Why is voting important?

[chanaud]

It seems like all the authors are obsessed with why the readers do not vote? Why is that? I'm not trying to be a wiseass, I'm just wondering why.

 

[Whispersecret]

They want recognition, strokes, kudos. Many people post here, hoping someone will like their stories, ergo, them.

 

[Sateema Lunasi]

I want people to vote simply because of these reasons:

1. When I know what stories people like and do not like, I know what to write more of.

2. Because I don't get anything for writing. I write most of this stuff for other people. Not for myself. So if I think people don't like it, I won't write it.

 

[Rrrosyn]

Some authors need votes for gratifitcation. Some prefer a personal note. Still others want the votes for the competition.

I prefer a personal note. I was considering turning off the ability to vote on my stories. Then, one story was at the top for one day and I got new readers and feedback. Now I just ignore it and hope if I DO ever win something, someone will tell me. LOL

For those wondering. My gratification is completing the story. Then I get the urge to just share my work, myself, with the world.

I'm glad I found a place to share it where it would be respected and drooled over.

 

[letsallgetlaid]

lots of reasons

I like getting feedback because I work hard to make a complete finished, well writen story and it is nice to know that someone is appreciating what I've done. My first and foremost audience is my fiance but he's not ...superb at giving good feedback (and he was supposed to be here an hour ago.... ) so it is nice to get it from others.
Getting somefeedback saying I'm doing well make me want to write more.

 

[flawed_ethics]

I think of it like a way for people who have passed by my story to give it a quick thumbs up or down, with many subtle levels. Of course, I'd rather have them write me, but if they don't have the time or nothing constructive to say, than a simple vote will do fine.

That, and I like numbers.

 

[enslaved lioness]

being a new author i like voting because it tells me how i am doing. i like comments even more whether good or bad because that gives me a better idea of how i am doing. i post my stories so i can grow as a writer. when my stories improve visibly than that is my gratification.

 

[chanaud]

I am a new author myself. I find that the email feedbacks keeps me writing more than the anonymous votes. If I can help out a few people/couples with my story, that is the greatest satisfaction!

 

[Whispersecret]

being a new author i like voting because it tells me how i am doing. i like comments even more whether good or bad because that gives me a better idea of how i am doing. i post my stories so i can grow as a writer. when my stories improve visibly than that is my gratification.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that low votes indicate poor writing or that high votes indicate good writing. Everyone votes according to their own set of criteria. Some people do vote based on quality of writing. Some vote higher if they had an orgasm while reading it. Some have automatic vote reducing peeves. For instance, I don't like it when someone describes a female character using measurements (38-27-36). I'll just cringe when I read that, but there are some people who will actually lower a score because of pet peeves.

Looking at voting can be both gratifying and deflating. My best advice is to take it with a grain of salt. I know (believe me, I know) that it can be very hard to detach yourself, and your self-esteem as a writer, from your voting tallies. But the effort is worth it.

Written feedback is so much more valuable. That someone took time to write you is telling. Think about how often you do that yourself. I only do it once in a blue moon. A story really has to affect me in order to prompt me to write the author about it. So, if someone writes you a fan letter, be proud.

Judge for yourself whether your writing is improving. Look back at your early work and objectively compare it with more recent stuff. Ask for feedback from authors whose expertise in the craft demonstrates their knowledge and committment to writing.

These ways of seeing your own growth of a writer far outweigh looking at spur-of-the-moment anonymous voting. Of course, we all write for an audience. We all want to give the reader what they want. But the most important person you need to please is yourself. I know it sounds corny, but it's the truth.

 

[REDWAVE]

Votes are OK, but. . .

Actually, it doesn't really bother me that much that less than one-half of one percent of those who view a story actually vote on it. It does bother me when I can't even get 10 votes on a story, to have a chance of getting it listed on a toplist. And yeah, I am vain enough to care about the rating (and the number of votes and views-- the last is really the most important). I write for myself, but I also write to please others, especially horny guys. I want to help get them off with my stories. Guys-- I can't go around and suck you all off, so this is the next best thing!


Phwew-- I need a cigarette now. Where was I? O yeah, I do love to get E-mail from readers, which so far has all been very nice. 'Cause the real reason I'm doing this is to hook up with some hot beefy stud and suck him off and swallow his cum!

Make Love, Not War!