Formula for great stories?

[JustBeyond]

Hello everyone. I have submitted 3 stories here, and while I have enjoyed writing them very much, I am not seeing great improvements in my writing. This last story, I admit isn't as hot as I would have liked it to be, but I was trying to focus mainly on the story construction and general plot details. I had received great input on my last story and was encouraged to focus more on the details.

I would like to know what you think of my story. http://english.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=248093

Also, have you found kind of a formula that works for your stories? If you have how did you come upon it?
TIA

 

[JustBeyond]

anyone?

 

[bobocity]

Formula? Perish the thought.

If you write from a 'formula', it's gonna be 'formulaic.'

That's why most TV sucks -- because it's written to a formula. Remember "Full House"? That was like hte ultimate formula. You were guaranteed that the tall skinny guy would freak out once per episode, the middle kid (the one who's on crystal meth now) would feel left out, the baby (the Olsen troll) would say something adorable, and evrything would work out.

Don't find a formula -- find characters, IMO. If I don't get interested in the characters, why they're getting together, how they got togehter, and what's happening, I'm gone .

My two cents.

BBcty

 

[JustBeyond]

Thank you. I really appricate the input. I'm trying to work making things a bit more captvating. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

[TheIndigoSultan]

I don't know if it would help you, but I find that being in roleplaying games really helps me understand character development. My actual story writing has gotten better as I have joined others in co-operative writing. There is a forum for that if your interested.

 

[JustBeyond]

I would be interested. Thanks. I hadn't really thought of that, but I could see it helping.

 

[TheIndigoSultan]

Cool. Here is a link to a good story that has about five people in it and is what I would consider pretty easy. It is about teenagers who escaped from an evil scientist who was experimenting on them. They all have wings and some have powers. They are hiding out at an old house near a lake. If that isn't the kind of thing you would like, you could just look around Sexual Roleplaying, or send me a PM with the kind of thing you like. I could try to help you find it. I learned a lot about dialogue writing in these sort of games. Also, I learned that if I sit down and try to figure out every damn detail of the character's life before I write him or her, it helps. YOu could make yourself a list of questions for any character such as..

https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=420863

1. If he found a wallet with a thousand dollars, would he return the money?
2. At a party would she be the life of the party, sit in a corner by herself, polish of the food buffet, or escape with a special friend?
3. If the character could have any one thing he wished for, what would he wish for? Why would that be his wish?

These kind of questions can help a lot, because when your writing the character, you know how they will respond. The other thing you could try, to start anyway, would be writing fan fiction. It is easy to understand existing characters such as Worf the klingon, The Batman, one of the housewives from Whisteria Lane or whoever. If you can learn to write in their voice in a way that would actually work on the show, then it will give you a better idea how to create your own characters.

Another thing is to consider that communication is more than words. If you character is just saying "No! I will not sleep with you.:" it only tells you so much. If she said in a teasing manner, it would be a different meaning. If she said it with her body tense and a knife in her hand, it would read differently. If she said it confidently, but kindly, like a mother talking to a stupid but beloved child, it would be different. If you can imagine the body language in your head that helps. You could choose a favorite actor and imagine him saying the lines, then try to write the WAY he said them, and the way he was standing and gesturing. Anyway, good luck. Let me know if you need help finding a rpg, if you are interested in that.

 

[john-the-author]

Good stories

Good stories do tend to have characters. I'd also have to say that the ones that I have flagged here have a story line and things that happen in between well-described hot scenes: things that you can hang your mental hat on, so to speak. The best stories IMO have things in them that let you build a mental picture, identify with characters, get into the fantasy, and really live the excitement.

The old "write what you know" is a good idea. It doesn't have to have happened to you, but you should be able to envision what's happening--the sexual and the non-sexual--as you're writing it or it probably won't spring off the page in the reader's mind, either.

That's my casual opinion. It's sold by weight and not by volume. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Darkniciad]

Role-Playing can be a major help in "getting into the skin" of your characters. If you can find a good creative group ( the role-playing forums here may very well be just the right place ) you can pick up things quickly.

Start with a character that is very close to your own, or better yet, one that has a few qualities you wish you had. Once you get the feel of things, and can role-play a character that is "optimal you", then it's time to branch out into the opposite gender. That is something you're very likely to need when writing erotica, unless you're lucky enough to have a lovely/handsome co-author at your side to help drive that character. It still doesn't hurt to do this even if you have genuine opposite gender perspective, and it doesn't hurt in RL relationships either *laugh*

Getting inside your characters, allowing them to grow into unique, living, breathing entities in your mind, is the way to really grab a reader. When you're writing and one of your characters suddenly grabs the story and runs off from the original outline, you know you're on the right track.

Let the characters tell the story, you just work the keyboard for them.

 

[SesameStreet]

You can't go wrong with writing about what you know. Draw on your own personal experiences or those of family and friends for a general guideline. Then expand upon that. It is essential that the reader be able to see your characters as 'real" people and be able to empathize with them. Character development is crucial and that seems to come easier if you are writing about events that are known entities to you.

 

[J.Q. Hack]

It sounds like you've gotten a lot of great advice already so I don't know what I can add. I would definitely suggest that writing what you know is a good start. So for example if you're a teacher who has travelled the world write a story with a globetrotting teacher or if one of your hobbies is painting or you know a lot about painters make a character a painter.

The only thing I can say about writing good stories and this sounds cliched but you have to write. Robert Heinlein said to be a good writer you have to write a million words. That may be extreme but the main point is write. It will take a while for you to discover your own personal voice and style. In the mean time keep working on what works for you. What works with you may be disastrous for others. I know on Lit here we can get hooked on seeing the red H next to the story but if there isn't one it's not the end of the world. Concentrate on the things you think are wrong or just not right with the story, find someone with advice you trust and work on those problems. In no time your writing will get stronger and you'll know what works for your stories.

J.Q.

 

[Winemaster]

just read

the three stories are good. Well written and nice details. I left a comment. thanks for sharing!