Losing the will

[starrkers]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

/self indulgent wank

Even my "best" stories, the ones that finally got 'H's' have only gotten a handful of votes and hardly any comments. And all the comments are from my friends here! I think it's the readers who are lazy, Starr, not your muse.

 

[TE999]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

Hold on there starr.

I happen to think you write very well.

And your scores have been good.

I haven't hit all home runs either and I still write 'cause it's fun.

The day it stops bein' fun is the day I hang up my jersey.

Don't let the scores and votes affect you unduly. Write for yourself, and if someone else likes it--even better.

Just don't give up yet. You have entirely too much talent to have it go to waste.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

It comes and goes, doll - don't sweat it. One of these days you'll get an inspiration, force yourself to start writing, be unable to stop, and soak up the pcv's when you post. Or, maybe not, but don't sweat that, either: After all, we only do it for fun.

 

[damppanties]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

I know what you mean. I sometimes ask in the story feedback forum about reactions to it and it is a little satisfying that people respond to the 'writing' of it rather than just giving stroking comments, but then I feel kind of self-indulgent and embarrassed by it too. So, well... *shrug*

Haven't written in a while, but with the last story I wrote, it was only to see what I can do rather than if people are reading or not. The comments and feedback helps of course, but it's just not enough anymore.

 

[rengadeirishman]

i understand completely, ive been wanting to do more writing, but i seem to only be able to see them in my mind, whenever i start writing, i hate what comes out, and then i just get pissed off and drink myself into a stupor, and as for stuff here, im not entirely convinced that I'm good enough with eroticism and whatnot for this audience. Tis quite frustrating.

 

[DeeZire]

It comes and goes, doll...

I can't believe it! Rox and I agree on something!

It comes and goes for me too. Nothing wrong with that. Perhaps changing your comfort zone could jar the muse out of her slumber? Like, try writing from a different POV, or explore different subject matter? Also, if you have an ax to grind, (political, social, whatever,) disguising it in fiction can be an interesting challenge.

The flashfic thread is always fun. (Ogg's flashfic How-to is excellent, by the way.) Working with economy of words puts a whole new spin on writing. In one sense, it's easier, since there are less words to deal with, but in another, it's harder, since every word counts. Perhaps a flashfic endeavor could make you fall in love with words again. I think that's what it's all about.

(If it's any consolation, we love your words.)

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

STARRKERS

I write fiction and non-fiction, and porn when the mood strikes me. Sunday I wrote a 1700 word essay about snow in Florida; another essay of mine was published today. It's a satire of the human condition.

In the works is an essay about men who required multiple hangings to kill them, an essay about children hanged by the state, and a horror novel.

I post on another board. The instiution that runs the board owns a major newspaper. I get all my strokes there.

Variety keeps me enthusiastic and balanced.

 

[Tarakin]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

Don't give up. I like your stuff very much.

* Hugs *

 

[neonlyte]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

Yeh... it's a bastard feeling.
Thing is... I haven't written anything for Lit for an age. I start things, and think, actually I'd prefer to work on my non-erotic stuff (which has even less chance of being read).

On the other hand, I don't read Lit stories any more save for a couple of people I'm very fond of, so I can't really expect to get read in return... particularly if I'm not writing.

I am writing a 'How To' but it probably won't be posted unless I can think of a few more gags, and Humour (Humor) is just about the worst category to write for So why bother. Well... one bothers because one wants to write, and one writes because one wants to be read... believe me, Lit is a far better place to post Anything than other writers sites... unless you're particularly keen of have testicles/ovaries (strike what doesn't apply) extracted through ones nostrils

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I finally decided that no one becomes a writer because they want to, You become a writer because you have to. You just can't stop. You write like some people sing or hum under their breath. A good story to you is where you say, "God! I've got to put this into words!" and writing it is almost like sex or music. It's something you have to do to fully experience life.

But of course, you're right. A story's no good unless it's read, and being read, we want some kind of response. If you're serious about this, I'd take my story over to the Story Discussion Circle Board and ask them: What should I do to get more reader responses? If nothing else, you'll rub elbows with some Serious Writers and get a reputation as a Serious Writer yourself. Most likely you'll get a very good idea of what your stories look like to the average reader too and get some ideas on how to tune them up to get more votes and feedback.

Readers respond to stories that move them. As writers, our job is learning how to convey emotion through words. If we're not getting feedback, then we're probably not doing a very good job of that. Sometimes we can fix the problem ourselves, sometimes we have to go to others and ask them for help. Sometimes too, we've just reached the end of the line as far as a particular creative vein is concerned and have to backtrack and find a new direction and a new vision.

Incidentally, I'd just like to point out that the one thing most artists have always tried to keep in mind when they work, no matter what their medium, is honesty, and this works amazingly well in porn, where bullshit and fantasy are the norm. A little honesty thrown into a story is surprisingly difficult for most authors to achieve, but can give a piece incredible power. If you want to see comments pour in, try writing an honest story.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

DOC is correct. Writers are compelled to write. Any excuse suffices to do it.

 

[oggbashan]

It might be an idea to take a break from writing until you HAVE to write.

I stopped for nine months. I still have plenty of ideas but little inclination to write because other things in my life are more important now.

I will write again and I'm still writing but for several causes. I get satisfaction from writing successful bids for money for my community. Each bid takes many hours of research and consultation - that doesn't leave much computer time left for fiction.

It's another form of writer's block - diversionary activities.

Og

 

[voluptuary_manque]

It might be an idea to take a break from writing until you HAVE to write.

I stopped for nine months. I still have plenty of ideas but little inclination to write because other things in my life are more important now.

I will write again and I'm still writing but for several causes. I get satisfaction from writing successful bids for money for my community. Each bid takes many hours of research and consultation - that doesn't leave much computer time left for fiction.

It's another form of writer's block - diversionary activities.

Og

"diversionary activities" . . . yeah, that's what I've got, in spades!

 

[oggbashan]

"diversionary activities" . . . yeah, that's what I've got, in spades!

One of mine is a 16-month-old granddaughter who visits us three days a week.

Og

 

[where]

</self indulgent wank>

would you like a hand with that, love?

Seriously, keep on with it. Take breaks as need be but don't actually stop altogether. Do it for yourself and not others

 

[Guest]

Even my "best" stories, the ones that finally got 'H's' have only gotten a handful of votes and hardly any comments. And all the comments are from my friends here! I think it's the readers who are lazy, Starr, not your muse.

Yup, yup, yup.

I'd throw away all the red H's for a few more comments. I was reading a book of literatry criticism where an author was interviewed, saying there just aren't as many "good readers" as there used to be.

The idiot box strikes again.

 

[Guest]

I
Incidentally, I'd just like to point out that the one thing most artists have always tried to keep in mind when they work, no matter what their medium, is honesty, and this works amazingly well in porn, where bullshit and fantasy are the norm. A little honesty thrown into a story is surprisingly difficult for most authors to achieve, but can give a piece incredible power. If you want to see comments pour in, try writing an honest story.

*wisdom noted*

Thank you, Doctor.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I found that making readers cry really got folks attention, far more than making them laugh. Unfortunatley, making readers cry makes me cry and it's hard to see the monitor that way . . .

 

[sr71plt]

A slight attitude adjustment on the author's part might help. There's no requirement for readers to try to make contact in any way with the author of a story--through comments or even votes. This is a nice to have for the author--and probably much more of a motivator for the writer than the reader realizes, or the readers would do more of it--but nothing even close to the realm of a right. As a writer, you can choose to decide what is reward for you for writing (if you really feel you need one). I don't get many comments and votes here either--and I highly expect that much of the voting I get is based on my postings to the forum and have nothing to do with how good my stories are.

But I do get some--and they are overwhelmingly favorable. And they are more than I get from the mainstream writing I do (although getting paid for that is reward enough). And the hits reflect more probable reads of my works here than in my mainstream writings (and more than I get from stories posted at other similar sites, too). So, I choose to see that as a good response, certainly enough to post stories here. Writing erotica and posting it here is an outlet for me that helps keep my mainstream writing fresh and inviting for me. That's good enough for me.

Having said that, I've reached a goal here and I don't particularly like the adjustments to voting system here and the inexplicable nature of the sweeps (not to mention that sweeps are required at all by such a loose voting system and the bad behavior of some voters), so I'll be putting more of my eggs into the larger works and mainstream writing too starting next month.

 

[where]

A slight attitude adjustment on the author's part might help. There's no requirement for readers to try to make contact in any way with the author of a story--through comments or even votes. This is a nice to have for the author--and probably much more of a motivator for the writer than the reader realizes, or the readers would do more of it--but nothing even close to the realm of a right. As a writer, you can choose to decide what is reward for you for writing (if you really feel you need one). I don't get many comments and votes here either--and I highly expect that much of the voting I get is based on my postings to the forum and have nothing to do with how good my stories are.

But I do get some--and they are overwhelmingly favorable. And they are more than I get from the mainstream writing I do (although getting paid for that is reward enough). And the hits reflect more probable reads of my works here than in my mainstream writings (and more than I get from stories posted at other similar sites, too). So, I choose to see that as a good response, certainly enough to post stories here. Writing erotica and posting it here is an outlet for me that helps keep my mainstream writing fresh and inviting for me. That's good enough for me.

Having said that, I've reached a goal here and I don't particularly like the adjustments to voting system here and the inexplicable nature of the sweeps (not to mention that sweeps are required at all by such a loose voting system and the bad behavior of some voters), so I'll be putting more of my eggs into the larger works and mainstream writing too starting next month.

that's fine unless you are a feedback whore (like me )

 

[rgraham666]

that's fine unless you are a feedback whore (like me )

I thought I was a feedback whore.

But my last story got no comments at all. The one before that, two.

And I found I didn't care.

 

[where]

I thought I was a feedback whore.

But my last story got no comments at all. The one before that, two.

And I found I didn't care.

Ahhh, but I'm just an amateur, weaving stories to seduce and charm innocents into my web!

 

[rgraham666]

Ahhh, but I'm just an amateur, weaving stories to seduce and charm innocents into my web!

It's working. Although I'm not innocent.

 

[where]

It's working. Although I'm not innocent.

haven't even written one for you yet!