Losing Faith in Watty Readers

@nikayaya Yes but if you read the other posts, you'll see that it was agreed that while most of the nominations were like that, there are some that are well-written/have good plots.

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Which I am sure your entry is @LaurenDMSmith but like I told @Bloodynewmoon, who was nice enough to offer hope, it is frustrating to think that someone will not give my story an opportunity just because they believe all the stories didnt earn the spot. Winning the Wattys would be nice, but not really a great win considering I am up against someone nearly 20 years younger than me, who is trading for votes anyways. I would prefer people read my story and as wow! Or even say, it was alright, really not my thing though. I don't mind critiscism, I welcome it. Just read it first, that's all I'm saying.

And to show you I'm not a menopausal witch I will go read yours since I find you spunky

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@Ferretlp See, the fact that with the Historical Fiction category, as you say, "the rest are in some quasi-medieval or victorian setting without a name or true historical connection. It's disappointing," you have to think that there is no sub-category for Historical Fiction. If a person wants to write a story set in those times, but it does not directly relate to an actual historical event, which category do you think they should choose? Non-Teen Fiction and Romance? If they did that, people would start it thinking that the story is set in a modern time period... I'm not belittling your comment whatsoever, what I am attempting to say is that yes, some stories do not have historical events (mine included), but without sub categories of any kind, there is nothing writers can do about it. Same goes with Fantasy. In my opinion, your definition of Fantasy is what I think of when I see the genre. The stories that are in Fantasy now, I consider Paranormal... I guess because that is what they used to call them? Paranormal Romances. Any who, when I put my story in that category, they changed it to Fantasy. Again, not my doing. Okay, I'm going to stop talking now ;) Really need to stay out of these things when I'm tired, makes me babble like crazy.

@nikayaya I'm starting to really like you by just reading your random comments throughout these message boards, lol.

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@nikayaya That's the way the world works I'm afraid. Snap judgements are made by everyone every day.

Thanks. Normally, I'd offer to take a look at yours but I don't think you'd appreciate one of my critiques. I specialize in pointing out everything wrong with stories and rarely have anything good to say about them. Of course, if you're okay with that I'll be happy to take a look. Just be aware I'm not a nice person nor do I pretend to be.

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Thank you, I am quite like able, much like yourself! @shelbylw03

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@LaurenDMSmith Thanks, I'm good. I'll still read yours though. I like my perfect record and plan on maintaining it as long as possible by doing what I'm doing now, writing as well as I can do.

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I really like your point of view LOL @shelbylw03 @nikayaya

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Thank you miss o! @miss_oline

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LOL agreed! I look back on stories I read when I first started wattpad and they were super cliché like omg I just fell for my bffs brother XD and I reread one of them and realized how bad the writing a tually was :( @Bloodynewmoon

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Well I was put in round 2. But honestly I shouldn't have been. I reread my story a few days ago and I'm like WTF this isn't even good haha. Seriouly, but I do like 2 of the stores entered for romance. Playing Evalyn and Why She Fell. They're basically very well written not too many mistakes. Kinds cliché and predictable but Idk I really liked them :) but there ate some authors (mostly ones no one knows) that should have been entered. It's pretty much the undiscovered authors that have the best stories. Like I just recently found one whose writing is fantastic. Yet she only has like 2 or 3 fans. Idk I'm kinds rambling now. @DurdensLover

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Yes, everyone's a critic, get used to it honey. If you don't agree with the criticisms and feel that you can refute them, then good for you. If it makes you think and analyze your work, then good for you. If it's outright ridiculous then ignore it, good for you. Its how you let it affect you and your viewpoint. If you find it hard to believe that someone who is younger than you and can still compete with you, well then you must realize that skill isn't all "lumped in one crap file", quality over quantity Sorry if I'm lecturing, I just feel like it's my own way to "answer your comment". I'm sorry if you misunderstood, I wasn't clear in the first place, and no I wasn't judging your book. I'm not taking the holistic nominations and subjecting them to derailment; I'm just saying some books that aren't well known but enjoyed should be on here in lieu of other repetitive cliched stories. Or not even that, but just something that isn't fit in the category. Think of it as a pretty actress that won an Academy Award just because she was in a sultry film that didn't even portray talent but really belonged to another actor that was more deserving based on skill, motifs, talent and the poignancy of the that role or grouping. Again, sorry you misunderstood and I hope to read your story soon.

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@DurdensLover Here, here.

I came here to be a better writer since I've learned that one does not get better if they don't know where their weaknesses are at. Doesn't mean I hate to receive comments, but I want to know where I can improve. Thinking that my writing is perfect from the beginning is a little arrogant and fanciful thinking that leads to embarrassment and disappointment. And I don't think it is too much to ask to be with writers who care about writing and reading works that is not fast-food literature. And if don't like that, then that's your problem.

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@senseiseth lmao fast food literature.. i call literature of the similiar nature, junk food literaturexD...but your term for it is funny=]

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@perfectrain Thank you, I first heard it used in an art class I just finished this semester and it works perfectly for me.

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thank you for admitting you weren't clear, and I am sorry you feel you couldn't address me when you typed your reponse I'm @nikayaya by the way, feel free to respond directly. I appreciate you taking the time to read my book, but that's pretty much up to you. I never said I was surprised someone younger than me could compete with me, I find many young writers to be extremely talented, I said I am surprised that there is a 14yr old writing non-teen. thanks again, once again @nikayaya. glad you took the time to give me an answer that was very flourished in words @DurdensLover

@senseiseth Thanks, still not an answer to my very detailed comment, and technically I can answer a direct rant, so i guess it makes it your problem to. have a great day

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There will be people out there who, sadly, win over votes by read-for-reads and what not. I, personally, think that if those people win through ways other than their readers voting by their own will, then they shouldn't be proud.

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hey @a_colorful_dreamer ! I read your story. I don't normally read Teen Fic , but I saw it on a review where it was highly recommended and I was intruiged by the premise of the story. I have to say, because I read it, it was wonderful.

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@nikayaya Fine then, let me be as specific to your response as I can as leave no part of your "detailed" comment untouched. First, this forum is not as you have so quick determined it to be, one where being on the Wattys automatically means that you receive criticism just for being on the list. We're here because of works that show little merit for being as high on the list because they offer little in their stories. Especially when they deal with shallow characters, trivial plots, and are forgotten faster than a rancid fart. Second, unlike you we're not talking about all the stories, just those that seem to defeat the purpose of the entire site and the contest in question. Third, my book has romance as well, so there goes that argument of yours.

And finally, making us sound like a bunch of cry babies and bitter group of people makes it kinda hard to appreciate what has been brought to the discussion in regards of being an intelligent and meaningful discourse. And it wouldn't have to be a problem if redundant points were not being raised that brought nothing to the discussion. And I have been having a great day, thank you.

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@senseiseth I just don't get what people are trying to accomplish when they call out stories that have what they believe to be 'shallow characters" and trivial plots. All of that is subjective and differs from reader to reader. That will never change and when people begin to understand that readers will like what they like, lack of characterization or plot or not, there will be no need for this to be discussed.

Maybe people have nothing better to do than discuss a subjective issue. lol

I can name numerous popular books, Harry potter, Lord of the rings, Gone With the Wind, Hungr Games, Twilight. I know loads of people that would say there is something wrong with all of those books and claim that all of those books have shallow characters, trivial plots, etc. But there are also loads of people who love those books and believe the opposite. You know why?

Because it's a subjective issue lol

lol all I have to say:P

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@senseiseth but if this discussion is jut for the sake of talking about how shallow books are on here, some anyway, then have fun i guess lol

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@sensieiseth FYI, it's HEAR, HEAR , as in hear ye, hear ye. just thought an eloquent speaker as yourself should know.

and you percieve yourselves as "a bunch of cry babies and bitter group of people" not me. never came out of my mouth.

On to more pleasant conversations! BYE!

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Wow.... I've read through the comments and there are so many things that I could say......

The stories that make it to the top are typically your cliche romance stories, a lot of times with the funky titles because that is what teens look for. If it has something such as werewolf,,,mate...vampire.... my brothers best friend in the title then that is was the average teen watty reader gravitates to.

Sadly, if you put out a title that requires you to read between the lines, then your likely to get less attention because a lot of teens these days don't want to take the time and see what's inside. With that being said- I don't have any problems with the popular subject matter: romance, werewolves, etc. The plot doesn't have to be all that complex as long as the story is well told and captivates my interest. If you look hard enough you can find these stories and some are in the Watty's- It's not all teen fiction. ex. Hmmcghee's "Love Untold" is remarkably well written and the plot draws you in instantly.

Reading and writing is a form of entertainment and different things appeal to different people... some like romance, some like mystery and others like historical- the list goes on and on.

One thing is certain though, for every one person that is happy, then there is another one who isn't. There are billions of people in this world and millions on this one site alone. To appease everyone is virtually impossible. To think any different is a fools notion.

To sum up my convoluted message, I guess what I'm trying to say is that this whole discussion is really pointless.... Just because you like something doesn't mean that it's necessarily right. Right for you maybe, not everyone else.

People like to read about what makes them happy. I read to lose myself in another world....... Just because I like southern romances does that make me a disappointment because the plot isn't some fanatical maze of twists and turns??

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@xangelsmomx bravo for you :D I agree, it's very hard to please all people at the same time. :)

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@nikayaya Sorry about that, after finishing four finals, five papers, and submitting six other minor assignments for my college classes my brain is a little in need of recuperating, and so a miniscule typo should be more than understandable. And I believe the word "implication" can be used in this situation. Words do not have to be explicitly say one idea to convey another one altogether and I am simply not beating around the bush about what is being spoken about.

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@xangelsmomx Now that is an argument I can respect.

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