Frustrated author asks fo advice

[kimwipes]

Hi everyone !
I've just published my eighth story and I am at a bit of a loss. Only one of my stories was hot, and my laest one didn't even make it to 4 stars. I've tried analyzing top stoies, and they are longer and mostly use first person narration as opposed to mine. Is there anyone whose stories sucked (like mine) who managed to change and get better comments and ratings ? Thanks in advance !

 

[Djmac1031]

Maybe some people liked your one story more than they liked the other.

Just a thought.

Sorry, not trying to be a dick, but without actually reading the stories, knowing the categories or details, there's not much to offer.

Even if we knew all that, doesn't matter, really.

It's all entirely based on who reads your story and what they feel about it.

 

[tenyari]

It happens I guess.

I just put out 3 stories. 2 made it to hot and in the high 4.x scores. The third is in the 3.8x range. The third is very different though, being only 2000 words where the other two are very very very long.

I believe the low scoring one just hits to a different audience, and people who like my longer stories didn't 'get it' with the short one.

 

[Cagivagurl]

If you are writing to please other people. You are doing it for the wrong reason...
Write for yourself, forget scores, and ignore nasty comments.
The only person you have to please is yourself.
Not trying to be a bitch, just saying. If you enjoyed writing the story, then you are the winner.

 

[NoTalentHack]

Hi everyone !
I've just published my eighth story and I am at a bit of a loss. Only one of my stories was hot, and my laest one didn't even make it to 4 stars. I've tried analyzing top stoies, and they are longer and mostly use first person narration as opposed to mine. Is there anyone whose stories sucked (like mine) who managed to change and get better comments and ratings ? Thanks in advance !

I didn't take a close look, but on the newer story, Ic an note a few things. The first is that (according to the tags) it's a stepparent instead of a real parent; there are some readers in I/T that don't consider that "real" incest and will ding it accordingly.

The second is that you do a bunch of stuff justifying your story decisions at the bottom; don't do that. I do it every once in a while (an upcoming story will have a one-liner explaining a technology that's new enough that people might not realize it's a real thing, because it sounds absolutely miraculous), but trying to justify yourself to readers re: technical, legal, or medical items is usually a fools' errand and will more likely piss off pedants than soothe them.

Third, there's at least one formatting error on the story; some people go apeshit about that stuff.

Fourth, I/T can be really sexually conservative; anal sex often gets a story dinged there.

And fifth, sometimes stories just get dinged for no real good, obvious reason.

Each section of the site has its own peculiarities, and things that fly one place will get torn to shreds in others. It's kind of just about learning the vibe and going with it or, alternately, aggressively going against the grain on purpose.

 

[NoTalentHack]

Oh, and one final thing! It's the first day the story got posted. Your numbers can swing wildly in some categories (including I/T) based on how many people have actually rated the story. When you're below a few hundred ratings, a few 1s can really make your overall rating plummet for a little while. Let it go for a few days and see if it straightens out.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I quickly scanned your latest story. My guess on that one is step-mom rather than mom, and you introduced the herbal boner drug (a version of mind control), so you've let the category readers down on two counts. I gather the category purists prefer direct family not step-family, and forbidden lust and love, not artificially induced horniness.

I think your issue might be content, not style. I've not read anything else (I skimmed but didn't finish your latest story), but I see you've tried several categories.

I wouldn't worry about first person versus third, I don't think that's as important as some people think.

Either write what you want to write, and readers will eventually find you; or, if you want an immediate boost in reaction, pick a category of choice, and go see what popular writers are writing about, not so much how they're writing it.

On Lit, generally speaking, I think content trumps style for many readers, whereas for many writers, style trumps content. You need to decide which pack you're catering for, and proceed accordingly.

 

[Djmac1031]

Keep in mind, certain types of stories draw a certain type of reader.

A reader who,
A: is very particular about that category and is unhappy if the story doesn't go exactly as they'd wished, or
B: Trolling assholes who will trash a story because they can.

Mix that in with honest readers who give honest votes and your scores can vary wildly.

 

[Djmac1031]

I wouldn't worry about first person versus third, I don't think that's as important as some people think.

Agreed. I write both first person and third person stories. I know some people have a preference, and that's fine.

But I've never seen it affect my readership or ratings in any measurable way.

 

[tenyari]

The second is that you do a bunch of stuff justifying your story decisions at the bottom; don't do that.

I've actually have a disclaimer on my higher rated new story at the very beginning and that didn't seem to hurt it all. I suspect it might have helped it as the thing I disclaimed against might have angered readers otherwise. In my case I wrote that my character's have a perspective shaped by where they are located in the world which I don't attempt to provide a counter narrative for in that story.

 

[tenyari]

I wouldn't worry about first person versus third, I don't think that's as important as some people think.

I'll also agree on this even though I did get a message recently from someone who did not like that I used first and not third - they still loved the story otherwise.

I think it's only second person that will get you 'dinged'. People have very strong opinions on second person (self included). So much so that if I wrote a second person story I'd probably put a disclaimer somewhere telling people to 'skip this one if second person isn't your thing'.

Personally while I dislike second person, if I saw it I'd just move on realizing it's not written for me rather than 'downvote it'. But some people will downvote anything not specially aimed at them.

 

[alohadave]

Oh, and one final thing! It's the first day the story got posted. Your numbers can swing wildly in some categories (including I/T) based on how many people have actually rated the story. When you're below a few hundred ratings, a few 1s can really make your overall rating plummet for a little while. Let it go for a few days and see if it straightens out.

This it the truth. After about a week, views tend to fall off and votes slow down. IME, the score after about two weeks is likely where it'll stay within a few tenths.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Hi everyone !
I've just published my eighth story and I am at a bit of a loss. Only one of my stories was hot, and my laest one didn't even make it to 4 stars. I've tried analyzing top stoies, and they are longer and mostly use first person narration as opposed to mine. Is there anyone whose stories sucked (like mine) who managed to change and get better comments and ratings ? Thanks in advance !

I see that one was the first one you published in a couple of years. We all have different rates of output.

Some of the things we've said here before: 1. Don't be obsessed with ratings (although we all look at them!) and 2. you can't look at other people's stories in search of some formula for success, because there likely won't be one. Just keep writing and see how it goes. One thing: did you like the stories yourself? That's a key point.

 

[Seadog777]

My advice is to NOT write stories for others.
Write them for YOURSELF.

 

[SimonDoom]

I read your incest story "Bad Medicine." Here are my thoughts.

You don't have to write for other people, but I personally believe that an erotic story, especially a short standalone story, should have what I call "erotic focus." What is the thing that gives the story its sizzle? Every word should be written with that question in mind.

If you publish the story in the Incest category, then readers will expect that the incestuous relationship is the thing that gives the story its sizzle. So that's the thing they'll be interested in.

I don't feel you sold the relationship between Max and Brenda. First of all, Brenda doesn't appear for a long time. The story takes an inordinately long take talking about his potential date, and then the pill, and the masturbation, with no hint of Brenda the stepmom. What's the erotic point of all that? You could condense the entire first section into one or two paragraphs and lose nothing from an erotic point of view. The girlfriend is totally unimportant. What matters is the stepmom.

You say that Brenda the stepmom is not like "a parent or a friend" but more like a "roommate." You just killed the sizzle, right there. Why should we then care whether they have sex? The whole point of incest sex is the intensity and strength of the relationship, and the tension between that and sexual activity.

Once they get together, you shift from Max's point of view to Brenda's. That doesn't work. Brenda doesn't appear at the beginning of the story, and so she shouldn't be a point of view character. You should stick with Max's point of view. If you started the story off with both of them, giving their points of view before the sex starts, then it might work. It's OK sometimes to shift points of view, but it has to be done carefully, and it felt sloppy in this case.

The explanatory section at the end is a mistake. Save it for a separate essay. It kills the sexiness. If you have to defend the story, then there's something you're not doing right in the story.

I thought, generally speaking, your mechanics--spelling, grammar, punctuation, the way you handle dialogue, the mix between dialogue and narrative--were just fine. I saw some nits but no more than I see with most stories. There's no question you have the writing chops to write a successful erotic story. I think the elements to a more successful story are a) clarifying your erotic focus, b) keeping the story narrative in line with that focus, and c) working harder right from the start of the story to plant the seed so the readers want your characters to get together.

 

[SamScribble]

As a general rule, I think 'write for yourself' is a good starting point. But I would add: 'and for the dozen or so people who think like you'.

I'm sure that I get fewer readers than just about anyone else here, but I get some great appreciative comments.

 

[SimonDoom]

One other thing: include your story submissions page link in your signature if you want people to respond to your stories.

 

[Emotional]

I read one, not my normal type of reading.

I thought the writing was fine, a few small grammar errors, nothing horrible.

It may just be the categories you are posting in, if you dont satisfy their personal kink, they will 1 star you.

Keep writing, enjoy it and dont worry about the scores.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Hi everyone !
I've just published my eighth story and I am at a bit of a loss. Only one of my stories was hot, and my laest one didn't even make it to 4 stars. I've tried analyzing top stoies, and they are longer and mostly use first person narration as opposed to mine. Is there anyone whose stories sucked (like mine) who managed to change and get better comments and ratings ? Thanks in advance !

I’m only repeating stuff, but crowdsourcing is no way to assess merit, particularly if the crowd is small.

Some of my favorite stories I have written have low scores. Some of my favorite stories I have written have high scores. Guess what happens with those of my stories that I kinda feel I threw together. Not a lot of rhyme or reason TBH.

Sure I get a buzz from pretty little red Hs. But if I want buzz, my Hitachi is a lot better.

Em

 

[Djmac1031]

I read your incest story "Bad Medicine." Here are my thoughts.

You don't have to write for other people, but I personally believe that an erotic story, especially a short standalone story, should have what I call "erotic focus." What is the thing that gives the story its sizzle? Every word should be written with that question in mind.

If you publish the story in the Incest category, then readers will expect that the incestuous relationship is the thing that gives the story its sizzle. So that's the thing they'll be interested in.

I don't feel you sold the relationship between Max and Brenda. First of all, Brenda doesn't appear for a long time. The story takes an inordinately long take talking about his potential date, and then the pill, and the masturbation, with no hint of Brenda the stepmom. What's the erotic point of all that? You could condense the entire first section into one or two paragraphs and lose nothing from an erotic point of view. The girlfriend is totally unimportant. What matters is the stepmom.

You say that Brenda the stepmom is not like "a parent or a friend" but more like a "roommate." You just killed the sizzle, right there. Why should we then care whether they have sex? The whole point of incest sex is the intensity and strength of the relationship, and the tension between that and sexual activity.

Once they get together, you shift from Max's point of view to Brenda's. That doesn't work. Brenda doesn't appear at the beginning of the story, and so she shouldn't be a point of view character. You should stick with Max's point of view. If you started the story off with both of them, giving their points of view before the sex starts, then it might work. It's OK sometimes to shift points of view, but it has to be done carefully, and it felt sloppy in this case.

The explanatory section at the end is a mistake. Save it for a separate essay. It kills the sexiness. If you have to defend the story, then there's something you're not doing right in the story.

I thought, generally speaking, your mechanics--spelling, grammar, punctuation, the way you handle dialogue, the mix between dialogue and narrative--were just fine. I saw some nits but no more than I see with most stories. There's no question you have the writing chops to write a successful erotic story. I think the elements to a more successful story are a) clarifying your erotic focus, b) keeping the story narrative in line with that focus, and c) working harder right from the start of the story to plant the seed so the readers want your characters to get together.

Okay, I read Bad Medicine as well. To go along with Simon's points:

Stepmother- probably hurt you. I realize it's The Thing in porn now, but here, readers want TRUE incest.

Relationship: or, lack of. Brenda the stepmom happens to be there, happens to be a nurse, the most we learn of their "relationship" is that they're "room mates" before next thing you know, she's sucking him off.

The Sex addict ending: switches the tone of your story. You basically wrote her as a porn character then tried to tack on some "realism" at the end and I think it killed the mood.

So did the PSA.

But yes, you're a good writer. Plenty of potential.

And I'm not telling you you should write this or or shouldn't write that.

You asked what MIGHT have hurt your ratings; I answered.

What you decide to do going forward is totally your choice.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Okay, I read Bad Medicine as well. To go along with Simon's points:

Stepmother- probably hurt you. I realize it's The Thing in porn now, but here, readers want TRUE incest.

A small footnote. "Stepmother- probably hurt you. I realize it's The Thing in porn now, but here, readers want TRUE incest." I guess I joined Lit, without being fully aware of it, to overcome a lifetime of hung-ups and inhibitions. But after five years, I still can't keep up with everything that goes on here.

 

[SimonDoom]

Stepmother- probably hurt you. I realize it's The Thing in porn now, but here, readers want TRUE incest.

Agreed.

I think "stepmom" is a big thing in the porn world because it's the safer substitute for real incest. It's less likely to draw the ire of the financial companies that pull the strings, so it's the "incest light" alternative.

But here, full blood incest is an option. There's no reason to go the safe route, and readers don't want it that way. If for whatever reason you want to write a stepmom story, by all means go ahead, but be aware that there's a risk it won't draw the same interest or accolades that a full blood incest story would.

 

[Djmac1031]

A small footnote. "Stepmother- probably hurt you. I realize it's The Thing in porn now, but here, readers want TRUE incest." I guess I joined Lit, without being fully aware of it, to overcome a lifetime of hung-ups and inhibitions. But after five years, I still can't keep up with everything that goes on here.

I suppose I should have qualified my statement better by saying it's merely speculation on my part.

"Probably" the step mother thing hurt the ratings. But obviously I have no real evidence to back that up.

I personally don't care about step mom vs real nom; I care about a good story.

I was simply trying to put myself in the head space of other readers on what might have upset them about the story in question.

 

[32aa]

If you are writing to please other people. You are doing it for the wrong reason...
Write for yourself, forget scores, and ignore nasty comments.
The only person you have to please is yourself.
Not trying to be a bitch, just saying. If you enjoyed writing the story, then you are the winner.

Exactly!!

Have fun. I know what others think of your work, where you've invested time, thought, and sometimes personal feelings is difficult.

 

[Euphony]

I suppose I should have qualified my statement better by saying it's merely speculation on my part.

"Probably" the step mother thing hurt the ratings. But obviously I have no real evidence to back that up.

I personally don't care about step mom vs real nom; I care about a good story.

I was simply trying to put myself in the head space of other readers on what might have upset them about the story in question.

It was an absolutely reasonable assumption given the dynamics of the category. While it's unlikely anyone knows for certain, general attitude in the comments is Steps only is an unnecessary shortchange since, in their mind, all you have to do is stroke the pen a few times and, voila, risk heightening.

Even if you spent the extra time to flesh out the why of them being steps, I don't think even an uptick in quality characterization would mitigate the steps damage.

Readers, on the whole, prefer McD's Big Mac type of consistency. Oh well.