Winter Holiday 2010 Contest Support Thread

[UltimateSwitch]

This story is not doing all that well. Not horrible but not well. My second entry is horrible. First contest entry I've had that didn't make it over 4.0

 

[oggbashan]

This story is not doing all that well. Not horrible but not well. My second entry is horrible. First contest entry I've had that didn't make it over 4.0

All three of mine are, and have been for several days, below 4.0.

Og

 

[DG Hear]

It sure does. In 36ish hours my first contest submission ever has twice as many views as my first ever submission. Crazy! I also got some meaningful feedback, which on this site authors consider themselves fortunate to find.

Also I've noticed that the votes I get for the story are markedly lower than the ones I got for just run of the mill submissions / chapter entries. They say it's trolls but my story may have lacked credibility at the outset. I don't know, it's not long or complicated.

Read it here.

Welcome to the comtest. Your comments are correct. Contest stories seem to get more reads but at the same time the overall average seems to always be lower. Best of luck to you. I know that it's always been that way with my stories and I've been in most every contest here on Lit since late 2005. It is still fun and just fun to be part of it.

DG

 

[DG Hear]

I just submitted my third and last entry for this contest. I was going to wait till the last day to enter it but I just get too anxious once I get it back from the editor and get the corrections made I just want to get it posted.

I do wish the best to all of you. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you.
with respect
DG Hear

 

[Boxlicker101]

Welcome to the comtest. Your comments are correct. Contest stories seem to get more reads but at the same time the overall average seems to always be lower. Best of luck to you. I know that it's always been that way with my stories and I've been in most every contest here on Lit since late 2005. It is still fun and just fun to be part of it.

DG

Contest entries do get more votes and views, but both numbers depend on the category of story. If it is in a category that doesn't get much action, it won't get much action even as a contest entry. It will still get noticed, but not as much as if it were in a more popular category.

 

[DG Hear]

Contest entries do get more votes and views, but both numbers depend on the category of story. If it is in a category that doesn't get much action, it won't get much action even as a contest entry. It will still get noticed, but not as much as if it were in a more popular category.

I agree with you Box. I also believe that some of the trolls, (not all) are unhappy authors. That's part of the reason the vote average is lower during contests.

Oh, the story I submitted today is loving wives. I was going to put it in erotic couples but they were all married at least a one time. Since I don't worry a whole lot about scores, I submit during contests for the quick posts.

 

[DeeZire]

...the story I submitted today is loving wives. I was going to put it in erotic couples but they were all married at least a one time. Since I don't worry a whole lot about scores, I submit during contests for the quick posts.

How about two married couples who come really close to a swap, (depending on what the definition of the word "is" is) but bail at the last second and re-couple with their mates? Loving Wives, Erotic Couplings, or Group Sex? The story is told from one husband's 1st person POV.

 

[SweetestThing]

Do you guys find there's a particular rhyme or reason to scores/vote totals? I really don't get it. I'm not unhappy with any of my rankings but it doesn't seem to me as though there's a strong connection between how well a story of mine does and how good I think it is.

 

[DG Hear]

How about two married couples who come really close to a swap, (depending on what the definition of the word "is" is) but bail at the last second and re-couple with their mates? Loving Wives, Erotic Couplings, or Group Sex? The story is told from one husband's 1st person POV.

If they were married, I would say Loving wives under the current structure. If they lived together or were dating, Erotic Couples. That's just my opinion.

Do you guys find there's a particular rhyme or reason to scores/vote totals? I really don't get it. I'm not unhappy with any of my rankings but it doesn't seem to me as though there's a strong connection between how well a story of mine does and how good I think it is.

No I don't find a lot of reasons for votes, ranking and reads. As Box and I have said, Catagory is a biggie for reads. Also the day of posting can play a big part in reads. As for voting, I haven't a clue. Some readers take the time to vote, others don't. Higher number of votes, the less it will change your score at least when you get in the high hundreds.

Comments are different. If someone really loves or hates your story, they might comment. I find if I can raise the emotions of a reader, there is a good chance of getting higher comments. But being honest with you, not all comments or votes are good ones.

Also just remember this is the opinion of a amature writer. Opinions are like assholes. We all have one. Most wife's will say they have two. Just kidding.
Enjoy your writing and the best to you.
DG

 

[fifty5]

Much like other posters, I'm bewildered.

This is the first contest I've entered.

As I've learned to expect, reads and votes have come faster than my earlier submissions, but as others have said, feedback has been less and scores lower.

The story is here (the category was Erotic Couplings - it could have been Loving Wives). The scenario turned me on (that's what I write). With one exception - and I can understand why that happened - all my previous submissions got ratings over 4.

I respect you folk here and your opinions. Would you please read my new story and, ideally vote it up, but more importantly, tell me what the f**k I got wrong (please do read the comments, including my own).

This is my first submission that was written entirely from the female POV. Did I get that wrong - so a re-write from the male POV might score better - or is it just to do with competitions?

Any informed feedback, whether here, via PC or PM, would be much appreciated - and don't feel you have to pull your punches: if the writing is crap, please do tell me exactly why.

Thanks in advance,

 

[LunaEroticaMystica]

Fifty5, I just read it and commented.

 

[andtheend]

Much like other posters, I'm bewildered.

This is the first contest I've entered.

As I've learned to expect, reads and votes have come faster than my earlier submissions, but as others have said, feedback has been less and scores lower.

The story is here (the category was Erotic Couplings - it could have been Loving Wives). The scenario turned me on (that's what I write). With one exception - and I can understand why that happened - all my previous submissions got ratings over 4.

I respect you folk here and your opinions. Would you please read my new story and, ideally vote it up, but more importantly, tell me what the f**k I got wrong (please do read the comments, including my own).

This is my first submission that was written entirely from the female POV. Did I get that wrong - so a re-write from the male POV might score better - or is it just to do with competitions?

Any informed feedback, whether here, via PC or PM, would be much appreciated - and don't feel you have to pull your punches: if the writing is crap, please do tell me exactly why.

Thanks in advance,

The most difficult thing to take is criticism. I can't tell you how many writing workshops I participated in and they are bruttal, but helpful.

Read some books on writing. There are a million of them.

If you develop your characters, your story will come easier. It will flow. Once the character becomes so real in your mind, you'll be in their head. That's when the story becomes inspired.

Good luck with your writing. The important thing is to have fun and don't pay any attention to the bashers.

 

[DeeZire]

If they were married, I would say Loving wives under the current structure. If they lived together or were dating, Erotic Couples. That's just my opinion...

Thanks DG. Loving Wives it shall be. The writing on this one never quite jelled, so I may as well toss it to the wolves. When it posts tomorrow (?), it'll be called "Game Day Guacamole".

 

[fifty5]

The mosta difficult thing to take is criticism. I can't tell you how many writing workshops I participated in and they are brutta, but helpful.

Read some books on writing. There are a million of them.

If you develop your characters, your story will come easier. It will flow. Once the character becomes so real in your mind, you'll be in their head. That's when the story becomes inspired.

Good luck with your writing. The important thing is to have fun and don't pay any attention to the bashers.

Thanks to you - and the other folk that left comments.

My issue is that the characters are real; she knows me, and unless by some miracle she might share my fantasy then on one hand, accurate details might expose her, while on the other hand, inaccurate details spoil it for me.

What I think I need is the imagination to generate a plot that isn't so genuinely based on real people. That would set me free from concealing real identities.

That's what I think is my real weakness as a writer: I don't seem to be able to come up with a plot that isn't based on real life and real people.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Morning all, just passing through.
Overslept this morning. Boo for work.
I plan to write like a maniac today when I get home. I wanna get story #2 submitted. I'm almost outta time!

es for all. Have a great day!

 

[andtheend]

Thanks to you - and the other folk that left comments.

My issue is that the characters are real; she knows me, and unless by some miracle she might share my fantasy then on one hand, accurate details might expose her, while on the other hand, inaccurate details spoil it for me.

What I think I need is the imagination to generate a plot that isn't so genuinely based on real people. That would set me free from concealing real identities.

That's what I think is my real weakness as a writer: I don't seem to be able to come up with a plot that isn't based on real life and real people.

Change the names and places and write your story as a non-fictional account. Once you start writing a few of those, you can jump into writing fiction.

For me, it's easier to write fiction than it is to write non-fiction. Writing non-fiction seems more like work. Others find non-fiction easy to write.

Yet whether it's ficion or non-fiction, there's a place here for you to tell your story.

Good luck.

 

[Darkniciad]

Only three days after today to get your entries in. So those of you dragging your feet or polishing NaNo tales better get cracking!

I've been fiddling with one for days, and just can't get the frikkin' opening to come out right. First it's too fast. Then it's too slow. If I don't have a perfect brainstorm at some point today, I'd say it's a no-go.

 

[LunaEroticaMystica]

Fifty5, how about changing your point of view to third person and adding fictitious details of character: description, name, etc. You can still base fiction on real people, look at fan fiction. Fiction doesn't mean you can't be grounded in reality or that it has to be about a vivid imagination. But, you can do it in a way that it doesn't have to be incriminating. Find yourself an editor on here to help you. A bit of character and plot development should help. Give your story the time it deserves.

Read, Read, Read! The more of the type of story you want to write, you read, the better you will see what it is your stories might need. Lots of people on here with wonderful advice, constructive criticism, and encouragement. Use those resources. Goodluck!

PS: I did NOT mean to rhyme there!

 

[LunaEroticaMystica]

Anyone thinking V-Day yet? I've switched gears from Winter to Valentine's territory (even though it still takes place in the winter). It's complete! After the contest ends, I think I will submit my shifter story. I don't want to add too much at one time.

Trying to read as many Winter stories as I can, but the list has grown quite a bit. If anyone has a story they want read, voted, and/or commented on: let me know, so I can put it at top of list. (If you have multiple stories, pick one for now. Busy fae!)

 

[Darkniciad]

I'm mulling over a few nebulous Vday ideas, but I'm spending more time brainstorming the next "of the Wood" for Earth Day. At the rate I'm writing of late, I'd better get it nailed down as soon as possible. I don't want to break a four year tradition.

 

[Ellafun]

After reading some of the scary, intimidating comments here about the evils of posting under Loving Wives....I decided to post my story there anyway! Not so concerned about the voting. I just want it read!

 

[Darkniciad]

After reading some of the scary, intimidating comments here about the evils of posting under Loving Wives....I decided to post my story there anyway! Not so concerned about the voting. I just want it read!

If you can handle the natives in the category, you'll certainly attain that goal. For all the negatives, it does put your story in front of lots of eyes.

 

[Darkniciad]

How about a little update about where we stand right now?

(Well, last night at about 11:30. New stories have appeared since then)

80 stories in 25 categories ( Only 6 categories not represented ) Seven different categories are represented in the current top 10 stories by score.

The average score is 3.93 and the median 3.99.

A total of 16,036 votes have been cast on contest stories, with an average of 206 and a median of 139 per story.

So far, I've only observed 32 swept votes. That will certainly increase dramatically as time marches forward.

Contest stories have accumulated 1,551,098 views, with an average of 19,886 and a median of 15,105

Readers have favorited contest stories 148 times. Average of 2 and median of 1.

768 comments have posted to contest stories. Average of 10 and median of 7.

 

[Boxlicker101]

How about a little update about where we stand right now?

(Well, last night at about 11:30. New stories have appeared since then)

80 stories in 25 categories ( Only 6 categories not represented ) Seven different categories are represented in the current top 10 stories by score.

The average score is 3.93 and the median 3.99.

A total of 16,036 votes have been cast on contest stories, with an average of 206 and a median of 139 per story.

So far, I've only observed 32 swept votes. That will certainly increase dramatically as time marches forward.

Contest stories have accumulated 1,551,098 views, with an average of 19,886 and a median of 15,105

Readers have favorited contest stories 148 times. Average of 2 and median of 1.

768 comments have posted to contest stories. Average of 10 and median of 7.

How many votes are from trolls?

 

[fifty5]

Fifty5, I just read it and commented.

Thanks for that.

Most recently, comments have been constructive, even, good grief, from Anonymous!

If I do edit, do I need to do anything special to preserve comments (losing the low votes wouldn't distress me...)