I have recently reached premier status.
Could someone tell me if my scores are good or bad
My lowest is just under 6 (5.9?) my highest is just a bit over 7, most in the high 6s
CAT the Oldrump
I have recently reached premier status.
Could someone tell me if my scores are good or bad
My lowest is just under 6 (5.9?) my highest is just a bit over 7, most in the high 6s
CAT the Oldrump
What does premier status have to do with it? Are you talking about "score" or "VA Score"?
What's good? I'm not being facetious. So many factors drive the score. Subject matter. Length. Squicks. Author following.
If you're happy with it, don't worry about the score.
My understanding of the system is that average scores are adjusted to six. Higher than six is above average. My theory is that six is the equivalent of a C in school. Seven is similar to a B and 8 or higher is an A. Nines are more like an A plus and Tens are very rare. In fact the highest rated story I am aware of is Greenies/A Perfect World - A Universe from Al Steiner with a 9.58 score.
Your scores are good and likely many, perhaps most of your scorers used 8 or higher when they voted. The highest and lowest scores are removed and there is a statistical method used to compare all the scores of all the stories rated for a given period, perhaps a year or more, and make the average rating a six. I think you should be happy about your scores.
Could someone tell me if my scores are good or bad
There are significant biases by readers towards certain types of story and against others. One way to get a feel for how your stories fare against similar stories is to follow the 'similarly tagged stories' link at the bottom of each of your stories and compare their scores against yours.
AJ
Could someone tell me if my scores are good or bad
Does the rating really matter as long as you are happy with what you wrote? I've read and enjoyed a few of your stories for whatever that is worth.
I agree with awnlee jawking. I think some grade the story on their own biases. Perhaps there should be two grading systems so if someone gets turned off by the content they can properly vent their disgust.
Perhaps there should be two grading systems so if someone gets turned off by the content they can properly vent their disgust.
Wonderful idea. In addition to the normal 'quality' scores, we could have a 'vent' rating, where we compile the scores, and then quietly deposit them into the circular folder before anyone has to see them. 'D
What impresses me is how close your scores are to each other.
Mine have been a few over 8 and some under 5 (1 under 4).
Could someone tell me if my scores are good or bad
My lowest is just under 6 (5.9?) my highest is just a bit over 7, most in the high 6s
First, lets put aside the scoring system, that subject has been done to death.
Next let's look at the 'interpretations' of the scores. Those too have been flogged until lifeless, none are better than any other, for the same reasons the way readers score differ, they are subjective.
With those two out of the way, what remains is the scores as shown. You have posted 40 stories to date, the most constructive use of the scores is to compare those of your stories that are similar and see which scores higher/lower, you might even draw a few conclusions as to why. Those conclusions might even be right.
Beyond that it's all smoke and mirrors. So unless you intend to write for scores, in other words pick subjects that are popular, then craft a story to follow the current trend, it really does not matter.
From conversations I've had with my readers, it seems most search for stories by codes, not scores, then look at the descriptions, so you are probably better off coding correctly, writing good descriptions (without spelling/grammar errors) rather than worrying about scores.
Your page states " Most of me stories are BTB or tear jerkers. Inter mixed is or will be off the normal path." So you have already set a path away from the most popular story types. "Most of me stories" is going to put off some readers all by itself. Not criticism, fact.
Then again, if this isn't to your liking, do what most people do, invent your own 'interpretation' and if you feel the need, denigrate anyone who disagrees with you.
Any why not? Most readers apply similar thinking when voting.
Thank you all, I do not know if any of you took my original post as my feeling sorry I didn't get better scores. It was not that, I was quite pleased actually, more pleased by the number of downloads then the score.
I was more interested in a general idea of my scores being above average. My ego was being massaged by the scores, and that has not been good for me in the past.
As to a comment about whether I was pleased with my stories, I always feel I could do better. It is part of the driving force I use to write. My one wish that will probably be fulfilled with my writing is a long story. I have tried several, and I always seem to end up basically running in circles or getting so far off topic, I can't get back.
Again, thank you all for the responses. I learn so much from reading what other writers have to say. I hope it will help me be a better writer.
CAT the Oldgrump