Why don't I get more feedback?

[Debbie]

Im a newbie to literotica and writing erotica as well. I always have been able to write ...it just seems to come naturally...now i discover I may have a "talent" for erotic poetry BUT get so little feedback it's not funny. Can anyone tell me why? I also have just added my first story and would love feedback.

 

[circe!]

link

I've gotten next to zero feedback on my poetry, too, hon.

Why don't you provide the link to your story here and I, for one, will give it a read.

circe!

 

[mig]

Speaking personally(how else) while I love erotic stories I can't abide erotic poetry.Too hooked on the likes of Keats, Shelley,Longfellow etc.and then only in small doses.

 

[vgrey]

Not to mention e.e. cummings!

I know that it can be frustrating at times, not getting the feedback, but I try to remember how hard it is to really take a critical look at someone's work and respond. That's why editors get the big bucks! (some of them anyway)

Anyway, post a link here and you can be fairly certain of some kind of response. (careful what you wish for, you may get it)

Good Luck!
VG

 

[Lynn]

Well...

There is always solice in the fact that there are hundreds of people that DID read it, even if they don't comment. At least that is what I think to myself when I only got 5 or 6 people responding to my first story.

 

[PAUL C]

Lack of feedback

I've just come back from your site Debbiexxx and i have read all the poems you have posted there.

Some I liked a lot whilst with others I'm afraid my eyes kept straying to the picture.

I'm hardly qualified to comment on structure or form but some did bring a tingle to my loins so I suppose they were successful in that.

The description of the sex act in most of them is very good. Not too much imagery and a lot of in and out.

On reflection, overall I enjoyed them.

 

[Madame Pandora]

Speaking personally(how else) while I love erotic stories I can't abide erotic poetry.Too hooked on the likes of Keats, Shelley,Longfellow etc.and then only in small doses.

Awww...come on, Mig...give us a listen...let us woo you over to the dark side...

Shelly would want you to, after all -

Just consider yourself a traveler from an antique land happening upon our flanks of flesh and stone in the sultry, sweat-dampened deserts of our prose. You may be captivated by our carnal visage, for we are sculptors, all - not mocking, lifeless things. Gaze upon our pedestals, ye Mighty and despair. We'll leave you bound and bare while your whimpers and moans echo far away ;-)

Forgive me, Percy Bysshe, I have sinned

MP

 

[Bacomicfan]

I might as well throw my two cents in, too, Debbie.
Join the club. I've got five stories posted on Literotica
now. Up until my last story, MYTHS AND LEGENDS, I had only gotten feedback on two of them...one for UNDER MAGGIE'S DESK and the other for LOVE AMONG THE HEADSTONES....and I
only got feedback on HEADSTONES because I posted asking for
someone to PLEEEEEEEZ give me feedback! So, that was it.
In about a year of posting on Literotica, only two replies..
and one because I begged for it....lol.
Maybe people don't give feedback unless a story really grabs
them? I got four emails about MYTHS AND LEGENDS the first
week it was posted. I don't know. I'm confused. I'd like
more feedback, even if my stories suck...at least then I know what I need to improve on. Oh, well, I understand
what ya mean. Wish I knew what the answer is, but.....I
haven't a clue. Anyway, keep writing. I do...feedback or
not. I figure if someone really HATES one of my stories,
they'll surely let me know! Take care and don't be discouraged by the lack of response.
Mike

 

[Debbie]

Feedback

Thank you all for your replies and to those who read my work. We all need encouragement!

 

[mig]

OK Madame Pandora,I'll read them.Please don't hit me any more.On second thoughts though

 

[mig]

Debbiexxx---I have now read all your poems on Lit.I tried to email you but the system is dead.I may not have changed my mind entirely but "When You Make Love TO Me" really grabbed me.I umbly promise to keep a more open mind in future.

 

[Cockatoo]

The thing about Poetry, erotic or not, is that it has more writers than readers. On Literotica, thousands of readers looking for release will head straight for the fiction marked with an "H" while hundreds of dabblers try their hand at poetry which will largely go unread.

I also think that poetry is one of those art forms so difficult and subjective that it's really difficult to comment on constructively. That's how I feel about it, anyway- so I don't try. Sorry.

But, as a writer who love-love-loves it when I get great feedback or good reviews, I like it just as much when I see the counter on my stories go up when I log in. So, Debbie and all others so concerned, be glad for your readers- I'll be one of them.

 

[Debbie]

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement

Thanks to all those great people who responded to my thread on feedback! It really boosted my confidence to know that others were in the same boat or that you read my stuff and let me know what you think! I now have so many ideas for stories that Im finding there is not enough time in the day !

 

[trojanman]

debbie, im new, first story, fuckig janets mom, pt 1 and 2...3.96 wth 36 votes, 4.20 with 5 votes for pt 2....but no feed back..., but flattering i got votes and readers, THATS HOT....what is your story, ill take a look....peter163@webtv.net

 

[SensitiveSuccubus]

I hardly get votes for my poetry, let alone feedback. (My medium may be in question.) The stories are just more popular. Keep your chin up though, and don't stop writing.

 

[Katerina Val-Kyrie]

I feel feedback is very important. It reassures us that our stories & poetry are being read. With the thousands of submissions in here, it is nice to know, ours actually touch someone in a nice way.

I have belonged to Literotica for a long time and love it here. My only wish is, I would also love to hear from my readers more often. Feedback has been slow in coming, even for me. Sometimes I wonder if it is the category I write in. Is romance really that boring? I think not!

I have had a thread in the feedback section for a long time now, and although it has had some responses, it would be nice to see more. I like to think there are romantic's at heart out there, that delve into the romance stories. I have had readers tell me, they have never read in this category before, and I feel that is such a loss for the incredible romance writers we have on the site. Well, I suppose it is the reader's loss too. But, regardless, feedback keeps us going, it truly does.

It's funny, this past year, was spent revising my current stories in Literotica. I poured my heart and soul into them, making them better. I had submitted all three a few years ago. Foolishly, I did this without the help of an editor and realized with time, I could do them alot more justice by rewriting. I now consider them to be 100 percent better, but since my revising, the feedback has been slow in coming. Even Summer's Day, my newest has had little response. Is it me? Gosh, I hope not.

I am proud however, of the responses I have received in the past few years. I have saved over 50 wonderfully written e-mails, most from my original versions; some from my new. I thank each and everyone of you, who took the time to write me then and now. I too, thrive on hearing what my readers have to say. It makes me want to keep writing! It is important to know if our stories are being read and most importantly, enjoyed. It gives us a reason to write more.

The reason my revisions happened in the first place was through the feedback of another wonderful writer, who is truly talented in every sense of the word. He made me see that I could do better, and with his advice, I took the leap and tore apart my stories. It was scary, but in doing this, I learned and I learned well. Now, all I need to know is, are they being read and enjoyed. I truly hope so.

Debbie, I promise I will go to your site and check out your poetry. I too, love poetry and thus far, only have one erotic poem on this site. I have however, more of my poetry on my web pages. (non-erotic) I find poetry incredibly challenging to write, and I admire anyone who can share this talent with the world. I myself, can only write a poem when inspiration comes to me. Although, I do not have many, all come from my heart and my soul. I love poetry that comes from the heart and I cannot wait to read yours.
I will be in touch.

Hugs Katerina

[Edited by Katerina Val-Kyrie on 03-23-2001 at 06:07 AM]

 

[Katerina Val-Kyrie]

Debbie's Poetry

[Edited by Katerina Val-Kyrie on 03-23-2001 at 07:01 AM]

 

[Katerina Val-Kyrie]

Debbie, I have now read your poetry and voted them all fours and fives. They definately deserved good scores. I really liked Arousal, Instant Attraction and When You Make Love To Me. Gosh, I liked them all! You have your own unique style and you have a way of sharing a wonderful short story in each and every poem. You truly are a gifted writer. I love poetry that displays feeling & passion and your's did just that. You swept me away for a little while, into your world. I enjoyed being there.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents.

Hugs Katerina

 

[Whispersecret]

Personally, the only instance in which I'll send feedback is if I've been wowed. If a story is excellent or stands out for me in some way, I'll send a note.

If I read an "okay" story, I'm not motivated to write the author. It's not worth the trouble. What am I going to say? "I thought your story was average." Nah.

Similarly, I won't send feedback if I didn't like the story. I know people say, "Gee, I wish I could hear something, even if the reader didn't like it." But, be honest--do you really want to hear if someone thought it was shitty? Really? I don't. I don't relish the thought of seeing feedback in my inbox and opening it to find someone telling me they thought my story was bad.

However, if someone asks for detailed feedback on the Feedback section of the bulletin board, then, I might take the time to read the tale and outline the specific areas where I think the story could improve.

So, to sum up, I'll only send feedback to authors whose stories really knocked my panties off. Otherwise, I don't bother.

 

[genderbender]

I've gotten quite a bit of feedback on stories I've submitted, but then I threw about 18 of them at the site within the first month I was here. Frankly, little of the feedback was substantive. A few were bored by a story, some found one or another really hot. I enjoyed what people had to say. In every instance an email address was included, I responded. One fellow who'd busted my chops was a bit easier on me in his second email because I didn't defend myself when I wrote to him. Instead I gave him a referral to another story in the same section that I particularly appreciated. I sense that if a writer wants feedback, the place to do it is in the Story Feedback section of the board. Post the story link and ask for feedback. What I've read here has been both thoughtful and kind. You might also want to avail yourself of the services of editors on the site who will give you more comprehesive feedback. Good luck to you.

With regard to poetry, I recently submitted four haiku "poems." Only one person has voted on one of them. Honestly, I doubt anyone is going to pay much attention to these very spare, evocative pieces. I enjoy some of the longer poems, but personally am more drawn to a simpler form of expression, at least for the moment. I'll prose to tell a story.

 

[Debbie]

Bumping an old thread.
Thank you for the responses
and to Katerina Val-Kyrie for her kind words
about my poetry.

I enjoy the feedback I have received since
I posted this.
It has been interesting to get people to give
more feedback than the, "Your stories, poems gave me wood
or are hot."
Not all the feedback has been complimentary
but it has made me think about what the person has to
say. And to constantly strive for better things from
my writing.

Lit and so many people here have contributed to
me improving my writing skills.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to lit
and to the readers.