Removing negative feedback for fanfictions

Darth_Yuthura · Jul 28th 2010, 3:22pm

Hi, I've posted two stories on this forum and I ended up getting single star ratings on both within a short period of time. I don't think I'm being arrogant when I say that the quality of my stories didn't deserve that. But now that this person (probably for both stories) has left a one-star rating, it will discourage others from considering whether to check a new story. It's hard enough to get readers among some very talented writers, but it's even harder when someone just cruelly down rates a new story that may or may not have some potential to new readers.

I don't know what the policy is for negative feedback on stories, but I really wish that single-star ratings be removed if the story obviously isn't deserved of such a rating. I would much rather disable the rating altogether than have it where people can just leave negative feedback for anyone's story at random.

If any moderators can help me on this, it would be appreciated.

Posbi · Jul 28th 2010, 4:37pm

I'd rather have people actually to state their criticism instead of just being able to rate a thread. It's a difference whether a story has a bad quality (style, grammar, pacing) or simply one simply doesn't like it. Both are legitimate, but people should actually take the time to tell and author why they voted how they voted.

Darth_Yuthura · Jul 28th 2010, 5:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posbi

I'd rather have people actually to state their criticism instead of just being able to rate a thread. It's a difference whether a story has a bad quality (style, grammar, pacing) or simply one simply doesn't like it. Both are legitimate, but people should actually take the time to tell and author why they voted how they voted.

I totally agree with this. One thing about reviews on fanfiction I really appreciate is that it gives potential readers the chance to see what others thought of the fiction. I actually would encourage some level of rating for good writers, but find some very poorly-written content can easily get mixed in with the same pool of stories as Mark Twain's. I think that the thread's number of hits almost speaks to a story's popularity... you really don't need ratings at all to see what makes a good thread.

NUKLEAR-SLUG · Jul 29th 2010, 12:32pm

There isn't much point posting on a site that has a star rating if you're not prepared to accept the feedback you get.

So you got a 1-star, so what? Maybe that guy just didn't like your writing. If it's good enough to merit it then everyone else will give it more stars so his is going to wind up and insignificant statistical blip.

AdmiralTigercla · Jul 29th 2010, 1:52pm

The star-rating is bogus anyway. I rarely even notice it when checking out topics.

However, there are haters out there who will deliberately mark a thread as one-star simply because they don't like you and want to smear-campaign you whenever you leave them open to it.

I just ignore it.

Isil`Zha · Jul 29th 2010, 4:06pm

People also go through and rate everything 1-star "for the lulz." So yeah, it's essentially pointless.

Tarquinn · Jul 30th 2010, 5:05am

Give your own thread a five, and suddenly you have a three star rating.

Problem solved.

Alternatively, I can vote all your threads five. For a neglible fee, of course. Those good ratings aren't cheap, you know.

Jedi Matt · Jul 30th 2010, 11:44am

^^ I can give a better offer.

Mellian · Jul 30th 2010, 7:43pm

People very rarely pay attention to the ratings. I barely notice.

foamy · Jul 30th 2010, 10:57pm

I've seen threads get double-digits or more 5-stars, with one guy giving it a single star.

Because people are assholes.

Tarquinn · Jul 31st 2010, 1:36am

Quote:

Originally Posted by foamy

I've seen threads get double-digits or more 5-stars, with one guy giving it a single star.

Because people are assholes.

Oh noes, some people don't like what I like, those ASSHOLES.

Darth_Yuthura · Jul 31st 2010, 8:51am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarquinn

Give your own thread a five, and suddenly you have a three star rating.

Problem solved.

I really try not to rate my own work, as I prefer readers to do that. I maybe take the star rating too seriously, but I really would rather that I get what readers think I deserve for my work. If my story's good, they'll probably comment and come back when I update. If it's bad, they won't glance at it again.

My second story has since been raised to four stars by a number of other readers, but I feel it's undeserved. Although I'm appreciative of the positive ratings, I think readers did it to counter the negative ratings I got earlier.

However, if everyone here says they don't judge on the number of stars, then I guess I'm alright with whatever I get. If my work is good, readers will come back. If it's not that great, then I just would like to know how I could improve upon it.

Thanks for the feedback here.

foamy · Jul 31st 2010, 8:55am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarquinn

Oh noes, some people don't like what I like, those ASSHOLES.

Nah, it's somebody going through and handing out one-stars to everything, probably for purposes of trolling.

Dartz · Jul 31st 2010, 4:05pm

Look at it this way.

Could be worse. Could have no stars and no idea.

Star Dragon · Jul 31st 2010, 5:46pm

When I first joined I think I voted for two stories, then I realized something.

System is irrelevant.

If people like crap, it gets voted as good crap. If people happen to hate a solid story, it gets voted down as crap. Ratings are subjective and unless you identify with the majority of those posting their view on a particular story, your vote is meaningless in that demographic.

In short, democracy doesn't always work.

Obama blew me away recently, "I don't care about polls."

o.O A poll is a vote, and if you don't care about votes then you're main stream politician.
You big Jerk!

anyway.

I would say you should care MORE about real verbal comments in your fic thread. Listen to constructive feedback for improvements and just ignore the rest.

If someone gets out of hand, then you can just ignore them, also Mods can ban them...

Some of the best threads also have the most bullshit from comments so you learn to grow a thick skin and understand, Humanity is flawed.

Treat it overall like the "special child" you just smile and agree with to get them to STFU and GTFO. Then once they leave, go back to business as usual...

Xort · Aug 1st 2010, 3:41am

Like blood in the water.

rogrd · Aug 1st 2010, 7:31am

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralTigercla

The star-rating is bogus anyway.

I agree it is better off being abolished.

bluemarsman · Aug 1st 2010, 10:30pm

It took several months before I even realized we had a star rating system.

LurkingGoblin · Aug 6th 2010, 12:49am

We have a star rating system?

."..huh" <--------in Mal's voice

Jedi Matt · Aug 6th 2010, 7:44am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LurkingGoblin

We have a star rating system?

."..huh" <--------in Mal's voice

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemarsman

It took several months before I even realized we had a star rating system.

Who are you

LurkingGoblin · Aug 6th 2010, 6:19pm

I don't post much (partly due to not having a comp for half a year), but i have been reading the boards for awhile.

RandomJ · Aug 7th 2010, 2:07am

You take this "star" shenanigan way too seriously.
Relax.

Darth_Yuthura · Aug 7th 2010, 6:56am

Alright, I've gotten over the problem since this thread started.

Since people don't really make a big deal about the star rating, then I don't see any issue with it anymore. I'm fine now. Thank-you.

Jul 28th 2010, 3:22pm	#1
Darth_Yuthura Purple Evil Twi'lek Join Date: 31 May 2010 Location: Romulus Posts: 675	Removing negative feedback for fanfictions Hi, I've posted two stories on this forum and I ended up getting single star ratings on both within a short period of time. I don't think I'm being arrogant when I say that the quality of my stories didn't deserve that. But now that this person (probably for both stories) has left a one-star rating, it will discourage others from considering whether to check a new story. It's hard enough to get readers among some very talented writers, but it's even harder when someone just cruelly down rates a new story that may or may not have some potential to new readers. I don't know what the policy is for negative feedback on stories, but I really wish that single-star ratings be removed if the story obviously isn't deserved of such a rating. I would much rather disable the rating altogether than have it where people can just leave negative feedback for anyone's story at random. If any moderators can help me on this, it would be appreciated. __________________ The cause of all suffering is ignorance. Only through the pursuit of knowledge can one escape the path of vice and delusion. The entire world is driven by will, blind and ruthless. In order to transcend the limitations of that world, you need to stop willing, stop desiring, stop hating.

Jul 28th 2010, 4:37pm	#2
Posbi Capitan Maximum Join Date: 16 Jul 2000 Location: Germany Posts: 11,051	I'd rather have people actually to state their criticism instead of just being able to rate a thread. It's a difference whether a story has a bad quality (style, grammar, pacing) or simply one simply doesn't like it. Both are legitimate, but people should actually take the time to tell and author why they voted how they voted. __________________ A *Wheel of Time* Epic (100,000+ words): Shades of Grey, Book I: "The Oncoming Storm" - COMPLETED A World War 2/Alternate History Novel: "The Fires of Time" - IN PROGRESS A *T:SCC/nuVisitor* Crossover: "Evil be Thou my Good" - IN PROGRESS The War Blog Where I review WW2 Fiction and Non-Fiction

Jul 29th 2010, 1:52pm	#5
AdmiralTigercla GCFA Fleet Command Otaku Join Date: 23 Nov 2006 Location: Subspace Posts: 12,317	The star-rating is bogus anyway. I rarely even notice it when checking out topics. However, there are haters out there who will deliberately mark a thread as one-star simply because they don't like you and want to smear-campaign you whenever you leave them open to it. I just ignore it. __________________ Is eight hours of sleep too much to ask for? I dunno... Read to find out. Ernest Hart Keep Track of me at: The Antarctic Shrine "It's bad form to make girls cry..." Magical Girl: Coming Soon.

Jul 29th 2010, 4:06pm	#6
Isil`Zha The Divider of Heaven Join Date: 1 Apr 2000 Location: Above you! Posts: 15,138	People also go through and rate everything 1-star "for the lulz." So yeah, it's essentially pointless. __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. "14579: The female MP Spartan model would, when her shields were popped, suddenly become the male Spartan model. IT’S A TRAP."

Jul 30th 2010, 5:05am	#7
Tarquinn Custom User Title Join Date: 30 Mar 2003 Location: Sol System Posts: 4,121	Give your own thread a five, and suddenly you have a three star rating. Problem solved. Alternatively, I can vote all your threads five. For a neglible fee, of course. Those good ratings aren't cheap, you know. __________________ ~Never underestimate the powers of a Dark Clown

Jul 29th 2010, 12:32pm	#4
NUKLEAR-SLUG Registered Join Date: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 372	There isn't much point posting on a site that has a star rating if you're not prepared to accept the feedback you get. So you got a 1-star, so what? Maybe that guy just didn't like your writing. If it's good enough to merit it then everyone else will give it more stars so his is going to wind up and insignificant statistical blip.

Jul 30th 2010, 11:44am	#8
Jedi Matt Official Evil SB Cardinal Commander Join Date: 15 Oct 2003 Location: Texas the Lone Star State Posts: 3,971	^^ I can give a better offer. __________________ "Jedi Matt vs. month-old newb, the fight of the hour! Now taking bets! Popcorn for $1.50 a bucket! " cpj1227 "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the deathmarine of Spacebattles!" ~Jedi Matt (by Lord Xelkor) Ah, Matt's the one who opened this. I'm sorry, he's on my ignore list. I must have only read the first reply and assumed that was the opening post. If that's the case, then I'll leave him to his Star Wars dribble. Darth_Yuthura on putting me on his ignore list

Jul 30th 2010, 7:43pm	#9
Mellian Registered Goddess Join Date: 21 May 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 16,403	People very rarely pay attention to the ratings. I barely notice. __________________ What is Roller Derby?

Jul 30th 2010, 10:57pm	#10
foamy Thoroughly lazy Join Date: 5 Nov 2006 Location: Someplace better than Toronto Posts: 14,209	I've seen threads get double-digits or more 5-stars, with one guy giving it a single star. Because people are assholes. __________________ Think you can outwit betentacled alien monstrosities? Take your best shot. - Updated 04/07/2010 Summary of events to-date - Updated 03/16/2010 Starcraft wins. [23:55] <Cypress_z> I don't care about coherent, intelligent arguments.

Jul 31st 2010, 4:05pm	#14
Dartz Registered Join Date: 27 Sep 2009 Location: Nowhere normal. Posts: 464	Look at it this way. Could be worse. Could have no stars and no idea. __________________ //NASA Method. If it hasn't caused a problem yet ignore it because it won't. catch(NullPointerException np){} WinNuk V2.0 Yours Truly 2032 Now updated with part 5. Parts 6 50% complete. Fenspace "It’s a brand-new Space Age, and the people who want to go are the ones leading the pack. "

Aug 1st 2010, 3:41am	#16
Xort Mahō Shōjo Rear Admiral Otaku Join Date: 8 Feb 2001 Location: Svartalfheim Posts: 34,833	Like blood in the water. __________________ Finding the meaning of life in organized religion is about as likely as finding a pub in Saudi Arabia called the Shop Lifter's Arms. - Pat Condell "Being a robot's great but we don't have emotions and sometimes that makes me very sad." - Bender

Aug 1st 2010, 10:30pm	#18
bluemarsman Lurker Join Date: 26 Sep 2009 Posts: 15	It took several months before I even realized we had a star rating system.

Aug 6th 2010, 12:49am	#19
LurkingGoblin Lord of goblins Join Date: 19 Oct 2009 Location: The shadows behind you! Posts: 47	We have a star rating system? ."..huh" <--------in Mal's voice

Aug 6th 2010, 6:19pm	#21
LurkingGoblin Lord of goblins Join Date: 19 Oct 2009 Location: The shadows behind you! Posts: 47	I don't post much (partly due to not having a comp for half a year), but i have been reading the boards for awhile.

Aug 7th 2010, 2:07am	#22
RandomJ Figment of imagination Join Date: 22 May 2009 Location: On the very edge of one's peripherial vision Posts: 7,628	You take this "star" shenanigan way too seriously. Relax. __________________ The Internet. Here men are women, women are men, and all children are actually FBI agents. SAFETY FIRST, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!-RandomJ If it interacts with the physical world, we can, theoretically, blow it up.-robertliguori A mother recently gave me her baby and asked me: *Can you please bite her head*?-Pattinson Learn the Cypressian motto: Lay, then Flay-cypress_z One does not need to masturbate when firing a huge oribital laser-CnB

Aug 7th 2010, 6:56am	#23
Darth_Yuthura Purple Evil Twi'lek Join Date: 31 May 2010 Location: Romulus Posts: 675	Alright, I've gotten over the problem since this thread started. Since people don't really make a big deal about the star rating, then I don't see any issue with it anymore. I'm fine now. Thank-you. __________________ The cause of all suffering is ignorance. Only through the pursuit of knowledge can one escape the path of vice and delusion. The entire world is driven by will, blind and ruthless. In order to transcend the limitations of that world, you need to stop willing, stop desiring, stop hating.

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