Forum: Author Hangout

Correlation of Story Action & Story Score

D. Fritz 🚫

I know a story's score can vary due to a large number of factors, but over the past few days I have noticed an interesting correlation.

I have a story (Helping the New Neighbor) that is being posted basically a chapter per day. Chapters 1-6 comprise Part 1. I just posted chapters 12 & 13 to conclude Part 2. The scores fluctuated a lot early, but then started to steadily rise. However, with the last two chapters of Part 2, the one character starts to change toward the negative.

After these last chapters were posted I could see the score steadily fall by over a third of a point, presumably in reaction to readers not liking the direction of the character.

I am going to be interested to see how the votes go as Part 3 starts next week.

Anyone else see scores parallel the actions in their stories?

Replies: Crumbly Writer awnlee jawking

Crumbly Writer 🚫

@D. Fritz

Scores (at least on a per-chapter basis) routinely vary depending on whether there is ANY action (ex: fight scenes, etc.) or slower 'recap' or preparatory chapters. If you spend the time (like us stat-crazy numercists) reviewing each chapter, it's fairly easy to document the chapter-content variations, though I've never officially documented my observations (other than stray side comment here on the forum).

But 'action' chapters are right up there with cliff-hangers for getting higher scores. Sex scenes generally get higher scores too, though those can sometimes go either way, depending on how common/frequently they occur within a given story (i.e. if they get 'repetitious').

Now if you're really curious, toss in a gay-sex or scat scene and watch what it does to your otherwise well-performing SOL story! ;)

Replies: StarFleet Carl

StarFleet Carl 🚫

@Crumbly Writer

gay-sex or scat scene

I haven't seen any issues with happy sex scenes.

And I don't know why telling felines to get out of your yard is worthy of a scene.

:)

Replies: AmigaClone

AmigaClone 🚫

@StarFleet Carl

And I don't know why telling felines to get out of your yard is worthy of a scene.

Depends on the situation. If by 'felines' you are simply referring to the common house cat, I agree you telling them to get off your lawn might not deserve a scene on its own. But what if doing so is just the opening of a scene that is mostly the interaction with the owner of said felines.

Alternatively, what if the 'feline' is an alien species and that confrontation is the first time you communicate with said 'feline'?

Replies: Dominions Son

Dominions Son 🚫

@AmigaClone

What if the 'feline' is a 600 pound tiger loose in a city or suburban environment?

Replies: Crumbly Writer

Crumbly Writer 🚫

@Dominions Son

What if the 'feline' is a 600 pound tiger loose in a city or suburban environment?

And what if the feline finally decides to quit the online forum that's obviously not going anywhere productive? ')

awnlee jawking 🚫

@D. Fritz

I don't think you adequately explained your putative correlation between 'action' and 'story score'. Which chapters contained action, and which didn't?

AJ

Replies: D. Fritz

D. Fritz 🚫

@awnlee jawking

Sorry, it seems like my use of "action" for brevity wasn't the best word choice. Something like, "the events of the current chapter" seem to correlate with the score. I do not necessarily mean "action" in an "action scene."

Additionally, I wrote, "the one character starts to change toward the negative." Through Part 2, this character is a mostly likable guy, but at the end of one chapter he turns colder and uncaring. It is that change that seems to be causing a downturn in the votes and the correlation that I referred to in the original post.

Forum: Author Hangout

Correlation of Story Action & Story Score

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