A second submission - but is it as good as the first

[GeorgieH]

Hi everyone,

I've finally managed to get my second contribution put together and it's now approved and ready to be viewed.

I was so delighted with the feedback from my first effort - but now I'm worried that my second story will disappoint! I would be really, really grateful for some good, honest feedback.

I hope you enjoy:

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=396755

Georgie
x

 

[CWatson]

Well, then, let me end the suspense for you:

Your second story will disappoint.

Happens to all of us. That's just the way life works. Your breakout story, more often than not, comes from some well of deep genius inside you; it's the sound of you writing at the top of your game (or maybe past it!), pouring your heart and soul and life into it, and the results are a lot better than you thought were even possible for you.

Your second story, in comparison, is written the normal way--word by word, sweat by sweat--and that shows too. It's not inspired the way the first one was. So, it's worse. And the readers are disappointed.

Oh well.

So, stop worrying. It just happens. Your second story will not be as good as the first... But that doesn't mean you can't still make it good in its own right. What do you say?

 

[stevieraygovan]

For what it's worth I liked your second story better, mainly because I liked the episode with Julian more than I liked anything in the first story. I enjoyed the fact that she was driving the bus in that Julian episode, as opposed to simply following the lead of someone else as she did in the first story. Really though this second story is just the second chapter of your first story.

I also don't agree that anyone's second story (or the second chapter of their first story) will necessarily not be as good as the first. Not everything is a Boston album.

In my case the second chapter of my first story is considered the best chapter of that series and my second story as well as most of my subsequent stories received the same basic scores as my first story. If anything I'm discovering that the technical aspects of my writing are getting better with each new story. I'm slowly breaking bad habits.

I'd say it's a mixed bag. Sure, most people's first story will be their most passionate effort since it's the story they most want to tell. If that's the only bullet in your gun then yes it probably will go downhill from there. Hopefully that isn't the case and I don't think it is with you since your second chapter seems to offer up potential for the future. I know I'm looking forward to where your woman goes from here, now that she's actively pursuing what looks to be a new hobby...

 

[CWatson]

Stevie brings up a good point, so let me rephrase.

It's possible, yes, that your second story will be worse than your first. It's also possible for it to be better than your first. But no matter what, it will be worse than your first if you don't focus on just telling the story--because the results will simply be bad.

So, seriously. Where do you write?--what room of your home? Whatever room it is, leave your insecurities at the door. Take your pencil, twirl it, point it at the door, and repeat after me: "This is my magic writing wand. I hereby enchant this door to repel all insecurities. I can enter through this threshold; they cannot." Wave your magic wand around, swish-and-flick, whatever makes you feel good. Then sit down and write. Tell yourself, "My first story was good. My second will be too. And after that, let the cards fall where they will."

(And, though that sort of exhib-voyeur-seduction thing is not my cup of tea, I got up to about the point where we learned Julian's name, and I can vouch that what I read was good. )

 

[stevieraygovan]

CWatson, your wife and kids must get a big kick out of it whenever daddy gets sets to write a story!

"Oh look mommy, daddy put on his wizard outfit again and he's talking funny to the office door! Is he gonna go write another fuck story? Couldja read us another one tonight when you tuck us into bed? I like the one where Santa Claus has a twelve inch shlong and he's heavily into anal!"

 

[GeorgieH]

Thanks guys - your comments (and arguments) have certainly given me plenty of food for thought. It's exactly this sort of feedback that makes submitting here so worthwhile and thanks to the likes of you, I feel that I'm learning a hell of a lot at a hell of a speed.

I guess only time will tell...

One more little question for you to ponder, and hopefully advise upon: I've had this idea for a story that is beyond any of my admittedly limited experiences, and may even be beyond my comfort zone as I know it now. I think the story is worthy, but I'm worried that anyone who had read and enjoyed my first two efforts would be frightened off my writing if I took on a topic that some might find offensive. Any opinions?

Georgie

PS Thanks again!

 

[evanslily]

Thanks guys - your comments (and arguments) have certainly given me plenty of food for thought. It's exactly this sort of feedback that makes submitting here so worthwhile and thanks to the likes of you, I feel that I'm learning a hell of a lot at a hell of a speed.

I guess only time will tell...

One more little question for you to ponder, and hopefully advise upon: I've had this idea for a story that is beyond any of my admittedly limited experiences, and may even be beyond my comfort zone as I know it now. I think the story is worthy, but I'm worried that anyone who had read and enjoyed my first two efforts would be frightened off my writing if I took on a topic that some might find offensive. Any opinions?

Georgie

PS Thanks again!

If you want to write it, the chances are you'll write it well. Don't write to suit Lit readers, write to suit yourself. That's the best advice I can give you.

Seriously, with just the 2 stories beneath your belt, don't worry about readers' expectations.

Alternatively, if the idea of writing something completely different really appeals but you don't want to associate your original pen-name with it, use another pen-name. Open another account here at Lit under a different name or 'alt' as we call it. Many folks do - shucks, I've even done it myself...

 

[GeorgieH]

If you want to write it, the chances are you'll write it well. Don't write to suit Lit readers, write to suit yourself. That's the best advice I can give you.

Seriously, with just the 2 stories beneath your belt, don't worry about readers' expectations.

Alternatively, if the idea of writing something completely different really appeals but you don't want to associate your original pen-name with it, use another pen-name. Open another account here at Lit under a different name or 'alt' as we call it. Many folks do - shucks, I've even done it myself...

Thank you Lily - that's really helpful.

I think my problem stems from the fact that I really could do the things I've written about so far (if I ever plucked up the courage), but the new story is about something that I couldn't do (and probably wouldn't even if I could...).

I also think that it's mostly a case of me not wanting anyone who read the story to think that it was something I would want to do, or have done.

If I adopt another pen-name to submit under, my biggest problem would be jealousy - I think the new story is the best I've written but I'm not sure I could handle my pseudonym getting all the good feedback if other people felt the same!

I'll decide this weekend and, one way or another, I'll be posting it as soon as it has been edited.

Thanks again,

Georgie

 

[GeorgieH]

If you want to write it, the chances are you'll write it well. Don't write to suit Lit readers, write to suit yourself. That's the best advice I can give you.

Seriously, with just the 2 stories beneath your belt, don't worry about readers' expectations.

Alternatively, if the idea of writing something completely different really appeals but you don't want to associate your original pen-name with it, use another pen-name. Open another account here at Lit under a different name or 'alt' as we call it. Many folks do - shucks, I've even done it myself...

Oh and a quick PS - Happy birthday for tomorrow, Lily!

 

[evanslily]

If I adopt another pen-name to submit under, my biggest problem would be jealousy - I think the new story is the best I've written but I'm not sure I could handle my pseudonym getting all the good feedback if other people felt the same!

Georgie

Yeah, I'll confess to feeling the same way, LOL, though the story I wrote under a different alt wasn't one of my best, just different. More of a stroke story than the romantic slush I usually bash out...

I think my problem stems from the fact that I really could do the things I've written about so far (if I ever plucked up the courage), but the new story is about something that I couldn't do (and probably wouldn't even if I could...).

I also think that it's mostly a case of me not wanting anyone who read the story to think that it was something I would want to do, or have done.

And yes, I'll ditto that too Although hardly anyone I know in everyday life knows that I write on Lit--and those that do have no idea what my pen-name is. Hmm. Tricky one. You don't really want to write a disclaimer on the top of the submission, I s'pose.

But then again, how many folks know that you're GeorgieH--and how many of those would assume you'd do any of the things you were writing about? If the answer is, not many, go ahead and submit it as GeorgieH! Most of us here read a pretty diverse range of stuff anyway. Just because I write romance, it doesn't mean it's all I like to read.

Oh and a quick PS - Happy birthday for tomorrow, Lily!

Aw, thank you very much