What elements really make a story stand out for you (in a good way)?

[WhoNeedsAUsername]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

For me there are three:

1. An element of realism. Yes, I know, this site is all about fantasy but I still want at least SOME realism in the stories. A lot of times it takes me out of the story if suddenly all the characters are nymphos who are ready to go with no prior hints of interest.
2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.
3. A bit of a slow burn. Having some build up prior to the "action" really makes the final destination that much hotter in my opinion.

 

[Rob_Howard]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

For me there are three:

1. An element of realism. Yes, I know, this site is all about fantasy but I still want at least SOME realism in the stories. A lot of times it takes me out of the story if suddenly all the characters are nymphos who are ready to go with no prior hints of interest.
2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.
3. A bit of a slow burn. Having some build up prior to the "action" really makes the final destination that much hotter in my opinion.

In addition to the points you have mentioned, I like a story with an element of surprise.

There is an E&V story in my favourites that I have read dozens of times, in which a closeted exhibitionist is pressurised into lowering her pants and get a spanking in front of her coworkers in her own birthday party. The whole narration till that point is a slow burn. It takes almost one and a half Literotica page to reach that point and the reader has no clue that the main character is an exhibitionist. The only clue the reader gets is that she is worried that her friend from university might show up in the party and make her get her usual birthday spanking, which of course she is hesitant to get in front of her colleagues. That's a real turn on for me.

There are similar stories in which the main character is not shown to be horny/exhibitionist or having a particular kink, right from the first line or first paragraph. But slowly the story reaches a point where the character loses control of himself/herself and eventually gets indulged into the kink.

 

[lovecraft68]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

For me there are three:

1. An element of realism. Yes, I know, this site is all about fantasy but I still want at least SOME realism in the stories. A lot of times it takes me out of the story if suddenly all the characters are nymphos who are ready to go with no prior hints of interest.
2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.
3. A bit of a slow burn. Having some build up prior to the "action" really makes the final destination that much hotter in my opinion.

You and I are on the same wavelength. I look for all three of these in a story, and these are the elements I strive for in my writing. Realism is not easy in taboo stories, but I still feel I manage some degree of believability in most of mine.

I'll add a strong woman. I have no issue with women getting down and dirty and going full porn star mode, but I like it on their terms. Tired of the "strong woman seeks her submissive side" or the stories where the woman is portrayed as a simpering 1950's housewife, or degraded, etc...I like women who know what they want and aren't afraid to come after it.

 

[SyleusSnow]

Some plausibility in the story helps.

I particularly enjoy a slow build with yearning and giving in... not being able to resist anymore.

 

[KeithD]

I tend to write mysteries--so a good, coherent plot is what makes a story stand out for me.

 

[Djmac1031]

Realism helps. Good characters can help get you through less realistic situations.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Realism helps. Good characters can help get you through less realistic situations.

It depends on what you want to do. If you want fantasy, then go for that. If you want realism, try for some real-life settings you know first-hand.

The strong women idea mentioned above: that's good, I find the female characters (at least mine) to be more interesting than the male ones. Don't be afraid to make them smart and witty.

 

[AlinaX]

My problem with the slow burn is that I'm often wondering if the flame has just gone out.

 

[beth_]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

For me there are three:

1. An element of realism. Yes, I know, this site is all about fantasy but I still want at least SOME realism in the stories. A lot of times it takes me out of the story if suddenly all the characters are nymphos who are ready to go with no prior hints of interest.
2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.
3. A bit of a slow burn. Having some build up prior to the "action" really makes the final destination that much hotter in my opinion.

Those three are all right there on my list as a reader, but for me it all starts with the characters; if I don't care about the characters I find it impossible to stay engaged with the story. As for what makes characters relatable, that's often hard to say ... sometimes it's just as simple as an anecdote or a stray thought early in the story that makes them start to feel 'real' and the balls just rolls from there. It doesn't have to be chapters and chapters of build-up. That said, my favorite stories are invariably ones where character development is continuous and not just something to be 'gotten out of the way' in the first paragraph.

Oh, and I do value good grammar and structure, but I sometimes turn into a total contortionist to make exceptions to that 'rule' on behalf of characters I love.

 

[NotWise]

For me, it's a good story told well.

 

[Headless123]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

hi
Things that make a story stand out for me

Characters I care about with their feelings described.
Good grammar
Good dialogue
A descent plot
Well written descriptions of events
Well written sensory description

Hope this helps

 

[Paul_Chance]

Character, character, character.

 

[AlinaX]

A descent plot? Like one in which an author braves an abyss of unedited grammar and gets corrupted by misplaced apostrophes?

 

[KeithD]

A descent plot? Like one in which an author braves an abyss of unedited grammar and gets corrupted by misplaced apostrophes?

How far does the plot have to descend?

 

[AlinaX]

Why, into the very depths of he'll.

 

[lovecraft68]

Why, into the very depths of he'll.

I read that! It was Paradice Losted, right?

 

[AlinaX]

My brain just did the weirdest thing: "... but a dice has six sides and there are only five points on the star so one is missing..."

(And yes I know dice is a plural, but the singular form is so rarely used as to be obscure.)

 

[666Username666]

......

 

[cuck72]

Realism is one of the most important things to me: otherwise i cant relate. A Fantasy isnt necessary over the top or unrealistic. In my opinion it "should" be a special scenario; something rare. But as it is with rare things: they keep happening.

Details: specially about the looks, and how they feel. I need to know the insight of the character as well as the outside and it feels better if i.e. there isnt just one time one phrase that i.e. describes the physics

I always take something that happens in my real life, or something someone say's that will get me thinking of a sexual fantasy. Because of what that someone say's can make it more into a reality. It's like when my wife says something about a guy at her job, that she caught him checking her out. Or he's a nice guy, then she told me about some very dirty jokes he told her. She likes this guy, so no harm in his perverted comments. I right away will think of him fucking my wife, and the very real possibility that it could happen with the way they are. That would make a story for me. Or the few times I chatted with a friend of my son, and he told me that he'd love the fuck this other friends mom, I was thinking WOW! So that can get me thinking of him going after the friends mom, and they get to having sex.

Just sometimes it's a little thing someone says to me that gets me thinking with my perverted mind.

 

[desecration]

2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.

Same with characters, in my view, and plot. The story has to go somewhere. There are some truly amazing stories on this site which put the "lit" in "literotica." All of them tend to do the same thing: characters are consistent but learn something about themselves as they go through an adventure.

Also, good dialogue.

 

[dmallord]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

For me there are three:

1. An element of realism. Yes, I know, this site is all about fantasy but I still want at least SOME realism in the stories. A lot of times it takes me out of the story if suddenly all the characters are nymphos who are ready to go with no prior hints of interest.
2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.
3. A bit of a slow burn. Having some build up prior to the "action" really makes the final destination that much hotter in my opinion.

These come to mind as I mull over your question:
1. An opening storyline that draws me into it - has at least a chance of believability even if it is fiction.
2. Characters that evolve within the story - not just a "He was a bad, bad man and mean to his wife. He is five-four with a 36" waist, and hair down to his ass and a tattoo of an eagle on his right cheek."
3. It has a good plot line - creative mind bending that makes me jealous that I didn't write that.
4. By the time I get to the end of the story, I want to find myself saying, "Damn s/he can write a good one!"

I'm relatively new to Literotica.com but I've read some of those here. I'm sure there are many but it's so hard to find them. Makes me want to ask if anyone has a 'top list of most entertaining stories - not just most viewed or most rated, or most commented, or most .... you get the idea. Maybe Lit needs one called: Most admired submissions.

 

[SimonDoom]

Focusing on erotica, these are qualities that make a story stand out for me:

1. Good prose. The quality of writing makes a big difference for me.

2. A good, clever story idea. It can be whimsical or far-fetched, but if it's clever, and cleverly carried out, it can win me over.

3. Characters I care about. Within the first few hundred words, I want to be invested in the main character. I want to care what happens to that character.

4. Conflict and tension. Often internal. I like stories where the main character is pushing the boundaries of erotic comfort, probably doing something for the first time. That, to me, is what gives erotic stories their sizzle.

 

[Djmac1031]

What things in a story really make it stand out for you?

For me there are three:

1. An element of realism. Yes, I know, this site is all about fantasy but I still want at least SOME realism in the stories. A lot of times it takes me out of the story if suddenly all the characters are nymphos who are ready to go with no prior hints of interest.
2. Good dialogue. Having good, realistic dialogue really helps draw me in.
3. A bit of a slow burn. Having some build up prior to the "action" really makes the final destination that much hotter in my opinion.

I think you'd like my series "The Jenna Arrangement." At least I'd hope so, because that's the elements I've gone for with it.

I prefer realism as well, and a good slow build, both I've worked hard at with this story. Hopefully my dialog is up to snuff lol. I know my first chapter is a little rough around the edges, but my editing has improved since then.

Sorry if I'm sounding like I'm trying to toot my own horn or plug my own stories. I'm still very new and always open to advice and feedback especially on things like this to help make my stories better. So I guess I'm just curious if it would meet your criteria.

 

[Djmac1031]

It depends on what you want to do. If you want fantasy, then go for that. If you want realism, try for some real-life settings you know first-hand.

The strong women idea mentioned above: that's good, I find the female characters (at least mine) to be more interesting than the male ones. Don't be afraid to make them smart and witty.

I agree. I prefer a good strong female character over a brainless bimbo every time.

I've tried my best to keep my women characters real women. Although obviously as a man I'm probably gonna get some things wrong trying to write a female character.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I've tried my best to keep my women characters real women. Although obviously as a man I'm probably gonna get some things wrong trying to write a female character.

There's nothing "obvious" about it. Men can write realistic portrayals of women, just as women can write realistic portrayals of men - sure, there might be a male or female gaze, but characterisation is down to good observation, understanding of humanity, emotions, people. There might be some interior knowledge missing, one gender writing another, but I don't think a writer is somehow "locked out" from realistically portraying another gender. Unless they only think in terms of cliché or stereotypes, obviously .