Trying to get to the next level?

[Thucydides]

So far people seem to enjoy my stuff, but the voting clusters right around 4.8. Not bad, of course, but not getting me to the top either. It may be that my style (humorous, light on graphic sex, written from a male perspective) isn't appealing to everyone, and if that's the case I'm just going to have to accept it.

If there's something I could be doing better, on the other hand, I'd like to know what it is. I kind of feel like I'm doing the best I can with just myself as a critic, and if I'm going to improve (and maybe even go semi-pro) I need fresh perspective.

So thanks in advance for taking a look, and feel free to toss out suggestions.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=1029243&page=submissions

 

[sr71plt]

Well, one thing you could do better is not to post on the forum that your ratings gather around 4.8 and that this is "not bad." 'Cause you're just inviting disgruntled folks who know 4.8 is stupendous to visit your stories and bring them down into the true "not bad" zone.

 

[sr71plt]

I read "Love Among the Elk." The story was a good one for its category, delivered well. I thought Wendy was a little forward for the pacing of the story. The "next level," I think is being a bit better on the mechanics--although they are good as they are. You couldn't make up your mind whether the period was inside or outside the double quotes in dialogue (inside for the American market), you could cut down on the exclamation points to be more professional, you have hyphens where em dashes should be, you rendered "Then" as "The" in one paragraph opener, "D.C." has periods in it, and you misuse ellipses. Most numbers under 100 are written out in fiction (there are a few exceptions, so this isn't a blanket rule--but most of the numbers you rendered in Arabic should be written out in fiction works).

But I don't think your ratings are going to go up by going to this level. There isn't really any up from where they are in practical terms on a voting system like we have on this Web site.

A better gauge for how good the story is than the rating number is the number of times it is being voted a favorite (and you as an author as well).

I'd say just put your energy into writing more stories--and don't get too concerned or greedy about the ratings.

Hasn't the Tavern on the Green closed?

 

[PennLady]

I'd put in my usual caveat not to get too wrapped up in votes, views, comments, etc. This isn't peer review; there's no criteria for members, or writers. The odds of you getting much higher ratings than you already have are probably pretty slim. Just enjoy the good stuff, consider the criticisms and ignore the trolls.

 

[Guest]

And

deleted

 

[Thucydides]

Yeah, maybe I'm looking at the whole thing from the wrong angle- and it's true that my scores are dropping ever since I started this. I didn't mean to sound arrogant, but if you're going to improve you have to start where you are and go forward from there, right?

So how do I know if I'm getting better? Is it just too subjective to worry about?

 

[Guest]

use the other indicators

deleted

 

[PennLady]

Yeah, maybe I'm looking at the whole thing from the wrong angle- and it's true that my scores are dropping ever since I started this. I didn't mean to sound arrogant, but if you're going to improve you have to start where you are and go forward from there, right?

So how do I know if I'm getting better? Is it just too subjective to worry about?

You can improve by continuing to write, and by the plain trial and error method of finding an editor to work with who you feel is compatible with you and your writing goals. Relying on comments and votes on here is not a good guide. Not every reader or writer or editor on here has the necessary knowledge or experience. We've all seen good stories with low votes and crappy stories with high votes.

This site, fun as it is, is a free-for-all, not a writer's support group. Although you can find that in some of the forums.

 

[CWatson]

So how do I know if I'm getting better? Is it just too subjective to worry about?

When you come up with a story idea and go, "Uh-oh, I dunno if I can do this right." And then you try it, and you're able to do it right.

Srsly, just keep reaching for the stars. Sometimes you'll succeed, and you'll learn something. Sometimes you'll fail, and you'll learn something. But either way, you'll keep improving.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

So how do I know if I'm getting better? Is it just too subjective to worry about?

I think CW talks good sense. There is no Holy Grail. Like a dog with a bone, go chew a bit then put it out there. See if you're happy and what the readership think and take stock.

Every writer refines their style in time. Are they getting 'better'? Experience is a pretty good teacher and reaction is not a bad barometer. Digest, learn and move on through the uplands.