killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
it's all about the h, man. it's all about the fucking h.
Voting Sucks
- Thread starter PumpinIt
- Start date
killallhippies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Posts
- 60,313
sirhugs said:
only a junkie would think that. nice to meet ya, sir. i prefer speed.
Very interesting
I've learned alot just from the replys posted here on my original comment "voting sucks".
If anyone knows of a website that can help me with the rules for dialogue (punctuation mainly) I sure would appreciate it. I've had several emails about my story and a few replys here that implicate that if dialogue had been present, I would have gotten better reviews.
Thanks so much!!!
I've learned alot just from the replys posted here on my original comment "voting sucks".
If anyone knows of a website that can help me with the rules for dialogue (punctuation mainly) I sure would appreciate it. I've had several emails about my story and a few replys here that implicate that if dialogue had been present, I would have gotten better reviews.
Thanks so much!!!
hiddenself
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2002
- Posts
- 452
Re: Very interesting
Try:
How to Punctuate Like a Pro -- © KillerMuffin
http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/showstory.php?id=79818&page=1
(specifically #5 in page 2)
PumpinIt said:
Try:
How to Punctuate Like a Pro -- © KillerMuffin
http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/showstory.php?id=79818&page=1
(specifically #5 in page 2)
Having given the matter some more thought, I have decided that PumpinIt was right in the first place: VOTING SUCKS!
It sucks because it doesn't prove a damn thing. Whatever criteria you choose, voting average, number of hits, or number of votes, the result is up for grabs depending upon the category, the prejudices of the readers, the time of day, the day of the month, and for all I know the phases of the moon. As an old trial lawyer I have always known this same unreasoning prejudicial uncertainty was true of juries. I don't know why I should think it would be any different when it came to voting on dirty stories.
The proof that voting sucks is right here in this thread. Colleen Thomas posted a kind and complementary reply to an earlier comment of mine. In it she despaired that she was not getting more total votes. I couldn't resist looking up her bio and story lists to see if I could find a reason why. For openers, her voting averages were certainly impressive. Every story she has ever posted has the little pink H indicating that its voting average is 4.5 or better. That's not an easy record to match folks. Why wasn't she getting more votes? I chose one of her stories to see if I could find out.
Even before reading it, however, one possibility was her favorite categories of lesbian sex and science-fiction. I don't ordinarily read stories in either one, and therefore until now had no reason to know Colleen Thomas even existed, let alone vote for one of her stories. As it happened I chose "Walk a Mile in Her Heels" one of Ms. Thomas' less popular stories ('only' 4.61) because it seemed to be closest to my own preference of D/s.
I can't remember when I last read a story that so completely captivated my attention and imagination. The lady is a marvelous writer, absolutely one of the best I have read on this site. In her post to this thread she said she was glad when a reader who didn't like her story quit before getting to the end where he/she might vote. I can't imagine who might quit reading "Walk a Mile..." before reaching its end, and I'm no fan of lesbian sex.
If this lady is not piling of votes in large numbers, then VOTING SUCKS (although perhaps in fairness to our readers out there in cyber land, her voting scores are certainly commensurate with her skill)
It sucks because it doesn't prove a damn thing. Whatever criteria you choose, voting average, number of hits, or number of votes, the result is up for grabs depending upon the category, the prejudices of the readers, the time of day, the day of the month, and for all I know the phases of the moon. As an old trial lawyer I have always known this same unreasoning prejudicial uncertainty was true of juries. I don't know why I should think it would be any different when it came to voting on dirty stories.
The proof that voting sucks is right here in this thread. Colleen Thomas posted a kind and complementary reply to an earlier comment of mine. In it she despaired that she was not getting more total votes. I couldn't resist looking up her bio and story lists to see if I could find a reason why. For openers, her voting averages were certainly impressive. Every story she has ever posted has the little pink H indicating that its voting average is 4.5 or better. That's not an easy record to match folks. Why wasn't she getting more votes? I chose one of her stories to see if I could find out.
Even before reading it, however, one possibility was her favorite categories of lesbian sex and science-fiction. I don't ordinarily read stories in either one, and therefore until now had no reason to know Colleen Thomas even existed, let alone vote for one of her stories. As it happened I chose "Walk a Mile in Her Heels" one of Ms. Thomas' less popular stories ('only' 4.61) because it seemed to be closest to my own preference of D/s.
I can't remember when I last read a story that so completely captivated my attention and imagination. The lady is a marvelous writer, absolutely one of the best I have read on this site. In her post to this thread she said she was glad when a reader who didn't like her story quit before getting to the end where he/she might vote. I can't imagine who might quit reading "Walk a Mile..." before reaching its end, and I'm no fan of lesbian sex.
If this lady is not piling of votes in large numbers, then VOTING SUCKS (although perhaps in fairness to our readers out there in cyber land, her voting scores are certainly commensurate with her skill)
Shadowhawk
Virgin
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2003
- Posts
- 1
5's only voting
I can only tell how do I vote.
First of all I have to read the story. Usually I check the stories from toplists or the contest winners (here is the place for good title), rarely fron the new stories section (I sometimes check new stories when waiting for the new part of the story I read). If I find the story I like, I usually check the other stories from the same author (here a good title and short description helps a lot). So if there are more readers following this way of finding interesting stories then the more votes/higher average vote you have, the more reads you can get.
If I find the story truly fantastic I almost always vote 5 (maybe not on the first read...). If I find it "only" interesting then if I don't forget (this is where the last page only voting plays role) I vote 5 (rarely 4). When I don't like the story I stop reading, and I don't go to the last page and vote 1.
I can only tell how do I vote.
First of all I have to read the story. Usually I check the stories from toplists or the contest winners (here is the place for good title), rarely fron the new stories section (I sometimes check new stories when waiting for the new part of the story I read). If I find the story I like, I usually check the other stories from the same author (here a good title and short description helps a lot). So if there are more readers following this way of finding interesting stories then the more votes/higher average vote you have, the more reads you can get.
If I find the story truly fantastic I almost always vote 5 (maybe not on the first read...). If I find it "only" interesting then if I don't forget (this is where the last page only voting plays role) I vote 5 (rarely 4). When I don't like the story I stop reading, and I don't go to the last page and vote 1.
rigged4dive
Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2002
- Posts
- 69
punctuation help
For help with punctuation and style, try this site.
Strunk and White - Elements of Style
Hope this helps.
For help with punctuation and style, try this site.
Strunk and White - Elements of Style
Hope this helps.
Colleen Thomas
Ultrafemme
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2002
- Posts
- 21,545
I am flattered beyond words Jigs, thank you 
I sent a reply to your kind mail and hope it reached you, I use AOL and sometimes it's worse than being without a connection.
Over the last several months the majority of stories I have read have been at the author's request. Often the stories are outside my normal spehere of interest and thus I feel it unfair to vote. I could vote on technical merit, but would have to pass on it's intrinsic quality as erotica since it isn't likely to "move" me. My grasp of technical merit is so limited I would feel uncomfortable voting even on that. There are exceptions to that of course, most memorable thus far were stories by Britster. Incest is not my cup of tea, but her work is so outstanding I felt compelled to vote.
I think that compunction is what we are all striving for as writers. We want to produce something that is so strong it makes the reader feel compelled to let us know how they feel. Some of us like Jigs have grasped that elsuive brass ring and get significant numbers of votes. Some of us, like myself are still striving to find it, but haven't quite gotten there yet. Some of us couldn't give a hoot in hell about their votes and some want them desperatly, but haven't become polished enough to attain them yet.
When you think about it maybe we should cut the readers some slack. From this thread it's pretty easy to see that as authors our opinions on and attitudes towards voting are very diverse. At least we all share a commonality in being authors. Our readership is most likely even more diverse and their reasons for voting/not voting are probably even more diverse, not to mention their personal system of deciding merit.
Are lesbians less likely to vote than D/s fans? When comparing my low vote totals to jigs it would be comforting to draw that conclusion. In my opinion that comfort would be self deluding. The conclusion I should draw is that he has reached a level of writing where his works are compelling. I should, and intend to , read his works with a critical eye to what he is doing well that I am not. Hopefully by reading his works I can discover something I am missing and improve my craft (and maybe have a nice evening of pleasureable reading in the bargain ).
In the end I think we are for the most part our own harshest critics. Votes, totals, averages, reads etc., are all statistical contrivances to allow us to place our works in context as compared to other writers. The high average of my stories tells me I am probably writing quality stories. The low vote totals also tell me I am not writing compelling stories. What neither stat tells me is why my stories are not compelling. For that I must look to my feedback and the opinions of other writers.
I write for the sheer joy of creating. Votes and totals are to me simply tools for improving myself. If you are writing to see your name at the head of the top list, ruling the category and collecting the prizes I think you are probably in for a lot of frustration. There is no "magic bullet" for a high score, no formula that guarentees success, no arcane ritual that will allow you to predict the moods and voting habits of the readers. I can only hope to learn from each story, grow as a writer and continue to reach for the brass ring, though I may never grab it.
-Colly
I sent a reply to your kind mail and hope it reached you, I use AOL and sometimes it's worse than being without a connection.
Over the last several months the majority of stories I have read have been at the author's request. Often the stories are outside my normal spehere of interest and thus I feel it unfair to vote. I could vote on technical merit, but would have to pass on it's intrinsic quality as erotica since it isn't likely to "move" me. My grasp of technical merit is so limited I would feel uncomfortable voting even on that. There are exceptions to that of course, most memorable thus far were stories by Britster. Incest is not my cup of tea, but her work is so outstanding I felt compelled to vote.
I think that compunction is what we are all striving for as writers. We want to produce something that is so strong it makes the reader feel compelled to let us know how they feel. Some of us like Jigs have grasped that elsuive brass ring and get significant numbers of votes. Some of us, like myself are still striving to find it, but haven't quite gotten there yet. Some of us couldn't give a hoot in hell about their votes and some want them desperatly, but haven't become polished enough to attain them yet.
When you think about it maybe we should cut the readers some slack. From this thread it's pretty easy to see that as authors our opinions on and attitudes towards voting are very diverse. At least we all share a commonality in being authors. Our readership is most likely even more diverse and their reasons for voting/not voting are probably even more diverse, not to mention their personal system of deciding merit.
Are lesbians less likely to vote than D/s fans? When comparing my low vote totals to jigs it would be comforting to draw that conclusion. In my opinion that comfort would be self deluding. The conclusion I should draw is that he has reached a level of writing where his works are compelling. I should, and intend to , read his works with a critical eye to what he is doing well that I am not. Hopefully by reading his works I can discover something I am missing and improve my craft (and maybe have a nice evening of pleasureable reading in the bargain
). In the end I think we are for the most part our own harshest critics. Votes, totals, averages, reads etc., are all statistical contrivances to allow us to place our works in context as compared to other writers. The high average of my stories tells me I am probably writing quality stories. The low vote totals also tell me I am not writing compelling stories. What neither stat tells me is why my stories are not compelling. For that I must look to my feedback and the opinions of other writers.
I write for the sheer joy of creating. Votes and totals are to me simply tools for improving myself. If you are writing to see your name at the head of the top list, ruling the category and collecting the prizes I think you are probably in for a lot of frustration. There is no "magic bullet" for a high score, no formula that guarentees success, no arcane ritual that will allow you to predict the moods and voting habits of the readers. I can only hope to learn from each story, grow as a writer and continue to reach for the brass ring, though I may never grab it.
-Colly
colly
Very inspiring! I've learned more from this subject that I created than I ever did in creative writing class.
I am actually glad that I started this thread because now I am actually looking forward to my almost daily posts concerning this subject.
Colly, you have really made me stop and think about why I am writing. At first I wanted to write to see my name listed as an author. Then I wanted votes. After reading so many authors comments on here and really thinking long and hard about it, I'm just glad my story was accepted by literotica and that at least one person took the time to vote. The way I feel now is that if one person is affected by my story, then I have accomplished what I set out to do.
Thanks friends for all the wonderful comments (and even for the not so wonderful).
Very inspiring! I've learned more from this subject that I created than I ever did in creative writing class.
I am actually glad that I started this thread because now I am actually looking forward to my almost daily posts concerning this subject.
Colly, you have really made me stop and think about why I am writing. At first I wanted to write to see my name listed as an author. Then I wanted votes. After reading so many authors comments on here and really thinking long and hard about it, I'm just glad my story was accepted by literotica and that at least one person took the time to vote. The way I feel now is that if one person is affected by my story, then I have accomplished what I set out to do.
Thanks friends for all the wonderful comments (and even for the not so wonderful).
Colleen Thomas
Ultrafemme
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2002
- Posts
- 21,545
Pumpinit,
The journey of one thousand miles begins with just one step. All of us got our first vote and our first feedback. I doubt there is anyone here who hasn't recieved bad votes and offensive or hurtul feedback. I know I could wall paper the house in all the bad ones I have been sent over my year and a half of posting.
It's good to want to be on the top list. It's good to want to see your name all over the category top lists, it's good to want to win those prizes. Setting goals and then striving to achieve them is the way we get better. But do stop to smell the roses on your way to the top.
For me, a mail from a lonely woman, in a bad marriage who spent an hour with one of my stories and found solace is pricelss beyond compare. A mail from a young german woman, thanking me for portraying a German during World War II as something other than depraved killer brought tears to my eyes. A mail from an old woman in a nursing home, who read one of my stories and was fondly reminded of her childhood in Ireland was like an angel's kiss. When your stories touch people, whether it is in the heart, the head or even the genitals you have achieved something.
That first vote is priceless too, be it a one or a five or anywhere in between. It's your first step. Rome wasn't built in a day and none of the writers here started out producing an Opus. Your first posted story will always be precious to you, simply because it was your first, but in time you will look at it and shake your head. You won't see it for the story it is, but you will see it for what it could have been if only you had known then what you know now. As long as you keep writing andlearning and getting better you will always be on the right path.
-Colly
The journey of one thousand miles begins with just one step. All of us got our first vote and our first feedback. I doubt there is anyone here who hasn't recieved bad votes and offensive or hurtul feedback. I know I could wall paper the house in all the bad ones I have been sent over my year and a half of posting.
It's good to want to be on the top list. It's good to want to see your name all over the category top lists, it's good to want to win those prizes. Setting goals and then striving to achieve them is the way we get better. But do stop to smell the roses on your way to the top.
For me, a mail from a lonely woman, in a bad marriage who spent an hour with one of my stories and found solace is pricelss beyond compare. A mail from a young german woman, thanking me for portraying a German during World War II as something other than depraved killer brought tears to my eyes. A mail from an old woman in a nursing home, who read one of my stories and was fondly reminded of her childhood in Ireland was like an angel's kiss. When your stories touch people, whether it is in the heart, the head or even the genitals you have achieved something.
That first vote is priceless too, be it a one or a five or anywhere in between. It's your first step. Rome wasn't built in a day and none of the writers here started out producing an Opus. Your first posted story will always be precious to you, simply because it was your first, but in time you will look at it and shake your head. You won't see it for the story it is, but you will see it for what it could have been if only you had known then what you know now. As long as you keep writing andlearning and getting better you will always be on the right path.
-Colly
