Asking readers to supply cameo characters for stories. Fun, or really bad idea?

[oneagainst]

I'm underway with another longer story in which there will be people in coffee shops, parks, in the street etc. so I got to thinking: would it be fun if readers could supply characters to do a cameo appearance...?

I was thinking of asking readers to supply a few distinguishable features, maybe a name, so it'd be cool for them if they see their person appear in a later chapter. Probably steering away from the sex scenes for obvious reasons.

I haven't seen it done, but I'm still new here. Maybe it's been done, maybe the author is huddled in a corner somewhere still recovering from the fallout...?

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't see why not. I've written stories where the main characters were my version of people I corresponded with in real life and they wanted stories written about them, so I see no harm in inserting people as side characters if they want to be included. Fun for them, fun for you.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

I've inserted a few readers into my stories, in fact. At least four people have minor avatars in the Alexaverse. Usually it's just that they share a name, maybe a profession. They've all been loyal and positive readers of the series. I have full creative control over what happens to them, I usually just promise to not torture and kill them.

If nothing else, it's a method of keeping people invested in the story.

 

[NC_Coastal]

I'm underway with another longer story in which there will be people in coffee shops, parks, in the street etc. so I got to thinking: would it be fun if readers could supply characters to do a cameo appearance...?

I was thinking of asking readers to supply a few distinguishable features, maybe a name, so it'd be cool for them if they see their person appear in a later chapter. Probably steering away from the sex scenes for obvious reasons.

I haven't seen it done, but I'm still new here. Maybe it's been done, maybe the author is huddled in a corner somewhere still recovering from the fallout...?

Sounds like Penny Lane. Go for it.

 

[KeithD]

If it's fun, there's no reason not to do it. Literotica is as good a place to try it as not.

 

[jehoram]

I've written a story with a character based loosely on one of the authors on this site, but I don't know if she recognized herself (or even read the story, for that matter).

But if you want to include me in one of your stories, feel free. Just don't make me look more stupid than I really am.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Writing readers in is fun. I do it now and then, usually on request, altho I have written the odd troll in as well. Along with half the AH back in one story long ago (Tex's Coffee Shop has never been the same - are the chupacarba heads still up on the wall, Tex?)

 

[SamScribble]

I trust that you will credit the readers with the contributions you use.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

I've created a one-use character in the Alexaverse, Kenny, based on some incel troll who was hating on my works, hated Alexa, wanted to tie her down and throw acid in her face for being a slut (his words in a public comment). So I made him a character in the series Freja & Jeanie, and Freja kicked the ever-living crap out of him and he went to jail for trying to murder Jeanie. It was cathartic.

I've gotta figure out how to work that psycho who wanted me to write the story about the two pregnant women murdering each other in an orgy of blood into one of my universes. I'm sure there's a place somewhere in the Hammerverse for him, likely under some woman's spiked heel.

Not that he'll suffer or anything...

So my tally is four reader insertions with their blessing, and one involuntary incel who had a very bad day. Not a bad track record so far.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I'm underway with another longer story in which there will be people in coffee shops, parks, in the street etc. so I got to thinking: would it be fun if readers could supply characters to do a cameo appearance...?

I was thinking of asking readers to supply a few distinguishable features, maybe a name, so it'd be cool for them if they see their person appear in a later chapter. Probably steering away from the sex scenes for obvious reasons.

I haven't seen it done, but I'm still new here. Maybe it's been done, maybe the author is huddled in a corner somewhere still recovering from the fallout...?

I liked your story "Critical Response", but it wasn't quite clear whether they were talking about each other as a writing team or if it was the characters in the story talking about their future.

It did spur me to try writing my own 750-word take on "characters talking back" to the author, which should publish within the next day or three (I credit you in my author note for the inspiration.)

 

[oneagainst]

I liked your story "Critical Response", but it wasn't quite clear whether they were talking about each other as a writing team or if it was the characters in the story talking about their future.

It did spur me to try writing my own 750-word take on "characters talking back" to the author, which should publish within the next day or three (I credit you in my author note for the inspiration.)

Go for it...! I reckon the 750 word project is an ideal format for that.

I just got narked with the one-bombers and then it came into my head: maybe break the fourth wall and see how Eve would cope with getting dumped on like that? Sometimes all you can do as a writer is make sure the scenery's nailed up right and the catering truck is there on time, 'cos you've got very little say in the rest of it

 

[ElectricBlue]

I haven't seen it done, but I'm still new here. Maybe it's been done, maybe the author is huddled in a corner somewhere still recovering from the fallout...?

I've got a three chapter story where a character recognises herself in a story, gets in contact with the author, and they meet.

It gets very meta and self-referential, because the author in the story is an established character in other EB stories, as well as being a character in this one:

https://literotica.com/s/the-hyacinth-house-pt-01 (plus two other chapters).

It was well received, if the scores are anything to go by.

 

[Voboy]

Writing readers in is fun. I do it now and then, usually on request, altho I have written the odd troll in as well. Along with half the AH back in one story long ago (Tex's Coffee Shop has never been the same - are the chupacarba heads still up on the wall, Tex?)

This was my first thought.

It was such a fun story.

Go for it, OP! Sounds like an interesting idea.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I've got a three chapter story where a character recognises herself in a story, gets in contact with the author, and they meet.

It gets very meta and self-referential, because the author in the story is an established character in other EB stories, as well as being a character in this one:

https://literotica.com/s/the-hyacinth-house-pt-01 (plus two other chapters).

It was well received, if the scores are anything to go by.

Is that like the old Twilight Zone episode "A World of His Own" in which Keenan Wynn is a playwright? If I remember the plot correctly, he can bring almost any character he wishes into physical reality. He makes up a girlfriend that way but eventually, he gets caught by his real-world wife.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Is that like the old Twilight Zone episode "A World of His Own" in which Keenan Wynn is a playwright? If I remember the plot correctly, he can bring almost any character he wishes into physical reality. He makes up a girlfriend that way but eventually, he gets caught by his real-world wife.

No. In the first story sequence I created a character based on an encounter with a young woman I met in the street. The first scene of the story describes that encounter exactly as it happened, and the first story takes off from there.

In the second story, I imagine the original street encounter woman recognising the event as she reads the first story, and she gets in touch with the author of the story (who is the same male lead in both stories). And a completely different story follows.

Basically, the real life woman inspired two very different fictional characters.

 

[ManitowocMike]

Just make sure you are in agreement first.

I grew up knowing and having friends who were sluts, strippers, taxi dancers, and prostitutes. Most of the men that I know are sluts. I've never been monotonous (or monogamous) and don't expect others to be. Some people promise fidelity and don't deliver it. That aint cool with Mike. It's not the mon-nomogany it's the dishonesty that bothers me. I've written some LW stories because those dynamics amuse me.

A reader and frequent commentator gave me an idea for a story element. And yes, it was about his soon to be ex-wife. It was bare bones-- I had to go find it on the hard drive, it's exactly 47 words of text. Of course I could infer much from comments he previously left on other stories.

Because her deception was elaborate, I thought it interesting. I messaged him and asked if I could use his idea as the basis of a new story.

The deal we struck was I could include the methodology of her deception in a story I wrote-- which I don't believe I am ethically obligated to do on an unsolicited message-- and I would credit him by user name for the idea. We even agreed on the wording of the credit.

He didn't like the story-- because it wasn't biographical. Of course it wasn't. It was a 32 word idea, out of his 47 words, expanded to 300-350 words in a two page LitE story.

Many people have highly unrealistic expectations.

 

[gunhilltrain]

No. In the first story sequence I created a character based on an encounter with a young woman I met in the street. The first scene of the story describes that encounter exactly as it happened, and the first story takes off from there.

In the second story, I imagine the original street encounter woman recognising the event as she reads the first story, and she gets in touch with the author of the story (who is the same male lead in both stories). And a completely different story follows.

Basically, the real life woman inspired two very different fictional characters.

Okay, sorry, now I get it.