Do you get jealous?

[Chicklet]

Do you get jealous when you read a story and think "Damn, why can't I write like that?"

I do.

Just wondering if anyone else has author's envy.

 

[destinie21]

yes

 

[Icingsugar]

oh, yes

 

[mtnman2003]

envy........

Hey Chicklet:

I, being a newbie, have not had tremendous experience with the breadth of stories available on literotica.

I write experiences, embelish, and edit to carry the story, be close to grammarically correct, and review voting to see if a nerve was struck.

Not really envious, but enjoy the thought of many reading and appreciating the writing.

Now, for a question in return:
I have read many stories now, with impressions that not much get turned down. Is there really criteria for accepting/rejecting material submitted. Or just minimum 18 stories?

I do not want to start a furor, but some discussion would be appreciated since I am very new at this.

Mtn

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Jealous? No, never. I will think, 'Wish I could write that', but then of course I can't nor really would want to do so. I cannot begrudge a good author.

Perdita

 

[Jenny _S]

Never jealous of the writing. But jealous YES of many of the things that go on in the stories. I think, WHY THE HELL COULDN'T THAT HAPPEN TO ME?

 

[oggbashan]

Never jealous of the writing. But jealous YES of many of the things that go on in the stories. I think, WHY THE HELL COULDN'T THAT HAPPEN TO ME?

If you write them, they do.

It's your imagination, your story, your characters. You choose what happens, to whom and how. You can choose to be anyone you like to be, to do anything you want to do, or to have anything you want done to you.

We write to create our own worlds where anything is possible.

If you want it to happen - write it.

Og

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

An astounding...

"Hell Yeah, I do."

It doesn't happen all the time, and it is usually with well published professional writers, but I definitely do get jealous.

~WOK

 

[mtnman2003]

Larger Question

So All:

I am very naive here. Is there a section at Border's Books, or Walden's, etc. that carries erotic books?

Do you have to go to an adult bookstore so to speak?

Do they get on the best sellers list?

Or are they dirty little dark secrets that are hidden away?

Mtn

 

[Guest]

Re: Larger Question

 

[kitiara]

Not really jealous of the writing.

But def. what Jenny_S said:when I am not doing or having done the things mentioned in the stories. I think “Hmm, wish I was doing that right now….”

 

[Chicklet]

phew. lotsa people are bitten by that nasty green monster. i was afraid it only attacked me.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Mountain guy: I always ask for the erotica section. In SF at least it's no big deal to peruse and purchase such in the best book shops. Amazon also has quite a selection, but I need recommendations because so much published erotica/smut/porn is borrrrrrrrrring.

Perdita

 

[*Catbabe*]

I am not from the U.S., but I know that here (Canada) most stores have an erotic books section in their stores and on their websites.

To get back on Chicklet's topic...


I would say that I am never jealous of an author's work, but at times I am envious of some author's ability to be infinitely more productive than I am.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Do you get jealous when you read a story and think "Damn, why can't I write like that?"

I do.

Just wondering if anyone else has author's envy.

My answer to your question is a resounding, no! I want to write like me, I want my own voice to develop and grow. I read the work of others and am often impressed, but I never think "I wish I could write like that." If I did I wouldn't have any individuality. I do admit to being influenced by what I read (I don't mean on Lit, I mean actual books), but this is a sub-concious thing. I would never conciously write like another author, but one or two of my stories have taken on the style of my favourite author, while retaining my own, distinctive voice.

I don't like the word 'jealous', I tend to use the word 'envious', if at all. One thing that does get me a little envious is the focus, drive and productivity of others. I often wish I could get into the correct mindset to just write, and shut the rest of the world out. That's something I find difficult, but when those precious moments come I cherish them.

Lou

 

[Icingsugar]

Actually, when I think about it, I'm more often patronizing than jealous when I'm reading some interresting angle I haven't tried on before. I think to myself "Yeah, I can do that too, and prabaly mich better.", and then I try to.

Most of the time i fail miserably, make up some lame excuse about how the idea wasn't all that grat to begin with and agressively ignore it instead.

But jealous? Nuh-uh, not me.

But seriously, instead of letting the green monster rage free, steal and borrow. There is a fine line between inspiration and blatant theft. Studying good stuff and applying what you see on your own work is a good thing.

Jeaulosity makes you wanna raise the bar and write something even better.

 

[OldnotDead]

Do you get jealous when you read a story and think "Damn, why can't I write like that?"

I do.

Just wondering if anyone else has author's envy.

Afternoon, Chicklet, et. al.

Feeling a bit like a 'dittohead' here, I would echo that 'jealous' is definitely the wrong word, unless we're talking about content. I keep writing Sandman asking him where I can find these apartment buildings with all the horny ladies that only seem to have time for him. Hell! I'm envious and jealous of that!!!

Kidding aside, I think mostly in terms of admiration and emulation. Yes, Lou, I agree that when I write, I want it to be me, not someone else. At the same time, I want to be able to tell a story well, and I look at how others achieve that.

Probably the one area in which I get 'author's envy' or jealousy of a very real sort, is when I read something that is a clever twist of phrase or observation. I think of writing as having two components: creating and wordsmithing. It is a rare combination to do both well. When I read someone with a new way of looking at something in a refreshingly well written phrase, I am, indeed, wishing I were that capable.

but then, I try to remind myself that whoever they are, they have not yet had the chance of seeing my well turned phrases and observations

Wishing there was a tongue in cheek smilie for the last line,

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Do you get jealous when you read a story and think "Damn, why can't I write like that?"

I do.

Just wondering if anyone else has author's envy.

I'm a certified victim of green eyed monster disease.


-Colly

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Do you get jealous when you read a story and think "Damn, why can't I write like that?"

I do.

Just wondering if anyone else has author's envy.

Not me. Never happens. They're OK, I'm all right. What's to envy? I'm just glad for them. Honest.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Seattle Zack]

Not so much about another writer's style, but their success -- definitely.

When I read something with cardboard characters, a predictable lame plot, strained unbelievable dialogue, and no real talent for description --- yet this person got a publishing contract?

But enough about Tom Clancy novels.

 

[Guest]

But enough about Tom Clancy novels.

Har, har. Love vituperatively skilled men.

Perdita

 

[raphy]

This is probably a bad time to confess that I rather like the Jack Ryan novels....