Whose This Anonymous Person...

[Dimmu_Borgir]

Who--besides you--is to say your criticism is good--especially if you have no credentials to provide in writing yourself? The author you are criticizing probably thought her/his story was good too. And posting a story to Lit. doesn't automatically mean you are asking for any critique at all, good or bad. If the author hasn't directly asked for a critique, you shouldn't be surprised at having your hand bitten when you offer one unsolicited. (They'll be happy to take praise, of course).

See what I mean? If I don't have any stories, I can't give constructive criticism.

If someone has a load of bad grammar or tons of misspelled words BUT the story itself is good, then I offer up tips for the author. I don't sweat the small shit.

And as far as anonymity, equal footing would be to only anonymously critique stories posted under the name Anonymous, wouldn't it? If you feel you have to critique anonymously, perhaps you should look into your motivation for critiquing at all.

If people don't want criticism, then they can disable it. Also, the site can also make it so that comments can't be anonymous.

Doh!

 

[sr71plt]

If people don't want criticism, then they can disable it. Also, the site can also make it so that comments can't be anonymous.

Doh!

Why should they do that just to accommodate your need to give anonymous instruction to them?

Not that you shouldn't give it if you want--you just shouldn't be surprised to find that they didn't want it.

And giving your impressions as a reader to the content of the story is one thing; giving instruction on grammar and punctuation and how to construct a story are entirely different things when you haven't attempted to do that in public yourself--and, even more, when you won't own up to having given the instruction. I'm a professional editor, and I've found that a large percentage of anonymous "instruction" given to writers here on how to write reflects someone who doesn't have a clue how to do it. We go back to just because you give criticism doesn't mean it's good criticism.

 

[lovecraft68]

Why should they do that just to accommodate your need to give anonymous instruction to them?

Not that you shouldn't give it if you want--you just shouldn't be surprised to find that they didn't want it.

And giving your impressions as a reader to the content of the story is one thing; giving instruction on grammar and punctuation and how to construct a story are entirely different things when you haven't attempted to do that in public yourself--and, even more, when you won't own up to having given the instruction. I'm a professional editor, and I've found that a large percentage of anonymous "instruction" given to writers here on how to write reflects someone who doesn't have a clue how to do it. We go back to just because you give criticism doesn't mean it's good criticism.

I don't think you have to be a pro to give feedback. I'm terrible at grammar and will freely admit it. However if I read a story that was good but the grammar sucked(and I can recognize that as I am getting better) I think it's okay to comment. "Good story but may want to get an editor" or something to that effect. I am not trying to say I could do better just pointing something out. Also what is being over looked a bit is that no one HAS to pay attention to the feedback if some anon/ moron pisses you off ignore it. Thing is with a lot of writers Anon. is their friend when it's "wow best story ever" but when it's "Wow this sucked" then oh Anon shouldn't be allowed. It's as simple as taking the good with the bad and taking it all for what it's worth which is exactly what we're getting paid to write here. Nothing.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't think you have to be a pro to give feedback. I'm terrible at grammar and will freely admit it. However if I read a story that was good but the grammar sucked(and I can recognize that as I am getting better) I think it's okay to comment. "Good story but may want to get an editor" or something to that effect. I am not trying to say I could do better just pointing something out. Also what is being over looked a bit is that no one HAS to pay attention to the feedback if some anon/ moron pisses you off ignore it. Thing is with a lot of writers Anon. is their friend when it's "wow best story ever" but when it's "Wow this sucked" then oh Anon shouldn't be allowed. It's as simple as taking the good with the bad and taking it all for what it's worth which is exactly what we're getting paid to write here. Nothing.

Again, the main point is that "anonymous" shouldn't be surprised to find that an author didn't welcome his/her unsolicited writing advice. (Although, no, I wouldn't post someone a critique on their story if they didn't directly ask for it.)

And, no, I wouldn't go after someone else's grammar and punctuation if I were you.

 

[Dimmu_Borgir]

(Although, no, I wouldn't post someone a critique on their story if they didn't directly ask for it.)

And, no, I wouldn't go after someone else's grammar and punctuation if I were you.

Then what the fuck good is a comments section then? So everyone can heap praise on stories but not critique? You're one very overbearing individual.

 

[sr71plt]

Then what the fuck good is a comments section then? So everyone can heap praise on stories but not critique? You're one very overbearing individual.

Funny, I'd think that someone who felt they just had to give anonymous instruction on writing on a story here and fluffed up when the author give them a "fuck off" response was the one being the overbearing individual.

There aren't that many people posting stories to Lit. who are studying to qualify for a Pulitzer. (Or, for that matter, many people reading stories here who are qualified to give writing instruction.)

 

[favoritesgoddess]

I suspect some people prefer to remain anonymous so that they don't have to give any information to the site. Maybe they just don't want go through the hassle of registering. I don't know. I know I'm getting to the point in my online life where I see "sign up for free!" and go, "Oh, Christ. Is it worth it?" Sometimes it's not, and if you can come here and read and comment with no strings attached, that's pretty cool. Easy, at least.

And anonymous might be a Pulitzer Prize-winning author for all we know.

 

[sr71plt]

And anonymous might be a Pulitzer Prize-winning author for all we know.

Oh, give me a break.

Why are some of you so anti-story writer here while playing like one yourself?

Just leave them the hell alone unless they ask for help. Most story posters here are just having fun and don't need you people peeing in their oatmeal. And most of the rest of us already know what we're doing and have no need to hear from a coward named Anonymous.

 

[SimoneLisbon]

bump...

 

[lovecraft68]

Oh, give me a break.

Why are some of you so anti-story writer here while playing like one yourself?

Just leave them the hell alone unless they ask for help. Most story posters here are just having fun and don't need you people peeing in their oatmeal. And most of the rest of us already know what we're doing and have no need to hear from a coward named Anonymous.

I don't think everyone here knows what they're doing, its an amateur site. I think people can offer up constructive criticism which can be helpful.

And I believe by putting your stuff up and keeping your comments enabled you are asking for people to tell you what they think.

If some people think you have some potential, but could use some polishing, I see no harm in saying that.

As for that coward anonymous? Again, I'll state what I don't understand, we're all anonymous here. any mouse just didn;t go through the trouble of creating a handle.

whats the difference if anymouse says "you suck" or "Bigbutt62" says you suck?

Edited after I just saw this on my latest story

10/19/12 By: MaternalyObsessed
It needed another editing pass.

But loved every bit of it. 5* 8)

Okay, I need some editing help, but they said they enjoyed it. Why am I supposed to be offended at that? I'm sure there are mistakes. But this is a far cry from

"You illiterate moron, give up fucking writing, never write again!"

People need to be able to handle what they get here, or just shut off the comments.

I don;t think these threads will ever end until lit has a "accept only glowing positive you're the best author ever" comments.

 

[TinyBeth]

I get a lot of Anonymous comments because I write in the incest category and some people don;t want to admit they read it so many of mine have been positive comments. As far as the basic hate spewing "you suck" comments go. Honesty these are the people who had their lunch money taken from them as kids and walked around with permanent wedgies. The classic ring your doorbell and run away type best thing to do is to piss them off simply by continuing to do what you have been doing and keep writing. In the case of constructive criticism take those as compliments because if the person thought you were that bad they wouldn't bother so in a way they are saying; hey you're pretty good but... so take them somewhat seriously but in the end just take the good with the bad and some times the real zingers can be pretty damn funny.

Now now, not all of us who got picked on growing up spend our time trolling stories. =)

 

[sr71plt]

Someone must be bored today (or starting some sort of campaign)--picking up a nearly four-month-old thread.

 

[evanslily]

Someone must be bored today (or starting some sort of campaign)--picking up a nearly four-month-old thread.

Make that a year and 4 months.

 

[sr71plt]

Make that a year and 4 months.

Oh, I see. Yes, you're right. Who even trudges back through the files that far back?

(This one deserves to stay buried on the basis of that "Whose" alone.)

 

[lovecraft68]

Well, it is Halloween, so why not resurrect the dead?

 

[oggbashan]

The Anonymous comments on my low-rated story Nylon Overall are longer than the story.

Anonymous is writing his/her stories as comments. Odd.

 

[TinyBeth]

I didn't notice the thread was that old when I commented. Someone else must have resurrected it first. Oops.
Regardless, I think that critical comments from Anonymous should be taken with a grain of salt. No one should pay attention the hate speech spewed in Gay Male or the slut-shaming that happens in LW and Group. And always remember, anything that isn't an outright critical assessment is just subjective opinion. "I didn't like it" is as likely to mean it wasn't to their taste as it is to mean the story was bad.

 

[SimoneLisbon]

Oh, I see. Yes, you're right. Who even trudges back through the files that far back?

(This one deserves to stay buried on the basis of that "Whose" alone.)

The 'Whose' is why I bumped my thread in the first place...I wanted to see if I changed the title of the first post if it would change the title of the thread...Yes, I made a grammar error in the title, but I was younger then...FYI the first person to point it out made a similar mistake in their post...

Anyway, I've earned the title of 'Thread Necromancer' lately...Sometimes, I actually search out old threads just to bump them for fun...As far as anonymous, I thought this was a good topic and the grammar error aside in the title it is interesting...

I've learned quite a few writing tricks since I started this thread way back when...but for the people who didn't notice the mistake in the title here goes:

Who knows the difference between who's and whose? Here's a lesson whose time has come.


Who's

Who's is a contraction of who is or, less commonly, who has.

Who's watching TV?

Do you know who's going to speak?

Who's ready to go?

Who's in the kitchen?

Who's this?

Who's already eaten?


Whose

Whose is the possessive of who or, somewhat controversially, which.

Whose book is this?

Do you know whose car this is?

I know a woman whose kids study there.

Whose side are you on?

An idea whose time has come.


The Bottom Line

The trouble here is due to the apostrophe, which on 99% of English words indicates possession, but on this one simply indicates a contraction. If you can replace the word with who is or who has, use who's. If not, use whose.

 

[Exquisition]

Personally it doesn't really bother me f/b anon or otherwise. I had several comments on my first story posted 2 weeks ago. Generally they were either positive or CONSTRUCTIVE which is fine except for one which was deleted.

The story title is Immaculate Conception - the critique went "Nice concept. Not quite immaculate." Which annoyed me. If you're going to comment at least give a considered viewpoint.

Not much to ask.

 

[sun_sea_sky]

I just got two positive feedbacks (via personal message) from Anonymous.

I'm not sure how to react. It's just stunning. It's like I've slipped into this alternate (and somewhat nicer) reality.

Thanks, Anonymous!

 

[In Anticipation]

And why are they always picking on me...

Does it make you angry, concerned about your ability to write, or do you just not care when negative feedback comes from an anonymous poster?

Simone

I never make anonymous feedback, but then on the other hand I'm not someone who posts negative comments anyway. If I enjoy a story but can make constructive criticism I will.

 

[SimoneLisbon]

The Anonymous comments on my low-rated story Nylon Overall are longer than the story.

Anonymous is writing his/her stories as comments. Odd.

I've noticed that tread ass well...I think the anonymity makes them feel like the have license to go off on a long tangent...They get passionate about their hatred and even a little obsessive about it, so it comes pouring out in a 4 page essay...

 

[feverman]

You can turn off anonymous feedback.

Isn't all feedback from non-members marked as anonymous? I'm thinking it is.

As of late, I turned off both scoring and the option to accept anonymous feedback. I have a number of stories in LW. If you have followed that category, you likely know there are competing groups of readers attempting to control the content of LW. One group of another following LW will take exception to almost any "frisky wife" story and come after it in sufficient numbers with their alternate memberships to degrade the score. It only takes a couple of assholes with a sufficient number of alt memberships to drop a story off the hot list. I've had it happen six or seven times.

I like flushing the trolls out into the open to leave their hateful, rude, generally-thoughtless remarks. Then I systematically delete the remarks without comment. No voting and no anonymous comments, coupled with deleting any comment from a member I don't like, are my ways of turning the tables on the trolls.

The sickies are now reduced to sending me hate emails with fake return email addresses.... lol. "Only a bullshit author would turn off scoring. Somebody should fuck you up." is typically of a number of emails I have received lately. I love them... Those type messages provide "proof positive" that I am getting into the heads of the trolls and putting their negativity back where it belongs.

I'm not selling this approach, just sharing what I did to turn the table on these troubled souls. I put too much time and effort into my stories to let rude, thoughtless comments made in a only a moment's time compete with my works and influence the opinions of other readers.

 

[oggbashan]

The Anonymous comments on my low-rated story Nylon Overall are longer than the story.

Anonymous is writing his/her stories as comments. Odd.

Another long story has been added as a PC on Nylon Overall.

Anonymous should write their own story. Their PCs are now much longer than my original story.

 

[SimoneLisbon]

Another long story has been added as a PC on Nylon Overall.

Anonymous should write their own story. Their PCs are now much longer than my original story.

Wait, are you adding comments as anonymous to lengthen the story?