The Official Authors' Hangout Summer Lovin' Support Thread 2018

[AlwaysHungry]

Lol. It’s been a steady, slow drip of down-votes for the last 2-3 days. They look like 2s or 3s rather than 1-Stars. The most silly, predictable, largely futile part of this game.

One week ago I had 87 votes for an average of 4.63. Now I have 99 votes for an average of 4.45. So it would appear that my luck changed somewhat.

 

[NotWise]

One week ago I had 87 votes for an average of 4.63. Now I have 99 votes for an average of 4.45. So it would appear that my luck changed somewhat.

There's a good chance that your score will be fixed by the sweeps, so wait it out.

Posting in small categories like Mature can produce wildly varying results. If you're lucky you'll get the high side of the swing and not the low. Last year I put both my Summer Lovin' contest entry and my Holiday contest entry into Mature. Never again.

 

[TxRad]

There's a good chance that your score will be fixed by the sweeps, so wait it out.

Posting in small categories like Mature can produce wildly varying results. If you're lucky you'll get the high side of the swing and not the low. Last year I put both my Summer Lovin' contest entry and my Holiday contest entry into Mature. Never again.

Mature has low votes? One of my contest stories is in there with over 700 votes.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Mature has low votes? One of my contest stories is in there with over 700 votes.

I've got one story in Mature with 57k views and just under 900 votes. It's been there since Jan 2017 (Valentine's Day entry). It would've done a lot better in First Time and I vowed after that one not to bother with Mature again. Same experience with Group Sex as a category. My personal experience is the maximum views come from Incest, non-con and First Time.

 

[NotWise]

Mature has low votes? One of my contest stories is in there with over 700 votes.

It's small in terms of the number of posts to the category. From watching my two contest entries, and the stories and comments in the hub, I'd guess that the number of readers devoted to the category is small.

Per its description, the category is supposed to be for spring/autumn relationships, but people also use it to post stories about old couples. Long-time authors who post there describe successful Mature stories as long and romantic, but much of what scores well in the category (at least now) are strokers.

Without a well-defined genre and with wildly varying results across different kinds of stories, I'd guess that many of the people reading Mature stories pick them off the New list, or they're drive-by readers. Unlike I/T, Romance, LW, etc, readers of the category don't control the content.

You can get a good number of votes on stories in the category. With so few posts the stories are visible for a long time -- two weeks, currently. Being in a contest will bring in votes you wouldn't normally get. Name recognition is very helpful.

My first story in Mature stayed under 4.5 as long as it was visible in the hub. I guess to the extent that people do read that hub, they didn't like the story. It rose, and rose quite a bit, after it disappeared from the hub. My second story followed a similar pattern, but never recovered as much. So, like Chloe, I'm not a fan of the category.

 

[HuckPilgrim]

I don't get stroke to qualify a story. I get the imagery, but not the meaning. Does that just mean short and erotic? Is it supposed to be derisive? I guess I don't get it because it takes real talent to write a good short story, but this term seems to only apply to short works, regardless of any other craft elements.

 

[Kethandra]

Mature has low votes? One of my contest stories is in there with over 700 votes.

I wondered about that too. Obviously, results vary, but my second highest scoring story - in both vote totals and score - is my only Mature entry.

Edit: Notwise: I should refresh before replying. Your explanation adds clarity.

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't get stroke to qualify a story. I get the imagery, but not the meaning. Does that just mean short and erotic? Is it supposed to be derisive? I guess I don't get it because it takes real talent to write a good short story, but this term seems to only apply to short works, regardless of any other craft elements.

I think of a stroke story as a short story that skips on buildup, character development, and plot, and focuses just on the sex. It's written with an explicit purpose in mind, as suggested by the term.

 

[Kethandra]

Quote:

I think of a stroke story as a short story that skips on buildup, character development, and plot, and focuses just on the sex. It's written with an explicit purpose in mind, as suggested by the term.

When I’m writing erotica, I usually want the build up, the dialogue and character development all to be ‘stroke-worthy’, no matter how drawn out. I want readers to enjoy the build up to sex, to appreciate the characters, but also to get off on that, rather than just on the physically sexual parts. Usually, my characters themselves are getting aroused and teased long before they actually get any action, and I am writing with the intention that the reader can feel that arousal.
I’m delighted when a reader lets me know they have gotten multiple strokes in on a story with only one actual sex scene.
Maybe I write ‘Multi-Strokers’ or ‘Maxi-Strokers’ {Trademarks Pending} since they are rarely short.

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's small in terms of the number of posts to the category. From watching my two contest entries, and the stories and comments in the hub, I'd guess that the number of readers devoted to the category is small.

And enthusiastic. One of mine did surprisingly well in Mature, receiving the highest number of appreciative comments of any of my stories and a pretty good score overall.

It's a variation on Romance as a category, I think; readers want a good story with well-rounded, believable characters. There are two broad churches, I reckon - stories where age difference is key, and stories where older love is central.

 

[NotWise]

And enthusiastic. One of mine did surprisingly well in Mature, receiving the highest number of appreciative comments of any of my stories and a pretty good score overall.

It's a variation on Romance as a category, I think; readers want a good story with well-rounded, believable characters. There are two broad churches, I reckon - stories where age difference is key, and stories where older love is central.

I've also heard it called a variation of I/T. Take a mom/son or dad/daughter story out of romance, remove the family references, and there you have a Mature story.

If you look at what's scoring well in Mature now (or pretty much any time) there are some long, romantic stories. There are also short stories and chapters that are pure stroke. The category is hard for me to understand, and I've tried.

 

[AlwaysHungry]

I don't get stroke to qualify a story. I get the imagery, but not the meaning. Does that just mean short and erotic? Is it supposed to be derisive? I guess I don't get it because it takes real talent to write a good short story, but this term seems to only apply to short works, regardless of any other craft elements.

It means maximum sex fantasy, minimum plot and character development. In other words, people read it for stroke purposes and would rather not be distracted by literary merit.

 

[KeithD]

Writing a sex act can be just as high in writing quality as writing anything else. It's the balance of elements, not the quality of writing, that identifies a "stroker."

 

[ChloeTzang]

I don't get stroke to qualify a story. I get the imagery, but not the meaning. Does that just mean short and erotic? Is it supposed to be derisive? I guess I don't get it because it takes real talent to write a good short story, but this term seems to only apply to short works, regardless of any other craft elements.

Just enough lead in to get the reader going and then it's full on jerk off to the end. Now me, I have to write one of those just to see how hot I can make it. 3500 words, one lit page, full on from start to finish. Hmmmmm. I'll have to take lessons in succinct minimalism tho. Oh dear. I can do 3500 word intro's before the story even starts. Crap.

 

[SimonDoom]

When I’m writing erotica, I usually want the build up, the dialogue and character development all to be ‘stroke-worthy’, no matter how drawn out. I want readers to enjoy the build up to sex, to appreciate the characters, but also to get off on that, rather than just on the physically sexual parts. Usually, my characters themselves are getting aroused and teased long before they actually get any action, and I am writing with the intention that the reader can feel that arousal.
I’m delighted when a reader lets me know they have gotten multiple strokes in on a story with only one actual sex scene.
Maybe I write ‘Multi-Strokers’ or ‘Maxi-Strokers’ {Trademarks Pending} since they are rarely short.

I agree. In fact the build up and situation rather than mechanics Re what make a story strike worthy for me. But I wouldn't call a story with lots of build up a stroke story. Not how I use the term.

 

[KeithD]

I agree. In fact the build up and situation rather than mechanics Re what make a story strike worthy for me. But I wouldn't call a story with lots of build up a stroke story. Not how I use the term.

I think a stroke story has to deliver a steamy sex act close to the beginning or it's lost its target audience. That doesn't mean it can't be written well or be couched then in a complete plot. You can do a plot in fifty words (as Ogg would tell you, I thin).

 

[NotWise]

I think a stroke story has to deliver a steamy sex act close to the beginning or it's lost its target audience. That doesn't mean it can't be written well or be couched then in a complete plot. You can do a plot in fifty words (as Ogg would tell you, I thin).

Some Lit readers have a patience barrier. If they aren't gratified before they hit the barrier then they're gone. Maybe leaving a 1* vote in their wake. Stroke stories are for those readers.

 

[HuckPilgrim]

Writing a sex act can be just as high in writing quality as writing anything else. It's the balance of elements, not the quality of writing, that identifies a "stroker."

Describe the balance of elements that makes a stroker.

I'm hearing that strokers are short and lacking somehow, and I find that irritating because it takes talent to write a short piece that includes explicit sex and a meaningful character arc or satisfying plot. And I don't say that to take anything away from the true strokers, which I enjoy reading and writing. I'm just saying that just because it's short doesn't mean it's a stroker.

 

[HuckPilgrim]

It means maximum sex fantasy, minimum plot and character development. In other words, people read it for stroke purposes and would rather not be distracted by literary merit.

Here, here! (or is it hear, hear?)

I am with you on this definition.

 

[HuckPilgrim]

I think of a stroke story as a short story that skips on buildup, character development, and plot, and focuses just on the sex. It's written with an explicit purpose in mind, as suggested by the term.

Yup, that's what I think too. Mostly. Does it have to be short?

I've seen long ones that do the same skipping of craft, or maybe it's just that they're long and don't really grab me. Does that make it a stroker? If you write page after page before you get to the explicit sex parts, does that automatically make it build up? or character development or plot? Does the fact that it's an erotic story not mean it's written with "an explicit purpose in mind," no matter the length?

These are just the things I think about when I come to this forum. I'm curious what you think. I'm curious what others think too.

 

[KeithD]

Describe the balance of elements that makes a stroker.

I'm hearing that strokers are short and lacking somehow, and I find that irritating because it takes talent to write a short piece that includes explicit sex and a meaningful character arc or satisfying plot. And I don't say that to take anything away from the true strokers, which I enjoy reading and writing. I'm just saying that just because it's short doesn't mean it's a stroker.

I was referring to the balance of elements in an erotic story--plot, characterization, setting, theme, and, for erotica, sexual arousal. A stroker makes sure it takes care of sexual arousal early enough to engage readers coming for that element being highlighted.

There's nothing in your second paragraph that I haven't posted in the past myself. I haven't posted anything about the story needing to be short to qualify as a stroker. I did post that a plot can be delivered in fifty words--that was to respond to tiresome discussion here about stories with plots or even with sufficient character development having to be three or more Lit. pages. They don't.

 

[KeithD]

Some Lit readers have a patience barrier. If they aren't gratified before they hit the barrier then they're gone.

That's the same point I made on a stroker.

 

[NotWise]

I'm hearing that strokers are short and lacking somehow, and I find that irritating because it takes talent to write a short piece that includes explicit sex and a meaningful character arc or satisfying plot.

Strokers have a value to people who want to read strokers.

I'll submit the idea that it takes even more talent to write a short story that doesn't include explicit sex and still engages the reader. It's been said for a long time now that if you want to write, then maybe you can start with erotica. That's the low-hanging fruit.

 

[KeithD]

"Erotica" and "explicit sex" aren't synonyms. Erotica evokes arousal, I think, and explicit sex delivers the act. I agree that a good erotica story can be written that doesn't go to explicit sex and has a place here. On Literotica I like to see a story at least get as far as erotica, though. This isn't the New Yorker; this is an erotica story site.

 

[Kethandra]

Writing a sex act can be just as high in writing quality as writing anything else. It's the balance of elements, not the quality of writing, that identifies a "stroker."

I agree with you, and a well-written story can be ‘stroke-worthy’ the whole way through.
It seems as though here several authors are using term ‘stroker’ to mean it is written less well, with ‘less craft’ but written for a good wanking. A derogatory term. Like ‘pulp’ as opposed to literary fiction.
A nebulous judgment at best, as poorly crafted writing, even of a sexy subject, can be a real turn off, and therefore less ‘strokable’.
The way i’m seeing others use the term, a story focused exclusively on appealing to prurience but well ‘crafted’ would not deserve the derogatory ‘stroker’ label.


“I can’t define a stroker, but I know one when I read it. Sometimes I read it twice, to be sure.” - United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, from Jerkov vs Wordsworth, 1969