How to write a "top-rated" story!

[3113]

Stella got me thinkin'...always a dangerous thing to let Stella do....but in the sloppy thread she remarked about "top-rated" stories that:

it's astounding to me how many writers (and readers, judging by the ratings) fantasies are so closely bounded and paltry. The wildest sex they can think of- begins the workplace. HAS to begin in the workplace, in fact. Or is with their wife, or someone's wife, or they meet at the grocery store, or in school. WRiters will spend thousands of words outlining the humdrum details- and then describe.... humdrum sex. The biggest thrill is cumming on her tits.

Now, of course, many a top-rated story and winner deserves its high rating for great writing, inventiveness, creativity, pathos, etc.

But, clearly, as Stella points out, others get top-rated not because of the quality of the writing, but because they match up to a popular fantasy. And often, this fantasy is fairly mild. Not even so daring as a threesome.

So. Now I'm curious. What common fantasy elements do a lot of "top-rated" stories have that you find...less than top-rated? And why do you think these less-than-creative fantasies are so popular?

 

[impressive]

And why do you think these less-than-creative fantasies are so popular?

Because they ARE fantasies ... in that 99% of the readership hasn't dared to DO them.

 

[Belegon]

And why do you think these less-than-creative fantasies are so popular?

I think they are the basics. The foundations so to speak.

Sure, a lot of us in the AH disagree about those being the "Top". We want more imagination, more intrigue. Correct spelling. Standards, ya know?

But then, I think that we spend a lot more time thinking about sex then Everyday Andy or Annie. Maybe not more time thinking of sex, but definitely more time about sex.

 

[Guest]

Stella got me thinkin'...always a dangerous thing to let Stella do....but in the sloppy thread she remarked about "top-rated" stories that:...

So. Now I'm curious. What common fantasy elements do a lot of "top-rated" stories have that you find...less than top-rated? And why do you think these less-than-creative fantasies are so popular?

Oh sheesh, you like asking the EASY questions, don't cha?

STELLA? STELLA, LOOK WHAT YOU STARTED!!

Ya know, outside of a couple of stories in one catagory (because I know the authors offline), I really couldn't tell you. I know that those author's stories are more about the emotion than the writing or even the sex. They are heavy on the romance, the "happy ever after", which for many people is as much a fantasy as anything else.

Also, it should be noted that the INTENDED audience of a particular story might not be the ACTUAL audience. For example, a lot of straigt women love gay romance and slash stories. That makes it even harder to judge what the appeal might be.

Sometimes I think it's just a matter luck, I really do.

 

[damppanties]

And why do you think these less-than-creative fantasies are so popular?

Readers identify with them. They are 'their' stories too. The more creative you get, the more it's just 'your' story, and then, just a story.

 

[Guest]

Top-rated erotic story? It depends.



No, truthfully.

To writers (and the above average reader) we feel a top-rated erotic story should actually have a story, as well as some lusty and fun or romantic or unusual or interesting sex.

Of course, proper grammar, spelling, paragraphing, punctuation, a well-rounded story and all those little things that are supposed to increase the enjoyment of the READER ought to be in there, too.

And no voting. Perhaps that would keep the trolls away.

To the reader wishing for stroke?

Sex. Lots of it. Preferably beginning in the first paragraph (or even the first sentence).

Grammar is optional. Hell, the rest of the story is optional, as well.

 

[oggbashan]

Top Rated = Popular

Whether what is generally popular appeals to you? That is a different question.

Most of the top rated stories in Literotica are good examples of their kind even if their literary qualities may not be classical.

Popular does not necessarily equal bad writing; nor does unpopular (low rated) equal good writing. There are good well-crafted stories with very high ratings down to mediocre ratings. Very low ratings usually mean bad writing that fails to produce the author's intentions (unless you are me and I intended to shock and disgust... my intention was to turn people OFF. Whether the writing was bad?).

Og

 

[Owlwhisper]

.....

 

[rgraham666]

It's damn near impossible to write a top rated story. If by top rated you mean in the top 10. As soon as your story lands there, the trolls hit it.

If you mean in the top lists themselves, who knows?

Erotic Couplings is the hardest to get in the Top List on. I suspect that's because that's where the strokers go. And they're not looking for story, grammer or plot.

In the others, it really depends. Romance is easy to get good scores in but because of this it's crowded at the top. My best Romance is rated 4.85 and sits at somewhere around 250th place.

So who knows? I just write the stories and hope someone likes them.

 

[fieryjen]

So who knows? I just write the stories and hope someone likes them.

Hey, at least that usually works very well for you

 

[3113]

Okay, fair enough that it depends on the category, etc, etc, etc. And, certainly, a guy looking for a hot incest story between a dad and daughter is going to read or give high marks to a gay story about a straight man who experiments with his neighbor.

So, granted, to each category their own fantasy and reason for high marks (or lack thereof).

But do you feel that Stella was correct that a lot of Top-Rated stories are pretty mundane? That they share mundane "fantasies" and that those can be quantified into certain elements? Like meeting a sexy someone at work (gay or straight or even incestuously--daughter works for dad at the office?)?

If yes, what are some of these elements?

 

[mtnman2003]

My $.02

I have written several different stories. I think the fantasy created, the real improbability of it, can lead to a higher rated story.

Couple that with character development, environmental aspects, story build-up, and an element of tension, you can get a high quality story, rated highly, and with tremendous feedback from the readers.

My $.02.

That, and category selection!

Mtn

 

[hugo_sam]

First off, I hesitate to add much with such an august group of writers offering their opinions and experiences.

From there I have to agree with Rob for the most part. You (as the author) write a story, how you feel, your fantasy (maybe not your personal fantasy but a fantasy story in your mind) and then submit it to the 'masses'. Maybe you will achieve the right combination of elements and catagory to have 'top rated' appeal, maybe not at all, or somewhere in between.
I realise that is not every writer.
For myself, I envision a story and try to put it on paper. There is a catharsis to submitting it for 'lit publication', but I know I do not write directly to the reader.
I try to make it readable and enjoyable, but I am not gearing for any particular reader or group excepting occasionally the broad scope of catagory.
As for the 'qualities' of the top rated stories, I find that since I have been writing, I read far less than before and more targeted. Usually AH authors brought to my attention and /or something that looks interesting from the new submissions. I think the only times I go even look at the 'top lists' are just in general during contests.
I'll stop blathering now.

JMHO

Hugo

 

[3113]

You (as the author) write a story, how you feel, your fantasy (maybe not your personal fantasy but a fantasy story in your mind) and then submit it to the 'masses'. Maybe you will achieve the right combination of elements and catagory to have 'top rated' appeal, maybe not at all, or somewhere in between.
I realise that is not every writer.

Granted again, Hugo...but perhaps my title was way too misleading. I'm not searching for the magic formula to a "top-rated" story, and even if I had it I probably wouldn't use it unless I found it really challenging.

I'm just really curious if those of you authors, who have read enough of these stories, and whom I trust, as authors, to be able to analyze them, can give me some thoughts on their popularity. In particular, on elements they seem to have in common that might be interesting to explore in regards to human psychology and sexual fantasies in the 21st century world.

It's not about writing talent. It's about erotic fantasies. What people have in common and why--and what they say about our lives--what is missing from those lives or what we're looking for in those lives. What our modern world makes us dream about and want. Like a romance at the office.

I figure you guys--who write such fantasies, read and edit such fantasies, and have more contact with fans of such fantasies than just about anyone, would have some interesting insight into this.

 

[Guest]

.....

 

[hugo_sam]

Granted again, Hugo...but perhaps my title was way too misleading. I'm not searching for the magic formula to a "top-rated" story, and even if I had it I probably wouldn't use it unless I found it really challenging.

I'm just really curious if those of you authors, who have read enough of these stories, and whom I trust, as authors, to be able to analyze them, can give me some thoughts on their popularity. In particular, on elements they seem to have in common that might be interesting to explore in regards to human psychology and sexual fantasies in the 21st century world.

It's not about writing talent. It's about erotic fantasies. What people have in common and why--and what they say about our lives--what is missing from those lives or what we're looking for in those lives. What our modern world makes us dream about and want. Like a romance at the office.

I figure you guys--who write such fantasies, read and edit such fantasies, and have more contact with fans of such fantasies than just about anyone, would have some interesting insight into this.

OK
IMO - FWIW - I think Imp had it closest. Simple, rather vanilla, simple two people meetings are more the fantasy of the 'masses' because that is something they can see happening in RL but is apparently not happening for most. So it is a simple fantasy that is within the realm of possiblities happening.
Another posted suggested as well the simplicity of the writing is ties to lack of investment by the reader in the story. Other threads here have talked about how the internet and TV appear to have really shortened the attention span of many and I am certain it has with those reading as well. Their attention has to grabbed quickly, satisfied and then they move on.
JMHO

ETA: AS far as the fantasies and what is missing, i would go with some combination of excitement, romance, love, attention and time. The people here probably spend many times more time thinking about was is erotic and sexy than the 'avaerage reader'. Most probably had rather mundane, excitement -less lives, with mediocre sex if it happens at all. What we create in our minds (at the AH) is far more involved and thought out than the 'average reader'.
I know personally, my stories ( which are pretty vanilla in general) are about 100000000000000 times more interesting or active than any sex life I pretend exists in RL. That takes two people ( generally or more) to make it interesting, exciting, romantic, etc.etc.

Hugo

 

[BlackShanglan]

Another posted suggested as well the simplicity of the writing is ties to lack of investment by the reader in the story. Other threads here have talked about how the internet and TV appear to have really shortened the attention span of many and I am certain it has with those reading as well. Their attention has to grabbed quickly, satisfied and then they move on.
JMHO

I'd add to that attention span issue the fact that many are looking for a story that is essentially a form of sexual stimulation. That seems to me likely to reduce how much effort they're willing to invest, given that the aim is not literary as such.

 

[The_Fool]

I'd add to that attention span issue the fact that many are looking for a story that is essentially a form of sexual stimulation. That seems to me likely to reduce how much effort they're willing to invest, given that the aim is not literary as such.

Paint a target on it and see how good their "aim" is....


Okay, I'm not adding much value here.

 

[Guest]

Paint a target on it and see how good their "aim" is....


Okay, I'm not adding much value here.

We didn't even mention erotic poetry.

 

[The_Fool]

We didn't even mention erotic poetry.

That's it...next time we do a flash fiction thing, I'm gonna write some smut.

 

[Guest]

That's it...next time we do a flash fiction thing, I'm gonna write some smut.

Why wait?

 

[The_Fool]

Why wait?

Too tired....Need Scotch...Need Sleep.....Need to graduate....

 

[Guest]

Too tired....Need Scotch...Need Sleep.....Need to graduate....

. . . . Need sex

 

[The_Fool]

Why wait?

What's the required word count?

 

[Guest]

What's the required word count?

Oh, just let your fingers do the walking on the keys, baby.

You'll know when it's enough.