Rating Trolls or something else?

[Gil_Raleigh]

Hi Guys,

My first story did surprisingly well for a beginner I thought (4.40) when I began to write my second erotica story. I spent more time crafting the second one and worked with two Literotica editors over the course of a month. I outlined, and had 3 separate revisions before I published.

It went up on the 1st.

By the end of the 1st my story had reached an unbelievable 4.69. The next morning I woke up to find it had plummeted to a 4.20 or around there.

Today is the third day it's on the front page, and I am at a 4.48 (4.43 elsewhere, which is a whole other thread.)

A veteran author told me this was due to Rank or Rating Trolls who would vote down popular stories just to be petty.

Is this really true? Is this a thing?

I ask because my first story was such a positive experience it motivated me to working harder on my writing. I really felt as though this was a writers oasis of positive feedback, constructive criticism, and a supportive literary community.

Am I mistaken?

 

[sr71plt]

Welcome to Literotica and life at Literotica.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Hi Guys,

My first story did surprisingly well for a beginner I thought (4.40) when I began to write my second erotica story. I spent more time crafting the second one and worked with two Literotica editors over the course of a month. I outlined, and had 3 separate revisions before I published.

It went up on the 1st.

By the end of the 1st my story had reached an unbelievable 4.69. The next morning I woke up to find it had plummeted to a 4.20 or around there.

Today is the third day it's on the front page, and I am at a 4.48 (4.43 elsewhere, which is a whole other thread.)

A veteran author told me this was due to Rank or Rating Trolls who would vote down popular stories just to be petty.

Is this really true? Is this a thing?

I ask because my first story was such a positive experience it motivated me to working harder on my writing. I really felt as though this was a writers oasis of positive feedback, constructive criticism, and a supportive literary community.

Am I mistaken?

That's one possible explanation. It also makes difference in which category you posted your story. In addition, scores are more volatile during the first day or two when there are fewer accumulated votes. Once it gets over 50, the score is pretty much locked in.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

A recent comment I got praised my tale as 5 grade but he was deducting 2 points cuz I was rude to his friend.

Plenty of readers bring their psychoses to LIT, and LIT is the end of the line for 99.99% of LIT writers. Theyre like Al Bundy with his high school football trophies.

 

[lovecraft68]

It could be trolls who didn;t like seeing your story pass someone they like on the 30 day top list.

Or it could be that some people did not feel the story is worth a 5.

You said it is in the low 4.4's that's pretty good when a 4 vote constitutes "really liked it-good read" so I wouldn't get too upset

You also said first story-congratulations btw- If you add more stories you will build a fan base and once you do your stories will score higher as more people will look for you who want to read you and you will get more 5 votes and they can cancel out some of the trolls.

 

[patientlee]

A recent comment I got praised my tale as 5 grade but he was deducting 2 points cuz I was rude to his friend.

Plenty of readers bring their psychoses to LIT, and LIT is the end of the line for 99.99% of LIT writers. Theyre like Al Bundy with his high school football trophies.

And some of us 99.99% are just happy to be able to play without having a tryout. You can give my homemade-in-Publisher participation certificate any time. I'll put it with my elementary school field day ribbons.

 

[patientlee]

It could be trolls who didn;t like seeing your story pass someone they like on the 30 day top list.

Or it could be that some people did not feel the story is worth a 5.

You said it is in the low 4.4's that's pretty good when a 4 vote constitutes "really liked it-good read" so I wouldn't get too upset

You also said first story-congratulations btw- If you add more stories you will build a fan base and once you do your stories will score higher as more people will look for you who want to read you and you will get more 5 votes and they can cancel out some of the trolls.

I agree with the 4.4 being a good score, according to the "grading rubric" (labels on the stars). Sometimes the best stories have lower scores too. If your ending isn't happy, low score. Wrong category, low score. Too dark, low score. It's not like they're being scored by professional AP English graders. Don't be discouraged.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I agree with the 4.4 being a good score, according to the "grading rubric" (labels on the stars). Sometimes the best stories have lower scores too. If your ending isn't happy, low score. Wrong category, low score. Too dark, low score. It's not like they're being scored by professional AP English graders. Don't be discouraged.

The score means nothing, though. Its a pile of variables without standards or criteria. Its a pile of windblown leaves that go one place and not another.

 

[Gil_Raleigh]

thank you

I appreciate all of the insights.

In the future I will rely less on ranking and simply be confident in the quality of my work.

Thanks Again,

Gil

 

[Handley_Page]

Hi Guys,

My first story did surprisingly well for a beginner I thought (4.40) when I began to write my second erotica story. I spent more time crafting the second one and worked with two Literotica editors over the course of a month. I outlined, and had 3 separate revisions before I published.

Only 3 revisions?
Well done; more power to your elbow.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I usually depended on the comments I receive, and it depends in what category the story is submitted in.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I appreciate all of the insights.

In the future I will rely less on ranking and simply be confident in the quality of my work.

Thanks Again,

Gil

And that's really the answer. Know your stuff is good, feel it. Readers who ask for more of it know its good, too.