Is Lit Loosing It's Dedication to Good Stories?

[impressive]

There you go. Someone who understands me.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

 

[oggbashan]

I think we should give more power to trolls. Any stories that receive less than 2.00 in score after the first month should receive an email like the following:
...

How could I retain my position as worst rated AH author if that was introduced? I don't usually make spelling errors. It's just that some of my experimental stories are deservedly unpopular.

Some of my worst rated stories do appeal to a few who find that particular quirk erotic or see the intended or unintentional humour. Most are more inclined to think 'Eucck!'.

Someone has to prop up the Best Rated lists by being Worst Rated. Sometimes that is I.

Og

 

[elfin_odalisque]

there may be something in what you say Wishfull. My latest story had only 2 preview readings, my first stories had up to 12 preview readings.

No. After a few enquiries, the posted story shouldn't show any preview readings. It's just a glitch in the software not a problem in the quality control.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Someone has to prop up the Best Rated lists by being Worst Rated. Sometimes that is I.

And you're a noble man to make that sacrifice for us all.

If you're ever in one of those kingdom/horse situations, let me know.

 

[gauchecritic]

I was never aware that there was a dedication to 'good' stories.

That dedication is very apparent in the AH but as for Lit itself I've no idea.

The very reason that I first posted a story here was that I thought I could do better than what I'd read.

I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy those stories, but the 'literary merit' of many was and still is far below what I would call 'good'. If I'd paid for a book that contained such I would throw it across the room in disgust.

'You get what you pay for' is quite often true. If you haven't paid then how can you expect a high standard? (which is another question entirely, "How much effort is Lit worth?" or "Do you want someone to read that which isn't your best?"

 

[shereads]

'You get what you pay for' is quite often true. If you haven't paid then how can you expect a high standard?

Christ, yes. It's a free site. If I were hosting it, I'd be offended by the implication that users are owed more than I'm giving away.

Isn't it up to each of us to find the authors that are worth reading, through whatever effort is required? I found my favorite authors here the same way I found them in the "legitimate" world of book stores and libraries: some by trial and error, and some by following the recommendations of people I respect. It takes no more than a moment to scan the first paragraph of an unknown author's story and dismiss it as something I needn't bother with. That doesn't mean the author should have been denied a forum here. As I understand it, the site is decicated to free speech. The contests, Editors Choice awards and forums like the Authors Hangout provide ways to separate the chaff from the wheat.

Edited to add: There are plenty of paid subscription sites that offer stories pre-screened to meet someone's standard. At best, the ones I'm familiar with are rarely up to bar with the best authors here. If you don't mind paying to have someone else choose authors for you, you will at least be assured that stories are spell-checked. But you'll sacrifice some originality and the occasional delightful surprise that pops up here, where authors are welcome to experiment and surprise even themselves.

 

[Alex De Kok]

The very reason that I first posted a story here was that I thought I could do better than what I'd read.

Me, too, although I should qualify that by saying that most of the stories I had read until then were before I discovered Literotica. There is a lot of talent here which repays the search through the chaff.

Alex

 

[TheEarl]

Christ, yes. It's a free site. If I were hosting it, I'd be offended by the implication that users are owed more than I'm giving away.
...
Edited to add: There are plenty of paid subscription sites that offer stories pre-screened to meet someone's standard. At best, the ones I'm familiar with are rarely up to bar with the best authors here. If you don't mind paying to have someone else choose authors for you, you will at least be assured that stories are spell-checked. But you'll sacrifice some originality and the occasional delightful surprise that pops up here, where authors are welcome to experiment and surprise even themselves.

Like I said, I'm not talking about halving the site content or something. I was positing the idea of removing the absolute dregs, the 0.1% (which would be chosen by editors, rather than by voting).

It's a pipe dream and I'm in no way unsatisfied with Lit. I was just talking about 'in a perfect world.'

The Earl

 

[msboy8]

When you are reading a story and detect such egregious grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors, scroll to the end of the page, where it says: Report problems with this story, click here. One of the options you'll be given is "Spelling and/or punctuation."

As many pointed out already, there are dozens of stories submitted every day, and some will always slip through. If the readers don't report substandard stories when given the chance, how can they ask for higher quality?

Thanks Lauren, I never thought of that. That's why you are a Lit. Demi-god and I am just a writer and reader.

 

[msboy8]

Like I said, I'm not talking about halving the site content or something. I was positing the idea of removing the absolute dregs, the 0.1% (which would be chosen by editors, rather than by voting).

It's a pipe dream and I'm in no way unsatisfied with Lit. I was just talking about 'in a perfect world.'

The Earl

I am also in no way unsatisfied with Lit. Thank you all for posting, I admire all of your comments. Thank you again.

 

[angelicminx]

Now I'm off to read BS's "Will" - I'm told it's what I'm looking for.

I think it is... JMHO.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Maybe the new "favorites" list will help to spotlight well-written stories that have been buried in the ratings. I wonder if that might also happen if Manu could crank up a list of stories that have earned a W or an E?

note: That last was a totally altruistic suggestion. To date, all my stories have been spared such a stigma.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[BlackShanglan]

I think it is... JMHO.

Big sloppy horse-kisses to you.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Maybe the new "favorites" list will help to spotlight well-written stories that have been buried in the ratings. I wonder if that might also happen if Manu could crank up a list of stories that have earned a W or an E?

note: That last was a totally altruistic suggestion. To date, all my stories have been spared such a stigma.

Rumple Foreskin

*chuckle*

Cloudy started an 'E' list a while back, but it petered out. PM me if you like and I will post you the copy of it that I saved.

Shanglan