Out of Step

[bhmari]

Anyone else feel like there work does not fit here? I'm working on a story that I have dreamed about telling for years and it has been a fun, rewarding experience so far. But every time I get ready to post a chapter here, I can't pull the trigger. At first I thought it was just the size of this community, but I post the story at other places of equal or possibly greater size and it doesn't bother me. Does this happen to anyone else? It's not so much the criticism or bad ratings that I'm worried about, it is the feeling of having to explain my story while telling my story that bugs me. Just reaching out to see if others identify with this.

 

[SimonDoom]

What makes you feel this way? In what way do you think your work does not fit?

This is a big, diverse Site, with a big, diverse readership. Chances are, there's a substantial readership for whatever type of story you want to publish.

My advice: just do it. Publish, and see what happens. Worry after, not before. Then stop worrying and just write another story and publish that one. It sounds too simple to be true, but it actually does work.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I feel like that just about every time I post a new story here. But for the most part, whatever you post, there will be some who are into that and some who aren't. Soon enough most of the ones who aren't into it will click out and leave you with the ones who are interested in what you have to write.

 

[bhmari]

What makes you feel this way? In what way do you think your work does not fit?

This is a big, diverse Site, with a big, diverse readership. Chances are, there's a substantial readership for whatever type of story you want to publish.

My advice: just do it. Publish, and see what happens. Worry after, not before. Then stop worrying and just write another story and publish that one. It sounds too simple to be true, but it actually does work.

Thanks for the response. Honestly, it's hard to put into words. I feel like I'm from another time and there is no place for what I'm interested in. I've found stories from some extraordinarily talented people here, but none that speak to me the way the stories that inspired me did. I'm fully aware that this could be me being extremely unfair or just not looking in the right place, but that's how I feel.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I feel that way often, but I get past it. What I write is out of step with what most readers here seem to want. But that's my choice. I've found a niche and have a small but loyal following.

You won't know if there is an audience for what you write until you put it out there.

 

[SimonDoom]

Thanks for the response. Honestly, it's hard to put into words. I feel like I'm from another time and there is no place for what I'm interested in. I've found stories from some extraordinarily talented people here, but none that speak to me the way the stories that inspired me did. I'm fully aware that this could be me being extremely unfair or just not looking in the right place, but that's how I feel.

Your feeling is not as unusual as you may think. Many authors here would probably tell you that upon reading stories here they weren't finding quite the stories that they wanted, and that's part of what motivated them to write. That's part of what motivates me. You can choose to see it as liberating and motivating rather than limiting. You have your own unique perspective. Share it.

 

[bhmari]

I'm going to give it a go. I'll know then one way or another.

 

[SamScribble]

My stories definitely don't belong here. But I have a small handful of dedicated readers and a vast horde of trolls who come looking for me here, and I suppose that I am reluctant to disappoint either group.

 

[gunhilltrain]

It doesn't even have to be about sex! I have a story in Non-erotic that has nothing to do with sex, and it did reasonably well.

You've already posted here six times before. Don't overthink it. if you like it, then let it rip.

 

[KeithD]

Check the "views" numbers of what you've already posted here. If you running over 1,000 views per entry, you're doing better here in terms of readership than almost anywhere else you could place your works.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I'll go with what the others have said. Shoulders back, deep breath, push Enter.

Pray keep us posted.

 

[StrangeLife]

Anyone else feel like there work does not fit here? I'm working on a story that I have dreamed about telling for years and it has been a fun, rewarding experience so far. But every time I get ready to post a chapter here, I can't pull the trigger...

It might help you psychologically to tell yourself that you are writing for your own amusement only.

You are not getting paid for your work, and you don't owe anybody on this site anything. You have no responsibility to entertain anybody, since you are effectively gifting your talents to the readers for free.

 

[MillieDynamite]

The thing is, yes, this is one of those thing comments. The thing is, those who enjoy your stories will enjoy them, and some will let you know it, comments, pms, or though the sites email system (to your email addy). Those people are the ones you write for. Anyone who doesn't like your work, tell them, "Kiss my ass."

Well that works for me, anyway.

 

[bhmari]

I'm going to give it a go. I still have a ton of doubts about it being a fit here, and while I finished my first story in a week, this story will take me through this year and well into 2022 before I'm done. I'm not too tough to say that repeatedly getting crapped on not for my skill as a writer which I'm eager to work on and improve but because people aren't feeling what I'm interested in is daunting.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I'm going to give it a go. I still have a ton of doubts about it being a fit here, and while I finished my first story in a week, this story will take me through this year and well into 2022 before I'm done. I'm not too tough to say that repeatedly getting crapped on not for my skill as a writer which I'm eager to work on and improve but because people aren't feeling what I'm interested in is daunting.

I can feel for you. Being bashed for what you like to write rather than how you write has been a source of pain for me as well. Though, early on, I was trashed for both.

 

[bhmari]

I can feel for you. Being bashed for what you like to write rather than how you write has been a source of pain for me as well. Though, early on, I was trashed for both.

I really have no reason to complain, the response to the work I've posted has been far more positive than I could have hoped for. But the story I'm working on is very personal for me, more in what it represents to me than in the content. It is a standard damsel in distress story, classic smut, just really freaking big. It shouldn't but every time I go to post it here I feel like an old grandpa trying to get kids to read a newspaper in 2021. It's silly I know.

 

[KeithD]

You're talking about a story you haven't even finished writing yet and haven't starting posting here, right? Complaining about spilt milk before you've even been to the store to buy it? Think you need to concentrate more on writing the story you want to write than on how it will be received at a specific story site--certainly to the point of trying to get other posters to engage on the issue of spilt milk that hasn't been purchased yet.

 

[bhmari]

You're talking about a story you haven't even finished writing yet and haven't starting posting here, right? Complaining about spilt milk before you've even been to the store to buy it? Think you need to concentrate more on writing the story you want to write than on how it will be received at a specific story site--certainly to the point of trying to get other posters to engage on the issue of spilt milk that hasn't been purchased yet.

I'm so sorry I bamboozled you into wasting your time. My original post was about not wanting to post a story because I felt like it did not fit in here and asking around if anyone else felt that way and how they deal with it. Literally can't do that if I've already posted the story. But again, a thousand pardons for wasting your precious time.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I really have no reason to complain, the response to the work I've posted has been far more positive than I could have hoped for. But the story I'm working on is very personal for me, more in what it represents to me than in the content. It is a standard damsel in distress story, classic smut, just really freaking big. It shouldn't but every time I go to post it here I feel like an old grandpa trying to get kids to read a newspaper in 2021. It's silly I know.

My father has two wonderful stories, one a stand alone, the other a trilogy, so personal to him, he refuses to publish them. One has autobiographical elements dripping from every other paragraph and other is horror story inspired from some old tv soap called Dark Shadows. None of the names are used, and none of the main story elements are that close. But it is a mishmash of every supernatural element out there, and covers hundreds of years, much through short flash backs. Tracing the fall of an angle into a demigoddess, her devoted followers, and those they locked in battle with the demoness trapped under an Abby on an island in the bay of a new England town.

So understand your reluctances.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Hell the only problem I have nowadays is finishing something. I can start a story very easily, it's getting it finished I'm having a trouble with.

As far as anxiety about publishing here I have none. As for whether a story will fit... well I have more than a dozen categories to choose from. Besides I usually write what I would like to read. I guess you could call me a narcissist.

 

[bhmari]

My father has two wonderful stories, one a stand alone, the other a trilogy, so personal to him, he refuses to publish them. One has autobiographical elements dripping from every other paragraph and other is horror story inspired from some old tv soap called Dark Shadows. None of the names are used, and none of the main story elements are that close. But it is a mishmash of every supernatural element out there, and covers hundreds of years, much through short flash backs. Tracing the fall of an angle into a demigoddess, her devote followers, and those they locked in battle with the demoness trapped under an Abby on an island in the bay of a new England town.

So understand your reluctances.

I know Dark Shadows. My mom used to love the original show when I was little. Sadly my only memories are of the Tim Burton movie.

It's been nice seeing that other people get where I'm coming from and its not just me.

 

[KeithD]

I'm so sorry I bamboozled you into wasting your time. My original post was about not wanting to post a story because I felt like it did not fit in here and asking around if anyone else felt that way and how they deal with it. Literally can't do that if I've already posted the story. But again, a thousand pardons for wasting your precious time.

My point was more that you not waste your time. Write and post the damn thing before complaining about how it's received here. I have no idea what you expected other posters to respond about this. Just trying to drum up business before you posted it?

 

[MillieDynamite]

I know Dark Shadows. My mom used to love the original show when I was little. Sadly my only memories are of the Tim Burton movie.

It's been nice seeing that other people get where I'm coming from and its not just me.

Oh, Tim Burton and Jonny Depp need to stay away from Pops, he would burry them in the back yard if they came for a visit because of the way they treated the show.

 

[bhmari]

My point was more that you not waste your time. Write and post the damn thing before complaining about how it's received here. I have no idea what you expected other posters to respond about this. Just trying to drum up business before you posted it?

Okay, thanks for your input.

 

[bhmari]

Oh, Tim Burton and Jonny Depp need to stay away from Pops, he would burry them in the back yard if they came for a visit because of the way they treated the show.

Yeah, it was like a sad Addams Family parody. I only saw it once and man, that was not great.