Guru

[sr71plt]

James never wrote anything before he got here and has learned everything he knows right here on Lit. Don't let him kid you, he's one of our most improved students here at Lit.

Not quite true. He wrote a bunch of unsolicited reviews on Amazon. (And that's the truth.) His start here was in plagiarism of snippets on the forum that he was caught out on.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

I was amused today to realize that the forum rules made me a "Literotica Guru." I think that was something about the number of confused and unenlightened posts I've made. That gave me a belly laugh.

What I've learned since September:

Don't argue. You might win but no-one will care (okay, so that's not a new lesson, it's just been reinforced).

Umm... There's other stuff, like being careful about what you say to the Brits because it might be misunderstood.

I've learned surprisingly little about writing, which I thought was the reason I came here. Perhaps I've learned more about writing for Literotica but there's a limited value in that.

And I've learned about myself. Not a lot -- I'm too old for that -- but some.

What have you learned?

I think the OP here is asking what was learned *on this forum*. I'll echo the sentiment that it's rarely about writing, which is too bad.

I learned that I don't understand, and don't really want to understand, other people's kinks. I get either bored or revulsed. Some threads I just won't visit now; everyone wins. Nothing teaches about TMI like erotica writers.

I've learned that I love moderation.

I've learned that many people here at least don't understand my almost vulcan-like tendency to expect and demand accuracy. (I'd defend Hitler if someone said he hated puppies, because there's no evidence that he did. Here at least, that gets you labeled as a Nazi by some. That's lamentable, and much more pronounced here than on other forums I've been around. Haters gonna hate.)

I've learned that some people are so desperately angry and petty that they one and two bomb stories by certain authors. In part I've seen it discussed; in part I've done my own informal experiments and concluded that two and possibly three of my own bombers are present and occasionally active on this forum. No proof of course.

I've learned that many people think pedophila means a fascination with under-18, not (as is correct) under 12.

I've learned that people into kinks that freak me out can still be ok as people.

I've learned the Echo Chamber effect is alive and well, but I've seen that elsewhere.

I've learned that my complete disinclination to ever write a Loving Wives story is a good thing, because from the sounds of it those are fans I do not want.

But if we mean "on the site" as opposed to "in this forum"...

I've met some wonderful folk through my stories. Erotica readers come from all walks of life and come in all shapes and sizes - some of them quite appealing.

I've learned that the population of women who like reading what might be called "noncon-light" or "edgy-reluctance" is large, alive and well, but the writing works best when mixed with romance.

I've learned that the readership here is as young as 14. Yikes.

I've learned that character development, world-building, carefully wrought plots and techniques like foreshadowing get noticed and appreciated by maybe 10% of readers, if that. But those who like it, love it.

I've learned that most readers here make up their minds within a few paragraphs - hook them early or they are gone.

I've learned that Mind Control fans are the creepiest bunch ever.

I've learned that I can start and post a story beginning with no idea where it's going to go and still get a good conclusion and decent ratings. I like working without a net.

I've learned that fascination with a fetish can take a solid hold just from reading fiction.

I've learned that it's not good to see what else your fans have favorited, because good mercy some of that crap is awful, and what does that say about my writing?

 

[sr71plt]

In ten years on Literotica, I've learned that there is a resistance on the forum to learning how to write within publishing industry standards and best-practice norms.

 

[legerdemer]

Ahh. That's what I was thinking of. Mer's piece on location as a character might be in Reviews and Essays.

Nice of you to remember, but that one is also a How To piece. I did write a review of AMoveableBeast's The Grimm Reaper in Reviews and Essays, however. If you read it and his story, let me know what you think.

 

[lovecraft68]

In ten years on Literotica, I've learned that there is a resistance on the forum to learning how to write within publishing industry standards and best-practice norms.

Probably because this is not the publishing industry and the majority here write simply for fun.

Also you yourself on many occasions during discussions say that in fiction you do not always have to adhere to rules. So are you guilty of your own comment?

 

[lovecraft68]

I have to agree with Handsinthedark, Mind Control readers are the number one creepers on this site.

Sure Incest is a crime in real life, but the fans there call out any non consent there with a passion and in general they are very happy go lucky

Non con fans which you would think by nature of the kink would be a nasty crowd seem pretty tame, give them their fix they are happy. In fact I have seen comments in the feedback portal calling out stories for being 'real rape' which although I applaud their doing it, um, why are you reading there?

Now LW are the worst readers for a variety or reasons, but they are also a nasty violent-at least when it comes to typing across the net-hate filled group whose malice towards women makes non con look like feminism.

But that's in your face no doubt about it nuts.

Mnd control? a kink based on drugging/min altering/hypnotizing and of course using 'magic powers' to turn unwilling people into willing sex slaves, is totally creepy, even more creepy when they try to say its no non consent or justify because the more they talk the worse it gets.

ETA add when I say that I'm talking about the hardcore readers and writers of it, not people who have occasionally read or written one, I'm talking the 'regulars' one long look through MC plots in story ideas can prove this case.

 

[sr71plt]

Probably because this is not the publishing industry and the majority here write simply for fun.

Also you yourself on many occasions during discussions say that in fiction you do not always have to adhere to rules. So are you guilty of your own comment?

No, it's not a case of writing for fun. It's folks trying to tell others how to do it without more than a half-baked idea how to do it themselves. Literotica is publishing too. It's not somehow different in best-practices from publishing to the marketplace. And, no, I don't break any publishing "rules" that I know about. I operate within guidelines of publishing--because there isn't really any difference in writing for Literotica and writing for publication. What appears here on Literotica is published. The guidance for publishing just isn't as restrictive as you (this is the general "you" in this discussion, not a specific LC "you") want to pretend it is so you're free from learning to do it better.

At the base is both laziness to learn the framework of writing, rebellion against authority, and the need to act like you know more than others--when you haven't taken the time and effort to be able to do so--and pretending you know more than you do so folks will fawn over you.

I knew I would get the response that you give. Doesn't mean that what I posted isn't true.

 

[lovecraft68]

No, it's not a case of writing for fun. It's folks trying to tell others how to do it without more than a half-baked idea how to do it themselves. Literotica is publishing too. It's not somehow different in best-practices from publishing to the marketplace. And, no, I don't break any publishing "rules" that I know about. I operate within guidelines of publishing--because there isn't really any difference in writing for Literotica and writing for publication. What appears here on Literotica is published. The guidance for publishing just isn't as restrictive as you (this is the general "you" in this discussion, not a specific LC "you") want to pretend it is so you're free from learning to do it better.

At the base is both laziness to learn the framework of writing, rebellion against authority, and the need to act like you know more than others--when you haven't taken the time and effort to be able to do so--and pretending you know more than you do so folks will fawn over you.

I knew I would get the response that you give. Doesn't mean that what I posted isn't true.

I get why it makes you crazy, its your 'thing' here for lack of a better term, like Non con is my thing.

But at some point I think you have to look at the source so to speak, that and human nature people hate being told they are not doing it right, even if the person seems qualified to do it. It's not right or mature, but how it is.

I try to give advice if I have any to give-if I know nothing of a topic I stay out of it-and usually add "my opinion, I feel, I think" not this is how it has to be.

Same for feedback, people love to be stroked, but hate being called out, again human nature, but its laughable that many writers think the glowing readers are knowledgeable and the people pointing out some mistakes and making suggestions are stupid.

It all has to be taken with a grain of salt or you'll be slamming your head on a desk all day.

Remember you can lead a horse to water, but its illegal to hold their head under it.

 

[sr71plt]

I was responding to the question asked on the thread. In ten years on the forum, I've learned that folks don't respect writing advice that is free as they would if they had to pay for it. Also that, even when a writing question they themselves have asked, is answered with a best-practices citation, they both just want to do what they wanted to do--and wasted their breath in even asking--and go with whatever their Internet friends say in the face of the citation, if the advice differs--because, well, Internet alliances are so much more important to them than receiving authoritative answers to the questions they themselves asked.

It's always good, too, after an answer has been given, with authoritative citation, to go ahead and weigh in with what you vaguely think you remember your Aunt Hazel's English teacher once said to her in the 1950s.