Does anyone else think the quality and quantity of stories here has declined in the past six months? Seems like there are more and more where the authors can't even present the story description without sounding like a 5th grader.
Does anyone else think the quality and quantity of stories here has declined in the past six months? Seems like there are more and more where the authors can't even present the story description without sounding like a 5th grader.
I have noticed a lot of multiple postings by the same new author. I am assuming that they just have several stories they have written, and just cleaned them up and posted them all in a surge of exuberance.
I can't say any more, since the descriptions of most of them haven't drawn my attention enough to try reading them.
Does anyone else think the quality and quantity of stories here has declined in the past six months?
Absolutely. I think part of the reason is "Bookapy". Some of the best authors, including Crumbly, Ernest, and others, seem to have given up on SOL and now publish exclusively on Bookapy. I don't begrudge them wanting to be paid for their efforts but it definitely does reduce the number of quality stories on SOL. I find myself rereading older stories because many of those now being published are pure drek.
Seems like there are more and more where the authors can't even present the story description without sounding like a 5th grader.
I rather like seeing story descriptions that lack a basic understanding of grammar and/or spelling. It absolutely ensures I don't accidentally waste my time on their gibberish.
I rather like seeing story descriptions that lack a basic understanding of grammar and/or spelling. It absolutely ensures I don't accidentally waste my time on their gibberish.
At first I did not like seeing story descriptions like that because they offend my inner grammar and spelling nazi, but I am getting to where I agree with you.
If there are 2 or more mistakes in less then 40 words in the description does not bode well for the story.
But then again there are authors that don't have any descriptions and tags.
But then again there is one well liked author that says in the description that there is not much description or tags as to not give away the plot. But you knew it would not have many things you may find offensive.
If there are 2 or more mistakes in less then 40 words in the description does not bode well for the story.
2 should be spelled out.
It's less than, not less then...
40 should be spelled out
;)
It's less than, not less then...
The English language is a master in using the same word for totally different things and with totally different meanings. Sometimes that makes the language easier and other times it makes it almost incomprehensible.
This example is the opposite. Apart from authors and grammar nazi's I think the 'outside world' barely notices or cares about the difference. I doubt it would change anything in the understanding of the English language if starting tomorrow only one of the two would be used since in most cases the sentence structure will express the intended meaning. There are other ways to express comparison vs. sequence.
Apart from authors and grammar nazi's I think the 'outside world' barely notices or cares about the difference.
If we were discussing 'less than' versus 'fewer than', I suspect most people might agree with you. But 'then' and 'than' are fundamentally different.
AJ
But 'then' and 'than' are fundamentally different.
I agree but if you overlook the spelling difference it doesn't make much difference in the way of comprehension if spelled wrong.
it doesn't make much difference in the way of comprehension if spelled wrong.
A lot of men would disagree.....
I'd much rather you sucked my cock than shoved that dildo up my ass
I'd much rather you sucked my cock then shoved that dildo up my ass
Many women would also agree, if whilst mid period....
I'd rather give you a BJ than have anal sex
I'd rather give you a BJ then have anal sex
Still think it doesn't make much difference in the way of comprehension...??
Of course there's a difference, it's just that a lot of people don't know how to implement it and don't notice the difference. I bet a lot of people often understand them the other way around from what they are meant to be.
Consider this:
"I'd rather give you a BJ thxn have anal sex"
"I'd rather give you a BJ, thxn have anal sex"
Without knowing the e or a you can read the same difference as with the correct e or a implemented just by 'reading' the comma. When spoken you should hear the difference by the different intonations, even more if the second (then) is emphasized as in:
"I'd rather give you a BJ, then have anal sex."
In short, if a lot of people don't understand the difference the usability is less.
In short, if a lot of people don't understand the difference the usability is less
Nope, if a lot of people don't understand the difference then they need to buy a lot of lube
:)
A flippant reply because I don't see the justification for changing something which is perfectly functional just to cater for those who can't be bothered to use a dictionary if their educators failed them so badly.
Nope, if a lot of people don't understand the difference then they need to buy a lot of lube
LOL
A flippant reply because I don't see the justification for changing something which is perfectly functional just to cater for those who can't be bothered to use a dictionary if their educators failed them so badly.
I don't see that as a justification either, I just pointed it out because the English language has so many of the same words for different things. Many languages are poor enough as they are. There's a reason that for a long time in Europe every court case was performed in French: other languages were unfit to describe the facts without a possible misinterpretation.
A flippant reply because I don't see the justification for changing something which is perfectly functional just to cater for those who can't be bothered to use a dictionary if their educators failed them so badly.
It doesn't need justification. There is no authority to prescribe rules for language. The rules, grammar and spelling are defined by common usage. If common usage changes than the rules have changed whether the dictionaries and text books have caught up or not.
That's simply the way language works. You can try to fight it, but you will never win.
That's simply the way language works. You can try to fight it, but you will never win.
I don't fight it. I have a life... :)
A flippant reply because I don't see the justification for changing something which is perfectly functional just to cater for those who can't be bothered to use a dictionary if their educators failed them so badly.
Willful ignorance is rampant (or is it endemic?) in this country today.
Willful ignorance is rampant (or is it endemic?) in this country today.
The greatest threat to mankind isn't global warming or plastic filling the oceans. The greatest threat is society protecting morons for long enough that they breed more morons. Darwin was right..!!
"I'd rather give you a BJ thxn have anal sex"
"I'd rather give you a BJ, thxn have anal sex"
The difference in pronunciation between 'then' and 'than' is clear. The length of pause for a comma is subjective and very variable.
AJ
There isn't much fun in fundamentally.
Depends on who's fundament you're looking at 😛
Apart from authors and grammar nazi's
I'm not a grammar nazi. I just paid attention in my 5th grade English class. (and the rest of them - it's called being educated.)
I'm not a grammar nazi. I just paid attention in my 5th grade English class. (and the rest of them - it's called being educated.)
Agree, I know the difference and think I hardly ever make a mistake in distinguishing between them but, as I was trying to point out, in every day language most people won't notice a wrong spelling. Heck, when spoken there is no difference ;)
Heck, when spoken there is no difference ;)
To some people where they slur the words more, you're right it sounds the same which is more like the words are spelled as thn. However, for most people they are two very distinct and different sounding words due to the way the vowels are emphasized.
To some people where they slur the words more, you're right it sounds the same which is more like the words are spelled as thn. However, for most people they are two very distinct and different sounding words due to the way the vowels are emphasized.
I could argue about the difference being distinct because I can't hear the difference. I guess it depends on which dialect you hear.
40 should be spelled out
If you've adopted a style that says 40 should be a numeral, then doing it that way is not a mistake.
@Wheezer
40 should be spelled out
If you've adopted a style that says 40 should be a numeral, then doing it that way is not a mistake.
For example, the way I was taught is that nine and less should be spelled, 10 and up should be a numeral.
I think what I am finding more and more disturbing is the need many have to throw "everything including the kitchen sink" into a story that is only 20k or less.
When I see incest with 4 members of the family, scat, and a dozen other tags in a short story, I do not even bother to read it anymore. I find myself ignoring 80% of new stories posted because I know it is going to be low in quality.
I even jokingly made a story myself satirizing that, and discovered there is actually a limit of only 50 tags per story. And I think many authors try to include as many as they can, thinking that will make it read more often.
I even jokingly made a story myself satirizing that, and discovered there is actually a limit of only 50 tags per story.
A relatively recent enactment due to complaints on the forum about short stories with ridiculous numbers of tags.
And I think many authors try to include as many as they can, thinking that will make it read more often.
Yes, they do. And they end up pissing off readers looking for stories with half those tags, because they are either tagging things not in the story at all, or it's glossed over so quickly that it's not satisfying to someone looking for that kink.
It does not piss me off, I just do not read them.
My stories often tend to have a lot of tags, but they are also quite often longer. 40k is normal for even my "short stories", with my more recent stories being more in the 700k+ range. This length lets me add more tags (which I do when I add to the story), and not be cramming the action in on every paragraph.
And yea, if it is just in passing, I do not add them generally.
This length lets me add more tags (which I do when I add to the story), and not be cramming the action in on every paragraph.
And yea, if it is just in passing, I do not add them generally.
I've thought of suggesting that we find a way of entering tags that can be read only by the "omit" software of the preferred-member side. I sometimes have something in the story which might squick some readers, but won't give the fans of that genre what they want.
Also, many tags seem somewhat duplicative. I've tagged a story mf 1st, that could also carry teen, HS, white-couple, and even more tags.
Also, many tags seem somewhat duplicative. I've tagged a story mf 1st, that could also carry teen, HS, white-couple, and even more tags.
I generally avoid the "race couple" ones, but tag the races of people and their gender if it is applicable to the story itself.
Teen, once again if that is a part of the attraction between the characters. HS only if some of the action actually takes place in the school.
I even jokingly made a story myself satirizing that, and discovered there is actually a limit of only 50 tags per story. And I think many authors try to include as many as they can, thinking that will make it read more often.
I actually reduced the number of tags I use. To me, unless a tag represents a main theme or focus of the story, I no longer include it.
That said, I'm sure someone would like a 'political screed' tag applied to at least some of my work. :-)
Does anyone else think the quality and quantity of stories here has declined in the past six months?
Yes.
Except for incest stories - we apparently will never run out of these. That's a depressing thought. I guess I can understand sibling incest, but parent-offspring? Please, enough already, just stop.
To pardon a pun, I think the incest stories in here have been done to mother fucking death.
As a general rule of thumb now, when I see the incest tag I do not even bother to read them anymore. I even had this conversation recently with another author, and she suggested the name be changed to "Incest Stories Online", because that has become most of what we are seeing posted anymore.
Except for incest stories - we apparently will never run out of these.
And yet those same stories seem to be the ones that garner the most reads. Looking through my pen-names reveal that the highest views/reads are the ones with incest tags.
So it could well be that the rise in incest stories is just simply authors/writers/scribblers tailoring their output to fit the demand...
Short answer, no. Just because you think the stories have deteriorated, doesn't mean they have, it's purely subjective.
Actually I don't think there is a rise. I vaguely remember a discussion on the forums about 10 or 15 years ago complaining about the flood of dad/daughter incest stories taking over the site. The only one who can say otherwise is Laz, who has access to the meta data. Personally I think the ratio has probably stayed the same and it's simply a case of "it was better in my day..." syndrome.
Unless you have a Premier Account with access to the Removed Stories list and you check it every couple of weeks you won't see the effect I'm talking about, but every now and then there's a few authors who will post a bunch of short stories within a few days, each with a related theme like dad / daughter or mother / son and other incest subgroups then delete them a few weeks later. Some will re-post them again a few months later, sometimes with a different pen name, and do it all again. I don't know why they would post a story then shortly delete it, but it's a trend I've noticed since the Removed list was created.
Do they use the same pen name, or a different one?
Can't say I have noticed, but then I don't read that many stories here, other than a few high scoring ones to see if I can work out why they are high scoring. (And a few low scoring ones to see why they are so dis-liked).
Do they use the same pen name, or a different one?
from what I've seen the same pen name will turn up at times, but often they're new names with very similar titles
Everything I've published anywhere is already on SoL and even new stuff will be published to SoL and Bookapy at the same time. Also, anything suitable for Fine Stories or SciFi Stories will be published there too.
The only difference you will see is I won't publish anything you have to pay for on Bookapy unless it has at least 40,000 words, with most at 50,000 words or more. That's why the short stories and some series stories are on Bookapy as collections.
Also, there are some publications on Bookapy as free books that aren't suitable for SoL as they are more of a help guide than a story - such as my Math Guide and Fiction Writing and Style Guide etc.
Yes, the number and quality of stories has dropped. Some worth reading are still forthcoming, but as mentioned they are the exception now, not the rule.
You should consider this though. This is not the only site with that problem. Of the half dozen I follow, to a fault, they have experienced the same drop off over varying, albeit short, time frames.
Many authors are good, but few are good enough for commercial success. They also fail to realize what success they do have coming off of this format/medium, doesn't always transfer to another.
Having said all that, there are a few authors who I consider commercial grade here. By that I mean they are talented enough to realize sustained commercial success. They are kind enough to publish some of their works here, and haven't forgotten those whom they bounced their work off of in the process of honing their skills/talent.
I don't fault anyone jumping on the commercial train. If they can succeed, more power to them. But it is unwise to alienate their base fans in the process. I can think of a few authors I'll personally never read again for that reason. Word of mouth is powerful advertising which cuts both negatively and positively.
This site has proven to be better than most, but if I had a beef with it, it would be in the allowed payment methods. I can't be the only person who's ever had identify theft issues or otherwise stolen information. That very likely prevents many like me from purchasing a premium membership, or from bookapy. That's another faucet the authors attempting the commercial jump should consider.
This site has proven to be better than most, but if I had a beef with it, it would be in the allowed payment methods. I can't be the only person who's ever had identify theft issues or otherwise stolen information. That very likely prevents many like me from purchasing a premium membership,
You mean the site's methods of payment for premier memberships?
For credit card payments, we don't keep your card number, so even if the site ever gets hacked (which has never happened yet), the financial info is not there. So no information that's damaging to the user could never be stolen from SOL's servers because there is nothing to steal.
or from bookapy.
Bookapy accepts Paypal and as you know, paypal doesn't hand over any payment info. So there also, there is nothing to steal.
Bookapy allows you to leave your card info in our vault. The vault code and data have been scrutinized by security personnel from the card companies before they allowed the storage and they were very satisfied with our system (multiple layers of obfuscation and encryption). But even if you don't trust the card companies either, you can always make a card payment and delete your card data right after.
Can I use a pre-paid card then?
ETA: I recall card payments in general being an issue a while back. It was suggested to send a cash payment, which I won't do. If pre-paid cards are allowed, I'll have it done this week.
Can I use a pre-paid card then?
That really depends on the pre-paid card that you purchase. Some are useable internationally and some aren't. The fee for buying the card is higher for the international ones.
It has to be issued by Visa or MasterCard, but you need to make sure where you get it if it's useable for international transactions.
As for by snail mail, it doesn't have to be cash. It can be a certified check, money order, or from western union.
As for by snail mail, it doesn't have to be cash. It can be a certified check, money order, or from western union.
I'll have to check into the international verses national pre-paid visa. Barring that, will a usps money order work?
Barring that, will a usps money order work?
USPS discontinued their international money orders at the end of 2019. So, no, it won't work.
I receive few money orders issued by Western Union and few by 'MoneyGram'.
For the record, it was paypal that started the ball rolling on the identity theft issue I had. It wasn't the sole cause, but without it, it'd never happened. It took me three years to clean up that mess, there is no chance I voluntarily go there again.
Virtual credit card number service.This feature creates a temporary one-time card number for each purchase transaction you make online.
Third party companies offer this service or you could ask your bank if they have this.
Third party companies offer this service or you could ask your bank if they have this.
I'll look into that, thanks.
Yes, the number and quality of stories has dropped.
I can recall a time last Autumn when the daily number of new/updated stories became worryingly low, but there seems to have been a resurgence starting around Christmas time and the flow currently feels quite healthy.
I think the appeal of the stories is a worry. Many of the newer authors write stories with a tiny target audience.
Even some of the site's most reliable, esteemed authors have made missteps recently. I recommend they get a third party to cold-read their recent offerings aloud to a live audience - the baffled looks should show demonstrate how disastrous their pretentious new techniques are. Yes, the fanbois may have ensured their usual stellar ratings, but just look at the readership numbers.
AJ
I suspect that more and more readers have started to wait until stories are finished before downloading. Too many stories left unfinished will cause that. That immediately results in lower reader numbers because what were chapter-by-chapter reads now translates to a single 'read' when the completed story is downloaded.
In the last year a few unfinished stories have seen updates again or promises to be finished (Rewind!). Something I haven't seen in the years before. Let's hope that continues.
ETA Just read FantasyLovers' blog where he announces the start of Lucky Jim III.
I don't read any story less than 100kb. If they make it that far, they are more likely to finish. Some get into larger stories and quit anyway, but at least I can trace forward to an imaginary finish with a sufficient base to work with.
Especially when I see writers start up a new story while they have left stories unfinished for years.
Especially when I see writers start up a new story while they have left stories unfinished for years.
Yep, those authors are suspect to leave the next story unfinished too. cmsix was a master of this although in his case you could pick up the next story and have generally the same story line to 'continue' :D I think he's the only author from which I read unfinished stories.
I have some like that. However, most are vignettes so it is not as critical. Although I may go back and write closure chapters for those I will not be using again.
There was just a whole thread about this - https://storiesonline.net/d/s2/t6402/then-or-than.
IMHO, if you can't tell the difference between then and than, you are not qualified to write anything more complicated THAN a shopping list. This has been discussed so much it's hard to imagine people are STILL unaware of the difference. It's either incompetence or ignorance, neither of which are desirable traits for a writer, or storyteller, or whatever you consider yourself to be.
And if all the nuns from Our Lady of Perpetual Aggravation that beat that shit into me for the entirety of grade school ever saw me misuse those two, they would roll over in their collective graves and haunt me throughout Eternity.
(props to Wheezer and joyR, since we have no 'thumbs up')
IMHO, if you can't tell the difference between then and than, you are not qualified to write anything more complicated THAN a shopping list.
I would be willing to bet that even here, for 90% or more of the authors making a than/then error, it's a typo, not a failure to understand the difference.
Unfortunately, it's the sort of thing spellcheck won't catch and even a human proof reader can easily miss it.
The issue here is less about how it happens and more about how readers who aren't writers react to it, assuming they even notice it.
The issue here is less about how it happens and more about how readers who aren't writers react to it, assuming they even notice it.
Exactly my impression too.
This debate is reminding me of many comme ts I get in my writing over the "Oxford Comma". I am a user of it, I get a lot of comments from those who do not.
As the meme goes, here is the difference.
We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin.
We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.
For one, I do not want to picture JFK and Stalin as strippers.
Last month a boycott of the new 50p Brexit coin was called for over it missing the Oxford comma ... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/entertainment-arts-51269012&ved=2ahUKEwjt2dzfzeTnAhX9TBUIHY46ByEQFjACegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2URVUPtInvopkXKeSbUtPr&cf=1
Last month a boycott of the new 50p Brexit coin was called for over it missing the Oxford comma
I love the Oxford comma and try to use it consistently, but I don't kick up a fuss if it doesn't change the intent. In this case, it doesn't really, does it?
"Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations."
-or-
"Peace, prosperity, and friendship with all nations."
The second looks better, and reads better in my head, but the meaning is clear either way.
As the meme goes, here is the difference.
We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin.
We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.
For one, I do not want to picture JFK and Stalin as strippers.
In German there is no such thing as the "Oxford Comma".
With no comma before 'and' it's an enumeration. To picture JFK and Stalin as strippers you have to omit the comma after strippers. Simple, isn't it?
HM.
We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.
For one, I do not want to picture JFK and Stalin as strippers.
But think of the back story to those two.
The reasons they work together are varied, some obvious, others less so.
The male stripper is a TS F2M who was born Georgia and post op changed her/his name to Stalin who also came from Georgia.
JFK, the female stripper has a day job as a body parts model, she used to model her entire body, then upper body only, finally just head shots...