Absolute Chaos Discussion Boards
Fic Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: nicksgal on May 10, 2007, 12:11:37 AM
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I knew I couldn't be funny without people hating on me and not speaking up. *sigh*
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I ain't hatin' on you, I just don't get it. And people call Nick blond... :D
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It's basically all the cliches of BSB fan fic abridged into a few pages of comic art.
I'm just making fun of bad fic.
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I don't know how to make the stars go away otherwise I would Dee. Chaos will have to do that.
And it looks like the one girl who was confused is the one who lowered your count. So at least she kind of explained that she was confused. Better than people saying great job and then lowering them I guess? lol Either way it sucks though.
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Yeah... I suppose that's true... :D
I just find them annoying. I'm usually too lazy to do anything with them anyway.
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OH, so THAT'S what you meant! Someone gave you a lower rate, which brought down your stars... I hate when people do that! LOL
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Yeah.
Did you think I was talking about you? Sorry. :( Stay as long as you like. ;)
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Yeah.
Did you think I was talking about you? Sorry. :( Stay as long as you like. ;)
LMAO... I didn't think it was me, but at least I know I'm welcome? :P ;)
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Now I'm confused. :D
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The topic of "Why can't the stars go away?" and you saying ppl were hating on you got ME confused... LMAO...
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It happens....
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It happens a lot with me. :D
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I've had people tell me the chapter was great, & then they lower the stars. Or they lower it because they don't like the fact a kid ran away in the story. Or they lower it because of who is in my story, when they are not. Try not being able to prove it - frustrating - lol. But, I figured, if she avoids some of my fics, I stand a chance - lol.
~Lenni~
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^ lol I know the feeling.
I hate it, i'm thinking of posting on the main site in the news section and saying that if someon asks who lowered their star count I will tell them so dont' do it unless you plan on explaining why! but then they will most likely justy do it without leaving a review.
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I've had people tell me the chapter was great, & then they lower the stars. Or they lower it because they don't like the fact a kid ran away in the story. Or they lower it because of who is in my story, when they are not. Try not being able to prove it - frustrating - lol. But, I figured, if she avoids some of my fics, I stand a chance - lol.
~Lenni~
I know exactly who you're talking about, Lenni. Ugh, she's so... ugh! LOL. It's funny how people will either lower stars without leaving a review, or make it anonymous.
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I know exactly who you're talking about, Lenni. Ugh, she's so... ugh! LOL. It's funny how people will either lower stars without leaving a review, or make it anonymous.
I figured you'd know who I mean. And she leaves reviews ::) Lol. I mean, I'm glad for the reviews, but to lower the stars to a '9' or whatever, after saying it was great or just because you don't believe in kids running away - hello! Reality check! It does happen!
~Lenni~
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I figured you'd know who I mean. And she leaves reviews ::) Lol. I mean, I'm glad for the reviews, but to lower the stars to a '9' or whatever, after saying it was great or just because you don't believe in kids running away - hello! Reality check! It does happen!
~Lenni~
Amen to that! But remember, that girl does not like living in the real world.
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I've had people tell me the chapter was great, & then they lower the stars. Or they lower it because they don't like the fact a kid ran away in the story. Or they lower it because of who is in my story, when they are not. Try not being able to prove it - frustrating - lol. But, I figured, if she avoids some of my fics, I stand a chance - lol.
~Lenni~
I've had that happen too. I've had it happen over a misunderstandi ng, where they actually misread something I wrote and thought I had my information wrong, and they lowered my stars cause of it. Lame. :P
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*raises hand* oh oh it's meeeeee!!! LOL, kidding. Only if I find many grammatical/poorly written material do I lower the stars. Don't really lower them based on content.
I don't mind the stars... but then I really don't pay attention I guess.
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Amen to that! But remember, that girl does not like living in the real world.
Roflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I may daydream 24/7 - but even I slip back into reality every so often - lol.
And it sucks when they misunderstand & lower it - I mean, if you're too confused, DON'T read it & DON'T rate it!
~Lenni~
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^ That I can justify. If you're consistently getting less than 5 stars (not just a couple of people who lower it), maybe it's time to look at things like that. Are you spellchecking your work? Are you sticking to one tense? Do you start a new paragraph every time the speaker changes? Do you use proper punctuation? Cause not doing those things makes a story really hard to read, for me anyway. And those are all things that, if you were educated in an English-speaking country and actually paid attention to your English classes, you should know how to do.
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Amen to that! But remember, that girl does not like living in the real world.
Hehe, I'm dying to know who this is! I don't think she's made it to my stories yet...
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Hehe, I'm dying to know who this is! I don't think she's made it to my stories yet...
Hahahaha... she's... it's really hard to describe her, LOL. She refuses to face reality. Period. And she has the same name as a mermaid. :D
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*raises hand* oh oh it's meeeeee!!! LOL, kidding. Only if I find many grammatical/poorly written material do I lower the stars. Don't really lower them based on content.
I don't mind the stars... but then I really don't pay attention I guess.
That's how I go when it comes to rating. It's gotta be pretty bad for me to lower it beyond ten.
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Haha... does she occasionally shorten her name to three letters? Cause I was just curious and clicked on the reviews for one of Lenni's stories at random that had less than 5 stars, and there was a name I noticed popping up quite often with the 3 or 4 star reviews. ;)
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Haha... does she occasionally shorten her name to three letters? Cause I was just curious and clicked on the reviews for one of Lenni's stories at random that had less than 5 stars, and there was a name I noticed popping up quite often with the 3 or 4 star reviews. ;)
It very well could be! LOL. She's somethin' else.
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That's how I go when it comes to rating. It's gotta be pretty bad for me to lower it beyond ten.
Yeah, if it's that bad, I usually don't even read enough to review it, so I really don't give many less-than-5-star reviews. But that's the one condition where I would, if I was reading something with the mechanics were so bad that it distracted me from an otherwise good story.
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Yeah, if it's that bad, I usually don't even read enough to review it, so I really don't give many less-than-5-star reviews. But that's the one condition where I would, if I was reading something with the mechanics were so bad that it distracted me from an otherwise good story.
Amen to that, LOL. It's hard to reply when one agrees with much that people are saying.
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I only ever have the odd typo, and I always space things out & all that jazz.
And I don't remember if she ever used just 3 letters - she might have. I'd hafta look back & see. But, I do know the screen name she uses - but I'm not gonna say who. No need to get in trouble over giving it out.
~Lenni~
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*raises hand* oh oh it's meeeeee!!! LOL, kidding. Only if I find many grammatical/poorly written material do I lower the stars. Don't really lower them based on content.
I don't mind the stars... but then I really don't pay attention I guess.
That's a lie! You lowered one of my chapters because of content. *pouts* That and you never did read my last update.... :(
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That's a lie! You lowered one of my chapters because of content. *pouts* That and you never did read my last update.... :(
I only lowered it ONCE... never moved the dang thing again. Yes I know I haven't read your chapter still.... too tired after work and weekends there is so much to get done around the house.
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Lord help me, I am SO BORED!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lord help me, I am SO BORED!!!!!!!!!!!
you should make digital dolls... :-D it's what I do at times when I'm bored
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Roflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I may daydream 24/7 - but even I slip back into reality every so often - lol.
And it sucks when they misunderstand & lower it - I mean, if you're too confused, DON'T read it & DON'T rate it!
~Lenni~
That's what happened to me, *sigh* I didn't think it was that hard to understand, it's literally the equivalent of a quarter page.
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I only lowered it ONCE... never moved the dang thing again. Yes I know I haven't read your chapter still.... too tired after work and weekends there is so much to get done around the house.
Just pointed out that you have. ;) And undertandable. I hope you find a chance to enjoy it at some point though. :)
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Join the club, StarryEyes! Lol.
Boredom Anonymous - lol.
Purpura Lipstick - I didn't think my one story was that hard to understand either. I mean, all the character did was switch bodies with someone - lol.
~Lenni~
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^ That I can justify. If you're consistently getting less than 5 stars (not just a couple of people who lower it), maybe it's time to look at things like that. Are you spellchecking your work? Are you sticking to one tense? Do you start a new paragraph every time the speaker changes? Do you use proper punctuation? Cause not doing those things makes a story really hard to read, for me anyway. And those are all things that, if you were educated in an English-speaking country and actually paid attention to your English classes, you should know how to do.
I know for me it's always the same person and she never gives anyone a perfect ten. She always gives an 8. lol it's annoying.
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And I agree when the story is a mess I just stop reading. lol
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Oye vey.
And I don't read what I don't understand. I stopped reading fics I knew I'd lower the stars on, because I know what it feels lik to have 'em lowered - though, if I ever do lower stars, I state why - usually the grammar or whatever or something like that.
~Lenni~
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I just stop reading.
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Well there ya go lol my story hasn't even been up for three hours and already that one person came in and knocked down the star count.
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question, how do you know who lowers your star count? lol
Cause I always HATE it when that happens and sometimes would love to know who did it.
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I think it's because Mare's a Mod. I don't think we can see it. :(
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Yes I can see lol but even before I could it's easy to tell if you have 5 and then right after someone gives you a review it jumps down to less than that. Although there are people who don't revew and just do the stars.
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Which is extrememly annoying. Because then you don't even know who to be frustrated with. :(
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Yes I can see lol but even before I could it's easy to tell if you have 5 and then right after someone gives you a review it jumps down to less than that. Although there are people who don't revew and just do the stars.
Yeah someone brought down the stars but didn't leave a review. It's annoying! lol
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Which is extrememly annoying. Because then you don't even know who to be frustrated with. :(
I know! that is frustrating!
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Yeah someone brought down the stars but didn't leave a review. It's annoying! lol
Ugh to them then. Are you talking about Just Another Day? I checked for you and the stars were lowered in the first chapter and it wasn't from a review. I wish people would just have the guts to step up and say what the deal is lol
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does it really frustrate you when the stars go down though? I mean several of my stories have had that happen and I pay about as much attention to that as I actually give out the stars. I could have someone give me all zero's and it wouldn't bother me. I really only ever look at the reviews.
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does it really frustrate you when the stars go down though? I mean several of my stories have had that happen and I pay about as much attention to that as I actually give out the stars. I could have someone give me all zero's and it wouldn't bother me. I really only ever look at the reviews.
LOL it shouldn't but it does. I have no idea why. Probably because i'm getting good reviews but the stars indicate otherwise. I guess I just get frustrated by it. It's one of those petty things and it's always the same person which is the most annoying thing ever.
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It frustrates me because I don't get any reviews, but my stars are constantly going down more than what it seems the people reviewing would rate. So obviously the people who do read my work decide it's fun to pick on me. :(
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It frustrates me because I KNOW who it is - she's even told me she has! Though, she claims to never lower it lower than a 9. *rolls eyes* I mean, even after I explained the freakin' chapter to her & asked in the author's note for people to NOT lower my stars for that chapter, she did! All because she didn't like the fact the kid was running away - when really, she was just testing her guardian. Yeesh!
And Elliot's Girl - I was SO proud of that story, then she decided to lower my stars the moment someone ran away & I haven't really written any since, 'cause it was like she burst my happy lil' balloon - I haven't felt as proud of it. But, for all I know, it could just be me & my lost muse. Oye vey.
~Lenni~
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question, how do you know who lowers your star count? lol
Cause I always HATE it when that happens and sometimes would love to know who did it.
I've been able to tell with mine just through process of elimination. I usually only get one or two reviews per chapter, so if someone gave me three stars for a chapter, and there was only one review... then I know who knocked down my stars.
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Ugh to them then. Are you talking about Just Another Day? I checked for you and the stars were lowered in the first chapter and it wasn't from a review. I wish people would just have the guts to step up and say what the deal is lol
Yup, cause the only review for the first one is Kelly and I knew it wasn't her lol. If they could at least say WHY they did that, I wouldn't have a problem. But they can't even tell me and its annoying.
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Yup, cause the only review for the first one is Kelly and I knew it wasn't her lol. If they could at least say WHY they did that, I wouldn't have a problem. But they can't even tell me and its annoying.
yup! lol It wasn't me. ;D
A. I love your story and would never dream of lowering your beloved stars!! and B. I'm too lazy to do so even when I don't like what I've read.
but since we're on the subject, JAD is super good people, you should go read it ;)
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yup! lol It wasn't me. ;D
A. I love your story and would never dream of lowering your beloved stars!! and B. I'm too lazy to do so even when I don't like what I've read.
but since we're on the subject, JAD is super good people, you should go read it ;)
LOL *hugs my free promo lol*
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*sniff* Where's my free promo?
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Awww, Dee, I give you free promos all the time ;D It was Rose's turn.
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Alright, I suppose so...
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Half my story ratings went from 4 1/2 stars to 4 and I haven't gotten a new review for ANY of them. Okay, some are older and not as good as say JAD but JAD dropped again too! Grrrrrr!
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Never mind *points above* my comp was stupid and didn't load the half stars before lol. :-[*feels very silly*
But I do hate the stupid stars lol
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Poor Rose. :( *pats head* Someday you'll get a better computer. :)
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LOL lets hope.
Though Nick's Turn is down to 4.5 stars now :(
Can we ditch the stars? I really don't like them lol
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Wasn't me! I left it at the default.
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Wasn't me! I left it at the default.
lol I know, it was like that before you reviewed I think.
I just want the stars to vanish, cause sheesh, the chapter hasn't even been up a day lol.
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Wasn't me! I left it at the default.
LOL Wasn't me either! I never change the stupid thing from ten. Too much work
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lmao it was the same person who always lowers mine! I knew it the second I read the review.
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Does that person just go around lowering the stars on every story?
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Does that person just go around lowering the stars on every story?
I believe so lol she never gives a ten but all she ever says is great job or good story I liked it. Ah well, at least we know she does it to everyone.
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I think what she needs is a swift kick or something.
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Yeah I know who you mean actually by the lower stars, she actually reads my stories... heh... and then my stars go down.
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I think mine are all lowered by random passerbys... :(
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It's somebody else lowering my stars - though, by the sounds of it, it could now be two - oye vey. Lol.
Very few of my fics actually sitll have all 5 stars - & I've seen some REALLY good fics lose their five star status & I become SO angry & it's NOT even my fic! Lol.
~Lenni~
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I don't think I have a 5 star story.. don't think I will... *shrugs* I'll live though ;)
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Everything I posted that was homework still has five stars. :D Go homework power! :D
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lol all my stories that I think are my better ones are lowered and all my not so good ones are still at 5... maybe I really don't know what's good.
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Do your better stories all have more reviews? Cause the more reviews, the more chances for the stars to be lowered. Broken and BMS have way more reviews than my other stories, and they're both at 4 1/2. My other stories all have 5, but far less reviews. And I know Broken and BMS are a lot better written than them.
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I get only about 20 some reviews typically and my stars are always lowered... so I can't imagine how low the stars would be if I had more reviews... lol
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wait a tick... I have 2 stories with 5 stars *dances* and one has almost 30 reviews.. wow... the other only has 8... LOL
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I believe so lol she never gives a ten but all she ever says is great job or good story I liked it. Ah well, at least we know she does it to everyone.
I know which review that was! lol. Geeze, now I've been hit by her, at least I'm not special lol
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I don't think any of my really long stories have ever managed to keep 5 stars - even some of my shorter ones haven't been able too. But I cherish the ones that have been able to keep all 5 - lol.
~Lenni~
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Most of mine have 4 and a half. Some of my short stories are at five and one or two of the long ones that I transferred over from the old forum but yeah, when I have five that never lasts for long. lol I think my biggest accomplishment was keeping the five stars for Protect and Serve all the way through (Whispers...I guess she doesn't like AUs hehe)
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Lmao! I think you [Mare] & Honey were too of the people whose stars got lowered & I got mad - haha. And I think Anastasia & Shrinknigviole t's fics did too. I hate it when REALLY good fics get their stars lowered, when they don't deserve less than 5! But, maybe I'm too wrapped up in fics? Nah. Can't be me that's wrong - nope, nope. :P Lol.
~Lenni~
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Aww thanks Lenni! And what sucks is for me I can see who does it. Well sometimes it sucks but sometimes it doesn't (because like I say all the time it's always the same person) I guess. Still annoying and still i'm mad at myself for caring lol
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my stars may have been lowered, but Lenni loves me enough to make up for it so I don't worry too much ;D Thanks hun!
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Any time Mare!
Aww. No problemo Honey!
I'm addicted, I swear! Lol.
~Lenni~
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lol and now "I Remember" went down to 4.5 stars. Oh well. I just hate it when I get good reviews but one rating doesn't match lol.
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Aww nuts! *hugs*
I say we kick butt! Lol. J/k.
~Lenni~
P.S. Posted a new Ninja Turtles story......sti ll struggling with Happily Never After ideas - lol. They hit when each time the song plays, but soon as I open up a Word Document to write, my mind goes blank! Eep! ???
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Aww, well as long as you're writing that's all the matters right? :)
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Have the document open before the song plays. *nod*
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lol its ok Lenni, I need to be writing my stories and I keep doing one shot type stories. Latest one is Nick's thoughts on Justin Timberlake lol
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Nick's thoughts on Justin Timberlake lol
Overzealous poser.
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Overzealous poser.
LOL. A little more elaborated though.
Nick's letting me write the wrong things *kicks him*
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Ah. Really? I would think Nick would cut it down as much as possible.
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Ehh its not long, maybe 900 words lol. He wanted to let out a bored rant.
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No, it's not that long....
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*whines about missing my co-writer*
*shoves y'all in the direction of my new TMNT fic* You'll love it! Promise! It's waaay different than The Child & SO much better!
And I've opened documents before playing Happily Never After...BSB is against me, writing wise lately. Oye. Lol.
~Lenni~
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just picture them as turtles? lol
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Or write a crossover. *nod* :)
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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Backstreet Boys! lol
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I love it!
Or the Teenage Backstreet Ninja Turtles...
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To be honest, I wrote a BSB/TMNT crossover years ago & had it hosted on someone's site. Only, stupid me never saved it to disk & the site owner took all the Hosted Fics down - though, she has said she'll check to see if she still has my story. Which I'm REALLY hoping she does, so I can post it on here too for y'all to read. It's nor the greatest crossover, but it was still fun. Lol.
But, alas, maybe a new one is in order.....I mean, my TMNT stories always end up with BSB mentions & my BSB stories with TMNT mentions anyway....lol.
~Lenni~
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If that's the case, I think they're destined to be together. :)
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Just no slash please because turtle on BSB action would just be soooo wrong! lol Ewww!
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ewe Mare! Just the fact that you brought that up is wrong! :D
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:D Well... Nick and all of them like pizza. Ahhh.... True romance. :D
I think that's considered beastiality... . Totally different from slash. :D
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Just no slash please because turtle on BSB action would just be soooo wrong! lol Ewww!
No worries gal - I'd never in a million years would've ever thought of that. A-rok action, yeah - but not TMNT/BSB action - just, Yick! How the Hell would you get in on with a turtle - if you're also a male? *raises eyebrows* I don't think I even wanna know.
BSB was actually TMNT in the story - & one of them was even Master Splinter - lol. They had their own names, but they were mutant turtles & a mutant rat. And I even made Lou Pearlman Shredder! Though, I have to say = Poor Shredder! Lol.
~Lenni~
P.S. Wrote a new fic! MY muse is half back! http://www.absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=8462 (http://www.absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=8462)
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LMAO you girls and your BSB/ Ninja Turtle conversation. I dunno... Nick and Micheangelo? Might be true love! J/k
And now you got me all paranoid about the stars lol. Quarter Life Crisis just went down to 4 1/2 stars and it hasn't been updated in awhile or even had feedback recently, so that tells me someone rated it, but didn't even bother to tell me WHY they gave it less than a ten. And I just noticed my last UMS chapter only got 4 1/2 stars, but there was no negative feedback at all. You girs have created a monster lol
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See? The stars are horribly scary! :(
People leave meaness without a thought.
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I know it's frustrating. Like I said I want to just start calling these people out! Although if it makes you feel better the person who lowered yours only moved you to a 9. lol
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Happily Never After wasn't even up TEN minutes & already I was down to 4 &1/2 stars all because the reviewer figured the boy 'Baylee' in my story was Baylee Littrell, when he wasn't. And because she could never picture 'Baylee [Littrell]' as a mean person. *rolls eyes*
~Lenni~
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I know it's frustrating. Like I said I want to just start calling these people out! Although if it makes you feel better the person who lowered yours only moved you to a 9. lol
I dunno if that makes me feel better lol. What's the difference between a 9 and a 10? Or is it just the principle of nobody is perfect so nobody gets a ten?
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^ When you lower someone's stars you can give them anywhere from a 10 to a 0. So a 9 isn't that bad. When I see a 9 or even an 8 I don't think it's malicious. I think maybe those people just are under the assumption that no one is perfect yada yada yada. Anything under an 8 without an explanation though is just ridiculous especially if the actual review says great things. All it takes is a 9 though to lower you from five stars to four and a half. If you only have one review you will go down to four stars for an 8.
I know...I suffer from star infatuation lol :(
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I think it's because you can actually see who lowers them, Mare.
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This might be true lol but I was kind of obsessed with it before that too! I only just realized recently I could actually see who it was.
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This might be true lol but I was kind of obsessed with it before that too! I only just realized recently I could actually see who it was.
I have a thing when it comes to it too. Cause then I wonder who might've done it lol. Cause well, Nick's Turn, that one was more obvious cause at least that one came with a review from the person who did it to y'all lol. A misleading "good" one, but one nonetheless lol. JAD didn't and it kinda just irks me lol. Even though it shouldn't lol. Same with I Remember. I think the rating should suit the review and that everyone should be able to see who left what rating lol. Maybe then we wouldn't have the drive-by bad rating person/people lol. Can Ash do anything about making it so we can see who rates what even if we're not all cool like Mare? ;) lol.
/end mini rant lol.
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LOL I know it's hard to be as cool as me!
Like I said I don't mind letting you guys know who ranked you what but I don't know if i'm violating some kind of law doing so, lmao likethe law of stupid people or something. What I want to do is make some kind of announcement in the news section saying starting today if an author asks for the person who lowered their rank I will let them know but the problem with that is, then they can just do it anonymously or lower it without even leaving a review. I can't tell when someone does that.
I know for my newest short story someone lowered my stars to a 6 for no reason other than so I wouldn't have a 10 lmao How do I know this? Because I know this person although I don't think she's aware that I am able to see that!
I'm glad i'm not alone with the disliking of the ratings system. I mean I think a ratings system is a good idea but only if it's done fairly and in this case I don't think it is but like i've said a ton of times I don't think I have access to the part of the site that would change that so hopefully Ash is reading all of this stuff and maybe he will rework that part of the site. At least maybe make it not possible to just leave ratings or anonymous reviews.
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I have a thing when it comes to it too. Cause then I wonder who might've done it lol. Cause well, Nick's Turn, that one was more obvious cause at least that one came with a review from the person who did it to y'all lol. A misleading "good" one, but one nonetheless lol. JAD didn't and it kinda just irks me lol. Even though it shouldn't lol. Same with I Remember. I think the rating should suit the review and that everyone should be able to see who left what rating lol. Maybe then we wouldn't have the drive-by bad rating person/people lol. Can Ash do anything about making it so we can see who rates what even if we're not all cool like Mare? ;) lol.
/end mini rant lol.
Okay so JAD I can tell you that sometimes when someone reviews without logging in, instead of the stars being automatically set to ten they are set to none and in your last chapter I think that's what happened. The first chapter I think someone ranked you without leaving a review which is why your star count was lowered.
So if anyone leaves a review without signing in make sure you change the ratings before you post if you care about things like that.
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LOL I know it's hard to be as cool as me!
Like I said I don't mind letting you guys know who ranked you what but I don't know if i'm violating some kind of law doing so, lmao likethe law of stupid people or something. What I want to do is make some kind of announcement in the news section saying starting today if an author asks for the person who lowered their rank I will let them know but the problem with that is, then they can just do it anonymously or lower it without even leaving a review. I can't tell when someone does that.
I know for my newest short story someone lowered my stars to a 6 for no reason other than so I wouldn't have a 10 lmao How do I know this? Because I know this person although I don't think she's aware that I am able to see that!
I'm glad i'm not alone with the disliking of the ratings system. I mean I think a ratings system is a good idea but only if it's done fairly and in this case I don't think it is but like i've said a ton of times I don't think I have access to the part of the site that would change that so hopefully Ash is reading all of this stuff and maybe he will rework that part of the site. At least maybe make it not possible to just leave ratings or anonymous reviews.
Yeah I wouldn't mind the ratings system at all if I knew they were done fairly. Cause we can all grow as writers, and if I get a rating that's not awesome, I'd wanna know so I could work on it. That's how they should be used, and since this is happening to many of us, it's true purpose isn't being used.
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There should be some kind of rubric you have to fill out when you do a rating... like, rate them on certain aspects of the story - the plot, the characters, mechanics, something like that - so you'd know exactly what you were being rated higher or lower on. I don't think that's possible with the eFiction script so I'm not suggesting that for AC, but that would be cool.
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I agree, that would be cool!
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There should be some kind of rubric you have to fill out when you do a rating... like, rate them on certain aspects of the story - the plot, the characters, mechanics, something like that - so you'd know exactly what you were being rated higher or lower on. I don't think that's possible with the eFiction script so I'm not suggesting that for AC, but that would be cool.
Now THAT would be awesome-ness
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Do you remember those sites where you could submit your story for a really detailed, honest, critical review/critique? That seemed to be a big thing a few years ago; there were a few different sites that did them, but then they all kinda disappeared, just like award sites. I worked up the guts to submit Broken to one of those once, and it was interesting.
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Do you remember those sites where you could submit your story for a really detailed, honest, critical review/critique? That seemed to be a big thing a few years ago; there were a few different sites that did them, but then they all kinda disappeared, just like award sites. I worked up the guts to submit Broken to one of those once, and it was interesting.
I wish they were still around. Cause I would love to submit what I consider my better works and see what feedback I get.
And I am so playing the not writing game right now! lol
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Do you remember those sites where you could submit your story for a really detailed, honest, critical review/critique? That seemed to be a big thing a few years ago; there were a few different sites that did them, but then they all kinda disappeared, just like award sites. I worked up the guts to submit Broken to one of those once, and it was interesting.
*coughs* you mean my site? Silver Lining Reviews? Don't know if you ever went there .. site is still up but hasn't been udpated in years... lol ... I think I only got one bad reaction from a review there because I tried to warn people that I was going to be honest and also posted that what I rated a story was NOT the Bible of fanfiction and that everyone should read for themselves because something I might not like, might turn out to be your favorite story. Everybody's tastes are different. :-D
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So you'll do it for all of them, but not me? *huffs*
That different section rating thign would be super special awesome. I so think that should go there. :) If it's not possible though, I guess there's nothing that canb e done... :(
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*coughs* you mean my site? Silver Lining Reviews? Don't know if you ever went there .. site is still up but hasn't been udpated in years... lol ... I think I only got one bad reaction from a review there because I tried to warn people that I was going to be honest and also posted that what I rated a story was NOT the Bible of fanfiction and that everyone should read for themselves because something I might not like, might turn out to be your favorite story. Everybody's tastes are different. :-D
Yeah, I do remember yours! I think my friend Bianca got a review from yours once. I submitted mine to a different site, but I don't remember what it was called. There were a few other ones. I honestly think that would be a hard service to run... I'm not sure I could do it. 1) It would take a long time, and 2) I'd want to be honest, but be afraid of hurting feelings if I had to be too brutal. So I don't blame ya for stopping it LOL.
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Well, I like honest reviews. So if I wanted to send mine there, that's what I'd want. And I would think, if people were submitting their work to that kind of site, they're leaving themselves open for all the constructive criticism they should get. Usually, the people who would be offended by constructive criticism are happy with the "OMGz, you roxors!!! update!!!" reviews and wouldn't have any interest in someone taking that much time to examine their story.
Just putting that out there.
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Oh, I know. But still. Some people would submit it expecting to get a glowing review and then get huffy at what they got back, and I'm not out to make enemies just cause people can't handle criticism. I think it's a great idea, just not something I would be up for tackling myself.
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Hey, I enjoy yelling out "UPDATE" in every review I write! Lol. That's just how I am - very eager for more. Though, I do usually state what I like about the story or threaten to kill off a baddie for 'em - lol. And I enjoy making people laugh/smile with my over zealous reviews - but I get WAY into a story & get emotionally attached quite easily to certain characters - so I hafta yell lots & go 'hunting' for the bad guys.
~Lenni~
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There's nothing wrong with that. And besides, your reviews never contain that word "roxors," so ask for updates all you want. :)
Honestly, if they go to a site that says "constructive criticism" and expect to get only something glowing, they shouldn't be submitting it in the first place. But yeah, I agree, I don't want to make enemies either, it just happens some times.
PS. This file is driving me insane. I will be extatic when I can shut my computer down again.
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Still going, huh? LOL
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Yes. *huffs* Did I start downloading it on Tuesday or Wednesday? I can't even remember anymore.... It's been somewhere between just over four or just over five days and it's finally at 97.8% now.
And my interent is getting screwy and such. It's totally driving me insane.
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Almost done, whee! Yeah, the days all start to blend together when I'm not in school, so I don't remember LOL.
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They totally do, which is scary. :D And since there's not anything I'm mentally calendaring this week, it's going to be very long....
And the file finally finished downloading yesterday at three AM. Yay!!!!
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LMAO Dee it just finished last night? Geeze.
Days are blending for me too. I didn't even realize I get paid tomorrow till someone pointed it tout to me and thought I was crazy for forgetting lol.
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Aww I want to get paid tomorrow! lol
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I know, right? It's totally frustrating. Now I have to wait four or five more days for the next set of episodes. *sigh*
I wish I got paid also. :(
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Trust me lol, you don't want my job. ;)
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I just want to get paid lol I have to wait until next Wednesday! :(
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I just want a job.
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that's ok, I have a full time job and getting paid isn' part of it. The thought of a paycheck... wow I can't even comprehend it anymore.
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lmao you girls are too cute with your i want my pay today and i want a job and i have a job with no pay posts! (im assuming you're a full time housewife & mother, kelly...hardes t job ever i think, lol)
i hate those stars too, because one single person's rating totally ruin what a handful of others have given you. that sucks.
mare, can i know who's been giving me low ratings and lowering my star counts? lol...im just curious to see if it's the same person or if it's a different reader every time. i promise i will not make a new thread and create a tantrum over it :p
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lmao you girls are too cute with your i want my pay today and i want a job and i have a job with no pay posts! (im assuming you're a full time housewife & mother, kelly...hardes t job ever i think, lol)
i hate those stars too, because one single person's rating totally ruin what a handful of others have given you. that sucks.
mare, can i know who's been giving me low ratings and lowering my star counts? lol...im just curious to see if it's the same person or if it's a different reader every time. i promise i will not make a new thread and create a tantrum over it :p
Aww I agree about the stay at home mom thing. Toughest job in the universe that I want someday.
And yes I will gladly tell you ame goes to anyone. I'll PM it to you. Ugh to people who take the time to purposely lower star counts! That is just wrong unless they give you a review that makes sense to go along with the counts. I really want them to go away!
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Aww I agree about the stay at home mom thing. Toughest job in the universe that I want someday.
And yes I will gladly tell you ame goes to anyone. I'll PM it to you. Ugh to people who take the time to purposely lower star counts! That is just wrong unless they give you a review that makes sense to go along with the counts. I really want them to go away!
OMG your icon!!!!!! i thought it's a groundhog at first :p and thanks :D looking forward to your PM :)
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nope that's a super squirrel i'm going to call him Squiggy!
I did have a groundhog playing a guitar though.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/bitybella/7949t.jpg)
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nope that's a super squirrel i'm going to call him Squiggy!
I did have a groundhog playing a guitar though.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/bitybella/7949t.jpg)
omg that's so cute!!! so maybe he plays the guitar while singing out his weather predictions, lol.
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nope that's a super squirrel i'm going to call him Squiggy!
Why Squiggy?
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^ because that's what he said he wanted to be called. Like...duh! lmao
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Really? Squiggy seems like an awfully strange name though..... *mumbles*
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Well he IS a talking squirrel who thinks he's Superman.
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I didn't know he talked. And... How does he keep that superman suit under his fur?
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Aww I agree about the stay at home mom thing. Toughest job in the universe that I want someday.
And yes I will gladly tell you ame goes to anyone. I'll PM it to you. Ugh to people who take the time to purposely lower star counts! That is just wrong unless they give you a review that makes sense to go along with the counts. I really want them to go away!
lol awww i understand that. if someone said 'your story suck' and give me a 4, it makes sense. but i've read this thread and it's amusing how readers can go 'i love it!' and give you a 5 or something. i dont see 'i love it!' equates to a 5 rating, lol.
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I didn't know he talked. And... How does he keep that superman suit under his fur?
LMAO!!! i'd love to find that out too! maybe his fur comes with a zipper!
what really interest me is to see him with those red laser beam coming out of his eyes! that'd be um...super!
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LMAO!!! i'd love to find that out too! maybe his fur comes with a zipper!
what really interest me is to see him with those red laser beam coming out of his eyes! that'd be um...super!
A zipper. That makes sense.
Ooh, or him flying. Since he doesn't have those flying squirell glider things.
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A zipper. That makes sense.
Ooh, or him flying. Since he doesn't have those flying squirell glider things.
dude, it totally does! *laughs like crazy*
do those come for cats? i really want my cat to fly!
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I don't know.... I think they're made from flaps in the squirrel's skin....
Maybe if your cat got really fat and then lost all the weight and it's skin was still stretched out.... ???
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I don't know.... I think they're made from flaps in the squirrel's skin....
Maybe if your cat got really fat and then lost all the weight and it's skin was still stretched out.... ???
LMAO!!! awww i love my chubby cat and seeing how i hate going to the gym, i shall not put my cat through it either. i'll just have to live with a normal cat and leave the flying to super squiggy, lol.
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I didn't know he talked. And... How does he keep that superman suit under his fur?
I don't know...I think if he told us all his secrets he wouldn't be very much of a super squirrel!
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LMAO!!! awww i love my chubby cat and seeing how i hate going to the gym, i shall not put my cat through it either. i'll just have to live with a normal cat and leave the flying to super squiggy, lol.
Good plan. :) Besides, fat cats are more fun to hug anyway.
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I don't know...I think if he told us all his secrets he wouldn't be very much of a super squirrel!
That's a very good point... I suppose we'll never know...
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Haha. Lovin' Squiggy! :P
And lowering stars - grr. Mine get lowered just because the person doesn't believe in 'kids running away' so she lowers my stars when that happens in any of my fics - but it happens all the time in reality, so what is so wrong with kids running away in stories!?!? Especially when their found hours later by the parent??? Or the parent figures out where they've gone & are gonna go get 'em back? I mean, yeesh!
~Lenni~
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Haha. Lovin' Squiggy! :P
And lowering stars - grr. Mine get lowered just because the person doesn't believe in 'kids running away' so she lowers my stars when that happens in any of my fics - but it happens all the time in reality, so what is so wrong with kids running away in stories!?!? Especially when their found hours later by the parent??? Or the parent figures out where they've gone & are gonna go get 'em back? I mean, yeesh!
~Lenni~
Ugh! Well, even if it's stupid lol you have to at least appreciate the fact that she's explaining to you why she lowers your stars. The people who to your face say wow that was fantastic! And then go behind your back and purposely lower your star counts are the ones I have issues with. lol
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I agree. At least she openly admits that she lives in a fluffy world of bunnies and unicorns without children running away and such.
Either that, or she's trying to point out you might use the device too much... *shrug*
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There's only two fics of mine where a kid runs away. Yeah, least she admits she don't believe in it & stuff. And surpisingly, she didn't lower the stars to my fic for the june challenge! Yay!!!!!!!!
~Lenni~
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If you check back in a week, you might be surprised. ;)
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Not necessarily... I find that with short stories less people review and less people rate them, but that could just be me.
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I think it really just depends on the person lol
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Not necessarily... I find that with short stories less people review and less people rate them, but that could just be me.
LOL well I had short story, and it has maybe 6 reviews and someone lowered the stars on it. Without telling me why. "I Remember", but you're right it's less common for it to happen to short one shots. My "Why I Hate Justin Timberlake" (written in Nick's POV lol) was left alone though.
Yes, the most annoying is when you have good reviews and someone gets sneaky and gives you a low rating to bring the stars down.
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LOL well I had short story, and it has maybe 6 reviews and someone lowered the stars on it. Without telling me why. "I Remember", but you're right it's less common for it to happen to short one shots. My "Why I Hate Justin Timberlake" (written in Nick's POV lol) was left alone though.
Yes, the most annoying is when you have good reviews and someone gets sneaky and gives you a low rating to bring the stars down.
Yup, it's about the person really if it's a regular reader know matter what the story you're going to get a lower count. lol and for your short it's one of those people lol
I wonder if I started a poll about this subject, if people would answer honestly or not. You know, if I did a do you lower people's star counts if you don't enjoy a story poll lol if i'm bored enough tomorrow I just might. Why not, i'm already obssesing over it anyway. Might as well make it a full blown over the top thing. lmao
'
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Lmao! I'd answer honestly. And truth be told, I think I only ever lowered someone's stars, like, twice. The rest of the time I just leave it at 10. Now though, if I didn't like what I read, I don't review. *shrugs* Or I just stop reading halyway through. I know I hate low stars, & don't wanna do it to someone else, knowing justh ow much *I* hate it.
~Lenni~
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^ lol I know the feeling.
I hate it, i'm thinking of posting on the main site in the news section and saying that if someon asks who lowered their star count I will tell them so dont' do it unless you plan on explaining why! but then they will most likely justy do it without leaving a review.
The stars are there for a purpose though. I could like a chapter, but still find it flawed and only give it a 9/10. Not everyone can have a perfect 10/10 every time just because they want all the stars, but don't want the criticism.
I've had my stars lowered a fair few times because of things people didn't like in the chapter, or where the plot was going and I just took it as something to work on. Not every book and movie gets a perfect score, so why should every chapter? *shrugs* That's just me though.
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^ NO I do agree with that, but there are people who purposely lower stars just to lower them. Offer no explanation and use it as a safe form of flaming. I don't mind when it comes with an explaination but you are allowed to rate without reviewing and there were people who were taking advantage of that or saying Great job but then giving them a 5 or 6. In my mind that's a safe flame lol
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It's the lack of explanation that bothers me. If I were given lower stars and told why, it would be totally fine with me.
But I hardly get any reviews at all... And none of them are constructive criticism... That's why.
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Yeah, I agree with everyone - I totally see the point of having a rating system, but it is annoying when people lower the stars without any kind of explanation or, worse, lower them after leaving a completely glowing review.
On fanfics.org, you rate a story based on five areas: writing style, theme, enjoyment, faithfulness to genre, and evaluation. I'm not sure those are the five areas I would choose for rating cause some of them are sort of vague LOL, but I like the principle of it.
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Yeah, I agree with everyone - I totally see the point of having a rating system, but it is annoying when people lower the stars without any kind of explanation or, worse, lower them after leaving a completely glowing review.
On fanfics.org, you rate a story based on five areas: writing style, theme, enjoyment, faithfulness to genre, and evaluation. I'm not sure those are the five areas I would choose for rating cause some of them are sort of vague LOL, but I like the principle of it.
oh yes, me too. I think that's a great idea and tells you the person leaving the rating really put thought into it. Like I said, I don't think it's that people mind when stars are lowered. I know I don't if someone explains what they had a problem with but when you say WOW that was the BEST chapter I have ever read!! and then they give you a three lmao that tells you something is wrong there and in that case, I do think it's fair to let people know. lol
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I just think everyone is too afraid to hurt people's feelings or something....
Or if they're reviewing an author everyone has recommended to them, maybe they think that author will smite the Gods of fanfiction on them or something...
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I just think everyone is too afraid to hurt people's feelings or something....
Or if they're reviewing an author everyone has recommended to them, maybe they think that author will smite the Gods of fanfiction on them or something...
I would say that they shouldn't be leaving a review then lol
If you really don't like what you're reading, then stop. I agree, I think it's hard for people to leave honest criticism because I mean we've seen on this board alone what can happen lol It's hard to tell someone "you know, I didn't really like that chapter. It didn't stand up to the rest because..." It takes guts to say that, that's why I do think what Julie had mentioned is a great idea. It kind of makes it easier for people to give honest opinions without maybe coming across overly harsh but not flat out lying to their faces either lol
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Yeah, I wish we could set something like that up on AC, but I'm not sure if the script allows it. I think it would help make the rating system more legit though.
The other alternative is setting up one of those services where you can submit your story for an honest, critical rating and review, like those sites that used to be around. I did that once, and it was really interesting to have every aspect of my story rated and critiqued. You don't really get that in regular feedback and reviews. If a few knowledgable and experienced writers and readers had the time to dedicate to reviewing stories, it might be a nice addition to AC.
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I think it would be good too. The stars say so little... and cause the crazy amongst us to rip out our hair figuring out why...
But, maybe they're all doing it to get others to read their stuff....
All of our opinions on things might not be the norm or something...
I like that idea also. Having people to give you a well rounded critique would be a great thing.
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Oh I remember those sites. I sent a story to one and still have yet to hear back from them lmao that was a thousand years ago. I don't even remember what it was.
I think if we ever did go ahead with the awards thing on here, that should be a requirement from all the judges. They should have to give detailed feedback on the story and explain why they picked it or didn't. There was one award site that did that, I don't remember the name but by far they were the best one I ever won awards from because they took the time to explain exactly why they picked each and every story they did. Sorry that was an off topic tangent but still relevant lol
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Yeah, and if there was a critique/review thing connected to AC somehow, then eventually there could be a list of the top rated stories from THAT, and readers could kinda compare when looking for good stories to read.
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That would be fun. :)
If I had more time, I would definitely volunteer.
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I could do it over the summer, but I would probably regret volunteering once school started.
It would be interesting though.
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Same here...
What with everything else I need to learn and such.... Or if they gave me like a month and a half... Then I could totally review the stories...
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Well, the sites that used to do it took their sweet time (like a thousand years, right Mare? LOL), so I don't think that would be a problem. But if course, if you allow a month per story, you'd get really backed up unless there were a lot of reviewers. And if there were a lot of reviewers, it would be harder to compare stories to each other objectively based on reviews, cause everyone would rate a little different.
But maybe we could have one reviewer per genre (maybe two for the more popular genres on AC), and that way at least stories could be compared within their genre. And also, reviewers could just read stories in a genre they like. (So Mare, no romance for you! LOL)
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I think that sounds like a great idea! If it happened, I would help out anywhere I could. Just don't ask me to proofread -lol I SUCK at grammar!
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Nah, it wouldn't be any kind of proofreading, but I think the grammar stuff should be an area of the review. Like if you noticed that it was really bad, that would be an area for improvement. Even if you're not a good proofreader, you can probably recognize when a story is not well-written in that aspect.
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Well, then a month is totally not a long tiem at all. :D
I like that per genere thing....
but I don't know if it should be the genre of the reviewer's expertise though... Because they might be biased... Or they would know how to better avoid the cliches... It's really a toss up there....
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I just noticed another very stupid use of the star system.
Why is it, that people who write clear, concise, thought out plots with chapters that have correct grammar and punctuation, either get flamed or have people tell them all the little flaws when people who write the biggest, pieces of shit (sorry, it's true) fics with horrible punctuation, and a complete lack of plot line, and SENSE... have perfect stars and a bajillion reviews. Obviously I won't mention what fic I'm talking about (because I value my life) but that really bugs me. I try to give fics like that constructive criticism and tell them that maybe they should spell check, or that commas and periods are their friends but they only pay attention to the 5 star UPDATE MOAR!!!!!!!11111!
...but I'm not bitter or anything. :-\ Though it's very hard to have the power of delete and not use it sometimes!
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I just noticed another very stupid use of the star system.
Why is it, that people who write clear, concise, thought out plots with chapters that have correct grammar and punctuation, either get flamed or have people tell them all the little flaws when people who write the biggest, pieces of shit (sorry, it's true) fics with horrible punctuation, and a complete lack of plot line, and SENSE... have perfect stars and a bajillion reviews. Obviously I won't mention what fic I'm talking about (because I value my life) but that really bugs me. I try to give fics like that constructive criticism and tell them that maybe they should spell check, or that commas and periods are their friends but they only pay attention to the 5 star UPDATE MOAR!!!!!!!11111!
...but I'm not bitter or anything. :-\ Though it's very hard to have the power of delete and not use it sometimes!
lmao oh I know...soooo much power it's hard to not use it...*says in Mr. Burns voice* and honestly, I have no idea. I think that some stories are just popular because it's the same few people reviewing every chapter. And others that are popular get picked apart because they are popular if that makes any sense?
I know I hate hate HATE some of the stories that are popular and i'm not talking about the AC site even. Just stories everyone else loves I think are some of the stupidest things I have ever read with inconsistent plot points and horrible main characters but sometimes when you are one of the only people that hate a story you look like you're just jealous or something? I have no clue, it's a mystery to me.
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Well, the sites that used to do it took their sweet time (like a thousand years, right Mare? LOL), so I don't think that would be a problem. But if course, if you allow a month per story, you'd get really backed up unless there were a lot of reviewers. And if there were a lot of reviewers, it would be harder to compare stories to each other objectively based on reviews, cause everyone would rate a little different.
But maybe we could have one reviewer per genre (maybe two for the more popular genres on AC), and that way at least stories could be compared within their genre. And also, reviewers could just read stories in a genre they like. (So Mare, no romance for you! LOL)
You know that's so funny you said that because as soon as I got myself into bed last night I ughed because I wanted to post that if this critique thing did come into play the people that did it should have a very open mind to all stories or just review in the genre they enjoy reading because in all honesty I know for a fact I couldn't give a romance or female character driven story a fair review because no matter how well written it is, I can't get past a chapter before becoming bored to death by them. That doesn't mean that they're horrible, but for me personally I wouldn't be able to give those a real honest read. lol
As far as reading your own genre I think there would actually be less bias because you would find it a more enjoyable experience overall except that everyone does have their own tastes and plus we would only be doing it for stories where the author recommended us to do it, so in that case it wouldn't really be fair to all the other stories on the board to say this one is the best...
There does need to be some kind of system in play or a less generic system I should say. lol
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Well, maybe we could all write out a general list of critiria for the stories.... That way, people would at least know what's getting looked at.... And then obviously more specific genere things... I'd volunteer for my genre of expertise, but I have a feeling that the only person who would submit their story is me... And I can't very well critique my own.... So... I'd do it... Just stick me somewhere... :)
And the stories with bajillions of reviews and perfect stars... I say death to them. Let's burn them all! (Not anyone here of course... I know you all work hard. :))
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If I really don't like what I'm reading, I stop reading it. Mostly because I don't want to accidentally flame anyone, or hafta lower stars or anything. And I don't wanna seem like a bossy know-it-all if I point out a couples things that might make it a little better. Because really, I know nothing. Lol.
~Lenni~
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but I don't know if it should be the genre of the reviewer's expertise though... Because they might be biased... Or they would know how to better avoid the cliches... It's really a toss up there....
I see your point. But at the same time, I think it would help if you had read a lot of stories in that genre. If I was reviewing the fantasy genre, I could think that a story was really amazing in terms of originality and creativity and all of that, and then you could read it and be like "I've seen this storyline in five other stories" and mark them down for the same things I would have marked them up for. We'd have a totally different opinion just based on experience.
Also, if you hate the genre you're reviewing, you might be prone to rating a story harshly just because you don't like it. Also, it's no fun for the reviewer if you have to read story after story in a genre you don't like.
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I just noticed another very stupid use of the star system.
Why is it, that people who write clear, concise, thought out plots with chapters that have correct grammar and punctuation, either get flamed or have people tell them all the little flaws when people who write the biggest, pieces of shit (sorry, it's true) fics with horrible punctuation, and a complete lack of plot line, and SENSE... have perfect stars and a bajillion reviews. Obviously I won't mention what fic I'm talking about (because I value my life) but that really bugs me. I try to give fics like that constructive criticism and tell them that maybe they should spell check, or that commas and periods are their friends but they only pay attention to the 5 star UPDATE MOAR!!!!!!!11111!
...but I'm not bitter or anything. :-\ Though it's very hard to have the power of delete and not use it sometimes!
That totally bugs me too. It's like the pot calling the kettle black. People who live in glasses shouldn't throw stones. All of those sayings LOL. On one hand, I believe you can recognize good or bad writing whether or not you're a good writer yourself - I'm not the world's best singer, but I know good singing when I hear it, and I know bad singing when I hear it. But I wouldn't get all critical about a singer who I know still sings way better than I do, unless they were seriously asking me to point out every little flaw I heard in their singing.
If those people put as much effort into finding the flaws in their own stories as they did pointing out yours in reviews, they might be better writers LOL.
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Well, maybe we could all write out a general list of critiria for the stories.... That way, people would at least know what's getting looked at.... And then obviously more specific genere things... I'd volunteer for my genre of expertise, but I have a feeling that the only person who would submit their story is me... And I can't very well critique my own.... So... I'd do it... Just stick me somewhere... :)
And the stories with bajillions of reviews and perfect stars... I say death to them. Let's burn them all! (Not anyone here of course... I know you all work hard. :))
I definitely agree; we need some kind of rubric. The site I had my story reviewed at years ago had just that. There were all kinds of different things the story was "graded" on, and each one had a point value, and you got back almost like a report card with the points you earned for each thing and some comments. I wish I still had that review, but I think the site it was on went down, and I don't have a copy of it anymore.
I would be up for doing this if we wanna organize something like this.
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I hate when the pot calls the kettle black... It makes me so mad.... *clenches fists and goes on a screaming spree*
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^ me too! And why are pots even talking for goodness sake!
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They're magical pots of hope and wonder.... and joy... and joyness. :)
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I just noticed another very stupid use of the star system.
Why is it, that people who write clear, concise, thought out plots with chapters that have correct grammar and punctuation, either get flamed or have people tell them all the little flaws when people who write the biggest, pieces of shit (sorry, it's true) fics with horrible punctuation, and a complete lack of plot line, and SENSE... have perfect stars and a bajillion reviews. Obviously I won't mention what fic I'm talking about (because I value my life) but that really bugs me. I try to give fics like that constructive criticism and tell them that maybe they should spell check, or that commas and periods are their friends but they only pay attention to the 5 star UPDATE MOAR!!!!!!!11111!
...but I'm not bitter or anything. :-\ Though it's very hard to have the power of delete and not use it sometimes!
It's ok to use me as an example I guess because I can't piss anyone off that way. "Welcome To My Heart" is the perfect example of what you're talking about. It is my most popular story as far as people having it listed as their favorite but there are so many things wrong with that story that I don't even know where to start.
There are typos left and right. We all know my grammar sucks. (I try but that's just my biggest weakness.) And to top it off, that story ran in so many different directions that it ended up being like a bazillion pages and has so many unnecessary chapters in it. I swear it has no real plot and it's like one big walking cliche after another. If it were someone else's story I probably never would have made it through the whole thing.
Anyway, my point is that it's by far not my best (bad even) and yet it got so many reviews and so many people added it to their favorites and have asked to host it on their sites. As flattered as I am, I just don't get it. I think maybe because there were so many chapters that it simply got a lot of face time and more people read it. Plus the more chapters a story has, the more reviews it will get. "Welcome To My Heart" is like 3 times longer than any of my other stories so it makes sense that it has the highest number of reviews.
As far as the picking apart good stories I don't really know. It's never really happened to me, though I always ask people to do it. Lord knows I need it. Dee is the only one who points out my grammatical errors for me. (and I love you for it thank you :-*)
From the other perspective though, I will give constructive criticism when I read a story. If something doesn't make sense to me, I'll let you know. But I only ever read the "good" stories to begin with so those are the only ones who get reviews from me. If the story is totally horrible I just don't get past the first chapter so I don't review it.
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As far as the picking apart good stories I don't really know. It's never really happened to me, though I always ask people to do it. Lord knows I need it. Dee is the only one who points out my grammatical errors for me. (and I love you for it thank you :-*)
Awwwww.... :-* I'm glad my grammar nazism helps. :) I certainly like to be helpful. :)
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I'm all about good grammar and mechanics, but even I will admit, there is something to be said for the stories that might be a little lacking in that area, but still have "the it factor" - that combination of a compelling storyline, interesting characters, and voice that makes people read and enjoy it and overlook the typos and other flaws.
Without trying to pick on anyone (this is meant as a compliment, not as a critique), the Swollen Issues trilogy is one of those to me. If I were looking strictly for impeccable writing in that story, it would have a ton of red marks by the time I finished going over it. One of the authors isn't a native English speaker, so her parts are at times awkwardly written just because she's not writing in her first language. It's not without its punctuation issues and other stuff either. But even though I am a grammar police at heart, I've always been able to overlook those issues with those stories because they draw me in anyway. I was so addicted to the second story that I'd go check the page more than once a day on the off chance they had updated it and not gotten around to sending out an email yet. I'm not quite that way anymore, but it's still a story I will drop everything I'm doing to read when I get an updates email for it. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, and I don't know that it's gotten a lot of exposure on AC, but I do know a lot of people who like it, so I'm not alone there.
So Kelly, I haven't read the story you're talking about, but maybe it's one of those. Might not be the best written, but it has the "it" factor that makes people go crazy over it. ;D
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My friend Susan's stories are an even better example that Swollen. She has major punctuation issues; she leaves out commas and randomly puts question marks at the end of sentences that aren't questions. It's really funny, but it drives me nuts. But her stories are so unique, and her way of storytelling is so captivating, that it totally doesn't matter - she's one of my favorite fanfic authors because all of her stories have that "it" factor for me.
She's not on AC, but her stories are on my site.
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But a lot of those hugely popular ones don't really have compelling characters or voice, in my opinion... They're just watered over teenyness...
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haha it would be nice to think so. The way I look at it, is that while that one has so many flaws and I don't take it down even though I know I can do better, despite it's "success", I still see it's flaws and have tried not to repeat them in stories that have come after it. Who knows if I really am though, cause no one will pick apart my stories. lol
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And I need to read Swollen Issues. It's been recommended to me by lots of people. It's on my "list". But I agree with you on being willing to overlook grammar (to an extent) when it's an excellent story. (Especially since I don't catch it most of the time anyway :D)
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I think you're doing just fine, Kelly. :)
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haha it would be nice to think so. The way I look at it, is that while that one has so many flaws and I don't take it down even though I know I can do better, despite it's "success", I still see it's flaws and have tried not to repeat them in stories that have come after it. Who knows if I really am though, cause no one will pick apart my stories. lol
I bet it might be the "it" factor. Cause you are a good writer :D. That and we are our own worst critic. I have people who still read Divisions of Reality which shocks me, cause the beginning, well it was started forever ago and my writing wasn't all that great then. You can so tell as you get to the most recent chapters. I kind of wonder why, but I'm happy about it don't get me wrong. So we're also our own harshest critics in writing anyway.
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I think the fan base is my harshest critic. *nod*
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aww, Dee! :-* I'm your fan base and I'm not harsh. I need to finish your story *pokes myself* I just always need a good amount of time to sit down to your story cause I'm a slow reader and your chapters are so long. Wonderful, but long. It's been a challenge to read the featured story each month as it is, so I'm slacking on reading all other stories. *pokes myself again*
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I was also one of those people who checked a gabillion times to see if Swollen was updated and I do agree with what everyone said. I tend to ignore mechanics when I read, unless i'm proofing for people and I have stopped doing that. When I critque it is mainly plot and storyline. I take into account a few things when I read a story and one of them is the age of the writer and if English is their first language or not.
It might not be fair to pigeon hole with age but if you are 16 and this is your first fic, i'm going to ignore a lot of the grammar errors and plot problems because they are young and it's their first. If you are 30 and this is your 40th story, it's a little different.
A good story is a good story though, so if it's lacking on grammar and has a lot of weird things in it I can easily overlook that if it's a great story that draws me in.
And popularity is a weird thing. I know a lot of people still associate me with Mizpah and to date I really do think that was my most popular story but it's just a huge pile of flaming pooh as far as i'm concerned lol
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aww, Dee! :-* I'm your fan base and I'm not harsh. I need to finish your story *pokes myself* I just always need a good amount of time to sit down to your story cause I'm a slow reader and your chapters are so long. Wonderful, but long. It's been a challenge to read the featured story each month as it is, so I'm slacking on reading all other stories. *pokes myself again*
No worries; it's far from done anyway, so... Take your time. :)
And I meant the Backstreet fan base in general, not my readership. ;) Because the readers I've heard from are basically amazing. :)
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I was also one of those people who checked a gabillion times to see if Swollen was updated and I do agree with what everyone said. I tend to ignore mechanics when I read, unless i'm proofing for people and I have stopped doing that. When I critque it is mainly plot and storyline. I take into account a few things when I read a story and one of them is the age of the writer and if English is their first language or not.
I don't really pay as much attention to spelling, grammar, etc when the rest of the story makes up for it. BUT when the plot is horribly cliched, or the writer has absolutely no idea what the story is even about and is just writing random chapters where things just "happen" and the actual writing is bad it's hard to not notice.
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^ yup! lol That's usually when I stop.
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Heya guys--so I'm admittedly so far behind in posts that I'm skimming and not reading teh 16 pages of comments in this thread (sorry, still having some trouble reading a lot after my "incident"); what's the concensus--do ya'll want the stars to go away, cuz I can do that. Just let me know what you want and I'm happy to oblige!
--Ash
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Heya guys--so I'm admittedly so far behind in posts that I'm skimming and not reading teh 16 pages of comments in this thread (sorry, still having some trouble reading a lot after my "incident"); what's the concensus--do ya'll want the stars to go away, cuz I can do that. Just let me know what you want and I'm happy to oblige!
--Ash
I think that the concern is mostly people being able to rate without reviewing. A lot of people are using anonymous star ratings as a way of flaming authors they don't like personally.
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Heya guys--so I'm admittedly so far behind in posts that I'm skimming and not reading teh 16 pages of comments in this thread (sorry, still having some trouble reading a lot after my "incident"); what's the concensus--do ya'll want the stars to go away, cuz I can do that. Just let me know what you want and I'm happy to oblige!
--Ash
I think until we get a better system maybe the stars should go away lol just my opinion though.
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Yeah, especially if we're going to have this review site for AC, I think the stars could go away. People who really want to find high-rated stories could look on the review site.
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The stars have gone away lol :)
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I saw. :)
Chaos is so nice catering to our whims.