"Recommended Read" Requirements

Quote by JuneFernan
A recommended read is usually just an indicator of how many mods are on your friends list and how often you post in the forums or give soaring praise on other stories. Make yourself look popular on this site and you'll get RR's. At least that's the way it seems to me. Maybe I'm just bitter that none of my stories got it.

Quote by HeraTeleia


At the time that I received the RR, I had exactly zero mods on my friend list, had posted very little on the forums and had not commented on or scored any story. I believe I now have two mods on my friend list, both of whom sent FR's to me. I still have not commented on or scored any story. As far as making myself "look popular"...not even sure how one would go about accomplishing that feat.

Quote by JuneFernan
A recommended read is usually just an indicator of how many mods are on your friends list and how often you post in the forums or give soaring praise on other stories. Make yourself look popular on this site and you'll get RR's. At least that's the way it seems to me. Maybe I'm just bitter that none of my stories got it.

Quote by naughtyannie
Can someone remind me when RRs started? I'm sure it was since I joined Lush in 2011. The list of them goes back before then, so I guess there's been a bit of post-dated recommending.

Quote by naughtyannie
Can someone remind me when RRs started? I'm sure it was since I joined Lush in 2011. The list of them goes back before then, so I guess there's been a bit of post-dated recommending.

Quote by AbigailThornton
From memory, I think it was May 2013.

As well as looking at new stories, mods browse through the other 27 000 stories on the site. The job means that we're looking for problems to fix, but if we come across something we think is worthy of an RR, we can award it.

Quote by sprite
i am actually pretty stingy with RRs. not only that, but if i am giving a non mod an RR, it usually means that they're in my radar for asking them to join the team - so yeah, eventually, people with RRs end up as mods, so the process is actually backwards. recently i have Chrisse Lecker a couple of RRs. this was before i knew her and before she was a mod. since then, i have gotten to know her and consider her a friend. see? you really have the process backwards.

oh, one other thing. i've been on this site for over 4 years now, i think. i've been a mod for a good portion of that time. i got my first EP for winning a contest. i think it says a lot about the quality of my entry to tell you that Jaymal took second place to my first. it was 3 years before i received an actual nomination for an EP beyond that, and i consider myself a pretty decent writer. it happens, sometimes. for whatever reason, sometimes it takes a bit to get the recognition you think you, or someone else, deserves. btw, my first 2 non contest EPs were nominated by Nicola. it took me, one of the senior mods, until this year to get something passed (i've had one or 2 stories voted down as well) for an award.

think about that. i'm fairly well known here, i've written close to 100 stories, i'm a senior mod, i've known everyone in admin forever, and i'm even on the EP panel, and yet, with all those pluses, it took me close to 4 years to get an award from my peers. so much for favoritism, right? and you know something? when it happened, it felt pretty damn sweet, cause it wasn't easy.

so, yeah, sometimes it just takes time to properly recognize stories and authors. if you're good, if you deserve one, though, it will happen.


rach

Quote by stephanie


Echo this.

(I was a Senior Mod for Four Years. I'm a VERY good writer. I don't have an EP. AND I was on the EP panel for much of that time. There are NO "cliques" at Lush Stories when it comes to awards. Trust me...)

xx Steph

(I WISH there fucking was... *laughs!*)

Quote by Mazza


You had an EP for Client...

Quote by stephanie


Echo this.

(I was a Senior Mod for Four Years. I'm a VERY good writer. I don't have an EP. AND I was on the EP panel for much of that time. There are NO "cliques" at Lush Stories when it comes to awards. Trust me...)

Incidentally, I was ONCE nominated for an EP but it wasn't carried in the end... Just goes to show...

xx Steph

(I WISH there fucking was... *laughs!*)

Quote by JuneFernan
Well I was going to leave this topic alone since my first post in it pissed enough people off, and I know all of them are going to disagree, but I guess I should clarify what I meant. I don't think there's any outright conspiracy or purposeful backscratching that happens in the process, I just think it's very subject to bias. I'm assuming the story verifier knows who the author is when they read the submission, since no one has stated otherwise. So when a mod comes across a submission by someone whose work they've enjoyed before, their eyes perk up and they expect to see high quality writing. And the reverse can happen with submissions from new members on the site, especially if the mod is tired from reading a few bad submissions and their eyes are glazed over. It's the placebo effect in the form of judging writing. If you think this is entirely impossible, then you should read a little bit of psychology.

Of course, a submission has to be above a certain threshold of quality to get the RR, but the threshold seems lower for the well-known members who've already gotten some accolades. Yes, maybe their earned their attention with good writing, but it's not as important for them to replicate the same level of quality to get the RR again.

Like I said, this is just my opinion. I don't particularly spend a lot of time scrutinizing recommended reads or caring who gets them, so maybe I'm totally uninformed. It's also possible that some mods have a bias against well-known members on the site because they're afraid of hearing the sort of criticism above. It doesn't really need to be a refined system if no one's making money off it. And, of course, I appreciate the mods for spending their time reading through the slush pile of Lush. From now on we should call it the Lush Slush.

Quote by JuneFernan
Well I was going to leave this topic alone since my first post in it pissed enough people off, and I know all of them are going to disagree, but I guess I should clarify what I meant. I don't think there's any outright conspiracy or purposeful backscratching that happens in the process, I just think it's very subject to bias. I'm assuming the story verifier knows who the author is when they read the submission, since no one has stated otherwise. So when a mod comes across a submission by someone whose work they've enjoyed before, their eyes perk up and they expect to see high quality writing. And the reverse can happen with submissions from new members on the site, especially if the mod is tired from reading a few bad submissions and their eyes are glazed over. It's the placebo effect in the form of judging writing. If you think this is entirely impossible, then you should read a little bit of psychology.

Of course, a submission has to be above a certain threshold of quality to get the RR, but the threshold seems lower for the well-known members who've already gotten some accolades. Yes, maybe their earned their attention with good writing, but it's not as important for them to replicate the same level of quality to get the RR again.

Like I said, this is just my opinion. I don't particularly spend a lot of time scrutinizing recommended reads or caring who gets them, so maybe I'm totally uninformed. It's also possible that some mods have a bias against well-known members on the site because they're afraid of hearing the sort of criticism above. It doesn't really need to be a refined system if no one's making money off it. And, of course, I appreciate the mods for spending their time reading through the slush pile of Lush. From now on we should call it the Lush Slush.

Quote by Delphi


I appreciate your honesty in this post and think you relayed your thoughts well. I think Dirty_D covered some of the post as far as replies and you covered more with the first sentence in your last paragraph! lol That said, I can tell you that it's rare for me to award an RR straight off the bat--if a story blows me away like that, typically it'll be nominated for an EP as well. But I do remember stories that I thought were good and I go back to them later with a cleared head. What you said about the gazed over effect is true, but also sometimes when the courses of our lives are up and down, the feelings of what we're going through taint our perceptions in every aspect of our lives. That's why I go back to reread. We're all just human and trying our best.

Except Sprite. I think she's a cat.

Ah, back then we had some great discussions! 😊

But then RR's seemed to have a point -- at least for some. I have had several and they meant zero in terms of comments/votes/readers.

Do they have any use at all now? Or are they just another erasure from the writer's black board? I still write as usual, but really have no interest in posting anything serious. It is quite sad.

Quote by kistinspencil

But then RR's seemed to have a point -- at least for some. I have had several and they meant zero in terms of comments/votes/readers.

Do they have any use at all now? Or are they just another erasure from the writer's black board? I still write as usual, but really have no interest in posting anything serious. It is quite sad.

They are nice to get, but it's been shown over and over again that category, title, tags, and word count (series tend to drop off in views) have more to do with views and number of votes than anything. I think people do look for RRs and EPs when they are looking at authors' libraries or wanting to see what's been given the extra recognition in a category they're into or curious about writing.

If you want views, just churn out stories with titles like 'Taboo Teen Creampie'. Personally, I write erotica to explore erotica. Because I rarely see people like myself or my partner in erotica. Because I crave representation. Because there's not enough tentacle sex, or food sex, or period sex. Or just because something made me horny and I had to write about it. ;)

My favorite stories that I've read here are ones where it feels like the author put a bit of themselves in there. Not just their fantasy, but their vulnerabilities and true desires, hidden away between the folds of fiction and giving it that edge of Truth. Those are the ones that leave an impact, for me anyway.

I hope you find that spark to press you forward again.

Quote by kistinspencil

But then RR's seemed to have a point -- at least for some. I have had several and they meant zero in terms of comments/votes/readers.

Do they have any use at all now? Or are they just another erasure from the writer's black board? I still write as usual, but really have no interest in posting anything serious. It is quite sad.

To receive such an honour for a microfiction story is a magnificent achievement, Kistin.

Quote by CallmeJayne

Quote by kistinspencil

But then RR's seemed to have a point -- at least for some. I have had several and they meant zero in terms of comments/votes/readers.

Do they have any use at all now? Or are they just another erasure from the writer's black board? I still write as usual, but really have no interest in posting anything serious. It is quite sad.

To receive such an honour for a microfiction story is a magnificent achievement, Kistin.

It would be, indeed, but not one I have risen to, I'm afraid. Outside a comp, I think only two writers have gotten it for a micro -- KimmiBeGood and AylaJ.

I've never received a single award from Lush. I don't mind as for me what's important is what the readers think. I don't know any fancy words and I don't like to use swear words. I still managed to get a famous story star with only one "F" word in it. I believe that in over fifty stories I've only ever used that word twice. All were received quite well by the readers, and that's the only thing important to me. When they stop reading my stories, I'll stop writing them.

Quote by VioletVixen

Quote by kistinspencil

But then RR's seemed to have a point -- at least for some. I have had several and they meant zero in terms of comments/votes/readers.

Do they have any use at all now? Or are they just another erasure from the writer's black board? I still write as usual, but really have no interest in posting anything serious. It is quite sad.

They are nice to get, but it's been shown over and over again that category, title, tags, and word count (series tend to drop off in views) have more to do with views and number of votes than anything. I think people do look for RRs and EPs when they are looking at authors' libraries or wanting to see what's been given the extra recognition in a category they're into or curious about writing.

If you want views, just churn out stories with titles like 'Taboo Teen Creampie'. Personally, I write erotica to explore erotica. Because I rarely see people like myself or my partner in erotica. Because I crave representation. Because there's not enough tentacle sex, or food sex, or period sex. Or just because something made me horny and I had to write about it. ;)

My favorite stories that I've read here are ones where it feels like the author put a bit of themselves in there. Not just their fantasy, but their vulnerabilities and true desires, hidden away between the folds of fiction and giving it that edge of Truth. Those are the ones that leave an impact, for me anyway.

I hope you find that spark to press you forward again.

You my lady are a star.

Quote by verity100
I still managed to get a famous story star with only one "F" word in it

I've been here 6 years and don't think I am (was?) even close to a Famous badge on any of my stories, so you must be doing something right that draws readers! Keep at it, I say. You write very well.

Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and cut down on the cuss words. Or put the time in to become a better writer overall. It's on the plan...

It seems that the point might be made that longevity around here does help, especially because it gives the moderators more time to actually get familiar with your writing. I've received some awards from mods who did not actually moderate a particular story but happened to read it later.

I have been privileged to receive 22 RRs and 1 EP. Out of those I was awarded 7 by Nicola, Buz 4, Sprite 2, CurvyGalore 2, Liz 2, WSCLG 1, Stephanie 1, and Stormdog 1. The count is a bit off because I don't remember who gave some of them. It should be pointed out that some were awarded because the work was in the top ten of a competition. That was the case for the lone EP.

Please note that I had to write over 500 works to get those awards and enter 39 contests. They are not simply thrown out. At least, not to me. I'm proud of all of them.

And, I want to note that some of the moderators listed are known to be "stingy" with their awards.

Please, keep trying, writing good stuff. Your readers and fans will appreciate it.

Quote by Green_Man
They are not simply thrown out.

I second this. RRs and EPs are a serious honour. I'm lucky enough to have a bunch and am proud of every one. Like you, some of mine have been awarded long after publication, by moderators who stumble across and enjoy what I write.

I'm always thrilled to receive them because I put a lot of effort into storytelling (and trying to get better at it) and know that I can - and often do - drop the ball by writing substandard content or being too experimental. That's all part of trying to improve, and I'm still hacking away at it.

Quote by Green_Man
some of the moderators... are known to be "stingy" with their awards

Raises paw

Ahem. My standards are perhaps a little unrealistically high. A story has to knock my legs off to get one and, usually, by the time I've decided to award it, someone else has done so anyway.

That's my excuse for being tight with handing out awards and I'm sticking to it 😎

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Quote by verity100
I still managed to get a famous story star with only one "F" word in it

I've been here 6 years and don't think I am (was?) even close to a Famous badge on any of my stories, so you must be doing something right that draws readers! Keep at it, I say. You write very well.

Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and cut down on the cuss words. Or put the time in to become a better writer overall. It's on the plan...

My dear Mr Wordsworth. I only started writing this year. Taking any pointers from my little scribbles would be a backwards step for a fine writer such as your good self. I can assure you, nobody is more surprised than me that my stories have so far been received quite well. I’m putting it down to beginners luck.

I often have a little tear of joy when I see a reader come back for more. The only reason I don’t use cuss words in my stories is because I don’t use cuss words. Dyslexia and a lack of any formal education means I only know how to write one way, the simple way.  I have never read so much as a single book. I know nothing of the art of storytelling.

The only technique I have is to find a picture that I like, one that speaks to me. I then try to imagine the circumstances that brought it about. Once I have that idea in my head, I write my story as if I were writing a letter to a friend. In my eyes, anyone who takes the time to read one of my scribbles is a friend. If you have a look at the picture I used in my latest competition entry, the expression on the face of the woman says it all. In my mind, it looks like the picture was actually made for the story, not the other way round. I really am that simple.

Quote by verity100

find a picture that I like... then try to imagine the circumstances that brought it about.

Snap! I often do this. Many of my pieces start with a picture that sparks an idea and I imagine how that situation came about. Some the other way round, which is harder to find a picture that does it justice, I think.