Not so new, but I think ready...

[LustinTranslation]

Hello all! I've been a member for a couple years now, but I haven't submitted anything. I have a few stories, all are pretty lengthy, and I think I'm ready to submit something. Problem is, I just have questions that aren't in the FAQ section and I'm not sure who to really ask. I went to the editors page and sent a msg to one, but never got a reply back and thought that maybe trying here would work.
I'm no pro, but I feel that my work is ready to be submitted even without going through an editor or proofreader. Problem is, as I said they are pretty lengthy and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to submit the whole thing or just bits and pieces. how long should they be if it is in small bits and how often should I submit if I have to do it that way?
I would love to maybe eventually get something published for real, erotic and non-erotic, but I thought that putting stuff out there using Literotica would give me an idea if I'm any good by reader response. I don't write for anyone but myself. So I think I'm not bad, I just want to see if others think I'm not bad, pretty good, competent, word-smith or a fucking perverted genius! Not really, but I think you get the idea.
Just a little advice if you please, something to help me get started. Thanks

 

[Boxlicker101]

Hello all! I've been a member for a couple years now, but I haven't submitted anything. I have a few stories, all are pretty lengthy, and I think I'm ready to submit something. Problem is, I just have questions that aren't in the FAQ section and I'm not sure who to really ask. I went to the editors page and sent a msg to one, but never got a reply back and thought that maybe trying here would work.
I'm no pro, but I feel that my work is ready to be submitted even without going through an editor or proofreader. Problem is, as I said they are pretty lengthy and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to submit the whole thing or just bits and pieces. how long should they be if it is in small bits and how often should I submit if I have to do it that way?
I would love to maybe eventually get something published for real, erotic and non-erotic, but I thought that putting stuff out there using Literotica would give me an idea if I'm any good by reader response. I don't write for anyone but myself. So I think I'm not bad, I just want to see if others think I'm not bad, pretty good, competent, word-smith or a fucking perverted genius! Not really, but I think you get the idea.
Just a little advice if you please, something to help me get started. Thanks

Hi, Lust, and welcome to the AH. This is a good place to polish your writing, and this is the right place to ask questions like the ones you are asking.

I'm not sure what you mean by "lengthy." There are some stories posted here that are full-length novels, but they are usually broken down into chapters. You can do that too, if you prefer, and it will be easier on your readers, but you don't have to. For practical purposes, there is no maximum length, either for a single piece or a chapter.

If you submit in chapters, and you have finished them all, you might as well submit them all on the same day. They will post on consecutive days, assuming they are acceptable, and the first will usually take about three to five days.

There is nothing wrong with being a fucking perverted genius. If somebody here calls you that, consider it to be very high praise.

 

[Darkniciad]

As Box said, it depends upon what you call "lengthy" some consider 10k words lengthy, while others might have stories of 500+k words that are only Book I of a trilogy ( guilty )

A length of 2-3 Lit pages ( a bit over that 10k word mark ) is about the average attention span of the Lit readership, though there are those who won't read something that long, and those who are tickled to see a long, epic tale.

If your story is longer than that ( 2x-3x or more ) you would probably be wise to break it up into chapters, to provide manageable chunks for readers to absorb in one sitting.

How often to post depends. If you have good cliffhangers at the end of chapters, then putting a few days between them is a good way to build suspense, and thus excitement/readership. If not, then posting on a daily basis ( which can be accomplished automatically by submitting all chapters on the same day ) might very well be your best bet.

Regardless, it's always best to have the story complete before you begin posting, in case your muse takes a long vacation without even sending you a postcard. ( guilty )

Your definition of "lengthy" is also going to affect what sort of suggestions we might provide for the potential of finding an editor.

 

[LustinTranslation]

Thanks to Box and Dark for you're replies.

I think one of the issues I have with length is where to stop and submit the parts of my story. I use the Windows .wps format and though I don't know how many words I can fit on the pages, I do know that some of the chapters I have broken it up into can range from just a couple pages to almost 20 pages. Can I send in 20 pages or is that too much and I need to re-arrange it so that the chapters are shorter?

I've never taken a writing class or had any regular instruction other than grade school in writing, but I'm pretty confident that I have done a pretty good job. I love to write and I don't do it often enough.

I'm off work right now due to injuries for a couple months and I thought that right now might be the best time to put something out there. If it did well, then maybe I could start writing again, maybe give me a new look on writing and new ideas. Anything you could help me with is greatly appreciated and I thank you for any advice you have.

 

[Darkniciad]

You can always use this, or something similar:

http://www.wordcounttool.com/

Copy-paste chapters into that and you should have a rough idea of numbers to report, in order for us to offer suggestions. Word processors just vary too widely for "pages" to be any sort of useful number.

 

[lettersaroundmidnight]

Not so new

"Post and be damned" - don't wonder if, don't wonder why, don't wonder when. POST.

POST and something amazing may happen.

POST and you will be taking the first step to being a better writer.

If in doubt POST.

POST and ask questions later.

Oh if you are still in any doubt POST.

Letters Around Midnight

 

[estragon]

Letters Got It Right

The hockey players say "Shoot the puck, it might go in". Or the golfers: "Never up, never in." So POST. But one friendly suggestion (even though it might make a lot more work for me than I'd really like to handle just now): Get a copy editor.

You wrote "couple months", when the correct usage is "couple of months" (partitive genitive, as in "cup of coffee" and "time of day"); you also began a post with "Thanks to Box and Dark for you're replies." No, it should be "Thanks to Box and Dark for your replies." "You're" is a contraction for "you are"; "your" is a possessive adjective--"your house" or "your ass".

Just sayin'.

 

[Boxlicker101]

The hockey players say "Shoot the puck, it might go in". Or the golfers: "Never up, never in." So POST. But one friendly suggestion (even though it might make a lot more work for me than I'd really like to handle just now): Get a copy editor.

You wrote "couple months", when the correct usage is "couple of months" (partitive genitive, as in "cup of coffee" and "time of day"); you also began a post with "Thanks to Box and Dark for you're replies." No, it should be "Thanks to Box and Dark for your replies." "You're" is a contraction for "you are"; "your" is a possessive adjective--"your house" or "your ass".

Just sayin'.

Estragon is right. I didn't mention it, because I never mention mechanical erors on posts, but if you make the same kind in your stories, you do need editing.

You should also have a blank line between paragraphs.

ETA: Go to the editors' forum to find one.

 

[LustinTranslation]

Thanks estragon for pointing out my errors. I do try my best to be as correct as possible in my sentence structure, however as I stated before, I've never had any formal teaching in writing. Although high school was almost 20 years ago, I have retained some things, but just not everything.

I think Letters is right about posting. After thinking about it over and over again and reading what others have posted(I do love reading the stories), I think I've got a pretty good story to put out there that will hopefully be received well. If I don't post, how will I know? So, post I will.

Thanks to those that have and to those that will give me constructive replies and critisism, I hate being told what to do, but I'm sure that most here has more experience than I do, so, thank you in advance.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Thanks estragon for pointing out my errors. I do try my best to be as correct as possible in my sentence structure, however as I stated before, I've never had any formal teaching in writing. Although high school was almost 20 years ago, I have retained some things, but just not everything.

I think Letters is right about posting. After thinking about it over and over again and reading what others have posted(I do love reading the stories), I think I've got a pretty good story to put out there that will hopefully be received well. If I don't post, how will I know? So, post I will.

Thanks to those that have and to those that will give me constructive replies and critisism, I hate being told what to do, but I'm sure that most here has more experience than I do, so, thank you in advance.

That's "Most here have more experience." In the first paragraph, "however" should be preceded by a semi-colon and followed by a comma. In the second paragraph, "hopefully" should be set apart by commas. "Criticism" is the proper spelling.

Clicks heels together and goose steps away.

 

[Itroll]

That's "Most here have more experience." In the first paragraph, "however" should be preceded by a semi-colon and followed by a comma. In the second paragraph, "hopefully" should be set apart by commas. "Criticism" is the proper spelling.

Clicks heels together and goose steps away.

drop---zzzzzzzzzzzzz---zz---panties----yawn

 

[naif]

Hi. New here too so I don't know the answer to your question, but like your name. Was it after the movie Lost in Translation. I loved that about that shy attraction between the younger girl and the older gentleman,

 

[JackLuis]

A couple of years ago I was in the same position.

I posted anyway and was glad I did.

I'd write more, but I'm on a spare laptop that has no "l". I have to c&p all my l's.

 

[LustinTranslation]

Naif- no it doesn't have anything to do with the movie. I just thought it was kinda catchy. It's a porn story site and well, we're writing about lust and love. I just thought it was a neat play on words for a title.

JackLuis- I'm waiting for approval now of the first chapter of my story. I went ahead and added the second chapter, waiting on approval for it as well. When I tried to add the second Chapter, I used the title of the story as I did for the first, but it said I already had a story by that name and had to change it. Is there a way to add the chapters to the original story without having to change the name or add to the name?

I had to add Chapter 2 to the original title to submit it. I guess I'll do it that way for the subsequent chapters. I probably should have submitted the whole story at one time, but I'm still going through it; looking for grammatical errors and consistency in the story. Hopefully I'll have Chapter 3 done tonight or tomorrow and submitted.

Again, thanks to all that have offered up their advice and critiques. I"m learning slowly, but learning.

 

[LustinTranslation]

I've submitted chapter 2 and 3. 2 should be up shortly I hope. Good responses so far. Thanks to those that have posted about what I've written so far. If you would like to read it, it called Jack's Women in the Novels/Novellas.

I know it isn't publishable in book form, so comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks again!

 

[English Lady]

Just positing to say I love your handle, Lustin. Made me smile seeing it.

 

[LustinTranslation]

thanks! i thought it was kinda clever since this site is about lust, passion and fantasy.

For those interested, Chapters 1 and 2 of Jack's Women is up and chapter 3 is pending! Looking to submit chapter 4 in the next day or so.

 

[LustinTranslation]

Chapter 4 has been submitted. Will work diligently to get chapter 5 submitted today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all the feedback good or bad.

 

[LustinTranslation]

Chapter 5 has been submitted. Good comments, which I do appreciate! Couple ideas as to where I could go with it. I did run into a block, I didn't know where to go so I kinda left it alone. It is pretty much done, I can leave it like it is or I could go on with it, throw a few more things into it.

If you have any ideas throw them my way, I'm not above adding them in if I think I can work it!