Which of your stories…?

The Adventures of Ranger Ramona I think this is probably my most representative work. It's strong in the areas that are really important to me; complex characters, realistic world building, a touch of humor, and in my opinion, some of the best sex scenes I've written.
Your statement caught my eye and got me curious about something. I took a glance at your story and I saw that it was set in present-day Maine, USA, yet you mentioned world-building. I always thought of world-building as creating a fictional world, its geography, races, culture, lore, magical system or technological advances if its sci-fi, and so on. I was intrigued by your usage of the word so I googled it and the first link was a Wikipedia entry about world-building that kinda supports my view of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldbuilding

I am now curious to hear how others see the term world-building. Is it also used in the sense of picking some real or made-up place in the real world as a setting for the story?
 
Your statement caught my eye and got me curious about something. I took a glance at your story and I saw that it was set in present-day Maine, USA, yet you mentioned world-building. I always thought of world-building as creating a fictional world, its geography, races, culture, lore, magical system or technological advances if its sci-fi, and so on. I was intrigued by your usage of the word so I googled it and the first link was a Wikipedia entry about world-building that kinda supports my view of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldbuilding

I am now curious to hear how others see the term world-building. Is it also used in the sense of picking some real or made-up place in the real world as a setting for the story?

Perhaps there is a more appropriate term, but in that story, and others, I have created a geography that does not exist in the real world. Hence, I have engaged, on a small scale, in building a world. Maybe just calling it fictional scene setting or something like that would be more appropriate.
 
#7. If you get to nominate just one story that someone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be st story. It might be your most accessible for example.

I would like see more interest in "Lifestyle Ch.11 - Demons Past".

I've been trying to build more of the character backgrounds of my two main characters, and this story was the first (over a year ago) in which I intended to show something which shaped the main female character. I originally planned this to show the couple and how they grew supporting each other. But in retrospect, I think I could have done a better job with this showing WHY she learned to tease, flirt, and exploit men.
 
Hi all, I'm new to posting in the forums, but wanted to thank Emily for starting this thought-provoking thread. I've pretty much only made it through Post #3 but I read Djmac's answer to #7:
If you get to nominate just one story that someone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why?
The Jenna Arrangement Pt.1.
And thought it was a great story that somewhat parallels my personal favorite of my own writing, so I thought I'd come in and list that: An Old Boy Scout Meets an Angel

It turned into a 3-part series, but the first part is stand-alone and still makes me cry when I read it. It's autobiographical in that it's my real emotions and feelings and outlook on women and sex. Even my real little dog and his name. I'd be honored if anyone read it and gave me feedback.

Tomorrow I'll work through the rest of the posts and personal-favorite stories in this thread.
Take care.
 
Is there any author, Lit or otherwise, whose style you wish you could emulate (not copy, but maybe do some things they do)?

My favourite author on Lit is TheTalkMan, who's most known for a genre where faithful men are seduced and led astray by ruthless vixens. Reading his work for the first time reminded me so much of what it felt like to stay up all night reading erotic literature on my old Nokia. My stories are all similarly themed, but I'd love to be able to captivate the readers like he does.

What I love about TheTalkMan's work is that he tells longer stories that focus on the internal conflict of the main characters. He's got such a flair for coming up with imaginative ways where the bad girl strives to get what she wants.
I agree TheTalkMan is one of the most talented writers I have ever read on Literotica, but my two favorite stories of his are not the typical genre you describe, but rather his few offerings of older men seducing younger wives. “Hipster Chicks Love Big Dicks” and “Miracle on Slutty Fourth Street Ch. 03” are two of my all time favs. I just wish I could edit his brilliant work down from 10 pages to five.
 
Ooh, another great thread other me (Who is definitely NOT me. Suck my #*#*, haters).

I will do my best to answer these, where possible.

  1. Was there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”? Well, I’ve always been able to write a cracking yarn since I was young. For me the big revelation was that I could write sexy
  2. Was there a story which took you out of your comfort zone? If so, why and what was the outcome? THE PROCESS. The current story has me looking at racism, elitism, slavery, ambition, need, acceptance and the idea that regular people are disposable all inside a sex, horror, Sci-Fi setting
  3. Have you ever read a story here (or anywhere) that really inspired you to write or to get better at writing? LIKE THE DEVIL WITH A DEAL. I couldn’t hack that terrible ending, contacted the author, write ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE and now I’m still here.
  4. Was there ever a story where you felt you had a great idea, but were unable to bring it to life the way you wanted? Maybe due to inexperience, or lack of time. Not yet.
  5. Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why? No. I think if I feel it’s publishable then it should be there…for now.
  6. Is there any author, Lit or otherwise, whose style you wish you could emulate (not copy, but maybe do some things they do)? TryAnything, RonCabo and Spector_Dugan are my writing heroes who write well and write sexy. They’re awesome.
  7. If you get to nominate just one story that soemone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example. ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE PART 1 - I just think it encompasses my desire to write sex and drama.
  8. Is there any story you have written which is totally different to your normal types of stories? If so, how and why did you write it? My non-fiction essay on heroism. I wrote this kind of stuff on Facebook but not here. I thought it would engage poorly as it’s non-erotic and yet it’s arguably my most successful story in terms on engagement, written as a tribute to Ogg.
Cracking post, other me. Cracker!
 
Is there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”?

The stories I wrote in 2018-early 2021. Mostly had long slow crafting, which helped - I could go back every month or two, have a read, see where I hit a hiccup or bit that jerked me out of the story.

Wheelchair Bound? and Gas Station Guy in particular - there's actually not much sex in them, so don't be scared of the BDSM/Fetish categorisation. I managed to create some convincing characters and portray some sexual considerations that often don't make it into porn.

Was there ever a story where you felt you had a great idea, but were unable to bring it to life the way you wanted? Maybe due to inexperience, or lack of time.
If I'd had more time, my most recent story Naked Bisexual Lube Wrestling would have been more polished and flowed better, but it's meant to be a rough realistic slice of life and mostly works. You get ten sapphically-inclined women drunk and taking clothes off - how bad is it going to be? But the subthemes of coping with chronic illness and making use of sexual assistants could have been developed better.

A couple kind beta readers helped me get the Educating Laura half-novel to being five chapters making up one story arc, which results in chapters 2 and 3 working well as standalones, Ch 5 is a decent climax, but I'm not convinced. I've done two more chapters but probably I'll write most of the rest of the story at some point (probably not for a couple years), then restructure the whole thing.

Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why?
The Bet. I tried rewriting Smoking Hot to include just the het sex storyline and leave out the gay sex, seeing as how few readers like gay male content. 14 chapters were condensed to 3, and about 110k words dropped to 30. I tidied up the intro. So chapters 1 and 2 worked well, but the third not so much as it meant a guy had to have a mental breakdown out of nowhere. I suspect the people who liked it went off to read the original.

  1. If you get to nominate just one story that soemone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example.
I'm rather proud of my transatlantic straight romance Homesick Halloween, which has some nice characters, some recurring characters in the background, and there shouldn't be anything really to put anyone off. If people like the writing style, then dive in elsewhere, noting that there's generally at least references to kink or queer activity, so read the tags if fussy about such stuff.
 
6) J. k. Rowling. Not style, per se - more her incredible ability to plan out 7 books where stuff in book one is still being revealed by book 7, and these call-outs and back-references happen all the way through. A staggering foresight and planning ability that I am in awe of.

JK Rowling spent five years meticulously planning her seven book series. From idea to reality, it took her 17 years to finish it and nothing was in there by accident. She didn't get lucky or write off the cuff, everything was in her notes before she put her pent to paper. She was persistent, patient, and dedicated to making her vision as perfect as she could. If you spent that much time plotting out 7 books, you could do it too.

Now, whether or not you could mimic her success is another story altogether.
 
JK Rowling spent five years meticulously planning her seven book series. From idea to reality, it took her 17 years to finish it and nothing was in there by accident. She didn't get lucky or write off the cuff, everything was in her notes before she put her pent to paper. She was persistent, patient, and dedicated to making her vision as perfect as she could. If you spent that much time plotting out 7 books, you could do it too.

Now, whether or not you could mimic her success is another story altogether.
I didn’t know that, I love the writing in her books.
 
There have been many threads about stories. Best. Worst. Ones that mean the most to you. And so on. I know, because I’ve started some of them. This question maybe has some things in common with older threads, but I’m trying to tease out some other stuff.

Please include links, so people can easily get to your work:

  1. Was there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”?
  2. Was there a story which took you out of your comfort zone? If so, why and what was the outcome?
  3. Have you ever read a story here (or anywhere) that really inspired you to write or to get better at writing?
  4. Was there ever a story where you felt you had a great idea, but were unable to bring it to life the way you wanted? Maybe due to inexperience, or lack of time.
  5. Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why?
  6. Is there any author, Lit or otherwise, whose style you wish you could emulate (not copy, but maybe do some things they do)?
  7. If you get to nominate just one story that soemone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example.
  8. Is there any story you have written which is totally different to your normal types of stories? If so, how and why did you write it?
I’m not going to answer up-front. I might later, but this is not about advertising my own work. I’m interested in yours.

[UPDATE: Answer as many or as few as you like]

Em
Ok, I've been debating my response to this thread. Here goes. No links, no time, but check my profile for my account here.

1. I knew I could write before I started writing here. "Fear, Lust, and Vanity" got me convinced I could write smut. Every smut story I've published since has confirmed this.

2. I'm the sort of writer who has to go outside my previous comfort zone with every story I write. So, this is a complicated question for me. I'm going to say I've enjoyed it most of the time without picking a specific story. For a story where I have ultimately not enjoyed it, my most recent work "Will Trent: Wake Up Angie." I want my muse to respond to me, and when she doesn't, all I have left are really stupid ideas.

3. Excluding my own stories? Nick Scipio's "Summer Camp" series and KMB2476's "Harem" series are the two biggest influences that got me into smut. Carnage Jackson's "Journal of an Agent" and Bluedragon's "Book of David" have also been influential. Also a nod to Colleen Thomas, Sabledrake, and Aurora Black.

4. My "Passion" series was ultimately full of this. It burned me out. Never try to write a character's entire life for them. It is not fun. Let them lead you is the best advice I can give.

5. The original story I had that featured the main villain from my "Counseling" series was scrapped because of one person's reaction. Ultimately, I later wrote a better story for that character by having her only appear onscreen in distorted recollections that blew her out of proportion and aided her defeat.

6. Stephen King, Suzanne Collins, Harlan Coben, Preston & Child, Carrie Vaughn, Anne Rice, Clive Cussler, Lee Child, Rick Riordan, Lindsay Buroker, Orwell, Shakespeare, Conrad, LRH, Heinlein, Tolkien, Ursula K. LeGuin, a lot of other writers. JK Rowling is on there also, but TheSinisterMan is a fanfic writer who's so far doing her universe better with his own work.

7. "Compensation", my One Night Stand that becomes Romance story. "A Step Up", my most accessible femslash. Or "Beijing Streakers", my big chase and orgy story. Or the story of the reader's choice.

8. For this one, I'll repeat my answer to Question 2 while pointing readers at "Star Trek: Human Desires." The parody in that one came from a movie I was into and some other media I wasn't. I also had to keep the action separate from the protagonists and forbid them to react to it in various ways. The challenges were great here. I hope I pulled them off. Getting paranoid about vote bombing and locking votes out for years until recently did not help this or any of my older stories.
 
JK Rowling spent five years meticulously planning her seven book series. From idea to reality, it took her 17 years to finish it and nothing was in there by accident. She didn't get lucky or write off the cuff, everything was in her notes before she put her pent to paper. She was persistent, patient, and dedicated to making her vision as perfect as she could. If you spent that much time plotting out 7 books, you could do it too.

Now, whether or not you could mimic her success is another story altogether.
Could I do that? Absolutely not. I'd still be plotting out the first chapter of my first submission if I approached it that way. When I hit the point of actually thinking, "You know, I'm going to write something and submit it to Literotica," I knew I could not spend the time to write a thorough outline -- much less start a spreadsheet. I'm a perfectionist and a procrastinator, and I know that. I could spend years outlining and puttering around with spreadsheets, and never get around to actually writing a story. The problem would be compounded after spending all that time in the preparatory phases; I would be loath to submit anything until it was perfect.

I forced myself to write quickly, only allowed myself three quick passes for editing, and then hit "Submit" for the first several months I was contributing to the site as a writer. There were oversights I regretted, and I made a few really glaring errors that led me here seeking advice. Overall, though, I was churning out stories at a really good clip and most readers seemed to enjoy what I had to offer.

I have nothing but respect for JK Rowling, but there's no way in hell I could write that way.
 
Could I do that? Absolutely not. I'd still be plotting out the first chapter of my first submission if I approached it that way. When I hit the point of actually thinking, "You know, I'm going to write something and submit it to Literotica," I knew I could not spend the time to write a thorough outline -- much less start a spreadsheet. I'm a perfectionist and a procrastinator, and I know that. I could spend years outlining and puttering around with spreadsheets, and never get around to actually writing a story. The problem would be compounded after spending all that time in the preparatory phases; I would be loath to submit anything until it was perfect.

I forced myself to write quickly, only allowed myself three quick passes for editing, and then hit "Submit" for the first several months I was contributing to the site as a writer. There were oversights I regretted, and I made a few really glaring errors that led me here seeking advice. Overall, though, I was churning out stories at a really good clip and most readers seemed to enjoy what I had to offer.

I have nothing but respect for JK Rowling, but there's no way in hell I could write that way.

Of course you could. You just don't want to. Not having the desire doesn't mean you couldn't do it. It means you won't do it.
 
  1. Was there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”?
When I started, Lit wasn't in existence yet or maybe was just getting started, and I wouldn't have been old enough to have been on it anyway. I wrote sexy little stories for my girlfriend at the time because I couldn't tell her what was in my mind over the phone. She loved them. This continued with the girlfriends that would follow.

My senior year, I took creative writing to get my final English credit, and it ended up being the best English grade I ever got, so I knew I had the creativity to do it.
  1. Was there a story which took you out of your comfort zone? If so, why and what was the outcome?
I've got a penciled idea for something that borrows the plot to the movie Passengers with the character being written from stasis too early on an interstellar trip, but I haven't gotten very far with it. It's literally a couple of paragraphs on a legal pad that are about 2 years old. I like sci-fi but it may not be my genre for writing.
  1. Have you ever read a story here (or anywhere) that really inspired you to write or to get better at writing?
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein had me remembering my wiring voice, though it would be a few more years before I tried to use it again

  1. Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why?
I had a letter to a kindred spirit removed because she didn't want to know if I had any stronger feelings towards her than our close friendship. I couldn't blame her at all for not wanting to know as there are a lot of reasons why I'm a dead end for her beyond our friendship.

I had hinted that I was on a site like this but never told her the name of it. The letter was the finish line in case she found me. I think about 400+ people at least clicked on it before I had it removed.
  1. Is there any author, Lit or otherwise, whose style you wish you could emulate (not copy, but maybe do some things they do)?
I haven't read around here much, though @Biker_Faerie started a SRP that I am hoping she hasn't given up on.
  1. If you get to nominate just one story that soemone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example.
All of my works here are nearly 20 years old. I don't remember writing my best rated story (Final Touch), and haven't brought myself to re-read the other 2 "erotic" stories.

I hate Death Departed. I vaguely remember the headspace I was in when I wrote it, and knew I had had the story idea at some point because there is a hand written continuation
  1. Is there any story you have written which is totally different to your normal types of stories? If so, how and why did you write it?
I don't have enough material to have a "normal type" yet
 
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JK Rowling spent five years meticulously planning her seven book series. From idea to reality, it took her 17 years to finish it and nothing was in there by accident. She didn't get lucky or write off the cuff, everything was in her notes before she put her pent to paper. She was persistent, patient, and dedicated to making her vision as perfect as she could. If you spent that much time plotting out 7 books, you could do it too.
ACTUALLY the big lesson here that you missed sir, is to follow Ms Rowling's lead and target your work to a children's/young reader's audience so that after 17 years of work, a bushel full of plot-holes goes unnoticed and the check has cleared the bank before the grownups begin to raise questions
 
I’ve amused myself by realizing, the answer to all 8 of your questions is the same story for me because I’ve only written ONE story. Hell, I probably shouldn’t even be allowed to be in this thread.
However, I do have several outlined in the hopper but haven’t yet found my muse to put fingers to keys.
 
However, I do have several outlined in the hopper but haven’t yet found my muse to put fingers to keys.
Bring 'em on! A strategically placed Jack O' Lantern or two will put them in the Halloween contest
 
Bring 'em on! A strategically placed Jack O' Lantern or two will put them in the Halloween contest
Well there is a lot of boning in the next chapter of Tory’s Emergence so maybe a skeleton reference will suffice?
 
I do not generally tell people my about my hobby. But I was on a cruise this past week and let new friend know how I spent my time. She asked how she could read them. I told her where and then mentioned two stories, figuring if she read them, she might read the others.
The first was actually my first story posted on Literotica. It was Cajuns Stick Together. The editing was terrible but I think the plot line and story made it readable. My main goal was to tell a story. I did not care about cliches.
I told the same woman my shortest story is Batteries Not Included. She keyed on that title because of the movie by that name. I hoped she might read more of my work.
In all honesty, there are sections of ALL my stories I like. I do not want to write filler, completely repetitive/ formulary stories (same plot with a small change in cast).
 
ACTUALLY the big lesson here that you missed sir, is to follow Ms Rowling's lead and target your work to a children's/young reader's audience so that after 17 years of work, a bushel full of plot-holes goes unnoticed and the check has cleared the bank before the grownups begin to raise questions

That's incidental to the statement I was addressing, so there was no need to critique her ability to plan things out. The point was she planned things out for 5 years, however badly, which anyone can do if they invest the time.

The lesson: Planning of that nature CAN be done by anyone (not suffering a disability that prevents that kind of planning, for those who want to be pedantic about things).
 
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>> 1. Was there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”?

My first story published here Untrusted gave me encouragement, and it is still my most highly rated story currently at 4.87. I generally like all of my stories, but I was surprised at the positive rantings this one got. This is also one where I really got a chance (I hope) to surprise the reader with unexpected events and behaviors. This one was a lot of fun to write as well, and I got attached to the characters more than any story before it. I did a lot of research on it before I started writing.


>> 2. Was there a story which took you out of your comfort zone? If so, why and what was the outcome?
>> 5. Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why?

# 2 and #5 are the same story. Reckless

This was an older story and I pulled out of my archive and published here. Almost the whole story was about events that were out of my comfort zone. The characters did things that made me uncomfortable, and that was what made it exciting for me to write. I thought that it would be fun to share in here, though it is currently my lowest rated story at 4.38. Compared to the other stories, it has less of a story line, and it was intended to be more about evoking feelings through a series of encounters. It’s also a bit “out there” sexually, and I feel bit mentally exposed, like letting people see me naked. I tried something different, and looking backward, I wasn’t as pleased with the result. I guess I should pat myself on the back for taking the risk.


>> #7 If you get to nominate just one story that someone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example.

It would have to be a tie between Untrusted and Dreams, Drawings, and Panties.

I described Untrusted above. Dreams, Drawings, and Panties was another attempt to do something different and difficult and I’m still pleased at the result. I thought that I managed to create something unnerving and unpredictable (like a Twilight Zone mindset), yet still erotic. I try to be a little out of the box, and Dreams, Drawings, and Panties does that.
 
1. Was there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”?
For me, it was in high school. I kept winning the Creative Writing contests every quarter.
Mrs. White eventually had me stop entering so someone else could win.
2. Was there a story which took you out of your comfort zone? If so, why and what was the outcome?
I am currently writing a very personal, and sometimes very painful story right now, that's taking me out of my comfort zone.
It's a semi-autobiographical story about how I met my now dearly departed friend/ex-girlfriend.
The why.....is for many reasons.
3. Have you ever read a story here (or anywhere) that really inspired you to write or to get better at writing?
I do not recall any specific story really "inspiring me".
4. Was there ever a story where you felt you had a great idea, but were unable to bring it to life the way you wanted? Maybe due to inexperience, or lack of time.
It's no secret, that I'm struggling IMMENSELY with Part 2 of "My Sneaky Wife Jennifer".
I know the ending that I want.
I just can not seem to find a way, to get there the way that I envision.
5. Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why?
No. I don't regret a single thing.
6. Is there any author, Lit or otherwise, whose style you wish you could emulate (not copy, but maybe do some things they do)?
There is no person's "style" that I want to emulate.
7. If you get to nominate just one story that soemone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example.
https://classic.literotica.com/s/decision-time-in-a-marriage
I think this is my best so far.
I've gotten incredible feedback from a hellava lot of fellow author's about how they could feel the pain and anguish in this story.
8. Is there any story you have written which is totally different to your normal types of stories? If so, how and why did you write it?
Again, it's one that I'm currently writing.
There are many reasons for the "why I'm writing it".
 
So, my own answers.
  1. Was there a story (or maybe a run of a few) which made you think: “hang on, I can actually write a bit”?
Fragile ==> Coleoidphilia ==> Off the Shoulder ==> Jacob’s Progress
  1. Was there a story which took you out of your comfort zone? If so, why and what was the outcome?
Coleoidphilia - I knew nothing about tentacle porn and what little I did know suggested I would hate it. I like Sci-Fi, but had never tried to write it.
  1. Have you ever read a story here (or anywhere) that really inspired you to write or to get better at writing?
@MelissaBaby ’s My Fall and Rise and pretty much anything by @onehitwanda
  1. Was there ever a story where you felt you had a great idea, but were unable to bring it to life the way you wanted? Maybe due to inexperience, or lack of time.
Those are mostly in my draft folder.
  1. Is there any story you have regretted writing, or even had removed from Lit? If so, why?
Not really. Perhaps Dungeon 101 a bit, though I like some things about it. I also regretted some quite central elements of the first stories I wrote here, which I why I did the “redux” versions.
  1. Is there any author, Lit or otherwise, whose style you wish you could emulate (not copy, but maybe do some things they do)?
I guess I’ll mention @MelissaBaby and @onehitwanda again - but I don’t have time to read as much as I’d like
  1. If you get to nominate just one story that soemone unfamiliar with your work reads, what would it be and why? Note this may not be what you view as your best story. It might be your most accessible for example.
Probably Fragile forms a bridge between what I used to write and what I mostly write now. I actually think it’s a rather sweet story, which encapsulates a lot of what I think and believe (sex is good, people should be nice to each other, some general philosophy etc). It was also a story that a few people who I respect noticed, quite a few of whom are now friends.
  1. Is there any story you have written which is totally different to your normal types of stories? If so, how and why did you write it?
I suppose Dungeon 101 - it’s meant to be satire, but I’m told people take it literally:

Em
 
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