The perfect story, ruins it for the rest?

[verycuriouswriter]

I have found an interesting problem with erotica, whenever I find a better story (for me!) it sort of ups the bar each time, to the point now that I very rarely find anything that interests me.

I've written some stories which have qualities that improve on what I've seen, but that only has made things worse by raising the bar even further.

Or maybe I should say lower the bar. Some people high jump, others like to limbo, right?

 

[irvingsmusings]

I can certainly understand your perspective, particularly if your area of interest is fairly specific. However, I'm continually impressed with the quality and inventiveness of the writing here. There are so many amazingly talented writers here.

As someone who has read here for many years, I've found multiple categories that interest me. Some writers only publish in a couple of categories, so exploring a different category can be a great way to discover new authors. Also, story tags sometimes lead me to an interesting story in an unexpected category.

Anyway, I hope you don't give up on finding something interesting.

 

[Emirus]

There’s no perfect story.

Writers sometimes, quite often, have similar ideas. One idea is a little better than the other but the other is better written. So which is the better story?

One reader thinks a story is okay whereas another reader thinks it’s absolutely marvellous. Which one is right? Probably neither because both readers are different people and have different views. They are looking for different things from the same story.

I’ve read a lot of stories on this site but I’ve never come across, or rated, any I’ve thought perfect. I’ve either liked them or disliked them to different degrees but never compared one with another directly. If you do that there’s no point in reading because why ruin your enjoyment for no reason?

 

[SimonDoom]

I think it's possible to get into a rut as both a reader and a writer. After a while (I find) it gets boring to read exactly the same kind of story over and over, although I know some readers don't feel this way.

The variety of types of stories at Literotica is huge, and one way to maintain interest as a reader is to keep trying new things and developing new tastes.

Another thing to do to find quality stories is to look for older stories, that don't show up on new story lists. Scan the old toplists for top-rated authors and stories and you may find some gems.

 

[SimonDoom]

I should also add that when I think about it I have yet to find the perfect story. There are many excellent ones but I'm always able with moderate diligence to find a new story that accomplishes something the previous story did not.

 

[KeithD]

Since each of us has a different, shifting, and circumstance-separate idea of perfection, I don't think there will be a problem.

 

[AlinaX]

Novelty is key. Sometimes it's nice to re-read a favourite story, but we are always looking for stories that recreate that thrill. Perhaps a similar plot in a different setting, or a similar idea expanded on, etc. There's a reason mainstream authors often work to a formula. And sometimes we just crave something completely new - but not just anything. How, in the forest that is Literotica, do we find the tree we seek? Not easily.

We've had discussions on here in the past about the difference between porn and erotica, and I have come to the conclusion that the essential distinction is seduction. It can certainly be fun and arousing to read (or watch) the raw sexual act - which is itself a challenge to write well and imaginatively - but what really excites us is to be seduced as readers. Erotica allows us to be seduced by having power over others, by breaking taboos, or by surrender to ecstasy, safe from consequence.

Thus our quest becomes ever more challenging: to find something well written, seductive, and with the right kind of novelty.

 

[TN10IC]

I agree with AlinaX: novelty is seductive. I am 67 and I have read a lot of stories in my life it’s easy for me to know what I already like, but the spice and variety of life is discovering what’s new and titillating OUTSIDE of the box

 

[B_Couric]

I have found an interesting problem with erotica, whenever I find a better story (for me!) it sort of ups the bar each time, to the point now that I very rarely find anything that interests me.

I've written some stories which have qualities that improve on what I've seen, but that only has made things worse by raising the bar even further.

Or maybe I should say lower the bar. Some people high jump, others like to limbo, right?

I have a very similar issue, although every once in a while I'll stumble on gems. I think most good writers incorporate ideas and styles into their own writing.

I've found two writing styles that I gravitate toward and emulate.

One is the romantic, detailed story, a slow pace, but every sentence is important to the atmosphere and plot, the words chosen carefully, and the writing may even have a folksy unique style. Most multi-chapter and award winners are written this way.

The other is much more "unbelievable", but magically it doesn't matter. This style is direct and to the point, with little "romance", and instead of wasting time on adjectives and adverbs, the nouns and verbs themselves are right on the money. The feelings and visualizations just come to the reader. You either like the subject matter or you don't, and when you do, woah.

Both make me jealous.

 

[HankDolworth]

The OPs point is why I started writing.

I don’t write like others. I don’t want to write like others.

I’ve recently looked at the Kindle business for writing erotica. To make money - god it sounds boring. Focus on a niche, research to find the blurb, the cover, then write.

It seems all they do is write no more than 45 kindle pages (7k words), 40 of which are slam bam, then slide directly into a mosh pit of whatever.

Lather-rinse-repeat

nah, man.

I like my style. I re-read my own stuff, and like it even more. I’m lucky to have followers that like my creativity, but the process of writing — for me — often outweighs the reading of something else.

NB: that’s not to say I don’t find myself spooling out the same tropes. I stare at the page, and go - I’ve done this before. I hate that.

 

[AahhWhattheHell]

...
As someone who has read here for many years, I've found multiple categories that interest me. Some writers only publish in a couple of categories, so exploring a different category can be a great way to discover new authors. Also, story tags sometimes lead me to an interesting story in an unexpected category. ...

That's why I check out contest winners from time to time. Even if the winners are not in a category I'd not pick on my own I pick up on a quality writers perspective.