Story quality, once upon a time and today

[AwkwardlySet]

I am a relatively new writer here, yet I have been reading Lit stories on and off for a very long time, so one thing struck me kinda... Is it my impression only that, on average, new stories aren't as good as they used to be before? I am not talking about Lit's beginnings, I am talking about times like several years ago or so. It is only an impression and I could be completely out of my mind here, yet I wanted to pick your brains about it...

 

[ElectricBlue]

Well, I'm a current writer, so I'm going to disagree.

But "on average"? How does one even assess that, unless you read a ton of stories against a set criteria, over many years, and keep records.

But I suspect most authors here don't read vast amounts of Lit content, because we're writing it. You'd have to ask readers, but since on the whole they're an unresponsive bunch, you'd be no further informed.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't read enough here to weigh in on this, and because "better" is subjective from person to person not sure if its even an issue other than as you said your 'impression'

But what I see in threads about incest stories/authors who have been 'lost to time' as one recent thread states, as well as some private feedback and comments I see on stories, it seems the taboo crowd feels there aren't as many good stories and authors as opposed to the past. So maybe there's something to it.

My theory on this could be as simple as some people here read a lot or have been reading here for years and maybe after time its a matter of there's nothing new under the sun and its become repetitious.

 

[oggbashan]

The number of new stories posted every day, and the vast archive of stories posted to Literotica over the years makes a qualitative judgement almost impossible.

I doubt anyone can read every story posted in 24 hours.

All you can go on is your own impression and that is not scientific.

 

[ericrodman101]

Nothing is as good as it used to be, but that’s just my cock talking.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I am fully aware how vague my question was. I had no intention to go into data analysis, as it would be almost impossible. Also, I know story quality is a vague term in that same sense. The impression part is what I was talking about. What are your impressions, if you have any? My impression, which is based on nothing except browsing through the stories once and browsing through them now, or even browsing through old and new stories now, is that they used to be better on average, at least in the categories I browse. I already said, I could be completely out of my mind, and if someone actually dared to do anything resembling a decent analysis, it could be shown how much my "impression" actually sucks, but once again, I had no intention to go beyond that same "impression", I just wanted to hear your own impressions if you have any.

 

[lovecraft68]

I am fully aware how vague my question was. I had no intention to go into data analysis, as it would be almost impossible. Also, I know story quality is a vague term in that same sense. The impression part is what I was talking about. What are your impressions, if you have any? My impression, which is based on nothing except browsing through the stories once and browsing through them now, or even browsing through old and new stories now, is that they used to be better on average, at least in the categories I browse. I already said, I could be completely out of my mind, and if someone actually dared to do anything resembling a decent analysis, it could be shown how much my "impression" actually sucks, but once again, I had no intention to go beyond that same "impression", I just wanted to hear your own impressions if you have any.

To go back to my prior post then, my impression/opinion is that the I/T category in general has fallen off. There are still some great stories and some newer authors who can deliver, but they don't seem to match the feel or overall quality of the old guard so to speak, many of whom have drifted off over time.

FWIW, and I don't say this to claim I'm something special, but because I don't post many stories anymore, and went over a year between posting in the category, when I posted a brother sister story in last years April Fools contest(it placed in third) I received multiple comments and feedback along the lines like "This is how its done, one of the best is back, and one that stated, to your exact point, the category has gone down hill of late.

Take that with a grain of salt, its a few readers who made those remarks and may not speak for the majority, but with the threads I mentioned before and those comments, maybe there is a feeling in IT that its not as good as it once was

 

[nice90sguy]

I've been reading a long time here. I tend to agree with the O.P. I think the number of good stories has grown, but the number of bad ones has grown faster, over the years.

 

[Voboy]

My theory on this could be as simple as some people here read a lot or have been reading here for years and maybe after time its a matter of there's nothing new under the sun and its become repetitious.

This has long been my belief.

 

[alohadave]

I am a relatively new writer here, yet I have been reading Lit stories on and off for a very long time, so one thing struck me kinda... Is it my impression only that, on average, new stories aren't as good as they used to be before?

I am also a new writer, but long time reader. What I've noticed for me is that I'm more critical of what I read. The quality hasn't changed, what has changed is my perception of the writing. I'm reading them as a writer, looking at how the stories are laid out and executed.

Before, I was reading them as a reader, only caring about the story.

 

[SubMick]

This has long been my belief.

One of the most enjoyable parts was reading something new (very similar to watching a film with a new story).

It may be me but I get the impression I have "completed" some genre's.
Theres only so many ways a Sub can serve, a Bull can enter a Cucks house, a stap on can be entered.

The element of newness, surprise and novelty has probably been lost for me over the years.

I will still read them though

 

[SimonDoom]

I've been reading Lit stories since around the turn of the millennium, and I was an avid reader for 15 years before I wrote anything, and I don't think so. It's a perception held by some, but I think it's based on a few things:

1) A common perception that things in general "used to be better," when in fact it's not the case, in almost anything (there are exceptions).
2) After a while the stories seem less new and fresh, because, well, they ARE less new and fresh. There are only so many ways to skin a cat, or to get Mom and Son in bed together.
3) We tend to forget the imperfections of the past.

Sometimes I read people in these threads waxing poetically about the great authors of the past, and I'll check out their stories, and sometimes they are quite good, but they still have all the same little nits and flaws that stories today have. The prose style is no better than today. Or I will re-read a story I remember enjoying a long time ago, and I find it's more filled with proofing and spelling errors than I remember it being.

It is DEFINITELY true that some of the erotic stories I read a long time ago loom larger in my imagination and memory than more recent stories, but that has more to do with the fact that I was new to erotica than with their intrinsic quality. I read them at a time when my tastes and interests were being formed. For the same reason, novels I read when I was in my teens still play a bigger role in my mind's "novel pantheon" than books I'm likely to read today. Books like Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, Lord of the Rings, Portrait of the Artist, to name a few, influenced me in a way that it would be difficult for a novel to influence me today.

I think this is what is going on, rather than a decline in quality. I don't see an overall decline in quality.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've been reading Lit stories since around the turn of the millennium, and I was an avid reader for 15 years before I wrote anything, and I don't think so. It's a perception held by some, but I think it's based on a few things:

1) A common perception that things in general "used to be better," when in fact it's not the case, in almost anything (there are exceptions).
2) After a while the stories seem less new and fresh, because, well, they ARE less new and fresh. There are only so many ways to skin a cat, or to get Mom and Son in bed together.
3) We tend to forget the imperfections of the past.

Sometimes I read people in these threads waxing poetically about the great authors of the past, and I'll check out their stories, and sometimes they are quite good, but they still have all the same little nits and flaws that stories today have. The prose style is no better than today. Or I will re-read a story I remember enjoying a long time ago, and I find it's more filled with proofing and spelling errors than I remember it being.

It is DEFINITELY true that some of the erotic stories I read a long time ago loom larger in my imagination and memory than more recent stories, but that has more to do with the fact that I was new to erotica than with their intrinsic quality. I read them at a time when my tastes and interests were being formed. For the same reason, novels I read when I was in my teens still play a bigger role in my mind's "novel pantheon" than books I'm likely to read today. Books like Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, Lord of the Rings, Portrait of the Artist, to name a few, influenced me in a way that it would be difficult for a novel to influence me today.

I think this is what is going on, rather than a decline in quality. I don't see an overall decline in quality.

I think #2 is the most prevailing reason. Over time anything loses its shine. I've been a horror fan since I can remember, but as the years go by I move from sub genre to sub genre because you get over saturated with the same thing. Even with porn, I shift from go to kink to another kink because even that gets to be the same ole same ole

But I think you also fall into looking at things as a writer now. Now when you revisit the story you loved ten years ago, you have a more critical eye. I read mostly taboo and milf here along with foot fetish material, and I think the edge the previous writers had were things that weren't so beaten into the ground back then.

Go back to that lap thread someone started in feedback. The first one that shows up on a top list is from 2001 back then it was "This is different and fun" now I see anything like it and I roll my eyes and think here we go again.

But when I read I go by the 'feel' of a story and there doesn't seem to be anyone in I/T today that matches the feel of Paco fear's sibling stories or alwayswanted too's mom/son pieces. I see more stroke and fun than I do conflict. So this is now delving into my personal taste. Some of my fav taboo stories had a darker more gritty feel to them than I see now.

There's nothing new under the sun which is something new authors can't help, but I don't see that stamp anymore where they can make them theirs. But that falls into how our own tastes shift as well.

As always this is a good discussion topic that has no concrete facts, just our thoughts

 

[Voboy]

I do think that the number of series has increased. I've always browsed by using the "New Stories" hub, and in my memory there used to be more standalone stories. These days, I notice more series.

Which is a problem for the casual reader merely trying to get a quick thrill. I'll scroll through the New Stories pages now and my eye will just skip over any kind of series, which in turn might lead to a subconscious misperception that there are now fewer stories worth reading.

 

[lovecraft68]

I do think that the number of series has increased. I've always browsed by using the "New Stories" hub, and in my memory there used to be more standalone stories. These days, I notice more series.

Which is a problem for the casual reader merely trying to get a quick thrill. I'll scroll through the New Stories pages now and my eye will just skip over any kind of series, which in turn might lead to a subconscious misperception that there are now fewer stories worth reading.

Good point.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I've been reading a long time here. I tend to agree with the O.P. I think the number of good stories has grown, but the number of bad ones has grown faster, over the years.

I think this is it. Back in 2000 the majority of people didn't know how to access the internet, let alone blurt out their fantasies on it. Those who did, tended to at least know how to put some sentences together coherently.

Now every wanking idiot can post a story, and many of them do.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I am also a new writer, but long time reader. What I've noticed for me is that I'm more critical of what I read. The quality hasn't changed, what has changed is my perception of the writing. I'm reading them as a writer, looking at how the stories are laid out and executed.

Before, I was reading them as a reader, only caring about the story.

I think you nailed it.

Since I started writing and posting stories here two years, I've received feedback critiquing my stories. So, when I now read a story, I'm more sensitive to those same critical points I've learned to spot in my own stories.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I am fully aware how vague my question was. I had no intention to go into data analysis, as it would be almost impossible. Also, I know story quality is a vague term in that same sense. The impression part is what I was talking about. What are your impressions, if you have any? My impression, which is based on nothing except browsing through the stories once and browsing through them now, or even browsing through old and new stories now, is that they used to be better on average, at least in the categories I browse. I already said, I could be completely out of my mind, and if someone actually dared to do anything resembling a decent analysis, it could be shown how much my "impression" actually sucks, but once again, I had no intention to go beyond that same "impression", I just wanted to hear your own impressions if you have any.

I read quite a bit here, but I have never focused much on when a story was written as much as what it was about when deciding to read it.

Consequently, a "now versus then" comparison has never occurred to me.

As a writer who has been publishing here since 2014, I would hope that my stories are improving through the years, but since I have also been trying to explore new genres and writing styles in an effort to grow as a writer, there are bound to be some who think one or two of my later stories don't compare to earlier ones. I can live with that.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

A lot of good points was made, yet I feel I was trying to factor many of those things in, before making my "impression".

I do think that the number of series has increased. I've always browsed by using the "New Stories" hub, and in my memory there used to be more standalone stories. These days, I notice more series.

Which is a problem for the casual reader merely trying to get a quick thrill. I'll scroll through the New Stories pages now and my eye will just skip over any kind of series, which in turn might lead to a subconscious misperception that there are now fewer stories worth reading.

The funny thing is, I do exactly the opposite thing I tend to look at series first, as that usually means stories are much longer, unless it's a series I have already discarded before. I do click on standalone stories, but I will most likely go back the moment I see the word count doesn't meet my minimum, which is around 7-10k words. Stories below that threshold, I won't even look at, no matter who the author is

 

[lovecraft68]

Sort of a spin off, but kind of relevant. Do readers even know how old the story is? I ask this based on the constant questions about 'when is the sequel coming out" on stories that are 10 years old at this point.

 

[Duleigh]

I am a relatively new writer here, yet I have been reading Lit stories on and off for a very long time, so one thing struck me kinda... Is it my impression only that, on average, new stories aren't as good as they used to be before? I am not talking about Lit's beginnings, I am talking about times like several years ago or so. It is only an impression and I could be completely out of my mind here, yet I wanted to pick your brains about it...

I'm going to say that it depends on what you consider "good." When I first posted a story here, (2006) most of what I saw were middle of the road "strokers," now it appears to me that the spectrum has broadened. The purely amateur writers who never posted anything publicly aren't afraid to put a story out there now and the low end of the spectrum has been lowered. However, folks who cut their teeth and polished their craft are posting here and the better crafted stories are far better than what they used to be.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Sort of a spin off, but kind of relevant. Do readers even know how old the story is? I ask this based on the constant questions about 'when is the sequel coming out" on stories that are 10 years old at this point.

Once they click on the actual story, the date of publishing isn't apparent. To see it, you have to click on one of the options, where the word count and tags are, and I doubt many readers click there. To actually click on a story, they have to browse a list though, where the date of publishing is clearly displayed.

 

[oggbashan]

Once they click on the actual story, the date of publishing isn't apparent. To see it, you have to click on one of the options, where the word count and tags are, and I doubt many readers click there. To actually click on a story, they have to browse a list though, where the date of publishing is clearly displayed.

On most of mine, the copyright date is just after the title.

 

[Duleigh]

Once they click on the actual story, the date of publishing isn't apparent. To see it, you have to click on one of the options, where the word count and tags are, and I doubt many readers click there. To actually click on a story, they have to browse a list though, where the date of publishing is clearly displayed.

I track my pageviews closely, and the stories that I wrote in 2006 and 2008 are practically ignored compared to the stories I wrote 8 months aog.

 

[SubMick]

Sort of a spin off, but kind of relevant. Do readers even know how old the story is? I ask this based on the constant questions about 'when is the sequel coming out" on stories that are 10 years old at this point.

Good question, personally I no idea when they were written and personally i don't think it matters.

I wouldn't look for or reject a story because of its age.