You'll get more traffic if you drop this over in the Feedback Forum. Not much more, but more.As some already know, I don't have a problem with my level of confidence as an author. Indeed, there are those who think I am full of myself (tall poppy syndrome) and who would like to give my ego a bit of a haircut. Those people might be shocked to learn that I spend a lot of time on self-reflection and criticism of my own work. I do this by comparing to successful works of others (published authors, famous authors in the genres that interest me), reading books of high quality (I'd rather read nothing than a badly written book, because it WILL drag me down), or watching shows adapted from famous stories.
Another way I seek to improve my writing is through comments I get from readers. Here, no comment is wrong or unwelcome, even those that upset me when I read them (ok, I did get pretty angry when someone accused me of having two parts to a story, in order to have a cliffhanger ending in part 1 - because I did not have such an ending, nor will I ever do that to my readers. Obviously, I don't appreciate anyone making up crap that isn't true). Here are some of the things I am interested in knowing:
1. did the subject matter appeal to them? Was the BDSM too hard core, or the sex scenes too explicit? Did they get upset because one of their favourite characters did something they found repulsive? These things are important
2. did they feel satisfied with the ending, or did they wish it ended differently?
3. do they want to read something else of mine, after reading one story / book?
4. would they recommend me to someone else?
Those are the basics. Now, here is something I do NOT appreciate - you will laugh, I'm sure - compliments that go slightly over the top. Since this is just a bit unrealistic, to my mind, and I fear some people do it just to become friends with me. What I am always at pains to point out is, you can be my friend AND be honest, and I'll still appreciate you! In fact, I gain a lot from an honest friend who isn't afraid to tell me when I'm being obnoxious, or when I've missed the mark with something in my writing. Bearing in mind, that is only their opinion, so I still have to weigh it against the opinions of others, and decide what action I need to take, if any.
As always, when thinking about my writing, I think as both an author and a reader. I reflect on stories I've read or seen (as adapted to the screen) and what pulled me in, versus what repelled me. I then try and apply what I've learned to my current or future stories, while making sure every idea I have is my own and entirely original (one of my main goals as an artist).
While it is lovely to get compliments, I am actually seeking to be ripped apart by those not afraid to criticize me, so I can learn from it. Rest assured, I am made to be ripped apart. Ha ha ha... nothing can stop me or steer me from my path, because the drive to create and to write, is bigger than me. I am nothing but a conduit for this beautiful stream of inspiration that keeps welling up inside me. To stop would be to cease existing... whereas, to be criticized is to gain a genuine insight into the reader's mind. When we strip ourselves of our egos, what is left? For me, what is left is - the desire to keep creating and to improve, to the mutual benefit of myself and my readers, producing stories that just blow one's mind.... or at least, the minds of many. Because we all know, you can't please everyone, all the time.
I've read badly-written books and I felt it had a negative impact on me as a writer. Whereas a quality book inspires me to write, a bad one just dulls my mind. I'm sure that is not the experience of most people, otherwise bad books would never sell - and yet, they sell quite a lot, depending on how well they're marketed.
Yeah, what he said. If you crave criticism, you are going to starve here. Maybe one reader in a hundred will rate the work, maybe one in a thousand leaves a comment. And perhaps one reader in ten thousand leaves a comment that is any sort of critique. You can post it up in the story feedback forum, and maybe five people will leave you something.Most of us here share your sentiment yet good feedback is scarce. Readers in general are such misers when it comes to the only form of payment we want from them for our free stories.
Ah, well, I do also sell books and I get reviews when I sell them, from genuine readers.Most of us here share your sentiment yet good feedback is scarce. Readers in general are such misers when it comes to the only form of payment we want from them for our free stories.
I always leave reviews when purchasing books on Amazon or smashwords, and have done so for my friends also.
Ah, well! I am unable to alter my signature, to my knowledge. I believe Literotica still rates me as a "virgin" whatever that means. But when I try to edit certain things, I can't. This is despite publishing some 13 works so far, 7 of them rated as "hot"...
Honestly, I wasn't posting that to complain about lack of feedback here on Literotica. I absolutely love the feedback I've received so far, and the number of views and ratings..
And sometimes a badly written story is still entertaining. Not everything we read must be literature.
I wouldn't say I've only ever had positive feedback, because I have written some hard-core erotica with BDSM and even torture scenes. It prompted someone to leave a public feedback on Amazon, about how it was too extreme for them. OK.. fair enough.
We are all here anonymously. Some people read the stories and comment as "anonymous", and some do it under their usernames here, which are also anonymous. I am yet to see a single person here who is publicly disclosing their real identity. So no, I don't think that's the reason. People are just lazy and they take these stories for granted. Sure, some are probably embarrassed to talk about this stuff even under the anonymity that Literotica provides but I doubt that's many of them.
It is a free world and I'm not telling you what to do, or anyone else. I simply made a comment about my personal preference, and I explained why. Try not to judge me for it or think me a snob. I own some rubbish books that were nonetheless highly entertaining, when I read them. I just always feel I have to go away and read something decent, to get back on the right track mentally. That's just me...
Yes, I know real identities are not disclosed, but perhaps they are afraid of having to deal with author's replies? Though you are no doubt correct, laziness plays a huge part.
I see myself in everything you say except that I have a higher tolerance for compliments.As some already know, I don't have a problem with my level of confidence as an author. Indeed, there are those who think I am full of myself (tall poppy syndrome) and who would like to give my ego a bit of a haircut. Those people might be shocked to learn that I spend a lot of time on self-reflection and criticism of my own work. I do this by comparing to successful works of others (published authors, famous authors in the genres that interest me), reading books of high quality (I'd rather read nothing than a badly written book, because it WILL drag me down), or watching shows adapted from famous stories.
Another way I seek to improve my writing is through comments I get from readers. Here, no comment is wrong or unwelcome, even those that upset me when I read them (ok, I did get pretty angry when someone accused me of having two parts to a story, in order to have a cliffhanger ending in part 1 - because I did not have such an ending, nor will I ever do that to my readers. Obviously, I don't appreciate anyone making up crap that isn't true). Here are some of the things I am interested in knowing:
1. did the subject matter appeal to them? Was the BDSM too hard core, or the sex scenes too explicit? Did they get upset because one of their favourite characters did something they found repulsive? These things are important
2. did they feel satisfied with the ending, or did they wish it ended differently?
3. do they want to read something else of mine, after reading one story / book?
4. would they recommend me to someone else?
Those are the basics. Now, here is something I do NOT appreciate - you will laugh, I'm sure - compliments that go slightly over the top. Since this is just a bit unrealistic, to my mind, and I fear some people do it just to become friends with me. What I am always at pains to point out is, you can be my friend AND be honest, and I'll still appreciate you! In fact, I gain a lot from an honest friend who isn't afraid to tell me when I'm being obnoxious, or when I've missed the mark with something in my writing. Bearing in mind, that is only their opinion, so I still have to weigh it against the opinions of others, and decide what action I need to take, if any.
As always, when thinking about my writing, I think as both an author and a reader. I reflect on stories I've read or seen (as adapted to the screen) and what pulled me in, versus what repelled me. I then try and apply what I've learned to my current or future stories, while making sure every idea I have is my own and entirely original (one of my main goals as an artist).
While it is lovely to get compliments, I am actually seeking to be ripped apart by those not afraid to criticize me, so I can learn from it. Rest assured, I am made to be ripped apart. Ha ha ha... nothing can stop me or steer me from my path, because the drive to create and to write, is bigger than me. I am nothing but a conduit for this beautiful stream of inspiration that keeps welling up inside me. To stop would be to cease existing... whereas, to be criticized is to gain a genuine insight into the reader's mind. When we strip ourselves of our egos, what is left? For me, what is left is - the desire to keep creating and to improve, to the mutual benefit of myself and my readers, producing stories that just blow one's mind.... or at least, the minds of many. Because we all know, you can't please everyone, all the time.
I'm trying to picture a flower with long hair... failing.
That's ascribing reason with no real reasoning behind it. I'd say it's either laziness, they've got nothing to say, or the writing is free so they don't really care. There's a bunch of simpler reasons to reach for before going all psychoanalytical.
Thank you. I've done that, now we will see if it has worked.
