Valentine's Day Story Contest 2009 Reminder and Support Thread

[LadynStFreknBed]

Just once, I'd like to score a 4.0 or higher on a contest entry. I guess I fundamentally fail at this.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Just once, I'd like to score a 4.0 or higher on a contest entry. I guess I fundamentally fail at this.

*Snerk* I just hoping to break 3.5 on either one of my entries! Come on HOOVER!

 

[Mz_minx]

Some things I know and the rest has been picked up from greybeards who have departed this nirvana:-

- The list of entries gets rotated regularly so no author gets an advantage from their position in the list.

- Every so often, and always before the final result, the powers-that-be do a sweep of the votes to eliminate double voting from the same ISP.

- As I have been told, troll votes are also 'swept' by the Hoover.

From what scouries research has shown in past contests, 135 votes is very high, often stories win with less than 50 votes.

Thanks for the answers elfin and safe_bet

Ok another question (just full of those aren't I!), who/what is scouries?

 

[Darkniciad]

Thanks for the answers elfin and safe_bet

Ok another question (just full of those aren't I!), who/what is scouries?

Honestly, you're better off not knowing.

If curiosity is too much, he has a thread here in the AH, "For serious scholars" where he thankfully stays most of the time.

I would advise just skipping it, though. Some questions are better left unanswered.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Honestly, you're better off not knowing.

If curiosity is too much, he has a thread here in the AH, "For serious scholars" where he thankfully stays most of the time.

I would advise just skipping it, though. Some questions are better left unanswered.

*Snerk* Aw come on, he isn't that bad! He writes a lot of stories that are read and enjoyed by a LOT of people (even subtacting the Alt votes he prolly gives himself). If you get into incest stroke stories he is definitely the guy to read.

Having him here is kind of like living next door to Ronald McDonald. Even if he comes over to rant and rave about your dog digging up his petunias, you can't help but be amused by the bright red hair and big floppy shoes, ya know?

 

[Darkniciad]

*Snerk* Aw come on, he isn't that bad! He writes a lot of stories that are read and enjoyed by a LOT of people (even subtacting the Alt votes he prolly gives himself). If you get into incest stroke stories he is definitely the guy to read.

Having him here is kind of like living next door to Ronald McDonald. Even if he comes over to rant and rave about your dog digging up his petunias, you can't help but be amused by the bright red hair and big floppy shoes, ya know?

Only if you realize what he is right off. Otherwise, he's extremely offensive to nearly everyone.

I'll have to disagree about his stories, and leave it at that.

 

[starrkers]

Just once, I'd like to score a 4.0 or higher on a contest entry. I guess I fundamentally fail at this.

Nope, I'd say it has more to do with you being in the Survivor contest and a certain someone we all know from there with a new Alt, a pseudo new personality and an axe to grind.

He's suddenly become very interested in contest stories and their relevance to the contest topic, but has discovered that Anonymous is the easiest way to be a complete asshole.

 

[KarennaC]

My BDSM Valentine's story is at 3.75 and falling; at one point it was at 4.0something, but then people found it and decided to hate it. lol

My other one is hovering between 4.49-4.51, which is a pleasant surprise.

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

Nope, I'd say it has more to do with you being in the Survivor contest and a certain someone we all know from there with a new Alt, a pseudo new personality and an axe to grind.

He's suddenly become very interested in contest stories and their relevance to the contest topic, but has discovered that Anonymous is the easiest way to be a complete asshole.

I don't think it has anything to do with him or any one person. Generally, I get very good comments almost all with high ratings during the contests. Yet, my score is almost always below 4. I am wondering if a bunch of people see that I have high comments then think they have to balance it out by voting very low.

I don't know.
Just a theory.

 

[Boxlicker101]

My contest entry posted this morning and has 70 votes already. That may be more than I have ever garnered on any romance I have ever written, even in past contests.

However, the score is not particularly high, nowhere being a contender. I suspect it has been bombed by a few trolls, including THE ONE WHOSE NAME WE DARE NOT SPEAK, BUT WHOM WE ALL KNOW.

 

[_Lynn_]

My contest entry posted this morning and has 70 votes already. That may be more than I have ever garnered on any romance I have ever written, even in past contests.

However, the score is not particularly high, nowhere being a contender. I suspect it has been bombed by a few trolls, including THE ONE WHOSE NAME WE DARE NOT SPEAK, BUT WHOM WE ALL KNOW.

Mine has a high number of votes for a romance as well, until a sweep that is.
Right now it has 139.
The score hasn't changed for two days though.
It's stuck in that middle-of-the-road range.

 

[Darkniciad]

I don't know how the hell I'm going to classify mine. It's technically romance, but it's a little whirlwind/spur of the moment compared to most of what's in the category. It's too slow for EC. It's not long enough for N&N.

Suppose I don't have much choice but to go with romance and hope for the best.

Of course, I still have to finish it. If I don't get off my ass, I may not have to worry about what category to put it in.

 

[_Lynn_]

I don't know how the hell I'm going to classify mine. It's technically romance, but it's a little whirlwind/spur of the moment compared to most of what's in the category. It's too slow for EC. It's not long enough for N&N.

Suppose I don't have much choice but to go with romance and hope for the best.

Of course, I still have to finish it. If I don't get off my ass, I may not have to worry about what category to put it in.

I find it easier to type sitting on my ass.

Sorry couldn't resist

 

[Darkniciad]

I'm actually reclining, most of the time. I have a wireless keyboard, and an ancient desk chair that leans back to a pretty flat angle ( salvaged from the remains of the Elementary school after the tornado blew it all over the county )

I seem to visualize better looking through my eyelids at the ceiling than the wall. Weird, I know.

Of course, I also doze off easier, which is all too frequent with as little sleep as I get. Sometimes, that actually helps. The story in my head flows into the half-asleep dream-state and goes somewhere good.

Most of the time, I just lose several minutes and have to start all over again

 

[_Lynn_]

I'm actually reclining, most of the time. I have a wireless keyboard, and an ancient desk chair that leans back to a pretty flat angle ( salvaged from the remains of the Elementary school after the tornado blew it all over the county )

I seem to visualize better looking through my eyelids at the ceiling than the wall. Weird, I know.

Of course, I also doze off easier, which is all too frequent with as little sleep as I get. Sometimes, that actually helps. The story in my head flows into the half-asleep dream-state and goes somewhere good.

Most of the time, I just lose several minutes and have to start all over again

I have a laptop, which remains closed 95% of the time. It's almost impossible for me to find a comfortable position to use it in.

I'm restless, and my OCD won't let me sit for long, always thinking of something that should be put away, straightened, whatever. Here at the desk, I can pop up and down easier. Makes it tough for NaNo days though.

 

[Lee Chambers]

My contest entry posted this morning and has 70 votes already. That may be more than I have ever garnered on any romance I have ever written, even in past contests.

However, the score is not particularly high, nowhere being a contender. I suspect it has been bombed by a few trolls, including THE ONE WHOSE NAME WE DARE NOT SPEAK, BUT WHOM WE ALL KNOW.

Voldermort?

 

[DG Hear]

I don't think I've gotten swept yet; I'm almost sure. My score keeps going down. Comments are at 40. The comments seem stranger than usual for an Erotic coupling story. I think the Loving wives crowd has been reading my story. Here's the latest totals.

The Amish Woman She seemed so different, but was she?
4.38 430 27897 Erotic Couplings (English) 01/20/09 approved
Public Comments: 40

When the big Hoover comes through it's hard to tell what direction my score will go in. Kind of like being at an amusement park on a roller coaster. LOL
Good Luck all
with respect
DG Hear

 

[scouries]

QUOTE Ladyfreakenstein Just once, I'd like to score a 4.0 or higher on a contest entry. I guess I fundamentally fail at this.

I don't think it has anything to do with him or any one person. Generally, I get very good comments almost all with high ratings during the contests. Yet, my score is almost always below 4. I am wondering if a bunch of people see that I have high comments then think they have to balance it out by voting very low.

No my dear the reason is quite simple. Since the change in voting system last year scores have tumbled across the board. As they should have! LITEROTICA had, and still does to a somewhat lesser extent, an inflated scoring system.

Please read again what the stars stand for:

3 – Liked it - Keep on Writing
4 – Really liked it – Good Read
5 – Loved it – One of the Best

Which means that a 3.5 is an excellent score. You should be proud of such a mark.

And it’s even better when you receive it on a contest story. Contest stories generally are scored lower than regular stories for a variety of reasons, for example:

- contest stories attract readers who normally wouldn’t have opened the story (due to a dislike of the category or of the author or other reasons)
- contest stories are held to a higher standard (as they should be) than regular stories by many readers and hence scores are lower
- many of your competitors use strategic voting to lower the scores of their competitors. There have also been numerous cases of group voting/cheating that have been documented.

So young lady smile when you get a 3.5 or 3.75.

And remember, when LAUREL decides it’s your time to win she’ll get MANU to fix the votes… and then BINGO - YOU’VE ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE 4.93.

I’m james r scouries and I’m a favorite…

[size=+2]the Panthers Pucked…[/size]

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I don't think I've gotten swept yet; I'm almost sure. My score keeps going down. Comments are at 40. The comments seem stranger than usual for an Erotic coupling story. I think the Loving wives crowd has been reading my story. Here's the latest totals.

The Amish Woman She seemed so different, but was she?
4.38 430 27897 Erotic Couplings (English) 01/20/09 approved
Public Comments: 40

You wrote a story about the Amish? Oh, I have to go see! I love Amish sex stories...

If I ever finish, mine is soooooo weird this time, I can't imagine I'm not gonna be a contenda' for last. Seriously. Very very weird. But definitely on topic!

 

[Boxlicker101]

I don't think I've gotten swept yet; I'm almost sure. My score keeps going down. Comments are at 40. The comments seem stranger than usual for an Erotic coupling story. I think the Loving wives crowd has been reading my story. Here's the latest totals.

The Amish Woman She seemed so different, but was she?
4.38 430 27897 Erotic Couplings (English) 01/20/09 approved
Public Comments: 40

When the big Hoover comes through it's hard to tell what direction my score will go in. Kind of like being at an amusement park on a roller coaster. LOL
Good Luck all
with respect
DG Hear

Personally, I enjoyed the story, but it did involve a married man and a married woman having a brief affair, and could have gone into the LW category. I suspect some ot the readers relegated it there, and left comments accordingly.

 

[christabelll]

Storm Wind has written a lovely little gem for the contest "Beyond Death Do Us Part". While I would liked to have seen more to the story, it was solidly written and emotionally potent. There have been a couple of stories that have stuck with me. This is one of them.

For the most part the stories are all decent. Some just deserve to be bapped upside the head LOLOL.....

 

[Lee Chambers]

Still not finished. It just keeps growing. God, make it stop!

 

[Safe_Bet]

All I can say...
01/26/09 By: Anonymous in USA
...is, "scouries," if I'm giving this story a "0," then your ignorant, chauvinist comment deserves a negative 100. Fuck off.

Freakin lovely. I get 0-bombed cuz somebody is pissed at scouries? Muahahahaha!!!

 

[DG Hear]

I decided to write a second story for the contest. In Romance this time. Will be interesting to see how it fares. Submitted it a few minutes ago.
DG

 

[Jack_Samuel]

I decided to write a second story for the contest. In Romance this time. Will be interesting to see how it fares. Submitted it a few minutes ago.
DG

good luck i will keep my eye out for it in the lists.

It would be nice to see the winning story come from the romance category so hopefully it does well