Author Arousal Levels

[KenJames]

When working on a story doesn't arouse me, I know it's time to go play keyboards, catch up on my reading, watch TV, check out new posts on Author's Hangout, or go do something else to get away from writing.

I always reread a story right after it's posted, just like I always used to read my freshly-published magazine articles. I've learned to resign myself to the typos and syntax errors.

When enough time has passed, I'll occasionally read an old story. Since I'm pretty self-critical when I'm writing, I'm usually fairly happy with the results. They're a pretty good indication of where I was at that point in my creative life.

 

[the proffesor]

morning bump!!!

 

[the proffesor]

morning bump!!!

 

[KenJames]

My writing does not arouse me, though in my case it is because I write mainly for an audience of which I would not be a member.

I've been surprised by some of the feedback my stories have received because I didn't expect them to appeal to certain audiences. That's led me to a new awareness of some of the themes in my work.

I'm puzzled as to why you write for an audience of which you're not a member. A story idea has to engage me or I won't go through the effort of writing it.

Edited to add:
I just checked your link. I guess it makes a difference when you're actually selling books.

 

[angela146]

I'm puzzled as to why you write for an audience of which you're not a member. [/i]

I know this wasn't addressed to me but I'll answer anyway.

I often write for men, an audience of which I am not. I like turning men on. I like the fact that there are guys out there gettin off on my words.

 

[KenJames]

I know this wasn't addressed to me but I'll answer anyway.

I often write for men, an audience of which I am not. I like turning men on. I like the fact that there are guys out there gettin off on my words.

Good point!

I really don't write for a specific audience. I'm actually glad that anyone gets off on my work.

Interestingly, I get more feedback from women than men. That's an audience to which I obviously can't belong (We'll ignore sex-change surgery, I'm very happy being male).

Snooper actually said "an audience of which I would not be a member," which is a little different. Judging from his link, he largely writes (and sells) BDSM, although he's not into it himself.

I hope my post didn't sound mean, or challenging or anything but curious. Although I use a lot of craft and intellect, I write what I feel and I wonder how Snooper does it without being into his subject matter.

 

[Carl East]

I must admit I got aroused the other night when I wrote an incest story called 'The Mother-inlaw' The thing is I was getting hard just thinking about what I was writing, long before I'd written it.

Now all my stories turn me on, if they didn't I wouldn't write them. The reason is simple, when I write I like to put myself in the situation that I've created. That was particularly true for my 'Big Boy,' series. Each time I wrote one of them stories I pictured myself as Big Boy and found it helped to place him in situations that would turn me on.

But hey, I'm sex mad so go figure.

Carl

The 'Mother in Law,' came out today on lit, see if it has the same effect on you.

Carl

 

[SadieRose]

I know this wasn't addressed to me but I'll answer anyway.

I often write for men, an audience of which I am not. I like turning men on. I like the fact that there are guys out there gettin off on my words.

I think that because I never write for other people but purely about what interests or arouses me, whenever I go back to piece, especially if it is a while since I've read it through, I do find it is still stimulating.

I also write stories that tend to appeal to a gay male view point (for reasons I won't go into here) but have discovered that these have a curious appeal to some women also.

Any image of piece of writing that arouses my senses remains arousing to me, no matter how often I read or look at it. For me it is not so much the element of surprise as the issue being depicted that turns me on. Although it is satisfying to discover that other people also share my pleasure.

Sadie.

 

[Black Tulip]

On reading what others have put down as an answer, I think I am too much of a newbie. I haven't been a member that long, so I don't know how I will experience my stories once they're up for a few months. Maybe they do appeal again then. Not right after posting though.

As to the subject, I found I can't write about things that do not turn me on. I am with Ken there.

KenJames
I hope my post didn't sound mean, or challenging or anything but curious. Although I use a lot of craft and intellect, I write what I feel and I wonder how Snooper does it without being into his subject matter.

 

[snooper]

... I'm puzzled as to why you write for an audience of which you're not a member...

... Edited to add:
I just checked your link. I guess it makes a difference when you're actually selling books.

Got it in one. The first books I sold were the result of complaining about the poor writing in one I had bought; the publisher's response was, "If you can do better, send it to me!"

 

[KenJames]

Got it in one. The first books I sold were the result of complaining about the poor writing in one I had bought; the publisher's response was, "If you can do better, send it to me!"

That's cool. It's great you're making money off of writing.

 

[Black Tulip]

Got it in one. The first books I sold were the result of complaining about the poor writing in one I had bought; the publisher's response was, "If you can do better, send it to me!"

Are you telling me I should have muttered to a publisher instead of to the walls and the cats?



Serious though, still wondering how you write about things that do not appeal to you. How do you get passion into it? Not meaning sex, but writing in general with emotion behind the words.

 

[snooper]

Are you telling me I should have muttered to a publisher instead of to the walls and the cats?

It worked for me. I had only written non-fiction previously, but I was basically complaining about poor copy-editing.

Serious though, still wondering how you write about things that do not appeal to you. How do you get passion into it? Not meaning sex, but writing in general with emotion behind the words.

The mechanics of writing about sex are (as you seem to understand) just as easy and difficult as writing about Computer Security, which was where I started.

Since I write BDSM novels, I can understand what pain feels like, because I have burnt my fingers, scalded my hand, cut myself, had toothache, etc., just like anyone else.

As to the pleasure of inflicting pain, I tend to describe the pain felt and leave the reader the enjoyment.

Incidentally, there seems to be a flaw in your worry. if you feel that and author(ess) cannot write about anything they would not particularly want to read about, how do journalists manage? They write interesting stories about anything that happens, whether it interests them personally or not.

 

[Katerina Val-Kyrie]

Arousal and reading your own stories

Sometimes I do get aroused as I'm writing, thats what makes the passion come through in my words. I'm in a zone and I actually feel whats happening. I envision myself actually being there. It works. I think a writer has to feel to pull off a good story. If you do, there is heart and soul in your work.

But after grueling years or months or days, however long it takes to write, you lose interest. I mean, after editing a ga-zillion times, you don't want to read it anymore. And when you do, it doesn't hold the same impact as it would to a new reader.

I just finished a story called Dancing Angel. I've worked on it the past two years, off and on of course. I don't write everyday and this story was put on hold for a long time. But, its now complete...Yes! I don't know how many times I've read it. I've lost count. But even though its almost memorized, I do find parts of it extremely arousing. Its my first girl/girl story. Need I say more? I've never written in this category before, and I found it extremely exciting to write. But now that I'm finished, I'm letting it rest. Everytime I read it, I want to change something, thats why it took me so damn long submitting it.

Now I've submitted it. And I'm not looking at it again until its in the new story section. Once on the site I'll read it once, just because its thrilling to see something you've worked so hard on, published. I just pray when I do, I'll not find any glaring errors and so on. But, I'm my own worst nightmare when it comes to my editing and I did seek the help of a few good editors on the site as well. I hope I suceeded in pulling off a good read. All I can say, is the story is filled with action, an interesting twist and a whole lot of fun afterwards. I hope it'll be enjoyed.

As for my other works on the site, I wrote them four years ago and I cringe when I go back and read them. I've changed. My writing has become more developed since then. Now, when I read my old works, I shudder at all my mistakes. I guess that comes with learning. We just have to let them go and move on to the next phase.

Since finishing Angel, I started writing on another story I started years ago, 2001 actually. I've got 6 completed chapters of New Beginnings so far...And yes, theres alot of words to read over and over again. By the time I get this one submitted I'll have it memorized too. After writing this many chapters, I have to see this one through. I have no idea when it'll be done, but it will be someday...

Anywho, I'm very excited about submitting a new story. Especially after four years. I hope everyone who reads it, enjoys it. I worked extremely hard. Thats it, thats all I have to say, I've rambled enough. Tanks for listening...Watch for Angel, its coming soon!

Sorry I got off the topic, I got carried away with my excitement of completing a story! What was the topic? Oh yeah, I get aroused when I write, especially the good stuff!

Hugs Katerina

 

[angela146]

I guess it's easier for me to write for hetero men because I have a test subject of my own. I have been telling him stories for years while stimulating him or helping him stimulate himself.

It allows for some very effective feedback: "No, don't go there..." "Ohh, that sounds interesting..." "No, it would be better if..."

There is another element: A lot of men find it interesting to know what goes on in a woman's mind. Things that I find kind of ho-hum often turn on a guy because he is seeing inside my head. Just knowing what it feels like to a woman when man does something can be a turn on.

Occasionally I get feedback from women who find it interesting to hear a story from the point of view of another woman. "Gosh, I always wondered why a woman would do that, now I know..." or "I thought I was the only one who did that..."

 

[Black Tulip]

Incidentally, there seems to be a flaw in your worry. if you feel that and author(ess) cannot write about anything they would not particularly want to read about, how do journalists manage? They write interesting stories about anything that happens, whether it interests them personally or not.

Hm, seems I'm guilty of making a difference between writing fact or fiction. Writing fiction I would expect a certain emotion, passion if you will, from the author.
That is odd though, why could you not write a factual piece with feeling?

Off to think on this.