I would just like to say, here in the forum where you guys hang out, a big Thank You to all of the authors here. I may not read your stories as the core subject or pairings may not be to my taste, but I do appreciate you. There are too many of you that I have failed to thank properly over the years, so let me say it now, Thank you for all the hard work. You really are appreciated, even if we forget to let you know that :(
You do realize, of course, that you're the reason we do it, right? Thanks for making it worthwhile.
I have not been a member long, however, I find most authors write interesting stories. Some are not to my taste and I do not vote on those. Some I find worthy of print and I vote on those. It seems to me that a lot of people vote very low on a lot of stories. I don't know how the voting is done, but there must be a way to "reward" the authors that reflect the effort put into the writing without allowing the "trolls" to affect the votes...
I don't know how the voting is done, but there must be a way to "reward" the authors that reflect the effort put into the writing without allowing the "trolls" to affect the votes...
The best approach, and the one which makes SOL such a premiere site, is writing a heartfelt note, relating how the story impacted YOU on a personal level, even if it bothered the hell out of you.
That does more to motivate an author than any votes, scores or random purchases (purchases are the worst, as we never know whether readers ever read the book, or enjoyed or hated it once they did). Professional stories are, essentially, black boxes no voice ever escapes from.
I have found a simple voting method. If I read a story, I try and send a thank you note to the writer. I will admit that I have failed at times to do that. But even the writers who post stories I will never look at deserve a big Thank You.
