What Exactly Do You Expect?

[Lugh]

I wanted to ask the people who are using the program now that it has steadied out a bit -- what do you expect?

 

-- about feedback?

 

-- about reviews?

 

-- about blatant self advertisement?

 

-- about the reputaton system?

 

If you are uncomfortable posting anything in this thread, please PM them to me.

 

Thank you.

 

Lugh

[Marzipan]

Just as I say in my signature below. Give feedback, leave reviews! A word or two to let the author now how you felt about the story after reading it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cia]

Some of my stories are popular, some aren't. I get comments from some people on my profile, via pm, or reviews. Honestly, I love hearing about people's thoughts but I'm okay without them. That being said, feedback does drive writers to produce more and better work usually. We learn through feedback, we get ideas and generally feel more positive when we feel others are enjoying our creations, which leads to more writing.

 

As a beta I usually support my writers by leaving reviews or forum comments, encouraging them personally, and sometimes talking up their work in chat, places like that. Writers as a whole need support on the site too. Checking out stories in the Sneak Peek forum, responding and participating in conversations about different aspects of writing in the Writer's Corner is also helpful. We always have things we can learn from each other about writing so it's great to be involved with the other writers on-site because that leads to enrichment for everyone.

 

GA Stories is a great tool for allowing readers to find what they want and the review system is relatively easy to use. At this time we have to link to the discussion forum in the stories but that was the same on e-fiction as well. I like that the authors information is clearly visible on their profile page, including likes and the story listing if they have them. All in all, my opinion is most of the features are there to make the site very supportive for the writing community, we just need to get more people participating. Stories don't promote themselves, writing doesn't get better if we don't work at it, and I ALWAYS want to know if there is a good story out there I might have missed reading.

[JamesSavik]

what do you expect?

 

 

 

A buffet would be nice. Maybe dough nuts or croissants.

[AnytaSunday]

Regarding the least favorite part of GA stories (since I clicked 'other')

 

My little moan, is that the stars for rating aren't at the bottom of the chapter, so I can rate after reading straight away. Often I forget when I don't see the stars there (and I prefer to give them away only AFTER reading the chapter, of course) so then I either have to make an effort to go back and do it, or, and this is usually the case, I just don't bother.

 

I don't know how this is for others, but for me, having those stars at the bottom would mean I rate stories/chapters far more often.

 

Other than that, I love the system.

[Marzipan]

Regarding the least favorite part of GA stories (since I clicked 'other')

 

My little moan, is that the stars for rating aren't at the bottom of the chapter, so I can rate after reading straight away. Often I forget when I don't see the stars there (and I prefer to give them away only AFTER reading the chapter, of course) so then I either have to make an effort to go back and do it, or, and this is usually the case, I just don't bother.

 

I don't know how this is for others, but for me, having those stars at the bottom would mean I rate stories/chapters far more often.

 

Other than that, I love the system.

 

 

That can be annoying, I forget too, but then again, if I remember it later I will go and rate!

[Frostina]

I read and i leave reviews... I often have nothing more to say that 'I loved it' but i still do!

 

I love the variety of stories i have to choose from :D

I do like the new system!

[jian_sierra]

As a reader, I don't have any problems with GA Stories. As a writer (sort of) I guess my only concern is that I can't give out rep points to those who were kind enough to leave a review. I think it would be nice if that was possible.

[Stargazer]

Crossing the Line has 567 views for the 11 chapters posted. That's a lot of hits. Do I know if people like it, hate it, think it's stupid, or think it's the best thing since sliced bread? No, I don't. For those 567 hits, I have gotten zero reviews. Maybe people clicked on it by accident ... 567 though? A few people hit the 'like' button for it (one being my co-writer) but other than that there's no feedback whatsoever. Hence the fact that it hasn't and won't be updated. Why waste my time when I can post elsewhere and get the feedback that let's me know what people like or don't like about it?

 

I have posted in the forum about the story, the update list has shown when a new chapter has been loaded and the link is in my signature. It's not a popularity contest for me so I don't feel the need to boast and shout "LOOK AT MY STORY." Maybe that's what I need to do to get reviews but I'm not going to so it is what it is.

 

The stories that I've read either here or through links from here, I have enjoyed and have left a review or pm-ed the author to let them know I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, time hasn't allowed me to read as much as I would like to but when I do, I review.

 

I personally don't think rep points have anything to do with a person being a good writer so that to me is moot. I've seen people with very high rep points, read some of what they've written and found it to be less than even sub par. What got me to even join the site to begin with was reading peoples' stories that I found through Google and didn't even know about rep points. The only necessary thing about them is to get yourself out of mod review. Once that happens, they don't really matter as far as actual writing goes.

 

To answer the question asked at the beginning of this thread, since this is labeled a writing site and there is a 'review' option for readers, my expectations would be that if you're reading a story, you would leave even a short review to let the author know they aren't wasting their time posting.

[Agaith]

I tend to let people know via discussion thread, status updates and in chat (if people are interested )

As for reading other people's work, I always try and leave a review every few chapters or after ive read up to where they've got up to posting wise because I know I appreciate reviews so do the same for others

[Nephylim]

I wanted to ask the people who are using the program now that it has steadied out a bit -- what do you expect?

 

-- about feedback?

 

-- about reviews?

 

-- about blatant self advertisement?

 

-- about the reputaton system?

 

If you are uncomfortable posting anything in this thread, please PM them to me.

 

Thank you.

 

Lugh

 

One complaint. The poll requires a vote in each section. This means that I had to post a vote in the last section even though I am none of the things it covers. An 'other' tag would be nice because it gives a false vote.

 

A buffet would be nice. Maybe dough nuts or croissants.

 

I'm in for that. Can I have bacon with my croissants.

 

My little moan, is that the stars for rating aren't at the bottom of the chapter, so I can rate after reading straight away.

What stars

 

Crossing the Line has 567 views for the 11 chapters posted. That's a lot of hits. Do I know if people like it, hate it, think it's stupid, or think it's the best thing since sliced bread? No, I don't. For those 567 hits, I have gotten zero reviews. Maybe people clicked on it by accident ... 567 though? A few people hit the 'like' button for it (one being my co-writer) but other than that there's no feedback whatsoever. Hence the fact that it hasn't and won't be updated. Why waste my time when I can post elsewhere and get the feedback that let's me know what people like or don't like about it?

 

I have posted in the forum about the story, the update list has shown when a new chapter has been loaded and the link is in my signature. It's not a popularity contest for me so I don't feel the need to boast and shout "LOOK AT MY STORY." Maybe that's what I need to do to get reviews but I'm not going to so it is what it is.

 

The stories that I've read either here or through links from here, I have enjoyed and have left a review or pm-ed the author to let them know I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, time hasn't allowed me to read as much as I would like to but when I do, I review.

 

I personally don't think rep points have anything to do with a person being a good writer so that to me is moot. I've seen people with very high rep points, read some of what they've written and found it to be less than even sub par. What got me to even join the site to begin with was reading peoples' stories that I found through Google and didn't even know about rep points. The only necessary thing about them is to get yourself out of mod review. Once that happens, they don't really matter as far as actual writing goes.

 

To answer the question asked at the beginning of this thread, since this is labeled a writing site and there is a 'review' option for readers, my expectations would be that if you're reading a story, you would leave even a short review to let the author know they aren't wasting their time posting.

 

I have to admit there are times when the total lack of comment is disheartening. I find this especially in realtion to stories that had a lot of reviews on efiction but now have none becuase everyone has already read them and are not going to comment again. It's not that I'm arrogant or conceited or anything... or maybe I am but I think it does the story a disservice. It gives new readers the impression that they arent good stories so I am seriously thinking of pulling them.

 

I don't like to advertise myself either. It's quite hard to even post in my status and discssion thread. To be honest I feel presumptuous. I don't start on the premise that people actually like my stories but I guess that's a self confidnence thing about me and no a general issue at all.

 

I find it extremely easy to believe that, if no one reviews that no one likes the story.

 

As for the other way around. I HAVE to review everything I read. I could never read a chapter and not have something to say. I try to find something good to say even if it's hard to find it. If there are points that I can raise which might help writers in general I make it in the review. if it's something a little bit worse or more personal I pm.

 

I ALWAYS say something. My only regret at the moment is that I don't have the time to go over all the stories I have been reading and reviewing on efiction and repost all the reviews. i am trying to get around to it but it's slow and I know many are going to slip. Because I feel disappointed about some of my most popular stories suddenly having no reviews I feel that I should at least try and minimise that for others if I can.

 

 

I tend to let people know via discussion thread, status updates and in chat (if people are interested )

As for reading other people's work, I always try and leave a review every few chapters or after ive read up to where they've got up to posting wise because I know I appreciate reviews so do the same for others

 

Aggie you are a complete star. Not only do you post in discussion threads you make them fun fun fun

[Marzipan]

Crossing the Line has 567 views for the 11 chapters posted. That's a lot of hits. Do I know if people like it, hate it, think it's stupid, or think it's the best thing since sliced bread? No, I don't. For those 567 hits, I have gotten zero reviews. Maybe people clicked on it by accident ... 567 though? A few people hit the 'like' button for it (one being my co-writer) but other than that there's no feedback whatsoever. Hence the fact that it hasn't and won't be updated. Why waste my time when I can post elsewhere and get the feedback that let's me know what people like or don't like about it?

 

 

Oooohhhh... Please don't stop updating!

I'm gonna be a good gal and go and read and review it tonight! You better not stop posting it !!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Also to Neph: Don't you dare to pull of your stories. I haven't gotten to all of them. And I have not gotten such an idea, that they're no good since the lack of reviews.

I totally agree with you on the importance of the feedback. I made a pact with myself since I started posting my own stories, that I'll leave a review of everything I read, mybe not to every chapter, but at least some thoughts the story ewoked in me. I have been doing that with great enjoyment.

[StonedOrchid]

Oooohhhh... Please don't stop updating!

I'm gonna be a good gal and go and read and review it tonight! You better not stop posting it !!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Star stopped posting on it a month ago.

 

 

The poll is a little on the skewed side since it doesn't cover all options of opinion so here are my answers. Interpret them as you wish:

 

I am a writer.

 

How do you let the author know you liked/disliked their story?

 

I review it when I find one I liked, though, my reading time is very limited.

 

As a WRITER, how do you go about getting your story out there?

 

I post it. If the summary is interesting enough, and the writing good enough, people will read it.

 

Which is your least favorite part of GA Stories at this time?

 

Lack of feedback at all ... there is no "in general" to it. The view numbers show people are reading, but nobody seems to have the time to write a simple "I loved it!" or a "It's not my kind of story, but ..." or maybe even just a "you suck, go back to school!"

 

As a READER, EDITOR or BETA READER, do you assist your WRITERS in 'getting their story out there'?

 

I am none of these ... I am a WRITER. When I don't get feedback that is consistent, I assume my story isn't being read or it has taken a turn that changed how the readers felt about it. When that happens and there are still "views" being counted on it that are more than just a random click every few days, I remove it, rewrite it if there are points that a third party can spot, or move it elsewhere to get the feedback that anything creative requires.

 

That's what I feel ... expect ... and do.

 

 

[Marzipan]

Sigh I'm deeply worried that authors here feel this way. I want to read and review every single one of the stories here, but I can do only just much alone.

 

 

Lets start working on this together to keep the authors here! It really shouldn't be a task, it should be normal interaction to leave a word or two. Sigh

 

I know I'm not the only one frustrated here. Sigh

[Lugh]

ok I fixed that last question -- my mistake -- I thought EVERYONE would qualify as a READER even the WRITERS --- silly me.

 

as for the others... pick the one that fits closest or don't... I just wanted a general idea and I'm getting it. Thanks.

[Palantir]

Well, IMHO it's not really fair to the GA system to feel there are not enough reviews and feedback.

GA provides a platform for authors and a resource for readers, that alone is something to be thankful for, let alone the myriad of bells and whistles that go with it.

There IS provision for instant feedback and provision to easily make reviews built into the site and even a structure of incentive to do so.

I see it as being up to members as to how much they use the facilities provided, not a responsibility of administrators or the site itself.

 

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely enjoy feedback and reviews and totally agree it would be nice if there were more, but every member joins the site for their own reasons and with greatly varying propensities for participation in different areas.

There's no compulsion so I think we have to be realistic in what we expect from such a diverse community.

[Andrew Q Gordon]

I wanted to ask the people who are using the program now that it has steadied out a bit -- what do you expect?

 

-- about feedback?

Expect? nothing. What would I like? People to be honest. All feed back is appreciated, and I would be lying if I said I didn't really enjoy the positive stuff. But the most helpful stuff was the critical stuff. Anyta and I 'met' when she started pulling out her red pen[type]. Recently Cailen hinted at something in his feed back that told me how observant he is with my writing. I asked for an honest assessment and he gave it to me. Now let me say, that was an amazing gift. I say gift because he took the time to type out things he saw as an issue. THAT took a lot of work for which he got, 'thank you so much' and nothing else. So I like both. I like to hear what people like and what they don't.

 

-- about reviews?

 

See above/

 

-- about blatant self advertisement?

Go for it. If you don't promote yourself who else will? Nephy has been good about helping promote other/new authors, as has Fishwish and a few others, but Nothing works as well as you yourself telling folks.

 

-- about the reputaton system?

No comment.

 

If you are uncomfortable posting anything in this thread, please PM them to me.

 

Thank you.

 

Lugh

As Iarwain said - there is no way to make folks do anything. One thing to note for those who say read count isn't in scale with reviews. Only members can review. If you look at whose doing what on GA, you will see at any given time, there are more guests than members. And those guests are reading. They can NOT review or comment - so a fair amount of your following is those who are not members and can't comment.

 

But for those who read, one of the best parts about posting on line is the back and forth between me and an author - go read the discussion thread for Hostage. People had as much fun reading the story as sparring with Nephy. I like the back and forth with those who post on my story forum. I find it a kick to read their comments and comment back. So posting is sometimes helpful, sometimes gratifying, and some times it is just fun. I wish I could duplicate the banter from Hostage on my story thread. But if I can't have that, I'd like to have it with an author I read often. [note, I have been very poor at commenting more than a review here or there, so this serves as a reminder to not be so lazy.]

 

 

 

[Mark Arbour]

Getting feedback (reviews or otherwise) has been an issue raised here many times before. I personally love feedback, especially when readers really get involved with the characters. Sometimes I get a lot of feedback, sometimes not so much. My experience here is that it takes time and effort to develop feedback of any kind. Authors who drop in here, post some stories, and expect to get lots of reviews, are simply kidding themselves. It hasn't happened, and it probably won't. Taking the time to become part of the community, to post stories on a regular basis, and to respond to feedback when it is given have been the most useful ways to draw interest.

 

I think, though, that to answer your question, it's important to look at the feedback information GA Stories provides. If you look on the sidebar page of the forums, you'll notice there are two categories, neither of which is really illustrative of what is going on behind the scenes:

 

1. Most prolific authors: This is sorted by story, not by words or by chapter. Over the past two years, I've posted at least one chapter/week, usually two or three. I don't write a lot of different stories, but I write a lot of chapters. CJ and dkstories do the same thing. No other hosted or e-fiction author has equaled CJ and I in terms of productivity over the past few years, yet we're not listed. If a reader was curious about who was prolific, those numbers, and that sidebar, would be misleading.

2. Most reviewed stories: I have mixed emotions about this sidebar. I think it rewards those authors/stories that generate reviews, and that can encourage more reviews in general. On the other hand, for promising and hosted authors, much of the story discussion happens in their forums. I'm not sure this is demonstrative of the overall level of feedback given.

 

There are all kinds of opportunities for feedback with the new system, but what frustrates me is that the most important one of all gets little or no recognition: number of reads. I loved this feature on e-fiction, and I'm thrilled to see it back here. People may not always tell you if they like your story, but this data tells you if they're reading it. The numbers are a little skewed, in that the published read number only represents "hits" to the main story page, not the cumulative number of reads for the story. Nonetheless, an author gets more detail on his/her own stories. We can see the number of people reading each chapter. When I look at my stories, I can tell based on those numbers alone whether my readers are responding to the story or not. If they are, the read numbers will be as high as the last story. If I'm writing a bomb, they won't be. There are certainly ways this number could be inaccurate, in that a long story could end up generating a lot of reads whereas a shorter but much more popular story would show a lower number, but that really only shows up in the published numbers.

[Red_A]

1. Most prolific authors: This is sorted by story, not by words or by chapter. Over the past two years, I've posted at least one chapter/week, usually two or three. I don't write a lot of different stories, but I write a lot of chapters. CJ and dkstories do the same thing. No other hosted or e-fiction author has equaled CJ and I in terms of productivity over the past few years, yet we're not listed. If a reader was curious about who was prolific, those numbers, and that sidebar, would be misleading.

 

 

Lies, Dammed Lies, and statistics.

Hint

Go to GA.Stories

Press Prolific Authors

Change Default to Word Count

Press Upate

ComIcality 3.7million Word

Mark Arbour 2.7million Words

 

 

CJames would be 6 or 7 when He publishes all his stories at about 1.2 million.

 

Having said that Bugeye is a much better more prolifc author than his 250 word count odd ranking indicates

[Red_A]

. I wish I could duplicate the banter from Hostage on my forum. But if I can't have that, I'd like to have it with an author I read often. [note, I have been very poor at commenting more than a review here or there, so this serves as a reminder to not be so lazy.]

 

 

 

 

 

lazy?

If you go to Prolific Reviews You are currently second with 344 (you were first until the last few days). I have only posted 13 and 46th. Your reviews, I have seen are good thoughtful reviews, mine are simple "how good" in comparison.

No your are definitely in the best six reviewers.

[Renee Stevens]

What do I expect? In my opinion, if I was to expect something I would no doubt be let down. Sure, the reviews are nice and I love it when I see that someone has reviewed one of my stories. While it would be nice if everyone who read a chapter posted a review, it's just not something that's going to happen.

 

Me personally, I write for my own enjoyment. It helps me to get my feelings out and sometimes even sort through things I'm going through. Some might ask, "If you write for yourself, why do you post online?" The answer to this is simple. I put a lot of time into each of my stories, some more than others. Why should I finish a story just to let it sit on my computer? Why shouldn't I post it to see if someone else can get a little bit of enjoyment out of all the work I put into it? It's as simple as that.

 

I've read a few posts, not so much in this thread, but in some others where the Author would rather get reviews than get the +1. I personally like seeing the little green number. I look at a combination of everything when I go to see what people are thinking of my stories. I look at how many stars it has (if it has any), the number in that little green circle, my read counts, and finally my reviews. Sometimes there's no stars, but there's a number in the green circle and maybe a review, but not always. As an author, I look at the big picture, though I do encourage my readers to leave me a review or join in on a discussion in the forum. Some do, some don't.

 

As far as me reviewing, I haven't been as good with this as I wish I was. I have been trying to do better, but simply put, I haven't been reading as much as I used to. I have been concentrating more on my stories as of late. For those stories that I have been reading, I have been trying to leave reviews. If not every chapter, then every few chapters.

 

For what it's worth, that's my take on the whole review thing.

[Ara]

I do try to give feedback tho I am notoriously bad at that side until something is finished and I have an overall picture of the story.

 

I much prefer the forum side of it as its interactive and you can not only say what you think about a particular point of the story but you can also get more involved with the other readers as well. I do aim to review everything I have read thats completed so theres some sort of final analysis from me altho it doesnt always work, good intentions and all that

[Mark Arbour]

Lies, Dammed Lies, and statistics.

Hint

Go to GA.Stories

Press Prolific Authors

Change Default to Word Count

Press Upate

ComIcality 3.7million Word

Mark Arbour 2.7million Words

 

 

CJames would be 6 or 7 when He publishes all his stories at about 1.2 million.

 

Having said that Bugeye is a much better more prolifc author than his 250 word count odd ranking indicates

 

I know how to do the sort. My point is that those aren't the statistics that are published on the forum page. The stuff that's posted there should have significant meaning.

[Altimexis]

I"m late to the party as usual. Somehow this topic slipped under my radar . . . and my day job keeps me busy.

 

Pros of the new GA Stories system:

 

1. Everyone is on an equal footing - new authors can post as easily as hosted authors.

2. Story entry is direct - hosted authors need no longer wait for Joe to post their stories.

3. The site has a much more uniform, cohesive appearance. It's no longer a collection of individual author sites.

 

Cons of the new GA Stories system:

 

1. Much of the flexibility for individual formatting of hosted stories has been lost.

2. Some important HTML functionality is not supported, such as the ability to cross-reference anchors within one's own stories.

3. The parallel systems of reviews and forum postings is confusing - these should be combined in some way.

2. The parallel systems of ratings and reputation points is confusing.

5. As before, there is a need for more objectivity with ratings - not everything should be 4.5 or 5 stars.

6. The reputation system is heavily biased toward readership. Not that readership isn't important, but so is quality.

 

Hope this helps.

[Riley Jericho]

I have to admit there are times when the total lack of comment is disheartening. I find this especially in relation to stories that had a lot of reviews on efiction but now have none because everyone has already read them and are not going to comment again. It's not that I'm arrogant or conceited or anything... or maybe I am but I think it does the story a disservice. It gives new readers the impression that they arent good stories so I am seriously thinking of pulling them.

 

I don't like to advertise myself either. It's quite hard to even post in my status and discretion thread. To be honest I feel presumptuous. I don't start on the premise that people actually like my stories but I guess that's a self confidence thing about me and no a general issue at all.

 

I find it extremely easy to believe that, if no one reviews that no one likes the story.

 

 

I think I can identify here too.

 

I really enjoy the writing of stories - it's a challenge and a journey with each one and I can hardly wait to post when a chapter is ready; in fact I'm usually too hasty and have to go back over it to put right glaring typos! I know there are plenty of folk who find that journey, in itself, satisfying enough - but for me, I get disheartened if there is little or no sense of whether the chapter made any impact.

 

Of course, we've been over the whole 'review' discussion many times; in the end, people will review...or they wont. It's as simple as that 'cos you can't force them. However, this thread was launched to evaluate the change from the old system to the new and, in that, there have been some downfalls for me in that - unless I missed it, and it's my own fault - there was never any functionality to transfer reviews as they stood along with the story itself.

 

For example, my 'English Teen...(yep you know the rest)' story vied with Nephy's Enigma for a while at the top slot for the most reviewed story in eFiction. We were in the 150+ range for reviews of our work and my experience has been that multiple reviews attract attention and give a story quite some momentum amongst the general readership on GA. 'Lots of reviews - wow! Better check it out!'

 

Yet, the reality would be, if I started posting that same story again, I would get very few reviews or feedback, because those that do review have already done so last time and are less likely to again. I would want to update the work as I went along to freshen it up and reinvest in it, but I just know that I would never get past the first few chapters because it would feel like nobody was particularly interested anymore.

 

I realise that, for personal reasons, I've been out of the picture for a while and haven't posted much content, but I guess I'm saying it was a shame that so much story momentum got lost in the transition.

 

Riley