A Question of Standards

[JakBird]

I've been wandering through the library of stories for the last week or so. I haven't posted any reviews for several reasons, which brings me to the reason for this post.

Is it proper to review a story if it isn't to one's taste? I've contributed a few stories so far, stories targeted to a very narrow audience. The reviews have been positive, and I certainly appreciate the comments, but it makes me wonder at how many started to read and gave up, out of boredom, disgust, or whatever.

That's why I haven't posted any reviews. I try to judge by the story codes which ones to look at. Even so I haven't found anything to my taste (admittedly the sample size has been very small so far). Would a review based on my negative experience be of any value?

My first thought was no, it would be of no value to those who do prefer that type of story, and it might discourage the author from writing again. The problem is, there are no objective standards on which to judge the stories in the library. Not everyone is a polished author with a literary degree. Nor is everyone a native speaker in English (yes it does show, no matter how many years of English class in school). The subject matter isn't always to my taste either.

But none of those problems are enough to criticize a story. I'm a firm believer in encouraging everyone to put words on electronic paper, regardless of how well the story goes together. This is an amateur site, a place where we can all give it a try. and we all want to know what others think of the effort, but this brings me back to the original question.

What form should a review take? Should the story be judged on how well it captures the reader's interest, or if the characters are interesting, or if the author's imagination has a unique twist?

What about the negatives? A few minutes ago I had to give up on one story because the grammar in the narrative was so bad the story was unreadable. It would never pass the "read it out loud" test. But I don't want to discourage a first attempt (if it was that, I didn't check). So what should I post? "Needs editing?" or something like that? Fine, but it doesn't address the story content. Or should I skip it?

My choice was to skip it. On an amateur site everyone gets to see the slushpile; so be it. I do have one suggestion though. For all those who don't want/like to write, ever consider volunteering as editor if someone asks for help? Or perhaps the review could include separate ratings for content and editing?
Jack Peacock

[GaryWilcox]

Would a review based on my negative experience be of any value?

In my opinion, reviews should reflect on the content of the work-- flow of the story, grammar, spelling, storytelling-- and not a reflection upon the 'fetish' of the story being told.

[boccaccio2000g]

In my opinion, reviews should reflect on the content of the work-- flow of the story, grammar, spelling, storytelling-- and not a reflection upon the 'fetish' of the story being told.

Gary, I would disagree with the second half of your statement, assuming that the story is largely (or purports to be largely) about a 'kink' that one likes. How well a writer conveys the 'heat' of an erotic encounter is a very important component on their success-meter, IMO. If I, for example, enjoy heavy, non-consensual stories, it would be wrong NOT to comment on how effectively an author who mentions those motifs in his summary, pushes my buttons.

But I do agree that if one doesn't care for torture or bestiality or snuff or whatever, one should bend over backward to be fair when reviewing a story involving those elements.

Boccaccio

[slavelucy]

i don't think reviewing literature, especially erotic literature, is an exact science. If the story is 'technically' good, then say so, if it has a few errors but really does it for you in the way the kink has been written, then say that also, if it is written fine but just isn't your 'thing' then there are ways of saying that without saying 'the story was crap' just because it didn't get you off!

sl

[Alex Bragi]

To review subjectively or objectively, that is the question.

My personal point of view is that totally subjective reviews aren’t worth the effort of writing, or reading. I actually find this types of feedback puzzling. “I gave your story a low rating because I can’t stand foot fetishes, and yours was full of it.” Well, damn it, why did you read it in the first place then?

On the other hand it’s kind of hard not to be influenced, into giving a glowing review, when reading about a particular fetish that appeals to you, isn’t it? When it’s a subject that excites you it’s just so much easier to skim over any minor hiccups.

Is it proper to review a story if it isn't to one's taste?

If the author has managed to keep your interest long enough for you to read the story though, then I believe their work probably deserves your rating it and a comment.

Would a review based on my negative experience be of any value?

Again, I think that would depend on whether your comments, and more particularly your rating, were subjective or objective. The majority of authors here are enthusiastic amateurs, keen to improve their writing skills, who appreciate clear constructive criticism.

I'm a firm believer in encouraging everyone to put words on electronic paper, regardless of how well the story goes together.

Me too. As a writer yourself, I am sure you understand there are many ways of saying the same thing. “You story sucks!” or “Your story idea is good, and I love the part where …, only I think it could have been great if you had proof read it more carefully … added more detail… taken more care with…” or what ever.

What form should a review take? Should the story be judged on how well it captures the reader's interest, or if the characters are interesting, or if the author's imagination has a unique twist? …
What about the negatives? A few minutes ago I had to give up on one story because the grammar in the narrative was so bad the story was unreadable. It would never pass the "read it out loud" test. But I don't want to discourage a first attempt (if it was that, I didn't check). So what should I post? "Needs editing?" or something like that? Fine, but it doesn't address the story content. Or should I skip it?

Gary’s advice is a good measure of how to ‘rate’ a story. Adding to that, to review or comment on the story, look for something about it you liked and ,then, tell the author about it. If you can’t find a single thing you liked -- leave it for someone else to rate and review. Look for something that, in your opinion, could have made the story better, and bring it to the author’s attention. If you can't find anything that might have improved the story -- that's great!

You know Jack, it’s a funny thing, one of my favourite authors here, by his own admission left school in ninth grade. His sentence construction is often odd, and his grammar, again by his own admission, ‘isn’t always powerful’, and yet I really enjoy his stories. He has a wonderful imagination and a wicked talent for bringing his characters to living breathing colour, regardless of his lack of formal education. Another of my favourites is, without a doubt, very articulate and well educated. Writing is a funny thing isn’t it?

Alex.

[allalone46]

Ok from the first I know my spelling is bad. know for the reason for my adding my two cents worth. If you edit for spelling gramer, punktuation than edit. If you crateek than do that with the story but don't say your doing one when doing the othr, that are not the same. If you like the story but the person cant spell than say you like the story than edit him. But dont say hoe bed his story is becouse he cant spell. And the same goes the other way If he is the pest speller in the world butr the story stinks, than say the spelling is great but your story stinks, and tell him why you don't like it. If he is realy interestecin your apinion than he will take the critasom right, and if not than he better get a thicker skinn before doing anymore storys.

[HarryBerg01]

Recently a story I have been working on for some time got two very negative reviews (1/10). Those reviews were quite at variance with most of the others.

What made me feel a little out of sorts about these particular reviews was the reviewers' rationale.

One based his score on the fact that the story has a quasi-religious theme and he felt that I was making fun of religion. He even went so far as to send me a highly critical email. Since I had indicated in the summary that it had a religious theme I feel like he should have not read a story he found objectionable.

The other reviewer was much less forthcoming but attributed the low score to 'bad taste." I never understood that "good taste" was an objective of fictional BDSM writing. I suspect it was the religious theme of the story that engendered the bad taste remark.

My point is that religion with sexual overtones is the "fetish" of this story. Some people found this objectionable and chose to punish the story that I have worked hard to make as good as I possibly can.

While I read a good number of stories on the site, I take a pass at those that do not appeal to me for whatever reason. I would never consider giving a story a low rating or negative review because it's content is not my thing.

Reviewers are free to do as they wish but that does not make their reviews fair and balanced.

[ProjectEuropa]

Is it proper to review a story if it isn't to one's taste? I've contributed a few stories so far, stories targeted to a very narrow audience. The reviews have been positive, and I certainly appreciate the comments, but it makes me wonder at how many started to read and gave up, out of boredom, disgust, or whatever.

I think if someone has took the time to read a story they have every right to review it and they are probably doing the author a favour even if it's a bad review as long as their review is constructive criticism. I have read quite a few reviews and I can't say I have come across a review where the reviewer seems to have had the intention of destroying the author's ego. As for the authors they have put put themselves up to be shot down and if someone blows a raspberry that is tough.

People read the stories for different reasons too. My wayward shadow sat behind me right now reads the stories strictly for tittilation and arousal value, which of course I am not going to complain about. If some pervert who has took the time to write down their fantasies means I'm going to be working up a sweat on my dearest because they've hit her where she tickles. I say thank you very much perv. keep the words coming! As for me, I only get tittilated if the plot is plausable and the writing is good.

I wouldn't let it worry you how many people have started to read your story and stopped out of boredom or it's not to the readers taste. You can't please them all. When I submited my stories I knew I would be criticized for lack of sexual content and tittilation value but its been worthwhile as I have had some warming comments. One reviewer said I write well but 'king of sleaze' I ain't, which gave me a good giggle. I'm trying to correct that.

But I agree with you its difficult to know what to put in a review when you have just read some unintelligible garbage. Writing oneself I know how much work goes into it and feel reluctant to tell someone they are wasting their time and as you say this is an amateur site and people are writing stories for more reasons than just the reason of writing. Having started to read many stories to find I haven't the stamina to get to the end of many of them either because of bad writing skills or implausable plots. I do a lot of sifting but that goes with the territory. I'm wondering whether it might be worth if there was a seperate code for deadly serious writers and those who write for fun. Hmm Maybe that's not so bright idea now I think about it.

[emmacd]

you are much to hard on yourself. We all haveviews and interest that we know will not appeal to all. What wpuld we do if you werer not critical of what we write or be helpfull with good criticsm. You have been very helpfull to me. I am writing the prologue now. I will give a charcter a in depth of the main characters. The husband sister and wife. We are all selfish in our wants to come first. I would like to give charactures on each one. This may be to lenghty here, as it seems to be a slam bam thank you Mam atmospher aimed at bondage and discipline. In my characters you do know them and I want to have them grow on you either good or bad. emmacd

I've been wandering through the library of stories for the last week or so. I haven't posted any reviews for several reasons, which brings me to the reason for this post.

Is it proper to review a story if it isn't to one's taste? I've contributed a few stories so far, stories targeted to a very narrow audience. The reviews have been positive, and I certainly appreciate the comments, but it makes me wonder at how many started to read and gave up, out of boredom, disgust, or whatever.

That's why I haven't posted any reviews. I try to judge by the story codes which ones to look at. Even so I haven't found anything to my taste (admittedly the sample size has been very small so far). Would a review based on my negative experience be of any value?

My first thought was no, it would be of no value to those who do prefer that type of story, and it might discourage the author from writing again. The problem is, there are no objective standards on which to judge the stories in the library. Not everyone is a polished author with a literary degree. Nor is everyone a native speaker in English (yes it does show, no matter how many years of English class in school). The subject matter isn't always to my taste either.

But none of those problems are enough to criticize a story. I'm a firm believer in encouraging everyone to put words on electronic paper, regardless of how well the story goes together. This is an amateur site, a place where we can all give it a try. and we all want to know what others think of the effort, but this brings me back to the original question.

What form should a review take? Should the story be judged on how well it captures the reader's interest, or if the characters are interesting, or if the author's imagination has a unique twist?

What about the negatives? A few minutes ago I had to give up on one story because the grammar in the narrative was so bad the story was unreadable. It would never pass the "read it out loud" test. But I don't want to discourage a first attempt (if it was that, I didn't check). So what should I post? "Needs editing?" or something like that? Fine, but it doesn't address the story content. Or should I skip it?

My choice was to skip it. On an amateur site everyone gets to see the slushpile; so be it. I do have one suggestion though. For all those who don't want/like to write, ever consider volunteering as editor if someone asks for help? Or perhaps the review could include separate ratings for content and editing?
Jack Peacock

[Alex Bragi]

You know what’s occurred to me, lately? There’s a whole lot of compaining about reviewers who rate a story down because they don’t like the particular topic. Sure, it's very frustrating and unfair, but what about those who faun over second rate authors who dishes up a plate load average of writing that just happens to appeal to the reader/reveiwer? 10/10 ratings accompanied by a comments like “Oh, I wanked off 10 times while I read this!” for much less than "Excellent. Could complete with published authors" are surely just as unfair, aren' t they?

While it's certainly frustrating to see a good story rated poorly because of content alone, I think perhaps, many average but 'edgy' stories, tend to balance out to what they're probably worth in the long run - an average rating.

[ProjectEuropa]

You know what’s occurred to me, lately? There’s a whole lot of compaining about reviewers who rate a story down because they don’t like the particular topic. Sure, it's very frustrating and unfair...

I have to disagree with you about reviewers being unfair Alex. An author puts their story out there and if someone doesn't like it, for whatever reason, tough. The author needs to get used to it, especially if they have ambitions to go further and try to get published, then they will find out what unfair really means. A reader has the right to like or dislike any story they read, they have after all, taken the time to read the story.

That being said. I don't personally like destructive reviews. I think reviewers do have a moral obligation to be constructive in their criticism even when marking down a story. However, the reality is, authors are dealing in a free market and should learn to laugh off bad reviews.

I admit in my eyes I am surprised at some of the marking in reviews and sometimes wonder if some reviewers think beyond the 'wank factor'.

[Alex Bragi]

I have to disagree with you about reviewers being unfair Alex. An author puts their story out there and if someone doesn't like it, for whatever reason, tough. ...

Well, yes, but then again... "I gave your story a one because I can't stand stuff.." when 'snuff' has been stated in the story's codes, to me, is very unfair.

[ProjectEuropa]

Well, yes, but then again... "I gave your story a one because I can't stand stuff.." when 'snuff' has been stated in the story's codes, to me, is very unfair.

I think you are getting me mixed up. You have only reviewed one of my stories and you gave it an 8 and snuff hadn't been stated in the codes or at least I don't think so. There are so many codes they become confusing.

I've stopped posting stories myself because without introducing more 'wank factor' I realise I'm wasting my time and am probably posting to the wrong site.

[brace [EDQ]]

Is it proper to review a story if it isn't to one's taste? I've contributed a few stories so far, stories targeted to a very narrow audience. The reviews have been positive, and I certainly appreciate the comments, but it makes me wonder at how many started to read and gave up, out of boredom, disgust, or whatever.
Jack Peacock

I think that it is entirely proper to review a story and say that it wasn't to your taste. Likewise, I have submitted stories to a narrow audience. The story codes are there such that you only read the ones that appeal to you. Poor use of story codes may broaden the audience, but will broaden the audience to those who are not interested.
Encouragement for the authors is important, but false praise will not encourage them to improve in areas that might be lacking.
What form should a review take? I agree that the story should be judged on how well it captured your interest. If the grammar was so bad that it was un-readable, it didn't interest you. I have rated almost every story that I've read. The ones I didn't rate were those I thought were a 6, and everyone else raved about. It's not helpful to rain on someone's parade. I took a look at one point - my average rating is a bit over a 7.
As an amateur author, I really love it when others leave feedback for me; nobody likes to write into a vaccuum

[pejanon]

Well, I posted some reviews myself and I've decided that I will not review a story I don't like. Not because I think it sholdn't be done but becuse:
a) It's qute possible that I just do not understand the story, it might turn me off completely off but I'm aware that someone else will enoy it - so the review 'I hate this because I hate snuff' just isn't fair (and is incorrect to boot)
b) if it is really bad I will not read it trough anyway and, frankly, I just don't like writing things like 'this stinks'. (I know it hurts)

Of course I have criricms of various aspects of stories (and I've been harsh ESPECIALLY if I think the story is very good generally) - but 've at least tried to explain WHY I think something doesn't work in the paricular storiy.
People are welcome to write whatever they like but this:
"one cum - 7, two cums - 8 etc"
just isn't a review.

Thank for listenig, have fun