Story criticism

As an almost Newbie I'm struggling to get a feel for the site. I've always loved this subject, but have other interests as well. I've noticed a couple of things, but haven't gone far enough to prove them out.

(1) The replies to new story posts tend toward adulation. (Is this really typical?)

(2) The stories which receive the most replies tend to have as a common thread the ordinariness of the exam, or at least its plausibility, or the likelihood that such an exam might actually take place. That is, many replies credit the realism of the story. There may be something unique, but surely nothing radical. It's better that the examinee be reluctant than eager, unless the story is about a play-doc.

Why is there no negative criticism? Not even a "This isn't my cup of tea!" ? Is a negative reaction to be expressed only by failing to post at all?

Having just submitted my very first writing anywhere on any subject, I'm anxious to receive negative criticism. Must I be disappointed? - T_O

I think, Tristan_O that the responses to stories or any other posting for that matter, are self levelling. Surely the responses, negative or positive, reflect the feeling of those of the members who read a given posting.

Surely you do not suggest the opposite to what you describe, in that you would want positive responses supressing and negative responses to be more frequent.

You and all other members are free to praise or criticise just as long as there is no rudeness!

Tristan_O, I think what you will find on this site is a group of friendly people sharing a common interest.If you post something it may be read but no response given in return.It may be like you said "not my cup of tea" I don't think a negative response is in order.On the other hand if it's something liked and enjoyed,then let that person know you appreciated the post.Now if what is posted is just plain stupid ,unhealthy or dangerous,rest assured,someone Will let you know about it.

Thank you both for the sensible replies.

BigK, You're right. I'm pretty much opposed to the supressing of anything.

lycam, I'm a bit sad to hear that a negative reply would be out of order. I guess I should not look forward to the "constructive criticism" we struggled so hard against as children. I very much appreciate your candor, and accept that negativism could damage the buoyant spirit so vital to the site.

Well Tristan_O, as I'm sure you'll find, the members of this site are all very friendly and very respectful. I think that the general feeling would be that there's this general respect that if someone posts a story then it is there for entertainment, not really to be critiqued or nitpicked. If this is something that you would like, then put a note at the top of your story saying that you are looking for criticism and specific ideas about what people liked and didn't like. This sometimes works, I've gotten some good suggestions on stories using this method. Generally, different people have differnet likes, I don't wander into the injection board much because that's not my main interest, I'm not going to go in there and put in comments about how people are wrong or whatever, I think it's the same understanding in the stories. Back to the childhood phrases, If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all (and if you want something said, write it at the top of the story) hope that wasn't too repetitive.

Thanks, flyfisher. That was clear, useful, and not repetitive.

I would say that almost all the stories have some interesting aspect to them. Its interesting that you say that most of the stories have examiness that are reluctant rather than eager. For me, thats the point. So the woman goes to the gynecologist and says right from the start, I am looking forward to it and always love going there. Whats the point of writing the story. Its her dread of the exam that is the fabric of holding the story together. Well, thats my take on it. And you do find most everyone on the site very respectful of others, so I dont see any reason for criticism. If someone doesn't like that particular story, they can skip it. But there are a lot of good ones to go through.

Hi Arnie, thanks for the reply. You've all pretty well convinced me that if I want criticism I'll need to ask for it.

Re the reluctant examinee, I was thinking, for example, of the very willing exception in the great offering, "Kim receives her fantasy examination." This happy lady makes an appointment with a play doc, and comes six or seven times during the exam. This one was masterfully written in a very realistic style describing a contrived encounter. I'm finding quite a few of these. I'm thinking they can be fully as erotic as the other type.

BTW, my daughter thinks the guy in your avatar is the sexiest man alive. I can't think of his name. (It's not you, is it?)

Thanks, allanenema, sounds like a great solution!

Of course, I don't need to tell anyone here that humiliation can be a great turn-on for either party - as long as you know there's an exit handy.

Cheers!

Like you i'm fairly new to the writing side of this, as long as the critism is put in a constructive, helpful way i'm all for it.

I posted a story about my wife having her new coil fitted and the thing I find a bit disheartening is that although it's been read about 200 times, only 16 people have left any feedback.

I would love to know if the other 185 found the story to their liking so didn't comment or whether they hated it so much they couldn't comment!

Anything is useful, so I for one say let me know what you think.

Cheer up, Dr. D. Your batting average is way better than mine!

I'm less discouraged than at first, because I've considered the fact that only registered members may reply, while unregistered guests may read.

- T_O

Now I hadn't taken that into account Tristan, that's cheered me up!

I'd still be interested to know what the percentages are though.

The reason I enjoy this board is that I am free to express myself, and my views without fear of harsh criticism. I think it takes a lot for a person to come out and express how they feel on a subject. I have found this forum in my opinion to be the friendliest on the net. I really enjoy chatting with the people here. I think everyone has been great in complimenting people on their stories. The stories may not appeal to everyone, and there are some subjects that do not appeal to me, but I congratulate people in posting as a form of encouragement. There have been posts that I have not commented on because I do not have an interest in that subject. I have seen criticism on this board, and I think it was justified. There was post that bordered on child molestation/incest, and the comments were 99.44% negative.

DrDrew, Keep this in mind..I sometimes just get on the site to see what is being posted and to see just who is on.I don't log in but I may read some post. This will account for number of times a post is read with no reply.I doubt if I am the only person that checks the site during the day without logging in.There are a few people that I have met on this site that I always try to read and reply to their post because I value and appreciate their views.

I'm now a 100% convert. I withdraw any objections I may have made, implied or expressed, about people possibly being reluctant to voice their objections to material on the site. I think Bob's post turned the tide, saying that people had been more willing to express these thoughts off the site. So I think it's clear that people withhold negative comments on the site out of respect for it's positive spirit, and not at all from an unwillingness to "show their true colors."

I think Kimberly summed up the great spirit of the site very effectively.

Thanks, all. - T_O

I woke yesterday morning (wednesday) my time to find a reply to something I had posted. Although my post was something I had heard he responded almost attacking me; attacking me by asking me if I had not considered what is the most obvious point, consideration of which was implied in my post; and actually missing the point I was making.

I was incensed but then I chair a medical organisation and we had a problem with our board ending up with inappropriate comments not related to the condition we represent. I therefore decided not to reply and considered walking away from the site. It is a frustration in not being able to respond without turning the situation in to a farce.

So I guess my point is that I am interested in everybody's views, just don't make it personal !!