I have no doubt that we have amongst us one, two, possibly three degenerate trolls who get a thrill out of low scoring work that is much superior to anything that their small mind could contrive.
Honestly? I get pissed off! It doesn't last long but that is certainly my initial reaction.
One of my lowest scoring prose pieces is the one that has a ribbon attached. I know that's a good piece and clearly one or more Story Verifiers thought so at the time, too. Based on the general pattern of voting on this site, I cannot understand why it doesn't get straight 5s. I sound like a big-headed tool right now but fuck it, that's a bloody good story.
After a while, I let the anger induced by a 3 pass into melancholy reflection. Maybe that person is the only one who really knows what they're talking about and this story really is "Average". Maybe I'm not a decent writer like some would have me believe and maybe I just shouldn't bother writing anymore.
Then I get a grip. In the grand scheme of things, what the hell does it matter if my stories don't have the highest ratings or the most views? If I know a couple of people genuinely liked it then that should be enough for me. I write because I like to write and because I like to see how well I can do it. I know if I've written something good and if I've written something average. I see a lot of stories on this site that reassure me that I'm not a bad writer.
Interestingly, I found myself getting rather annoyed at the high scores one of my stories was receiving. From the moment I finished and submitted it, I was unhappy with it and said as much to some of my friends. I want to rewrite it because, in my view, it's sub-par. You can imagine my frustration when it starts racking up 5s. Firstly, it made me doubt my own judgement. Secondly, it made me lose a little bit of faith in the whole scoring system. My thoughts were, "This crap is scoring better than my EP?" So there are two sides of the coin, I guess.
Sadly, people do it.
When you allow people to vote and comment, that is just what they do! (for good or bad) It doesn't matter if you are a movie director, rock star or a simple writer on an erotic website. When you put yourself in the public forum, that's just what you get, the opinions of the public (and anonymous voting is just another way of expressing an opinion)
I know (and have responded to it in a similar thread, previously) that I've received low votes and the occasional negative comment... It's the nature of the beast. I think the important thing is to not take it personally, especially if it's something I can learn and better my writing from.
I've read your story (well, you know I verified it) but I haven't voted or commented on it, although I have to say that it was a well-written, descriptive piece and I would most likely have given it at the very least a four, but more likely, a 5.
However, that doesn't mean that everyone else feels the same way... A three is not a bad vote. A one or a two is a bad vote, but a three would be a 'pass' in my book and I have had my share of threes.
My worry is that calling people out on their votes (which of course are anonymous) will merely serve to discourage people from voting at all. Better perhaps to just let it go, disable voting on your stories or use the feature where people have to leave if a comment if they wish to vote - again though, I feel that will only stop people from voting. Not everyone has something to say, they either like one's work or they do not...
As a matter of interest, if I felt that a piece merited a 3 or less, I would be more likely to send the author a private message, telling them what I thought and why, giving them the option to take what I had said on board, or not, but not 'wasting' their comments section with negativity. I have received and acted acted upon such comments myself and appreciated them very much...
It's certainly not worth getting annoyed about, well, I don't think so... It is just the internet after all...
I have to say that Mazza and Clum have put it well and I agree with what they said above. Like Clum I have had a few moments of being angry or self-doubt with a low score being given, but it the end, I write for myself, to express myself and to please no one else in particular. If readers relate to what I (and my collaborator with respect to stories) have written, that is positive. If some do not, it will not stop me from writing if I wish to or cause me to think less of myself or my ability.
Thank you both, Mazza and Clum, for putting this in proper perspective.
As somebody who has received 1's, 2's and 3's repeatedly on my stories and poetry without any form of critical commentary ...
And as someone who is extremely critical of my own work ...
And as someone who takes criticism personally ...
And where a "unwarranted" vote or malicious comment affects my sense of self-worth ...
Which has on a couple of occassions has caused me to stop writing as I could no longer see the pleasure in creating so others could be dismissive, malignant and vicious ...
I no longer allow people to vote on my postings ...
And I am much happier for it x
Yes, you should have a hazard label on you, "warning CG will be your every fantasy"
We've all been hit by the cowardly low vote troll that is too chicken shit to reveal their identity. I've gotten a 1, and several 3s often, myself. If they didn't message me or leave a comment as to why, I take it as proof that they are jealous because their own abilities are so inadequate.
If you have received one of these random acts of juvenile vandalism, just rack it up to the fact that you are actually one of the quality writers on Lush. Wear it as an badge of honor. (Honour for my dear British, Australian and Canadian friends.)
Inferior people despise superior people! They always want what someone else has but are unwilling or incapable to do the work to earn it for themselves.
PS. I love that Al Pacino speech too. Thanks Mazza!
I just got a 2 on a story I spent almost a week writing, no comment, no pm, no hey-I-didn't-like-this-part.
I'm going to go with Buz's post and take it to mean that I did something right and the 2-leaver can go *censored*
I don't mean to sound all bitter or petty, and I have gotten low scores before, it's just that the last one was a bit difficult for me to write.
I really don't like to give a score that drives down their over total. Instead, if I feel that something could have been better I prefer to PM the writer and give them my opinion privately. Other writers have done this for me and I am always grateful for their critique.
I still maintain that a good story will shine, despite the scores... A mixed score is intriguing... Like a reputation that precedes someone, you know?
I mean, if it's got someone's back up to the degree that they've actually given it a 1 or a 2, then there must be something good in there?
Sarcastic Coffee Aficionado
I was astounded the other day when my story was hit with a one. It had already at that point had seven 5's and a four. I re-read my story and wondered what the hell was wrong with it.
Like a number of people here, if a story is that bad, I will just leave it. If there was potential, I'll pm the writer.
I remember when Lush had the scoring system of .... why does this story deserve a 3, 2 or 1. You HAD to comment or your score would not count.
Personally, I would like to see that scoring re-installed. As a writer, I am all for some suggestions on how to make my stories better .... but to have no comment on why it's a 1, 2 or even a 3, does not give any writer something constructive to work on.
