Do you write for your fans/followers, or yourself?

[lovecraft68]

I write for myself and if I get someone off it's a clear bonus. I write porn for the fun of it. It gets me stiff as I write. I read porn here to get off and to get ideas from. I don't write to get graded on spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. I even say so in my comment section. I say, if my literary education is lacking and bothers you, don't read my stuff.

I just wish LITEROTICA let us 'respond' to posters, both positive and negative in the comment section without having to give out our email address.

You can respond anonymous or your user ID to comments. But if you're replying to what someone said about the story you may give yourself away as the author anyway.

If you're talking about private feedback that you get through Lit to your e-mail, then there is no way. Unless someone mentioned their user id and you could look them up and send feedback to them anon, but many people who set up lit accounts just to read and comment, usually use a toss away e-mail and may never check it.

 

[46n2]

This.

I read or heard somewhere, many years ago, that every writer has a reader in mind as they write. Depending on who we are, we might not have a clear idea who it is - or it may be someone very specific, like a mentor who encouraged us. But, according to this premise, someone is always "looking over our shoulder," reading with us. Depending on what we're writing or the ways in which we change, the Reader may be different.

That's interesting. I don't agree it's true at all - in my case - but it's certainly a consideration worth thinking about.

Here's what I'd surmise is "mostly" true:

There's no such thing as EVERY.

I honestly feel like I'm channeling. It doesn't begin at all (the vast majority of the time) without some bulb that goes off from a personal interest, confusion, or frustration. A good majority of that time it's born out of me, directly. But it's not worth writing about unless it's festering within me deeply enough or more likely to connect with someone else beyond myself.

I might be a little more desperate than the next person to connect beyond myself. So how does that play into things is hard to quantify correctly.

So I tend to blast some things out on paper - just to see if it's sticky at all (no pun intended). Then I move some things around. "Alright then, if it's sticky. How did it get that way? And why would it be important beyond the most obvious."

If it gets beyond that? I start channeling. Purposeful themes and triangular patterns of tools have been developed. Into characters I must believe in and grow beyond my own personal preferences.

How much of THAT is entirely subconscious is debatable. Since I've already developed the math then aren't I the driving force? Maybe. Things fly in and surprise me. Am I surprised because it came out of nowhere or I hadn't quite yet attached that part within my own brain? Hard to say.

But no one is ever looking over my own shoulder. And if they are? That's the shit I'm smacking aside.


-There was one brief story I wrote where I literally woke up with some woman in my head. She had a very general job and was absolutely basic in every fucking way. She liked to be bent over the desk at work and service her boss in a very quiet and generic manner. Do it dutifully. She liked not feeling it necessary to think about it all too much. Cuz that's what happens when she goes home to her family. All the fixing and arranging and what not. This was something more dependable for her and not so taxing nor demanding.

She woke me up and very much assured me in an especially non-confrontational way, "I've got a story to tell. Go get in the chair."

And that shit just fuckin' flew out of my fingers all over the keyboard. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Done.

When we were finished the entire thing was so foreign to me that I absolutely believe some other unknown person had knocked me on the noggin through the space in-between us all and sat me in the chair, spelled it out.

And I gotta say, that was a plenty satisfying experience for me.

Looking over my shoulder? No. She's not an author or anyone I've ever known beyond handing them an item in the grocery store from an unreachable shelf (for her). But she did offer me a smile once I'd finished.

Good enough then ; )

 

[46n2]

Maybe her name was "Humility".

A completely foreign concept for me up until then.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I see the act of publishing a story as a communicative act, between me and the reader. If it wasn't that, I might as well stash my story in a drawer somewhere. So, to that end, I want the communication to be effective, and to have an impact. I like the idea that my stories give pleasure to others, and their pleasure is motivating. I enjoy knowing that people have read my story to the end, that they've voted on it, commented on it, and favorited it. It seems natural to me that any author who decides to publish something would care that the publication would give pleasure to readers.

Yep. It feels like I'm writing for the place where the readers and I touch, if that makes any sense.

(But I know myself better than I know my readers, so probably a bit more for me than them.)

 

[KeithD]

For whatever it's worth, this popped up in Facebook today:

"'Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.' - Barbara Kingsolver"

 

[gordo12]

In the beginning, I wrote what I wanted. Along the way, I became aware that there is a difference between what I wanted and what the market/readers wanted. I've become more sensitive to those issues.

For instance, I wrote a romance and discovered everybody loved a HEA ending. My current Valentine story is a romance with a HEA ending. However, there is a story thread that could be wound up with somebody being pulled back from the brink of suicide. It's not a happy scene and adds to the trail of breadcrumbs I spread through the story that I deliberately never resolve and leave to the readers to come to their own conclusion. I was thinking of adding that as an epilogue.

I'm torn between writing what I want and writing what I know the readers will prefer.

 

[Athalia]

One great part of sharing, for me, is that you get affirmation that other people are excited by the same things that excite you, and feel more 'normal' for being turned on by them.

This. It's essentially what I was trying to say in this essay:

https://www.literotica.com/s/i-want-to-make-love-to-you-1

 

[LexxRuthless]

Almost everything I have written and posted here has the goal of pleasing the readers and my followers. 24 of my submissions were written cooperatively, with other readers or authors providing feedback at regular intervals while I wrote each story. Those include all four of my highest-rated standalone stories, and 3 of my 10 most-viewed. I've got a few other stories that were written as fan requests, but which I haven't posted here.

I occasionally indulge in writing something that I don't plan to share, simply to please myself. That sort of exercise has only resulted in two of my current stories -- and it would have been one, if my editor and two other friends hadn't talked me into posting Just the Tip.

 

[sophism]

I write for myself to get the story out of my head.

This for me. I started writing stories as soon as I learned how to write (not erotica just yet) and I remember just having an abundance of story beginnings. I think the line gets fuzzy the longer a project has been ongoing since I know readers are expecting the next parts and want the story ending. If I've already decided what's going to happen, it's not completely necessary for me to actually write it out in order for me to feel satisfied with the ending.

Comments and other feedback also definitely changes my motivation once I start posting, though.

 

[Lifestyle66]

You can reply to Comments by writing your own comment, either anonymously or in your Account Name.

...

You can respond anonymous or your user ID to comments. ...

I think you missed the point he was trying to get across. He wants to reply to a commenter's critique. Posting your own comment isn't the same, as it's unlikely that Anon commenter will ever revisit his story to read his comment response.

Comments are like shouting at the author, then turning away to leave the room. Only those who follow into the room will hear you.

 

[Lifestyle66]

For whatever it's worth, this popped up in Facebook today:

"'Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.' - Barbara Kingsolver"

Writing is a form of communicating with others. Writing without taking feedback would be like talking without listening. You can't learn if you don't listen.

After you write, you should listen and possibly re-write. Once you listen, you might have something better to offer.

 

[KeithD]

Writing is a form of communicating with others. Writing without taking feedback would be like talking without listening. You can't learn if you don't listen.

After you write, you should listen and possibly re-write. Once you listen, you might have something better to offer.

Not all feedback is equal. Literotica, with its anonymity base, is not a feedback source where the relative applicability and usefulness of feedback is likely. There, I've given you some good, professional writers' feedback.

 

[yukonnights]

Writing is a form of communicating with others. Writing without taking feedback would be like talking without listening. You can't learn if you don't listen.

After you write, you should listen and possibly re-write. Once you listen, you might have something better to offer.

The feedback on my Valentine's Day entry did help me. Despite being read by two people prior to submitting it, there remained several issues that reader comments brought to my attention. They weren't huge, but were obviously distracting to some readers. The comments/feedback enabled me to correct the mistakes, which makes a better read for the next person. They also humbled me and made me not want to rush a story though in the future.

The feedback on Shattered Dreams taught me that difficult topics can be raised in these stories. I was very uncertain of how this one would be received because of death and such.

So, not all comments are redundant. Both of these stories touched on difficult themes and the readers told me through ratings and comments that difficult themes can be written if done with care.

 

[KeithD]

it's unlikely that Anon commenter will ever revisit his story to read his comment response.

I don't know why so many folks say it's unlikely someone leaving a "meaty" comment will return to see whatever the response is. I think it's highly likely they will. I would.

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't know why so many folks say it's unlikely someone leaving a "meaty" comment will return to see whatever the response is. I think it's highly likely they will. I would.

The sample size is small, so not overly meaningful, but I have on occasion left a comment on my story that responds to someone else's comment (I did that today). Off the top of my head, I cannot recall someone responding, but my recollection may be faulty. It's probably much more likely to happen with a non-anonymous commenter than an anonymous one.

 

[AG31]

For myself. Does anyone else share my experience?

I don't consider myself an author of erotica. Instead I record my fantasies. They are what they are, but, of course, a lot of effort goes into putting them into words. A year ago I had an unusual experience, almost certainly a hormone surge of several weeks. It resulted in a very strong fantasy, and as it waned over the months, three more occurred. I don't expect any more. I'm in the process of publishing them here. The first is Twelve Maxbridge Street. I hope you'll let me know what you think.

Ooops! I meant this to be a reply to "Do you write for yourself or for others." I'll try again.

 

[AG31]

I don't consider myself an author of erotica. Instead I record my fantasies. They are what they are, but, of course, a lot of effort goes into putting them into words. A year ago I had an unusual experience, almost certainly a hormone surge of several weeks. It resulted in a very strong fantasy, and as it waned over the months, three more occurred. I don't expect any more. I'm in the process of publishing them here. The first is Twelve Maxbridge Street. I hope you'll let me know what you think.

 

[Hotswimmer]

I was pleased to see the thread still going. Fun to read all of the posts.

I guess personally I'm feeling zapped of energy. Probably the ongoing pandemic has a ton to do with it.

Feedback is definitely part of it but awareness of my own feelings when writing is clearly what fuels the engine.

Hopefully spring will bring more sunlight along with more energy.

Best.

 

[sophism]

The sample size is small, so not overly meaningful, but I have on occasion left a comment on my story that responds to someone else's comment (I did that today). Off the top of my head, I cannot recall someone responding, but my recollection may be faulty. It's probably much more likely to happen with a non-anonymous commenter than an anonymous one.

I recently responded to a pretty long anonymous comment complaining (?) about one of the characters. My response really was trying to just shed some light on my process and give insight into my imagination, since I did feel like their criticism was valid. Was pleased to see that they responded again, still anonymous, and were super nice about how character building can be difficult. I was pleasantly surprised since I didn’t expect them to revisit their comment.

I do really like hearing about what readers think about, and I feel like demonstrating to readers that you read comments also helps that engagement as well - if you do find motivation in writing for readers at all.

 

[other2other1]

I write for myself

I only started writing last year, and I write for myself more than anything. I'm writing in the ever emotional LW category, mainly because I had three close couples around my wife and I break up last year and I found I had a lot of anger. writing has helped a lot. I do write my characters a little over dramatic and i've had more than one person say my stories are too long. But I am doing it for me, not them.

I find that if people take something away then its good. Of course being a LW writer I do get quite a few negative comments, but that's alright.

I found completing my first series, called 'Double or Nothing' very soothing and now i'm working on finding a rhythm for 2022.

I'm taking the punt with my over version of February Sucks, since its February and I've got what I think are two cool stories called 'The Nuclear Family' and 'On the Streets' in the works along with a new series called 'The Long Road Home'. My first drafts are created on the site already and they are almost ready for editing. If people like them, great! if not thats fine too.

What I like are people that leave me comments about improving my story telling. Trolls, meh, every LW author gets their fair share.

So yeah, its about me more than anything...

 

[TadOverdon]

I suppose this is a false dichotomy after all, as "pleasing oneself" can mean vastly different things for different writers.

After all, don't we all do this primarily for our own satisfaction? In some cases, the interaction and belief that we're doing something that matters to readers is a large part of what satisfies us. For others, the primary pleasure is cathartic, and the existence of a reader other than ourselves is largely presumed or hypothetical in that we don't receive much or any feedback.

A successful fiction writer once said that if they were shipwrecked alone on a desert island they'd write on palm leaves with their blood and throw the stories into the ocean in bottles.

I think they held the conviction that they'd found success and an audience while making very little compromise in their writing.

 

[Writer_FM]

Or maybe a little of both?

So assume you had an idea or theme for a next chapter or your next story, would you entertain a fan/follower request?

What if the requested suggestion hijacks your planned story thread, or perhaps you intended to shelve a series and write a completely different story?

I don't necessarily think there is a right or wrong, I am just curious how each of you weigh the decision to potentially alter your stories.

This situation came up for me awhile back. I posted the first part of a story and had a plan for part 2. A commenter made a suggestion for part 2 that was different than my plan. I appreciated and considered the suggestion, but I have a path for the main character and I want to see where it goes. So I respectfully rejected the readers suggestion. But I wouldn't rule out pursuing a reader suggestion in another situation.