Is it just me or is this "normal"

[ronde]

I have started writing again after a lapse of several months, and things seem to have changed. My stories all start out rated very high until they make the top lists, and then drop to ratings of 4.3 to 4.5. This in itself is not of great concern to me, because some people evidently do enjoy them, and it is for those readers (and for my own enjoyment) that I write. What has changed is that I am getting almost no feedback, so I don't know what to improve. I have recently posted three stories and have received only two comments. I appear to have a relatively small group of readers who enjoy my stuff, so that is probably part of the cause, but I used to get three or four for each story. Am I the only fox in this trap, or do you more experienced authors find yourselves in this same situation?

 

[DVS]

What category are you writing for? You might check this below thread and there are also others that are talking about this. It may or may not be happening to you. Just a hunch.

The H Files

 

[NoJo]

Ronde

Ronde, I really like your stories, they are of a much higher level of craftsmanship than many on this site.
Mills And Boon, the UK "woman's romance" publisher, made famous by Brabara Cartland, has progressively spiced up its content from its rather Jane Austen-like beginnings.
I think your stories would go down well there.

But I think a lot of people are looking for "quickies" on this site. I also think that the "niche" you're looking for exists in this forum and the Feedback forum -- people who appreciate, and want to learn the craft of telling stories.

I have too say that ratings of 4.5 is not too shabby!

 

[ronde]

Thanks Sub

You're probably right on all counts. It seems that, no matter what the category, my stuff does tend to have romantic overtones. I don't know how many women's romance novels are authored by men, but I checked out the site you recommended, and it looks interesting. I do want to get more involved in the BB, and want to submit a story to the discussion board as soon as I have time to make the required comments on others.

I'm happy with the ratings I am getting. I write for myself almost as much as for my readers, but it's nice to when people enjoy my work. I do try hard to make them interesting and enjoyable. Thanks for noticing, and thanks for the help.

 

[Karinthia]

Maybe instead of sending you written feedback, the folks that read your story are depending on the voting system to do it for them? If they give you the highest rating their is, they are assuming that you know they thought highly of it and no more words are needed?

K

 

[NoJo]

Gender

Ronde, from your writing I assumed you were female.
Believe me, you should definitely take that as a complement!
By the way, I set up a female alias which I use to post certain stories.
She's a lot younger and nicer than I am.

 

[ronde]

Gender

Thanks for the compliment. It is taken as given, and I do appreciate what you mean.

I didn't realize the feminine connotation of "Ronde" when I chose it. I'm a competition dancer when I'm not writing or doing that other thing (you know that, gasp, work thing) and a ronde (ron' day) is a dance move. I'm also an extremely straight guy, but I like the sound of the name, so I think I'll keep it.

 

[NoJo]

Gender Bending

I started this thead recently