Since coming back to the site about a week ago, I've mostly been looking and reading, and haven't done a great deal of posting, voting, or commenting, but I did see something just recently that concerned me, and now raises a question for the group:
When you vote on a story, what drives your decision?
Is it the quality of the plot and the detail within? The lack of grammatical errors?
Your liking or disliking of the story's subject matter?
My understanding was that it was about quality of the story, or at least that it should be. Furthermore, I always considered lowering a score if the grammar was deficient enough to draw my attention away from the actual storyline. However, it never occurred to me to judge a story based on whether or not I cared for the author's point of view, preferences, or genre. Doing so always seemed to me to be a disservice to the story and author.
Yet, I have seen an example of just that - criticism of content, coupled with a lowest possible score - and it calls into question these basic assumptions.
Should personal critique of the author's mindset and style be factored in, or should it be simply a measure of writing quality? Can they be separated? To this point, I was fairly certain that they could, and that the latter was only fair to the story in question.
What do you guys and girls think?
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What is the voting criteria? What should it be?
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As much as it annoys me, I do not lower my vote due to spacing, grammar or punctuation errors ~ unless, it is full of text talk. I have learnt that to do so, would be unfair to members whose English is not their first language.
As for subject matter, that is a hard one. I read a fascinating story recently and intended to give it a 5, but as I reached the last paragraph, I was sickened by what the author wrote. Did it change my score, no. I did not think it was fair to change it just because that one little bit was not to my liking. If the whole story was based on that subject matter, I would of simply not have read the story.
My scoring is based on whether the author can maintain my interest from the beginning to the end, fine details, and it gets a higher score if there is a plot and I can lose myself in the authors imagination
As for subject matter, that is a hard one. I read a fascinating story recently and intended to give it a 5, but as I reached the last paragraph, I was sickened by what the author wrote. Did it change my score, no. I did not think it was fair to change it just because that one little bit was not to my liking. If the whole story was based on that subject matter, I would of simply not have read the story.
My scoring is based on whether the author can maintain my interest from the beginning to the end, fine details, and it gets a higher score if there is a plot and I can lose myself in the authors imagination
Alpha Blonde
For myself, I pay close attention to the genre and the tags first (keeping in mind I will avoid reading something that I'm not into. That's why we have the choice of categories here at Lush).
Then I will read and assess based on how good the story is for this particular genre.
Writing style, effort, descriptives, dialogue and pacing all go into my decision for scoring.
I would never score based on my judgment of the subject matter or the morality of the characters. If I chose to read something that was properly tagged, then I know what I'm getting myself into!
My heart breaks to see some stories unfairly punished for these reasons.
Then I will read and assess based on how good the story is for this particular genre.
Writing style, effort, descriptives, dialogue and pacing all go into my decision for scoring.
I would never score based on my judgment of the subject matter or the morality of the characters. If I chose to read something that was properly tagged, then I know what I'm getting myself into!
My heart breaks to see some stories unfairly punished for these reasons.
Active Ink Slinger
I agree somewhat with what all of you have had to say. I usually read storys that interest me, but on occasion my gf has found a story or two that is not in my paticular areas of interest.
But when i read a story i try to rate it on its merits only.
How well written is it? Does it make sence (not always believeable)? Does it keep my interest?
I have found stories on occasion that are extremely well written but not always my cup of tea so to speak.
Some stories i have notice have been rated based on authors popularity or the subject matter.
It would be much better to rate storys on the mechanics, idea and flow of the story rather then anything else.
But when i read a story i try to rate it on its merits only.
How well written is it? Does it make sence (not always believeable)? Does it keep my interest?
I have found stories on occasion that are extremely well written but not always my cup of tea so to speak.
Some stories i have notice have been rated based on authors popularity or the subject matter.
It would be much better to rate storys on the mechanics, idea and flow of the story rather then anything else.
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Artistic Tart
I guess I would have to see what you are talking about to say for sure. But I think that a story should be judged on quality alone. If I read some story about a subject that I dont care about, I wont vote it badly just because its not my thing. None of us write stories that everybody is going to like, and so its a good thing that all the people who don't like them don't make us pay for that and give us 1s and 2s for our work, don't you think? It probably happens anyway, but it would be good if it was all about the writing not the subject.
Active Ink Slinger
I saw this too. Someone gave a one vote on a story that the tag line clearly stated was about a girl living out her dirtiest fantasy. The story was well written, showing the conflict between this girl and her more repressed best friend.
In the defence of this one vote, the voter claimed that the story made it seem like the girl should be punished for her dirty thoughts, while the guys weren't blamed at all. This was definitely not what I got out of the story, but even if it was, I don't see that as a valid reason for a one vote.
Especially from a moderator, someone who is supposed to keep things fun on the site, and try to step in and keep peace when a petty situation like this comes up.
In the defence of this one vote, the voter claimed that the story made it seem like the girl should be punished for her dirty thoughts, while the guys weren't blamed at all. This was definitely not what I got out of the story, but even if it was, I don't see that as a valid reason for a one vote.
Especially from a moderator, someone who is supposed to keep things fun on the site, and try to step in and keep peace when a petty situation like this comes up.
Active Ink Slinger
To answer the question about my voting criteria, I don't vote very often. Stories are such a subjective thing, that I find it hard to give an objective rating to. If I read an exceptional story, I vote, and I comment. If it's not exceptional, I just move on without voting. Before every story was approved by the mods, the one vote was useful, because you did see some extremely bad stories. But now, with every story going through a moderator before going public, all the stories I've read have been above that level. As they should be, or why have the moderators approve them?
hmmm my criteria is very different from most people. I mark people high on the following:
-no spelling mistakes because word has a spell check and so does the lush submit stories page.
-a great plot line or back story
-originality -either in writing style or redoing an old tired theme in a original manner
-great characters...I want them to either identify with them or if told from a first person perspective be them
-no spelling mistakes because word has a spell check and so does the lush submit stories page.
-a great plot line or back story
-originality -either in writing style or redoing an old tired theme in a original manner
-great characters...I want them to either identify with them or if told from a first person perspective be them
I vote on a number of points such as
- if the story is engaging;
- if while reading it, you "get" it; and
- is the story told (sometimes, you just know, chapter 2 or more will follow - which I really like)
I will only vote if it is "good or excellent" ... if not, I try to leave a comment of "suggested improvement". I think to lower the score to a 1 or 2 is the purpose of those who are here for different reasons. For example, if my story has 100 views and 12 comments/ratings - that says something .... if my story has 10,000 views and no ratings/comments - I think that says either my story sucked or people were very busy at the end of my story and their eyes were rolling back in their head with relief!! (smile)
As for the spelling/grammar/etc - those are items that as a writer/author one should be aware of and ensure it is correct for the reader. We all make small errors (you're/your/you) and the eye can often read it as it was thought before typing, if the story is engaging - we miss the mistake. If the story isn't as engaging, you'll notice every mistake.
I find I don't read certain categories because I don't find the topic "arousing" or not my cup of tea. But, should some recommend a story that is in the "don't normally read" - I will read, and am usually pleasantly surprised!
I like to have the comments or email to me your suggestions for improvement .... always received with open arms to improve my writing or your reading!
Van
x
- if the story is engaging;
- if while reading it, you "get" it; and
- is the story told (sometimes, you just know, chapter 2 or more will follow - which I really like)
I will only vote if it is "good or excellent" ... if not, I try to leave a comment of "suggested improvement". I think to lower the score to a 1 or 2 is the purpose of those who are here for different reasons. For example, if my story has 100 views and 12 comments/ratings - that says something .... if my story has 10,000 views and no ratings/comments - I think that says either my story sucked or people were very busy at the end of my story and their eyes were rolling back in their head with relief!! (smile)
As for the spelling/grammar/etc - those are items that as a writer/author one should be aware of and ensure it is correct for the reader. We all make small errors (you're/your/you) and the eye can often read it as it was thought before typing, if the story is engaging - we miss the mistake. If the story isn't as engaging, you'll notice every mistake.
I find I don't read certain categories because I don't find the topic "arousing" or not my cup of tea. But, should some recommend a story that is in the "don't normally read" - I will read, and am usually pleasantly surprised!
I like to have the comments or email to me your suggestions for improvement .... always received with open arms to improve my writing or your reading!
Van
x
I don't have any standards. If I read a story and I feel the author has tried and a lot of people have given the story low marks; I could very well give them a 5 for no other reason than I felt the other scores were too harsh. I've read some very poorly written stories but have felt I knew where the person was coming from and what they were trying to say. I recognized they have little experience but are trying to join in. I've given them a good grade for trying and sent an email with detailed comments on my impressions. If I can't give a 4 or 5 then I won't score a story. So my 4s and 5s are not based on objectivity.
When it comes to myself I like people to score my stories and make comments.
When it comes to myself I like people to score my stories and make comments.
Active Ink Slinger
topic.. arousal heat index.. and effort by the author to engage me...
Rookie Scribe
A decent plot helps. A male protagonist who makes me feel, "If I met this guy, there would be some... no time to take your clothes off....hot, wall-banging sex". Then we could talk!
Rookie Scribe
protagonist...dammit! Okay...didn't know I could edit!
Purveyor of Poetry & Porn
Hey Lurker...I agree it should be solely on the quality of the story, regardless of what you think about the authors particular fantasy, unless it is poorly expressed...
I have to say, like most people, I don't like to give low votes...most of the scores I've given on this site are 5's. but I also tend to only read authors I like...I don't do a lot of reading unless I am looking for ideas for my own stories, and I have not been short of ideas in a while...
I have come across a couple of stories here I felt deserved a 2 because of a real lack of effort on the part of the writer...and I have given out a few 1's...not on Lush, and only if I feel the story was either plajorized (yes, I've seen it, but not here) or really shows a total lack of effort...some sites allow "stories" which are as little as a single sentence...
But, I think you answered your own question...it should be based on quality...subjective, yes...but like that old standard for pornography...you know it when you see it...
Later,
Alan.
I have to say, like most people, I don't like to give low votes...most of the scores I've given on this site are 5's. but I also tend to only read authors I like...I don't do a lot of reading unless I am looking for ideas for my own stories, and I have not been short of ideas in a while...
I have come across a couple of stories here I felt deserved a 2 because of a real lack of effort on the part of the writer...and I have given out a few 1's...not on Lush, and only if I feel the story was either plajorized (yes, I've seen it, but not here) or really shows a total lack of effort...some sites allow "stories" which are as little as a single sentence...
But, I think you answered your own question...it should be based on quality...subjective, yes...but like that old standard for pornography...you know it when you see it...
Later,
Alan.
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