Could someone remind me why I submit my work?

[cantdog]

Thanks all for the reality check! I do write for myself, and the ratings are just the icing.
Now that I have all that in perspective again, I'm doing much better.

SJ

And looking 'way good doin' it.

 

[Guest]

 

[Rhys]

I'm having a bad ratings day. I have recently put up entirely too many new things at the same time. Which means, of course, that there are more stories and poems for people to rip apart.
So could someone please remind me why I do this? I'm about to hide under the covers and cry.
Oh! And could someone please tell me why practically every one of my poems gets a 2 for its very first vote (with no pc)?
Or you could just feel sorry for me. Or maybe just give me a kick in the ass? Whatever suits your fancy.

SJ- off to cry now

First of all don't cry. It's simply not worth it.

However, you should evaluate why you post. If you are seeking validation from the masses, you are going to be disappointed. Of the entire reading population that comes to Literotica, very few of them actually vote. The ones that do are your friends, your so called friends, the loonytune that stumbled into the wrong catagory and doesn't like poems that rhyme anyway, and the small and underappreciated honest voter. The latter are few and far between. There are few people on this board, and off of it that understand that honest feedback is not "YOU SUCK!" But, there are plenty who will give you a one rating and never tell you why.

Your friends are the ones who will tell you what's wrong, why they liked something and why they didn't. They will also tell you what you did right. Your so-called friends will tell you that you are wonderful, can't do wrong, and kiss your ass while giving you a one vote and laughing at you behind your back. Sometimes its hard to distinguish between the two, because we all like to be considered wonderful, and a harsh evaluation is a blow to the ego. But, if you are very clear with yourself why you write, and what you are trying to say then you begin to realise that the voting is just there for contests, and should not be considered useful in any other context.

Most people publish on the internet as a novelty and pure vanity. If you are serious about writing, then take from the net what you can, and jettison the rest. Hone your craft, and aspire to be better than the mediocre, and the other vanity writers that would have you only aspire to their level of mediocrity.

 

[English Lady]

First of all don't cry. It's simply not worth it.

However, you should evaluate why you post. If you are seeking validation from the masses, you are going to be disappointed. Of the entire reading population that comes to Literotica, very few of them actually vote. The ones that do are your friends, your so called friends, the loonytune that stumbled into the wrong catagory and doesn't like poems that rhyme anyway, and the small and underappreciated honest voter. The latter are few and far between. There are few people on this board, and off of it that understand that honest feedback is not "YOU SUCK!" But, there are plenty who will give you a one rating and never tell you why.

Your friends are the ones who will tell you what's wrong, why they liked something and why they didn't. They will also tell you what you did right. Your so-called friends will tell you that you are wonderful, can't do wrong, and kiss your ass while giving you a one vote and laughing at you behind your back. Sometimes its hard to distinguish between the two, because we all like to be considered wonderful, and a harsh evaluation is a blow to the ego. But, if you are very clear with yourself why you write, and what you are trying to say then you begin to realise that the voting is just there for contests, and should not be considered useful in any other context.

Most people publish on the internet as a novelty and pure vanity. If you are serious about writing, then take from the net what you can, and jettison the rest. Hone your craft, and aspire to be better than the mediocre, and the other vanity writers that would have you only aspire to their level of mediocrity.

Very,very astute! Good advice too!

 

[elsol]

I don't know about that. I think I'm decent. By the way, Elsol- I've been meaning to tell you this. I took your thoughts on the pov thing seriously, and both of my new stories are in third person. So, thanks for sending me in a new direction.

SJ

Saying 'I'm decent' is your social training speaking

Where it counts you say 'I'm good'... and on the way to your mouth or fingers you yank back on the reins not to sound egotistical.

Let me put down my humility for a second to show you...

With Humility --- I do okay.

Without Humility --- Why the fuck do I even BOTHER... most of these numbnutts can't fucking READ!!! nevermind understand the brilliance and effort that went into this!!!!

So feel free to yell at the trolls in the privacy of your home... 'I'M GOOD, YOU PIECE OF SHIT FUCKER!!!'

Take my word for it... you won't get anywhere near what I think
And you're very welcome on the POV thing

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[sophia jane]

First of all don't cry. It's simply not worth it.

However, you should evaluate why you post. If you are seeking validation from the masses, you are going to be disappointed. Of the entire reading population that comes to Literotica, very few of them actually vote. The ones that do are your friends, your so called friends, the loonytune that stumbled into the wrong catagory and doesn't like poems that rhyme anyway, and the small and underappreciated honest voter. The latter are few and far between. There are few people on this board, and off of it that understand that honest feedback is not "YOU SUCK!" But, there are plenty who will give you a one rating and never tell you why.

Your friends are the ones who will tell you what's wrong, why they liked something and why they didn't. They will also tell you what you did right. Your so-called friends will tell you that you are wonderful, can't do wrong, and kiss your ass while giving you a one vote and laughing at you behind your back. Sometimes its hard to distinguish between the two, because we all like to be considered wonderful, and a harsh evaluation is a blow to the ego. But, if you are very clear with yourself why you write, and what you are trying to say then you begin to realise that the voting is just there for contests, and should not be considered useful in any other context.

Most people publish on the internet as a novelty and pure vanity. If you are serious about writing, then take from the net what you can, and jettison the rest. Hone your craft, and aspire to be better than the mediocre, and the other vanity writers that would have you only aspire to their level of mediocrity.

I agree with you. I actually didn't put my post up because I wanted votes or 5's that don't mean anything. I just wanted a little kick in the ass, so I could get on with my day. And that's what I got. I write because I want to write. I put it up on lit so that maybe I'll improve. In all honesty, my favorite readers (and friends) are the ones who will tell me when what I write is shit. I don't get discouraged by constructive criticism or negative feedback. I just get discouraged by the damn numbers, and I absolutely shouldn't.
Thanks for your reply (and the additional kick in the ass).

SJ

 

[LadyJeanne]

I write as a way to express myself; I post the stories and poems on Lit so as to have some kind of audience...I want to be read. The PCs and feedback matter quite a bit to me, particularly when I've managed to make a connection with someone through something I've written.

The votes matter too, but primarily as a means to my end, which is more views. If a story or poem has an H, the odds of someone else finding it among the others on Lit is higher, which means more readers. Before I left for vacation, I had a few poems in the top list and those were getting lots more views than the others - hooray! They've dropped off the list now as my ratings went down significantly, and I don't feel so bad about the ratings because my satisfaction with my words is the same as it was before, but I'm a little sad that fewer people will find them.

BTW, those favorites lists actually work! A reader found my stories because an author completely unknown to me had put me on her fave authors list, and the reader liked her stories so much he looked to see who she liked to read.

Sophia, you'll keep writing because that's what you like to do, and as long as people keep reading your work, whether they vote high or not, you're ahead of the game. Take pleasure in knowing that as long as you have readers, you're not just talking to yourself.

 

[Softouch911]

If most of us were to admit it, the real reason we write is because we are compelled to by something wonderfully painful inside of us. Most people seem perfectly happy not-writing. Or just writing in their diary or journal. But some of us are compelled to sit down, not just in rare moments of strong emotion, but every day and to write in hopes of saying something of worth to some reader somewhere. And maybe, on a rarest occasion, of saying something so significant it will make a difference in another's life.

Yeah, even porn can do that. Of course there's also the thing about making our pleasant fantasies seem more real, and making the drudgery and routine of life fade away a little bit, but the important thing is that we write because we must.

A young poet wrote to Rilke, the German Romantic, and asked him how to know if he was a poet (writer).

Rilke wrote back to him that the youngster should put all of his writing away and if, at the end of a week, he could not go another minute without writing poetry, then he would know he was a writer. If, on the other hand, he was able to continue without writing, he would be much better off to never get out his paper and quill pen (I guess?) again.

Sorry, have to get back to the writing!



Softouch -- nothing better to do

 

[Guest]

 

[elsol]

Yeah... sorry...

There's nothing 'wonderfully pained' inside me that makes me write.

Writing is more fun than anything I can do by myself except masturbation, which doesn't take longer than... 60 seconds.

Writing is more fun than ANYTHING I can do with a guy... hmmm, unless he's being a royal git and by some freak occurrence I have a get out of jail free card so I'm allowed to torture him.

And while there is a LOT I can do with a woman that is more fun than writing, the truth is most won't let me near their goodies.

Do we really need to talk about work vs. writing?

So sorry... no pain over here.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[angelicminx]

'Cause you are damned good?!

Love ya, SJ