Reading for pleasure…

[EmilyMiller]

You amateurs.
Then again, I've just found that in the same story, I refer to the same city correctly as Quickriver three times, and then three more times as Quicksilver... I will shamelessly claim that my error was tougher to spot than yours

Mine were buried in 32,000 words.

Em

 

[Djmac1031]

You amateurs.
Then again, I've just found that in the same story, I refer to the same city correctly as Quickriver three times, and then three more times as Quicksilver... I will shamelessly claim that my error was tougher to spot than yours

I'd be willing to bet that's the kind of error most readers won't even spot.

Unless they're very close together, I don't think it would register as a "mistake" as the average reader progresses through the story.

I had something slightly similar in The Devil And Angel Em.

I referred to a porn star character a grand total of twice in the story. She's not really even IN it, just mentioned.

First time I spelled it "Suki Starr."

Second time: "Suki Star."

Stupid, nitpicky error I doubt anyone even noticed. But I did of course

 

[MrPixel]

I think I said it another post. I let it simmer for a day or two, and come back to read it start to finish. I will balk on inconsistencies, and fix 'em on the spot. Nonetheless, if I am smiling when I'm done and feel good about the story (or, conversely, appropriately am daubing at tears), then it's a good story, ripe for uploading. This approach on my more recent works has not failed me, nor (my few) readers.

 

[Djmac1031]

I think I said it another post. I let it simmer for a day or two, and come back to read it start to finish. I will balk on inconsistencies, and fix 'em on the spot. Nonetheless, if I am smiling when I'm done and feel good about the story (or, conversely, appropriately am daubing at tears), then it's a good story, ripe for uploading. This approach on my more recent works has not failed me, nor (my few) readers.

I've definitely learned to put a little more time and space between writing and publishing.

Early on I just cranked them out.

And it shows.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I do it too. But not for a few weeks after posting. By then I can forgive any issues I missed and just enjoy the story and the accomplishment. You should enjoy your work Em. It's quite good. I wish I had more time to read more work from everyone in the AH.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Mine were buried in 32,000 words.

Em

I have chapters just as big

 

[EmilyMiller]

I have chapters just as big

Anyone might think you are over-compensating for some other deficiency in length, hun.

Em

 

[Bamagan]

Anyone might think you are over-compensating for some other deficiency in length, hun.

Em

 

[oneagainst]

I've definitely learned to put a little more time and space between writing and publishing.

Early on I just cranked them out.

And it shows.

That's exactly the thing: the space lets you sit on the finished product and see how it fits into everything else you're doing (if you're constructing a multi-stage story world). My current publishing pipeline's booked out to Oct '24 so some of the current stuff has been in the folder, done-and-dusted, for a year at this point. It's a good thing: it's like editing with 20/20 hindsight, but in advance of the publish date, the point it's locked in stone.

 

[Djmac1031]

I have chapters just as big

Just remember:

It's not the size of your stories, but whether or not your readers stay awake long enough to finish.

 

[djrip]

That's exactly the thing: the space lets you sit on the finished product and see how it fits into everything else you're doing (if you're constructing a multi-stage story world). My current publishing pipeline's booked out to Oct '24 so some of the current stuff has been in the folder, done-and-dusted, for a year at this point. It's a good thing: it's like editing with 20/20 hindsight, but in advance of the publish date, the point it's locked in stone.

You people and your discipline.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Anyone might think you are over-compensating for some other deficiency in length, hun.

Em

Right back at ya!

 

[Djmac1031]

That's exactly the thing: the space lets you sit on the finished product and see how it fits into everything else you're doing (if you're constructing a multi-stage story world). My current publishing pipeline's booked out to Oct '24 so some of the current stuff has been in the folder, done-and-dusted, for a year at this point. It's a good thing: it's like editing with 20/20 hindsight, but in advance of the publish date, the point it's locked in stone.

I've actively tried to avoid series lately. But I have had the prequel for The Devil And Angel Em in my head for some time now.

And then as I'm writing that, @EmilyMiller starts writing Heaven & Hole.

And suddenly we're interconnecting supernatural worlds; borrowing characters and concepts.

And now we have to make sure it all interconnects while still keeping both our stories independent entities.

And then as I'm continuing mine i get an idea for what part 3 will be.

So now I'm planting seeds for that.

And on the side making world building notes to keep all the rules and characters and details we'd both come up with clear and organized for future story reference.

I almost felt like a REAL author a couple times .

All that to say that yes, giving some space can be essential, especially in more complicated stories.

 

[oneagainst]

And on the side making world building notes to keep all the rules and characters and details we'd both come up with clear and organized for future story reference.

I almost felt like a REAL author a couple times .

All that to say that yes, giving some space can be essential, especially in more complicated stories.

It's when the characters start arguing back that you know you're in real trouble.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Right back at ya!

See, petite girls can still be cute, whereas other shortcomings are less easy to cope with…

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

I almost felt like a REAL author a couple times .

Whereas I’m sure I’m still a hack .

I leave the difficult stuff to you and just write sex scenes.

It’s called freeloading I think .

Em

 

[Djmac1031]

See, petite girls can still be cute, whereas other shortcomings are less easy to cope with…

Em

I just turn the lights out and when she's not looking sneak in a kielbasa...

 

[AwkwardlySet]

See, petite girls can still be cute, whereas other shortcomings are less easy to cope with…

Em

Well, those can also be... cute

 

[BelleCanzuto]

It was nice to read it as a reader, not as an author.

Is this common?

I can read my stories at the time, but once they’re out there I’m kind of detached from them.

Whenever I've gone back to read one of my published stories, I make it most of the way through the first page, and then I'm bored. OK, I know how this ends, I remember what happens, time to move on.

Perversely, I kind of enjoy editing because the work of getting the thing completed is done, and editing is polishing. Also, I'm definitely not a perfectionist, so I don't worry over little typos. I find what I find and fix that, make sure it all hangs together plot wise, and submit before I hate it.

 

[AchtungNight]

I usually edit and read over my stories excessively before publishing them. But I don’t get much pleasure from reading them. Too familiar. Then I am reminded of good reviews and things change a bit.

 

[32aa]

I love going back to some of my older works. I surprise myself that i managed to write it.

So yes, reading your own work once you can't change it is a nice feeling.

B

Me too. I reread my stories all the time. And, like you said, I'll come across a phrase that really hits me and say to myself, "Wow... How did I ever come up with that?".

 

[EmilyMiller]

Me too. I reread my stories all the time. And, like you said, I'll come across a phrase that really hits me and say to myself, "Wow... How did I ever come up with that?".

I had this thing that my early stories - particularly those I wrote under a different name - were total crap. But, while their style is uneven, and I’ve obviously got better at writing in the intervening year, I am surprised that there is some at least OK stuff in them. Surprised is the word, like digging up an ichthyosaur fossil when you were looking for belemnites.

Em

 

[Bamagan]

Surprised is the word, like digging up an ichthyosaur fossil when you were looking for belemnites.

I really hate that, too. But at least it wasn't another orthocera!

 

[EmilyMiller]

I really hate that, too. But at least it wasn't another orthocera!

I’m reading a biography of Mary Anning

 

[MillieDynamite]

Currently reading Flannery O'Connor's And the Violent Bear It Away. I find these characters a tiny bit more likable than her usual cast.