After we post

[johnpassion]

After posting a story or a poem, it appears that the number of times they are read or commented on reduce dramatically after a week. Is that due to the fact it is no longer a fresh or new submission or is it because the interest to the writing has waned?

Personally, I look at the amount of times my writings are read and feedback. I like to return comment on the feedback the readers provide because sometimes there is a misunderstanding or a confusing part in the story that I need to clarify. That will only make me a better writer and possible lead to a new story.

My question is: In order to have more people read and comment do I need to submit more writings and keep my name flashing up? Or it is by happenstance that my writings appear in the random section?

Obviously I am new to this site and still trying to navigate.

Thank you for reading,
John

 

[BrokenSpokes]

After posting a story or a poem, it appears that the number of times they are read or commented on reduce dramatically after a week. Is that due to the fact it is no longer a fresh or new submission or is it because the interest to the writing has waned?

Obviously I am new to this site and still trying to navigate.

Thank you for reading,
John

Its pretty standard for views/comments to drop off after the first week. When you first post your story it is in the “New Stories” list which is where the vast majority of people go to find stuff to read. After you lose the “New” tag on your story, readers and comments will drop off pretty steeply, unless you have a huge amount of followers. Just how it is, it happens to me like clockwork. Don’t take it personally.

 

[johnpassion]

I do not take it personally at all. Thank you for the comment. It is just an inquiry.

I find myself looking through many of my writings and realize I cannot post them on here because they are under 750 words. I guess it will be a good exercise to expand my thoughts and develop the stories a little further.

Thank you once again for your reply. I guess I had better post more.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

FYI: one page on Lit is approximately 3750 words. Story length, like anything on the site, varies greatly but many writers have said the average tends towards 3-5 pages, i.e., roughly 10k - 15k words. To my understanding, that’s for both chapters and stand alone stories.

A bunch of us writers participated in an exercise to write 750 words stories. The reception was a bit tepid.

 

[BrokenSpokes]

FYI: one page on Lit is approximately 3750 words. Story length, like anything on the site, varies greatly but many writers have said the average tends towards 3-5 pages, i.e., roughly 10k - 15k words. To my understanding, that’s for both chapters and stand alone stories.

A bunch of us writers participated in an exercise to write 750 words stories. The reception was a bit tepid.

Yeah, my Halloween story was just 4K words and felt AWFULLY short to me.

The Looking Glass

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

Just to be clear: quality over quantity. If the story is good and over the 750 word limit, then its length likely won’t matter. But the collection of 750-word stories had mixed reviews.

I recently edited a masterful, moving piece that was less than 2k words, and I’ve read some things that are 7-8 pages, i.e., 25k-plus words, that would have been better storytelling if they’d been significantly shorter.

 

[johnpassion]

I have submitted one story that has 10 parts (over 35,k words), one with 6 parts (almost 19k words) the a halloween story that has 2,600 words. The last one was almost like a quick breath and I wondered if I had even written a complete thought. When I review it, I am happy that it tells a complete story and someone can read it quickly and see the scenes in their mind.

@BrokenSpokes I thought your halloween story was a good length and felt complete. It allows the reader to continue the story in their mind.

@Vix_Giovanni Your multipart stories flow very well and pull the reader to the next part.

I am learning more after reading both of your writings. Thank you.

 

[KeithD]

My question is: In order to have more people read and comment do I need to submit more writings and keep my name flashing up?

Pretty much, yes.

The shelf life of books in the mainstream not being heavily publicized for one reason or another is considered to be two weeks. No reason why it wouldn't be different on Internet story sites.

 

[johnpassion]

That makes sense that it would pass through the mind quickly on here when a quick swipe of the finger takes people to other erotic lands.

Thank you for your reply

 

[ElectricBlue]

My question is: In order to have more people read and comment do I need to submit more writings and keep my name flashing up? Or it is by happenstance that my writings appear in the random section?

Every new story goes onto the category front page, and stays there as long as it takes to push it off the bottom. In slower moving categories that might be a week or two, in high volume categories (like incest), two days.

Once it's rolled off the page, the only source of new readers is the group who find your story by searching on tags, or find it because it's been favourited by someone else.

Every time you publish new content, your back file Views will increase. So yes, to keep traffic, you have to keep content flowing.

 

[LesDesirable]

You can gain readers by posting your "new works" in the new stories threads, by posting here in this forum asking for reviews and feedback, and by being active in the other story related areas of the Bulletin Board.

You can also gain readers by entering the various themed contests.

 

[johnpassion]

Thank you very much.

I have been exploring the site today and realized that many people post on here and different threads.

I had never thought of that.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

 

[johnpassion]

Thank you

I am working on a couple of pieces right now. Keeping up the traffic and posting on the bulletin boards appear to be the best way to get feedback.

 

[LesDesirable]

I read two of your stories, and a couple poems.

New House Pt. 01

You began with a paragraph containing punctuation errors and then continued using "so," to begin the second line. Not a strong "read me" opening.

Your overall writing is simple, but mostly accurate. Some lines are clumsy and not well executed, but there is nothing that makes it unreadable. Things like the bit about the realtor, are unnecessary, as is the bit about the guys helping move, if the help has nothing to add to the adventure. If it has something to add in later parts, then glossing over it now, is probably not enough. Good enough, but relatively basic writing.



Blooper Reel: humor/satire.

I did not feel the burn of laughter in this, the bloopers were a bit too scripted and did not touch my funny bones. Others might think differently.

This concludes the blooper reel. I am quite sure there are many other stories out there that are needed to be told. So, tell them, make people realize that they are not the only one that has had a not so perfect experience.

Paragraphs like this one, indicate that you need to have a proof reader or editor check your work for word usage and grammar errors before final submission.

What am I (non-erotic poem)

This one has some good and some average. here is my three minute re-write (yes, I sinned)

I am a giver,
yet I am selfish,
I give my writing, I keep my thoughts,
What I keep, I then use to write.

I am quiet, I am observant,
In crowds I listen, and I see,
what I see and hear,
I use to create.

I write what I see,
I see because I listen,
I listen because I am selfish,
I am selfish, yet I give,
I am a giver

Your eyes (non-erotic poetry)

This one was OK, but its language missed nailing what could have been powerful lines by using more words than necessary for the thoughts.

 

[johnpassion]

It is interesting to see your recommendations then read my submissions afterwards. My mind still tries to ignore the extra "so" and the punctuation.

An editor would be a valuable asset.

Thank you

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

An editor would be a valuable asset.

Thank you

Have you checked out the Editor’s program yet? Go to your Literotica author’s page and select “Editors”; you’ll get a number of profiles to scroll. You could also stop by the Editor’s Forum and ask for help. Best approach either way is to select a specific story and provide info about the story’s category, approx word count, a short summary of what the story is about and what help you’re seeking.

Hope this is helpful and best of luck!

 

[johnpassion]

Thank you for directing me to the editors part of the site.

I have not explored the site too much. I have a difficult time navigating through the site smoothly and do not stray too far away from my page after I log in.

Thank you for the direction.

 

[vanmyers86]

I'm a big fan of entering the seasonal, themed contests. The stories stay up for the duration of the contest, so you get a much broader and bigger audience than usual. My entry in the current contest won't win, but it's exposed my work to thousands more people than usual, and my previous works have gotten more readers too. I am pretty happy with that!

 

[Jada59]

Mine goes through phases. Of course when something is new, it will get ratings. I don't get a lot of comments on my stuff compared to the ratings. But when someone new discovers my work, they tend to read all or most of it and I'll get more ratings.

 

[johnpassion]

@vanmyers

Thank you for that advice. I entered a writing in the halloween writing contest. It was a very quick story that I entered just to get feedback. I know I will not win, however, if I would have read your comment prior to the writing, I would have taken more time. I did not think about that amount of exposure and should have written a more thorough piece.

Thank you for taking your time to respond.

 

[johnpassion]

@Jada59

I have noticed that the ratings tend to be a popular way for someone to let you know if they like the offering or if they do not accept what was offered.

I believe the answer that I was looking for when posting this question is an amalgamation of many of the responses.

Post often
Post well thought out stories
Post things of interest
Edit Edit Edit
Do not take things personally.

I would hope that if, like you, someone discovers my works they would feel comfortable enough to message me about questions or motives behind my thoughts.

Thank you for your time in responding.

 

[vanmyers86]

I believe the answer that I was looking for when posting this question is an amalgamation of many of the responses.

Post often
Post well thought out stories
Post things of interest
Edit Edit Edit
Do not take things personally.

This is as good a summary as any of how to approach writing for Lit. Many of us could stand to print this list and post it above our computers!

I hope you are getting the hang of this site and enjoying your time here.

 

[KyraSaden]

After posting a story or a poem, it appears that the number of times they are read or commented on reduce dramatically after a week. Is that due to the fact it is no longer a fresh or new submission or is it because the interest to the writing has waned?

Personally, I look at the amount of times my writings are read and feedback. I like to return comment on the feedback the readers provide because sometimes there is a misunderstanding or a confusing part in the story that I need to clarify. That will only make me a better writer and possible lead to a new story.

My question is: In order to have more people read and comment do I need to submit more writings and keep my name flashing up? Or it is by happenstance that my writings appear in the random section?

Obviously I am new to this site and still trying to navigate.

Thank you for reading,
John

In order for readers to enjoy, rate, and comment on a story of yours, they first need to find it on a website with literally tens of thousands of other stories to choose from. Most of them click on the category/genre that most floats their boat and look for topics of interest in the prominently displayed "New" column. Thus, you're likely to get the most ratings/comments while your story is new.

There are other ways to get readers, though. If you carefully select your tags and pick ones that tend to be popular (but not too terribly common) within your genre of choice, you'll occasionally get a new reader or two willing to rate/comment, but not many. If you end up in the Hall of Fame, your story will also be prominently displayed on the main page for your genre and you'll get even more new readers. If you enter the contests, that will also allow your story to get long-term exposure.

But in general, the best way to get a consistent readership and regular feedback is to post quality content in somewhat regular intervals. The good news is that each time you post something new, those readers who enjoyed your work will likely search through your posted "Stories/Poems" for other things they might like and your old works will get attention, too.