The 7th Annual Literotica Awards Discussion Thread

[Angeline]

Rather than ask myself why the contest is run as it is, I fnd myself asking why someone who loudly proclaims he would have withdrawn had he been nominated can't resist the opportunity to try and lessen the fairly innocent enthusiasm and joy of those who did get nominated.

It sounds very much like sour grapes to me. I can't win, so I'm going to deride those who can by proclaiming their victory is hollow. Even before they have an opportunity to actually enjoy winning.

If you are so confident in your abilities that a "crappy pen" means nothing to you, more power to you. Why try and tarnish the enjoyment of those who might find such a token to be wonderful? A validation of their growing skill and fan support? Something tangible, that they can take pride in owning, not because it's so worthwhile in and of itself, but because it represents appreciation for their time and effort.

For my part, the nomination of one of my works is extremely gratifying. Actually wining would be even more so, but losing to people of the caliber I am up against holds no shame. I lost to Lucky last year, and took great pleasure in her winning and the recognition that came with it.

It seems to me very small, and petty and mean, to announce the contest is a crock and those who win have a hollow victory. Even if you truly believe that, there was no call for announcing it.

My congratulations to all the nominees. I do wish you all the best of luck, even those who are nominated in the same cat I am. I hope you all enjoy the same kind of pleasure I get from being nominated. It's a rush and a thrill and it is validation for me, to me.

My "crappy pen" still works by the way, and it writes all the more beautifuly because I am reminded of how I came to own it, everytime I use it.

I've always liked you. Now I like you even more.

I've been here about four years. I've been nominated and won; I've been nominated and lost. I've always considered it an honor just to be nominated because it comes from my peers--the other writers here. The real reward is in writing at all and being inspired to write by other people here. The contest is great: I'm glad Laurel and Manu support us by offering opportunities to be published and win awards, but it's all about the writing, not the contests. Anyone who doesn't get that is just missing the point.

 

[Sir_Nathan]

I've always liked you. Now I like you even more.

I've been here about four years. I've been nominated and won; I've been nominated and lost. I've always considered it an honor just to be nominated because it comes from my peers--the other writers here. The real reward is in writing at all and being inspired to write by other people here. The contest is great: I'm glad Laurel and Manu support us by offering opportunities to be published and win awards, but it's all about the writing, not the contests. Anyone who doesn't get that is just missing the point.

I just wrote this nice long post in response, but y'know, I couldn't be bothered.

SN

 

[Angeline]

I just wrote this nice long post in response, but y'know, I couldn't be bothered.

SN

Good.

I read your previous post to Colleen and my comment still stands. If you knew anything about me or read my posts elsewhere, which I doubt you would because they're almost all on the poetry forum, you'd know I've consistently (like for years) said votes don't matter. I don't care whether people vote on my poems or not. I don't care if I get 1s or 5s or scathing comments. I do care if someone tells me something that helps me understand how to be a better writer, and it bothers me not a whit if that comes in the form of a negative comment. I take what helps and jettison the rest.

That is not intended to take anything away from people who were nominated or who won. They deserve congratulations. I'm happy for them (and me). Do I know people get their friends to vote for them? Look at my registration date: I've been here long enough to know how things work. It still doesn't matter.

And having said all that, it also doesn't hurt to be gracious.

No subtext or hostility intended. Over and out.

 

[Unsung Muse]

I'm so glad Doc's "Gender Issues" won best fetish story.
It really is an incredible and unforgettable piece.

Also, big cheers for "Sock Love", LRJ!!!

 

[Sir_Nathan]

Good.

I read your previous post to Colleen and my comment still stands. If you knew anything about me or read my posts elsewhere, which I doubt you would because they're almost all on the poetry forum, you'd know I've consistently (like for years) said votes don't matter. I don't care whether people vote on my poems or not. I don't care if I get 1s or 5s or scathing comments. I do care if someone tells me something that helps me understand how to be a better writer, and it bothers me not a whit if that comes in the form of a negative comment. I take what helps and jettison the rest.

That is not intended to take anything away from people who were nominated or who won. They deserve congratulations. I'm happy for them (and me). Do I know people get their friends to vote for them? Look at my registration date: I've been here long enough to know how things work. It still doesn't matter.

And having said all that, it also doesn't hurt to be gracious.

No subtext or hostility intended. Over and out.

Angeline, I didn’t write a post ‘to’ Colleen. Colleen commented on a post 'I' made. What’s more, I don’t know which of your comments you seem to think I disagree with. Certainly many of them I am actually entirely in agreement with, which makes me shake my head that you seem to think I am some sort of adversary. And an ungracious one at that!

I actually admire you for your stance on the votes you get. Very levelheaded. I take a slightly different tack, watching the votes more as a general guide to see whether I am improving as a writer. The site I now contribute to has no extensive ‘top lists’ and no competitions at all. I have no idea what other people’s stories are scoring and I don’t care. Even better, readers CAN’T vote twice. It can't be done.

It’s erotica. Sure, there’s good and bad erotica, but let’s not kid ourselves. There are hundreds of sites like Lit’s, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of sites where ‘non-erotic’ stories are posted. To be a contest winner on Lit, well, it’s a fine achievement and testament to your skill. I should know. I’m a winner

My post was not to do with the nominees or the winners. They deserve every accolade they get. They are obviously good writers and have penned memorable stories. If they enjoy having a two dollar pen to tell them that, then good on them. I don’t need a pen to tell me my stories are good. Readers of my stories give me plenty of motivation to write more. And I enjoy it. If I didn’t enjoy the act of writing, I wouldn’t write.

But like Colleen, you seem to have missed my point, which was that I don't know how genuine MY win was last year because I don't know whether other writers around me (at the time) were being treated as I have been treated THIS year. Was I airing a grievance? Sure. So what. It's a free country, my grievance is serious and it pertains to the thread.

I’d like to correct one thing you said though. Fellow writers DON'T nominate others (in the story categories). Readers give the votes. When we vote, we are all readers. Sure, many readers are also writers, but the vast majority are not. If Lit is going to have a contest, then READERS should decide who gets nominated and who wins. Unfortunately they don't, because Laurel and Manu have the power to change the votes and intervene in the nomination process. And they use it.

That's one problem.

They also have the means to close the loopholes. And they don't.

And that's the other problem.

End of story.

I wonder Angeline, do you have any poems with 'NO' votes? One of mine does. That’s right. None. And it had 7 votes at one time. I don’t particularly ‘care’ as such. It’s not that good a poem lol. I did at one point though. I mailed Lit three times over it. On the third time they answered the FIRST email (three weeks later) and told me to check the FAQ under the voting system and to 'have a nice day'. That's it. And I've never received an email that was signed. Normal stuff I guess. Go figure.

Don't get me wrong. It's wonderful to receive an award and to be acknowledged by your peers. It's exciting to be nominated. Those who reach that level should be proud of what they've done whether they win or lose. It's not worthless and I never said it was for anyone but myself.

Spare a thought for the one or two writers each year (which is a bloody good percentage I might add), who are getting shafted.

It's not fun being one of them.

And now that this dead horse has been thoroughly flogged, I'd like to thank the 17 writers who have mailed me in support of my comments. Funny that I found myself defending Lit on 9 occasions because they didn't understand 'the system'. Still, that left 8 others with genuine gripes almost identical to mine.

SN

 

[Guest]

I can understand the points being made on both sides of this discussion and I'm not here to "beat any dead horses". I would like to say though, that since the winners were announced yesterday, every story of mine that was above a 4.90 has been one bombed.

It's the way of life, people are jealous or just plain nasty. It happens and I don't look at it as my work is bad just that someone didn't like it, or someone was "out to get me."

It's all a matter of how you deal with it.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I can understand the points being made on both sides of this discussion and I'm not here to "beat any dead horses". I would like to say though, that since the winners were announced yesterday, every story of mine that was above a 4.90 has been one bombed.

It's the way of life, people are jealous or just plain nasty. It happens and I don't look at it as my work is bad just that someone didn't like it, or someone was "out to get me."

It's all a matter of how you deal with it.

I know what you mean. We all get one-bombed, of course, and it is always annoying. My latest, which posted today, already had 70 votes and only 601 views. I know at least two were one-bombs and probably more.

 

[Many Feathers]

Just wanted to say...

Congrats to ALL the winners. There were some pretty good stories this year.

Special congrats to Colleen Thomas. (Say hi to Cloudy for me!)

And thanks to all who voted on J is for Jerk off. Much appreciated.