Maybe I'm Just Bitching...

[Firebrand]

But it seems to me that nobody reviews Origina Erotica fics anymore, or at least, they don't review LOGICALLY. Example:

One fic, entitled "Pointless Fucks" has garnerd about 350+ hits and FIVE reviews, most of which having one-line "Udapte, wus hawt" and another, rather funny one, calling it "pointless drivel."

My fic, Paradise city, has 600+ hits, and only one review (which is actually a really awsome review, and I told that reviwer so.)

Looking around, I notice that a lot of reviews simply aren't that good, and the number of reviews I see in the Original Erotica section is drastically small.

Do reviewers only review actually fanfiction, in the movie, books or games section? Or am I just seeing an anomaly and being bitchy about it?

[WotanAnubis]

Well, I've complained about it before, but in the games section, it seems, the average hit-to-review ratio is far less than 1%.

Of course, this may just be because I write for slightly more obscure videogame fandoms, but I don't think so.

Your complaint, in fact, is pretty universal.

[Firebrand]

Well, isn't there something that can be done about it?

I mean, normally this wouldn't get to me, but I've actually got a lot of personal interest in my current Original fic, and the fact that it gets ignored by incestous Truth or Dare kinda bugs me.

[Guest Evil_Labs]

Around 1,800 views and 2 reviews. \o/

[WotanAnubis]

Hah! I see your massive two reviews and raise you a 1,974 hits and zero reviews! Ahahaha!

[Guest Evil_Labs]

lol, nice. But then, when I say reviews, I mean the 'I like this, write more' kind, not anything in depth. So it's about even, though you've got more hits. ;P

[Guest Melody Fate]

Well, first off, most of the Pointless Fuck reviews are not very complimentary, and you can add one more (mine) in the mixture too. It's such a bad peice of drivel (no insult to drivel) I think people are reviewing it out of compusion, sorta like when you see a dead animal festering by the roadside, you say, "Eww!" because you have to.

(BTW, I was going to say that story reads like it was writing by a thirteen year old kid. I find it a bit ironic that their email address includes the number 13 in it. I know that isn't proof, but I find it strangely curious.)

As for why other stories in Erotica get more reviews? From what I can see people go to the erotic section for one reason, to find good wank stuff. The more chock full 'o' weasle whackin' goodness the story has, the more people will like it, the more they will read it.

If you write fairly decent pointless smut, you'll get a lot of, "OMG, that was soo hawt! plzwritemorethx!" reviews. Which I find amusing, but they aren't really very satisfying.

Your story is quite a bit more than pointless sex. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your story is intelligent. Yes, I know, it hurts, but someone had to say it. You can't just read your story and have instant masturbation fodder, you have to read it carefully, you have to read the story, not just the sex. Your story truly is erotica, but a lot of the readers of this site seem to think erotica is porn. That's not true. So, while your story is erotica, well written erotica, it isn't sleezy porn.

So, in a nutshell, you aren't getting a lot of reviews because your story is much too different and much too good for a lot of the readers of the erotica section.

If you want a lot of reviews, throw in tons of sex. Lots and lots of graphic sex. One or two really juicy, total spooge festival scenes in most chapters. Yes, you will get a lot of "OMG so HAWT more plzthx!" reviews, but you may also start to get some real readers who see the real plot going on in yours story.

Also, I wouldn't worry much right now for not getting reviews. I've had people tell me with my story that they didn't review for awhile, because they were afraid I'd stop writing. I don't understand how that logic works, but I've heard it before. Maybe people feel they jinx it. I'd write and post a couple more chapters before I became discouraged.

You might also want to put a note at the bottom of the next chapter saying that you would love to hear from your readers, good and bad. You don't have to beg or demand, but just let them know you're very interested in hearing what they say, that you're open minded, and the more you know people want to read it, the more inspired you are to continue writing.

[Firebrand]

That works.

At anyrate, I'll update my other story first before going back to Paradise City.

I really, actually, don't know what I should do for chapter three. Its too soon to introduce my later-on characters, and I need something to fill in the gap.

[WotanAnubis]

lol, nice. But then, when I say reviews, I mean the 'I like this, write more' kind, not anything in depth. So it's about even, though you've got more hits. ;P

Curses, I have been foiled! Now after only one hit more, a review has been added. OK, it was of the short, 'wow, that's hot' variety, but it's a review.

Sadly, my three other zero-review stories don't have nearly such an impressive hitcount, numbering mere hundreds.

It's a sad day indeed.

[Guest Adara]

I also think it has to do with what KIND of Erotica you've written. I've noticed that VERY few Erotica stories containing, for example, incest, don't get as many reviews as M/M stories.

I think people see it as a little too taboo to say something like, "That was great, please write more!" Some may be too self-conscious and uncomfortable with letting others know, (even if it is anonymous) that they liked such a "naughty" story.

My Erotica story is one like this, and although I'm going on almost 1950 hits, not one person has reviewed it. Although, they have rated the story 5 stars.

[Firebrand]

Hell, mine keeps the three good basics of this place:

M/F

M/M

Furs.

It should be golden! I HAVE BEEN FOILED!

[foeofthelance]

Originals is the worst section for reviews, because everybody is looking for something different. The one shots never really get reviewed, and the categories outside of erotica are almost never reviewed

My story: The Cheerleaders

Chapters: 70+

Hits: 64000+

Reviews: Little more then 200

A story really needs lasting power and a fan base before getting reviews.

[Guest Evil_Labs]

Probably. Part of the problem could be that it's hard to classify a really long original story, particularly if it's going to come out novel length or longer. Writings like that tend to have many elements, and that makes it difficult to decide where to put it.

Personally, I have mild fantasy elements, a lot of dark content, and a fair amount of mystery and fighting. That makes it quite a chore to decide where to put it.

[Firebrand]

Hmm...

Well, mine could probably go into the Fantasy section too, but if what you say is true, it won't get any reviews there....

PS: How do I get into the Mystery Forum?

[Guest ChibiShiva]

I don't like to whine, but I'm gonna whine more again *laughs*.

I got 14 reviews for a 2,026-hit M/M fantasy story, started in October 2005, ended now. 25 chapters. Some others of the same type already have 30+ reviews, and they're more recent. Brings me down just to think about it -.-'. I'm jealous and I hate feeling like that. Does it mean I'm a bad writer or what? >_<

The last review I had was a flame for the way I ended it (but I knew one was at least bound NOT to read the WHOLE reason why I did so... else he/she wouldn't have mentionned the "bad guys") and it leaves me somewhat bittersweet.

Mine could go in the Fantasy section as well (it's in the slash... and ends more or less slash-y x.x), but I have the feeling people aren't gonna review it there. I just don't know either.

[Guest Knightmare Elite]

I know how it can be I've written this one story Session 001 which has over 14413 hits and I just pulled my 27th review today! While I wish more people would review I'm happy to have gotten that many, and the review are so funny. Then again i'd understand it's not a story most people would even admit to reading, kind of one of those stories where you thinking of every depreaving fantasy you've ever had type of things. But hey getting a lot of hits on a story isn't a bad thing.

Look at it this way say a your story got a thousand hits, not at least half of those thousand people read it all the way thought. So as an author your job is accomplished in reaching an audience to read your work. I know it's not enough to please everyone as reviews are great ego boosters, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

Well that's just my two cents.

[Guest Mike256bit]

I know how it can be I've written this one story Session 001 which has over 14413 hits and I just pulled my 27th review today!

Hah! I know what that's like. I've got an original "erotica" back on, like, the last page (must have been 2003) that, while pushing 14000 hits is squeaking by at 16 reviews. It's a little disheartening to watch others pull in dozens of reviews, especially since my story was only a one-shot and everyone else suddenly has to write 30-chapter epics to stay on top of the barrel.

[Guest Anon]

But it seems to me that nobody reviews Origina Erotica fics anymore, or at least, they don't review LOGICALLY. Example:

One fic, entitled "Pointless Fucks" has garnerd about 350+ hits and FIVE reviews, most of which having one-line "Udapte, wus hawt" and another, rather funny one, calling it "pointless drivel."

The fic seems to have been revoked.

However, here is the review:

Review for “Pointless Fucks”

Well, seeing as you are FORCING me to review with your BOLD font and all, I think that cupping her "womanhood" is really weird.  What do you mean, exactly?  He just unfastened her bra, so I thought you meant her breast, but then I got confused and thought you meant her mons, so I just couldn't tell.  Maybe you should have just told us that William fucked Rhonda and spared us the agony of having to read this drivel

Think I scared her off?

[wattersk]

Go ahead and bitch. ^^; I do it all the time about this particular topic.

July 29, 2006, I posted an original fic and have received 434 hits and two reviews.

August 8, 2006, a story titled For I Have Sinned was posted, and it has received 2517 hits and 6 reviews.

Now.... Am I wrong in saying there's something screwy about this picture? o.O;

And like others have mentioned, it's a pain in the arse when the really bad ones get all the attention. -.-;

[Guest Knorg]

I got, lessee, 6000+ hits and 5 reviews for an original story called'Worth it, after all?', which works out at less than 1 in a 1000.

I'm not bitter, because I worked out what you need to do to get lots of reviews and I don't work that way; it's not necessarily bad - lots of folks do and enjoy it - but it's not for me.

G'luck though folks! Reviews ain't everything, after all.

[Guest Melody Fate]

Hm... oddly, Pointless fucks seems to have disappeared.

[NightScribe]

I must say, Melody, your first lengthy post nearly had me spitting my Coke onto my laptop screen! LOL

I've tried posting a few things in the Originals section (not erotica specific, just original stuff). Nada as far as reviews and if I recall, the hits weren't anything to write home about. It's a really weird phenomenon. Some stories (and fanfics) get tons of hits and reviews and others end up languishing.

Firebrand, it's not isolated to Orignal stories (which I think someone else also pointed out). My fanfics don't get many reviews either. My story with the most hits, 1,533, got 3 reviews and that was after the first two chapters. That was about five months ago, the story's been complete for about three weeks now and is 27 chapters long. Readers/reviewers minds are a total mystery to me.

I think the whole question is some tricky Buddhist/Taoist riddle to which there is no answer. But I totally know where you're coming from.

Damn! "Pointless Fucks" is gone? I wanted to read it, especially after reading this:

Review for “Pointless Fucks”

Well, seeing as you are FORCING me to review with your BOLD font and all, I think that cupping her "womanhood" is really weird.  What do you mean, exactly?  He just unfastened her bra, so I thought you meant her breast, but then I got confused and thought you meant her mons, so I just couldn't tell.  Maybe you should have just told us that William fucked Rhonda and spared us the agony of having to read this drivel

I would have assumed mons as well. I've never thought that "womanhood" referred to a breast. Aw, shoot, I really would have liked to have read that.

[Guest Evil_Labs]

Sounds like one of those pieces written by someone with no actual understanding of anatomy.

[foeofthelance]

I'm actually rather surprised with the reviewer on this one. "Cupping her womanhood" is a term I've seen plenty of times, especially in main stream romance/erotic literature. It's a reference to placing a hand over the mons? (Foe admits to knowing where things are, but not necessarily all the names) and is generally used right before a character begins to finger their opposite.

Usually it's cupping the womanhood, followed by the entrance of the middle finger. Then the second finger is slid in, followed by a slight twist of the wrist. Finally, begin motions with the two fingers, while stimulating the clit with the pad of the thumb. At least, that's how I've learned it.

[StoryJunkie]

*yawn* I'm sure it was forgettable. It's nice to have this site so that one page drabbles of vociferous sexual tension can be released, since reality sucks the big one, so, no matter what anyone says or does, if I wrote stuff, no matter the content, I'm going for the volcanic spewing of creativity before the honing of the work, then later being embarrassed by what I've written. (Not that I do that now, but you know what? I used to be exactly like that!) It's all part of the learning process. If I"m not tolerant of who I used to be, how can I be tolerant of anyone?

Putting forth your work is like putting your neck on the chopping block. It's a god-awful relief when the postive feed-back starts pouring (or dribbling) in, and a horrible shock when someone tears at it, even if its true!