Just got a "1" vote

[ferociouskittycat]

i dont get it....
the theory of voting 5 or not voting at all is illogical.

if theres a story submitted and the only people who read it wer those who voted 5 or not at all, then the story would have a perfect rating, wether deserved or not. i kno this would show by number of hits against number of votes, but if its in the top vote lists its still getting the recognition of being a great story.

but then i guess theres the theory that if so many people thot it was perfect, then it must be...this in turn brings up the problem of what deserves a 5 vote?

spiders >( ' . ' )<

I am not an author, nor have ever claimed to be. If I enjoy the story, then I'll give it a five. That's my choice and how I vote.

If a story is less than perfect, who gives a shit? This isn't a professional site. Many of us are first time writers wanting to share our stories.

If I enjoy, I vote. That simple.

I've read some poorly constructed stories, poor spelling, poor grammar. I send them a PM only IF I can see where there is room for improvement, or if they've received really nasty feedback, I'll make an encouraging one suggesting changes in a PC.

I don't vote five because the story is perfect. If that were the case, I'd never vote!!

 

[ferociouskittycat]

Do you know... and this is no bullshit I have the feedback email... one punter told me a story of mine was very good, but needed too much effort to read because it was too British, and so he / she could only vote it '2' on those grounds....... Signed annon.

Well annon I am British... so fuck off and learn real English if you want to read my stuff.

God I love you LOL

 

[Belegon]

My votes on other's stories run from 3 to 5, if I vote a three I will send feedback saying why. If it is a 2 or 1 vote, I will probably never finish the story and thus never vote, since I would not review something without reading all of it.

 

[doormouse]

To be honest,

Since turning volunteer editor on this site, I've changed my attitude 100%.

I've been sent such a variation of talents to work with. Most I'm ashamed to have read because their stories would easily put mine to shame. I was asked by one if I'd like my name on their story as editor. All I did was pick up on ONE word that she missed. Of course I said no.

Yet, there are others, that even after editing, I pray they don't mention me as an editor. All I could do was fix the spelling, the grammar, and change a few words to make sentences make sense.

I've also had the pleasure of editing five stories so far for one author, and see her grow with each. It's authors like this that make my efforts worth it. To see her learn and see where her mistakes lie and rectify them. I'm seriously hoping she gets the feedback deserving of her efforts.

Votes mean little to me. It's the constructive criticism that makes it all worthwhile.

I think my major turnaround has been my poetry. I've had so many helpful 'suggestions', 'ideas', not only offered, but they went as far as show me examples. I've gone from a shitty poet, to my last three being rated hot.

THAT's what I try to do for the stories I edit. Not just tell, but 'show'.

The voting system doesn't 'show' where an author can improve. I always leave a glowing pc on a story, but if I have anything to offer, it's always done in a PM. Why mar someone's story when you can be just as constructive out of public eyes?

Just my two bobs.

 

[impressive]

Since turning volunteer editor on this site, I've changed my attitude 100%.

Me, too!

Unfortunately, the authors that (IMO) most NEED an editor are those that do not avail themselves of the opportunity -- for whatever reason.

I have given 1 votes before. Not many, though. When I read a story that is full of spelling or gross grammatical errors, I am insulted that the author didn't have enough respect for the reader to do even the most basic proofing.

When I give a 5, the story must please me on two levels -- the writing itself AND the heat of the encounter(s). I stay away from categories that just don't excite me. Perhaps a two-tiered voting system should be explored -- A vote for "heat" and a vote for writing.

 

[Lisa Denton]

Re: Ask her

Ask her why she only gave you a 7. Ask what was lacking in her mind that made her decide on a "7" instead of a 9 or 10.

Lisa, all that talk between you and Helene makes me wish I was a French Cowgirl!
Know what that is don't you?

French cowgirl? No, no idea.

Well, I do have a naughty mind, is that maybe how I feel when I see doormouse and ferociouskitty fighting over the milk?

I just thanked that lady who gave me a 7 on that site. She mailed me back fast saying I deserved it. She said a lot of stuff makes me think she teaches writing somewhere. Now I think I feel flattered, some of the other stuff she said made me feel kinda hot. She was apparently being nice and had more nice things to say about my story.

 

[Lisa Denton]

To be honest,

Since turning volunteer editor on this site, I've changed my attitude 100%.

I've been sent such a variation of talents to work with. Most I'm ashamed to have read because their stories would easily put mine to shame. I was asked by one if I'd like my name on their story as editor. All I did was pick up on ONE word that she missed. Of course I said no.

Yet, there are others, that even after editing, I pray they don't mention me as an editor. All I could do was fix the spelling, the grammar, and change a few words to make sentences make sense.

I've also had the pleasure of editing five stories so far for one author, and see her grow with each. It's authors like this that make my efforts worth it. To see her learn and see where her mistakes lie and rectify them. I'm seriously hoping she gets the feedback deserving of her efforts.

Votes mean little to me. It's the constructive criticism that makes it all worthwhile.

I think my major turnaround has been my poetry. I've had so many helpful 'suggestions', 'ideas', not only offered, but they went as far as show me examples. I've gone from a shitty poet, to my last three being rated hot.

THAT's what I try to do for the stories I edit. Not just tell, but 'show'.

The voting system doesn't 'show' where an author can improve. I always leave a glowing pc on a story, but if I have anything to offer, it's always done in a PM. Why mar someone's story when you can be just as constructive out of public eyes?

Just my two bobs.

You're the nicest mouse I know, have some cheesecake.

 

[doormouse]

You're the nicest mouse I know, have some cheesecake.

You too sweets... get in my pvt and let me allow you a sample of my cheese

LOL

Okay, behaving now

 

[sincerely_helene]

Re: Ask her

Lisa, all that talk between you and Helene makes me wish I was a French Cowgirl!
Know what that is don't you? [/B]

Did you mean to type "french tickler" instead?

 

[Goldie Munro]

Me, too!

Unfortunately, the authors that (IMO) most NEED an editor are those that do not avail themselves of the opportunity -- for whatever reason.

I have given 1 votes before. Not many, though. When I read a story that is full of spelling or gross grammatical errors, I am insulted that the author didn't have enough respect for the reader to do even the most basic proofing.

When I give a 5, the story must please me on two levels -- the writing itself AND the heat of the encounter(s). I stay away from categories that just don't excite me. Perhaps a two-tiered voting system should be explored -- A vote for "heat" and a vote for writing.

I think I understand what you are saying but I think that the basic emotions and or the plot of the story can be understood by anyone regardless of spelling or grammar - the spelling or grammar need not get in the way of a damn good story!

 

[pop_54]

Now I had to chuckle the other day, on the subject of spelling and grammar, I copied a couple of definitions from the OED online dictionary (for a certain Mouse on another thread) into MS Word 2000 for posting onto Lit.

Would you believe Word spell check, (set to English, English), picked up four red squiggly line spelling mistakes in the OED definitions... (No they weren't spelling mistakes, they were MS Word mistakes... things it didn't recognise)... So if, according to Word, The Oxford English Dictionary can't spell, what chance do we mere mortals stand.

So who or what defines proper spelling and grammar?... What is this God like figure that places strict rules an the way things should be written down and laid out... (often to the detriment of the written piece, especially in fiction works where a lot of slang is used)

Editing is a shit pastime, that's why I don't even attempt to do it for others... What's acceptable to me as a readable passage, falls far short of the God's strict rules... Hell even Shakespeare's acceptable to me, and his spelling and grammar was terrible.

Shit what do I know about it anyway, I'm a bloody Electrical Engineer not a writer.

 

[Lisa Denton]

Now I had to chuckle the other day, on the subject of spelling and grammar, I copied a couple of definitions from the OED online dictionary (for a certain Mouse on another thread) into MS Word 2000 for posting onto Lit.

Would you believe Word spell check, (set to English, English), picked up four red squiggly line spelling mistakes in the OED definitions... (No they weren't spelling mistakes, they were MS Word mistakes... things it didn't recognise)... So if, according to Word, The Oxford English Dictionary can't spell, what chance do we mere mortals stand.

So who or what defines proper spelling and grammar?... What is this God like figure that places strict rules an the way things should be written down and laid out... (often to the detriment of the written piece, especially in fiction works where a lot of slang is used)

Editing is a shit pastime, that's why I don't even attempt to do it for others... What's acceptable to me as a readable passage, falls far short of the God's strict rules... Hell even Shakespeare's acceptable to me, and his spelling and grammar was terrible.

Shit what do I know about it anyway, I'm a bloody Electrical Engineer not a writer.

Hi Pop, I think I know which anonymous lil mouse we are talkin about. She tries to talk your language, talking about punters and stuff without a darn football, but in autralia they try to mix british with a texas accent.
Anywho, I understand both of you all pretty good. I think when an author gets to the sex its kinda a universal language and CUMS through to everybody.
I speak american, not british english, but here in texas we also mix in texan language. American language is almost all slang, then you add in the texan language, then say it all with a texas accent and its a wonder anybody knows what I'm talking about.
WTF am I talkin about?
Oh yea, good erotica can still be good without a freakin dictionary.

P.S. Are you really an electrical engineer on a pirate ship? (Lisa runs away really fast laffin)

 

[pop_54]

Hi Pop, I think I know which anonymous lil mouse we are talkin about. She tries to talk your language, talking about punters and stuff without a darn football, but in autralia they try to mix british with a texas accent.
Anywho, I understand both of you all pretty good. I think when an author gets to the sex its kinda a universal language and CUMS through to everybody.
I speak american, not british english, but here in texas we also mix in texan language. American language is almost all slang, then you add in the texan language, then say it all with a texas accent and its a wonder anybody knows what I'm talking about.
WTF am I talkin about?
Oh yea, good erotica can still be good without a freakin dictionary.

P.S. Are you really an electrical engineer on a pirate ship? (Lisa runs away really fast laffin)

Yes I am!!! Runs after her leering

I actually adore the Texas accent, something gritty about it as well as a hint of mellow.

 

[doormouse]

Hi Pop, I think I know which anonymous lil mouse we are talkin about. She tries to talk your language, talking about punters and stuff without a darn football, but in autralia they try to mix british with a texas accent.

Ahem,

I was married to a 'Brit' for fourteen years (hard not to pick up a bit of the drawl)... engaged to a 'Yank' for the past two years.

You listen to these two who can't speak properly (or spell for that matter), everyday and see how your accent changes LOL

I was asked the other day if I was part Brit

We don't have accents, you guys do

 

[MagicFingers]

Re: Re: Ask her

Did you mean to type "french tickler" instead?

Nope. French Cowgirls, like Amelie Maresmo, et al.
You know... they yodel in the canyons
TeeHee

Seriously, I love all the comments and discussions here and thank you all for posting them. I feel better about the whole thing now.

Pop, I have no problem reading English stories, so nothing personal meant from that Oxford comment earlier! Most English authors seem to have a better command of the English language than we Americans have of our language. I can pick up on the little culture differences with no problem as long as the story is well written. Grammar and spelling are only critical when they are so bad that they distract from the meaning and flow of the story. THEN, it makes it hard to feel what the author is conveying to us.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

I have just found out that my first story submission to this site Suggestible Suzie has been published, earlier than I anticipated. In fact, several days ago!

In the meantime, it has been read (well, opened) by over 9,000 readers, has twenty-five votes which at the time when I viewed it was at 4.04.

It also has four PC’s.

I think that rating is high. It is a short, slightly silly piece. At best it should have been a 3.5 to 4.0, but I screwed up.

I just reread it, then checked my drafts. Somehow, I sent in my second-to-final draft, including several mistakes which got included between the original and the rewrite.

Taking into consideration the mangled sentences — and the stoppage in the reader’s flow — I do not believe it merits any rating above the 3.0 level.

It is pleasant that readers grade so easily, and I do hope they were able to enjoy the story — particularly in its present condition — but there is no way that it honestly deserves the rating it has received so far.

Perhaps the score will even out, later.

 

[pop_54]

Re: Re: Re: Ask her

Nope. French Cowgirls, like Amelie Maresmo, et al.
You know... they yodel in the canyons
TeeHee

Seriously, I love all the comments and discussions here and thank you all for posting them. I feel better about the whole thing now.

Pop, I have no problem reading English stories, so nothing personal meant from that Oxford comment earlier! Most English authors seem to have a better command of the English language than we Americans have of our language. I can pick up on the little culture differences with no problem as long as the story is well written. Grammar and spelling are only critical when they are so bad that they distract from the meaning and flow of the story. THEN, it makes it hard to feel what the author is conveying to us.

No prob Magic it was a light hearted comment anyway... I agree about the story having to be free flowing and readable, if the spelling and grammar buggers that up it's a gonner in my books.

 

[pop_54]

I have just found out that my first story submission to this site Suggestible Suzie has been published, earlier than I anticipated. In fact, several days ago!

In the meantime, it has been read (well, opened) by over 9,000 readers, has twenty-five votes which at the time when I viewed it was at 4.04.

It also has four PC’s.

I think that rating is high. It is a short, slightly silly piece. At best it should have been a 3.5 to 4.0, but I screwed up.

I just reread it, then checked my drafts. Somehow, I sent in my second-to-final draft, including several mistakes which got included between the original and the rewrite.

Taking into consideration the mangled sentences — and the stoppage in the reader’s flow — I do not believe it merits any rating above the 3.0 level.

It is pleasant that readers grade so easily, and I do hope they were able to enjoy the story — particularly in its present condition — but there is no way that it honestly deserves the rating it has received so far.

Perhaps the score will even out, later.

Well done Burl... and if the readers like it and want to vote it up... don't knock it yourself... we've all posted stuff then wished we hadn't, as long as it gets past the Lit acceptance editor/proof reader it aint that bad... I had one rejected for a few missing comma's and question marks, nothing more, so they aint that easy going.

Is it just me, or do any of you think question and exclamation marks are superfluous and distracting when the question is obvious, and a feeling of shock or surprise is apparent without them... I mean how often do you see them hanging in space over peoples heads in reality.

 

[MagicFingers]

V.B. re-submit!

Please make your corrections and editing and re-submit it as soon as you can with a note that you submitted the wrong version and that this is the correct version, edited and ready to go.
Imagine, it was probably a 4.5 story if you got a 4.04 for a bad version!

Pops, I can't imagine a story getting rejected for those two errors.
A question is very obvious, and an exclamatory sentence is up to the writer! See, I didn't have to use that ! , and could have used a period just as well!

 

[pop_54]

Re: V.B. re-submit!

Please make your corrections and editing and re-submit it as soon as you can with a note that you submitted the wrong version and that this is the correct version, edited and ready to go.
Imagine, it was probably a 4.5 story if you got a 4.04 for a bad version!

Pops, I can't imagine a story getting rejected for those two errors.
A question is very obvious, and an exclamatory sentence is up to the writer! See, I didn't have to use that ! , and could have used a period just as well!

Yep fraid it did, the rejection note that was posted with the rejection specifically mentioned insufficient use of comma's after quotation marks for dialogue, which was laziness on my part, and punctuation marks to denote questions or enquires.

 

[doormouse]

????
..O
,/|\,
_/\_
.

You mean like this Pop?

 

[pop_54]

????
..O
,/|\,
_/\_
.

You mean like this Pop?

Yeppers... thas the bloke... never seen him before in my life

 

[killallhippies]

1's suck! without my one 1 i'd have my H! exclamation point!

 

[pop_54]

1's suck! without my one 1 i'd have my H! exclamation point!

Shit aint it killa same as, all my crud has made it to H or very close a number of times only to take a sudden dive as soon as they did... makes you wonder if the '1' bomber just trawls the story board hitting anything with H by it for the hell of it... Although high votes are nice, I've given up worrying about it a long while ago... I haven't checked my story figures in about 2 to 3 weeks so I haven't got a clue how they're doing.

 

[killallhippies]

Shit aint it killa same as, all my crud has made it to H or very close a number of times only to take a sudden dive as soon as they did... makes you wonder if the '1' bomber just trawls the story board hitting anything with H by it for the hell of it... Although high votes are nice, I've given up worrying about it a long while ago... I haven't checked my story figures in about 2 to 3 weeks so I haven't got a clue how they're doing.

i just like the extra readers the H seems to bring in. i want as many people to read my story as possible. i know i read stories with H's a good deal more than i read the ones without. i really wish the score showed up next to the story at all times. then the H wouldn't be such a big deal. stories that rate above a 4 are usually good enough to get me going one way or another.