Retaliation for Bad Reviews

[dr_mabeuse]

Recently I heard from an author who doesn't review stories anymore because she felt that on some occasions when she gave a story an unfavorable or critical review, the ratings of her own stories suffered; a kind of retaliation by the author for being panned.

I'm a pretty harsh critic, of my own stuff as well as of other writer's. It's just the way I am: I'm a very critical reader. I try to keep my comments focused on the writing, though, and when I review a story I take some time to read it and really think about it.

Like most writers here too, I seem to get the occasional one-bomb, and I try to take it in stride. I don't mind people responding to my critiques, in fact I think that's a good thing. It helps me be a better reviewer to hear what they think of what I've said. But I'd hate to think that people feel that they have to retaliate. It's enough to make one give up the idea of reviewing at all.

I'm not suggesting that anything like this has happend to me recently, but it's something I wonder about. Has anyone ever had anything like this happen to them?

---dr.M.

 

[Omni]

I am glad you started this thread Dr M. It is close to one I had been thinking about starting, which is what kind of feedback can we amateurs reasonably expect?

I hope you do not mind my adding this to your thread as I think it ties in somewhat.

I do not review here as much as you or others do, plus I rarely pay attention to my votes. But, I read here all the time and learn. So, I am unsure if your angry 1 vote has ever happened to me. Although, by the argumentative responses from some writers about feedback given here, I would not be surprised at all.

But, because we who post stories here are amateurs, by and large, logically what type of feedback could we expect?

I would say the majority would be critical!

And, if not then it is really not worth much because it means the people sending feedback are all stroking because they want to be perceived as "good" people. But incessantly good feedback would not be a reasonable outcome to expect from the stories posted here. Therefore, worthless.

But bad reviews are an important thing for writers to "get", learn about, and deal with. Especially, if you come to this board and outright ask for feedback.

Some will say here that as we give feedback, we need to stroke writers also. Give bad with good. Well, as nice people maybe, but really I say that is bunk! The writers among us that ever go onto to the paying public, will rise above/and or use the feedback here.

Critical feedback here is what I search for because it helps me to learn things I might not know. It is up to me to decide its worth or not in my writing.

One more note: In my business I nearly beg to find people to do reviews. The people that give well thought out feedback here, critical or otherwise, are a goldmine. It is not just a given, we are very lucky.

Omni

 

[Guest]

I hope -

that most writers here welcome constructive criticism.

Even though it can be difficult to take (most people who've been through college writing advisors have already been there) it will help your overall product.

Most of us are amateurs in writing, but most of the editorial criticism on this site is being given by amateurs as well. It is very difficult for me to listen to an opinion on story style or plot development from someone who just wants more anal sex in the scene!

Not that THAT isn't important, too!

I do ask other writers to proof sometimes, but everyone is so busy I feel guilty when I do. I always welcome their comments after, and I have made changes after submission.

(I have found that the people who low vote stories or poems don't bother to send critique. They just drop the bomb and leave.)

 

[CharleyH]

If one is not honest with others about their writing, then how can they be honest with their own writing?

Editing is, and I believe this: the most violent act for a writer. It's hard to deliver, and harder to receive.

If you can't get honest criticism . . . how can you improve? We all have different personalities, therefore things that we like, want to see in a story. . . etc. same cliche . . . one persons masterpiece is another's garbage.

A confindant writer will take what they need and move on . . .

If a person can't take criticism here, then unfortunately, they will not take criticism with editors. To me . . . it's all try, try again, and if people keep saying the same damn thing about your writing, well: DON'T JUST LOOK - SEE!

Critique improves, or at least tries to help you improve . . . if people can't see this????? Well - sad to them - they are only limiting their own potential.

 

[wishfulthinking]

If you ask people to tell you what they think, they will! Whether people like it or not. I can't say how much I have appreciated Dr M's critiques! I'm not going to vote him down because he said scarlet hair was unbelievable. (Damn it Dr M, it bloody well is!! )

I didn't think my two bobs was required in this thread as I don't consider myself an expert with writing and all that, but I just read another thread in this forum, and someone went to the time and effort to read, think and give their valued opinion on a story, and the response was something along the lines of "I didn't expect such bitchy comments".

I think I am much more critical of a story if I have been asked to give feedback, and I know others are the same. It is no longer from a readers pov of whether you enjoyed it or not, and people should be aware of this - it is not an ego stroke that you are going to receive here, and be thankful for it!

 

[Victoria_2001_02769]

My Dear Dr_M

My Dear Dr_M:

I am not only an authoress here on Lit.... but am a Volunteer Editor as well.

I am a mature woman in my 50's (that's all I'm saying about age), and my first ever venture into the world of Erotica, was a story entitled Woody.

While some of the newer authors may have viewed my editing as rather "harsh" or unfair .... I could never think of 'sniping' back, in retaliation, to someone who voiced, what I deemed to be a "bad" review".

To date, I have received one critical review .... the reader (male) didn't like the fact that the story was written from a third person view point. He was rather snooty about it .... and I perceived him to feel he was above the reading of it; or deemed it beneath him to read further stories of mine.

I have had quite a few of the newer authors/authoress' write to me and ask me to be their editor. As a result, I have turned down only two requests.... mainly because I choose not to edit the type of story they had written. Even in my rejection letter, I tried to remain upbeat.... and one of them even went so far as to send me a return email, thanking me for my honesty.

The stories here on Lit, have been posted for a multitude of reasons; at least that's how I see it. Let's try this on for size, shall we?

• Some people wish to share a fondly remembered erotic experience.
• The author/authoress has knowledge about a specific area of eroticism and wishes to share it with others.
• Some enjoy reading so much, that they choose to share their love of words.
• Some just love to share their erotic dreams/thoughts with others and this is a really nice place to start.
• Or, it's a particular area of their lives that is important to them and they like to know that others may enjoy it as well.

By and large, for the most part, I have had only positive experiences here while on Lit. I've met some very nice people, and made some genuine "friends".

I enjoy writing erotica. At first I didn't think I was any good at it, or that my stories didn't seem believable. I have since come to find out quite differently; and am very pleased by the results.

It's nice to know that by the simple turn of a phrase, or a specificly chosen word, or even the mental images that my writing evokes.... it all equates to giving the reader pleasure.

Isn't that what erotica is about ~ mostly? The giving and receiving of pleasure? Whether it be to the reading (eye), or the hearing (ear), if read aloud, or if it sparks a wish to try with a lover, or a significant other, that which triggered a deep-seated desire..... then I'm glad I could contribute to that enjoyment.

Thank you for allowing myself, and others, the space in which to post.

 

[BestiBobby]

Most people aren't qualified to review stories. Maybe it's how they're couched. Saying "this is my opinion" is less distasteful, and more accurate, than "this is my review".

 

[Guest]

Topic affecting feedback?

For those of you who are writing in a number of genres, do you find that the feedback comes more commonly from one type of story.

My non-human story recieved no feedback whatsoever, but all of my sci-fi stuff does.

Just a thought.

 

[Green_Gem]

Shimmy wrote:

Topic affecting feedback?
For those of you who are writing in a number of genres, do you find that the feedback comes more commonly from one type of story.

My non-human story recieved no feedback whatsoever, but all of my sci-fi stuff does.


I find that feedback does vary depending upon the category I am writing for. I've submitted stories to a couple and while I have had feedback on every story that I have written, I have found that some elicit far more than others. The ones that I received the least on were Erotic Horror and Humor/Satire. Both also have the lowest number of views.

Stories I submitted in the Exhib/Voy, First Time, BDSM, Group Sex and Anal category all got plenty of response. I'm currently attempting my first Incest story, and while I know those get lots of views, I am curious to see if they do get feedback.

G_G


http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/memberpage.php?uid=183586
__________________

 

[Victoria_2001_02769]

It really gripes me. . . .

It really gripes me, and/or makes me shudder, when supposedly "well-read" and "educated" people use the following two sets of words INcorrectly. Granted, they all sound the same; but they are not spelled the same.

Those words? The first set is:

• Their = possession (This is their house.)
• There = location (Put it there please.)
• They're = contraction of "they are" (They're coming to dinner.)

The second set is:

• Your = possession (yet again) (I believe this was your pen.)
• You're = contraction of "you are" (You're going to be where?)

When reading, and/or editing, if I see too many of these simple errors, then call me "picky".... I'll quit reading; or if I'm editing, I'll quit and send it back.... telling the author/authoress to please correct this throughout the piece and then send it back, I'll be more than happy to finish what I started.

If it's only a few times.... and I can get the jist of what they're saying/meaning from the rest of either the sentence or paragraph ~ I'll make the simple correction and go on. When I edit, I edit for content, spelling, grammar . . . etc.

 

[wishfulthinking]

Most people aren't qualified to review stories. Maybe it's how they're couched. Saying "this is my opinion" is less distasteful, and more accurate, than "this is my review".

Yeah, I know what you are saying, but wouldn't you normally go on the assumption that they weren't "qualified" (I guess you mean people employed as editors and the such), unless they stated otherwise? I usually say that my review is from the pov of a reader, which I think I'm qualified to do!