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Delays Again (Library update)

19 Feb 2020 23:44 #66866 by Woodclaw
Delays Again (Library update) was created by Woodclaw
Hello Maniacs,

once again, the next Saturday (February 22nd) will be very busy for me. I won't be in town most of the day and I'm not sure when I will come home. Of course, this means that any story uploaded on Saturday might not get published according to the usual schedule. Hence I'm urging some of our writers, who have the habit of submitting their stories at the last possible minute to either get in gear and upload them earlier (i.e. by Friday 21st, C.E.T.) or give me a heads up via PM or this topic, so that I can plan accordingly.
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20 Feb 2020 00:33 #66867 by Raa
Replied by Raa on topic Delays Again (Library update)
Thank you and all the other admins for the hard work you guys do!!!
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21 Feb 2020 12:38 #66877 by Woodclaw
Replied by Woodclaw on topic Delays Again (Library update)
I'm bumping this to get your attention: please upload your submissions by tonight Central Europe Time, please.
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23 Feb 2020 13:16 #66905 by smoki07
Replied by smoki07 on topic Delays Again (Library update)
Only one story opdated! Is it normal? Did author mostly disregard your advice ? Well it surprise me really but it happen!

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23 Feb 2020 13:31 #66906 by Woodclaw
Replied by Woodclaw on topic Delays Again (Library update)

smoki07 wrote: Only one story opdated! Is it normal? Did author mostly disregard your advice ? Well it surprise me really but it happen!


No, it's not normal. I checked this morning for any stragglers, but I got nothing.
I guess we just hit the first dry week of 2020.
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23 Feb 2020 16:09 #66907 by smoki07
Replied by smoki07 on topic Delays Again (Library update)

Woodclaw wrote:

smoki07 wrote: Only one story opdated! Is it normal? Did author mostly disregard your advice ? Well it surprise me really but it happen!


No, it's not normal. I checked this morning for any stragglers, but I got nothing.
I guess we just hit the first dry week of 2020.


Yup, hope it'll happen often though lol

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10 May 2020 11:30 #67991 by Woodclaw
Replied by Woodclaw on topic Delays Again (Library update)
Well, it happened...

I was really hoping to wake up this morning and have some strugglers to pick up and upload to the site, but it really seems that between timetables and the global pandemic many of our authors have much bigger problems.
I hope this situation isn't going to last too long, but I know for a fact that some of us have pretty big issues going on right.

Hold tight people.
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10 May 2020 19:49 #68002 by anonxyzus
Replied by anonxyzus on topic Delays Again (Library update)
It's because we're all busy:

Reading and re-readiing the original LaPorte Caves
Reading and re-reading the revised LaPorte Caves
Comparing and contrasting the original LaPorte Caves with the revised
Speculating on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Arguing with each other about our speculations on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Attempting to read CC's mind regarding where the story will go next
Trying to influence CC on where the story will go next via the above activities
Arguing with each other on where the story will go next
Being happy we aren't in Howard's shoes

With all that going on, who has times to write new stories?
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10 May 2020 20:02 #68003 by Rjjt456
Replied by Rjjt456 on topic Delays Again (Library update)

anonxyzus wrote: It's because we're all busy:

Reading and re-readiing the original LaPorte Caves
Reading and re-reading the revised LaPorte Caves
Comparing and contrasting the original LaPorte Caves with the revised
Speculating on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Arguing with each other about our speculations on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Attempting to read CC's mind regarding where the story will go next
Trying to influence CC on where the story will go next via the above activities
Arguing with each other on where the story will go next
Being happy we aren't in Howard's shoes

With all that going on, who has times to write new stories?


The man has a point... Not one I share but he has a point.

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10 May 2020 20:05 #68004 by Woodclaw
Replied by Woodclaw on topic Delays Again (Library update)

anonxyzus wrote: It's because we're all busy:

Reading and re-readiing the original LaPorte Caves
Reading and re-reading the revised LaPorte Caves
Comparing and contrasting the original LaPorte Caves with the revised
Speculating on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Arguing with each other about our speculations on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Attempting to read CC's mind regarding where the story will go next
Trying to influence CC on where the story will go next via the above activities
Arguing with each other on where the story will go next
Being happy we aren't in Howard's shoes

With all that going on, who has times to write new stories?


I understand that this post was meant as a joke and as much as I enjoy seeing a story being discussed, it still hit a bit of an exposed nerve for me.
More often than not, one of the things that seem to hold back new potential writers is the fear of competing with existing, especially ongoing, stories. I've heard a lot of new writers looking at some of our most established members and go: "I'll never be that good." or "I'll never get that kind of feedback." As a result, reading a comment like the one above kind of hurt.

If I could, I would like to set this in stone at the beginning of any really successful book or fanfic: nobody is that good because of talent. Period.

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13 May 2020 01:36 #68020 by Pepper
Replied by Pepper on topic Delays Again (Library update)

Woodclaw wrote:

anonxyzus wrote: It's because we're all busy:

Reading and re-readiing the original LaPorte Caves
Reading and re-reading the revised LaPorte Caves
Comparing and contrasting the original LaPorte Caves with the revised
Speculating on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Arguing with each other about our speculations on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Attempting to read CC's mind regarding where the story will go next
Trying to influence CC on where the story will go next via the above activities
Arguing with each other on where the story will go next
Being happy we aren't in Howard's shoes

With all that going on, who has times to write new stories?


I understand that this post was meant as a joke and as much as I enjoy seeing a story being discussed, it still hit a bit of an exposed nerve for me.
More often than not, one of the things that seem to hold back new potential writers is the fear of competing with existing, especially ongoing, stories. I've heard a lot of new writers looking at some of our most established members and go: "I'll never be that good." or "I'll never get that kind of feedback." As a result, reading a comment like the one above kind of hurt.

If I could, I would like to set this in stone at the beginning of any really successful book or fanfic: nobody is that good because of talent. Period.


I don't think the quality of the story is the only issue. For many of the stories here, the plot centers on some sort of technical challenge; will the heroine spoil the villain's evil scheme, will she obtain the serum that giver her her powers, will someone discover her secret identity, will she be able to protect her loved ones,... Those stories can be great, but they don't necessarily prompt a lot of discussion. Either the challenge is met or it's not, but there's not much about it to analyze.

LaPorte Caves is a different sort of story. The conflict is essentially internal. Will Julia be corrupted by the power she has in the new world, or will her feelings and loyalty to Howard win out? That's fertile ground for discussion; what's the right thing to do, and what do two lovers owe to each other under such extraordinary circumstances?

I hope new authors aren't discouraged. This story just tapped into a particularly rich vein.

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13 May 2020 12:03 #68025 by Woody
Replied by Woody on topic Delays Again (Library update)
I suppose from the perspective of one of those "other" writers we all share our stories freely and in the regards to comments they can really fuel us. But Woodclaw has a point. I've been writing here for two years now.  If i was starting out now reading all the comments for LaPorte Caves i would think that i would get the same sort of reaction of people commenting on my stories. When it doesn't occur it can really be a kick in the guts. We know how good CC is and the title of new legend of SWM is well deserved, but even a "well done" or a "I really enjoyed that" comment goes a long way for any writer who posts here
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13 May 2020 12:22 #68026 by njae
Replied by njae on topic Delays Again (Library update)

Pepper wrote:

Woodclaw wrote:

anonxyzus wrote: It's because we're all busy:

Reading and re-readiing the original LaPorte Caves
Reading and re-reading the revised LaPorte Caves
Comparing and contrasting the original LaPorte Caves with the revised
Speculating on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Arguing with each other about our speculations on the motivations of Julia, Ruth, Amanda and Mindy
Attempting to read CC's mind regarding where the story will go next
Trying to influence CC on where the story will go next via the above activities
Arguing with each other on where the story will go next
Being happy we aren't in Howard's shoes

With all that going on, who has times to write new stories?


I understand that this post was meant as a joke and as much as I enjoy seeing a story being discussed, it still hit a bit of an exposed nerve for me.
More often than not, one of the things that seem to hold back new potential writers is the fear of competing with existing, especially ongoing, stories. I've heard a lot of new writers looking at some of our most established members and go: "I'll never be that good." or "I'll never get that kind of feedback." As a result, reading a comment like the one above kind of hurt.

If I could, I would like to set this in stone at the beginning of any really successful book or fanfic: nobody is that good because of talent. Period.


I don't think the quality of the story is the only issue. For many of the stories here, the plot centers on some sort of technical challenge; will the heroine spoil the villain's evil scheme, will she obtain the serum that giver her her powers, will someone discover her secret identity, will she be able to protect her loved ones,... Those stories can be great, but they don't necessarily prompt a lot of discussion. Either the challenge is met or it's not, but there's not much about it to analyze.

LaPorte Caves is a different sort of story. The conflict is essentially internal. Will Julia be corrupted by the power she has in the new world, or will her feelings and loyalty to Howard win out? That's fertile ground for discussion; what's the right thing to do, and what do two lovers owe to each other under such extraordinary circumstances?

I hope new authors aren't discouraged. This story just tapped into a particularly rich vein.


Sorry if this sounds rude but you're proving Woodclaws fear to be justified there.

Your post boils down to LPC being the only story in the library worth commenting since others don't prompt a discussion. If I apply that to a new author that submits either a full story or a start of a longer one that would mean - going by your logic - this would not be worth any feedback.

But authors - especially new ones - are highly dependant on feedback. They need to hear what people liked/disliked about their work so that they can improve based on that.
  • You liked that particular super strength scene? Mention that so there would be more like that the next time around.
  • A scene could have been more fleshed out and felt rushed? Great, now the author has something he can look out for in the future. Maybe even fix it in the current version of the story.
  • A character's actions and their consequences feel out of sync? Mention it to the author, it may be a plot point that could use some in-story description or - more likely - add something that fixes this error.
  • Character don't live up to their description? Yeah maybe the author will remove "Super Intelligence" from that woman's power list since she's making one stupid decision after another and maybe that "Prince Charming" description needs a "that's how she sees him" added to it to soften the blow when he turns into a douche two pages later...
  • ...
Of course, all should be done in a polite manner, so the feedback is constructive.

On the other hand, as Woody said an "I liked it!" goes a long way for an author. I can only confirm that in that situation, seeing pretty much all the attention focussing on one other story can pretty much destroy an authors' motivation to the point they fade away. It happened in the past and judging by the posts here it won't change.

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13 May 2020 13:04 #68027 by lfan
Replied by lfan on topic Delays Again (Library update)
While I love LPC, I frankly don’t understand the amount of comments it garners....

I find it both humorous and infuriating, the latter — if I’m being honest — is fueled by jealousy.  Jealousy that MY stories don’t provoke so much conversation. ;)

While I don’t understand it fully, that is the point. Circes has strung together a tale that is engaging and exciting for several readers and kudos to him for that. 

I do understand where WC and Njae are coming from but using a sports analogy, Michael Jordan’s teammates and opposition probably tired from hearing about his achievement but they didn’t quit cause everyone was talking about him or because he was so good (note: I’m not claiming Circes is the MJ of ubergirl fiction).   If anything it inspired them to elevate their game or one day become another MJ (see Kobe Bryant).

Granted, the NBA doesn’t have a shortage of players like we do authors but you get the gist of the analogy. 

I frankly think we SHOULD encourage other writers like Njae said but let’s not discourage comments on LPC either.  And if that’s the only story a commenter feels justified on discussing,  it’s disappointing but so be it.  

ielf
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13 May 2020 13:45 #68028 by Pepper
Replied by Pepper on topic Delays Again (Library update)

Woody wrote: I suppose from the perspective of one of those "other" writers we all share our stories freely and in the regards to comments they can really fuel us. But Woodclaw has a point. I've been writing here for two years now.  If i was starting out now reading all the comments for LaPorte Caves i would think that i would get the same sort of reaction of people commenting on my stories. When it doesn't occur it can really be a kick in the guts. We know how good CC is and the title of new legend of SWM is well deserved, but even a "well done" or a "I really enjoyed that" comment goes a long way for any writer who posts here

Consider a movie like "Die Hard" (the original, of course). There's good guys, bad guys, an evil scheme, , danger, some clever twists, a final showdown, and the good guys win. You're on the edge of your seat watching it, but when it's over there's not really much to say. No one debates whether it was worth it for McClane to put that much effort into rescuing Holly, or whether he was tempted to join Hans and keep a share of the loot. It's great, but there's not much to say except "it's great."

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13 May 2020 14:04 #68029 by Woody
Replied by Woody on topic Delays Again (Library update)
That's my point pepper.  Die hard is great. There was 141 million dollars worth of people saying its great. Enough people said its great and keep saying is great to give it 4 sequels and bring it up every Christmas. That's the power of saying "its great"
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13 May 2020 14:33 #68030 by lfan
Replied by lfan on topic Delays Again (Library update)

Pepper wrote: Consider a movie like "Die Hard"...."


Hans?!  Boobie......

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13 May 2020 15:55 #68031 by njae
Replied by njae on topic Delays Again (Library update)

Pepper wrote:

Woody wrote: I suppose from the perspective of one of those "other" writers we all share our stories freely and in the regards to comments they can really fuel us. But Woodclaw has a point. I've been writing here for two years now.  If i was starting out now reading all the comments for LaPorte Caves i would think that i would get the same sort of reaction of people commenting on my stories. When it doesn't occur it can really be a kick in the guts. We know how good CC is and the title of new legend of SWM is well deserved, but even a "well done" or a "I really enjoyed that" comment goes a long way for any writer who posts here

Consider a movie like "Die Hard" (the original, of course). There's good guys, bad guys, an evil scheme, , danger, some clever twists, a final showdown, and the good guys win. You're on the edge of your seat watching it, but when it's over there's not really much to say. No one debates whether it was worth it for McClane to put that much effort into rescuing Holly, or whether he was tempted to join Hans and keep a share of the loot. It's great, but there's not much to say except "it's great."



I think the real problem here would be that in this example nobody would have said "it's great" or anything that could be noticed during since the entire world was busy discussing the current episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and would go into another loop with each new episode. As a result the movie would have no sequels and be obscure enough to be mentioned when discussing Christmas movies in particular - and probably be confused with Home Alone there.

Ok that movie comparison doesn't really hold up...

There isn't much to see on the site regarding the reception of a story. There's only the forum, the comment ticker and that's pretty much it. If one story dominates these, then there's next to nothing left for the rest. Eventually they fade out of the "Recent Stories" and won't receive much more attention.

In my eyes, the problem isn't LPC the story, but rather the fanbase that would rather add another dozen of comments onto the latest installment than posting a single "I liked it" to any other story.

The only solution I can think of right now would be to ask said audience to focus their discussion onto the forum and keep the comments on the respective chapters to a minimum. Nothing wrong in saying "I liked it" in the chapter and discussing the plot in the dedicated thread. This way other stories may receive some spotlight without damaging the feedback for LPC.

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13 May 2020 16:26 #68033 by lfan
Replied by lfan on topic Delays Again (Library update)

njae wrote: In my eyes, the problem isn't LPC the story, but rather the fanbase that would rather add another dozen of comments onto the latest installment than posting a single "I liked it" to any other story.

The only solution I can think of right now would be to ask said audience to focus their discussion onto the forum and keep the comments on the respective chapters to a minimum. Nothing wrong in saying "I liked it" in the chapter and discussing the plot in the dedicated thread. This way other stories may receive some spotlight without damaging the feedback for LPC.


And in an effort to support the authors, you've now completed alienated the fanbase by saying they are the problem!

We are not going to try to redirect or rechannel comments from users here on the site, sorry.  I'd like people to say "I like it" more on other stories as well, but everyone is free to comment on stories how they choose as long as its amicable.

ElF

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13 May 2020 17:46 #68036 by shadar
Replied by shadar on topic Delays Again (Library update)

lfan wrote:

njae wrote: In my eyes, the problem isn't LPC the story, but rather the fanbase that would rather add another dozen of comments onto the latest installment than posting a single "I liked it" to any other story.

The only solution I can think of right now would be to ask said audience to focus their discussion onto the forum and keep the comments on the respective chapters to a minimum. Nothing wrong in saying "I liked it" in the chapter and discussing the plot in the dedicated thread. This way other stories may receive some spotlight without damaging the feedback for LPC.


And in an effort to support the authors, you've now completed alienated the fanbase by saying they are the problem!

We are not going to try to redirect or rechannel comments from users here on the site, sorry.  I'd like people to say "I like it" more on other stories as well, but everyone is free to comment on stories how they choose as long as its amicable.

ElF


As someone who has been writing and sharing stories in this genre on different platforms for roughly 30 years, it is my observation that a potential author's inspiration cannot be contained. It will find its way into a story because that's how we humans have always shared our thoughts. We want people to listen to our stories, but unlike a traveling storyteller, who had the faces of their audience for feedback, here it's all in the comments. 

From the point a story is posted, the future is in the hands of readers. Feedback is the fuel that keeps the engine running. Inspiration may last a while on its own, but in a vacuum, it will become depleted.

As I see it, the #1 requirement of an active and growing story site is an audience of enthusiastic readers who are free with their comments, the more insightful the better. It's the currency of the realm, so to speak. 

Silence simply creates... more silence. 

Shadar
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14 May 2020 02:54 #68041 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic Delays Again (Library update)
I have so many things I want to say about this topic I am not even sure where to start.  You can see from my reaction to the recent “Legends” designation (on a separate thread) that I am far more interested in seeing new writers emerge than I am occupying a spot on somebody’s pedestal.  

But setting all that aside, I feel badly for anonxyzus, who made a lighthearted comment that was never intended to be a springboard for a larger debate.

Let’s have some “thread discipline”.  This thread is about the timing of weekly story postings.  If we want to have a discussion about something else — like the fostering of new talent — then let’s have it occur in a separate thread.  That way, the entire community will be alerted to the emergence of this new discussion and anonxyzus will not be given the impression that he inadvertently stepped on a landmine.
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14 May 2020 03:24 #68042 by shadar
Replied by shadar on topic Delays Again (Library update)

circes_cup wrote: I have so many things I want to say about this topic I am not even sure where to start.  You can see from my reaction to the recent “Legends” designation (on a separate thread) that I am far more interested in seeing new writers emerge than I am occupying a spot on somebody’s pedestal.  

But setting all that aside, I feel badly for anonxyzus, who made a lighthearted comment that was never intended to be a springboard for a larger debate.

Let’s have some “thread discipline”.  This thread is about the timing of weekly story postings.  If we want to have a discussion about something else — like the fostering of new talent — then let’s have it occur in a separate thread.  That way, the entire community will be alerted to the emergence of this new discussion and anonxyzus will not be given the impression that he inadvertently stepped on a landmine.


Thread creep is one of the best things about SWM. One thing sparking another. 
The commenter who kicks the pebble over the edge shouldn't feel bad for the landslide that follows. 

It's mostly the way things work around here, what with things coming out during discussion that weren't intended when the thread started. I personally think that's more like real-world conversation with multiple people than most forums. Rules dampen conversation. 

But two things are clear... you need to read all the posts of all threads to know what's going on, and the thread titles aren't always indicative of what a thread is about. But that works for SWM, IMHO, because the number of posts per day are very modest and it's easy to keep up. All part of the fun for a bunch of imaginative people. 

Shadar

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14 May 2020 07:09 #68044 by anonxyzus
Replied by anonxyzus on topic Delays Again (Library update)
Please don't feel bad for me. I don't interpret any of the comments made in response to mine as a personal attack (Note to readers: if you meant your response as a personal attack against me please state so in unambiguous terms. I'm old (last time I bought a comic book it cost 12 cents, that comment kicked off a lot of discussion too) and don't always pick up on these things.)
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14 May 2020 13:26 #68045 by Dumano1r
Replied by Dumano1r on topic Delays Again (Library update)
When I wrote my first story for this site under the alias Vortigern, I remember hoping for positive feedback, and when I received that it inspired me to write more. My writing then came to an abrupt end for personal reasons.

What I still find, even now, is that I almost obsessively check any new stories I have posted for feedback. When there is nothing at all I always feel a bit disappointed. I don't know if I've missed it, but it would be nice to see how many people have read my stories or to see a simple "like" pop up. Otherwise it can feel a bit like you're throwing your work out into a vacuum. 

In terms of critical feexback, I generally appreciate it, though unfortunately it can be a touchy subject for me having had my writing constantly and overly criticised in real life. I believe my grammar and vocabulary are generally pretty reasonable, but constantly being told that it's rubbish and that my errors with perfect and imperfect tenses show a lack of education and ability turned writing from a pleasure to a chore. 

My writing tends to focus on the areas of the genre I enjoy the most. Certainly transformation and empowerment are great, but also the dynamics and interplay with regular people fascinate me. My stories generally will not feature heroes who are irresistibly attractive. They can be utterly stunning, but to me no amount of physical beauty is irresistible. 

All this said, I also have to apologise for not having the next chapter of A Common Weakness finished yet. I don't have a great excuse, just general malaise sadly. I am hoping to have it ready for this weekend. It is time Claire finds out about the full range of her powers... 
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