Getting into it

[the dreamseeker]

I have just submitted my first story ... and reading through a few today I have a question from the experienced writers in our midst.
I notice that several stories have long preambles about who is in the story, how they met, who they used to be with before etc etc, sometimes a page or two before they actually get into the story proper.
Are the readers really interested in this background? Or should (as I feel) the story be a small snapshot of "what happened today"? I always try and aim for a mini-movie feel, where it doesn't really matter who the people are, it's more a visual representation of the adventure they are finding themselves in.
Have I got this wrong?
I'd like some discussion on this ......

PS My first story is called "The Intruder" -- (I know, I know, there are several called that!) and I submitted it under NonConsent. I would appreciate some feedback.

 

[Ray Dario]

Depends on what you mean by preamble.

If the "preamble" is actually part of the story then, if it's done well, it is good. If you are talking about a note from the author type of preamble then please, PLEASE, don't do it.

I hate reading notes from the author at the start of a story. I usually skip them anyway. Same thing with the writer butting into the story after it was started.

Well at this point I should probably tell you a little about my wife. She is 5' 2" tall weighs 690lbs and her measurments are a beautiful 98ZZZZZ-14-72

So to answer your question. Please don't write long notes to the readers above your story, it's annoying, at least to me. And don't butt into the story either. Write the story so that I'll learn all I need to know about the character during the course of the story and I'll enjoy reading it much more.

Ray

 

[NCmVoyeur]

The Intruder

I'm not normally a fan of Non-consent stories, as I find the typical premise that the victim comes to enjoy the experiece to be dishonest. However, you provided an interesting take (which I won't elaborate upon so that other readers people come to the story with no preconceptions).

Some picky points: 1) I couldn't figure out how the guy could breathe, let alone pick up the nuances of female aromas, with a bag over his head the whole while. 2) At the very end you shift point-of-view from 1st person to 2nd person.

As to your question about preambles, there's no hard-and-fast rule in my view. Good characterization is often the feature that elevates 'liter(ary) (er)otica' from 'Net porn.' So typically I like a story that balances the erotic with writing that appeals to me on some other level.

Your story was one where a long 'wind up' was unnecessary.

As to Ray's point, I've only once included an 'Author's Note' before a story. In that case, it was to explain the highly unusual narrative device (stream of consciousness) I was using. (So unusual, that I've not seen it used elsewhere on Lit. or other story boards; I'm still looking for other examples.) I felt the reader would be too confused without some explanation.

 

[jon.hayworth]

Dreamseeker,

I have not read your story, mainly because you did not provide a link - read Laurel's "Sticky". Using links gets feedback - Ray is a nice guy so is NCMV.

On the subject of pre-ambles - I do tend to use them as a scene setter for my historicals set in Roman Britain - I share with the reader not only the time and setting, but also the artefact or historical incedent I am drawing upon. I feel the pre-amble is a valid mechanism of transporting the reader back through 2000 years.

jon

 

[damppanties]

The link

First, the link:

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=47709

tch tch jon...*wagging my finger at you* Its dreamseeker's first post.

PS My first story is called "The Intruder" -- (I know, I know, there are several called that!) and I submitted it under NonConsent. I would appreciate some feedback.

I normally don't like nonconsent, but the end was great!!

The preamble: your story didn't need it. I loved the mini-movie style. I like really short stories, so I guess this is more of a subjective view.

I liked reading it, keep writing.

-DP.

 

[jon.hayworth]

Grumpy Guts back again,

I have read your story and thought it was good - the only fault I came across was that of the possible. He cums near the begining and in a very short period of time is off again. I mean the story gives an impression of a time frame of an hour.

Now I know that is what you see on a porn film - but it doesn't happen. All the fucking is done without the stud cumming and finally the "cum chot" is shot.

Still a well told story.

jon

 

[SexyChele]

Because you speak of a "page or two" before the story starts, I'm presuming you mean the background the writer writes into the story, and not the quick notes that sometimes appear at the top of a story.

I think it depends on the story and on the writer. Some stories are best described as "snipets" in time, and require very little, if any, character development or real plot. Other stories have a need for understanding who the characters are and a bit about the background. What I have discovered is that it doesn't break down into gender, as I once thought it would. (Men wanting the sexual aspects to begin immediately, and women liking a little more background)

My first story at Lit was a "snapshot" - no character development, no real plot, and immediate action. It has gotten quite a few views, but it has remained my lowest scored story and has generated the most negative feedback.

On the other hand, the story where I felt I had too much "story" and not enough sex is my most highly viewed and has remained on the top lists since it was first posted to Lit. It has also generated an overwhelming amount of positive and encouraging feedback - including both men and women sharing similiar experiences with me.

I think it also comes down to what a writer feels comfortable with. Some like to write a story with characters that are real. Other writers are more comfortable just writing about sexual encounters and not veering away from that. Either one is acceptable and good.

I don't know that I would necessarily call it a "preamble", however. Most writers look at that part as being just as valid a part of the story as the actual sexual part. But then, that's my .02 worth.

Liked the story, btw! Different twist on things and I enjoyed that.