I had to submit my first story three times before it was approved. Why ? Because I didn't pay attention to the instructions. Honestly, the first draft was terrible. After it was rejected I re-wrote it and paid close attention to punctuation. The second time I submitted it I had double spaced something in almost every other sentence. Finally I carefully read the reason for rejection and then edited accordingly. Save yourself a lot of aggravation and do it right the first time. As they say, "If all else fails read the instructions." Believe me you will still make a few mistakes but everyone does,even the best writers.
Some Advice to Newbies
- Thread starter Ezrollin
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BuckyDuckman
Literotica Guru
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Finding a volunteer editor helps, too. Dig around and you'll find instructions for how to do that if you don't already have a beta reader.
Kantarii
I'm Not A Bitch!
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- May 9, 2016
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When I first started posting on Lit, I felt like the instructions were wrote in Greek with a Chinese Translation. I almost gave up posting my first story and going else where to post my stories. Kinda glad I stuck it out and stayed. I would have missed out on all this drama drama around here that generates some interesting story ideas.... Haha
Kant
Kant
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SecondCircle
Sin Cara
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I would say just keep reading, and just keep writing. Usually you'll find your own way.
IvyMarquis
Experienced
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Seconding an editor.
Only, however, if that editor is not afraid to tell you like it is. Someone who coddles you isn't going to help. Nor should you seek out someone who tears you a new one over every little thing.
The person who edited IMBM wasn't at all mean, and helped me significantly (even pointed out a thing or two that not only went over my head, but as-is were taking Theo in the opposite direction of what I was wanting for his character). They were laying into me about some punctuation to a degree that after a while, they simply marked one of the errors with a '
'. To this day I still find it amusing, and am grateful for them putting up with me and helping whipping that damn story into as much shape as is possible given the circumstances.
Only, however, if that editor is not afraid to tell you like it is. Someone who coddles you isn't going to help. Nor should you seek out someone who tears you a new one over every little thing.
The person who edited IMBM wasn't at all mean, and helped me significantly (even pointed out a thing or two that not only went over my head, but as-is were taking Theo in the opposite direction of what I was wanting for his character). They were laying into me about some punctuation to a degree that after a while, they simply marked one of the errors with a '
'. To this day I still find it amusing, and am grateful for them putting up with me and helping whipping that damn story into as much shape as is possible given the circumstances.
NOIRTRASH
Literotica Guru
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I don't use editors.
In his book, SOPHIE'S CHOICE, opens with a scene where an editor rejects an author whose book becomes a colossal best seller. The editor loses his job. This scene pretty much expresses my esteem for all editors. IF YOU CANT, EDIT.
Learn to edit.
In his book, SOPHIE'S CHOICE, opens with a scene where an editor rejects an author whose book becomes a colossal best seller. The editor loses his job. This scene pretty much expresses my esteem for all editors. IF YOU CANT, EDIT.
Learn to edit.
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
- Posts
- 56,017
The simple way to submit a story:
Copy and Paste the text of your story into the submissions box. Use Preview to see how it will appear when posted.
That gives you the opportunity to see odd line spacing and to go back, correct, Preview again, and repeat until you get it right.
For bold or italic - put these in where you want them AFTER you have copy and pasted:
Bold <b> ended with </b>
Italic <i> ended with </i>
Copy and Paste the text of your story into the submissions box. Use Preview to see how it will appear when posted.
That gives you the opportunity to see odd line spacing and to go back, correct, Preview again, and repeat until you get it right.
For bold or italic - put these in where you want them AFTER you have copy and pasted:
Bold <b> ended with </b>
Italic <i> ended with </i>
MayorReynolds
Appropriate Length
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
- Posts
- 441
The first time I submitted a story to Lit it was rejected because I tried to attach a file as opposed to copy/pasting the text. It got garbled on the other end. The doc might have been Word '97 or .odt, but anyway, second time it got through fine.
Then I found out about the trolls who sit around waiting for first time submitters. Whee!
I remember going through the editor list. Picked out two, I think. One didn't respond. The other said they were overbooked and could possibly get back to me after winter was over. I didn't want to wait that long so I submitted my story, throwing caution to the wind. I haven't tried an editor since. I go by my gut, and when I screw up I learn from it.
Then I found out about the trolls who sit around waiting for first time submitters. Whee!
I remember going through the editor list. Picked out two, I think. One didn't respond. The other said they were overbooked and could possibly get back to me after winter was over. I didn't want to wait that long so I submitted my story, throwing caution to the wind. I haven't tried an editor since. I go by my gut, and when I screw up I learn from it.
lovecraft68
Bad Doggie
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2009
- Posts
- 45,686
My first story was rejected twice.
I never was able to make sense of any of the vague instructions and reached out to a writer here I was a fan of. I got lucky in the sense he not only responded but offered to look at the story and do some light editing, but mostly explain what was wrong and what the site needed me to do.
So here's to you Paco Fear for unleashing me on lit six years ago.
I apologize in advance for the hate mail this will earn you.
I never was able to make sense of any of the vague instructions and reached out to a writer here I was a fan of. I got lucky in the sense he not only responded but offered to look at the story and do some light editing, but mostly explain what was wrong and what the site needed me to do.
So here's to you Paco Fear for unleashing me on lit six years ago.
I apologize in advance for the hate mail this will earn you.
When I first started posting on Lit, I felt like the instructions were write in Greek with a Chinese Translation. I almost gave up posting my first story and going else where to post my stories. Kinda glad I stuck it out and stayed. I would have missed out on all this drama drama around here that generates some interesting story ideas.... Haha
I read writer's resources several times and didn't see anything about spacing. Someone posted that info. on the bulletin board for me. Did I miss it under writers resources ? Now I feel more confident I will try some a little more detailed with at least a couple of pages. Writing is learning process and I'm sure even the best writers on here have improved as they progressed.
Yes, that would help but I honestly think that anyone that can write a story worth reading can learn to do there own editing. Using a grammar app. spell-check is a big help.
TxRad
Dirty Old Man
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Posts
- 45,152
I cringe when i go back and look at my early stuff.
Grammar apps for the most part are not designed with fiction in mind. Spell check catches misspelled words but not the wrong words spelled correctly. A second pair of eyes are great, an editor with experience, even better.
Go to the Editor's forum. There is a list of editors available each month. Try there or post a thread explaining what category, what you need done, how long the story is, and so forth.
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Seconding an editor.
Only, however, if that editor is not afraid to tell you like it is. Someone who coddles you isn't going to help. Nor should you seek out someone who tears you a new one over every little thing.
The person who edited IMBM wasn't at all mean, and helped me significantly (even pointed out a thing or two that not only went over my head, but as-is were taking Theo in the opposite direction of what I was wanting for his character). They were laying into me about some punctuation to a degree that after a while, they simply marked one of the errors with a '
I agree, constructive criticism is great. I already know that my stories need to be longer with more development. My first was just to "get the feel". Now, I have the confidence to write a longer more developed story. My grammar or punctuation will never be perfect but then neither is that of some of the better writers here.
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I think you're right, if you write it learn to edit it. Even some of the best writers on here have some minor errors but still have great stories. Writing is helping re-educate me and I welcome it.
I have and app that lets me upload the text. Unfortunately I uploaded the rough draft and didn't preview it. From now on I will follow directions!
Yes, I could have probably avoided a lot of misery if I had previewed it like instructed. When the head is dumb the body suffers !
I read the Writers Resources but missed the part about spacing etc. Some one brought that to my attention. I need to go back and read all my post so that I can thank that person.
I cringe when i go back and look at my early stuff.
Grammar apps for the most part are not designed with fiction in mind. Spell check catches misspelled words but not the wrong words spelled correctly. A second pair of eyes are great, an editor with experience, even better.
Go to the Editor's forum. There is a list of editors available each month. Try there or post a thread explaining what category, what you need done, how long the story is, and so forth.
I'm using the free version of Grammarly. I use it for a spell check and punctuation. I ignore the rest but occasionally it will point out something that I could improve on.
