Find myself at a crossroads

[ILoveMilfs69]

Hi,

I'm currently working on a story and I've completed the first 4 chapters.

https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-01
https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-02
(2 more awaiting approval)

These 4 chapters merely give a surface level introduction to the characters and their relationship dynamics. The next few chapters will go deeper. Initially I had some ideas about how I wanted the story to progress but recently I stumbled upon some new, completely different ideas. I feel like the initial ideas won't be well received by the audience because it involves themes of cheating and betrayal.

I'm not going to go into the particulars of the ideas right now, I just want to know if other authors have experienced something similar and if so, how did you make your choice? On what basis did you choose which idea to go forward with?

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

[ILoveMilfs69]

Also, could someone tell me if I've posted the stories in the wrong category? I've published them under "Mature" but I realized "Incest" might be a better suited category. Sorry, this is my first time publishing works on this website.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

I've certainly had stories change in my hands while I was sculpting them. For me, it's fun.

Category is a complicated question, and there are already threads on this forum discussing it.

--Annie

 

[ILoveMilfs69]

I've certainly had stories change in my hands while I was sculpting them. For me, it's fun.

Category is a complicated question, and there are already threads on this forum discussing it.

--Annie

Did you choose the option you liked more or did you go with the one you believed would be better received by the readers?

 

[darwin1859]

Also, could someone tell me if I've posted the stories in the wrong category? I've published them under "Mature" but I realized "Incest" might be a better suited category. Sorry, this is my first time publishing works on this website.

I also find the categories somewhat confusing. @TheWritingGroup I'm not aware of many threads about this (although I don't doubt you're correct). There is at least one under the topic of writing well on LE.

I think an unwritten rule is that if a story contains incest, it should probably be in Taboo.

There's not only the consideration of topic/content, but also some Categories have much higher readership and reputations for particular readers. I'd be interest what others have to say or links to where this is already been addressed. Another consideration is if you will have several posts, should they all be in the same category? I've seen authors do that and also authors who post each part in a different category. Surely, neither is "correct" but I'd caution you against placing part 1 in Category X because X will appear in, say, part 4 (or even in the next part, part 2) because you will get comments about part 1 not fitting in Category X. Depending on your audience, some comments may begin like "You worthless idiot..." People have strong opinions...

And, finally, I think there's a tension between writing what you like and writing to the category. I'd choose to write what you want, but opinions on this vary dramatically.

Anyway, I wanted to suggest a somewhat different solution for your situation: I think you should add a short author's note about what kinks you will be introducing/plan to introduce, so that readers won't be surprised. In the past, Laurel herself added an "Editors note" to some stories published outside the "Taboo" category about incestuous themes (if they contains incest). She also reclassified stories. I think she's doing less of all this now. I think an author's note and a carefully chosen category may work best.

 

[StrentWriter]

Hi,

I'm currently working on a story and I've completed the first 4 chapters.

https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-01
https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-02
(2 more awaiting approval)

These 4 chapters merely give a surface level introduction to the characters and their relationship dynamics. The next few chapters will go deeper. Initially I had some ideas about how I wanted the story to progress but recently I stumbled upon some new, completely different ideas. I feel like the initial ideas won't be well received by the audience because it involves themes of cheating and betrayal.

I'm not going to go into the particulars of the ideas right now, I just want to know if other authors have experienced something similar and if so, how did you make your choice? On what basis did you choose which idea to go forward with?

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

I didn’t shy away from any themes of cheating/betrayal because it makes the writing realistic and brutal.

I’m not saying everyone cheats. I am saying that I don’t think we should shy away from it if your head is telling you to write about it.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

Did you choose the option you liked more or did you go with the one you believed would be better received by the readers?

In choosing a category? The story had elements of nonconsent, so I put it there to avoid horrifying those who can't even look at CNC content, as a courtesy.

--Annie

 

[ILoveMilfs69]

In choosing a category? The story had elements of nonconsent, so I put it there to avoid horrifying those who can't even look at CNC content, as a courtesy.

--Annie

No I was asking about the writing choices.

 

[Sammael Bard]

I hope you take this feedback in the spirit in which it was written, and not as a personal attack of any sort.

Link - https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-01

There's a reason for categories, and it has been discussed ad-nauseum in forums and in how-to guides. Read them if you're not sure. Also, read the popular stories in each category to get a feel of what people like to read and enjoy. Hopefully, you'll pick up a thing or two and make it your own. Incest is no-go for a lot of people that's why Mom-son relationship goes specifically into Incest/Taboo. Most of your audience in Mature isn't going to like this at all.

Introductions set the tone and it should be the one of the best pieces you've written in the story. Readers will judge, and your piece isn't cutting it for me to continue onward to the second chapter.

The entire thing is dry af. It reads like someone apathetically spying on the Mom-son duo. You're supposed to tell a story, not write a journal. Characters feel wooden, like a play with bad actors.

Grammatically speaking, you start strong with present tense but soon switch back and forth between present and past tense. Avoid that.

If I were forced to rate, I'd give it a 2 star at best (of course, I didn't rate because it'll bring down your scores)

You should read more popular Mom-son stories and learn how it's done. Get a volunteer editor too (from the Editor's Forum) while you're at it. If they're good, they'll help you improve with critical, necessary remarks. You need some level-ups before you can write stories that readers enjoy and get popular.

Here's a few timeless resources that helped me when I was starting out, and I hope it helps you too -

https://www.literotica.com/s/how-to-break-the-literotica-toplist
https://www.literotica.com/s/easy-guide-to-better-writing
https://www.literotica.com/s/editing-ones-work

All the best.

 

[StrentWriter]

I hope you take this feedback in the spirit in which it was written, and not as a personal attack of any sort.

Link - https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-01

There's a reason for categories, and it has been discussed ad-nauseum in forums and in how-to guides. Read them if you're not sure. Also, read the popular stories in each category to get a feel of what people like to read and enjoy. Hopefully, you'll pick up a thing or two and make it your own. Incest is no-go for a lot of people that's why Mom-son relationship goes specifically into Incest/Taboo. Most of your audience in Mature isn't going to like this at all.

Introductions set the tone and it should be the one of the best pieces you've written in the story. Readers will judge, and your piece isn't cutting it for me to continue onward to the second chapter.

The entire thing is dry af. It reads like someone apathetically spying on the Mom-son duo. You're supposed to tell a story, not write a journal. Characters feel wooden, like a play with bad actors.

Grammatically speaking, you start strong with present tense but soon switch back and forth between present and past tense. Avoid that.

If I were forced to rate, I'd give it a 2 star at best (of course, I didn't rate because it'll bring down your scores)

You should read more popular Mom-son stories and learn how it's done. Get a volunteer editor too (from the Editor's Forum) while you're at it. If they're good, they'll help you improve with critical, necessary remarks. You need some level-ups before you can write stories that readers enjoy and get popular.

Here's a few timeless resources that helped me when I was starting out, and I hope it helps you too -

https://www.literotica.com/s/how-to-break-the-literotica-toplist
https://www.literotica.com/s/easy-guide-to-better-writing
https://www.literotica.com/s/editing-ones-work

All the best.

I disagree with your review of the work, but agree with your point about reading other works and the guides. Very helpful.

 

[ILoveMilfs69]

I hope you take this feedback in the spirit in which it was written, and not as a personal attack of any sort.

Link - https://www.literotica.com/s/mommy-knows-best-ch-01

There's a reason for categories, and it has been discussed ad-nauseum in forums and in how-to guides. Read them if you're not sure. Also, read the popular stories in each category to get a feel of what people like to read and enjoy. Hopefully, you'll pick up a thing or two and make it your own. Incest is no-go for a lot of people that's why Mom-son relationship goes specifically into Incest/Taboo. Most of your audience in Mature isn't going to like this at all.

Introductions set the tone and it should be the one of the best pieces you've written in the story. Readers will judge, and your piece isn't cutting it for me to continue onward to the second chapter.

The entire thing is dry af. It reads like someone apathetically spying on the Mom-son duo. You're supposed to tell a story, not write a journal. Characters feel wooden, like a play with bad actors.

Grammatically speaking, you start strong with present tense but soon switch back and forth between present and past tense. Avoid that.

If I were forced to rate, I'd give it a 2 star at best (of course, I didn't rate because it'll bring down your scores)

You should read more popular Mom-son stories and learn how it's done. Get a volunteer editor too (from the Editor's Forum) while you're at it. If they're good, they'll help you improve with critical, necessary remarks. You need some level-ups before you can write stories that readers enjoy and get popular.

Here's a few timeless resources that helped me when I was starting out, and I hope it helps you too -

https://www.literotica.com/s/how-to-break-the-literotica-toplist
https://www.literotica.com/s/easy-guide-to-better-writing
https://www.literotica.com/s/editing-ones-work

All the best.

No offense taken, it's my first time writing erotica. Honestly putting it in "mature" was a mistake, somehow the incest category slipped by me. If I could do something to move all my stories there, including the ones pending review, I'd love to do that.

As for the critique of the writing itself, I tried keeping it all in past tense but I suppose I missed some here and there.

Additionally, it feels "dry" because I don't want to jump into the action immediately, I want to build it up slowly. That's not everyone's cup of tea, and I respect that. The reason why I'm writing this story from a 3rd person's POV is because I want to encapsulate everyone's emotions, not just the son's. Regardless, I will give the guides you linked a look. Thanks.

I disagree with your review of the work, but agree with your point about reading other works and the guides. Very helpful.

Could you elaborate a bit more on what you meant?

 

[ElectricBlue]

No offense taken, it's my first time writing erotica. Honestly putting it in "mature" was a mistake, somehow the incest category slipped by me. If I could do something to move all my stories there, including the ones pending review, I'd love to do that.

You need to submit an edit, and ask for a category change. It'll take two or three weeks.

If you have stories in Pending, you could pull them back to Draft, and change the category now.

Additionally, it feels "dry" because I don't want to jump into the action immediately, I want to build it up slowly. That's not everyone's cup of tea, and I respect that. The reason why I'm writing this story from a 3rd person's POV is because I want to encapsulate everyone's emotions, not just the son's. Regardless, I will give the guides you linked a look. Thanks.

Slow build still requires eroticism for a story to work, to keep readers' attention. There's a knack to getting it right.

 

[StrentWriter]

Could you elaborate a bit more on what you meant?

I think the guides and general threads on “how to write” or how to get started are really good bits of information that will help you hit the niche you’re ultimately looking for.

When reflecting on my own work I didn’t do as much as reading as I should have an I think that may reflect the lack of views and comments.