Becoming a good writer

[SheaLima]

You can write and post something nonerotic, but this is, after all, an erotica site. Nonerotic is welcome by the site, but it is an erotica story site--and it's a fiction site. Your life experiences, when written too close to reality, have the danger of being too dull for fiction or too revealing for what you would want to put on a site where many readers here are looking for pornography--and hookups.

Just telling it like it is. There are forum posters who will downplay the function of this site, but they just took a wrong turn in Cleveland to land here.

I have been thinking about it and I know I have to start a story soon. I understand this is a erotica site and I just need to accept that. It is not like any of you will ever run into me in the street. I guess it is all safe here. I do want to get out of my comfort zone. Please suggest what my first story is about. I will take whatever it is and run with it. This will be a good start for me. Thank you!

 

[horrorotica]

It also doesn't need to avoid being a full-blown pornographic extravaganza--which many writers on this site don't seem to get.

I agree. Erotica today is much more pornographic than it used to be. In fact there was once a distinction between the two where erotica was much more soft core than porn. It really comes down to the choice of the writer as to which method they use.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't write hard core if that is what they choose. I have several hardcore stories on this site. I just wish sometimes that people actually wrote a story rather just a sex scene and call that a story. To me a sex scene alone will never be a story.

I'm sure you'll tell me I'm wrong cos that's your shtick. Good for you rolly eyes.

 

[sr71plt]

Please suggest what my first story is about. I will take whatever it is and run with it. This will be a good start for me. Thank you!

Ah, that's something someone else here would need to pick up. I don't believe there is any reason for someone to write who doesn't have their own ideas about what they want to write. I don't suggest what anyone should write or how they should finish a story. I may have opinions on that, but if I give them, I consider that I'm then the writer, not the one who is asking for such help. And there are quite enough real writers in the world not to prop others up just because they think they want to be writers. Being a writer isn't any more a holy grail than being a great nurse or teacher.

 

[SheaLima]

Ah, that's something someone else here would need to pick up. I don't believe there is any reason for someone to write who doesn't have their own ideas about what they want to write. I don't suggest what anyone should write or how they should finish a story. I may have opinions on that, but if I give them, I consider that I'm then the writer, not the one who is asking for such help. And there are quite enough real writers in the world not to prop others up just because they think they want to be writers. Being a writer isn't any more a holy grail than being a great nurse or teacher.

Okay, I have a suggestion that I am going to run with now. Thank you

 

[sr71plt]

I'm sure you'll tell me I'm wrong cos that's your shtick. Good for you rolly eyes.

It seems rather that you're the one who doesn't like contrary opinions to be expressed.

(Aren't you busy looking up those obscenity laws for writing that you mentioned elsewhere? )

 

[horrorotica]

Please suggest what my first story is about. I will take whatever it is and run with it. This will be a good start for me. Thank you!

This is a no no really. If you want to be a writer (even for a hobby) you need to be able to generate your own ideas. That's what will give your story it's uniqueness because it comes from you.

Do some reading of the good stories on the site and that may stimulate your own thought processes.

 

[SheaLima]

This is a no no really. If you want to be a writer (even for a hobby) you need to be able to generate your own ideas. That's what will give your story it's uniqueness because it comes from you.

Do some reading of the good stories on the site and that may stimulate your own thought processes.

Thank you for that suggestion. I know what I am going to write about now.

 

[sr71plt]

This is a no no really. If you want to be a writer (even for a hobby) you need to be able to generate your own ideas. That's what will give your story it's uniqueness because it comes from you.

Do some reading of the good stories on the site and that may stimulate your own thought processes.

There, see, we can agree on some things.

So, maybe there's not a big need to get your knickers in a twist when we don't.

 

[horrorotica]

It seems rather that you're the one who doesn't like contrary opinions to be expressed.

(Aren't you busy looking up those obscenity laws for writing that you mentioned elsewhere? )

I have no trouble with your opinions, contrary or otherwise. I hope we can get along in a friendly manner and have a spirited discussion when it happens.

As for obscenity laws, you may laugh but I have read of people being prosecuted for hosting stories that breach those laws. Not stories that would be published on this site mind you, but if you're hosting your own site and are tempted to publish extreme stuff then you have to aware of the risks. You are not above the law, despite what you think of yourself. Which is obviously a lot.

 

[Tsotha]

Please suggest what my first story is about. I will take whatever it is and run with it. This will be a good start for me. Thank you!

There is a "Story Ideas" section in this forum which could help you with that. However, it's probably better for you to find a category that you're comfortable with, and then come up with an idea by yourself. Don't go writing non-consent stories if you can't stomach that.

If you're still uncomfortable writing actual sex scenes, you might want to stick to categories whose readers are (hopefully) more resistant to the story not being a straightforward romp (i.e., sci-fi).

 

[JackLuis]

My problem is that I am new to writing English. I have studied it in Brazil of course, but I have to use the language every day here. I am unsure about commas. I am unsure where to put them and don't want them to kill the story
Thank you everyone for the support I need as much as I can get

One sure way to find out that you mis- punctuated, is to post the story and watch the grammar Nazi's blossom!

Most Lit readers will give you ~four passes a page.

Check out the "How to" section and http://www.literotica.com/s/how-to-appreciate-a-man.

Or
http://www.literotica.com/s/on-eating-pussy
To see what writers think about issues.

Visit the AH and pick up more 'spin off's".

 

[SheaLima]

One sure way to find out that you mis- punctuated, is to post the story and watch the grammar Nazi's blossom!

Most Lit readers will give you ~four passes a page.

Check out the "How to" section and http://www.literotica.com/s/how-to-appreciate-a-man.

Or
http://www.literotica.com/s/on-eating-pussy
To see what writers think about issues.

Visit the AH and pick up more 'spin off's".

Everyone here has been such a big help. Although I find it a bit uncomfortable, I am going to write about my first sexual experience. I told myself when I moved here that not only am I going to learn new things on my own, but I am also going to get outside of my comfort zone. Writing about my first experience will most defiantly be just that since I have not told anyone about it. Again, thank you everyone for your help. I needed to find a place like this

 

[Weird Harold]

I am new to this forum as well as the United States. I am from Brazil and recently moved here to attend college where I will be studying English and nursing. I would love to learn how to write better and post some stories here. I am new to writing and need any encouragement I can get. How is a good way to get started here?? My name is Shea. Nice to be here and meet everyone

Concentrate first on telling the story you want to tell; If that means writing in Portuguese first and then translating it, do that.

Any author, whether native English speaker or otherwise, needs a good proofreader and/or editor. A good proofreader and/or editor will take care of the commas and awkward sentence structures.

 

[sr71plt]

Any author, whether native English speaker or otherwise, needs a good proofreader and/or editor. A good proofreader and/or editor will take care of the commas and awkward sentence structures.

Well, at some point a good writer will get boned up on grammar and punctuation, because that's involved in being a good writer. An editor is a check for a good writer, not a crutch.

 

[SheaLima]

Well, at some point a good writer will get boned up on grammar and punctuation, because that's involved in being a good writer. An editor is a check for a good writer, not a crutch.

Thank you both for your suggestion. I will start it this weekend and hope for the best

 

[patientlee]

Concentrate first on telling the story you want to tell; If that means writing in Portuguese first and then translating it, do that.

Any author, whether native English speaker or otherwise, needs a good proofreader and/or editor. A good proofreader and/or editor will take care of the commas and awkward sentence structures.

Oh my god. You're killing the foreign language teacher! (No offense, Weird Harold. I just see this through my teacher eyes.)

Don't write and translate. Write from what you know in English. Too much gets lost in translation, and if you translate, you try to say things that are just weird. (I probably say that 90 times a day at school.) wordreference.com is an Excellent online dictionary, including forum help. It even does the dirty words!

I teach French and Spanish. I don't speak Portuguese, but I'd be glad to help-- As long as you write in English. PM me if you want some help. I love correcting porn.

Patientlee

 

[SheaLima]

Oh my god. You're killing the foreign language teacher! (No offense, Weird Harold. I just see this through my teacher eyes.)

Don't write and translate. Write from what you know in English. Too much gets lost in translation, and if you translate, you try to say things that are just weird. (I probably say that 90 times a day at school.) wordreference.com is an Excellent online dictionary, including forum help. It even does the dirty words!

I teach French and Spanish. I don't speak Portuguese, but I'd be glad to help-- As long as you write in English. PM me if you want some help. I love correcting porn.

Patientlee

Thank you so much! I will take you up on that. I need all the help I can get

 

[slyc_willie]

Although I find it a bit uncomfortable, I am going to write about my first sexual experience.

The only thing I would caution about is that Lit has a very strict policy regarding sexual activity between characters younger than the age of eighteen. As in, there is NO sexual activity for anyone under eighteen as far as this site is concerned. So, if you were below that age -- as quite a few people were -- when you had your first experiences, then you will have to tweak it so that the characters in your story are explicitly depicted as being at least eighteen years old.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

Oh my god. You're killing the foreign language teacher! (No offense, Weird Harold. I just see this through my teacher eyes.)

Don't write and translate. Write from what you know in English. Too much gets lost in translation, and if you translate, you try to say things that are just weird. (I probably say that 90 times a day at school.) wordreference.com is an Excellent online dictionary, including forum help. It even does the dirty words!

I teach French and Spanish. I don't speak Portuguese, but I'd be glad to help-- As long as you write in English. PM me if you want some help. I love correcting porn.

Patientlee

Agree, 100%. Many writers who take on English as a second (or third, or...) language, write beautifully. Simple direct sentences, descriptions that no native writer would come up with. The character of a different culture can often shine through.

I used to write in Spanish. I'd be too embarrassed to do it now, I'm so out of practice. However, when I was writing, I was surprised at how well it was accepted, even though the vocabulary tended to be simplistic. I had lived in Spanish speaking countries for five years, so I had that going for me. The key to fluency and writing was getting to the point where when you spoke in Spanish, you thought in Spanish. No translation necessary.

It always amazes me to see how beautifully authors who do not speak English as a native language can tell a compelling story. They usually need an understanding editor, to correct what needs fixing, without changing the underlying story.

Then there are those who master the skill, putting most native English writers to shame.

Joseph Conrad? Vladimir Nabakov? Chinua Achebe? Roald Dahl (alright, he learned English at a young age)?

AngiqueSophie, Joesephus, Metamorphose, and dangerouslydead are excellent examples of foreign writers writing English on Literotica. Read Winterfrog's work, and see how much his writing has advanced from '04 to now.

Then write. And write some more.

 

[Weird Harold]

Oh my god. You're killing the foreign language teacher! (No offense, Weird Harold. I just see this through my teacher eyes.)

Don't write and translate. Write from what you know in English. Too much gets lost in translation, and if you translate, you try to say things that are just weird.

Writing in English is, by far, preferable to translations. My point was to worry more about the story than the language. If the story is good, the,weird phrasing matters very little. If the story isn't strong, the most perfect English grammar won't save it.

 

[StrangeLife]

Or you can confirm your nerdism by writing in Klingon...

NeHqu' Qu' frank prolong enjoyment, 'ach pay' jaQ-ghaH Hugh marsha, tagha' jegh ghob reHHa' laj ghaH. tetlh mInDu' wItI'nISmo' bel Hoch bach qaStaHvIS yIteb spurts vI'ogh marsha Hugh, qatlh tagh pulsate cock. qaStaHvIS ejaculation ghomchoH vang Hoch mIw qoD nuj 'ej be 'e' wej Vas chagh luj ghaH.

 

[patientlee]

Writing in English is, by far, preferable to translations. My point was to worry more about the story than the language. If the story is good, the,weird phrasing matters very little. If the story isn't strong, the most perfect English grammar won't save it.

I know. I'm not trying to be contrary. (My "you're-killing-the-French-teacher routine" is much more entertaining in person. Very dramatic.)

When I give a writing assignment, the kids often write a lovely paragraph in English, then butcher it in French. Idioms, advanced verb tenses, all kinds of pitfalls make it so that I can't even understand what they're getting at.

The OP appears to write beautifully in English. If the goal is to improve her English skills, maybe brainstorming in Portuguese and then writing in English would help.

My "you're-killing-the-French-teacher routine" was inspired by Grover in the Sesame Street book The Monster at the End of This Book. It's a true masterpiece of dramatic theater. Ok. It's not, but it keeps the kids from throwing things at me when I tell them I can't understand what they're saying and they have to redo. I think I'm hysterical. I'm not sure they completely agree.

Have a great Thursday everybody.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I speak fluent Ebonics, and usta translate Ebonics to Mid Atlantic English for young social workers and their black clients to understand each other.

 

[patientlee]

Or you can confirm your nerdism by writing in Klingon...

I can be perfectly nerdy without resorting to Klingon, merci beaucoup.

 

[SheaLima]

The only thing I would caution about is that Lit has a very strict policy regarding sexual activity between characters younger than the age of eighteen. As in, there is NO sexual activity for anyone under eighteen as far as this site is concerned. So, if you were below that age -- as quite a few people were -- when you had your first experiences, then you will have to tweak it so that the characters in your story are explicitly depicted as being at least eighteen years old.

I needed that information. Thank you so much!