Author first starting out

[Sage17]

Hi,

I'm a long time reader first time author and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for someone first starting out. I was inspired this morning to begin writing erotic fiction and I really enjoyed the scenarios and stories i came up with. The only experience I have is having a master's degree (not in something writing related), taking a creative writing class, and having read erotica fiction for most of my life. Does anyone have any advice for first getting started? Thanks!

 

[Handley_Page]

Hi,

I'm a long time reader first time author and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for someone first starting out. I was inspired this morning to begin writing erotic fiction and I really enjoyed the scenarios and stories i came up with. The only experience I have is having a master's degree (not in something writing related), taking a creative writing class, and having read erotica fiction for most of my life. Does anyone have any advice for first getting started? Thanks!

Beware the occasional Troll.
You may find reading some of the better stories advantageous.
I suggest you avoid the subject of 'age' and avoid 'rape' or anything like it for a good long while.

Welcome to the AH.

 

[CoffeeWithMonkeys]

Hi,

I'm a long time reader first time author and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for someone first starting out. I was inspired this morning to begin writing erotic fiction and I really enjoyed the scenarios and stories i came up with. The only experience I have is having a master's degree (not in something writing related), taking a creative writing class, and having read erotica fiction for most of my life. Does anyone have any advice for first getting started? Thanks!

I say just start writing!
Always write for yourself first.
The first stuff I wrote were mostly disjointed ramblings, but I'd like to think I've improved a bit with time.

 

[TheRealFlash]

Have Fun!

Hi Sage,

Just start writing and have fun! I too just began writing and started posting stories last last month, after having just being a reader. I've had lots of fun interacting with readers, and their comments. Most have been friendly and very complimentary. But Have thick skin, I've noticed that there are plenty of trolls out there that love to try to drag you down... just ignore them and do your thing.

TRF

 

[ElectricBlue]

Ignore all advice and start writing, is my advice. Don't let your Masters get in the way, don't pander to other people's desires, just write your own desire.

Keep writing; over time, you'll find a voice and others will find it too. Some will like it. Others won't.

Dance like no-one is watching, write like no-one is reading. Start writing, keep on writing, then stop. Repeat.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Don't focus too much on market research. Some authors spend a lot of time worrying about whether readers will prefer a story about a blonde or a redhead, etc. etc. You're better off just writing the story you want to read, especially since you're not getting paid for it here.

(This does not apply to spelling and grammar; getting those right is a good thing.)

 

[HandsInTheDark]

write, write, and keep writing. If you get useful feedback (rare), pay attention. Copare what you wrote to stories you really like, try to see where your weaknesses are. Then try again.

If your story gets you hot, someone else will like it too.

 

[glynndah]

Just write.

 

[TamLin01]

Start writing right away. Write every day, even if you don't feel like it. Rewrite frequently, and take long breaks between rewrites of stories so that you'll come back to them fresh. Read constantly.

Write what you like rather than what you guess readers will like, because readers are unpredictable anyway and you'll always writer better for yourself. Also, smother your ego to death.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

Don't just write - SUBMIT, too! Writing for yourself is great advice, but if you don't share, you're just masturbating at the keyboard. WRITE AND SHARE! Maybe a few people will like your style. Maybe a few won't. Guess what? It's free. No one is going to knock on your door and ask you, "Please never post to Literotica.com again." Nope. Just write AND SUBMIT! You're chicken if you don't!

 

[SamScribble]

The best agent I ever had was a man who had previously been an editor and a very successful publisher.

‘I have known a lot of writers,’ he told me at our first meeting. ‘Some have had moments of sheer inspiration. But the successful ones have been those who just got on and wrote. Every day. Don’t wait for the mythical muse. Just write. The more you write, the better you will become.’