That a few of my stories have garnered over one thousand reads. Now, I don't know how many are a quick glance and how many arer where the story is read, but it shows that I am doing something right.
I admit that my first stories werenb't all that good, but thanks to Sephtrena , Beth, and Nora, I hve gottrn better. And I must thank Maddy Bell for letting me do the Gaby fan fics and the author who've let me do a TransBike story for them.
Comments
I would like to vote for your stories ...
... as well as other stories but the voting option is gone for me; there is no vote counter to click on at the ends of stories anymore. Is this true for anyone else?
BE a lady!
Casualty
The voting system was a casualty of the recent operational problems on the site. For me, this was a great loss as I feel the hit counter is little more than that and most people who like a story don't leave a comment. It was so easy to click on the Vote button on a good story, but to write a comment requires serious thought as well as time.
The average for my stories used to be about 8 votes for every one comment, but somehow multiplying the comments for my latest story by 8 doesn't seem the same!
Of course it would be nice if more people left comments but I'm realistic enough to know that few more will do so.
Bailey Summers I've read
Bailey Summers
I've read some of your stuff and liked most of it as you try to keep things upbeat and showing lots of love. I think your a good writer, but I'd like to see you try something a little more hard edged, like maybe a caregiver story.
Bailey Summers
Hits, Votes, and Comments
There is absolutely no correlation between the quality of writing and the number of hits or comments you receive. The number of votes is even less of a proxy variable for good writing.
I've written excellent stories that received very few hits, votes, or comments. I've also written drivel that have been smothered with hits, votes, and comments.
The number of hits your story receives has much more to do with the themes you pick than anything else. For example; strange as it might seem, if you want a lot of hits you should write about forced feminization. You won't get many comments -- and those you do get will more than likely be negative, but from my experience forced fem stories garner about twice the number of hits as other stories.
What have you done to improve your writing? Have you read any books on writing? Subscribed to any writing magazines? Joined a writing club? Taken any classes? I tried to read your last story and got lost in the POV changes.
What is the purpose of your writing? If you're trying to do self-exploration you might abandon writing in other peoples' universes and fanfic and try writing something that really is YOU. If you're using your writing to attract new friends, which it seems like you're doing from your comments and blogs, what is the purpose behind attracting those friends? The answer to these questions will establish a path for you in writing your next story.
We are all on BC for a purpose. Some wax romantic about that purpose, when in fact many of those who come to BC are here merely to come. I would imagine the "purpose" for each person is unique. Satisfying those purposes it at the base of becoming a successful writer. Dan Brown is a horrible technical writer. yet, he knows how to satisfy the purpose his readers bring to his books.
You don't need a panel of editors to become a better writer, as much as you need a good long look in the mirror. If you're honest with your readers -- and don't have a hidden nefarious agenda -- they will become loyal fans.
I don't know who you are -- and frankly my dear Stanman, I don't give a damn. What I care about are those who become frustrated when they place inordinate value on hits and comments. Your blog added to that myth, which is why I'm attempting to discount your statement.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Not fair, Jill
You say you have written some brilliant stories which have not garnered the hits or votes that you thought they should, but then, if they didn't get the response you'd have liked, might you not have misjudged their brilliance?
A story's brilliance should be gauged on how the readers respond, not how technically perfect they may be.
The same goes for books, films and other art.
If someone likes a story here, there is obviously something within that makes the reader stay with it. If Stan is happy with the responses he gets then that does mean he's getting something right. Whether that's just getting the formula right or his writing is improving, it's made him happy.
I don't think you should try and take away what makes someone feel good just because you don't agree with it.
I agree one perhaps shouldn't put too much stock in these numbers as with the hit counter, many hits to a story may well come from people reading comments or reading part of the story and returning later for more. However, just because you don't agree with that part of the system, doesn't mean others cannot or should not.
I don't just look it, I'm totally into votes, hits and comments
What's Not Fair, Nick?
I didn't say or imply that Stan shouldn't have his own self-satisfaction. If he (or anyone else) wants to believe hits show the author is doing something right, so be it. It only becomes a problem should he make other authors believe it as well.
I've been around this site for nearly a decade and know a little something about why people leave or quit writing. One of the reasons is they give up when they think their writing doesn't measure up to what other people are posting. You might not like it, or might even disagree, but putting undue emphasis on votes, comments, and hits has been a major force in driving away writers -- or causing them to quit writing.
You say I don't know the difference between good writing and drivel. That's more than a bit harsh and I doubt many on this site would agree with you -- especially those I've helped make their writing much better. But, if you would like to judge for yourself, compare two of my stories.
The first story is Cary. I wrote it as a sarcastic and judgmental condemnation of man-haters. It took all of about fifteen minutes to write and is an unadultereated piece of dung. It has been up for about a week and has 1,600 hits.
http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/19118/cary
Now take a look at Carl's Eyes. I wrote this several years ago for a writing contest held by Morpheus. It is some of my best TG writing. To date it has 920 hits. I have had other stories gather as many as 6,000 hits after a few years.
http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/922/carls-eyes
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Depends what you mean by "good"
I know that some people think that authors such as Joyce or Chekhov are "good", and Dan Brown's writing, for example, is not "good", and that is obviously a valid point of view.
But as you state, each person is unique, so Stanman would be perfectly justified in telling you he doesn't care a damn that he does not measure up to your standard (although I suspect he may put it more politely).
I define "good" by a story that gives great enjoyment to many readers. By that measure, the Da Vinci Code meets my criteria of being a good story, simply by virtue of the millions of readers who gained great enjoyment out of it. I suspect Stanman, and most other authors on this site, would be highly delighted if they achieved the popularity of Dan Brown (although Erin may be less than happy when the increase in readers brings the site down!).
A comment on my latest story compared me with Benny Hill and some time ago, my stories were compared to a Carry On film (my apologies to those international readers who do not know either work). I suspect, Angela, that you would be mortified by such a comparison. I was absolutely delighted, because those two each made millions of people smile. So, whilst you may not feel that votes are important, other writers are entitled to do so (although I would agree with you that hits mean very little). I think there is enough anguish in our world without trying to demotivate writers who do not measure up to our own personal aspirations.
The internet is big. There is space for you and Stanman to co-exist!
Charlotte
I own all of Dan Brown's novels and have read all but the last one. It's on my Kindle and I just can't get into it. I enjoyed the others. But -- the writing is technically quite horrible.
I love Benny Hill and would consider any comparison a huge compliment.
The intent of my comment above was to make sure writers don't get "demotivated" by a lack of reader response. The list of writers who have left BC or quit writing for just that reason is quite long.
By the way, Charlotte, there are few people on this site who have done as much for other writers as I have. I resent your implcation that I'm uncaring of writers' feelings. You're as wrong about that as you are about my opinion of Brown and Hill.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Let's not fight
Dear Angela
No one is consistently an angel. Both Nick and I drew similar conclusions from your post.
I am not doubting your general support for writers, but I do feel you could have expressed that better in your post to Stanman. "I don't care a damn," your rather harsh criticism of changes of POV, and your challenge of what Stanman has done to "improve" himself to me appeared quite aggressive.
If your intention was to ensure writers do not get demotivated, I do not believe that it will have worked with Stanman.
Let's not fight. I have tremendous respect for you and your work. But I think it's also important to realise that not everyone measures themselves by the same standards as you do. Votes are important to many, including me.
The Size of My Governor
Two wrongs don't add up to a right. You and Nick don't constitute a jury of my peers.
You cannot imagine how restrained my remarks have been and will continue to be with regards to Stan.
That "give a damn" remark is a reflection of the fact that I'm currently reading GWTW.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
The size of one's ego
Two wrongs don't add up to a right. You and Nick don't constitute a jury of my peers.
As true as that may be, the right I have to question the validity of your remarks to Stan and anyone else who may have had an interest in the hits and votes - however restrained they may have been (which doesn't actually show as the give a damn sentence doesn't do you any favours) is exactly equal to the right you have to make them.
In that respect, I feel I am your peer, as we both have opinions and are both apt to voice them, usually putting us on opposing sides. You seem convinced that Charlotte and I are wrong, yet never once do you consider that the way you say what you say to others publicly may not be right either.
If your remarks to Stan were restrained, God help us all if you stopped sugar-coating your opinions.
I don't just look it, I'm totally evil
Angie...honey...
Your been nothing but a true lady in your responses regarding Stain and his...writings. We all must remember that he has garnered plenty of help to produce what passes for a 'good' story on this site. The old adage of the bull in the china shop leaving stains comes to mind.
Mea the Magnificent
Thank You All For Your Comments.
I know that I have improved as a writer, but most of all, I know that I have helped others here as well. Me, as long as you have read my story, that's good enough for me.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Thanks Stan
May your light (and the light of all others) forever shine
Charlotte