What is your favorite story?

[lex ludite]

Believe it or not there are a few of us who do believe in helping, or hindering in some cases, authors who post on the site. However speaking as an author, rather than a reviewer, I heartily endorse the idea you have put forward. Feedback is one thing that most authors strive mightly to obtain, be it good or bad. Personally there are times when the rating system drives me up the wall, because it has turned into a crutch for many and a burden for others. The idea of a visceral reaction, rather than some overly serious analysis of one's work would be a useful adjunct to the current system. Another advantage that would accrue, especially to the writer who submits his or her work piecemeal, would be a somewhat constant, real time feedback to his or her story as it takes its many twists and turns. Usually what occurs is that three, four, or more reviews are posted and everyone else hunkers down and remains clamlike, even though the story may take many, many months to unfold.

[subterfuge]

Believe it or not there are a few of us who do believe in helping, or hindering in some cases, authors who post on the site. ... Feedback is one thing that most authors strive mightly to obtain, be it good or bad.

Actually what prompted me to respond to this thread is the baffling nature of reviews. My second concern is the appalling dearth of them, given an author's efforts in writing a piece. I have spoken of this before, as one of fav stories got only 7 reviews in four years!!! This was 7 reviews out of 49K reads! And it was a huge 38 chapter effort. It was, maybe not too surprisingly, the only story that writer ever submitted.

I read a story last night that got 17 reviews in 4 days! ... all 9's or 10's. And it was only one chapter to set the scene (to be continued)! And more baffling still, the plot had been done a thousand times (uh, let's see if we can blackmail a housewife into being a slut one more time - although I will freely admit that I LOVE a good slut-wife story!). I could see nothing so exceptional as to receive that number of enthusiastic reviews in so short a time. I will not reveal the story out of courtesy to the writer. This is NOT a criticism of his writing.

I should perhaps put this in perspective by saying that I'm a big fan of many writer's here - I am NOT a harsh critic, as these things go - if I like something, I like it, regardless of style or spelling/punctuation idiosyncrasies. My reviews tend to be enthusiastic and with admittedly quite a bit of rating inflation.

Back to the 17 reviews. To me at least this more or less confirms my long held theory that reviewers mimic the ratings of the reviews before them. Basically I think that high marks attract readers, who then leave high marks. I'm guilty myself of not even opening a story that gets less than 8. I mean, christ, ya gotta find some way to filter all the new stories. Lex, you were one of the lone dissenting reviews out of the 17, which in part is why I'm responding to your comments on the subjects of reviews. I couldn't have agreed more with your assessment.

Now to my own "need" for feedback as a fledgling author. I probably spent a year on and off writing my first two stories. My first got 3 reviews out of 8133 reads, and I got a few nice, although extremely short emails with some positive remarks, but not much that helped me answer some writing questions I had, or help determine the direction or approach of my new episodes using the same characters. I did appreciate those emails tremendously though. By the way, after the stories fell off the "front page" of new stories, the hits went down to nil, but that particular problem has been identified already. So, I have struggled with my motivation to finish and submit my current stories. Damn, I've got next to nothing to go on (except of course, my own erotic fantasies, which can be considerable at times).

I will finish this semi-rant with a huge thanks to you Lex. You were one of those few reviewers I had, and I was very impressed that you took the review process so seriously. I really appreciate your feedback. You are doing a public service to us writers by taking the time to give detailed reviews. Given your prolific writing, I am flat out amazed at the number of thoughtful reviews you submit.

regards,
sunburststrat

[MateTeaser]

I have only recently started reading stories here, but my favorite so far is "Susan's Return" by Switchman. A close runner up is "Casino" by Thundrshrk. I actually like them for different reasons. I found "Susan's Return" to be really well written with only a couple of misspellings and generally good sentence structure. I also liked the plot, although it is a bit tried-and-true - Boys get into trouble, boys escape (with a bit of help), boys turn the tables on their captors.

"Casino," on the other hand is filled with grammar/spelling problems, but the story pulls it through. I just love stories in which the bondage starts out consentual and ends up permanent to the suprise of the victims, although I could do without the extreme torture.

Interestingly, these two stories also illustrate what others have said about the dearth of reviews. "Susan's Return" has been viewed by about 10,000, and I am only 1 of 3 reviewers. "Casino" has been viewed by about 21,000 and has been reviewed by 10 readers (soon to be 11 when I add mine).

I am not sure what this says about the readership, but I hope that everyone will try to review more stories. Aside from helping the writers, the reviews can help newer readers like me.

[mystymason]

Dear sunburststrat:

Your comment accurately reflect my thoughts, right down to Lex’s great contributions to the site, the importance of direct email comments and, of course, the ratings and reviews. My first written effort, the ongoing Dexter Chronicles, actually does take a bit of time to put together, edit, proof read, set aside to percolate, and re-proof before putting it on the Library’s shelves. I’ve had over 45,000 hits and only five reviews (and I very much appreciate each of the reviews received, because they let me know what others think of my work). I also earnestly want to know how others would like the story to proceed (or if they would just like it to stop), if they want particular characters revisited, or a relationship further realized, and I love to hear the readers’ ideas, thoughts, musings, rants, etc., about any aspect of my work.

And so, I thank you for your very graciously expressing yourself.

Mysty

[subterfuge]

Dear sunburststrat:
My first written effort, the ongoing Dexter Chronicles, actually does take a bit of time to put together, edit, proof read, set aside to percolate, and re-proof before putting it on the Library’s shelves. I’ve had over 45,000 hits and only five reviews (and I very much appreciate each of the reviews received, because they let me know what others think of my work). I also earnestly want to know how others would like the story to proceed (or if they would just like it to stop), if they want particular characters revisited, or a relationship further realized, and I love to hear the readers’ ideas, thoughts, musings, rants, etc., about any aspect of my work.

And so, I thank you for your very graciously expressing yourself.

Mysty

Mysty,
I found the process to be incredibly time consuming myself. There seemed to be no end to editing. I just had to stop myself at some point. Every time I revisited them I found a better way to express something.

I also felt that more reader feedback would have helped determine future direction. I'm planning on putting Dr. Katrina through considerably more severe paces than in the first two light-weight episodes. Jeez ... hope I don't alienate that single very enthusiastic fan I have!

But getting to the mystery of the 17 reviews in four days. Someone got back to me about that. Seems some writers get all their friends to drop off reviews. That could explain all the one or two line reviews, and those 17 outstanding reviews were for a single chapter intro!?!

I do have another theory. Look at what's popular on TV. I have two shows that I think are done well: 24 and Shield. I have issues with both, but I think the production quality, the writing and the acting are all very good. But millions of Americans (and god knows how many others) fill there time with all the other shows. What I'm getting at, is that 17 people may have loved that one chapter. It is possible (I just don't believe it).

Hey, I just checked out your story for fun. At least you got five great reviews. That must be encouraging. And besides, your story got me hooked within three paragraphs. Your writing looks excellent so far. I'm going to continue with it. What a huge effort - 16 chapters!

regards,
sunburststrat

[subterfuge]

My first written effort, the ongoing Dexter Chronicles,

I want to go back to the original topic of this thread ... " What is your favorite story?"

Well everybody, do yourself a favor and check out Mysty's "Dexter Chronicles"!!! I know this is shop-worn phrase, but ... ohmygod!!!!!!!!

I had comfortably settled into a groove reading all the f/f stories I could find and occasionally finding a gem here and there. I also suffered through a lot of repetitious ideas, characters and plots, some weak writing, etc, etc.

Then Mysty responded to my post on reviews, so I checked out Dexter Chronicles, reluctantly at first, because f/m ... well I just wasn't interested in reading about men at all, whether m/f or f/m. But damn!!! This story not only blew my mind, but hooked me totally by the fourth chapter. Reading this, there are times I want to BE one of these hapless males, subjected to the cruel abuse of these damned sexy uber-women! Jesus! This stuff is intense, and creative, and wicked, and evil, and disturbing, and thought-provoking, and hot, and masterfully written and ...

Keep it up Mysty! Can NOT believe this is your first story. What a talent!
sunburststrat

[alura]

'The Story of O'

[Kaori-san]

On this site I have to say that 'Cheerleaders' Rape and Torture' by Semiater is my favourite one of the moment!

I loved 'The Ultimate Submission (Jacqueline's Story)' by Gato Medio and that is probably my favourite story over all. It was so interesting and the characters were so very real I would recomend it to anyone whose's not just looking for a quick bdsm sex story

[MasterRJ]

I liked the first few chapters of Cheerleader's Rape and Torture. It was just too long for me though. I also read one of his other stories and I just didn't like the ending. She started off a sweet little girl in the begining and at the end she's a full blown whore/sex slave. I enjoy degregation, but in the end I like to see the girl escape from it. Regain their lives. Don't ask me why.