Too picky?

[GinaTina]

Hmmm, so I finally "faved" an author on this site that has remarkable stats. When I finally did get around to reading her first few stories I was let down.

I found her characters and stories to be the same one-dimensional tripe as I consider Sherrilyn Kenyon's to be.

I won't name names as that would be entirely rude and catty; but I am left wondering if I am too picky.

I just don't understand why this author is so popular when her writing (in my opinion) is very lackluster.

Does anyone else feel this way about so-called 'popular authors'?

 

[sr71plt]

Sure. Just unfavorite her and keep looking. There are gems here to find that should meet your own sense of "favorite."

 

[oggbashan]

There are also authors that are inconsistent, or experiment. I am guilty of both.

I don't expect anyone to like all my work. People liking one or two is nice though.

 

[PennLady]

Hmmm, so I finally "faved" an author on this site that has remarkable stats. When I finally did get around to reading her first few stories I was let down.

I found her characters and stories to be the same one-dimensional tripe as I consider Sherrilyn Kenyon's to be.

I won't name names as that would be entirely rude and catty; but I am left wondering if I am too picky.

I just don't understand why this author is so popular when her writing (in my opinion) is very lackluster.

Does anyone else feel this way about so-called 'popular authors'?

Sure, we do. There are a number of authors where I read and think, really? They got published? How come I'm not published? I'm better than that! And on Lit, I've often read stories and chapters that are followed by rave reviews and then I wonder if I read the same thing as everyone else.

I think, unfortunately, that there are a lot of readers who just aren't very picky. I'm not sure if it's because they genuinely like the stuff, because it's all that's out there, or because they don't know that they can be picky. I blogged about it a while ago.

It's frustrating but you can only keep writing.

 

[lovecraft68]

Hmmm, so I finally "faved" an author on this site that has remarkable stats. When I finally did get around to reading her first few stories I was let down.

I found her characters and stories to be the same one-dimensional tripe as I consider Sherrilyn Kenyon's to be.

I won't name names as that would be entirely rude and catty; but I am left wondering if I am too picky.

I just don't understand why this author is so popular when her writing (in my opinion) is very lackluster.

Does anyone else feel this way about so-called 'popular authors'?

You also have to take into consideration fan base. Some stories are skewed because most people are clicking off the story but the hardcore fans are giving it 5's so the stat's are inflated.

happens a lot in long chapter series. Like mine

 

[GinaTina]

Hm. Ok, then. Good to know it isn't just me.

And yes, I unfaved her.

Still though, the majority of these stories mainly described physical attributes and what the characters were wearing in excruciating detail; and that seemed to be the main focus. Of course, they were all "beautiful" and "stunning" and "gorgeous" as well.

This may just be my preference, but I cannot stand that sort of thing.


Ugh, just ugh. -_-

 

[SydneyBlake]

So what did I do? I went to my page to see if I'd been unfavorited. Insecure much?

Penn, I've started reading your vampire series, and I love it, btw. We're planning a road trip this weekend, so unless *ahem* somebody gives me something to edit, then I will be reading that! I'm not big into fantasy, but your writing is very compelling.

 

[lovecraft68]

So what did I do? I went to my page to see if I'd been unfavorited. Insecure much?

Penn, I've started reading your vampire series, and I love it, btw. We're planning a road trip this weekend, so unless *ahem* somebody gives me something to edit, then I will be reading that! I'm not big into fantasy, but your writing is very compelling.

Yes mistress.

 

[GinaTina]

Yes mistress.

OooooOOOOooooo... I when the manpanion calls me that.

/tinglechill/

 

[Dazzle1]

I find it true on erotica and non erotica, the so called popular writers are some of the biggest hacks in the non erotic world.

everyone has their own tastes

 

[GinaTina]

I also skimmed through the many comments of this author's stories. Quite a few of them said the same thing.

Not similar; the same exact thing. My conclusion? A shit-load of alts.

/ohsigh/

 

[PennLady]

So what did I do? I went to my page to see if I'd been unfavorited. Insecure much?

Penn, I've started reading your vampire series, and I love it, btw. We're planning a road trip this weekend, so unless *ahem* somebody gives me something to edit, then I will be reading that! I'm not big into fantasy, but your writing is very compelling.

Syd -- thanks. So glad you're enjoying it. I'd love to have your opinion when you've finished. I think that one (assuming you mean Light and the Darkness) is actually less "vampy" than many vamp stories.

 

[PennLady]

I also skimmed through the many comments of this author's stories. Quite a few of them said the same thing.

Not similar; the same exact thing. My conclusion? A shit-load of alts.

/ohsigh/

Actually, I think it's just that the readers aren't very original in their comments. I really can't suspect this author of such underhandness. On the other hand, I can be a terrible optimist.

 

[BONNIEBREA]

Please keep looking. I know they can be a little difficult to find on an erotic story site, but there are authors who try to write believable characters and situations and motivations.

To be honest, when I'm writing I sometimes get a little impatient with writing descriptions of characters involved in sexual activities. I have a much greater interest in figuring out why a character is going to do something, or figuring out how to set up a situation in which one character seeks revenge on another or feels obligated to another, etc.

Also, don't go by ratings. I'm entirely happy with the ratings my stories get, but I don't write with the object in mind of trying go get good ratings. The only time I did any writing with ratings in mind: I posted a story that had a second half written twice - sort of alternate endings - one in which the female was the 'victim' and the other in which the male was the 'victim' - just to see which got higher ratings. Do I really need to tell you which one was more popular? The chapters of the two endings got almost the same number of votes, but the 'female victim' ending was more popular by a full .2 of a rating point.

Anyway, you'll find involving characters and plots if you look, although I should mention that sometimes readers can miss good stories because they automatically reject stories that are in the 'wrong' category and they assume just won't be their 'thing.' I don't know if that's a description of you, but if it is you might consider expanding your horizons a little. (I write that totally understanding that I'm just as guilty - incest stories have an 'ick' factor for me, and I have no interest in celebrity stories or most supernatural stories - I tend to be interested in just ordinary, regular human beings and what makes them do things. But other than those exceptions I'm good with about anything, but I understand that by making those exceptions I'm perhaps missing some good writing).

 

[sr71plt]

Actually, I think it's just that the readers aren't very original in their comments. I really can't suspect this author of such underhandness. On the other hand, I can be a terrible optimist.

If it's one of the three I can think of, no, I just think they have a very, very big kaffee-klatsch going for them. It doesn't necessarily have much to do with the stories at all. Although two of those I'm thinking of sell very well in the market too--so it can be sort of a Twilight club thing--found by lots of readers with very limited-vision likes.

 

[PennLady]

I think there's a fine line with realism and fantasy in romance, even in non-realistic genres like nonhuman. I find that I can't write some of the exaggerated characters that many do whether you're talking physical or emotional traits. It may be because I don't find such overdone alpha traits attractive, for example. I'm not sure. But I find that most times, even if I sit down to write something a little more on the fluffy side, I end up going wait, that's too much, too silly, etc.

A friend of mine said he thinks my "style" is, in fact, that I write stories with more realistic characters than you find in many stories. I think that's good and I hope others enjoy it, b/c mostly I can't write any differently.

 

[TE999]

"No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

H.L. Mencken

 

[SamScribble]

I don’t think any of us should be surprised that some of the writing on Lit is not very good – even some of the writing in relatively highly-rated stories.

My guess is that 90 percent of the readers and probably 50 percent of the writers don’t care about the writing. They’re just looking for a bit of graphic smut.

Also, remember that, within reason, pretty much anyone can get published here. On many other platforms – paper or virtual – a manuscript has to pass through at least one or more of those filters generally known as editors. (Although even that process doesn’t necessarily guarantee a quality end product.)

So, are you being too picky? Not in my opinion. Discerning perhaps. Maybe even a little bit overly-optimistic. But not too picky.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I always sort of assumed you would favorite somebody after reading some of that person's work and enjoying it. Why would you go by reputation. You might read a story because of an author's rep. but you wouldn't favorite him or her unless you liked what you read.

 

[GinaTina]

So all I'd have to do was click on my faves instead of searching them out all over again.


Kinda like a bookmark. I don't actually have a lot of time to read anything, so I like to 'fave' authors who I'd like to eventually check out.

Ya know?

 

[driphoney]

I must be your average hack reader because I enjoy a lot of the top writers. I do, however, wish they could somehow force chapters to become grouped together when a story is complete or has been out 12 months so that more writers could move up and I could "discover" them. Once you move beyond the lists it's a free-for-all, like trying to find a minnow in a bijou. Way more work than I can muster the energy to accomplish.

 

[annanova]

I won't name names as that would be entirely rude and catty; but I am left wondering if I am too picky.

I just don't understand why this author is so popular when her writing (in my opinion) is very lackluster.

Does anyone else feel this way about so-called 'popular authors'?

Life is too short to waste on bad wine, desserts and writing. That's why they're called standards. I say, stick to them, GinaTina. You won't let yourself down.

 

[PennLady]

So all I'd have to do was click on my faves instead of searching them out all over again.

Kinda like a bookmark. I don't actually have a lot of time to read anything, so I like to 'fave' authors who I'd like to eventually check out.

Ya know?

I've done the same thing. Also favorited authors I knew I liked for the same reason -- not wanting to search all the time. It's a reasonable thing to do.

I must be your average hack reader because I enjoy a lot of the top writers. I do, however, wish they could somehow force chapters to become grouped together when a story is complete or has been out 12 months so that more writers could move up and I could "discover" them. Once you move beyond the lists it's a free-for-all, like trying to find a minnow in a bijou. Way more work than I can muster the energy to accomplish.

There's nothing wrong with a lot of the top stories. Gina was just saying, and I have to agree, that in many cases the stories aren't that good. Sometimes it's a good idea but a bad execution, for example, but still. However, even if they grouped chapters, you might not see much movement in the lists. But there is a 30-day list that changes a bit more more frequently, I think. I don't usually bother with the lists at all. If I don't know if/where I am on the lists, I can't be distracted by it.

Life is too short to waste on bad wine, desserts and writing. That's why they're called standards. I say, stick to them, GinaTina. You won't let yourself down.

Absolutely.

 

[Spacefender]

Hmmm, so I finally "faved" an author on this site that has remarkable stats. When I finally did get around to reading her first few stories I was let down.

I found her characters and stories to be the same one-dimensional tripe as I consider Sherrilyn Kenyon's to be.

I won't name names as that would be entirely rude and catty; but I am left wondering if I am too picky.

I just don't understand why this author is so popular when her writing (in my opinion) is very lackluster.

Does anyone else feel this way about so-called 'popular authors'?

I think a lot of stories with great stats here are pretty lackluster. Most readers here are here for a quick wank and aren't terribly interested in plot or characterization. No, I'm not particularly impressed by so-called 'popular authors' here.

It's not that surprising. What percentage of published titles written by professional writers would you say are crap? What percentage of stories written by amateurs and posted on the internet are crap?

See what I'm getting at? Being a popular author on a website devoted to amateur porn doesn't mean squat.

Once upon a time there was a publication put out by Penthouse- Penthouse Forum I think it was called. Allegedly, it was letters written by Penthouse readers who wrote to relate their real life sexual escapades for the purpose of titillating other Penthouse readers. In reality I imagine these 'letters' were all written by the same hack writer. Way too many stories here on Lit read as if they had been written by that guy.

 

[driphoney]

There's nothing wrong with a lot of the top stories. Gina was just saying, and I have to agree, that in many cases the stories aren't that good. Sometimes it's a good idea but a bad execution, for example, but still. However, even if they grouped chapters, you might not see much movement in the lists. But there is a 30-day list that changes a bit more more frequently, I think. I don't usually bother with the lists at all. If I don't know if/where I am on the lists, I can't be distracted by it.

Grouping chapters would still populate the lists with more authors and a greater variety of choices. Most top "sellers" here aren't Pulitzer material or even close, but it does provide a starting place and I think your chances of glomming onto something better--usually at least punctuation-wise--is much greater. I don't think this wide-open, all-comers-accepted web-site ever pretended to be anything but a repository for graphically detailed written porn, so to be able to find anything of a higher level is truly a special event.

To expand on that (as if my opinion matters!) I think that this openness is exactly what attracts creativity and provides a place for unknowns with true talent (along with those with no talent--me!) to display and hone their craft and why we have as much decent material as we do.

But most readers here? Are they looking for quality, for the most part, or just a quick fix? I'm thinking the latter and is why those stories/chapters often (but not always!) end up on top. Camp followers are another reason. But there's nothing wrong with that. Being consistent and developing a fan-base, going beyond this site to increase personal readership ... these aren't bad things.

Which brings me to another ramble, and SR, sort of, brings this up all the time. Quality can be in the eye of the beholder. There seems to be a readership for just about everyone. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean a whole lot of other people aren't and vice-versa. The NY Times bestseller lists are full of books I wouldn't read past page two.

Okay. This has really aided me in my attempt to avoid housework if nothing else, thanks.