Lazy???

I don't know what others feel, but I always think that there is virtually nothing to be learned (or taught) from clicking on the rating button. I suppose a full five means someone really liked the story, but what does a four mean, or a three or a two? How do I make use of that kind of feedback to improve my writing? I think the reason very few people bother with the rating system is that it is in fact very little use. In order to give useful feedback to an author you have to e-mail him/her or start a thread in these forums, or find an existing one in which that author's work is being discussed. If we are serious about wanting feedback then we need a feedback form that accompanies each story, as I have said many times in many different threads.

You should also be aware that the system rounds down. Even if you have 10 x 5* if the eleventh reader clicks on 4, your average will then read 11 x 4* and so on. If you wade through some other threads that have touched on this subject you will see many reasons why people don't vote. Sometimes I vote, sometimes I don't. I think it is safe to assume that if no one has rated your work it must stand firmly in the middle, which is no bad thing since voting is subjective and therefore not indicative of the quality of the piece. have just re-read that and my meaning is not clear. Suppose you write in the horror genre and your story gets read 20 times by people who hate horror they will probably click off without finishing the piece. Others may finish it but not like it so do not vote .... after all ... why spoil someones writing just because it is not your thing?

Speaking of starting a thread to discuss a piece of work, the system they have over at h2g2.com is very efficient. Threads can be started from the article itself - it's like each piece of work has its own individual forum. I think people would be more willing to comment on people's stuff if they could just type what they want to say in a box at the end of the story/poem itself and just click 'Post'. I'm sure most people, whether they like a piece or not, can't be bothered with going all the way over to the main forum and starting a new thread.

yeah, who cares. Some of what I consider to be my best work gets 2 and 3 stars. Its all just SO subjective...

I've just posted a comment on the "new writers" thread on this very topic of comments and feedback. I'd just like to add that I never even bother to see how my work's doing on here because all you get is a number of readers (including you everytime you look at the thing) and the occasional star rating which has been discussed above. The optional comment on each piece seems to be the answer, it exists on other sites and is really the only reason for accessing them. People crave feedback and want something better than stars or waiting for someone to mention their work out of the thousands on the site here on the discussions board. Of course they can start a thread and ask for feedback but most are a little reticent to do so especially when new to the site. By the way, if anyone would care to read my stories, novel or poems, they're all under ELY_WHITLEY............ (walks away shaking head in shame and tutting a bit)

what's your (iyv) best piece that's been low-ranked, Stevo? i'd be quite interested to go and have a look and see what i think.