Author chatter

[Nathan_Brazil]

I almost called it 'inane chatter'.

I'm curious if anyone else feels this way...

Some of the authors here tend to write perky, chatty comments to their readers directly before (or immediately after) their chapters. I'll be honest; it drives me crazy. It wrecks my ability to fall into the fictional world of the characters, especially if the storyline is in a dark moment.

I'm reading a novel-length story now that was written over a year or so... And the author merrily posts hints of what she's going to write after each chapter... Even going as far as typing 'tee-hee'.

I mean... Argh!

 

[sr71plt]

Probably not a series I'd read, if I read series here. I would assume that the style translated over into the story content.

 

[lovecraft68]

I write authors notes for most of mine, but I don't generally give anything away.

I'll also never be in danger of being called perky.

 

[NotWise]

I'm reading a novel-length story now that was written over a year or so... And the author merrily posts hints of what she's going to write after each chapter... Even going as far as typing 'tee-hee'

Best not to read the comments then. That is optional behavior.

 

[lovecraft68]

I think the comments are probably more annoying if reading a series already completes so you're doing them in rapid fire. If they are read as the story is written there is time in between that most likely makes them less annoying.

 

[CeasarBoobage]

Comments are a good way to let people know elements of the story that don't follow the category (ex: in the LW section, but contains NonCon, gay, or violence). Others leave footers asking readers to comment and vote. But giggles? No thanks.

I think the warnings and requests are a good thing though. When I dodn't want to risk messing up the story for myself, I skip it and go to the part where the story starts.

 

[sr71plt]

Others leave footers asking readers to comment and vote.

That turns me off and I'd probably not read the author again. Sounds too needy for me.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

The comments are rarely a problem; it's the headers and footers that annoy me. Since they are in the body of the piece, it is hard to know that... Oh yeah, I don't want to read this.. Without, you know...actually reading it.

I dont want to sound like a complete killjoy here. I know that the authors that do this are trying to share their joy...but geez, it's like whiplash. Story building, story building, love, sex, drama.... Tee hee! Vote for me!

Ugh.

Add a comment. For all that is holy; put your notes to your readers in the comments section!

 

[le_kitty]

I love reading author notes Perky, chattier or insightful the better.

 

[sr71plt]

I love reading author notes Perky, chattier or insightful the better.

Just more evidence that the variety of readers here is vast and just to do it as you like it yourself as an author and stop trying to find the "answer" to pleasing everyone.

 

[GoldenCojones]

Some of the authors here tend to write perky, chatty comments to their readers directly before (or immediately after) their chapters.
...
I'm reading a novel-length story now that was written over a year or so... And the author merrily posts hints of what she's going to write after each chapter... Even going as far as typing 'tee-hee'.
...

What a cool idea! Why didn't I think of that. Tee-Hee, it is from now on.

So, more seriously, how is the best way to put comments at the first of your story. Are there tags you can use to change the font / style so that people know this is a comment?

And if Manu or Laurel is reading this, maybe it would be nice for our readers if the "Story Tags" section was moved to the very top somewhere so that if anal sex is a turn off for me, I can click out without actually having to read it. Just a thought.

 

[sr71plt]

And if Manu or Laurel is reading this, maybe it would be nice for our readers if the "Story Tags" section was moved to the very top somewhere so that if anal sex is a turn off for me, I can click out without actually having to read it. Just a thought.

Not that that hasn't been included in suggestions for at least a decade.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

I love reading author notes Perky, chattier or insightful the better.

Heh!

Ugh!

(Shoots self)

 

[rjordan]

So, more seriously, how is the best way to put comments at the first of your story. Are there tags you can use to change the font / style so that people know this is a comment?

I use something like this either at the beginning or end depending on whether they should know the information before reading or after as a sort of epilogue.

Author's Note: This is something you need to know.

I don't do it often. I did it at the beginning of a Chapter 2 several years after Chapter 1 which was not intended to have a sequel. I thought I should warn readers that they won't know what the hell is going on if they don't read Chapter 1.

I did it another time in a story to credit Sheryl Crow who cowrote the lyric the story was loosely based on (All I Wanna Do, Tuesday Night Music Club album).

I comment in the Comments section occasionally after the comments die down. If there were questions about a sequel, I might answer that in a comment. I rarely justify my reasons for doing whatever I did in the story. I get occasional comments that my stories don't end. It's my fucking story. I ended it where I thought it should end, so that's the end.

rj

 

[sr71plt]

I get occasional comments that my stories don't end. It's my fucking story. I ended it where I thought it should end, so that's the end.

rj

Amen. A whole lot of readers here don't have a clue what constitutes a story either. An anomaly function at Lit., I think, of no wordage limits being set and verbose stories being rewarded in the ratings.

 

[Over_Red]

I tend to leave an "Author's Note" when I feel I have something important to tell people, but I never comment about the plot or foreshadow anything. I think that's best saved for the actual story.

For example, I knew that my story would involve long stretches without any erotic scenes, so I note that at the top of the first chapter. I'd seen other authors set that precedent and it seemed like a polite thing to do.

In any case, do what you want. I think notes are fine as long as you cut to the chase. I also italicize it to help separate it from the body of the story.

 

[sr71plt]

For a series, I'll include a note saying how many segments there are and by when the last one will post (which assures them the series has been finished before posting and won't take years to read). I rarely note anything beyond that. I write for adults who can take responsibility for themselves, realize they are on a porn site, and don't need babysitting. If the others want to be offended, tough. I think they probably shouldn't be on a site like this in the first place.

 

[NaokoSmith]

So, more seriously, how is the best way to put comments at the first of your story. Are there tags you can use to change the font / style so that people know this is a comment?

And if Manu or Laurel is reading this, maybe it would be nice for our readers if the "Story Tags" section was moved to the very top somewhere so that if anal sex is a turn off for me, I can click out without actually having to read it. Just a thought.

Tee hee hee! I am going to say something now about tags, guys. I know I missed it out in my last post - thanks for all your comments and feedback on that. I really appreciate it, and as you can see, take all your suggestions on board. (Incestuous mermaid Christmas special coming soon! thanks to the commentator who suggested I include such a character in my otherwise realist First Time story set in a Valentine's disco. Tee hee!) I love you all! tee hee hee.

Yes, GC, you can put html tags in at the start or even during your story to make words into italics and bold.
<i> put your word here </i> for italics
<b> put your word here </b> for bold

An idle rumour in the How Tos says you can do this for centring too, but you can't. I tried it and it just came out in the text saying "<center> my thing I wanted centred </center>".

My vote goes for putting tags up at the top of the story too.

 

[RejectReality]

Uhm... It's not an idle rumor. Center has always been one of the tags you could use.

https://www.literotica.com/s/lst3k-ep-08-the-fandom-menace

Unless things have changed and Laurel hasn't said anything, it should work. So does <blockquote>

 

[NaokoSmith]

Uhm... It's not an idle rumor. Center has always been one of the tags you could use.

https://www.literotica.com/s/lst3k-ep-08-the-fandom-menace

Unless things have changed and Laurel hasn't said anything, it should work. So does <blockquote>

I did try it in a story and it didn't come out centred. But of course, it is just possible that I spelt it 'centre', LOL. I will give it another go.


(Tee hee!)

 

[jsmiam]

....I mean... Argh!

Quite possibly, you've officially absorbed enough grumpiness from all of us here on the forum, that you're now officially a member of the bungalow, where authors get together to obsessively bemoan and complain about minutiae?

Up-front author's notes are almost a necessity if the story has a surprise twist that might alienate the category sensitive lot. Suppose a seemingly conventional romance story ends up that the protagonists are actually gay vampire white-trash siblings who like Non-Consent and time travel to properly researched historic settings, where they only seek out condom users or rugby players as their victims? (There... I officially offended everyone... ) That would get you blasted out of the water with one-bombs, but an author's note would help steer many of the readers who wouldn't care for the ending to their back key after reading one short author's note.

And it's even been discussed here to prod people to leave a comment with a closing author's note. That one's not my style, but if an author does it, I can mostly try to overlook it.

I think most agree, use only when necessary and keep them as short as possible. Can you anonymize the notes in question a bit and post them?

EDITED: Remedied noteworthy omissions to the offend everyone comment.

 

[lovecraft68]

where authors get together to obsessively bemoan and complain about minutiae?

I vote for this to replace the current AH description on the main forum page

 

[oggbashan]

I use Author's Notes at the start of a story if it is part of a series e.g. my Silverbridge Chronicles (which someday I must sort out and number in reading order) but I parodied them in:

https://www.literotica.com/s/the-worst-chain-story-ever-ch-01

 

[lovecraft68]

I use something like this either at the beginning or end depending on whether they should know the information before reading or after as a sort of epilogue.

Author's Note: This is something you need to know.

I don't do it often. I did it at the beginning of a Chapter 2 several years after Chapter 1 which was not intended to have a sequel. I thought I should warn readers that they won't know what the hell is going on if they don't read Chapter 1.

I did it another time in a story to credit Sheryl Crow who cowrote the lyric the story was loosely based on (All I Wanna Do, Tuesday Night Music Club album).

I comment in the Comments section occasionally after the comments die down. If there were questions about a sequel, I might answer that in a comment. I rarely justify my reasons for doing whatever I did in the story. I get occasional comments that my stories don't end. It's my fucking story. I ended it where I thought it should end, so that's the end.

rj

They never get enough. I had a fifty chapter series here and people kept asking for more. I suppose its a compliment that they do, but that's how a story gets crappy, when an author decides to listen to the readers and keeps pushing and watering down a story that's run its course.

I frustrate that type of reader because except for the long series which I knew from the start would be that long, I am a thrill of the kill writer. Once I get the two characters (or three on occasions) together, once they have broken the ice, had thir fun stated their feelings, I am off to the next one, I lose interest.

I have seen two kinds of series here. The ones where every chapter moves the plot along and I will continue to read those. But I have seen far too many where each chapter is just another sex scene. Chapter Two....Bill and Sharon play in the pool, chapter three Sharon takes it in the ass, Chapter four, Molly joins in...at that point its a series of penthouse letters with recurring characters

But the fans will eat it up....

 

[jsmiam]

@Ogg - My apologies! I inadvertently left you out of my "offend everyone" comment in my earlier post. I made several corrections.