Are you a good reader?

[NotWise]

Does being a writer change the way you read?

I used to (long ago, now) read stories on Lit. Since I started posting my own I have a really hard time reading stories. I can't remember any recent event when I grabbed a new story and read it to the end: pacing issues, characterization problems, stereotypes and cliches. I don't know what it is, exactly.

Stories I pick up off from Lit usually don't hold my interest. If I'm reading a friend's story it's different. It's a commitment. If I'm beta reading it's different. It's a commitment. Without the commitment, it's really hard for me to follow a story through.

 

[SamScribble]

Ninety-five percent of the stories here are 'not to my taste' (and my stories are clearly not to the taste of 95 percent of readers). But I have a few favourites.

 

[SimonDoom]

I think it does.

I read stories at Lit for well over 10 years before writing and publishing my first one late last year.

Writing has made me a tougher reader in some ways, in that, because I spend so much time editing and proofing my own stories, I'm more likely to notice spelling and proofing mistakes in other stories. At the same time, I'm more sympathetic to the fact that proofing errors happen, because I make them all the time.

I have a better sense of what I like to read than I did 10 years ago. Back in the day, I would read anything. Now I'm more likely to get 3 paragraphs into a story and realize I don't want to read it and give up on it.

On the other hand, I do enjoy seeing how other authors handle things differently from the way I do. I read more carefully than I did before and I read other authors' works to see if I can learn something from them.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

I absolutely still read Literotica, but what I read has most definitely changed since I started writing... Or more specifically since I started lurking in the AH.

Since the 90s I pretty much just read for the salacious stroke stories. I used to skip over the plot and character development and look for "the good stuff". I'd always thought that was the point of Literotica, and when I decided to try my hand at writing, that's what I decided to write. But when I got into the AH forum, I discovered a cadre of artists who take writing and story telling seriously (mostly) and who have really elevated my tastes in erotica. My eyes were opened to the potential of this site.

I'd like to think my reading is more sophisticated now than it was last year. I've discovered some really amazing talent here, and with each new author I read, I hope to find more.

 

[joelafayette]

.....

 

[YouDidWhut]

I was lurking and reading for well over a decade before I published my first story
last year. I still lurk and read and comment. If I really like it I comment using my author name.

I might look at it differently but getting a compliment from another author is a huge rush.

Just my thoughts.

 

[NotWise]

No, I don't think it changes how I read because I write on here also. But, it is safe to say I read erotica different than anything else. I am way too impatient and skim often. If I jump right to the sex, I probably am doing the author a disservice since it might not be as hot without the backstory. If I love the sex, I might jump back and read from the beginning, but that is rare.

Do me a favor and don't read my stuff.

 

[yukonnights]

My situation has a similar track to a lot of other's above. Probably at this point, I can relate a lot to what NotWise said in the opening post about a commitment to read some stories. Not so much a hard commitment. But in spending more time here on the Forums, I get curious and go read samples of those whose names come up here...or in a few situations a request for an opinion. That alone more than fills my plate for online reading.

But, the recent contest opened another portal to sample styles and categories I never would have. I've been surprised at the range I've read recently. Some I like more than others, but there are those that astound me with their polish and skill. Those exceptional ones are a great treat, and a great learning tool. All combined, I am coming to believe that readers reward the more developed 'literary' works...that's something for me to work toward, I think.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Since starting to write, I have turned into an insufferable elitist, according to my lady love. Am I the only one rolling his eyes at the absolutely flat characterization of Katnip Everbean in the Hunger Games or the frankly ridiculous plot holes in the Harry Potter books? Plot holes, mind you, not adressed by editing, but out-of-book addendums Rowling posts on the Internets? How does that shit sell while I am struggling to find a damn readership with my truly polished and elaborate, painstakingly researched masterpieces?

Hacks, all of them. And don't get me started on movie scripts.

 

[oggbashan]

I tend to agree with the original post.

I find it very difficult now to read other authors' stories on Literotica. As a matter of principle I don't read contest stories before the closing date. I don't want my writing influenced by what other authors are producing.

My ancient studies in English and English Literature were very odd by modern standards. We spent far too long deconstructing works - noting literary conventions, use of literary terms, counting number of similies, recording plot devices etc. It ruined many classic works of literature for me.

I retreated into popular literature as a relief. I read Westerns, Sci-Fi, Detective etc and switched off my critical faculties.

But if I start reading a Lit story with the intention of leaving a comment, my ancient critical training switches back on. I lose any enjoyment of the story and turn into a ferocious grammar freak and academic pedant. I don't even do that to my own stories - and it shows.

So - NO. I am not a good reader. I'd be useless as a Beta-reader or as an editor. The corrections I'd want to suggest would be extensive and make the story unreadable.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I think I'm a reasonably good reader.

Like others, I have become more attuned to author's errors since I started writing myself, and I often stop to think about how I might have written a line or handled a plot point.

But on the other hand, I am more appreciative of good writing when I encounter it.

 

[Halin24]

I don't read as much here on Lit now as I did before I started to write myself, and I've become more critical when I do read. I have a bunch of favorite authors I follow, but I seldom add a new one.

Also, stories I found brilliant before are often more... shall we say ordinary, now. It's weird since I'm not a 'natural' English speaker, but grammar has become a big issue for me even though I'm far from good at it myself. I am aware that some sentences that I find ridiculously bad might actually be correct and I'm simply incompetent, so basically I've become a hypocrite regarding grammar.

I also tend to 're-write' part of the story I read, in my head: 'I would have done it this way...'. That pretty much kills the pleasure of reading...

In my defense I want to say that I never vote on a story if I can't give it 5 stars, or at least 4, and I never comment if I don't have something positive to say.

So no, I'm not a 'good' reader, and honestly I miss being one: it was easier and much more fun when I was!

 

[joelafayette]

.....

 

[NotWise]

Too late. Your stuff is great. No worries.

If we're being honest with how most people probably read on here, you telling me to not read also weeds out just about everyone else too.

Thanks, and yeah, sorry. I know how people read. It's just that it irks me to put so much effort into details then have most readers skim over them. I guess I write mostly for the ones (the few?) who don't.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Does being a writer change the way you read?

I used to (long ago, now) read stories on Lit. Since I started posting my own I have a really hard time reading stories. I can't remember any recent event when I grabbed a new story and read it to the end: pacing issues, characterization problems, stereotypes and cliches. I don't know what it is, exactly.

Stories I pick up off from Lit usually don't hold my interest. If I'm reading a friend's story it's different. It's a commitment. If I'm beta reading it's different. It's a commitment. Without the commitment, it's really hard for me to follow a story through.

For a long time I was just a reader. Then I posted some of my own and I stopped reading stories here. I read some from other places, but not here.

Then just recently I started reading stories here again. Most I couldn't get passed the first page and that was on my phone using the lit app. There are some that I found really good stories, but miss-used words, although they didn't make me stop reading, did bother me...as do my own mistakes of incorrect work usage.

I finished reading a story last night that was very profound and very interesting...although I would have put it in a different category...I read it through. It had an effect on me that I wasn't expecting. It was very good and had few miss-used words in it. I gave it 5 *'s. Then I was shocked to find out it was the last chapter in a multi-chapter story.

Anyway I now check out the new submissions every night before I go to sleep. A lot of good work out there.

 

[FritzWriter]

Does being a writer change the way you read?

My last job we wrote for radio, and there is a different style than text, or books. When writing a feature one must think how the words will sound when read, especially when speaking "special English." A lot of things written can sound clumsy.

So to answer your question, I write as I often speak, which conflicts with some writings. Or as my friend who writes Novellas would say, you write and talk funny.

 

[lovecraft68]

Thank you for this. I don't feel so bad now.

Since I was old enough to start getting an allowance until I began writing nine years ago I read voraciously. I remember in my teens going to a used book store, buying three paperbacks and being back the next week for three more.

I have hundreds of paperbacks packed away in boxes and have given away or traded just as many over the years. On a good Saturday I'd read a 400+ page novel.

Since I started writing? I'm lucky I can make it through a short story. I lose focus easily or worse I start either applying my ideas to what I'm reading or think about the characters I''m reading interacting with mine.

I came to decide that Maybe its a case of spending thirty years storing up words, ideas and imagery and now spending all my time expelling it in the form of my ideas etc...

I miss reading though. Here and there if its a book I'd read many times in the past I can hang in there for a little while because I don't need as much focus, but even then it doesn't last long before I give up.

 

[PuckIt]

Thank you for this. I don't feel so bad now.

Since I was old enough to start getting an allowance until I began writing nine years ago I read voraciously. I remember in my teens going to a used book store, buying three paperbacks and being back the next week for three more.

I have hundreds of paperbacks packed away in boxes and have given away or traded just as many over the years. On a good Saturday I'd read a 400+ page novel.

Since I started writing? I'm lucky I can make it through a short story. I lose focus easily or worse I start either applying my ideas to what I'm reading or think about the characters I''m reading interacting with mine.

I came to decide that Maybe its a case of spending thirty years storing up words, ideas and imagery and now spending all my time expelling it in the form of my ideas etc...

I miss reading though. Here and there if its a book I'd read many times in the past I can hang in there for a little while because I don't need as much focus, but even then it doesn't last long before I give up.

For some reason, it always worries me when you reveal another similarity we have in common.

Honestly, I typically only manage to read anymore when I'm forcing myself to take a break from my own dubious efforts. And then I find myself looking for techniques to blatantly steal from authors favorited before I fell off the writing addiction wagon.

Except for IncomingPornDuck's freaking world building anthology. I gave up on that level of monumental effort a decade ago. (And, sorry, IPD. But, I still have no freaking clue just who the interspersed note fragments are from or to. I'll have to reread sometime when I have a whole stinking month free.)

However, I have made myself a promise that I will find three new authors to rip of-... er, I mean I actively enjoy before I start up my next "project from hell."

 

[ChloeTzang]

Does being a writer change the way you read?

Hugely. Now I'm always looking at writing techniques, wording, plot, character arcs, interesting phrasing, ideas. It has to be a really good story on LIT to hold me all the way through.

I'm also reading a lot more off of LIT as research, like for writing "Fields of Gold." I have about 50 books next to my desk on things I've never dreamt of reading - the Marines, Apaches, West Point, Afghanistan, etc etc etc. Raiding the big guy's military fiction and non-fiction. It's fascinating and not at all what I usually read. Doing the same thing for an erotic science fiction novel I'm about to start as well. Reading a lot of old Robert Heinlein and looking at how he writes rather than just for the story. Going to change my name to Roberta Tzang shortly

 

[ausfet]

I started off doing what LoquiSordidaAdMe did - look for the hot and steamy sex - and while I still like those stories, if I'm enjoying a story with a plot and character development I do as per Blind_Justice and skip the sex.

I rarely vote, let alone comment and I read 6-12 stories a week so yeah, I'm probably a shitty reader.

 

[NotWise]

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I don't read the sex. If the sex comes early in the story then that means I don't read much at all. I'm already gone.

If there's a narrative introduction (especially in first person) then it needs to be damned good, otherwise I've already decided that the pace is flat.

Any story that looks like it has an overused setup? I'm gone.

I think I need tension and confrontation at the start of a story or I'm distracted by shiny objects.

I don't think most readers respond that way. That's a good thing. I'm just a bad reader.

 

[Sammael Bard]

Being a writer has made me more critical of stories on Literotica. As a reader, I'm more selective of what I read.

I can't go through 90% of the stories here without pointing out one mistake or the other. I used to run feedback threads but I closed them down when I realised my critiques would do more damage than help. People write here for fun and that's the way it should be. They don't need a pompous asshole telling them what they should or shouldn't do.

 

[NotWise]

I used to run feedback threads but I closed them down when I realised my critiques would do more damage than help. People write here for fun and that's the way it should be. They don't need a pompous asshole telling them what they should or shouldn't do.

But I liked your pompous asshole feedback threads! O'course you weren't talking about my stories.

 

[Kantarii]

I started out as a reader on Lit. I probably read hundreds of stories searching for ones of interest to me. Unable to find them, I decide to become a member and start writing the kinds of stories I found difficult to find on the site. Once I started posting stories, I stopped reading other peoples stories just to keep from being influenced by their style until I found my own.
Kant

 

[lovecraft68]

Being a writer has made me more critical of stories on Literotica. As a reader, I'm more selective of what I read.

I can't go through 90% of the stories here without pointing out one mistake or the other. I used to run feedback threads but I closed them down when I realised my critiques would do more damage than help. People write here for fun and that's the way it should be. They don't need a pompous asshole telling them what they should or shouldn't do.

I've always done this with movies more than books, but its increased since I've stated writing, especially the last couple of years when I've been working on full length novels.

Anything that contradicts something previously mentioned stands out to me and I'm always caught up in the "why the hell wouldn't they just..."

That's when the wife answers "Because then there wouldn't be a movie."

Best example ever.....where the hell were the eagles from the Hobbit during Lord of the Rings? Fly over Morder and plunk the ring into the fire lake.

No, let's stroll across all of war torn middle Earth!