New writer and all my poems were 1-bombed :(

[Alitaptap]

Hello, I know this has been asked probably hundreds of times, but I need some good advice on how you guys roll with it, especially since I’m new at this. Reading the past threads, I think my situation may be a little different.

IRL I’m a pretty hardcore girl who doesn’t easily get affected by negative feedback. But poetry is very intimate for me, and it’s the first time I’m letting others read it (apart from my man who I give it to as little gifts, and he encouraged me to put my work out there). Other threads have said not to put yourself in your work so it won’t hurt, but for what I do, it’s just not possible. Here are some questions spinning through my head, if ever you guys have time:

1 - Did I piss someone off with a poem? Can a poem piss someone off that much? Why bomb every single one my poems? Since I’m new and have very few readers and votes, all of them took a nosedive

2 - Is my writing that awful? If so, can I have feedback so I can get better?

3 - Is a woman exposing her sexuality threatening to some people? Aren’t we all just human beings with unique sexual needs, but basically pretty much the same regardless of gender?

4 - Should I just go back to keeping my writing private? Maybe I’m too sensitive when it comes to expressing my vulnerability through writing? I’m the total opposite IRL as compared to who I am in my relationship and in my art. Knowing the internet is so savage, maybe I should just stop?

I’m currently writing the longest story I’ve ever written thanks to Omenainen’s Pink Orchid Challenge and I’m wondering if I should even submit it. So I’m turning to you wonderful people to hopefully enlighten this first time writer, and I hope you can oblige. Thank you!

*NOTE: the site hasn’t updated so if you look at my page the scores are mostly 4’s. In the control panel though, almost all are now 3’s.

 

[alohadave]

1. Trolls exist and there isn't anything you can do about them. It's best to ignore them. Their conduct say nothing about you or your work.

2. I can't judge poetry since it's not a style I read. What I looked at of yours didn't seem bad.

3. The sad fact is that, yes some people are threatened by women expressing themselves in any way. That is their problem, not yours. I understand that saying that doesn't make it less painful when you are targeted.

4. From the comments I saw on your poems, you are getting positive feedback, which is so worth it. You've impacted people enough that they want to tell you that you affected them. Whenever you put yourself out there, it's scary. No matter what you are IRL, it's a piece of yourself that you are exposing to the world.

As for your story, keep at it. Don't let trolls stop you from posting your work.

 

[Defluer]

Keep writing, and I don't mean this as a pervert but keep exposing yourself. I don't write poems but I still write. It's still taking a part of your brain and soul and putting it down and exposing it to the world (or a tiny part of the world) when you publish something here. In my case I did need to work out my spelling and grammar a lot more. (I'm still working on those things and everything else and it's sixteen years later.) I stopped publishing for a long time because it hurt so bad. I tell everyone here who has some bad experiences the same advice, keep writing! The only way to get good is to keep doing it, which the assholes don't seem to understand.

I read little dancer and I thought it was nice, I'm not a poetry person so take that for what it's worth. Mostly... Three comments! I've got 8,000 word stories with less actual interaction than that.

 

[ChloeTzang]

You get trolls on Literotica just like everywhere else. Ratings aren't that important, its the comments that can be more rewarding - or not LOL. Just keep writing. We all expose parts of ourselves with our writing, its just the way it is, and when you do that, you always take a risk that something may come back and hurt - but you just have to accept that as a corollary of putting yourself out there in front of the world. Does it help you grow as a writer - yes, because it toughens you up and you get used to the trolls and the sometimes not so nice feedback and you don't worry about it, you just go ahead and write what means something to you. Thats mostly what its about here on Lit, because we sure don't write here for the $'s LOL. So have fun, write what you want to write, enjoy the positives and brush off the negatives. There's always trolls that enjoy taking a hack at one - I work on the basis that those of us who can, write, and those who troll are losers. They're welcome to give it a go and do better themselves, but until they do, they can go suck on a dead dingo's dick. There's always valid criticism of course, and THAT is good to get, altho not that common in Literotica comments. I get a bit of that, and I like it, because it does push me to confront where I have weaknesses and look at how to take those on. And THAT is an ongoing process of improvement which I enjoy.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

You're putting yourself out there and brightening people's day in the process. I read your poetry. They've brightened my day so thank you for sharing and please keep writing more!

If you're anxious about how your story might be taken, don't. But I highly recommend that you find an editor and / or a beta reader to help you with your story. If you can't find any, shoot me a message.

 

[Alitaptap]

Firstly, thank you all so much for replying to this newbie stranger on the internet. It means a lot, so truly, thank you. So much support here (it’s my first time ever to post on this forum and I wasn’t really sure what to expect) so this restores my faith in humanity

I think you got some sweet comments on your work, and that's the best proof you can get that your work is appreciated. I'm not a regular visitor for poetry, but in my experience, feedback and votes are rare.

Yes @RubenR thank you.

I will just look at the comments and actual feedback, rather than the 1-bombs, which took me for a spin I think. There are some active poetry authors who have kick-ass work and they’ve been so encouraging to us new ones, so that’s mostly them. They truly are amazing, and I’ll take those positives and roll with it

The sad fact is that, yes some people are threatened by women expressing themselves in any way. That is their problem, not yours. I understand that saying that doesn't make it less painful when you are targeted.

@alohadave

True, and true. And yes, first time to get targeted so it was painful. I’ll make that into my new mantra: “That’s their problem, not mine.” Thank you!

I read little dancer and I thought it was nice, I'm not a poetry person so take that for what it's worth. Mostly... Three comments!

Thank you @Defluer for reading my work and yes, three comments! That is a win, and by god, I’ll take it

Does it help you grow as a writer - yes, because it toughens you up and you get used to the trolls and the sometimes not so nice feedback and you don't worry about it, you just go ahead and write what means something to you.

Great advice @ChloeTzang, to see this whole exercise as a process to grow as a writer and to toughen up! Which gosh I truly should do. I’m much too soft and it’s time to grow some thicker skin with regards to work that matters to me. Thanks for this

You're putting yourself out there and brightening people's day in the process. I read your poetry. They've brightened my day so thank you for sharing and please keep writing more!

If you're anxious about how your story might be taken, don't. But I highly recommend that you find an editor and / or a beta reader to help you with your story. If you can't find any, shoot me a message.

@Jackie.O.Hikaru never saw it that way, that by putting the work out there it brightens people’s day I am comforted by that thought, so thank you! And yes, I will look for an editor/beta reader and may take you up on your offer to read my first story once I finish it.

Thank you all! You have all brightened up the day of this unknown newbie, and sending you all virtual hugs! Hope it reaches you no matter where in the world you all are

 

[Voboy]

I've posted poetry, and some of it has done well. With that said, I have no clue how people are rating it. If all creative writing is subjective, then surely poetry is doubly so.

I don't lend a lot of credence to poetry ratings, is what I'm saying.

 

[Alitaptap]

If all creative writing is subjective, then surely poetry is doubly so.

True, thank you @Voboy and yes, I’ll come to terms with the fact that some may just think my work sucks, but that’s okay, and how it should be. I’ll use this as a learning exercise to get better. No other way but up

And to whoever out there in the internets or in this forum who began 5-starring my work, thank you. You really didn’t have to, and it wasn’t my intention to have anyone do that, but you did, so thank you. It’s pulled my ratings up a bit, but more than that, right now just knowing there are some guys like you cheering us new ones on, helps a whole lot.

And I know, I tried not to look at the scores again, but I am an idiot and I did. Learning process, this is.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'd request a sweep. Poems get few votes and one bombs can be devastating, and Laurel will take that into account.

 

[Alitaptap]

I'd request a sweep. Poems get few votes and one bombs can be devastating, and Laurel will take that into account.

Thank you @lovecraft68 I’ll keep that in mind as an option. But right now, I think I’ll just leave it as is - if my poems sink to the bottom, so be it. And I can just write away and not care if anyone reads it or not. I really should learn to just write and not let this affect me (as the authors above have suggested), so I’ll let things be as is, get stronger, and learn. Thank you!

 

[RejectReality]

It's been a long time since I looked, but the poetry feedback seems to be a lot more critical than it is over in storyland. The poetry forum has some open commentary sometimes that convinced me if I had any thought of trying my hand, I wouldn't subject it to that kind of scrutiny. There's some harsh critics in that community. The disdain for rhyming couplets I saw the couple of times I looked was scathing. Like it was "poetry for Neanderthal children" level scathing.

Been a while, and I didn't look more than a couple of times. Maybe I just stumbled across some gatekeeping ass spouting off. I certainly hope so. LOL

You said the scores went from 4.x to 3.x. Are you sure those were 1s? With the low average number of votes poems usually get, 3s could very well cause that kind of a plummet.

 

[Alitaptap]

It's been a long time since I looked, but the poetry feedback seems to be a lot more critical than it is over in storyland. The poetry forum has some open commentary sometimes that convinced me if I had any thought of trying my hand, I wouldn't subject it to that kind of scrutiny. There's some harsh critics in that community. The disdain for rhyming couplets I saw the couple of times I looked was scathing. Like it was "poetry for Neanderthal children" level scathing.

Been a while, and I didn't look more than a couple of times. Maybe I just stumbled across some gatekeeping ass spouting off. I certainly hope so. LOL

You said the scores went from 4.x to 3.x. Are you sure those were 1s? With the low average number of votes poems usually get, 3s could very well cause that kind of a plummet.

Thanks @RejectReality for this. The “poetry for Neanderthal children” got me laughing. Yes, I’m pretty sure it’s ones. My scores from high 4’s to even a 5, all went down to low 3’s quite suddenly. But some wonderful person began 5 starring my work so it’s gone up a bit now. But I’m learning to take this all in stride, that there’s definitely room for improvement with my work anyways, so I’ll see it as a growing point. Thank you!

 

[RejectReality]

LOL What blows is that I've been using that phrase for years, and now there's a game named Poetry For Neanderthals. I'm sure it's coincidence, but they found a profitable use for something I was just using as a punchline.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Welcome to the club, KG. Trolls are the price we pay for this site and you’re not alone. The important thing is that you like your stuff. It’s your opinion that matters, not some anonymous churl’s.

Hang in there.

 

[vanmyers86]

Once you go public with any creative endeavor, you become a potential target for people who exist to tear others down. And you never forget the feeling of someone systematically going through your work and downgrading and/or degrading it - at least I never have in my four years here - but you will grow from it. And there enough wonderful readers who leave positive comments to more than balance out the trolls, at least in my experience. (For instance, I got a fantastic comment just a few days ago on a story that dates back to 2019. You just never know when it'll happen.)

My advice with criticism is similar to ChloeTzang's: Consider it dispassionately (I know - easier said than done!) and decide if it has merit. If it does, learn from it. If it doesn't, move on.

As for whether to leave up cutting or mean comments, I've removed only one, a false accusation of plagiarism. I have a thick skin, but I'm not gonna let that stand.

 

[Emotional]

Here is the deal.

The ratings system here is irrevocable flawed and broken. Every author here will attest to getting random 1 bombs for no reason at all.

I get it that everyone will get one here and there, but when you see every single story go down a couple points all at once, you know the trolls are out.

I am more interested in comments, how to improve, and what they liked.

Welcome BTW

 

[Alitaptap]

The important thing is that you like your stuff.

This! @TarnishedPenny Yes, will embed this into my mind as I carry on, especially when doubt strikes, which is quite often. So thank you!

Consider it dispassionately (I know - easier said than done!) and decide if it has merit. If it does, learn from it. If it doesn't, move on.

Yes @vanmyers86 - carefully seeing if something has merit is something I have yet to do. My biggest flaw is that I react too emotionally maybe - and I should learn how to dissect it all like a cold fish and see which parts can make me better as an artist. Thank you!

I am more interested in comments, how to improve, and what they liked.

Welcome BTW

Thank you @MrEmotional Yes, haven’t actually analyzed what people do like based on the comments and feedback. Great tips!

And thanks so much for welcoming me, everyone! I know this sounds so repetitive, but for someone like me who hasn’t really put their writing out there for the world to see, having you all come in and support someone you don’t know, is huge for me. So I’m wishing you all a happy day/night and I hope more goodness comes into your lives!

 

[yukonnights]

For what it's worth, I've put up two poems here — one done in 01/03/2014 & the other done in 04/16/2019. I don't claim much polish in any poetry attempts. In all those years, the one from 2014 has had 1.5k hits/reads and is rated at 4.30 with 9 comments. The other one from 2016 has 987 hits/reads and is rated at 5 with only 1 comment.

It seems to me that Literotica is probably not the best place possible to post/publish poetry if one is looking for a lot of reader engagement. That said, you've garnered some rewarding comments on the poems you've put up so maybe there is a hidden secret poetry audience out there for folks who can actually write a poem. IMO, the thing to keep in mind is this writing and posting is all supposed to be enjoyable for us and I hope you can build on what you've started. You also have the power to delete comments that are hateful, rude or otherwise stupid

 

[Comshaw]

Hello, I know this has been asked probably hundreds of times, but I need some good advice on how you guys roll with it, especially since I’m new at this. Reading the past threads, I think my situation may be a little different.

IRL I’m a pretty hardcore girl who doesn’t easily get affected by negative feedback. But poetry is very intimate for me, and it’s the first time I’m letting others read it (apart from my man who I give it to as little gifts, and he encouraged me to put my work out there). Other threads have said not to put yourself in your work so it won’t hurt, but for what I do, it’s just not possible. Here are some questions spinning through my head, if ever you guys have time:

1 - Did I piss someone off with a poem? Can a poem piss someone off that much? Why bomb every single one my poems? Since I’m new and have very few readers and votes, all of them took a nosedive

2 - Is my writing that awful? If so, can I have feedback so I can get better?

3 - Is a woman exposing her sexuality threatening to some people? Aren’t we all just human beings with unique sexual needs, but basically pretty much the same regardless of gender?

4 - Should I just go back to keeping my writing private? Maybe I’m too sensitive when it comes to expressing my vulnerability through writing? I’m the total opposite IRL as compared to who I am in my relationship and in my art. Knowing the internet is so savage, maybe I should just stop?

I’m currently writing the longest story I’ve ever written thanks to Omenainen’s Pink Orchid Challenge and I’m wondering if I should even submit it. So I’m turning to you wonderful people to hopefully enlighten this first time writer, and I hope you can oblige. Thank you!

*NOTE: the site hasn’t updated so if you look at my page the scores are mostly 4’s. In the control panel though, almost all are now 3’s.

You didn't piss anyone off, you ran afoul of a troll. I have no idea why, but they delight in trying to torture and destroy our stories and poems. And they never, ever do it outright. It always comes from the shadows from "anonymous".

As LC suggested, contact Laurel and request a sweep. Maybe she can get rid of at least some of those low votes.

But what ever you do, DO NOT LET THEM WIN! If you stop writing because of them, they win. If you let them get into your head, they win. If you allow them to they will destroy what you love to do.

Take a deep breath. Hold it. Let it out slowly and then put your fingers back on the keyboard and go back to writing.

To put it plainly, succinctly, brusquely in blue collar language, fuck a bunch of asshole trolls! Keep putting those words down!


Comshaw

 

[Alitaptap]

It seems to me that Literotica is probably not the best place possible to post/publish poetry if one is looking for a lot of reader engagement.

Thank you for this @yukonnights I am mulling this over actually. I thought my work was too racy for public consumption, so I thought to post it here to get my feet wet, safely behind a blanket of anonymity. I did it to get better as a writer, to see if I have anything worthy to give, and to continue to write. But as I’m learning, thanks to all the great advice from all of you above, that when you put your work out there, is anywhere really safe? No, and we are forced to get stronger, a painful but necessary process, as I try to learn how to swim.

But what ever you do, DO NOT LET THEM WIN! If you stop writing because of them, they win.

Yes @Comshaw ! I will not let them win, so I will “just keep swimming.” thank you!

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Hello, I know this has been asked probably hundreds of times, but I need some good advice on how you guys roll with it, especially since I’m new at this. Reading the past threads, I think my situation may be a little different.

IRL I’m a pretty hardcore girl who doesn’t easily get affected by negative feedback. But poetry is very intimate for me, and it’s the first time I’m letting others read it (apart from my man who I give it to as little gifts, and he encouraged me to put my work out there). Other threads have said not to put yourself in your work so it won’t hurt, but for what I do, it’s just not possible. Here are some questions spinning through my head, if ever you guys have time:

1 - Did I piss someone off with a poem? Can a poem piss someone off that much? Why bomb every single one my poems? Since I’m new and have very few readers and votes, all of them took a nosedive

2 - Is my writing that awful? If so, can I have feedback so I can get better?

3 - Is a woman exposing her sexuality threatening to some people? Aren’t we all just human beings with unique sexual needs, but basically pretty much the same regardless of gender?

4 - Should I just go back to keeping my writing private? Maybe I’m too sensitive when it comes to expressing my vulnerability through writing? I’m the total opposite IRL as compared to who I am in my relationship and in my art. Knowing the internet is so savage, maybe I should just stop?

I’m currently writing the longest story I’ve ever written thanks to Omenainen’s Pink Orchid Challenge and I’m wondering if I should even submit it. So I’m turning to you wonderful people to hopefully enlighten this first time writer, and I hope you can oblige. Thank you!

*NOTE: the site hasn’t updated so if you look at my page the scores are mostly 4’s. In the control panel though, almost all are now 3’s.

If you want encouragement when you’re down you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve all had bad days, bad comments, cruel comments etc and we wear our scars like a badge of honour.

Sometimes on the Authors Hangout it feels more like a sports bar where old hasbeens hang out nursing their sorrows with their old tales of woe.

But unlike the hasbeens, we’re very much still swinging, still writing, still putting it out there, and we’d always suggest you do the same.

Keep slugging till your arms ache and the only thing in ya, is the will to move.

Keep on writing.

 

[Winter_Fare]

1 - Did I piss someone off with a poem? Can a poem piss someone off that much? Why bomb every single one my poems? Since I’m new and have very few readers and votes, all of them took a nosedive

There is a lurker on the new poetry page that drops a one on every single poem. Every single one without fail. I've been posting poetry on here about a year, and it started this summer.

2 - Is my writing that awful? If so, can I have feedback so I can get better?

No! Your poems are not 1 star material. Said bomber clearly has their own issues.

3 - Is a woman exposing her sexuality threatening to some people?

Definitely

Aren’t we all just human beings with unique sexual needs, but basically pretty much the same regardless of gender?

Sorta

4 - Should I just go back to keeping my writing private?

No!

Maybe I’m too sensitive when it comes to expressing my vulnerability through writing? I’m the total opposite IRL as compared to who I am in my relationship and in my art. Knowing the internet is so savage, maybe I should just stop?

Or read the rest of the recent list, they didn't deserve such low scores either. Hopefully the next sweep will sort things out fingers crossed.

I’m currently writing the longest story I’ve ever written thanks to Omenainen’s Pink Orchid Challenge and I’m wondering if I should even submit it. So I’m turning to you wonderful people to hopefully enlighten this first time writer, and I hope you can oblige. Thank you!

I hope you don't give up, it's your call whether you can ignore the troll behaviour, many people on the poetry side are sweet and supportive...

*NOTE: the site hasn’t updated so if you look at my page the scores are mostly 4’s. In the control panel though, almost all are now 3’s.

Unfortunately it takes a lot of 5* to counter a 1*, especially since poems only get a few votes the only thing to do is sit tight until the next sweep x

 

[Alitaptap]

But unlike the hasbeens, we’re very much still swinging, still writing, still putting it out there, and we’d always suggest you do the same.

Keep slugging till your arms ache and the only thing in ya, is the will to move.

Keep on writing.

Gotcha @Emilymcplugger ! Yes, I noticed how supportive this community is - it’s such a relief and a breath of fresh air with all that’s going on in the world. And it makes me hopeful to know that one day, I’ll get there too. To just keep putting it out there - to “keep slugging til your arms ache and the only thing in ya is the will to move.” Thank you, will do!

There is a lurker on the new poetry page that drops a one on every single poem. Every single one without fail. I've been posting poetry on here about a year, and it started this summer.
No! Your poems are not 1 star material. Said bomber clearly has their own issues.
Definitely

Wow, I didn’t know this @Winter_Fare Just one lurker causing all that havoc.

This explains a lot. And yes, when I looked at the new poetry page, I was wondering why the scores were so low for all the new authors. I was thinking maybe people had pretty high standards for poetry, but now thanks to you, I know better. So thank you.

There have been authors whose work I love that have left me encouraging comments, so I’ve felt how supportive and sweet the poetry community is

And yes, I’ll keep putting my work out there! (Takes a deep breath, hopefully for a deep dive unto the page.) Thank you!!