[estelstheone]

Hello all! My pen name is 'estelstheone' and I submitted a short story last night. But that's probably what lots of you have done. Anyways I have a question. There are two stars showing on the right side of the page by my story. Unfortunately, I have no idea what that means. Hope it's not bad. Would someone care to enlighten me? (I need lots of enlightening)! Oh, and if IT is bad, be gentle.

Thank you. Glad to be here.

[Meriadoc]

I believe that's the average story rating that your story's received

[estelstheone]

Thank you for the speedy answer. It's not a great thing, I guess but not so terrible either.

[NancyBrooke]

Yes, those stars are an average rating, and the number in parentheses next to them is the number of ratings that have gone into that average.

Each story can be (and should be) rated by its readers:

1 = "needs a few tweaks"
2 = "worth reading"
3 = "very enjoyable"
4 = "excellent"
5 = "worth paying for"

Readers can and should also leave reviews.

The ratings system has had both detractors and supporters here at OSA; most readers don't rate and/or review, and quite a few authors have complained of being the victims of arbitrary low ratings disrespective of the quality of their work. All of which is to say, take the ratings with a grain of salt. I think it's nice to get them, and generally find them encouraging, but don't let a weak one get me down.

[estelstheone]

Thank you Nancy. I seriously did not know. There are so many things to see that I didn't quite catch that, although it does seem rather obvious now. Usually I post over at another well-known fanfiction site and I have long since realized (sadly) that most people don't read, rate, or review! So as authors we can be especially grateful to those that do. Someone else rated my story since the first post. Don't know who but I'm glad they took the time to do it.

I can see how ratings could easily be arbitrary but that happens. I review at Amazon too and sometimes other reviewers will do that but I don't let it bother me overly much so long as it's not overly done.

[Sulriel]

reviews are tough. I just take what I can get and don't worry about the works that don't get reviewed. it's not a two way street.

I see it as 'good' that a story gets reviewed, but it's not 'bad' if it doesn't. - if that makes sense.

I'm on the fence about the stars rating system. I think it's easier to mis-read and easier to mis-use. I do use it sometimes, if I like something and don't have time or for whatever reason don't review. Or sometimes on a longer work, I'll star-rate it once I get started and bookmark it and then review it once it's finished. In general, I don't care for anonymous systems like that - although I do agree they have their place in some specific situations.

[Rhapsody]

Hi Esteltheone!

I know this story! So when I find the time, I'll read it again and drop a review! It's good to have you here!

[quote="estelstheone"]Thank you Nancy. I seriously did not know. There are so many things to see that I didn't quite catch that, although it does seem rather obvious now.{\quote]

What Nancy said. She has great advice, also on writing. When I read a story, I always leave a review following the philosophy that if I had the time to read it here, typing a review should be, for me, the most natural thing to do. And the reaction is very fresh too!