English is not my native language. I read well, write what is necessary and understand and make myself understood in English. I would like to write some stories on Literotica and I would appreciate it if you could suggest stories, of any category, but that are written with beauty and accuracy. That way I would improve my English even more. Thank you very much.
Good style
- Thread starter luap50
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StillStunned
Scruffy word herder
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Beauty and accuracy, and good style, are very subjective concepts. I think everyone who writes believes that their style is best.
That said, here's my take. Overall (with a couple of deliberate exceptions) I go for plain, simple language. But I make an effort to find the rhythm of the sentences and make them flow. I want every word to move the reader's eye forward, so I write descriptions like a camera panning across a scene, people's faces are described from up to down, or their bodies from foot to face. Causes and their consequences, rather than situations and their reasons. That kind of thing.
I keep my paragraphs short for online reading, and try not to combine the words or actions of multiple characters into a single paragraph. I avoid dialogue tags if I can, unless the way someone is speaking adds to the story: murmuring, moaning, whispering.
With all this, I try to use words that suit the mood. Plosives and -oo- words for loud, active scenes, sibilants for quieter ones. A bit of alliteration and some imagery add a lot too. Varying sentence length and structure.
If you want, check out a few of my stories. A Quiet Woman is a recent one that's been well-received (9k words, Exhibitionist & Voyeur). Fairytale of New York is much shorter (1.8k words, Sci-Fi & Fantasy) if you want a quick idea.
Then I also have Upstream (3.7k words, SF&F) and The Countesses of Tannensdal (much longer, at 19.2k words, Erotic Horror). In both those stories I went for a deliberately evocative style. "Countesses" in particular is my attempt to recreate a 19th century Gothic novel.
Have fun reading, and more importantly, have fun writing!
That said, here's my take. Overall (with a couple of deliberate exceptions) I go for plain, simple language. But I make an effort to find the rhythm of the sentences and make them flow. I want every word to move the reader's eye forward, so I write descriptions like a camera panning across a scene, people's faces are described from up to down, or their bodies from foot to face. Causes and their consequences, rather than situations and their reasons. That kind of thing.
I keep my paragraphs short for online reading, and try not to combine the words or actions of multiple characters into a single paragraph. I avoid dialogue tags if I can, unless the way someone is speaking adds to the story: murmuring, moaning, whispering.
With all this, I try to use words that suit the mood. Plosives and -oo- words for loud, active scenes, sibilants for quieter ones. A bit of alliteration and some imagery add a lot too. Varying sentence length and structure.
If you want, check out a few of my stories. A Quiet Woman is a recent one that's been well-received (9k words, Exhibitionist & Voyeur). Fairytale of New York is much shorter (1.8k words, Sci-Fi & Fantasy) if you want a quick idea.
Then I also have Upstream (3.7k words, SF&F) and The Countesses of Tannensdal (much longer, at 19.2k words, Erotic Horror). In both those stories I went for a deliberately evocative style. "Countesses" in particular is my attempt to recreate a 19th century Gothic novel.
Have fun reading, and more importantly, have fun writing!
I appreciate well-written stories, obeying the basic rules of English grammar and even the more subtle ones, with logic, beginning, middle and end.
StillStunned
Scruffy word herder
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Besides any and all of my own stories (haha, of course), I was just complimenting @EmilyMiller on the writing this story: https://www.literotica.com/s/the-old-house-by-the-beach
I'll also recommend @onehitwanda and @Devinter - and his first language isn't English either, so you can take encouragement from that.
I'll also recommend @onehitwanda and @Devinter - and his first language isn't English either, so you can take encouragement from that.
THBGato
Litaddict
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- Jan 27, 2024
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Hello!
This one is short and sweet: https://www.literotica.com/s/from-the-ashes-6 by @Two21B
I'd recommend it as:
- it's short (five thousand words)
- as it's non-erotic, there is nothing here to offend or gross you out
- it is written with beauty and accuracy. In fact, I would go further and say it is written with love, with heart, with purpose, with every word in its proper place. It is sublime.
This one is short and sweet: https://www.literotica.com/s/from-the-ashes-6 by @Two21B
I'd recommend it as:
- it's short (five thousand words)
- as it's non-erotic, there is nothing here to offend or gross you out
- it is written with beauty and accuracy. In fact, I would go further and say it is written with love, with heart, with purpose, with every word in its proper place. It is sublime.
Two21B
Virgin
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- May 10, 2022
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I can't thank you enough for your kind words. I'm beyond grateful to receive such praise from a writer of your caliber. You've made my day. Honestly, I should be good until the end of the year! I can't speak for everyone, but I do want to say how much I appreciate you taking the time to comment on and show appreciation for so many stories. Without you, I may never have discovered "Mittens!" That story was so much fun. You're a wonderful contributor to this site. We're all lucky to have you. Thanks again!
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