Negative Feedback Trauma Center

[hmmnmm]

So somebody out there, some User Name or an Anonymous Someone said your story sucked. That sucks. Always sucks. You can try and say it doesn't sting just a little, but it's never fun when somebody comes along and says your stuff sucks. Maybe behind those vicious teeth is a clue that might just help you on your literary adventures. But you're not thinking of that at the moment you first see it. Maybe they are just vicious teeth and no more. Maybe they just didn't care for what you made your characters do or say. You hit a sensitive nerve with them and they could only respond in such a way to lessen their own pain that your well-written but sharply contoured tale gave them. No one who exposes their hard-worked words to a worldwide public readership can be certain to escape these responses.

So...

Grab a painkiller, a bandage, get it off your chest. Rest up, get it together. Settle down, get ahold of yourself, have some whiskey, sober up tomorrow, and get over it, and get out there again.



This thread's creation directly inspired by eswriter's thread.

 

[Nau8tynnice]

lol, well done hmmnmm

Good call... a place for writers to seek feedback on their feedback
Personally I think readers should take a mandatory summative assessment course before being given licence to leave comments... and every Lit reader should have to take the course before gaining access to the stories eek: runs and hides from the angry mob).
But seriously when I consider the amount of readers my stories have had and the few comments that have been left by such a minute percentage of the readers... I would be happier to see comments/feedback that make me feel or than be left with nothing. At least you know you've held your readers attention long enough to warrant them spending a minute of their time to leave you the feedback in the first place.

 

[hmmnmm]

Good call... a place for writers to seek feedback on their feedback
Personally I think readers should take a mandatory summative assessment course before being given licence to leave comments... and every Lit reader should have to take the course before gaining access to the stories eek: runs and hides from the angry mob).
But seriously when I consider the amount of readers my stories have had and the few comments that have been left by such a minute percentage of the readers... I would be happier to see comments/feedback that make me feel or than be left with nothing. At least you know you've held your readers attention long enough to warrant them spending a minute of their time to leave you the feedback in the first place.

Too bad you can't change thread titles. I too late realized it should be Trauma Tent. Tent. Not thread. Negative Feedback Trauma Tent.

Hopefully it won't be too busy. Hopefully peace and harmony will prevail. Just twiddle thumbs and play poker.

 

[LadyIlsa]

It is a little disheartening...

To see something like 22,000 views and only 74 votes/3 comments....does make one wonder. But don't get me started on the Anonymous emails...the good, the bad or the ugly. I would love to be able to say thank you or f--- you as warranted.

LOL

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I would love to be able to say thank you or f--- you as warranted.

LOL

You can. There is a thread titled "ANNOMYOUS" in the AH that's exactly for that purpose.

 

[LadyIlsa]

You can. There is a thread titled "ANNOMYOUS" in the AH that's exactly for that purpose.

Thank YOU!

 

[sr71plt]

To see something like 22,000 views and only 74 votes/3 comments....does make one wonder. But don't get me started on the Anonymous emails...the good, the bad or the ugly. I would love to be able to say thank you or f--- you as warranted.

LOL

In the categories I concentrate in, 74 votes and 3 comments would be a Eureka! experience. I wonder where it's written how many votes/comments one should "expect" to receive on any story for that to have any meaning.

 

[LadyIlsa]

In the categories I concentrate in, 74 votes and 3 comments would be a Eureka! experience. I wonder where it's written how many votes/comments one should "expect" to receive on any story for that to have any meaning.

I leave comments for nearly every story I read...with my name. But in reality, I know that not everyone who reads a story will leave a comment - especially if their viewpoint is already covered by a comment. But if 22,000 people read something, you'd think that more than three comments would be 'expected'.

Then again, I'm still fairly new at this so probably expecting more than I should.

 

[sr71plt]

I leave comments for nearly every story I read...with my name. But in reality, I know that not everyone who reads a story will leave a comment - especially if their viewpoint is already covered by a comment. But if 22,000 people read something, you'd think that more than three comments would be 'expected'.

Then again, I'm still fairly new at this so probably expecting more than I should.

Very few readers either vote or comment. That's reality. There's no law to do so. There's no grand curve connected with quality that determines how many votes/comments a story will get. It helps to just accept reality and move on.

 

[hmmnmm]

Very few readers either vote or comment. That's reality. There's no law to do so. There's no grand curve connected with quality that determines how many votes/comments a story will get. It helps to just accept reality and move on.

That's a little masterpiece right there.

 

[sr71plt]

That's a little masterpiece right there.

Well, thanks. And as a reward, I'll share with your readers here how you (yes, really) can get more comments and votes (nice comments and nice notes) here at Lit. You put very nice comments on the stories of others and sign your posting name to them. You can usually pick out the stories this will work on by looking at the high-ranking stories with a long string of very nice comments that are signed and then checking out the stories of the folks providing the nice comments/votes. If you do this you can get on the "I'll scratch your back if/as you scratch my back" band wagon of giving nice comments/votes to get nice comments/votes. Doesn't mean anything all concerning the quality of your story--but it will help you if you hyperventilate about your comments/votes/ratings. And it will get you membership in a club of sorts.

 

[DeeZire]

But if 22,000 people read something, you'd think that more than three comments would be 'expected'.

I think the 22,000 refers to the number of people who viewed the story. Who knows how many actually read it and how many read the first paragraph and then moved on. With so much to choose from, readers can be choosey. I know I am. I probably read about one out of every ten stories I view, but usually leave a comment if I have anything positive to say.

 

[Lalah]

I leave comments for nearly every story I read...with my name. But in reality, I know that not everyone who reads a story will leave a comment - especially if their viewpoint is already covered by a comment. But if 22,000 people read something, you'd think that more than three comments would be 'expected'.

Then again, I'm still fairly new at this so probably expecting more than I should.

On average I seem to get 1 vote for every 200-300 views.

Comments... it vary by categories. NC get few (and by the way, one of the "Similar stories" that came up when I checked out your "Caught?" for comments was one of mine, hehe.) but BDSM seem to be the most generous with those, followed by Incest, in my experience.

 

[hmmnmm]

Well, thanks. And as a reward, I'll share with your readers here how you (yes, really) can get more comments and votes (nice comments and nice notes) here at Lit. You put very nice comments on the stories of others and sign your posting name to them. You can usually pick out the stories this will work on by looking at the high-ranking stories with a long string of very nice comments that are signed and then checking out the stories of the folks providing the nice comments/votes. If you do this you can get on the "I'll scratch your back if/as you scratch my back" band wagon of giving nice comments/votes to get nice comments/votes. Doesn't mean anything all concerning the quality of your story--but it will help you if you hyperventilate about your comments/votes/ratings. And it will get you membership in a club of sorts.

Looks like a lot of work, which I'm sorta allergic to. Besides, obscurity offers a few little perks, like the little surprises that stop by once in a while. I do prefer the quietude. All in all. At the end of the day. When all's said and done. When the roosters roost on their chicks.

 

[where]

with me it's a case of if you can't say anything nice don't say anything. If I like a story I'll vote and comment but if I don't like then I don't vote either way. I have only ever voted once below 4 and that was for something that was really offensive (and I don't mean sexually) and I left my name. They never got back to me. Personally I don't like anonymous f/b

 

[hmmnmm]

with me it's a case of if you can't say anything nice don't say anything. If I like a story I'll vote and comment but if I don't like then I don't vote either way. I have only ever voted once below 4 and that was for something that was really offensive (and I don't mean sexually) and I left my name. They never got back to me. Personally I don't like anonymous f/b

The thoughts have been piling up the last couple days. But maybe this'll do for now:

I always feel very uncomfortable dishing out critique to anyone, because I know it is not easy to arrange a bunch of consonants and vowels and commas and periods so they tell a tale that someone - anyone - will be willing to set aside so-many minutes of their lives to even look at. At least I don't have an easy time of it, and sometimes feel it's completely hopeless to think I'll ever produce anything worthwhile from top to bottom, inside and out. Because there's always something. Always the crappily-writ paragraph or twenty. Guess I see it as every submission being merely a phase or a stage of an idea that will never be completed, never find final satisfaction. It's just at which stage of the development one chooses to expose it to the whole wide world of strangers Somewhere Out There. It's a risk. User Names without faces. That's pretty much who a writer on the internet is asking to read their stuff.

Could go on, but gotta go and pretend to do something.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

The thoughts have been piling up the last couple days. But maybe this'll do for now:

I always feel very uncomfortable dishing out critique to anyone, because I know it is not easy to arrange a bunch of consonants and vowels and commas and periods so they tell a tale that someone - anyone - will be willing to set aside so-many minutes of their lives to even look at. At least I don't have an easy time of it, and sometimes feel it's completely hopeless to think I'll ever produce anything worthwhile from top to bottom, inside and out. Because there's always something. Always the crappily-writ paragraph or twenty. Guess I see it as every submission being merely a phase or a stage of an idea that will never be completed, never find final satisfaction. It's just at which stage of the development one chooses to expose it to the whole wide world of strangers Somewhere Out There. It's a risk. User Names without faces. That's pretty much who a writer on the internet is asking to read their stuff.

Could go on, but gotta go and pretend to do something.

Doh! That's a bit depressing.

Analysing a story to give comments is good for learning lessons about your own writing. Also, if you are polite but honest, most guys appreciate the two cents - they can always ignore it.

What do you want to do - write Shakespeare immediately or get another bit of reader appreciation as you climb the ladder of experience and skill?

I write crappy stuff and have about twenty stories I'm scared to post - but I'm trying to say, 'who gives a f***?'

You write well, I like reading you, you have every right to ask me to cast an eye - I can refuse or take the bait - if I am critical but not rude, you get a response you can ignore or not.

hmmnmm, that's how life goes down. There's a wonderful quote out of Charles Kingsley's 'Water Babies' - " Do as you would be done by." Not a bad leitmotif for life, IMHO.

 

[hmmnmm]

Doh! That's a bit depressing.

I had a nice little ray of hope to top it off, just to lighten the effect - but we've got a couple metaphorical domestic fires going that might contribute to the bleak weightiness, so I forgot to thrown in that little window of brightness, and now I forgot what it was. It'll come back tonight or tomorrow. Hope.

Analysing a story to give comments is good for learning lessons about your own writing. Also, if you are polite but honest, most guys appreciate the two cents - they can always ignore it.

What do you want to do - write Shakespeare immediately or get another bit of reader appreciation as you climb the ladder of experience and skill?

I write crappy stuff and have about twenty stories I'm scared to post - but I'm trying to say, 'who gives a f***?'

You write well, I like reading you, you have every right to ask me to cast an eye - I can refuse or take the bait - if I am critical but not rude, you get a response you can ignore or not.

hmmnmm, that's how life goes down. There's a wonderful quote out of Charles Kingsley's 'Water Babies' - " Do as you would be done by." Not a bad leitmotif for life, IMHO.

Soon as we get our metaphorical domestic fires under control I shall attempt to reply to the rest of your well-thought, accurate, and slightly-too-generous post.

*just to say, I know I can come across in print/screen words in ways I didn't intend. This even happens in RL (I know of people who think I'm a grouch and a very grumpy man, but that's just not true - yet something went from me to them so they think that, now). The last thing I'm out to do is fuck up someone's day, especially without meaning to. To put across a very crucial message in the most diplomatic way possible? That's a special talent all in itself - maybe harder than trying to write a short story with or without sex fluids. Or at least as hard.

 

[Daniellekitten]

There was a how to story written...I think it was by Sack though I can't find it in his story list. It really was a well written how to on how to get more comments on your stories. The biggest thing is to get your name out there, write comments, read other's works, sign your comments, good or bad. When people see a comment on their story, they'll recognize your name on your stories and return the favor.

Don't be afraid to ask the person that comments on yours what they liked or hated...or what struck them about the story. It's a way to grow with your work and let the commentor know he's been heard. That's another way to get your name known and allow for readers to know that their opinions count.

I hope this helps. We ALL get those comments. Sometimes it's just fun to leave them up and let those that do enjoy your work to comment on the comment. Just realize that your reader usually has a reason for writing the things he or she does. Sometimes they may seem stupid to you but they do mean something to the commentor.

Good luck!

 

[Tanuki]

I get more 1s than comments. Very few negative comments though, fortunately.

 

[hmmnmm]

Well, the metaphorical flames aren't going anywhere for awhile, and since denial can be an effective tool when used correctly and sparingly, I'll just pull out a figurative fiddle, pop open a cold one, and escape into this space-scape of... you know...

I am touched at the entries so far, even though they are not actual victims of negative feedback, which is fine. Good news. The interns should certainly remain standing by, however, since you never know who'll come screaming and crawling to the flaps. And they'll need assistance. They'll need comfort.

Got a lot to say here, but no idea where to start. So many avenues and paths. Can't choose.

Have to try later.

I will say this: If the Negative Feedback Trauma Center would've been here when I first signed on, the first comment I ever got on my first Lit-posted 'story' would've sent me straight here. And I really wished I'd not allowed that to have the effect it did. Because before that moment I almost never second-guessed anything. Just let it fly, and leave it the way it landed. But after that moment, it was like this over-cautiousness slipped in, and I'm sure it influences everything. I would love to know again the feeling of slinging stuff out just not giving a shit. I have been working on it, like just going at it without thinking twice for as long as possible. Usually short durations. Seems to be a lengthy recovery process.

Oh crap. This is embarrassing. Somebody! Go get a patient!

 

[The_Fractal_King]

I would love to know again the feeling of slinging stuff out just not giving a shit.

Read God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It's not actually randomly thrown together but it -- intentionally -- reads as though it is. Thoughts simply thrown onto the page so to speak.

 

[hmmnmm]

Read God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It's not actually randomly thrown together but it -- intentionally -- reads as though it is. Thoughts simply thrown onto the page so to speak.

Noted.

Sounds like something that looks easy to do - not.


I did receive a private feedback a couple months ago, and I really appreciated it because of its honesty. Honesty + a smidgen of diplomacy = well-being all round.

This feedbacker said something like, "it was really good, until the end. She should've done this and that."

To me that was a fair deal. Because the suggested alternate ending was a good one, and I have no problem acknowledging that it was better than mine. So maybe next time, instead of settling for the first thing that comes to mind, go ahead and let it stew, reach a little. Which might go against the 'throwing it down and leaving it' but it's another something to consider. Knowing when and where to do what.

What were we talking about?

 

[JADED_ONE1969]

............

 

[hmmnmm]

I Agree with you HMMMMMM( Sorry if I misspelled your name not sure how many mmmmm's should be there) of course from my point of view as someone who is new to writing any thing I can only say that people on this site are certainly a tough crowd. Although having said that I can be a tough reader too!. But I have learned my lesson. When I first joined here I thought it was a great laugh to make stupid comments about peoples stories, Yes i admit to not really having a clue how difficult it can be to write a story that makes sense and can occasionally turn someone on. Just lately my stories seem to be at the stage where half the people who read them think they are okay, the other half simply pick holes in them, which I am starting to understand there are lots of holes in them! but does this get me down of course it does!. one thing that many commentators are good at is kicking someone when they are on the ground, and trust me I have been kicked several times on the ground,just when I was trying to get up too!.
One of the things I have started to do is read different types of stories, from say LOVING WIVES( I still say that this needs a sub genre a definate title like CHEATING WIFE stories) GROUP SEX,NONHUMAN,NONCONSENT ETC. It's amazing how different writers and readers think certain stories belong in different catorgories. For instance from my point of view someone who has sex with say 5 or more people shouldn't that belong in GROUP SEX but for some reason some of these stories end up in LOVING WIVES stories.
Anyway enough now. Time to to drink that beer or whatever is in the house, perhaps when i'm drunk I will try writing a story and see how it turns out, who know it might even get better.
Thank you to anyone who has read my stories, if you like them or not.

Hey! Good to see ya! I admire your humility and your eagerness and your spirit of persistence. I know you've taken a few punches - though you admit that you once dealt out a few yourself, so - but you seem to dust them off and go straight back into the heat of conflict - conflict: crucial element.

Oh and don't worry about the m's. it was just a user name chosen at a particular time way back when.

Did the beers help?