Short Incest stories with a difference: Advice needed.

[LaRascasse]

I am trying to understand what people want around here.

I have recently posted 2 very short stories (half a Lit page) in the Incest section. The links are below.

A Letter To My Sister
Walking In The Rain

With these stories, I have tried to present Incest with a difference. While the comments have been (largely) nice, the scores have been bad.

Can someone please tell me if something is wrong with the stories as they stand? I am saying this, because I have even more really short stories in my head and would like to do a better job of them. Any help in this regard is much appreciated.

Regards
-LaRascasse

 

[Darkniciad]

The bulk of the incest readers want happily-ever-after endings and graphic sex.

You're hitting a far smaller demographic, which explains the limited number of favorites, views, and score compared to the category at large.

The question you have to ask yourself is whether you're more concerned about generating those numbers, or telling a different story.

 

[LaRascasse]

The bulk of the incest readers want happily-ever-after endings and graphic sex.

You're hitting a far smaller demographic, which explains the limited number of favorites, views, and score compared to the category at large.

The question you have to ask yourself is whether you're more concerned about generating those numbers, or telling a different story.

Does it have to be a choice?

 

[nakdsub]

Don't worry about it...

I have the same problem with my LW stories. I have a small, but loyal, following and get a lot rave reviews every time I post a story, but as you said, my scores are always disappointing.
After studying some of the best LW authors, I think I could write my stories more for the masses and get better scores, but then they wouldn't be my stories.

I think you have to write for yourself, not for the highest score.

I'm presently writing a story that I'm sure, won't make it out of the high 3/s. I've been given advice from other Lit authors on how to write it for higher scores, and I was thinking of doing it, but, in the end, it's my story and I want to write it my way.

Don't worry about the scores, just be the best writer you can be.

Of course, that doesn't mean you won't still be disappointed in the scores.

 

[LaRascasse]

I have the same problem with my LW stories. I have a small, but loyal, following and get a lot rave reviews every time I post a story, but as you said, my scores are always disappointing.
After studying some of the best LW authors, I think I could write my stories more for the masses and get better scores, but then they wouldn't be my stories.

I think you have to write for yourself, not for the highest score.

I'm presently writing a story that I'm sure, won't make it out of the high 3/s. I've been given advice from other Lit authors on how to write it for higher scores, and I was thinking of doing it, but, in the end, it's my story and I want to write it my way.

Don't worry about the scores, just be the best writer you can be.

Of course, that doesn't mean you won't still be disappointed in the scores.

I understand that. I am hoping someone here can tell me how to be more appealing while keeping the style I have described in these two stories.

 

[Etaski]

Your style is more literary and introspective by nature; you prefer depressing/sad endings and tragedy.

There is no way to appeal to the masses while keeping that style. Happy endings, victory, and overcoming obstacles (personal and external) to get what you want tend to lift people up and make them happy they read it...and want to read more of the same.

With erotica involved, it's even more so. If the blood doesn't get pumping, but instead is introspective and sad....well, the reader's figurative erection may go limp.

I'm sorry to say that there isn't a magic formula for what you're asking, but always write the story you want to write. Nakdsub has it right; you're going to have to learn to cope with disappointing scores while writing an authentic voice for yourself.

You can't change the preferences of others, and they are fewer who prefer to read your kind of style. Why do you think the "Bestsellers" lists and the "Literary Prize" winners so rarely coincide in the same book? This is not a new phenomenon. Yes, it does come where it must be a choice.

 

[BonnevilleFlats]

LaRascasse,

Don't get discouraged. First, you are a talented and skilled writer. A good portion of the people posting stories are not. They are people who enjoy erotic fiction and are trying their hand at it but have never bothered to learn the craft or, in some cases, even basic grammar. I have nothing against them giving writing a shot but they are like a beginning guitarist trying his hand at open mike night. They have a long way to go.

Second, you are attempting to write a different kind of story than what appears here. There is nothing wrong with that. But for a while your goal should be picking up a following of readers. Don't worry about that elusive red H or scoring in the 4.50 range. Just follow your vision. Eventually you may be inspired and come up with a story that is both true to your style and vision and that others find wildly erotic. The only way to reach that point is to keep writing and keep posting.

The most popular authors in the incest genre all have very unique aspects to their style and stories. Alwayswantedto is one such writer. His stories are mostly mother and son. There is a build up of tension that is unique to his style. Also, he creates unique characters rather than stock characters. He focuses on the entire family, not just the two parties having the taboo relationship. He either avoids the typical cliches -- A 36 year old sexy mom catches her son masturbating while sniffing her panties on his eighteenth birthday and decides to strip naked for him -- or if he uses a typical scenario there is something fresh, different and unfamiliar about it.

Another suggestion is to look for other writers whose style is off the beaten path. The way to find them is to look in the favorites section of the better author's profiles. The best writers are always on the lookout for something unique and different. They will often champion good writers on this site who do not go over huge with the masses.

 

[R_Percival_Shackleford]

your stories are good, great even.

to the point, however... people want whacking material. some people want romance with the juicy bits, or just the romance is fine. or to be as broad as possible... people want to engage positive emotions, not negative ones. as good as your stories are, they wont do well here if they are so bleak.

the best-cooked steak in the universe wont appeal to someone who wants a salad.

dont be discouraged though... your stories are fantastic. hardly flawless, but they got my cold, apathetic heart feeling some kind of emotion for a few beats, which i can tell you is quite the accomplishment . just remember that the average human isnt looking for quality in their entertainment/art, they are looking for quick and easy. doubly so in this age where the arts are just something to look at between texts and facebook messages.

 

[bernett69]

those were great stories. maybe you need to chat with someone who may have some experience with family fun.

something they may have experienced would add some story ideas.

come say hello anytime

 

[LaRascasse]

Another similar work of mine. Is this any closer to where I should be aiming for?
Moving On

 

[Malkuth Lies]

There are stories out there with tragic endings that do very well... I think, perhaps, a possible compromise that would give you better scores would be to tease the stories out a bit longer. The people looking for just a quick whack story couldn't scroll to the bottom and 1-2 bomb you, then click off... and people in for the longer read are often the ones that really appreciate the depth of emotion you work so hard to achieve.

But ultimately... the votes aren't really reflective of the quality of your writing. There are stories with much higher scores that are a lot worse, the fantasies behind them just appeal to the average reader more, or that otherwise hit on a 'market' of sorts.

Just my two cents, of course.

 

[sr71plt]

You can't change the preferences of others, and they are fewer who prefer to read your kind of style. Why do you think the "Bestsellers" lists and the "Literary Prize" winners so rarely coincide in the same book? This is not a new phenomenon. Yes, it does come where it must be a choice.

This.

Sorry, but Literotica includes enough readers that you should be able to find a good readership for however you write. If that can't be good enough for you, you probably need to find an activity where you can excell to your expectations.

 

[BonnevilleFlats]

I am trying to understand what people want around here.

I have recently posted 2 very short stories (half a Lit page) in the Incest section. The links are below.

A Letter To My Sister
Walking In The Rain

With these stories, I have tried to present Incest with a difference. While the comments have been (largely) nice, the scores have been bad.

Can someone please tell me if something is wrong with the stories as they stand? I am saying this, because I have even more really short stories in my head and would like to do a better job of them. Any help in this regard is much appreciated.

Regards
-LaRascasse

Since I commented on this thread I've posted two stories of my own. They are mother/son incest stories but different from most of what appears here. I wanted to use the sort of restrictions the pulp erotica writers of the 1950's and 1960's were subject to and came up with the idea of writing the story from the point of view of people who knew the mother and son -- neighbors, family members, nurses -- but not from the couple's perspective at all. The second thing I avoided is the "Oh, boy, this is the greatest thing that ever happened to me" tone of many of the stories here and tried to be more realistic. The characters are not admirable. The son is weak while the mother is very manipulative to say the least. In keeping with the 1950's/1960's tone, the mother comes across as a younger, sexier (still living) version of Norman Bates' mom.

Needless to say, the first two chapters didn't score well. Both struggle to stay around the 4.05 range. No red "H" and few comments, though I did get some really nice words from Ahabscribe, one of the more popular writers on this site.

The lesson learned? A writer really has to be true to his or her own vision even if that vision does not correspond to what is popular on this site. I am not saying that my stories are perfect or problem free, just that any story deserves to be considered on their own terms.

If anyone is interested, here are the links to my stories.
http://www.literotica.com/s/our-town
http://www.literotica.com/s/our-town-ch-02

 

[LaRascasse]

Since I commented on this thread I've posted two stories of my own. They are mother/son incest stories but different from most of what appears here. I wanted to use the sort of restrictions the pulp erotica writers of the 1950's and 1960's were subject to and came up with the idea of writing the story from the point of view of people who knew the mother and son -- neighbors, family members, nurses -- but not from the couple's perspective at all. The second thing I avoided is the "Oh, boy, this is the greatest thing that ever happened to me" tone of many of the stories here and tried to be more realistic. The characters are not admirable. The son is weak while the mother is very manipulative to say the least. In keeping with the 1950's/1960's tone, the mother comes across as a younger, sexier (still living) version of Norman Bates' mom.

Needless to say, the first two chapters didn't score well. Both struggle to stay around the 4.05 range. No red "H" and few comments, though I did get some really nice words from Ahabscribe, one of the more popular writers on this site.

The lesson learned? A writer really has to be true to his or her own vision even if that vision does not correspond to what is popular on this site. I am not saying that my stories are perfect or problem free, just that any story deserves to be considered on their own terms.

If anyone is interested, here are the links to my stories.
http://www.literotica.com/s/our-town
http://www.literotica.com/s/our-town-ch-02

I really liked the idea of describing an incestuous relationship from the POV of others. I hope you continue this story.