Story quality, once upon a time and today

[oggbashan]

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.

I am surprised how often my older stories are viewed and voted on, even the ones I ought to delete because they were poor stories.

 

[SimonDoom]

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.

The author's submission list lists the publication date for every single story by the author.

 

[RoperTrace]

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

How true. But just this morning, I woke up with some of the best morning-wood I've had in ages. Just as I was arising, my man-servant poked his head into the bedroom.
He saw my condition, and asked, "Sir, shall I wake the Madam?"
I said, "No James, get the Rolls, we're taking this one downtown."

 

[SimonDoom]

I am surprised how often my older stories are viewed and voted on, even the ones I ought to delete because they were poor stories.

Over time, the probability increases that one's story may find its way onto various lists, in particular similar story lists, where they will gain increased exposure. You've been around long enough, with enough stories and enough subject matter variety that this is probably happening with your stories.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

The author's submission list lists the publication date for every single story by the author.

Category lists do the same thing

 

[Djmac1031]

As others have stated, there's only so many ways to recycle an erotic story idea.

We all probably stumbled across our favorite types of stories years ago and remember them fondly; now we're finding new stories with the same ideas and finding them "lesser" because we are attached to the old ones, and the new ones feel like just more of the same.

Happens with TV shows and movies, too.

It's kinda why I finally started writing my own. Because I couldn't find stories that met my fantasies MY way.

But I've been reading here a long time myself and I remember it always being hit or miss clicking through stories.

For every well written piece there were dozens of badly written ones.

It's like searching for gold in a manure pile sometimes lol.

 

[lovecraft68]

The author's submission list lists the publication date for every single story by the author.

That doesn't mean they look. Unless people just think, well, its been 10 years, maybe he's a slow writer.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm older and tireder and crankier than when I first started reading Literotica, so it takes more to impress me than it once did. I think it's more that than an actual deterioration in the stories.

 

[Dearelliot]

Me too! I agree as I've gotten older, my taste in stories has changed so much I seldom find a story here that I enjoy reading and that's also true for books on the market today.

And sure that's on me! Not on the quality of the stories or books.
I've gotten so particular on subject matter and the characters in a story, I just can't find stories and books I want to read, the way I used to.

 

[MelissaBaby]

That doesn't mean they look. Unless people just think, well, its been 10 years, maybe he's a slow writer.

George RR Martin fans.

 

[KeithD]

I am surprised how often my older stories are viewed and voted on, even the ones I ought to delete because they were poor stories.

Me too. I regularly am finding myself thinking "You liked that one enough to favorite it?" when I see old story titles pop up that I wouldn't put in my top half.

 

[lovecraft68]

George RR Martin fans.

Those poor folks are deluded if they think they'll see the end. Last update was he's not even halfway through the book that is before the final book. At his age, health, and the fact he spends more time talking about himself and taking on other projects that aren't GOT, he's not getting it done.

 

[SimonDoom]

Those poor folks are deluded if they think they'll see the end. Last update was he's not even halfway through the book that is before the final book. At his age, health, and the fact he spends more time talking about himself and taking on other projects that aren't GOT, he's not getting it done.

Unless he rushes the last book, like the showmakers did with the last season.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Unless he rushes the last book, like the showmakers did with the last season.

George Martin and rushing simply don't go together. I actually think that, assuming he actually publishes Winds of Winter, The Promise of Spring would probably take just as long, and as much as I wish a long life and good health to the old geezer, it is quite unlikely.

 

[SimonDoom]

The fourth factor, which I forgot to mention, is I'm a much tougher critic now that I'm a writer than I was when I wasn't. I suspect that's true for many or most of us.

 

[KeithD]

The fourth factor, which I forgot to mention, is I'm a much tougher critic now that I'm a writer than I was when I wasn't. I suspect that's true for many or most of us.

Isn't that offset, though, by understanding how much is involved in writing and offering up a story? I'd think that would soften rather than harden critique.

 

[lovecraft68]

Unless he rushes the last book, like the showmakers did with the last season.

Film makers wouldn't have rushed if Martin had finished. This is on HBO for buying an unfinished product from someone who was already known for taking years in between books.

 

[lovecraft68]

George Martin and rushing simply don't go together. I actually think that, assuming he actually publishes Winds of Winter, The Promise of Spring would probably take just as long, and as much as I wish a long life and good health to the old geezer, it is quite unlikely.

Martin will either choke on his own hubris or a quad burger before he finishes.

 

[lovecraft68]

Isn't that offset, though, by understanding how much is involved in writing and offering up a story? I'd think that would soften rather than harden critique.

This is a good point.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

It will be fun to see who will be the first to deliver the next book in their series, George Martin or Patrick Rothfuss. Both author's last series' book was published in 2011 and both have been pushing the publication date for years. Rothfuss is much younger, but I still think Martin will beat him

 

[jsmiam]

I’ll share my thoughts.

A changing of the guard is taking place. Many of us, right here, who’ve spent tons of time here, whether we want to admit it or not, are, ahem, older. And we’ve been here a while.

And the further back our frame of reference for comparing the good old story days to now, the older we are.

Sure, there’s some fresh blood here too. To give whoopsie credit (just an example), she’s active, participating heavily, and as she has acknowledged, early twenties. An infiltrator sent from the young folk to watch us, perhaps? (Kidding. But somebody, hurry, take that plot bunny And run with it)

So gradually as more and more stories start to be all about instagram influencer/YouTube personality fan fiction, we’ll think the stories are even worse. But they’ll really just be different and targeted at a younger demographic.

Hang on, one of those kids are on my lawn. Let me yell at them.

 

[yukonnights]

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...

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I read a story on Lit. The only exception to that is when I do a Beta-read / Proof-read for a fellow Lit friend & even that is pretty sporadic.

 

[RetroFan]

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.

My experience with Incest Taboo is that many readers there don't seem very open to new ideas to make these stories interesting. For example you see complaints on step-family and in-law stories that it isn't incest, comments about aunt/uncle/niece/nephew/cousin stories that they are a poor substitute for immediate family stories, and negative reaction to stories that don't come up all that often, such as mother-daughter. Others complain about fetish material in stories, even something minor such as a younger brother lusting over his older sister's bare feet.

One would think that in IT more than any other category that readers would want some sort of back-story to explain why related characters would have sex with each other, but whenever I try to write an interesting story with plenty of character development there's complaints that it is 'boring' and to get to the sex, yet conversely I've had other comments on these stories that say the characters were too quick to jump into bed together.

Of course, given the large number of readers in this category my stories there have attracted many positive comments, high scores and favourites, but it is noticeable that many just don't seem to like new ideas, whether less common IT pairings in the characters or different storylines.

 

[Euphony]

One would think that in IT more than any other category that readers would want some sort of back-story to explain why related characters would have sex with each other, but whenever I try to write an interesting story with plenty of character development there's complaints that it is 'boring' and to get to the sex, yet conversely I've had other comments on these stories that say the characters were too quick to jump into bed together.

Of course, given the large number of readers in this category my stories there have attracted many positive comments, high scores and favourites, but it is noticeable that many just don't seem to like new ideas, whether less common IT pairings in the characters or different storylines.

Pillow soft category on the whole.

The real wilding ones do break up the monotony a bit but there's real weighting on both ends of the spectrum (not much in the middle)

Soft, hetero normative, romance "destined to be" with light hurdles to overcome or some real terrifying, power freaks who aren't slowed even by long term familial bonds.

I/T mostly has an agreement between reader and author that is straight forward and understandable without needing to be stated. It's an insta-fetish where much of the required scripting is done (by the reader) the moment the relationship is revealed.

Most are in on it. Authors can spend less time/mental energy on building a connection between the two leads and, instead, zip straight to the action (which many people are all about)

It also is less complicated to learn enough of its language to understand the "get your rocks off" point than say BDSM.

I find it fascinating so many assume the category popularity speaks volumes about huge swaths of people sexually desiring their actual family relations.

Much of what I've seen written here (as the bulk of submissions) suggest it's mostly b/c it contains an erotic shorthand people use to rush to the naughty teh sexors.

Also why the category often loses its shit over anything remotely outside of boring hetero-normative P in V.

It's the "dark" category that is, most of the time, grandma's down pillow soft.

Why two brothers or sisters using the safety of home to work out their homosexual feelings turns much of the incest crowd into raving mad family values(?!!) protesters is beyond me.

 

[lovecraft68]

My experience with Incest Taboo is that many readers there don't seem very open to new ideas to make these stories interesting. For example you see complaints on step-family and in-law stories that it isn't incest, comments about aunt/uncle/niece/nephew/cousin stories that they are a poor substitute for immediate family stories, and negative reaction to stories that don't come up all that often, such as mother-daughter. Others complain about fetish material in stories, even something minor such as a younger brother lusting over his older sister's bare feet.

One would think that in IT more than any other category that readers would want some sort of back-story to explain why related characters would have sex with each other, but whenever I try to write an interesting story with plenty of character development there's complaints that it is 'boring' and to get to the sex, yet conversely I've had other comments on these stories that say the characters were too quick to jump into bed together.

Of course, given the large number of readers in this category my stories there have attracted many positive comments, high scores and favourites, but it is noticeable that many just don't seem to like new ideas, whether less common IT pairings in the characters or different storylines.

In IT, and most likely any category, if you write stories in a certain style and are consistent you will build a base who enjoys them and knows you deliver. Longer slow burns have always been my style, however a few years back I did a short stroker for fun, and received several comments that the story wasn't as good as my usual work, and one that stated "Okay, you got that out of your system, now get back to what you do best"

Victim of my own success so to speak, and I imagine someone following someone who delivers short strokers would be put off if they dropped an 8 page conflict riddled story.

I've also written light fun stories that pander to the yay, incest crowd, and delivered darker pieces where the cause of the taboo isn't exactly light and fluffy, and those had good scores, but lower readership numbers.

If you write it they will come, and come and....