Do you think Lit readers are more discerning now?

[driphoney]

That's my question. Do you think the easy availability of erotica for several years now has made the readers generally more sophisticated? Or is it no different than it was, say, five years ago? In the beginning were they just so happy to fulfill a ... um ... need or desire, that they expected less?

Is it a case of, "If you've never had steak, hamburger tastes just fine," but now they've been to Morton's a time or two?

Just one of those silly things I ponder ...

 

[lance gt]

Honey, I think people who read porn have always been more discerning. They like to escape from the humdrum world they live in and experience a world of sex they only dream of having. Sometimes it prompts them to take the words from the pages and make a reality of them and sometimes just the enjoyment of knowing other people enjoy the same things they do. The writing techniques are generally the same, but the difference in our modern world from decades ago creates new scenarios to face and challenge the reader to accept. So porn writing will always be a staple for people to read.

 

[driphoney]

I see some scores and comments from writers 5+ years ago, that I'm pretty sure they couldn't garner today. Back then the frequency of reading porn or erotica was probably less. It's gone on since early civilization, sure, but it was hard to make it a daily stable of the ol' routine, as the material was much harder to access and there was a whole lot less of it. Getting it also wasn't quite so anonymous.

 

[lance gt]

It's always been easy to get lots of porn stories, Honey. I agree that anonimity has been the issue before the internet, but if someone wanted it bad enough, they'd go and get it, looks be damned. Penthouse made that easier with their Letters section and it's been progressing into mainstream even more since. The mind has always been the biggest sex organ and the internet has just allowed people to safely explore themselves in different ways without judement and in the privacy of their homes.

 

[jomar]

Readers are certainly not more discerning in Loving Wives, at least not in any literary sense.

As far as scores go, you really can't compare now with a few years ago because the scoring criteria has changed...a 5 is now "loved it, one of the best!" I forget what 5 used to be back when, but it was a less strong label.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I think that there have always been discerning readers, and non-discerning. And there will always be a fresh supply of newcomers who want to read EVERYTHING and love it all-- and then start finding out their preferences. Some of those will develop a preference for more literary smut, some of them will gravitate to the three dirty words that get them off every time...

 

[Saucy_Sage]

That's my question. Do you think the easy availability of erotica for several years now has made the readers generally more sophisticated?

Sophisticated. Yeah, I see a lot of that in the comments section...

 

[driphoney]

Sophisticated. Yeah, I see a lot of that in the comments section...

Perhaps it was a poor word choice.

 

[Saucy_Sage]

Perhaps it was a poor word choice.

I haven't been here long enough to make any valid observations, but in the short time I've been reading comments (on the stories of others, mostly, LOL), it seems to me "demanding" might be a better word. It depends on what they're looking for, of course. The ones who want stroke seem to want more explicit stroke. The ones who value writing want better plot, etc. Maybe they're just less shy about saying what they want, the longer they've been here.

 

[driphoney]

I haven't been here long enough to make any valid observations, but in the short time I've been reading comments (on the stories of others, mostly, LOL), it seems to me "demanding" might be a better word. It depends on what they're looking for, of course. The ones who want stroke seem to want more explicit stroke. The ones who value writing want better plot, etc. Maybe they're just less shy about saying what they want, the longer they've been here.

Yes, 'demanding' is probably what I was after. Discerning, but not in the usual high-class, way we usually mean. Well, for some readers, it would mean that, as was stated earlier.

Good word.

 

[Stella_Omega]

"demanding?" yeah-- especially in LW they like to demand that the bitch gets pregnant or the wimp hubby die.

 

[driphoney]

"demanding?" yeah-- especially in LW they like to demand that the bitch gets pregnant or the wimp hubby die.

So the perfect LW story is where she gets pregnant and the hubby dies? That'll get you good comments and a 5.0?

 

[Stella_Omega]

So the perfect LW story is where she gets pregnant and the hubby dies? That'll get you good comments and a 5.0?

From about one half of the readers-- the other half want HER to die, and him to get knocked up.

 

[driphoney]

From about one half of the readers-- the other half want HER to die, and him to get knocked up.

A creative writing project! You're a good writer--let's see what you can do!

 

[sr71plt]

So the perfect LW story is where she gets pregnant and the hubby dies? That'll get you good comments and a 5.0?

Just for kicks I tried out a "bitchy woman sees the light and becomes loving wife and mother" formula at LW to see if it was ideal. Left out any overt sex. Hasn't done too badly; still at 4.63 after two years.

 

[sr71plt]

A creative writing project! You're a good writer--let's see what you can do!

The fun project is one of each that have identical storlines except for outcome but mix up the other aspects so most LW readers won't know they are the same story (which shouldn't be all the hard). And then compare the ratings/comments of the two.

 

[ExoMani]

I don't know about the readers, but is it just me, or are a lot of the new writers REALLY REALLY BAD?!

 

[Saucy_Sage]

I don't know about the readers, but is it just me, or are a lot of the new writers REALLY REALLY BAD?!

Nope, it's just you. The other new writers are okay.



I'm sorry. That was cheap and uncalled for. I don't even know if you've written anything. It was just sooooo easy. Who wants to spank me?

 

[sr71plt]

I don't know about the readers, but is it just me, or are a lot of the new writers REALLY REALLY BAD?!

Beats me. I focus on my own writing. Have you polled their readers?

 

[sr71plt]

I'm sorry. That was cheap and uncalled for. I don't even know if you've written anything. It was just sooooo easy. Who wants to spank me?

I'd sign up, but by the time I got back here the line was already weaving out into the rain and I just got my hair done.

 

[Stella_Omega]

A creative writing project! You're a good writer--let's see what you can do!

One thing I cannot write is Mpreg. Just... nauseating.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I'd sign up, but by the time I got back here the line was already weaving out into the rain and I just got my hair done.

I love you for this!

 

[ExoMani]

I don't know about the readers, but is it just me, or are a lot of the new writers REALLY REALLY BAD?!

Nope, it's just you. The other new writers are okay.

Well, now I know.

Thanks for the constructive criticism.

 

[jomar]

Just for kicks I tried out a "bitchy woman sees the light and becomes loving wife and mother" formula at LW to see if it was ideal. Left out any overt sex. Hasn't done too badly; still at 4.63 after two years.

I'm trying a multi-chapter story in LW. I blame the low scores on the new scoring system.

 

[Saucy_Sage]

Well, now I know.

Thanks for the constructive criticism.

Seriously, dude. Never read yours. Just taking easy, cheap shots.

Post a link in your sig and I'll be happy to give it a look. Nobody's criticism is more constructive than mine.