How much criticism is normal?

[Sntnl]

I've never written anything of substance before, and quite frankly it's not my strong point, but recently I got it into my head to write a story and I'm really enjoying it.
So with absolutely no experience, I was wondering if people could let me know if some concerns I have are normal or not.

I've got a tonne of plot points in mind, the ideas are coming thick and fast, but with a rough draft of over 4k words, I feel like I'm still introducing the main character. Is it usual to feel like you've been writing for hours and find that it takes about five minutes to read?
It also feels simultaneously like too many words and not enough happening.

I know everyone has their own style, and honestly I'm not even worried if no-one else likes it, I just somehow feel like I'm doing it wrong. Is that normal?

 

[Omenainen]

It’s a lot like that, yes. Welcome to the world of creative writing! This is a great hobby.

 

[StillStunned]

It's hard to say, but it sounds like you're trying to fit too much into your story.

Here's a tip: your readers don't care about background information. They want to know what's happening now, the story that you're telling, not what's gone before.

For erotica, I generally divide stories into three categories: plot-driven, character-driven and sex-driven. Decide which your story is, and that will tell you what you need to focus on. If you're telling a sex story, you only need enough plot to set up the sex, and only enough character to engage your readers. If you're telling a plot story, you don't need to delve into the characters. And so on.

The trouble is enthusiasm. It probably gets to most of us, particularly when we first start out. All these ideas firing in our brain that are clamouring to be included. They're called plot bunnies, and they're bastards, because they distract you from the story you're trying to tell.

If I were you, I'd start with a short piece - somewhere up to about 5k words, perhaps. Focus on one element, be strict with yourself, and just tell that story. All those other ideas will still be waiting, don't worry. But this way, you'll get some practice with finishing a story. Believe it or not, that's an actual skill that you need to learn.

But more importantly: don't let anyone tell you how you ought to write. It's your story, it's your style, and your enjoyment in the writing and the result is really all that matters.

Have fun, and good luck!

 

[Sntnl]

It’s a lot like that, yes. Welcome to the world of creative writing! This is a great hobby.

Yay!

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Depends on how long you've been married...

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

Careful of beginning with a huge expo dump, which might bore some readers. I know I struggle with it too, the idea of wanting to explain it all right away. But there are ways to blend info in along the way, to hopefully keep the plot moving merrily along

 

[Sntnl]

It's hard to say, but it sounds like you're trying to fit too much into your story.

Here's a tip: your readers don't care about background information. They want to know what's happening now, the story that you're telling, not what's gone before.

For erotica, I generally divide stories into three categories: plot-driven, character-driven and sex-driven. Decide which your story is, and that will tell you what you need to focus on. If you're telling a sex story, you only need enough plot to set up the sex, and only enough character to engage your readers. If you're telling a plot story, you don't need to delve into the characters. And so on.

The trouble is enthusiasm. It probably gets to most of us, particularly when we first start out. All these ideas firing in our brain that are clamouring to be included. They're called plot bunnies, and they're bastards, because they distract you from the story you're trying to tell.

If I were you, I'd start with a short piece - somewhere up to about 5k words, perhaps. Focus on one element, be strict with yourself, and just tell that story. All those other ideas will still be waiting, don't worry. But this way, you'll get some practice with finishing a story. Believe it or not, that's an actual skill that you need to learn.

But more importantly: don't let anyone tell you how you ought to write. It's your story, it's your style, and your enjoyment in the writing and the result is really all that matters.

Have fun, and good luck!

Awesome, that's some great advice. I'll take it on board and review what I've done so far. Thank you.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I recommend dictating your story into a speech to text application and then telling it as if you were doing so to a close friend or associate.

How much background would your friend need to understand where you are going with the tale? Are they nodding off, or are you keeping them interested? You would need to determine that as you tell the story. Put yourself in your friend's place as you listen to the recorded story being read back to you.

I typically write longer stories, some with little or no sexual content at all. It's not the length that you should be concerned with, but on the flow and the consistency. That is what will keep readers engaged.

 

[StillStunned]

Awesome, that's some great advice. I'll take it on board and review what I've done so far. Thank you.

I'll repeat @Voyeurkenneth's advice above as well: don't infodump.

In case the word doesn't already tell you what that is, you need to avoid asking your reader to wade through reams of worldbuilding or character descriptions or backgrounds before the story starts.

Particularly with free online stories, you have your reader's interest on credit. They've read your story title and tagline and their interest is piqued. They click on the link and start to read. But they need some reason to keep reading. They want a hook, like some exciting action, a mystery, a funny interaction, an amusing philosophy - whatever.

What they don't want is homework. And no matter how interesting all the background information is to you, you haven't earned your reader's attention yet. Get them interested in the story, or the characters, or your world, or your writing style, and then drop in small bits of information here and there.

Try to keep that credit in mind. Every bit of exposition has to be balanced by something exciting, engaging, amusing or whatever. The more engaged your reader is, the more of their attention you can demand. Just don't take too much on credit.

 

[THBGato]

If you find yourself giving loads of background info about a character, then the answer might be to:
a) begin your story earlier - if it's so important, perhaps we need to see it?
b) include it as a flash back
c) write a prequel
d) introduce characters for the sole purpose of epositionary dialogue (the main character explains their backstory to somebody else during conversation).

I've done all of the above at one stage or another.

 

[AwkwardMD]

I've never written anything of substance before, and quite frankly it's not my strong point, but recently I got it into my head to write a story and I'm really enjoying it.
So with absolutely no experience, I was wondering if people could let me know if some concerns I have are normal or not.

I've got a tonne of plot points in mind, the ideas are coming thick and fast, but with a rough draft of over 4k words, I feel like I'm still introducing the main character. Is it usual to feel like you've been writing for hours and find that it takes about five minutes to read?
It also feels simultaneously like too many words and not enough happening.

I know everyone has their own style, and honestly I'm not even worried if no-one else likes it, I just somehow feel like I'm doing it wrong. Is that normal?

Do what feels right, and learn from it later. Do not try to adjust your approach midstream. It will be okay if your first story looks like everyone elses first story (which is to say, a hot mess)

 

[StillStunned]

d) introduce characters for the sole purpose of epositionary dialogue (the main character explains their backstory to somebody else during conversation).

As long as you avoid the "As you know" trope.

 

[Omenainen]

Do what feels right, and learn from it later. Do not try to adjust your approach midstream. It will be okay if your first story looks like everyone elses first story (which is to say, a hot mess)

Second this. The only advice I have is
- don’t use AI to edit (or god forbid, generate any text) for you
- don’t include anything underage, snuff, bestiality

Then just write it and publish. Then get hooked and then write the next one. Rinse and repeat. You can learn all the rest of this on the way.

 

[NotWise]

I've never written anything of substance before, and quite frankly it's not my strong point, but recently I got it into my head to write a story and I'm really enjoying it.
So with absolutely no experience, I was wondering if people could let me know if some concerns I have are normal or not.

I'm going to assume that all of your impressions are true, because they seem really normal for first-time writers.

I've got a tonne of plot points in mind, the ideas are coming thick and fast, but with a rough draft of over 4k words, I feel like I'm still introducing the main character. Is it usual to feel like you've been writing for hours and find that it takes about five minutes to read?
It also feels simultaneously like too many words and not enough happening.

For most stories on Lit, 4k words is a start. That's a little over one Lit page.

You don't have to introduce your main character all at once, but if you feel like it's a problem , then you might want to rethink the story structure so you describe the characteristics that are most important to the story first. Other details can come along later, but they won't tell your readers a lot they need to know.

I write for days sometimes, and it takes about five minutes to read. I tell myself that they're really, really well-chosen words.

Too many words and nothing happening is definitely possible. You might need to cut back an narration and let dialog tell more of the story. It's also possible to use actions to build characters. Whatever else is true, you probably want to build some kind of action into the beginning of the story. This could be the main character going for a run (for instance), or introducing him/herself to another character, or any number of other possibilities. You just need to plan for something to happen.

I know everyone has their own style, and honestly I'm not even worried if no-one else likes it, I just somehow feel like I'm doing it wrong. Is that normal?

I think there's a mental illness where the afflicted people don't doubt themselves. Meth will do that, too. For the rest of us, some self-doubt is universal and healthy. Too much self doubt is paralysis.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Lots of great advice already. One thing to consider is just because you have some great ideas for a character's back story doesn't mean you have to share them with the reader.
You've figured out who your characters are. Now tell their story, when and IF those pieces of backstory become relevant work them into the narrative.
Sometimes the stuff you came up with won't be relevant. Leave it out.

 

[Jorunn]

Start with your sex scene. Hot as can be. Exhausted, the guy (girl) lay there in bed, thinking about how they met. They look over at the sleeping figure and describe them. What happened to get them here. How lucky he/she is. Why didn’t he/she use protection? Or whatever. If you haven’t many words, wake both up and have them cuddle while talking.

 

[Sntnl]

Careful of beginning with a huge expo dump, which might bore some readers. I know I struggle with it too, the idea of wanting to explain it all right away. But there are ways to blend info in along the way, to hopefully keep the plot moving merrily along

Good call. I'll bear it in mind, thank you.

 

[Sntnl]

I'll repeat @Voyeurkenneth's advice above as well: don't infodump.

In case the word doesn't already tell you what that is, you need to avoid asking your reader to wade through reams of worldbuilding or character descriptions or backgrounds before the story starts.

Particularly with free online stories, you have your reader's interest on credit. They've read your story title and tagline and their interest is piqued. They click on the link and start to read. But they need some reason to keep reading. They want a hook, like some exciting action, a mystery, a funny interaction, an amusing philosophy - whatever.

What they don't want is homework. And no matter how interesting all the background information is to you, you haven't earned your reader's attention yet. Get them interested in the story, or the characters, or your world, or your writing style, and then drop in small bits of information here and there.

Try to keep that credit in mind. Every bit of exposition has to be balanced by something exciting, engaging, amusing or whatever. The more engaged your reader is, the more of their attention you can demand. Just don't take too much on credit.

That's a really good way of thinking of it. Thanks.

 

[Sntnl]

I'm going to assume that all of your impressions are true, because they seem really normal for first-time writers.


For most stories on Lit, 4k words is a start. That's a little over one Lit page.

You don't have to introduce your main character all at once, but if you feel like it's a problem , then you might want to rethink the story structure so you describe the characteristics that are most important to the story first. Other details can come along later, but they won't tell your readers a lot they need to know.

I write for days sometimes, and it takes about five minutes to read. I tell myself that they're really, really well-chosen words.

Too many words and nothing happening is definitely possible. You might need to cut back an narration and let dialog tell more of the story. It's also possible to use actions to build characters. Whatever else is true, you probably want to build some kind of action into the beginning of the story. This could be the main character going for a run (for instance), or introducing him/herself to another character, or any number of other possibilities. You just need to plan for something to happen.



I think there's a mental illness where the afflicted people don't doubt themselves. Meth will do that, too. For the rest of us, some self-doubt is universal and healthy. Too much self doubt is paralysis.

That's good to know.

I think I just have this image of 'writers', sat at their desks churning out a chapter a day

Thanks for the reassurance.

 

[Sntnl]

Lots of great advice already. One thing to consider is just because you have some great ideas for a character's back story doesn't mean you have to share them with the reader.
You've figured out who your characters are. Now tell their story, when and IF those pieces of backstory become relevant work them into the narrative.
Sometimes the stuff you came up with won't be relevant. Leave it out.

I was starting to feel that might be the case. I'll keep it in mind as I review it. Thank you.

 

[Sntnl]

Start with your sex scene. Hot as can be. Exhausted, the guy (girl) lay there in bed, thinking about how they met. They look over at the sleeping figure and describe them. What happened to get them here. How lucky he/she is. Why didn’t he/she use protection? Or whatever. If you haven’t many words, wake both up and have them cuddle while talking.

Way ahead of you

It feels cliché but I had to start with the story's main inspiration

 

[Kelliezgirl]

That's good to know.

I think I just have this image of 'writers', sat at their desks churning out a chapter a day

Thanks for the reassurance.

Good days and bad days. I've had days where I've just been flying and written a few thousand words in just an hour or so. Other days I'll stare at the screen and be lucky to write a few hundred.

One thing I've found that helps is if you are stuck on a scene, move on to the next one.

My current WIP, I was stuck on a scene, but I knew what I wanted to happen the next morning. So I skipped forward to that. Spent some of my non-writing time figuring the other scene out and went back to it.

 

[Sntnl]

Thank you everybody for your responses and advice, it's been really helpful.

I definitely have some work to do, but I'm feeling more confident with the direction to take already.

 

[Areala-chan]

I'm going to take a slightly different approach and suggest reading. A lot of reading. Presumably something brought you here, and it was likely a story (or several stories) you read and liked.

Read that story again, this time paying close attention to figuring out what it was about the way that writer put together those words that 'spoke' to you. Look how they started, how they ended, how they used exposition, and how they let information trickle in naturally. You don't have to copy this in your own writing, but it will help you get a jump on how others do it and may help you figure out the best way and place to start your own story.

 

[dirk2024]

I just somehow feel like I'm doing it wrong. Is that normal?

Yes,

One thing I have learned/am still learning is, don't be in a rush to publish. I did that with my first story and missed an obvious misspelling (among other things) in my first sentence. I write and review, write and review and then when I'm done, review again. I write in Microsoft Word and there is a function there called Read Aloud, and run that. Listening to that speak the words helps me. I even read aloud my last story myself before I submitted.

Also, have you seen this thread here: https://forum.literotica.com/threads/self-editing-for-authors.1634588/