How Come Writers Fuck Up A Good Thing?

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

If your style works for you and pleases readers, why fuck it up with crazy changes?

 

[lovecraft68]

If your style works for you and pleases readers, why fuck it up with crazy changes?

Fear.

No matter how much success a person has(and this applies to everything, not just writing) there is that nagging little voice that tells them they are still going to fail and they keep tinkering with things and trying to change it up,

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Fear.

No matter how much success a person has(and this applies to everything, not just writing) there is that nagging little voice that tells them they are still going to fail and they keep tinkering with things and trying to change it up,

Do you ever wonder if writers really know when they got it right?

 

[Swilly]

Interesting question. I don't know, but I will say this.

Every once in a while, I write that one passage or paragraph that I go back and reread again and again, thinking, damn. I NAILED that. As a writer, I'd love to see the expression on someone's face when they read it. Unless, of course, they breeze right by it, not catching its (supposed) brilliance. Then, I'd wish I never had the chance to watch them read it.

 

[jomar]

I have a string of stories of a certain style...the first was well received so I did more to see if I could successfully sell the formula/style...it worked.

But otherwise, I've tried all sorts of "voices." Not out of fear, but to explore and experiment. Plus, certain stories called out for a different style.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Interesting question. I don't know, but I will say this.

Every once in a while, I write that one passage or paragraph that I go back and reread again and again, thinking, damn. I NAILED that. As a writer, I'd love to see the expression on someone's face when they read it. Unless, of course, they breeze right by it, not catching its (supposed) brilliance. Then, I'd wish I never had the chance to watch them read it.

Life is filled with folks who don't GET it. Someone said best is the enemy of good, and its true.

 

[Yoni_Noni]

who cares?

I love writing for my own pleasure. Sometimes readers like my stories, sometimes not. I enjoy it, and most of my published submissions get a good rating. Winning the Story of the Month would be a rush, but I don't obsess over it.

If you're a perfectionist, then I can see why you go over and over a certain paragraph. But for me, if I like it then I leave it alone. Simplicity is always a good guideline for me. I want to convey my idea or plot or feeling in a way that allows most readers to simply understand the basic premise. Leaving things to their imagination is my intention. You can fill in the blanks with your own version of things, sometimes. The author shouldn't worry about doing everything for you. If it spurs a thought in a readers mind, that's enough.

Maybe I just like to tease, but when I read something, I like for the story to make my mind work a little. So, that's how I try to write, unless I'm just so clear about how something should be stated or presented. Too much detail can take away from the spirit of the piece, I think. The main thing for me, is that I enjoy reading my own stuff. If others do too, that's really an encouragement, but if someone is too critical, I usually suppose they have a personal problem that I'm not really interested in curing for them.

This is my first time to the forum. Hi, everybody!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I love writing for my own pleasure. Sometimes readers like my stories, sometimes not. I enjoy it, and most of my published submissions get a good rating. Winning the Story of the Month would be a rush, but I don't obsess over it.

If you're a perfectionist, then I can see why you go over and over a certain paragraph. But for me, if I like it then I leave it alone. Simplicity is always a good guideline for me. I want to convey my idea or plot or feeling in a way that allows most readers to simply understand the basic premise. Leaving things to their imagination is my intention. You can fill in the blanks with your own version of things, sometimes. The author shouldn't worry about doing everything for you. If it spurs a thought in a readers mind, that's enough.

Maybe I just like to tease, but when I read something, I like for the story to make my mind work a little. So, that's how I try to write, unless I'm just so clear about how something should be stated or presented. Too much detail can take away from the spirit of the piece, I think. The main thing for me, is that I enjoy reading my own stuff. If others do too, that's really an encouragement, but if someone is too critical, I usually suppose they have a personal problem that I'm not really interested in curing for them.

This is my first time to the forum. Hi, everybody!

Sure! How do you improve YOU JUST WON $7k A WEEK FOR LIFE! FROM PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE!

Welcome.

 

[PayDay]

What is this question based on?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What is this question based on?

hot dogs

 

[robertreams]

Nothing, not even publishing or selling, brings me more joy as a writer than to witness someone cry or laugh (or display any strong emotion) from reading my work. (other than puking because they hate it, lol.

 

[TxRad]

If your style works for you and pleases readers, why fuck it up with crazy changes?

Without experimenting, how do you know what will and won't work?

No change, no improvement. If it doesn't work then you can always go back to what did.

 

[LadyVer]

If your style works for you and pleases readers, why fuck it up with crazy changes?

I was reading comments to some stories last night. I didn't read the stories because the category is one I don't read, but I was interested in the comments because I may be editing for the author and the comments were interesting. Some were hilarious. Anyway, the author works full-time, has a lot of projects going on, and some readers complained about how slow the author was submitting his chapters as if he didn't have anything else to do but submit free stories for them, and then there were the readers explaining the plot and the characters to the author.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Without experimenting, how do you know what will and won't work?

No change, no improvement. If it doesn't work then you can always go back to what did.

Lemme turn the question around. Why in hell would you try something that's never worked in the history of the world? Any many give it a whirl.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I was reading comments to some stories last night. I didn't read the stories because the category is one I don't read, but I was interested in the comments because I may be editing for the author and the comments were interesting. Some were hilarious. Anyway, the author works full-time, has a lot of projects going on, and some readers complained about how slow the author was submitting his chapters as if he didn't have anything else to do but submit free stories for them, and then there were the readers explaining the plot and the characters to the author.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Thomas Paine.


Its always the same result.

 

[StrangeLife]

If your style works for you and pleases readers, why fuck it up with crazy changes?

Because amateur writing isn't about pleasing the readers. It's about having fun. And trying new things are always fun - even when you fall on your face.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Because amateur writing isn't about pleasing the readers. It's about having fun. And trying new things are always fun - even when you fall on your face.

I was thinking of John Le Carre.

 

[StrangeLife]

I was thinking of John Le Carre.

Oh...


Well, he's so rich and well known that he doesn't have to care. People will buy his books regardless.

 

[LadyVer]

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Thomas Paine.


Its always the same result.

Maybe. Human nature hasn't changed much, although some like to think so.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Maybe. Human nature hasn't changed much, although some like to think so.

You know what John Wayne said! If youre gonna put that in the water do it down stream so it don't end up in the coffee.

 

[FragileUnbroken]

Interesting thread.

For my part, I blurt out what I want to say and then proofread and edit to simplify and clarify the content. Usually, once I have it saying what I really meant, I'm done. Yet, every story I've written, proof read, submitted and then read a few days later, I find typos, punctuation or spelling errors, and I think of better ways to say what I just said. That includes writing that is not associated with Literotica.

After a while I just have to cut it loose and see where it goes. I could proof read everything I've ever written a dozen times and still find ways to tweak it.

I guess I do sometimes say to myself, "Why are you messing with this? It's fine."

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Interesting thread.

For my part, I blurt out what I want to say and then proofread and edit to simplify and clarify the content. Usually, once I have it saying what I really meant, I'm done. Yet, every story I've written, proof read, submitted and then read a few days later, I find typos, punctuation or spelling errors, and I think of better ways to say what I just said. That includes writing that is not associated with Literotica.

After a while I just have to cut it loose and see where it goes. I could proof read everything I've ever written a dozen times and still find ways to tweak it.

I guess I do sometimes say to myself, "Why are you messing with this? It's fine."

When I worked in construction we usta say, YOURE MAKING A BOILER NOT A WATCH. Better really is the enemy of good. I read that for any subject only 15% of people are sensible to quality.

 

[FragileUnbroken]

When I worked in construction we usta say, YOURE MAKING A BOILER NOT A WATCH. Better really is the enemy of good. I read that for any subject only 15% of people are sensible to quality.

I wouldn't be surprised if that 15% were accurate. It's a crazy thought, but sadly it may be true.

I remember a saying, "Polishing a rose doesn't make it any prettier."

Kinda fits, a little.

 

[FragileUnbroken]

I kind if want to toss in a vote for the concept of throwing something at the wall to see if it sticks though. Trying a new style or delivery or tense just to see how well it's received.

Now that I think of it, I do that, but in the end I prefer to write with my voice to the best of my ability. Items I've written that way seem to be well received, and I fall back to it, which sorta backs up your OP point.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I wouldn't be surprised if that 15% were accurate. It's a crazy thought, but sadly it may be true.

I remember a saying, "Polishing a rose doesn't make it any prettier."

Kinda fits, a little.

I agree. Most of us cant distinguish Starbucks from store-brand.