Was it worth writing a story?

[ElectricBlue]

Does that happen?

"Viral" implies that viewership explodes because people are handing it to others, and on and on. Is there even a medium in which Lit stories get amplified by word of mouth/link sharing?

There is weird effect where, all of a sudden, a story can take off like a rocket, and you wonder, where have all the readers come from?

I've had several stories that have done that, often several months after they've gone live. In every case, they've got a fairly high comment count***, and I can only assume new readers are seeing the comments, somewhere, and wander in, intrigued. They seem to stick around for my back catalogue too - I continue to be surprised at the number of older stories picking up faves. Either that, or there's some strange subterranean reader network we writers know nothing about.

*** not LW comment numbers, but high(ish) for the categories I write in.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Readers here are not afraid of a 20k word story. Seven parts was probably overkill.

Absolutely. A case in point is my first story posted here. It was 27 Lit pages, won an award, and still averages over 40 views per day after 8 years.

Patience when writing and submitting stories (or part of stories) can be challenging for even the most experienced authors. They are seeking rapid feedback or gratification, often at the expense of their overall story. Posting early chapters before the remainder of the story is complete hand-ties an author. They are locking in details that they can't go back and easily change.

My recommendation is to always finish a story completely before posting any part of it. It allows for much better management of the content as well as where to make any chapter breaks that keep the size of the submissions more enticing for readers to continue with.

 

[DuncanMc]

Wow!
Just woke up and discovered all these wonderful, thoughtful comments. Thank you to all who spent time with the encouragement and suggestions. Lots to consider, but overall I find myself extremely encouraged by all your words.
I have another story idea building. Think I’ll give it another go. I do enjoy writing. It’s the planning and plot manipulation that is fun.

Cheers!
Duncan

 

[nice90sguy]

It’s the planning and plot manipulation that is fun.

Ditto in spades for me. That's why I can't dig the multi-chapter "stories" that basically wander all over the place.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Wow!
Just woke up and discovered all these wonderful, thoughtful comments. Thank you to all who spent time with the encouragement and suggestions. Lots to consider, but overall I find myself extremely encouraged by all your words.
I have another story idea building. Think I’ll give it another go. I do enjoy writing. It’s the planning and plot manipulation that is fun.

Cheers!
Duncan

Good luck.

Please consider adding a link to your stories to your signature so that we can all more easily share in your creations.

 

[Britva415]

There is weird effect where, all of a sudden, a story can take off like a rocket, and you wonder, where have all the readers come from?

I've had several stories that have done that, often several months after they've gone live. In every case, they've got a fairly high comment count***, and I can only assume new readers are seeing the comments, somewhere, and wander in, intrigued. They seem to stick around for my back catalogue too - I continue to be surprised at the number of older stories picking up faves. Either that, or there's some strange subterranean reader network we writers know nothing about.

*** not LW comment numbers, but high(ish) for the categories I write in.

Nice, this explanation seems to account for an on-Lit-premises viral effect.

 

[NoTalentHack]

Hi fellow authors!

So I toyed with my first story idea for ages before putting ‘pen to paper’. A 7 part story with very little feedback (a total of about 6 comments, 2 of which were very angry).

Was it worth it for all you writers out there to go to the effort to get published? I am a little underwhelmed. I haven’t shared my story with anyone in ‘real life’.

Anyway, I’ve watched the reader totals and ratings with interest. They all end up between 4.2 to 4.57 which isn’t too bad I suppose for a first try, but the reader totals are all over the place. The 4th installment has over 6000 views, the 7th only 900ish. Time in print doesn’t seem to be the cause. Is it my choice of key words in the description?

Finally, I wrote the story because it’s my fantasy. Not that I’d really want it to happen, (you know what I mean), but if you have time, any feedback here would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Duncan

"Is it worth it?" I chewed on this one all night. I'll be honest: I'm not sure.

That might sound strange; I've only been writing for a few months, but I've been quite prolific in my output, and it's been rewarded with a level of success here that I've come to understand is rare. That's not me tooting my own horn (there's a whole post elsewhere here where I do that), but I wanted to lay out the background for my answer to you.

I write because I enjoy it, sort of. But if I was just writing for myself, if it was just about putting my ideas to paper and then tossing them in a closet somewhere? No way in hell. I might do what I do with my story seed spreadhseet and document the ideas I have, but that's only a tool. The whole point of stories-- one of them, at least-- is that they communicate ideas to others. If I know what I intend with the story, if I have it in my head already, then what's the point of writing it out if I'm not going to share it? And what's the point of sharing a thing that won't be read? I can communicate with myself just fine already.

So if I had written my first few stories, pouring my heart and ideas out onto the page, wrestling with phrasing and themes and word choice, and it was met with a collective shrug? I don't know that I would have kept going. That feeling that you're shouting into the void can be absolutely crushing. I know a lot of people will be like "write for you," and that's fine for them. It doesn't work for me, at least not entirely. I do write my stories "for me," but the part that's "for me" is coming up with the ideas and then listening to people's reactions; the middle steps of going from idea to story to editing to revising to posting is, by definition (to me) for everyone else.

Is it worth it? It has been for me. The reaction I've gotten to the stories I've written has been one of the most gratifying experiences I've had in years. But you have to decide if it's worth it for you. No one else can answer that; we can only tell you stories about ourselves to help you decide.

 

[Seadog777]

Only you, can answer that question.

You won't find it here or from anybody else.

 

[tenyari]

In terms of scores on various sites - sometimes a story just needs time to find it's audience. One of my stories has moved up an entire point in the last week as I guess the people it was aimed at are finally discovering it.

I've also noticed that if I have something uploaded in more than one place, what's popular in one can be the opposite on another.

 

[grumpyg]

Is it worth writing a story? I spent a considerable amount of time writing, correcting and rechecking my last story, Summer Fayre, but it didn't take off, which was a disappointment. But after a while the hits have slowly increased, the likes have slowly gone up. Other stories I've worked less on have been real hits. We all write on here to share our fantasies, many of which have reflected our thoughts on life. Stick with it. Your stories will be enjoyed by those who don't take the time to tell you so, who can't be bothered to vote. But that's life.

 

[DuncanMc]

Good luck.

Please consider adding a link to your stories to your signature so that we can all more easily share in your creations.

I hate to be an ignoramus, but how do i do that?

 

[DuncanMc]

"Is it worth it?" I chewed on this one all night. I'll be honest: I'm not sure.

That might sound strange; I've only been writing for a few months, but I've been quite prolific in my output, and it's been rewarded with a level of success here that I've come to understand is rare. That's not me tooting my own horn (there's a whole post elsewhere here where I do that), but I wanted to lay out the background for my answer to you.

I write because I enjoy it, sort of. But if I was just writing for myself, if it was just about putting my ideas to paper and then tossing them in a closet somewhere? No way in hell. I might do what I do with my story seed spreadhseet and document the ideas I have, but that's only a tool. The whole point of stories-- one of them, at least-- is that they communicate ideas to others. If I know what I intend with the story, if I have it in my head already, then what's the point of writing it out if I'm not going to share it? And what's the point of sharing a thing that won't be read? I can communicate with myself just fine already.

So if I had written my first few stories, pouring my heart and ideas out onto the page, wrestling with phrasing and themes and word choice, and it was met with a collective shrug? I don't know that I would have kept going. That feeling that you're shouting into the void can be absolutely crushing. I know a lot of people will be like "write for you," and that's fine for them. It doesn't work for me, at least not entirely. I do write my stories "for me," but the part that's "for me" is coming up with the ideas and then listening to people's reactions; the middle steps of going from idea to story to editing to revising to posting is, by definition (to me) for everyone else.

Is it worth it? It has been for me. The reaction I've gotten to the stories I've written has been one of the most gratifying experiences I've had in years. But you have to decide if it's worth it for you. No one else can answer that; we can only tell you stories about ourselves to help you decide.

That is exactly how i feel. I do want feedback because I like my story and wonder if the subject is enjoyed by others.
Thank you for such a thoughtful reply..

 

[alohadave]

I hate to be an ignoramus, but how do i do that?

https://forum.literotica.com/account/signature

You can use the Link icon to add the link below and change the text to something nicer looking, like mine is.

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=6997643&page=submissions

 

[Damanhere]

Hi fellow authors!

So I toyed with my first story idea for ages before putting ‘pen to paper’. A 7 part story with very little feedback (a total of about 6 comments, 2 of which were very angry).

Was it worth it for all you writers out there to go to the effort to get published? I am a little underwhelmed. I haven’t shared my story with anyone in ‘real life’.

Anyway, I’ve watched the reader totals and ratings with interest. They all end up between 4.2 to 4.57 which isn’t too bad I suppose for a first try, but the reader totals are all over the place. The 4th installment has over 6000 views, the 7th only 900ish. Time in print doesn’t seem to be the cause. Is it my choice of key words in the description?

Finally, I wrote the story because it’s my fantasy. Not that I’d really want it to happen, (you know what I mean), but if you have time, any feedback here would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Duncan

You know I and numerous other readers of the stories have to give you an apology I will admit that I've read probably hundreds maybe thousands of Stories on this site and either out of stupidity on my part or ignorance Maybe I haven't given the rating to any one that if I had to rush off and do something and come back or just out of ignorance didn't check off one of the five boxes doesn't mean that the writer didn't have a great or even an average story any story that you write deserves the accolades and the satisfaction that you should get just from completing it but I admit that us readers should also Step Up and give you the praise and satisfaction of at least a numerical happiness or unhappiness with the story and if the comments are negative why don't you just keep them to yourself this person had the gumption took the time and effort to write a story no matter what it was so that you had the opportunity to read it they deserve the praise just for doing that whether it's good or bad or indifferent they still deserve to be respected and appreciated

 

[Damanhere]

Hi fellow authors!

So I toyed with my first story idea for ages before putting ‘pen to paper’. A 7 part story with very little feedback (a total of about 6 comments, 2 of which were very angry).

Was it worth it for all you writers out there to go to the effort to get published? I am a little underwhelmed. I haven’t shared my story with anyone in ‘real life’.

Anyway, I’ve watched the reader totals and ratings with interest. They all end up between 4.2 to 4.57 which isn’t too bad I suppose for a first try, but the reader totals are all over the place. The 4th installment has over 6000 views, the 7th only 900ish. Time in print doesn’t seem to be the cause. Is it my choice of key words in the description?

Finally, I wrote the story because it’s my fantasy. Not that I’d really want it to happen, (you know what I mean), but if you have time, any feedback here would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Duncan

I should have added this to my last post but don't forget as a reader you may be limited on time and when they post the story we may read chapter 1 and 2 and by the time you post three four five six and seven we don't remember the story so that we can go back and find three four five six and seven it could be weeks or months later and we've already moved on as a reader that's why I don't like is when they post chapter stories it could be a week a month a year before the next chapter comes out in your left hanging some people don't like to write or correction read chapter stories because they don't have the time but you should still receive the appreciation of writing something that a lot of us can't do

 

[DuncanMc]

https://forum.literotica.com/account/signature

You can use the Link icon to add the link below and change the text to something nicer looking, like mine is.

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=6997643&page=submissions

Thanks! So i tried to add it. Let’s see if it worked! It did!

 

[DuncanMc]

Great point. Something to bear in mind for my next offering.

 

[DuncanMc]

Obtw, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by the responses. In a very good way. It’s as though I just stumbled into the adult candy store that i have walked past so many times, but never had the courage to go in. And I am looking around, and there’s all these people in there just like me

 

[Smuttyandfun]

Good Luck! And keep writing.

 

[DuncanMc]

Good Luck! And keep writing.

Thanks. I was looking at your stories. All so very well written. You obviously have a natural talent for this.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

Thanks. I was looking at your stories. All so very well written. You obviously have a natural talent for this.

Kind of you to say. Yet, even after nearly five years on here, I still get a little anxious whenever I submit something new, hoping it doesn't bomb.

 

[spankableBelle]

I haven't posted a story on Lit in many, many years, however I do self-publish my books, so...
Is it worth writing? Yes. It's always worth writing.
Is it worth posting or publishing? Depends on what you want out of it.
It's so easy to get caught up in looking at reviews, ratings, comments, sales, rankings, etc... And sometimes you can learn something and sometimes it can feel good, other times there isn't much to learn and you can feel even worse.
But do you enjoy writing? Do you enjoy the process?
There's always someone out there who will want what you have written. They may not find it the first day, the 10th day, the 300th day... But they'll eventually find it and in that way, yes, it's always worth posting and publishing.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

You know I and numerous other readers of the stories have to give you an apology I will admit that I've read probably hundreds maybe thousands of Stories on this site and either out of stupidity on my part or ignorance Maybe I haven't given the rating to any one that if I had to rush off and do something and come back or just out of ignorance didn't check off one of the five boxes doesn't mean that the writer didn't have a great or even an average story any story that you write deserves the accolades and the satisfaction that you should get just from completing it but I admit that us readers should also Step Up and give you the praise and satisfaction of at least a numerical happiness or unhappiness with the story and if the comments are negative why don't you just keep them to yourself this person had the gumption took the time and effort to write a story no matter what it was so that you had the opportunity to read it they deserve the praise just for doing that whether it's good or bad or indifferent they still deserve to be respected and appreciated

Totally disagree. The reader owes nothing.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Totally disagree. The reader owes nothing.

Philosophically, I believe this speaks to the type of society that you want to embrace and promote.

Courtesy and respect are not an entitlement, but they can be earned.

As in normal society, if I provide a gift to someone and they don't thank me for it, I apparently haven't earned it. Right? If the value perceived by a reader from something that they have read doesn't earn their courtesy and respect, who does that fall on?

Is the fact that they can read free material here the diminishing factor where a story's value to some readers is concerned?

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Everything I write here is small pieces of the big picture, so yeah, it's worth it. I don't check my scores and shit like that, since they never seem to change from their initial score, and I'm used to not getting comments everywhere I write. But I seem to get a nice amount of favorites on several stories here and there, probably more of those, than votes on some- I can assume which ones are the most popular that way.