Disappointing Feedback, as usual...sigh

[Paolo]

Now, before you get all fired up, please know that I understand that not each story's theme is to everyone's liking.

Not everyone wants sci-fi, or minors, or gay stuff, or whatever.

However...

There have been complaints over the infrequency of new stories being posted.

Well, now that I know how to run the new system, I will tell you that there are VERY few stories coming in to start with.

Last Saturday, I spent about 4 hours cleaning up the stuff that came in and getting it posted, including the post with links.

Talula spent a LOT more time than that rigging up the stars and comments features.

Yes, the log-in is annoying, but so be it.

We've been down that road before. Not going there again, I don't think.

Here are the stats on the new stories after one week since being posted.

I confess myself disappointed.

Is it so hard to press the star button or type a comment? Could it be that after so long, the story forum is falling victim to the "Who Gives a Shit Syndrome" ???

There are no links here. The first number is the star count, the second is the number of comments.

I did not include the author replies as comments.

Genie [S] (Submitted:2015-07-28) Zipper: 2 stars, 0 comments

Nightmare Chapter 1-3 (Submitted:2015-07-27) Sorcerer: 0 stars, 0 comments

An Exam to Remember, Part 3 [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Terry0608: 8 stars, 0 comments

At the Cabin, Penectomy Debate [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Atreyu69: 8 stars, 2 comments (I don't count author replies)

Boys of Blue Creek VII [None] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Paolo: 4 stars, 0 comments

Brave New World, The Boy Hunter [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Atreyu69: 5 stars, 3 comments

Die Drei Geschwister - Teil 15 - Paarspiele [S] (Submitted:2015-07-25) chrisjessen: 3&0

Die Drei Geschwister - Teil 16 - Verschlossen [S] (Submitted:2015-07-25) chrisjessen: 1&0

Full Cut - German Language [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) patty-bremen: 2 & 0

Full Cut 2 - German Language [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) patty-bremen: 2 & 1

I Teased Too Much [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Baldwin: 6 & 0

My Queen - Encore Chapter [S] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Sorcerer: 1 & 0

Simon and the Highlander - Part 1 [Bi] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Paolo: 2 & 1

Swallow It All [S] (Submitted:2015-07-25) Odawg_666: 14 & 1

The Alphas: Act 1, Electroman [G] (Submitted:2015-07-25) slimbo333: 2 & 0

As you can see, the [s][penectomy] genre seems to be the preferred plot this month!

[Chris1115 (imported)]

To be fair, Paolo, I had been checking Cainanite's blog for the updates and completely missed the month of July so I'm playing catchup. Some stories may not apply to some people's likings, but the ones that do they should at least leave a comment at the bottom of the story itself (I assume the system lets the author know a comment was posted to their story's page). It's quick, easy and, assuming you wiped up after you finished, you won't risk sticky keys by typing a few sentences. Doesn't have to be a paragraph, just let the author know you liked it! What discourages me personally is that it is always the same people leaving feedback. I'm sure if we had a page counter we'd know a lot more people are reading it. Guess they're afraid that if they post a comment, the authorities will somehow database their interests and flag them for investigation? Still, I'd rather people read these stories and act out their fantasies in their head and get off than go out and do something illegal that harms someone else. :3

[Paolo]

(I assume the system lets the author know a comment was posted to their story's page)

Nope, it does not.

[JessicaH (imported)]

Many who read the stories may not ever look at the forum a vice versa. Years ago I read stories and didn't mess with forum and now it's the other way around.

[Paolo]

It's not so much about forum feedback as it is the stars and comments ratings that are RIGHT THERE in your face with the stories now. You don't have to move your mouse even a couple of inches to hit a star or click "comment" once you've reached the end of one.

I'm just amazed at how much these features DON'T get used.

[Losethem (imported)]

Wouldn't better, passive, feedback come from a hit counter? You'd know people were interested and reading then, even without comments.

--LT

[Chris1115 (imported)]

Counters just let the author know how many people visited their page. It doesn't give any feedback whatsoever in whether or not their story was liked. Two separate people read the story, one likes it, the other doesn't. Each person's opinion would have zero influence on the writer because a hit counter wouldn't pick up what they liked/disliked, just that the page was viewed (not even necessarily read). But all of our authors should know that they are appreciated. On behalf of all the quiet stalker-readers, I'd like to thank you all for your efforts! =)

[Paolo]

Thanks, Chris.

[Dave (imported)]

I have somewhere between 50 or 60 short stories published and I've got 4 pieces of mail as feedback for them.

My website is at least 15 years old and I get at most two emails a year about the stories. More likely none for a story but typically not more than one.

I know that is disappointing but that's the way it is.

I can say this -- be proud of your stories. Be proud that they are out there and available. Take satisfaction in that everyone (no matter how few or how many) have read and enjoyed it.

My satisfaction is that I've finished a story that I enjoyed and found it worthy of being sent out like a child into the world. I can only hope it grows up well and is enjoyed but I might never know.

[Chris1115 (imported)]

I have somewhere between 50 or 60 short stories published and I've got 4 pieces of mail as feedback for them.

My website is at least 15 years old and I get at most two emails a year about the stories. More likely none for a story but typically not more than one.

I know that is disappointing but that's the way it is.

I can say this -- be proud of your stories. Be proud that they are out there and available. Take satisfaction in that everyone (no matter how few or how many) have read and enjoyed it.

My satisfaction is that I've finished a story that I enjoyed and found it worthy of being sent out like a child into the world. I can only hope it grows up well and is enjoyed but I might never know.

Dave, first off, you and all the other authors ARE appreciated. Even if silently. Personally I'm thankful that we have any writers at all - regardless of if they get feedback or not. Consider for a moment the impact of your writing - even on the silent (never respond/give feedback) group. They're reading it, potentially enjoying the hell out of it, and getting off on it. That's great. It is regrettable that they don't let you know they enjoyed your work, but it IS a social benefit that they got their rocks off reading and fantasizing about your hard work, rather than going out and potentially harming a person (god forbid a child) by acting out their impulses actively rather than in their mind through reading a story. To the authors that haven't gotten any feedback whatsoever, I am truly sorry. You do deserve it, but be at ease knowing that you're doing a service in at least keeping the readers' fantasies exactly that. God bless, and keep up the good work!