique-and the fact its a well thought out one from the examples I just saw.

Feel free to give any of mine a whirl anytime you get a chance. I'll warn you away from SWB, the early chapters are some of my earliest writing so... and the series has developed a bit of infamy for being dark and depressing.

Thanks LC, I mentioned in one of the posts above about your excellent Mother Son Confessions series, I know I read all 4 I guess I just rated and didn't comment. Those stories are some of the hottest on the site. I would love to see you conclude it, the mother son couples introduced meeting for a big weekend was a great way to hinge four apparently disparate couple together.

I will certainly try to comment on your stories more as well as everyone else I can get to. Be cool...

 

[blin18]

Thanks for the kind review Johnny. Praise is always greatly appreciated of course, but it is meaningless without the balancing critique. You phrased some negatives as positives (some readers may not like blah but I did), which I took to be praise, not critique. Can I do better?

Do you have any suggestions for what a 3 page story must do in order to achieve that 5th star in your ranking? Or is it an emotive thing, whereby a story just speaks to your soul?

Or put another way, do you have a five star story, and if so, what small changes would be sufficient to strip it back to four?

 

[JohnnySpade]

Thanks for the kind review Johnny. Praise is always greatly appreciated of course, but it is meaningless without the balancing critique. You phrased some negatives as positives (some readers may not like blah but I did), which I took to be praise, not critique. Can I do better?

Do you have any suggestions for what a 3 page story must do in order to achieve that 5th star in your ranking? Or is it an emotive thing, whereby a story just speaks to your soul?

Or put another way, do you have a five star story, and if so, what small changes would be sufficient to strip it back to four?

No worries Belinda, it was a nice change of pace to read such a well written story that didn't club the sexual stuff over the readers head.

Thing is, even with the flowery vocabulary and empathetic insights I am still just a dude who likes fuck stories, lol. Though I can honestly say I have never wanked one out whilst reading a story, but a good tale does put me in the mood or just titillate me for a time.

I am a guy yes, but I can just enjoy getting wood while reading a story, getting worked up and not necessarily following it up with unloading a truck. Lately though my wheelhouse has been Incest/Taboo, the quality varies but it is just my cup o' tea at the moment.

That being said, I'm a musician by trade so I know that feedback and insight from other musicians is invaluable. I'm not a literature writer, took some creative writing classes but gravitate towards lyrics & music.

I thought your story was really great. What could of made it better? That is tricky. My criteria on ratings are somewhat modelled on the sites system. I feel however that 5's are given out way too much and used more as a thumbs up, while a low rating or none at all is like the thumbs down. My written review is the way I really want to give feedback. But stars are still good shorthand right?

If you need some critiquing I kind of alluded to it in the review, a fan fiction story or tribute "written in the style of" piece is inherently not going to be super original or open to too much experimentation if it's to be really taken as fan fiction (Example: It would be weird to do a fan fiction with the True Blood/Sookie Stsckhouse Universe but then put elements of Star Wars into it as well).

Keep writing, you have a big talent and go for more personal and original subject matter were it will be easier to draw from your truth.

Lordy, I do go on...I just start typing, on my damn Samsung Galaxy no less. That is something, can the Literotica Android app please allow us to write comments in the app? Switching out to Chrome and all that is lame. Write on!!!

 

[lovecraft68]

Thanks LC, I mentioned in one of the posts above about your excellent Mother Son Confessions series, I know I read all 4 I guess I just rated and didn't comment. Those stories are some of the hottest on the site. I would love to see you conclude it, the mother son couples introduced meeting for a big weekend was a great way to hinge four apparently disparate couple together.

I will certainly try to comment on your stories more as well as everyone else I can get to. Be cool...

Thanks for the compliment. Unfortunately life has been nuts the last few months and I've been dealing with some health issues that at times make typing difficult. So I fell behind on MSC and my sequel to SWB, most of what I've been posting the last few months was either previously written or things close to finished already.

Writing SWB now and plan on MSC in April....after I reread my own work and get the couples back in my head again.

 

[NotWise]

A critique for the critic

JohnySpade,

In the examples I've seen you provide critique that is well conceived and well-written. There are two (exactly two) details that you might want to consider in future commentary on this forum.

First, your critiques that I've read have been wonderfully written for the general readership. When you communicate with people on this forum you are talking directly to the authors, not to the readership and a change of voice and emphasis might be called for. I think what you have written is excellent from a readers point of view, but from a writer's point of view the emphasis we need may be a little different. I'm not going to propose how you should change you're approach -- that's up to you. I'll only point out that your audience here is different.

Second, about your concept of the ratings system. The way the ratings as described by Lit aren't really the way that most people think. I've been trained in how to score people in a 10-point system in martial arts and I've paid some attention to the rating of wines. Both systems work about the same way, and I think from the author's point of view it works about the same here. You get a mid-range score (which would be a 3 on Lit) just for putting out the effort. A score below 3 is an insult. It doesn't make any difference whether the sub-3 score is a 1 or a 2, either of them is simply an insult. Really -- an insult. We get those ratings from trolls and troglodites.

 

[Ziedrich]

JohnnySpade, I tried to PM you about a story but got a notification saying that either you have chosen not to receive private messages or aren't allowed to receive them.

 

[Learin]

A score below 3 is an insult. It doesn't make any difference whether the sub-3 score is a 1 or a 2, either of them is simply an insult. Really -- an insult. We get those ratings from trolls and troglodites.

Soooo.... voting a 1 star to a story that I read and didn't like at all makes me a troll?

 

[kcRollins]

Greetings JohnnySpade...I think it's nice of you to offer your services. I've read some of your reviews and find them well written and constructive.

I don't write incest/taboo (although to some D/s might be considered taboo hehe). I'm a published author who recently began writing stories for Literoritca. I'd appreciate your critique if you don't find D/s boring.

Here are the links:

https://www.literotica.com/s/the-party-156

https://www.literotica.com/s/remembering-celeste

Thanks in advance - I think lol

P.S. I'm also new to the forums...so hello to all

 

[sr71plt]

Soooo.... voting a 1 star to a story that I read and didn't like at all makes me a troll?

It would make you insensitive if the only criterion you used for judging a story was "like" or not.

 

[lovecraft68]

Soooo.... voting a 1 star to a story that I read and didn't like at all makes me a troll?

I've brought this up before in terms of sweeps. Much to the chagrin of many author's, there are people who vote a one because they really did not like the masterpiece they had read.

One of several reasons I have no faith in sweeps as I doubt they acknowledge what is or is not a legit bad rating.

 

[sr71plt]

If you don't "like" the story but it was written really well, you still think it deserves a 1?--or maybe you are forgetting some story criteria that go into the effort and appreciation for the effort the writer put into it if it didn't totally stink and you yourself are holding a Pulitzer Prize? Maybe you have a vigilante complex?

Yes, I've seen stories I thought deserved a 1--but it was on quite a bit more than whether or not I "liked" the story.

 

[JohnnySpade]

JohnnySpade, I tried to PM you about a story but got a notification saying that either you have chosen not to receive private messages or aren't allowed to receive them.

Ziedrich I apologize, I changed some settings on my mobile phone and I guess I inadvertently clicked the messaging off. I have enabled it back again and can now accept messages.

Again, sorry for the hassle.

 

[NotWise]

I've brought this up before in terms of sweeps. Much to the chagrin of many author's, there are people who vote a one because they really did not like the masterpiece they had read.

One of several reasons I have no faith in sweeps as I doubt they acknowledge what is or is not a legit bad rating.

I have a rather unpopular story that has had so few votes that I've been able to track almost every vote and every sweep. The sweeps don't automatically remove 1's. I still have a 1* vote sitting in the collection despite multiple sweeps. I did have a 5* removed by a sweep.

And yeah, if you vote a 1* I think most authors are going to put you in a troll category without even knowing who you are. Really, if you hated it that much why did you read it? What was your reason for voting, just to wreak some punishment on the author of a story that you shouldn't have read to start with?

 

[lovecraft68]

I have a rather unpopular story that has had so few votes that I've been able to track almost every vote and every sweep. The sweeps don't automatically remove 1's. I still have a 1* vote sitting in the collection despite multiple sweeps. I did have a 5* removed by a sweep.

And yeah, if you vote a 1* I think most authors are going to put you in a troll category without even knowing who you are. Really, if you hated it that much why did you read it? What was your reason for voting, just to wreak some punishment on the author of a story that you shouldn't have read to start with?[/QUOTE]

The tone of this sort of makes my point. A one is not wreaking punishment, its the person's opinion(providing its not a spite bomb based on category or author)

Personally I only recall voting one twice and I had plenty to base it on. I will finish a story even if it's bad because it becomes sort of a train wreck, will it get better, will it turn around. I'll waste three lit pages worth of my life.

But each reader has their own criteria as to why they might vote a one and that's their right to do so.

 

[sr71plt]

Which, to many, would make them a troll--and is the right of anyone to think that for several reasons, already listed here. So, there you go. The question was asked and is answered.