Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#1
So, I came and saw my rank had dropped about 800 places and I was like, 'wut?'. Then I looked at my analytics and saw some coward left a 0.5 review without comment or consideration. Really, really bummed me out.

Though it also kind of made me wonder if someone is bothering to tank my rating, does that mean in some weird way I've 'made it' enough to attract trolls?

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#3
I only give positive reviews (only star ratings so far) but I recognize that this is cowardice, although it's a different kind of cowardice than the one you mention. 

I want to encourage stories I like but I'm dishonest with the bad ones by walking away as I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I doubt I'm the only one. Because I don't give the ones I dislike (including those I dislike immensely, such as the one that involved the methodical torture and dismemberment of a child -- I forget the name but it was about a kid sold to a witch and she lies and emotionally and physically abuses him) the same honesty as the ones that I do, I'm probably implicitly endorsing the story. What it leads to here is that I end up reading a lot of fics that I really don't enjoy because, like me, others won't fairly rate things they dislike. 


There's also the problem of "Do you rate your enjoyment or the quality"? For example, consider The Runesmith. It isn't well written. There are lots of flaws in the characterization. But I love it and I can't wait for each chapter. For me it's a 5 star.  Am I providing a disservice to those who care about those things by not filling out the full review? If I did, I would necessarily cause a fic I love to go lower in the ratings.


I'm embracing my cowardice even if it goes in the other direction from your complaint, it still falls under the same umbrella.

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#4

I'm with you on the bad rating. They should at least give you a chance to address why they disliked the story. I mean, isn't this place about growth? If you don't know what you did wrong, how are you supposed to consider the rating properly? Without some context, a low star rating feels more like undue spite, even when it might not be.

I do agree with gloompage, though. Most people probably only give positive ratings and stop reading the ones they dislike. Maybe they are annoyed that you came up with the exact thing they had been working on. I'm not sure how I'd handle that situation, but I doubt I would be a hater.

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#8

Ankur_93 Wrote: There are some people who will give 0.5 just because they don't like the story. It has nothing to do with the quality of the story. The 0.5 rating is a dislike button to them. So expect somewhat around 5-10% of your ratings to be 0.5-star.


I think I disagree with the system that allows anonymous ratings. I can see the argument for not requiring a full review for every rating, but I think names should be attached to any rating you give. Stand by it or don't do it. 

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#12

Localforeigner Wrote:
Half Wrote: Yep, welcome to ranks of the elites. Though you still have some work to do until you reach my status (I've got three .5 star ratings).


LOL! Teach me master, I must learn how to anger the trolls!
I have 7 of them. What does that make me?


Don't take them too hard, guys. Yeah, the first one hurt - they still hurt. But as long as they drastically lower your rating, ironically, they say nothing about the actual quality of your writing. 
"I feel like this story perfectly represents how you can't judge a book by its cover (or, in this case, concept). Edgy badboy werewolf teen romance? Yeet that concept out the window and get ready for an action-packed fantasy with an incredibly built world and logical, realistic characters."
RR review for https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/34542/the-morgulon
 
Find my art at DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/rafun1312

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#14
I've got 6, but I have way more 4 and 4.5 stars while you have all those extra 5 stars, Zat. We've been over this before....

But as someone said before, don't feel targeted, don't say it's a troll right away. Most likely it was someone who, for one reason or another, didn't like your story. It will happen again. There is no story that everyone loves.
Summon Imp! novel
If you thought being summoned to a strange world once is bad

Let's talk about the synopsis
My take on the introduction to a novel in a forum post

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#16
I've got 10 0.5 ratings. Dropped me really far.

Some were from trolls. And some came when I put in a chapter which is very dark.

It hurts, but I learn to live with it. And you should too.

Like Terry Pratchett, my favorite writer. He's so good at writing that he got a Sir from the Queen herself. Worldwide bestseller for years. but there are still those who don't like his work. It's all about taste sometimes.

Some people like it light, some people like it bloody. Yoou just have to focus on your core audience.
Wreath of Lilies, Cauldron of Poison

https%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalroadcdn.com%2Fpublic%2Fcove...1619881073

Wang Tian Gu, an old Poison Master from Jianghu is reborn in the body of a young girl down on her luck in another world.
Now she must survive in the new world that relies on leveling and skills using only her cultivation.
Also, she misses having a majestic white beard.


Project Hellfall


https%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalroadcdn.com%2Fpublic%2Fcove...1654272660

Jude was a relatively normal kid, until one day he was transported to Purgatorium
It is a world of angels and demons. Where everything and anything is trying to kill him. He will have to learn about this new world. To delve into the things fantastical and bizarre. Of secrets, both sacred and taboo.

In this new world, the choice is easy.

Adapt or Die.

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#17
Sure, of course, it might not be a troll, but with anonymous, non-commented ratings, there is no way to know either way. :(

And sure, someone might not like something enough to give it that rating...but how much did they read? WEre they turned off by the fact that you (insert type of character here) and never finished the first chapter? Did you forget a comma and they went full Grammar Nazi? Who knows?

It just seems like a crappy way of communicating your dislike.

Re: Got my first 0.5 rating...does this mean I've 'made it'?

#18

Localforeigner Wrote: So, I came and saw my rank had dropped about 800 places and I was like, 'wut?'. Then I looked at my analytics and saw some coward left a 0.5 review without comment or consideration. Really, really bummed me out.

Though it also kind of made me wonder if someone is bothering to tank my rating, does that mean in some weird way I've 'made it' enough to attract trolls?


Hey yeah, I got mine a little bit back and it was rough too. Really sucked they didn't leave any comments, advice or how I could improve. I don't even know if it was their genre or just a troll
https://www.royalroad.com/forums/thread/106498
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