Not the normal - what is your best story? - thread

[Voboy]

The Smell of Horse And Leather

Category: Mature

Year published: 2022 (seems like longer ago!)

Words: just shy of 27,000

Basic premise: A spirited young Saxon girl is living in a world gone suddenly strange: she and her village know that the Normans have just invaded and killed King Harold a few months before. The turmoil immediately following all that brings a new form of government, a new language, and a new lord into her life. She struggles with the changes, but finds an unlikely ally.

Themes: It's a VDay contest entry, meaning love was an important part of it (rather than just sex). A recurrent theme of birds is an idea I carried through the story, and I think I used it well (which is part of the reason I picked this one for this thread). There is also an overarching theme of change, emphasizing the political events at Hastings, versus the timeless life the narrator and her family have always been used to.

Motivation: I love history, and I'd written a VDay contest entry in 2019 set in ancient Rome. I think this was my second historical piece, and I really tried to make it accurate (other than linguistically). I immersed myself in names and dates. I learned about planching, withies, and coppicing. I spent hours in Domesday, making sure the geography was right and then using all the right names of lords and the relative wealth of the communities I mentioned. I became, for a short time, an expert in how early medieval people made bee-skeps for the production of honey. The germ of this story can be found in the Domesday entry for a vampire character I had previously written.

Why is it your best story: I'm proud that I was able to actually tell a good story, with many complex strands, and bring those strands together neatly while still making it both sexual and sensual. I feel like I tried even harder than usual to make sure the characters were genuine: they are relatable to a modern reader even though the story is set in 1066.

Anything else we should know about it: It didn't win the VDay contest that year, but it was probably top five and certainly top ten. It has spawned a sequel (of which I'm also very proud) and a prequel (about Lady Godiva), as well as a couple of aborted companion pieces; it's linked only tangentially to my larger universe, through a vampire priest that plays absolutely no role in this piece.

 

[Voboy]

So I make that 14, guess that means… Miller Time!

—

Best is kinda weird, right? Best in which way? Funniest? Most heart-wrenching? Most gripping plot? Most fully developed characters? Hottest sex scenes? Most zingy dialog? Most beautiful use of language? Etc. Etc. I’ll go with something that I think is at least in my top three, and which checks some of the above boxes. It was my Nude Day 2024 entry, and it’s called:

Through the Watching Glass

Category: Exhibitionist & Voyeur

Year published: 2024

Words: 13,700

Basic premise: A man with an exhibitionist streak, who struggles with social interactions, signs up with a site that matches men and women based on their sexual preferences. They meet either side of a glass wall and enjoy each other’s company vicariously. The MMC becomes fascinated with one woman he meets, a woman whose appearance seems to change like the wind.

Themes: I have discovered a truly marvelous list which this margin is too narrow to contain, but here goes:

1. The implications of artificial intelligence
2. The perils of dating
3. Trauma recovery
4. Neurodivergence
5. Man vs bear
6. Masking, both in an ND context, and between men and women

The characters edge in the story, but the whole story can be viewed as edging with the reader’s preconceptions.

Motivation: I wanted to write about people like me, and how we can have rich sexual and emotional lives, and yet struggle in other ways. I also find EV interesting to write as it’s not an IRL kink of mine, but I can kind of see the appeal, assuming consent on both parties. Lewis Carrol’s Through the Looking Glass was a guide for me in writing, not plot or characters, but its focus on duality and how what we see is a reflection of ourselves. And I wanted to try to twist together all of the above themes to create a compelling psychological mystery story (maybe more a whydunnit than a whodunnit) and to embrace growth for the characters.

Why is it your best story: Prior to my work-in-progress novel, it was certainly my most ambitious story. And I surprised myself with how much of what I set out to do I actually achieved. I think my ancillary characters and the contributions they make to the plot are strong. And I believe the central narrative is well-executed. I was particularly pleased when fellow neurodivergents said that the story made them feel seen. The plot is taut, and at least semi-believable. And I love both the MMC and FMC dearly.

Anything else we should know about it: It would have won Nude Day 2024 comfortably without last minute tactical down-voting. But that’s the nature of Literotica competitions, and it’s not going to change. At least I have the satisfaction of knowing it was good work.

I remember this one. It was excellent. That was a good contest for the also-rans, I think.

 

[Soixenta]

I loved this. I hope there are more coming.

Hopefully for the Summer Lovin' contest!

 

[StillStunned]

And I should give a nod to @StillStunned (what no cat?) who created the WIWAW concept. These are in effect mini-WIWAWs. So maybe go write an actual WIWAW about the same stories. They are interesting and valuable resources IMO.

Can there even be a cat without the cat avatar?

Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread recently, I have a hard time deciding which is my favourite story. If I post a reply today, I'll have to post another one tomorrow.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I remember this one. It was excellent. That was a good contest for the also-rans, I think.

Yeah - and at the risk of forming a jerk circle of two (a jerk line?) your non-winning entry, Masterpiece, was superior to mine in all aspects. Cream sinks to the bottom sometimes in comps.

And we are both on 4.79, which is kinda appropriate. Each time TTWG gets above 4.81 it gets pummelled back down to 4.79.
A top lists thing I assume.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread recently, I have a hard time deciding which is my favourite story. If I post a reply today, I'll have to post another one tomorrow.

I have no problem with that.

 

[TiberiusPrime]

Can there even be a cat without the cat avatar?

Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread recently, I have a hard time deciding which is my favourite story. If I post a reply today, I'll have to post another one tomorrow.

Then post whatever your favorite one is today and post another tomorrow if it changes.

 

[Voboy]

Yeah - and at the risk of forming a jerk circle of two (a jerk line?) your non-winning entry, Masterpiece, was superior to mine in all aspects. Cream sinks to the bottom sometimes in comps.

And we are both on 4.79, which is kinda appropriate. Each time TTWG gets above 4.81 it gets pummelled back down to 4.79.
A top lists thing I assume.

I think a "jerk circle of two" is also known as "a date." But whatevs.

Masterpiece is also a favorite of mine, and I'm happy it struck a chord. I never worry about the toplists, but from what I've read around here, you might be right. Ah well.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I think a "jerk circle of two" is also known as "a date." But whatevs.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

That one. You know, the one over there.

As a serious answer, currently none, since I've been on the fence about posting anything. Partly because I lurk around and hear all the cases of people getting their stories rejected for varying reasons, partly because the brainworms fueling my doubts despite my stance of writing for "my own selfish reasons," and partly because I'm a hyper slacker.

 

[FrancesScott]

Ice Cream

Category: Romance

Year published: 2025

Words: 9k

Basic premise: A recently divorced man spends time living with his mother in his home town. He meets a younger woman at dairy farm ice cream shop who he vaguely remembers from earlier in his life.

Themes: Relationships can be based on character, not appearance. Healing from multiple traumas is possible. Love can be found in strange places.

Motivation: The young woman, with whom I had been vaguely acquainted, serving at the dairy farm counter in my home town was real. The story I wove around her was total fiction. As I wrote in the accompanying WIWAW, I had just re-read The Great Gatsby, and was inspired to write a piece of modern erotica in the style of Fitzgerald.

Why is it your best story: My very best work is elsewhere. But I think this is my best work here. It’s intentionally using arcane and overly-flowery language. But I think I mimicked Fitzgerald to at least a reasonable degree. And I like the story, in particular how an awful event can also be the source of redemption. And I enjoyed writing the characters, particularly the narrator interacting with his mother.

Anything else we should know about it: Many people found the language exclusionary and even elitist. But it was sort of the whole point. I got accused of being a literature Professor, which was very funny.

 

[EmilyMiller]

That one. You know, the one over there.

As a serious answer, currently none, since I've been on the fence about posting anything. Partly because I lurk around and hear all the cases of people getting their stories rejected for varying reasons, partly because the brainworms fueling my doubts despite my stance of writing for "my own selfish reasons," and partly because I'm a hyper slacker.

I’ve had precisely four stories rejected out of ~140. The first was my first submission and I clarified the age of participants and it was fine. The second was for awful grammar (written in Note on my phone), fixed and it went through. The third was me being blonde and including off-site links in an afterword (e.g. acknowledging David Lynch’s influence and linking to his Wikipedia page). I fixed and it went through. The fourth was an essay about how Literotica could improve its rating system and Laurel chose not to publish it.

 

[APilgrimSquare]

Title: Heather's Funny Valentine

Category: Romance

Year published: 2025

Words: 12.6k

Basic premise: A 20-something girl in NYC navigates her complicated feelings for her fuck buddy, a guy she's known since college but who hadn't always been the obvious "fuck buddy" type. It was written for the 2025 Valentine's Day contest.

Themes: Life in transition. Our 20s are the first time a lot of us are on our own. College is finished, we're holding down jobs, paying bills, and for many of us - particularly in large cities - trying to rush headfirst into adulthood without knowing who we really are, yet. What we really want. It's a story about letting go of what others think, of allowing others to grow up around you, to change. And how while we all may just need to fuck once in a while, we need all the other stuff, too. About how the reality of city life may be less glamorous than you think, but that's not what matters, anyway. Not when you have someone you can pretend with.

Motivation: I wanted to write a realistic story from a younger female point of view, where she was sexual, but not a typical, smutty sexpot. I wanted to give her real interiority. I wanted to paint the resistance to falling in love with "the wrong guy" in a realistic fashion, showing the struggle, showing them come together on terms that made sense for the characters. I was inspired by movies like St. Elmo's Fire, and wanted to capture a similar "slice of life-in-transition" feeling with a New York City vibe.

Why is it your best story: I think I really nailed the character work, even the side characters. "Young college grads in the city" has obviously been done to death, but I feel like I gave the characters real life. I think the sex is hot, the dialogue rings true, the jokes are (often) funny and you end up rooting for the two main characters.

Anything else we should know about it: My initial draft had a reasonably long denouement that I decided to just cut entirely. It ends at a sort of emotional climax, and at the level of the text there is some ambiguity about what might happen next. My hope was that I had given readers enough to know exactly what would happen next, despite the ambiguity. It's not like it's such a leap (it's Romance, after all), but that's the feeling I wanted readers to be left with. The certainty. The knowing the characters.

 

[TiberiusPrime]

I’ve had precisely four stories rejected out of ~140. The first was my first submission and I clarified the age of participants and it was fine. The second was for awful grammar (written in Note on my phone), fixed and it went through. The third was me being blonde and including off-site links in an afterword (e.g. acknowledging David Lynch’s influence and linking to his Wikipedia page). I fixed and it went through. The fourth was an essay about how Literotica could improve its rating system and Laurel chose not to publish it.

Have you thought about making that a post here instead? Or is it far too long?

 

[EmilyMiller]

Have you thought about making that a post here instead? Or is it far too long?

I published it on my blog, which gets like two views per month:

https://emilymillerlit.wordpress.com/2024/07/19/an-open-letter-to-literotica-about-ratings/

 

[MrPixel]

I published it on my blog, which gets like two views per month:

https://emilymillerlit.wordpress.com/2024/07/19/an-open-letter-to-literotica-about-ratings/

Which I read yesterday. Agree 1000%.

 

[TiberiusPrime]

I published it on my blog, which gets like two views per month:

https://emilymillerlit.wordpress.com/2024/07/19/an-open-letter-to-literotica-about-ratings/

Maybe add the link to your signature? And I'll definitely read it later! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Voboy]

Have you thought about making that a post here instead? Or is it far too long?

I'd never want to speak for Em, but she's probably aware that such a post would either get mod-deleted or would become Yet Another Thread About Scores.

 

[TiberiusPrime]

I'd never want to speak for Em, but she's probably aware that such a post would either get mod-deleted or would become Yet Another Thread About Scores.

If it's constructive criticism, then it should be accepted. However, many would probably prefer to not be criticized, constructive or not.

And apologies for the thread drift. Back to Emily's request!

 

[Actingup]

Listen closely to movie music. The oboe is the instrument representing romantic love and desire. I play the oboe. The English horn represents mourning, loss and sorrow. I play the English horn, too.

Do you play the French Horn too?

 

[EmilyMiller]

I'd never want to speak for Em, but she's probably aware that such a post would either get mod-deleted or would become Yet Another Thread About Scores.

In her rejection message, Laurel said something like “more suitable for the forums.” But there is little point discussing it if she sees no merit in a simple approach that would address at least many of the shortcomings. I have no desire to waste time and energy on something that the site won’t consider, no matter how reasonable (and indeed mainstream) a suggestion.

As to my signature? I don’t want to be defined by this one issue. Comps are a totally uneven playing field. It’s not going to change, which is why I no longer actively write for them. If I have a story which coincidentally fits a comp theme, I might include it. But my days of writing specifically for comps are over. It’s a fool’s errand. And I think quite a few other people have come to the same conclusion.

 

[Bamagan]

Can there even be a cat without the cat avatar?

Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread recently, I have a hard time deciding which is my favourite story. If I post a reply today, I'll have to post another one tomorrow.

As long as no one looked in the box, the answer to that question could have gone either way.
Alas for curiosity, which killed Schrodinger's cat!

 

[MrPixel]

Do you play the French Horn too?

Yes, I do. Takes about a month to get my chops back after years on double reeds, but yes.

My wife was first attracted to me because I played the French horn in a band we both belonged to.

 

[EmilyMiller]

If it's constructive criticism, then it should accepted.

I first messaged Laurel and Manu about my idea. They used to both reply to me, but not so much now. I then turned my idea into a more rigorous essay, and submitted it. It was pending for many months, perhaps eight, and then got rejected.

There is no point beating a dead horse. The site is not interested in making ratings fairer. So there is no point debating the issue further.

 

[Actingup]

Title: Heather's Funny Valentine

Category: Romance

Year published: 2025

Words: 12.6k

Basic premise: A 20-something girl in NYC navigates her complicated feelings for her fuck buddy, a guy she's known since college but who hadn't always been the obvious "fuck buddy" type. It was written for the 2025 Valentine's Day contest.

Themes: Life in transition. Our 20s are the first time a lot of us are on our own. College is finished, we're holding down jobs, paying bills, and for many of us - particularly in large cities - trying to rush headfirst into adulthood without knowing who we really are, yet. What we really want. It's a story about letting go of what others think, of allowing others to grow up around you, to change. And how while we all may just need to fuck once in a while, we need all the other stuff, too. About how the reality of city life may be less glamorous than you think, but that's not what matters, anyway. Not when you have someone you can pretend with.

Motivation: I wanted to write a realistic story from a younger female point of view, where she was sexual, but not a typical, smutty sexpot. I wanted to give her real interiority. I wanted to paint the resistance to falling in love with "the wrong guy" in a realistic fashion, showing the struggle, showing them come together on terms that made sense for the characters. I was inspired by movies like St. Elmo's Fire, and wanted to capture a similar "slice of life-in-transition" feeling with a New York City vibe.

Why is it your best story: I think I really nailed the character work, even the side characters. "Young college grads in the city" has obviously been done to death, but I feel like I gave the characters real life. I think the sex is hot, the dialogue rings true, the jokes are (often) funny and you end up rooting for the two main characters.

Anything else we should know about it: My initial draft had a reasonably long denouement that I decided to just cut entirely. It ends at a sort of emotional climax, and at the level of the text there is some ambiguity about what might happen next. My hope was that I had given readers enough to know exactly what would happen next, despite the ambiguity. It's not like it's such a leap (it's Romance, after all), but that's the feeling I wanted readers to be left with. The certainty. The knowing the characters.

It’s just a super, super story. Have already read it twice. Must… resist….