This comment made me think....

[lovecraft68]

I got this a couple of days ago, but just read it. I posted the entire thing, but put the relevant part in bold.

Well...here's hoping.
06/07/15 By: anubelore
Hoping that you don't generate conflict by having them cheat on each other, that is. Too much to hope? Probably. Anyway, this was a good chapter, and I enjoyed it despite my pessimistic mental meanderings. I wasn't precisely delighted to learn that Megan had been stripping, even with Mark's approval/support, so I felt like a four would've expressed my feelings better, but evidently anything less than five might as well be a one, so I gave it a 5. I'm intrigued about this mysterious painter who knows Mark's scars...I was pretty sure that was what Megan had noticed, and...I may have gone "yes! Calllled iiiit!" when it was confirmed, lol. Pardon my rambling.

This made me think...do you feel this is a common thought among readers? That they either five it or bomb it, that 2-4 is rarely used?

Going by definition a 3 means keep writing and 4 is very good(or something like that) so by rights a story between 3-4 should be considered decent, but let's face it, you see a 3.26 your reaction is "That's low"

Personally I never bomb, because fact is if a story sucks the first half page or so I generally don't push myself the rest of the way and click off. When I vote its a 4 or a 5 I don't do 2/3

So just curious what others think, when you watch your scores do you see a lot of different scores used or is it a series of five's then a bomb, then more fives?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What matters is when top notch writers praise the newbs and the journeymen.

When FISTFULLALUV says good job jimbob, I swoon

 

[LadyVer]

I vote 4 or 5 on stories. I don't vote on stories I don't like or don't finish.

 

[49greg]

I'think I've had votes of 4 twice that I noticed. It's been when someone favorites a story that's above a 4, and it goes down. This is on old stories that have been around a year or so and haven't gotten many votes, and the vote count has been steady.

That was when I only had eight or nine stories and was watching them closely.

I voted 3 and 4 when I first came on Lit, hadn't signed up to be a member and voted as per the instructions, as LC mentioned, "good story, keep it up" "Liked it" etc.

As LC mentions in the original post, a 3.5 should be a good story. Unfortunately with the Red H in play, a story has to be a 4.5 to be any good.

What would be fun is that if all stories appeared on the New Story list without the author's name on them. The author would know how her/his story was doing, but no one else. Until the story dropped off of the New Story list.

One would truly see what a story is like without the fans over voting, and the trolls who hate individual authors under voting until after the story rolled off the list.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'think I've had votes of 4 twice that I noticed. It's been when someone favorites a story that's above a 4, and it goes down. This is on old stories that have been around a year or so and haven't gotten many votes, and the vote count has been steady.

That was when I only had eight or nine stories and was watching them closely.

I voted 3 and 4 when I first came on Lit, hadn't signed up to be a member and voted as per the instructions, as LC mentioned, "good story, keep it up" "Liked it" etc.

As LC mentions in the original post, a 3.5 should be a good story. Unfortunately with the Red H in play, a story has to be a 4.5 to be any good.

What would be fun is that if all stories appeared on the New Story list without the author's name on them. The author would know how her/his story was doing, but no one else. Until the story dropped off of the New Story list.

One would truly see what a story is like without the fans over voting, and the trolls who hate individual authors under voting until after the story rolled off the list.

I would love to see the themed contests run that way. Every story posted under "nude day contestant" for an author name.

Even the authors wouldn't know their score, totally blind.

But then there would be even more suspicion about what goes on with them 'behind the scenes'

 

[49greg]

What matters is when top notch writers praise the newbs and the journeymen.

When FISTFULLALUV says good job jimbob, I swoon

I've only had a few writers like or comment on a story and it's a special thrill when they do.

I vote 4 or 5 on stories. I don't vote on stories I don't like or don't finish.

I'm with you on the not voting if I didn't like or finish it. Generally if I finish it I vote a 5. I don't put a 4 on a story unless it has less than a 4 already, and if I liked it enough to finish I don't want my vote to reduce the score, even if I didn't LOVE it. - Does that make sense. Looks odd when I look at it now.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've only had a few writers like or comment on a story and it's a special thrill when they do.

I agree especially if they themselves have a pretty good following.

I remember back when I first started I was blown away to see Manyfeathers put me on his favs list.

One of the best compliments I've received on mother/son stories was someone saying I was "on par with alwayswantedto" I never felt that I was, but it was nice someone thought so.

 

[49greg]

I would love to see the themed contests run that way. Every story posted under "nude day contestant" for an author name.

Even the authors wouldn't know their score, totally blind.

But then there would be even more suspicion about what goes on with them 'behind the scenes'

Yeah, then you'd have to hope the owners didn't chose favorites. I kind of think that they are better than that though. Still, there'd be rumors.

 

[sr71plt]

What would be fun is that if all stories appeared on the New Story list without the author's name on them. The author would know how her/his story was doing, but no one else. Until the story dropped off of the New Story list.

We have voting blocks here and posters who spend as much time PMing in backchannel discussion as on the forum. It would mostly be business as usual on who knows what stories are whose. This has already been played out in the FAWC story contests, set up just as you say. We had hundreds of 5 votes on six- and seven-page stories within hours of them being posted in a couple of cases. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

What would be interesting is to let the contest run it's normal run but for someone to engage a totally independent panel of writer judges to come in with their top picks at the end--possibly not even being told what these stories represented and where they were posted--and then compare those lists.

 

[lovecraft68]

We have voting blocks here and posters who spend as much time PMing in backchannel discussion as on the forum. It would mostly be business as usual on who knows what stories are whose. This has already been played out in the FAWC story contests, set up just as you say. We had hundreds of 5 votes on six- and seven-page stories within hours of them being posted in a couple of cases. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

What would be interesting is to let the contest run it's normal run but for someone to engage a totally independent panel of writer judges to come in with their top picks at the end--possibly not even being told what these stories represented and where they were posted--and then compare those lists.

The panel is not a bad idea. But let's face it, it would turn into how do we know they will be unbiased?

And I'm not just talking about bias towards or against authors, but categories, what if one judge really dislikes GM or incest, or sci fi?

The fawc where an author won with an unfinished story pretty much told the tale on that.

But I noticed readers-maybe legit or maybe plants-commenting "Oh, I bet this is so-and so"

If he does it again comments should be disabled as well until its over.

As for the site plying favorites I'm not 100% sold they do not(and I think its by category not actual author), but I do lean more towards the sweeps being terribly one sided and geared towards lower voted stories.

Two of the last four winners had less than one hundred votes, far less.

 

[sr71plt]

My suggestion was for two prongs--both the usual American Idol-style vote (vote as often as you can and for the hometown boy/gal regardless) and an independent panel. The traditional popularity vote could take the prizes (although I'd get rid of the monetary prizes). The panel picks would just be another interesting aspect to consider. Some eyeopeners on quality could pop out. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't long before authors valued the panel picks over the American Idol-style picks.

 

[Handley_Page]

I vote 4 or 5 on stories. I don't vote on stories I don't like or don't finish.

Same Here

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I'think I've had votes of 4 twice that I noticed. It's been when someone favorites a story that's above a 4, and it goes down. This is on old stories that have been around a year or so and haven't gotten many votes, and the vote count has been steady.

That was when I only had eight or nine stories and was watching them closely.

I voted 3 and 4 when I first came on Lit, hadn't signed up to be a member and voted as per the instructions, as LC mentioned, "good story, keep it up" "Liked it" etc.

As LC mentions in the original post, a 3.5 should be a good story. Unfortunately with the Red H in play, a story has to be a 4.5 to be any good.

What would be fun is that if all stories appeared on the New Story list without the author's name on them. The author would know how her/his story was doing, but no one else. Until the story dropped off of the New Story list.

One would truly see what a story is like without the fans over voting, and the trolls who hate individual authors under voting until after the story rolled off the list.

A genius! Awesome idea. Let the story ride for 24 hours then reveal the writer.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

We have voting blocks here and posters who spend as much time PMing in backchannel discussion as on the forum. It would mostly be business as usual on who knows what stories are whose. This has already been played out in the FAWC story contests, set up just as you say. We had hundreds of 5 votes on six- and seven-page stories within hours of them being posted in a couple of cases. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

What would be interesting is to let the contest run it's normal run but for someone to engage a totally independent panel of writer judges to come in with their top picks at the end--possibly not even being told what these stories represented and where they were posted--and then compare those lists.

Good idea.

 

[lovecraft68]

My suggestion was for two prongs--both the usual American Idol-style vote (vote as often as you can and for the hometown boy/gal regardless) and an independent panel. The traditional popularity vote could take the prizes (although I'd get rid of the monetary prizes). The panel picks would just be another interesting aspect to consider. Some eyeopeners on quality could pop out. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't long before authors valued the panel picks over the American Idol-style picks.

Only if their story was the one picked, that's just human nature.

But your idea of a 'popular' winner and then a sort of "author's choice" would be interesting.

Maybe even set it up the way where each author votes their top five to Laurel in a PM and she reveals the results. But the blocking thing would affect that even more than the regular contest.

There is no ideal way really to 'make it fair"

 

[sr71plt]

I guess you didn't read the rest of the posts, JBJ, or are terribly, terribly naive about the workings of this Web site.

 

[sr71plt]

There is no ideal way really to 'make it fair"

The independent panel of experts voting blind gets the closest to that, but of course the Web site wouldn't put that sort of effort into it--and the American Idol-style approach is probably the most fun for the most participants. It just doesn't arrive at what it claims to.

 

[lovecraft68]

The independent panel of experts voting blind gets the closest to that, but of course the Web site wouldn't put that sort of effort into it--and the American Idol-style approach is probably the most fun for the most participants. It just doesn't arrive at what it claims to.

True, but I am sure the panel will recognize some styles and know who it is regardless.

As for the contests now. I hate to sound like scouries of all people, but...he makes a point when he babbles about the readers not really choosing.

The contest runs for three weeks or so, people flock to it, they vote, most fairly I would like to think, but some not fairly, people watch the scores, get excited then after three weeks of fans voting

The site runs a computer program though it that no one know anything about and tada! Totally different than what went on for three weeks.

I know categories are not balanced, some get more votes than others, but the April Fool's day winner had about 60 votes after the sweep. I think the winter winner was only favorited 4 times...that's not American idol.

And what I have noticed is the scores going up to win. I placed twice with 4.83...winners would see 4.86 or so sometimes lower...lately 4.87 is third place.

Reason is the sweeps are taking more votes away from stories with fewer votes than stories with hundreds or more.

I tested this in April Fools. I am far from reject reality, but I have a good feel for vote totals

I entered three.

One in incest that I knew would get well over 1k votes

One in Mature-but older guy, not older woman, my guess was 4-500 votes

Lesbian, but with some reluctant and BDSM elements so not a real popular one. I figured maybe 200-250 votes

here's was the results after the final sweep

Incest 1654 votes...down to 1641....1650+ votes and only 14 were "suspicious" really? up .01

Mature....475 pre sweep finished at 459 16 votes up .02

Lesbian was 179 votes and a 4.62 the sweep brought it down to 146 and a jump of .17 to 4.79

Point? The sweep takes higher totals of votes from the lower voted stories meaning they have a bigger edge than ever before.

I think you mentioned one where you had a jump of .50+ that's crazy

So at this point the way to win is write a story barely anyone reads.

 

[HeyAll]

A lot of people are like that, and it's not just Lit, but anywhere online where there's voting.

Just go to IMDB and look up any good movie.

Tons of people give 1s, 2s, 3s, to movies that are really good. But for one reason or another, they have an issue with it.

Personally, at this point, I can almost predict how a story I wrote would score, depending on the category, and on the content. And it's usually pretty accurate.

For instance, a 3 page anal story where it's two friends exploring anal fantasies would score well. However, if there's a hint of a dom/sub thing, it'll score much lower.

The red H stories usually have the same formula for each category. People vote down certain themes in a story.

 

[LJ_Reloaded]

Hey Dumbcraft68 remember this lie you posted?

Look whose talking....

YOu sent me a threatening message through...my blog before.

You ever find that evidence yet for your bullshit claim that I threatened you on your blog?

No? Of course not. Because you lied. Which makes you just like the Birther crowd and the Benghazi nutters. And now you want to take a break from crossing my path on the GB. Good boy.

Problem is now I get to destroy your credibility using the same drive-by tactics you use. Enjoy!

 

[lovecraft68]

Oh, my look at the little doggie yapping at my heels.

Sit, LJ, heel, roll over, fetch!

 

[49greg]

True, but I am sure the panel will recognize some styles and know who it is regardless.

As for the contests now. I hate to sound like scouries of all people, but...he makes a point when he babbles about the readers not really choosing.

The contest runs for three weeks or so, people flock to it, they vote, most fairly I would like to think, but some not fairly, people watch the scores, get excited then after three weeks of fans voting

The site runs a computer program though it that no one know anything about and tada! Totally different than what went on for three weeks.

I know categories are not balanced, some get more votes than others, but the April Fool's day winner had about 60 votes after the sweep. I think the winter winner was only favorited 4 times...that's not American idol.

And what I have noticed is the scores going up to win. I placed twice with 4.83...winners would see 4.86 or so sometimes lower...lately 4.87 is third place.

Reason is the sweeps are taking more votes away from stories with fewer votes than stories with hundreds or more.

I tested this in April Fools. I am far from reject reality, but I have a good feel for vote totals

I entered three.

One in incest that I knew would get well over 1k votes

One in Mature-but older guy, not older woman, my guess was 4-500 votes

Lesbian, but with some reluctant and BDSM elements so not a real popular one. I figured maybe 200-250 votes

here's was the results after the final sweep

Incest 1654 votes...down to 1641....1650+ votes and only 14 were "suspicious" really? up .01

Mature....475 pre sweep finished at 459 16 votes up .02

Lesbian was 179 votes and a 4.62 the sweep brought it down to 146 and a jump of .17 to 4.79

Point? The sweep takes higher totals of votes from the lower voted stories meaning they have a bigger edge than ever before.

I think you mentioned one where you had a jump of .50+ that's crazy

So at this point the way to win is write a story barely anyone reads.

I am not good with numbers, so maybe after this comment you can start calling me flatdick, but it seems to me that a sweep of a story with fewer votes is always going to have a greater effect than on a story with lots of votes, simply because a single vote is going to be a bigger part of the total on a story with few votes. Or did I completely miss your point?

Oh shit, just re-read your post. Never mind. disregard all above in this post.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Even if I finish a story...if I didn't like it or it didn't rock my world, I don't vote at all.

If it rocked my world...5.

If it was good enough to make me want more...4.

Anything else and I just don't take the time. And I rarely leave a comment. If there is a problem with the story...formatting, lot of typo's(spelling mistakes), I pm the author letting them know what is exactly wrong...I have even offered to help them with corrected text.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Oh, my look at the little doggie yapping at my heels.

Sit, LJ, heel, roll over, fetch!

He just wants to suck your dick. He's a fan.

 

[lovecraft68]

He just wants to suck your dick. He's a fan.

My name does come off his lips quite a bit, that's for sure.