What drives you...

[Aurora Black]

What drives you to read, vote and comment on certain stories?

What is it about those stories that jumps up and grabs you, compelling you to read the pieces from beginning to end and show your appreciation? I really want to know.

Is it because the stories are in your favorite genre(s)?

Because the author is someone whom you respect and admire? A friend, perhaps?

Do you have standards which must be met by a piece before you take notice of it?

Do you indulge in favoritism (AKA: elitism or discrimination) when choosing a story? Quid pro quo?

What drives you to ignore stories?

Besides the obvious author pet peeves such as misspellings, tense switches and hackneyed plots, of course. If the stories in question do not contain the above "cardinal sins" of writing, why gloss over them? Are they written in a style which turns you off? Or is it simply a case of "killing the messenger"?


* * *


I am a huge fan of quid pro quo. If an author takes the time out of his/her busy schedule to read and comment on my stories, I am motivated to reciprocate. To me, it's the right thing to do. If I write a glowing review on someone's work and get nothing in return, I take it as a sign that it would be a wasted effort to continue reading that person's material. He/she could be the best thing to happen in literature since the invention of the printing press, but that means nothing to me. Call it childishness, hurt pride or whatever, but that's how I am.

When I say "nothing in return," I don't necessarily mean votes. A simple "Thank You" would suffice. When I am not even extended this small courtesy, I see the author in question as a snobby asshole and myself as a fool for reaching out to that person and getting my hand slapped away as a result. I am not a masochist by any stretch of the imagination, so I distance myself from the whole affair.

I would be a liar if I said I didn't vote for my friends, but I also keep my eyes open for other authors whose stories capture my attention. I do not discriminate. My appetite for reading is fierce, and I embrace every opportunity to explore the works of those outside my sphere, whatever that may be.

 

[AngeloMichael]

To be honest, it's dialogue that grabs me and sucks me in. I'm strongly drawn to characters and their interaction. If I see a storie that begins with paragraph after paragraph of exposition, that's what is most likely to drive me to back clicking (even though I do this myself in some of my stories). If a story starts off with interesting dialogue I'll usually stay and then I'll want to know the back story of these characters and then if the exposition is interesting I'll stay until the end.

I do have favorite genres, and to be honest, I rarely read stories on Lit anymore because I don't like navigating this site. I have a much easier time finding stories I want to read on other sites. So that's another issue there, format of the website where I'm reading.

The only standards I have is that the story grabs my attention, mispellings, error in grammar, etc. I can overlook to a point, but when it gets too eroneous, I backclick. However for a story to grab my attention it needs to help me suspend my disbelief, if the plot or characters are too unreal (not in a sci-fi/fantasy way, but in a "this is just too fucking stupid!" way) I turn back.

If I find a story I like, I will usually go and look up that author and read all their stories. If I like someone or consider them a friend, yes I will read their stories as well and try to leave the best and most constructive feedback I can. That's usually the only way I read stories on Lit nowadays.

Categories will drive me to ignore stories. All I need to see is nonconsent, or BDSM, of Loving Wives and I will not touch it.

Other than pet peeves all ready mentioned I really don't have any that will drive me off. Even though I HATE HATE HATE reading the phrase "He/She/They didn't have to tell me twice!" (it's like nails on a chalkboard to me for some reason) if I see it but find the rest of the story to my liking, I will continue on. No, the only thing will get me to stop reading is if I'm bored with the story.

 

[AchtungNight]

I'm pretty much like you, Aurora. I honor my friends with feedback and hope for the same.

To me, a story has to be good. Good doesn't necessarily mean anything specific, it just means that a feeling is created in me that I enjoyed the tale. If I feel compelled to criticize it a lot instead, I say nada. If I'm compelled to say all good, or a mix of bad and good, then I go ahead and shoot the author some feedback. I prefer sending private feedback to making public remarks that could be taken the wrong way or just voting and saying nothing at all. I do not read stories in certain categories myself. Mind Control and BDSM just aren't my cup of tea (they can work if they're well-plotted, but I've found those stories are few and far between ), and I rarely if ever go into Sci-fi, Interracial, or Loving Wives. I mostly look in Lesbian, Incest, Group, and of course Celebrity. I'm a crossgenre nonspecific unusual tastes kind of guy.

I read more than I write too, so often a story has to really grab me for me to say anything in feedback about it. I'll add this as well- if I see a lot of positive comments on a story and that's it, I'll hold my tongue more often than I will if I see a mix of positive and negative, negative things I disagree with, or nothing at all.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I look for weak stories. Stories lacking structure and direction. Strong writers don't need what I can provide. Then I offer my mentoring skills to the writer. Mind you I love writing, but I garner a sense of satisfaction from the elation writers experience when they see their ideas take form.

Sorry, just passing through, saw and commented.

 

[FallingToFly]

If I read it, I'll vote honestly on it, which means, if it sucked, it gets a one vote. I will only, however, leave a comment if I can say something positive. I very seldom sign in to comment, I just sign an Anonymous comment.

Sometimes... rarely.. I just read. Usually if I'm depressed or annoyed with life. I find it hard to get into chapter stories, and I'm surprised when people read mine. I prefer short stories to long, and I prefer lots of details. But that's just me. If a title grabs me, I'll read it. If it doesn't- I won't read unless asked to or it's reviewed.

 

[Aurora Black]

I look for weak stories. Stories lacking structure and direction. Strong writers don't need what I can provide. Then I offer my mentoring skills to the writer. Mind you I love writing, but I garner a sense of satisfaction from the elation writers experience when they see their ideas take form.

Sorry, just passing through, saw and commented.

Never apologize for offering your opinion.

 

[oggbashan]

Destroying the illusion

It is a flaw in my education that I was taught destructive analysis of Literature, particularly poetry. We were expected to parse large sections of a story; to explain exactly how sentences were constructed to produce an effect; what impact changing a word, a tense, a phrase would have; and finally to produce a precis of a chapter or a whole work.

Once I start to assess the impact of a particular story on me then that education kicks in and destroys any pleasure I might have derived from the reading. Years ago I started an Open University Arts course. I gave up after a couple of months because I was losing my love of English Literature and ruining my favourite works.

As a result I find it very difficult to provide feedback or PCs on anyone else's work. I will read and vote but NOT comment. The sort of comment my training might produce could be unwelcome and would have cost me any pleasure the story inspired - for ever.

Sometimes I can comment without analysis but that requires me to distance myself from the story and look only at the overall picture, not the detail.

Perhaps I should just leave a PC 'Hi! Og was here' and leave it at that.

Og

 

[Recidiva]

I came here as a very casual writer, and that's how I proceed. I'm not professional. Since I only write really short stuff and it almost seems to be exactly the same one to the next. I'm a niche for myself. I write for myself when I can't find what I want in writing already.

I can't possibly contend with the writing skills or versatility of the folks here.

In the theater, there are actors and performers. Actors can become anybody. They can do anything. (Example: Johnny Depp)

Performers are being who they are. (Example: Harrison Ford)

I consider myself an actor if I'm in the theater. If someone else gives me a point from which to view, I can do that.

I can't generate that point of view myself, though. As a writer I'm a performer, I can only be myself.

So here, I don't leave comments unless I find something to be a 5. I don't consider my criticism to be of value. And since I'm here to write, I very rarely read someone else's stuff unless prompted or invited.

 

[rgraham666]

Most often, I read stuff by my fellow AHers. I've come to learn they consistently do good stuff.

After that it's category. Unless the authour is someone I know and like, there are some categories I just don't read.

Then it's a combination of title and tag line. If the authour can't come up with a decent one of each, I sincerely doubt they'll be able to write a decent story. A title like 'BBW Takes 4 Cocks!' with a tag line of 'in every whole!' is a no read.

That's pretty much it.

Oop. Comments.

For my friend's stuff always. If I thought the story wasn't as good as it could be I'll send a private comment, but no public.

Otherwise I always vote and comment, if the story was good. Otherwise, no.

 

[Aurora Black]

Bump.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

I seldom read something has nothing but stroke to offer. I want a story, somewhere. It doesn't have to be overbearing, nor does it have to all that important to the action. But story is good.

That said, I tend to be partial to Ah contributors, simply because they tend to know more about writing than Joe Hustler and his "I never thought this would happen to me" style writing.

Q_C

 

[greathands660]

For me it's the hook in the first or secound paragraph, after the title and tag line makes me want to even see what it is about. I like reality based stories, something that could really happen. Some catagories intrest me more than others, but thats just me. BDSM, incest, mind controll, scifi, don't rock my boat. Where as group, lesbian, mature, loving wives, ect will get a better look. Minor spellings, and grammer don't bother me, but if I have to re-read very many line to figure out what the auther is trying to say, I'm out of there. Just my 2 cents, which isn't worth much.

 

[Aurora Black]

Just my 2 cents, which isn't worth much.

Every opinion counts.

 

[kendo1]

Spleling and garmmar mistakes are a rael turnoff.

And sizes!

Teehee.

ken

 

[FallingToFly]

It is a flaw in my education that I was taught destructive analysis of Literature, particularly poetry. We were expected to parse large sections of a story; to explain exactly how sentences were constructed to produce an effect; what impact changing a word, a tense, a phrase would have; and finally to produce a precis of a chapter or a whole work.

Once I start to assess the impact of a particular story on me then that education kicks in and destroys any pleasure I might have derived from the reading. Years ago I started an Open University Arts course. I gave up after a couple of months because I was losing my love of English Literature and ruining my favourite works.

As a result I find it very difficult to provide feedback or PCs on anyone else's work. I will read and vote but NOT comment. The sort of comment my training might produce could be unwelcome and would have cost me any pleasure the story inspired - for ever.

Sometimes I can comment without analysis but that requires me to distance myself from the story and look only at the overall picture, not the detail.

Perhaps I should just leave a PC 'Hi! Og was here' and leave it at that.

Og

Ogg, if you ever find anything of mine that you would LIKE to read- comment and be as brutal as you like. I hate trolls who just say- it sucked, and not why. I almost dislike the comments where it's the opposite, people say "Oh, I like this" but not why. If I can't see where the flaws and merits are in a piece before I post it, do you really think reading it on a Lit page will make a difference? So, yeah, I can handle negative feedback- as long as it is feedback and not bashing. Just had to say that.

[/threadjack] (Sorry Rora!)

 

[S-Des]

I guess I'm in the minority that likes both. I've left glowing reviews on several 'stroke stories' that I thought were very erotic, but not particularly realistic. I also leave comments on stories that draw me in and make me think (even if there isn't much sex). I never post a comment on something I'd vote less than a '4' because I always leave my name. Even though a '3' is still a decent score to some reviewers, I consider it a bit of an insult so I'd either just vote or skip it altogether. I don't privately email authors anymore unless they don't have PC enabled.

My stories seem to draw a lot of comments, but I can't exactly explain why. I think it's because I do my best to add depth to the characters so that when they are happy or sad, you feel it more. The last one drew the most comments of any story (suprisingly almost all 100%). It was an LW story and in Ch3, the husband had to decide between his now ex-wife who hurt him and a new woman. People had very interesting reactions to his choice and how he came to it. I think that's why they felt the need to comment. Agree or disagree, they felt involved enough that they wanted to say something.

I have to say, I'm surprised at the number of people posting that they don't read LW stories. Every category mentioned can be in an LW story (I've seen Incest, BDSM, Group, Lesbian, etc...). The readers can be harsh, so a story that scores high usually is pretty interesting to read. I guess to each their own. I hit all categories from time to time, but will often read the description to see if it's something that sounds interesting. I agree with Rob. If they can't write a decent description, the story probably isn't worth my time.

 

[Aurora Black]

Has this subject been covered before? Is that the reason for the small number of responses?

 

[oggbashan]

Has this subject been covered before? Is that the reason for the small number of responses?

It's too hot for many of us and some have been watching football...

And yes, it has been covered before, several times.

Og

 

[Aurora Black]

It's too hot for many of us and some have been watching football...

And yes, it has been covered before, several times.

Og

Thank you for making that clear, Og. I am now put in my place once again concerning writing threads. The message: Don't bother starting them.

I guess there's nothing more for me to do than go back to my flirting and sitting around looking pretty. That's what you people think I'm all about anyway, right? Silence from the "key" AHers, on this thread and the other serious ones that I've started, speaks volumes.

I've finally got the message. You all must be very proud.

*leaves the thread to die*

 

[Boota]

Aurora, don't worry about starting any new writing threads that have been done before. Most of them have been done before, but there are always new people and there is often something new to add from the old crew.

I tend to read the other AH'ers first and foremost. It's a better assurance of quality, knowing the writers on here as well as I do. I don't read enough, though. When I read a story or poem I always like to leave a comment and a fair vote, and the I like to leave at least a little something in the comment that gives the reason why I said what I said.

I don't pay much attention to category.

 

[Katyusha]

I seldom read something has nothing but stroke to offer. I want a story, somewhere. It doesn't have to be overbearing, nor does it have to all that important to the action. But story is good.

That said, I tend to be partial to Ah contributors, simply because they tend to know more about writing than Joe Hustler and his "I never thought this would happen to me" style writing.

Q_C

I've noticed that the bulk of the comments I've gotten tend to deal with the stroke element...and I've been told a couple of times that I ruined the eroticism for them by spending so much time on the characters and not the sex.

Honestly I think there are a lot of people who come here looking for nothing but something that'll help them get off; they treat it the same as porn and don't understand that some of the authors here are aspiring to so much more than simply writing porn movies. These are more than likely the same people who read entertainment and fashion magazines all the time, but haven't read a real book in years.

For me...it's the title and tagline that grabs my attention. Sometimes a story will be a stroke story, and I'll keep reading just because of the intensity, but more often than not the story that keeps my attention is the one that describes the situation, describes how the characters know each other, develops them a little bit, etc. I want to feel like I at least know a little bit about each of them.

Also, good description is a must. Simply saying, "We wound up in the bedroom pulling each others' clothes off," does nothing for me. "We slowly made our way towards the bedroom, kissing and fondling as we went. Once there, he pushed me down onto the wrinkled white sheets of my unmade bed, and, placing a hand on the inside of each knee, gently spread my legs apart. He knelt down on the carpet, and began undoing the straps of my garter..." does so much more for the situation and can really put a good picture in my head. Unless all I'm doing is looking for something to get off to, I'll stop reading a story if the description is lacking.

Although, description is probably one of my biggest problems with writing. It's why I started writing erotica...it's one of the most descriptive genres there is.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Thank you for making that clear, Og. I am now put in my place once again concerning writing threads. The message: Don't bother starting them.

I guess there's nothing more for me to do than go back to my flirting and sitting around looking pretty. That's what you people think I'm all about anyway, right? Silence from the "key" AHers, on this thread and the other serious ones that I've started, speaks volumes.

I've finally got the message. You all must be very proud.

*leaves the thread to die*

I frankly think people might be afraid to answer the question...
there's been so much talk of "favoritism"... and I know authors who don't hang in the AH who think it's nothing but a voting-ring... honestly... that's really what they believe...

that said, aside from review days, I only read what interests me... I'll click on a story because a title or description catches my attention... but I backclick more often than not...

and I don't read all AH authors either. There are some whose writing style doesn't appeal to me... it's not that it's bad, it's just not my thing.

But if I make it to the end of a story, I comment and vote... AH author or not.

 

[AchtungNight]

{attempts to cast ressurrection spell on Aurora} Come back, fair one! The Lech-Master needs you!!!

Seriously, I'm glad you bring back these old threads. We newcomers need to weigh in on previously discussed topics and it's hard digging back to find interesting threads sometimes. You also frequently get the idea that maybe no one's really interested anymore. {sighs}

I too don't nearly read as much as I should. There's so much here, so much of it of varying quality, and it's all so hard to sort out sometimes. I am glad to have read all I have read, though, and written all that I've written.

 

[Alessia Brio]

Silence from the "key" AHers, on this thread and the other serious ones that I've started, speaks volumes.

WTF is a "key" AHer?

 

[neonlyte]

Thank you for making that clear, Og. I am now put in my place once again concerning writing threads. The message: Don't bother starting them.

I guess there's nothing more for me to do than go back to my flirting and sitting around looking pretty. That's what you people think I'm all about anyway, right? Silence from the "key" AHers, on this thread and the other serious ones that I've started, speaks volumes.

I've finally got the message. You all must be very proud.

*leaves the thread to die*

I've not been around too much in recent days Aurora, to many other things demanding attention, but I've seen this thread when I've looked in and wondered just how to reply.

It would be all too easy to give a list of 'favourite Lit writers' which actually would not give you a decent reply and would help to stoke the feeling of some that AH is a clique intent on mutual masturbation... sorry, I meant support. I confess to not reading many stories currently. I read some competition entries, not all, for example I won't read series entries unless it's the first in a series and I definitely won't read multiple serial chapters entered in competition - it's my own quirky interpretation of the rules and the spirit of the thing. This is not say I don't read them after the competition. I rarely read more than one entry from a person in competition, but will read them later.

Recently I've taken to reading stories posted on the New Story thread, following recommendation of the esteemed reviewers. I've also, I'm sure this is very odd, begun reading all the stories posted by a single Lit member, their oldest to the most recent. I rarely comment on the individual stories as it is a measure of author/story growth that interests me - don't ask me to explain. One or two AH members will know what I'm on about from comments I've made on their work. I'm about to start reading another AH's work, a catagory I don't normally read but I have huge respect for the writer and would like to understand them better through their writing.

As for genre, I'm hetrosexual and so is my taste in stories but I generally click-back on pure stroke stories unless the author gives me reason before A miraculously melts into B.