The official Authors' Hangout Halloween 2020 contest Support Thread

Why the minimalist story index?

Does anyone know the site rationale for why the Halloween story index page is designed like that? As opposed to one of the regular hub pages that show the brief summary, ratings, number of comments?

I can sort of imagine that it's an attempt to keep the playing field "level," so you can't see how the stories are doing along the way (unless you dig deeper into the site).

I guess I'll just go with that explanation, unless someone knows different?
 
No, don't know. It's always been that way. The major rationale for not showing the rating is that that would increase the illegitimate voting jockeying, which is already quite active enough. I wish it gave the category, if just as a reader courtesy, but it doesn't.
 
Does anyone know the site rationale for why the Halloween story index page is designed like that? As opposed to one of the regular hub pages that show the brief summary, ratings, number of comments?

I can sort of imagine that it's an attempt to keep the playing field "level," so you can't see how the stories are doing along the way (unless you dig deeper into the site).

I guess I'll just go with that explanation, unless someone knows different?

Yes, I suspect you are right. Since it's a contest they don't want potential readers to be too influenced by preexisting information, like scores and vote totals. But like KeithD I think it would make sense at least to provide category information, because so many readers simply will not read certain categories.
 
Yes, I suspect you are right. Since it's a contest they don't want potential readers to be too influenced by preexisting information, like scores and vote totals. But like KeithD I think it would make sense at least to provide category information, because so many readers simply will not read certain categories.

The reader can see the category as soon as they open a story. They can choose to read or leave and even if they leave it only takes them two clicks and the story gets a view.
 
The reader can see the category as soon as they open a story. They can choose to read or leave and even if they leave it only takes them two clicks and the story gets a view.

Hmm. Suddenly this looks like an interesting and useful approach. I bet it gets readers reading outside their category comfort zone. I know that I am - one of my favorites was in Group, a category I had never explored at all. Plus that point about views is a good one. I've seen people remarking on how the contest entries tend to get more views, and now I see one of the reasons why.

Thanks for your response, I hadn't thought of this.
 
The reader can see the category as soon as they open a story. They can choose to read or leave and even if they leave it only takes them two clicks and the story gets a view.

I realize that, but the information provided is so skimpy that it's hard to know what to select when you are confronted with a list of dozens of stories. Titles usually don't tell me much that is useful. With contest story lists, I usually only have time to read a few so I pick those by authors I already know and like, so contests don't do much to introduce me to new authors.

One always has to assume that Internet users have the attention span of mayflies with ADD, and things should be set up accordingly.
 
Would anyone be willing to proof read my story please? I am dyslexic and terrible at that kind of thing, after a while everything looks like an error 🙈
 
Would anyone be willing to proof read my story please? I am dyslexic and terrible at that kind of thing, after a while everything looks like an error 🙈

No problems. I've got a bit of time. PM me and I'll send you my email.

- You'll need to turn on PM's in your user CP up the top left.
 
Not enough?

..
Is there a minimum word count on this thing?

I feel like a more proper set-up is required for this particular event. 1,000 or 2,000 words almost seems like how long it would take just to establish the main characters and just what amorous goods they actually pick up, must less the sexy times.

But that's just me.
 
I feel like a more proper set-up is required for this particular event. 1,000 or 2,000 words almost seems like how long it would take just to establish the main characters and just what amorous goods they actually pick up, must less the sexy times.

But that's just me.

No, I'm with you. I've just started an AG story and I'm up to 1000 words. My MC has just got to the store...
 
Thanks to the advice I received earlier from this thread, I got my ass in gear and finished my first erotic story and contest entry:
https://literotica.com/s/the-halloween-skits
Feels good to have finished something.

The concept is almost a writing prompt: Party guests enter a contest and perform a sexy improv skit inspired by the costume they wore to the party.

I had fun brainstorming a bunch of scenarios and then it pretty much wrote itself. Schoolgirl and principal, cop and prisoner, Adam and Eve, etc. Thought I'd share the idea to see if it inspired any other writers. :)

Thanks for the earlier advice / nudge!
 
The concept is almost a writing prompt: Party guests enter a contest and perform a sexy improv skit inspired by the costume they wore to the party.

Damn. That's a good pitch. Got me clicking through. Now let's see if it's any good ; )

Good luck with the contest.
 
750 words. The standard minimum for any prose submission.
..
Ah, thanks, never paid any attention. I dropped mine 4800 or so. There was more there but time was slipping, so there. My first contest. I hope they like it.
 
Arghh! I have a story with a very good start, a decent-enough plot and a couple of good solid erotic scenes, but now it’s meandered out of control, wandering around like a drunk duck.

I like the first bit and I’m quite happy with the already-written ending, but the One Single Page joining the Middle and the End has somehow metastasized into about eight pages of the literary equivalent of a tuba-and-drum duet, none of them having a shred of literary merit, let alone moving the story forward.

And if my screen gives me any more guff about my fingers being at fault, I’m going to turn it into a serving tray.

Oh, yeah, and just for good measure, it’s snowing. :mad:
 
Now I have three posted as oggbashan and one as jeanne_d_artois and two more in progress...
 
Thanks to the advice I received earlier from this thread, I got my ass in gear and finished my first erotic story and contest entry:
https://literotica.com/s/the-halloween-skits
Feels good to have finished something.

The concept is almost a writing prompt: Party guests enter a contest and perform a sexy improv skit inspired by the costume they wore to the party.

I had fun brainstorming a bunch of scenarios and then it pretty much wrote itself. Schoolgirl and principal, cop and prisoner, Adam and Eve, etc. Thought I'd share the idea to see if it inspired any other writers. :)

Thanks for the earlier advice / nudge!

21 thousand words is impressive for a debut. Based on the length and score, it looks like it could win. Nice job.
 
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