Writing One Stars: A Lesson

[T.K._Paradox]

I've seen these threads pop up multiple times so I felt like addressing them here, if I may have a moment of your time.

The majority of time you received One Stars because the reader, regardless of how well thought out or lazy it may have been, simply felt like it and the longer your work continues or exists to the public there will be the chance for that criticism.

It doesn't matter if it a borderline essay or a simple click of the mouse it can and will show up if you reach a consistent audience.

Now what do we do with this? We use these things to help shape our process and make sure to refine the edges that may be lacking narratively, think about what you may improve upon if not specified by the reviewer and take into account where your story may fall short.

Also realize that you're story isn't for everyone and it will not be universally liked, and that's okay recognize your primary audience and the original intent behind your story. Focus on those simple things and don't get discouraged by those that detract because your story isn't a retelling of one of their favorites.

All in all most people will evaluate on a basis of your critics and not those those that fawn over your story, and it's up to you to determine if those critics are right or not by: listening to your intended audience (which can include or just be yourself), acknowledging your story's strengths and weaknesses, and simplifying the writing process by taking breaks, have a idea of where to take your story, and keeping a consistent theme.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Or you can just man up.

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

You need to make cute voodoo dolls to curse them and their descendants~.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

You need to make cute voodoo dolls to curse them and their descendants~.

No need to make cute voodoo dolls! You have an ugly one right here for free use! (the pic of this monotone puppet is gorgeous and this puppet thanks Envy for it. Talking about the puppet behind the puppet!

I've seen these threads pop up multiple times so I felt like addressing them here, if I may have a moment of your time.

The majority of time you received One Stars because the reader, regardless of how well thought out or lazy it may have been, simply felt like it and the longer your work continues or exists to the public there will be the chance for that criticism.

It doesn't matter if it a borderline essay or a simple click of the mouse it can and will show up if you reach a consistent audience.

Now what do we do with this? We use these things to help shape our process and make sure to refine the edges that may be lacking narratively, think about what you may improve upon if not specified by the reviewer and take into account where your story may fall short.

Also realize that you're story isn't for everyone and it will not be universally liked, and that's okay recognize your primary audience and the original intent behind your story. Focus on those simple things and don't get discouraged by those that detract because your story isn't a retelling of one of their favorites.

All in all most people will evaluate on a basis of your critics and not those those that fawn over your story, and it's up to you to determine if those critics are right or not by: listening to your intended audience (which can include or just be yourself), acknowledging your story's strengths and weaknesses, and simplifying the writing process by taking breaks, have a idea of where to take your story, and keeping a consistent theme.

Here! *offers a moment of my time* It's a sad, boring thing, my time, but here you go!

I knew from the start my story would not be universally liked. To be honest, I expected to get one-star bombed from the start, so I'm still shocked it is as high as it is on RR and SH. Might be because I haven't posted enough chapters at a fast enough rate to get popular and reach a broader audience that isn't looking for my brand of strange.

In response to your last paragraph, that is true. It's all up to you. Although, in contrast to what I predict will be a bunch of people encouraging not to take the critics too seriously or to just ignore them, I will also say that if you get popular enough (but you know your writing skills aren't that good when you start), be careful. I see a lot of RR writers just starting their writing (and say that this is their first time writing), they get popular quickly, and then readers get tired and grumpy about things staying the same, low-quality writing.

 

[melchi]

One cannot alter the 1-star. That is impossible.

What is important is only to realize the truth. That there is no review, this is in fact the work of cats swatting at a keyboard.

 

[greyblob]

you get one stars because you're not very good. better work harder bucko

 

[RepresentingWrath]

you get one stars because you're not very good. better work harder bucko

based

 

[Thraben]

Personally, I think reviews (all of them, from 5 star to 1 star) are categorically tiring and unhelpful.

Something I've realized is that readers *assume* every author is writing because they want to get paid for what they've written at some point, and have completely discounted all possibility of any other motivation. This is the primary driver of what I see as the culture of readers 'reviewing' fics as products to be consumed instead of as any of the myriad other possible things that a given fic could be, with a 5 star indicating 'good product' and 1 star indicating 'bad product'. This is no doubt helped along by the 1-5 star rating system being most prevalent on sites that actually are about purchasing products too.

There is NO SUCH THING as quantitative analysis of any work of creative art that is not a product being sold. For all intents and purposes, SH is providing a free to use service for free to read content creation. There is no product being sold. 1-5 star rating systems are already awful for products being sold and it should never have been put in place for a site where nothing in being sold to begin with.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Or you can send them to me!

 

[Fariy]

I personally like a 1-5 rating system more than a like or dislike or a complete lack of any rating system. But I also think that with the rating should be statement what you like or dislike.
But don’t be hard on yourself because some rate you low or negative. Look what might cause to rate you that way.
Edit: As an artist and writer myself I always think that without any critical of your work of art how can you improve your next piece.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I don't care about 1star ratings. They hate me cause they ain't me.

In seriousness, I used to care about these things, but I realized a fact that I'm not gonna say here. That realization made it painfully clear that ratings don't matter much.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

The problem with a 1 (or 5) star rating "in a void" is you do not know if:
1) The person who rated it just hated (or, if 5* loved) the concept (which has nothing to do with the WRITING) so much that they could think of nothing to say and just marked it - or -
2) The rater is just not the target audience, thought they might be, and "hate starred" it before moving on as a rejection of the "bait and switch" (don't know if there is a 5* equivalent to this) - or -
3) The rater just does not (or DOES) like YOU and it has little or nothing to do with your work - or -
4) Someone had a bad (or good) day and just went on a "downvoting" (or "upvoting") spree, - or -
5) You really are not very good (or are great) and they could not find any words (or time) to express it so just gave a rating and moved on.

A single extreme rating without feedback is meaningless - but if you get a batch of them, then they are telling you something; the challenge then is to figure out exactly what.

 

[Samsonchui]

No need to make cute voodoo dolls! You have an ugly one right here for free use! (the pic of this monotone puppet is gorgeous and this puppet thanks Envy for it. Talking about the puppet behind the puppet!

Here! *offers a moment of my time* It's a sad, boring thing, my time, but here you go!

I knew from the start my story would not be universally liked. To be honest, I expected to get one-star bombed from the start, so I'm still shocked it is as high as it is on RR and SH. Might be because I haven't posted enough chapters at a fast enough rate to get popular and reach a broader audience that isn't looking for my brand of strange.

In response to your last paragraph, that is true. It's all up to you. Although, in contrast to what I predict will be a bunch of people encouraging not to take the critics too seriously or to just ignore them, I will also say that if you get popular enough (but you know your writing skills aren't that good when you start), be careful. I see a lot of RR writers just starting their writing (and say that this is their first time writing), they get popular quickly, and then readers get tired and grumpy about things staying the same, low-quality writing.

Hahaha this was my exact thoughts too! I expected 1* reviews. It definitely stung though when I got my first one. Jerks.