about voting and views

[cloudy]

Wow! One of mine might have gone up then, lol.

Be better if she used the 'can't vote for your own,' option (in my opinion). It may save extra work, 'cos she has a fair workload already.

It's a matter of if you give credence to votes with present criteria, or not. Some do, some don't. It would save a lot of threadspace if some of those that did, didn't moan so much. And if those that don't (like me) - didn't have cause to query their value.

We are stuck with them, so it gives us something to yap about. It tends to get reasonable responses, which must jar the trolls.

Oh yeah, they hate it when people are nice.....it must burn, or something.

 

[Myopic One]

Re: One Bomb

I ge lots of 1's attached to anonymous feedback (which I do not understand since my profile says no anonymous feedback) and it's always becasue the story isn't nice in the PC sense. I don't understand people who read porn and then get moralistic about the content.

Reading authors' comments on the voting reminds me of the way that musicians often listen for different things in a performance than do non-musicians.

I'm not an author, so perhaps my take on voting is more representative of the average reader's. When I vote, it's not meant as a measure of the author's writing skill, but rather as an indication of how much I liked the story. Writing skill, or rather the lack of, can lower the score of an otherwise good story. A story whose content I didn't enjoy will also receive a lower vote no matter how impeccably crafted.

As for moralistic, just because I read sex stories doesn't mean I've discarded my values or sense of right and wrong. I probably won't have enjoyed the story that assaults those values, and my vote will reflect that.

 

[vargas111]

I have decided to turn off my "Public comment" for anonymous commenters. Whgether it is positive or negative, it's just too frustrationg no to be able to dialogue with a commentor.

I h ope soem people who do not want to comment pubicly will email me.

Otherwise, sorry, if you do not want me to be able to respond to your comment, I won't see it.

Cheers
vargas111@yahool.com

 

[Boxlicker101]

One person voting more than once on a story is futile because the second won't register. I've done this, out of curiosity so I know. I voted the first time and the message was "Thanks for voting, Boxlicker101" or something like that. I checked the submissions page and the vote had registered. Then I went back and voted again and got the same message but the vote did not register. I suppose it would be the same if I voted twice on somebody else's story but I'm not sure.

Therre are ways around this limitation but it is not worthwhle doing them.

Voting is much too subjective to be of a lot of value. Some guy looking for something to beat off too might accidentally click onto a story of Nobel Prize quality but when he finds nothing to get hard over, he might give it a negative vote. Then, when he finds a poorly written story with a lot of big tits and big cocks and women screaming "I'M CUMMMMMMMIIIIIINGGGGG", and he gets off, he will probably give that one a five. Is this good or bad? Well, the second story gave him what he wanted and the first one didn't so I see nothing wrong with the way he voted. Of course, the fact that most of my stories are 100% stroke may color my way of thinking too.

 

[eric shawn listo]

Of course tis still about needing feedback. Had many more viewing and voting since I started this thread. Tho not has many voted as viewed. But had some really talented authors among them.

I agree with Box, and have written a story in about two hours editing included now pending. Wondering how it does spent on time much longer and more painstaking.

esl

 

[Boxlicker101]

Of course tis still about needing feedback. Had many more viewing and voting since I started this thread. Tho not has many voted as viewed. But had some really talented authors among them.

I agree with Box, and have written a story in about two hours editing included now pending. Wondering how it does spent on time much longer and more painstaking.

esl

I don't think I have ever written a story in that short a time. A poem, yes, but not a story. Theytend to run over 4,000 words and I edit them carefully for misspellings and typos. Besides that, although I don't bother much with things like plot or character development, I try to make the sex scenes as detailed and well constructed as I can and avoid too much repetition.

 

[Barnaby]

Categories and Feedback

I don't know. I can have 20,000 views and I still get few votes, zero feedback letters and only 1 or 2 public comments. I definitely get more views based on category. Group seems to get me the most quicker but the voting is still disproportionately small. The most active category all around actually seems to be Poetry! The Poetry regulars, for the most part, don't seem to be in the same world as the rest of LIT. They run a very active promotional and review board and I got more feedback on my two little poems than on any story I've posted (and I've posted 26!) I begged for comments on my Interview Project (currently being updated!) and got little to none on most of the girls. TIP#2 has more than twice as many views as the next highest with a much higher vote and I'd love to know why as I personally consider #3 the obviously hotter girl and the more interesting interview, too. But, not a single bit of feedback or public comment. They say always plug your stuff if you want response so here's a link to my bio/story list. Let's see if this helps. Barnaby's home page

 

[Boxlicker101]

Sometimes I have to wonder how some people get so many votes. Earlier today I was looking at the top list of Incest and I saw one story there that was posted July 18, five days ago. It has 215 votes, and I don't know how many views. I have an incest story that was posted July 1 and has 25,442 views and 51 votes the last time I checked. Another incest story posted June 1 had 136 votes, which is more than any other story of mine, and over 48,000 views, which is the second highest number. The July 18 story is ranked over 4.8 and both my stories are in the 4.6 range so I am not complaining about that, just curious about why so many votes, compared to me.

 

[Teenage Venus]

Sometimes I have to wonder how some people get so many votes.

I see the main factors as:

How good your stories are.
How well you 'push' them.
How many reciprocate because you troubled to comment on theirs.
How popular you are on AH. (Not necessarily in that order.)

If you get about the average number (which you seem to) You probably are keeping most happy.

If your 'rating' is high (as yours is) I guess the reason for that is mainly because you don't upset too many people

My own reads are few. I see the reasons for that as:

I need to make my stories more suitable for the clientel.
Most are poems (without wanking material in them), and it needs someone to be able to think with other than their lower regions to appreciate poetry.
I don't comment sufficiently on other people's work. (Not necessarily in that order.)

My rating is low because:
The content is not what the vast majority want.
Some rate honestly.
i am not high in the AH popularity stakes because I'm a young upstart intruder that has a mind of my own, and dare to challenge rather than lick ass.
I can hold my own in any 'cat-fight', so low anonymous ratings is a way for some to appease their ego. (Not necessarily in that order).

Well that's my view, doubtless it clashes with many others I should care - I'm happy anyway. I'm making a few friends, and learning as a writer, and long ago came to the conclusion that 'ratings' have very little true value on the sites I frequent: too many variables that can be manipulated if your ego needs feeding Give me honest comments by persons prepared to put their name to them. They always have more reliable value, and you can thank the person, and maybe get advice off them too.

 

[cloudy]

I tried really hard to just let this go, and I'm not going to be rude, but I just have to address some of the things you said.

I see the main factors as:

How good your stories are.
How well you 'push' them.
How many reciprocate because you troubled to comment on theirs.
How popular you are on AH. (Not necessarily in that order.)

How popular you are in the AH? How could that possibly have anything to do with views? There are maybe 30-40 "regulars" there that bother to read, vote, and comment on other author's stories, so compare that to a number like 8,000 views. The fraction is miniscule. You need to rethink this.

If your 'rating' is high (as yours is) I guess the reason for that is mainly because you don't upset too many people

I think most people are grown up enough not to equate something that you post on a board with one of your stories or poems. There are some that bomb stories of those whose opinions they don't like...it's happened to me, but those are few and far between. I have had several "clashes" on the boards, but would never bomb someone's story in retaliation. The fact that this occurs to you as a reason you say your stories may not do well makes me question your own maturity. Not being rude, just questioning.

My own reads are few. I see the reasons for that as:

I need to make my stories more suitable for the clientel.
Most are poems (without wanking material in them), and it needs someone to be able to think with other than their lower regions to appreciate poetry.
I don't comment sufficiently on other people's work. (Not necessarily in that order.)

I do think that if you want others to read yours, and comment, that you should reciprocate. It's called kindness.

My rating is low because:
The content is not what the vast majority want.
Some rate honestly.
i am not high in the AH popularity stakes because I'm a young upstart intruder that has a mind of my own, and dare to challenge rather than lick ass.
I can hold my own in any 'cat-fight', so low anonymous ratings is a way for some to appease their ego. (Not necessarily in that order).

I'll admit, this bothers me tremendously. I don't see anyone "licking ass." It's called "being a friend." If you are unpopular, maybe you need to look at your own posts, and stop blaming it on everyone else. The AH is tremendously supportive of other authors. I was new not too long ago, and was welcomed most warmly. I have to believe you would have been welcomed just as warmly if you had left the attitude at
the door. In fact, you were, until you decided you needed to "teach a lesson" to one of the board's most respected authors and posters.

 

[Teenage Venus]

I tried really hard to just let this go, and I'm not going to be rude,

You were very restrained, Cloudy. I was in a bitchy mood and deserved a much less polite reply.

makes me question your own maturity. Not being rude, just questioning.

Can't complain at that, I was sinking to the level of a very, very, small percentage on here. That is totally imature. sorry.

I have to believe you would have been welcomed just as warmly if you had left the attitude at the door. In fact, you were, until you decided you needed to "teach a lesson" to one of the board's most respected authors and posters.

That is not exactly true, Cloudy: On joining, I was told to "fuck off, you didn't want kids on here, etc.. I received three private abusive posts saying among other things that this was a private forum made up of some long-lasting friends, and interlopers were not welcome. They were quite abusive, filled with expletives, and most any newcomer would not only have been intimidated, but have thought what a shit place this was.

The incident you refer to took place some time later. I think enough has been said about that and I certainly apologised enough. It was not aimed at the person who chose to think it was. It was aimed at two using five handles, to converse with me to presumably take a rise out of me on a thread and in PMs. I intended to play them at their own game, so they saw it wasn't nice. (I STILL think there was nothing wrong in that), and did/do regret it caused confusion and hurt to innocents. I made several apologies, and received considerable support. Most thought it amusing, except the ones that took it to heart. That it still sticks in the craw of some is their problem not mine.

Main thing is that the vast majority are mature and tolerant, and can forgive and not bear grudges.

I'm glad I stayed. I've made some good friends, met nice people, learned a lot, been helped a lot. I remember friends and value friendship. I should NOT let a couple of turds in a field of wild flowers give me an attitude. I have to learn to accept that some have bigger problems than me, and I should not retaliate.

Thanks for that reply, I will endevour NOT to seem condescending, because I am not - just grateful, so no flowers.

Candida.

 

[Boxlicker101]

That is not exactly true, Cloudy: On joining, I was told to "fuck off, you didn't want kids on here, etc.. I received three private abusive posts saying among other things that this was a private forum made up of some long-lasting friends, and interlopers were not welcome. They were quite abusive, filled with expletives, and most any newcomer would not only have been intimidated, but have thought what a shit place this was.

The incident you refer to took place some time later. I think enough has been said about that and I certainly apologised enough. It was not aimed at the person who chose to think it was. It was aimed at two using five handles, to converse with me to presumably take a rise out of me on a thread and in PMs. I intended to play them at their own game, so they saw it wasn't nice. (I STILL think there was nothing wrong in that), and did/do regret it caused confusion and hurt to innocents. I made several apologies, and received considerable support. Most thought it amusing, except the ones that took it to heart. That it still sticks in the craw of some is their problem not mine.

Main thing is that the vast majority are mature and tolerant, and can forgive and not bear grudges.

I'm glad I stayed. I've made some good friends, met nice people, learned a lot, been helped a lot. I remember friends and value friendship. I should NOT let a couple of turds in a field of wild flowers give me an attitude. I have to learn to accept that some have bigger problems than me, and I should not retaliate.

Thanks for that reply, I will endevour NOT to seem condescending, because I am not - just grateful, so no flowers.

Candida.

Hi, TV. I find it hard to believe that anybody on this site would tell you to fuck off or anything like that. People here tend to be very welcoming. You might have gotten onto the General Board, which is mostly populated by assholes. Not entirely, of course, but the asshole ratio on that forum is much higher than anywhere else I know of except maybe Washington DC.

I have encountered a certain amount of hostility but that was only in the course of arguments. Only one person has ever expressed any personal animosity toward me, and that is in over a year of posting.

 

[spyro1123]

dontcha hate it when you post something...come back and read it and it sounds twice as bitchy as you ment it to be. The whole no body language/ tone of voice thing can realy mess with you.

 

[gdavis]

Notes from a simpleton

It seems pretty simple. If you want feedback, take the time to give others feedback. If you want votes, write non-series stroke pieces (ch. 9 is not an enticing addition to a story). If you want self satisfaction, take the time to really write something you enjoy, then let the chips fall as they will. If it truly is a good story, you'll get the votes and the feedback. Can you really produce a quality story in two hours? Maybe so, but give yourself an extra orgasm and take a little more time.

 

[Teenage Venus]

Hi, TV. I find it hard to believe that anybody on this site would tell you to fuck off or anything like that. People here tend to be very welcoming.

This HAS proved very true in general, Boxlicker101 - but all sites, it seems, carry 'shit'.

Who of us know the 'real person' that lies behind the handle? Especially ones that use one to present 'respectability', and another unknown to others to allow their alter ego to disperse hate and undermine friendships!

You may like to read my poem http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/showstory.php?id=151539 My Island - All of us have one of these - some must have nightmares with theirs.

I,m outspoken and opinionated. If I'm 'attacked', I don't see red, it amuses me. This is something those people can't handle, hence their resorting to profanities, and calling on 'friends' for support in quietening this young upstart. (And sending threatening PM's, EM's - some bearing handles, some anonymous.)

Someone like yourself may find it hard to believe. I will just quote you a few lines taken from PM's (All from members of at least one year's standing on here.)

'... the copies of those messages you sent, and some of the handles are vey disturbing... ...please do not judge all of us as being so vindictive and petty...'

'...may I express my disgust at the mentality of some, I for one bid you most welcome...'

'... unfortunately, AH is very 'clicky', if you want to remain you should learn to bite your tongue and go with the flow...'

'Welcome, Teenage. You got quite a babtism but can obviously stand up for yourself. Beware what you say. If you upset one of the wrong ones, your life will be shit...'

'... maybe you should let that Teenage Venus handle die, and use a new one...'

'... unfortunatelly AH is very much controlled by a few jealous females. My advice is to not upset them if you wish to survive.'

I have 31 in similar vein. The most recent includes:

'You are right about the AH being a tight group of stuffed shirts, and blouses. They treat outsiders very poorly and always have since I've been on LIT..... Yes, they are a supportive group who support authors, as long as they are one of the 30 in their clicke...'

Now I'm not trying to stir the crap myself. I'm pointing out that maybe I'm not alone in feeling that unless your face fits on AH, then you will find you are in for a rough ride from some members.

And I STILL say that using more than one handle on the same thread is not very considerate. These threads are presumably open for anyone to join in. In MY opinion, EVERYONE has a right to know if the same person is using two or more handles on it.

On the OTHER hand, if they consider this THEIR PROVINCE, and 'outsiders' have no right here without their sayso, then it is understandable that they would not feel any need to share the information, or be courteous to any newcomer that may be confused. My own thinking is that if a thread is open only to certain posters, it would be helpful if that was made plain. It would help stop misunderstandings, and 'newbies', surfers, and 'unwanteds' would know to keep their noses out.

I have dropped clangers on here. I have accepted that and apologised. MOST are decent members, they accept I'm raw and naive, and mean no harm. Some can neither accept, nor apologise. Whatever current handles they use, they know who they are. Mixed with their anger for me must be much hate for themselves. I bear them no grudge.

In future they can 'attack' all they like, in whatever form they choose, the fact that I don't respond can indicate to them what they wish - what it DOES indicate is that I've matured a little, and tired of toying with them.

So back to those discussing 'Voting and Views'.

 

[eric shawn listo]

quote:

I don't think I have ever written a story in that short a time. A poem, yes, but not a story. Theytend to run over 4,000 words and I edit them carefully for misspellings and typos. Besides that, although I don't bother much with things like plot or character development, I try to make the sex scenes as detailed and well constructed as I can and avoid too much repetition.

Ok here's the scoop on my little experiment. My new story posted yesterday and immediately took off. It's now at around a 175 votes and nearly 30,000 views and a respectable 4.60 rating. The thing I did differently was put it in a category (Mature) and not put a chapter 00 on it. I wrote it quickly and don't think it's my best work. Also recieved twice as many PC's as any other story. Negative feedback has only concerned the fact I put To be continued at end. Since one called me a moron solely for this and gave me a 1, I'll let it go. My query now is, should I recategorize all my other tales? Each chapter is very different in tastes and I've been getting alot of mixed tastes comments. Maybe if I put them in the right category they'll get viewed by the right folk. Is this somthing I can do? I must admit it was quite a thrill to seethis story take off but I felt sorry for my other tales.

esl

eric shawn listo's erotic stories listed

 

[Lying Eyes]

My query now is, should I recategorize all my other tales? Each chapter is very different in tastes and I've been getting alot of mixed tastes comments. Maybe if I put them in the right category they'll get viewed by the right folk. Is this something I can do?

esl

I say that a story discription is more important then which genre the story is placed at times. With the right discription you can lead the right readers to a story that suit their tastes. Some writers will put a note in the beginning so some readers wont be taken off guard.

 

[eric shawn listo]

quote:
I say that a story discription is more important then which genre the story is placed at times. With the right discription you can lead the right readers to a story that suit their tastes. Some writers will put a note in the beginning so some readers wont be taken off guard.

Thanks Lying Eyes, I've begun to do that with some success. You have been a help through and through and if our tastes were the same--wow! But I enjoy your writing and comments.

esl

 

[GingerV]

Well this thread's been a bit of an education.

You know, I've been reading stories here (non-registered) for ages. I posted my stories on a site full of friends instead...and as much as I love 'em, I decided I wasn't going to improve without the hard words and seriously criticism friends don't always give you. Someone suggested I try here, so here I am.

I left the voting on as a curiosity, but truthfully the whole bombing prospect had just never occured to me. It just struck me as a quick and dirty way to get a feel for what people thought. Guess I'm still innocent in some ways . Mostly, I'm just surprised anyone cares enough to bomb things.

Still, I write for my own pleasure and am here for the feedback. I'm a little miffed with myself that I didn't take the Description box seriously enough on my first outing. But hey, all part of the learning process right?

Anyway, just wanted to thank you guys for educating this newbie, even if you didn't realize that was what you were doing!

 

[Desamy]

I never expected to receive thousands of hits - I guess I really didn't grasp the magnitude of people that browse literotica. At first on the day my story got posted, when I looked at the stats and saw over 4,000 views, I thought it was an error.
I have been immensely annoyed at how many people view it, and how few vote or comment.
As of this moment I'm at 7931 views, 33 votes, 12 comments.. I think I am high on the comments because I've been really actively reading lots of other new writers first stories and giving them feedback, because that's what I'd want! But who knows.
It's daunting, the views to votes ratio.. so daunting.
So I'll just keep doing it the way I wish others would. Comment and vote honestly, and hope for the best.
One thing that drives me crazy is noticing the rating plummet, and wondering why someone voted low.. and why they can't tell me what they didn't like.

Go read!
Midnight Mischief

 

[redice]

I also never expected to receive massive views or hits to my posting. Instead the feedback I have received from the authors on this board has carried the most weight for me. I have come to realize the authors are truly a group of great people. The open sincere honesty to my work has really given me insight to the weaknesses I have.

I have posted several stories in different categories to gauge my style, and found it humorous that of those, posting public comments have lost sight of the story and began bickering amongst themselves.

I intend to leave the public comments open; I have become curious to see if they will realize just how childish they have become. If nothing else they are providing me with a good laugh.

 

[eric shawn listo]

Yes, ladies, it's a curious beast this feedback. This is from my most popular story--most hits, most votes, most comments--and this from anonymous, of course:



ARGH! Another story that ends witn "to be continued" but the moron
writer is too stupid to inform the readers of this fact before the open the
fucking thing. I HATE that. In fact, I hate it so much that ALL such
postings get an automatic rating of one (1).

If you don't like it remember these simple facts: it's your fault and
you're a moron.

The story is Thy Neighbor's Daughter.

esl

 

[vargas111]

Exaggerated response, but it is polite to tell a reader in advance if this is completed story or not. In view of all the stories that are never completed, I have grown cautious about investing reading time in what could turn out to be frustration

 

[eric shawn listo]

Vargas,

I know, I know. The story felt finished for me but I knew many would feel cheated that he never screwed the nubile young thing. I liked the promise of it happening and hoped readers would let it play out in their own imaginations. Experiment didn't work. I guess I added--to be continued-to see if there was interest in more which there was a lot of, anonymous fellow aside.

esl

 

[vargas111]

I, too, have a story that says "to be continued." I really though it would be. But the moment or monemtum never returned.

Lit happens!