Is this pretentious?

[Cruel2BKind]

I was looking at the comments on a few of my older stories, and a slight recurring theme was that they wanted to see the characters go further. To see more of them.

I got the idea in my head to do a series that I would call 'Anthology'. Each chapter would be a little 'epilogue' of sorts where I checked in on a pair of my characters who's stories had already ended. Nothing big or earth-shattering, just a sexy weekend at the lake, or how they celebrate their anniversary, or how they're still holding up after a year of the zombie apocalypse.

Is it too soon? Is this too pretentious?

I just thought I should get some opinions before I go ahead.

 

[LaRascasse]

How about adding it as the last chapter to each series? This helps the reader associate them easily. I don't think it's pretentious.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Yes, it's ungodly and disgustingly pretentious!




That doesnt mean that it's a bad idea. I always like reading follow up shorts. Go for it!

 

[Darkniciad]

If they have another story to tell you, then tell it.

If you're just writing more because readers asked for it, the odds are that the story will be weak, and so will the response.

Keep in mind that when people ask to read more about characters, most of the time they're wanting more story -- not just another romance/sex scene.

 

[lovecraft68]

If they have another story to tell you, then tell it.

If you're just writing more because readers asked for it, the odds are that the story will be weak, and so will the response.

Keep in mind that when people ask to read more about characters, most of the time they're wanting more story -- not just another romance/sex scene.

I agree, unless its Mother/son incest. In that genre each chapter can just be sex in a different part of the house and as long as the son is moaning "oh, Mom" then it will get decent marks.

Brother/sister is hit or miss on that one, I notice fans of "sibs" stories seem a little more interested in story.

My opinion of course.

 

[Hubs_in_hose]

I agree with those that say if there is story left to tell then tell it. You are the creator of that universe if there is more to that universe then continue the story. Don't just write an addition to the story just to add something to the story. If the addition doesn't compliment or add to the overriding story arc then it may be pretentious.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

I was looking at the comments on a few of my older stories, and a slight recurring theme was that they wanted to see the characters go further. To see more of them.

I got the idea in my head to do a series that I would call 'Anthology'. Each chapter would be a little 'epilogue' of sorts where I checked in on a pair of my characters who's stories had already ended. Nothing big or earth-shattering, just a sexy weekend at the lake, or how they celebrate their anniversary, or how they're still holding up after a year of the zombie apocalypse.

Is it too soon? Is this too pretentious?

I just thought I should get some opinions before I go ahead.

Anthologies are cool.

 

[lance gt]

I think it could lead people to become readers of your work, if each one finishes off something that was well received originally. 2500-3000 words per story should give a good ending for each. Codas, an Anthology of Gay Lust, or something, whatever, lol.
Good luck with it.

 

[Cruel2BKind]

Thanks everybody.

I'll put out the first chapter, a sexy weekend at the lake for the pair from my very first story on the site. I'll see how it's received, put a note on the end asking people if they would like to see more chapters and more story about their favorite characters.


I have eight pairs (and one threesome), and I'll have more when I finish up some of my other stories. I hope it goes well!

 

[Darkniciad]

In case you're wondering what the nonsensical post above is, it's another Amazon Referrer spammer that Laurel has already blocked from leaving the cookie on your system.

Any time you see a WTF? post that has a broken image in the post/sig, check your cookies ( or safety->website privacy in the latest version of IE ) for an amazon cookie. If it's there, delete it before buying anything from amazon, and report the spammer via the "report this post" button, stating in the report form that it's an Amazon spammer.

That way, Laurel knows to take the steps necessary to block future attempts.

I hate these scumballs.

 

[PennLady]

FWIW, I don't think there's anything pretentious about giving epilogues to your stories, whether you do it at the time or later. However, I'd make sure you want to. I've had a lot of people ask me that on certain stories and the truth is, for me those stories are done. If a reader wants to know if they stay together, etc., they'll have to imagine that for themselves.

So if you want to and have ideas, by all means write them up. But if the story is done, then let it be done.

 

[YDB95]

Pretentious? No. If you feel another story coming on, by all means write it!

But do keep this in mind: some readers are going to like the ambiguity that comes with ending the stories where they did originally. That way if we really like the characters, we can write our own next chapter. That way when we're feeling romantic, we can imgine your creations living happily ever after with a house full of well-behaved kids somewhere in the European countryside; and when we're feeling cynical, we can believe they broke up the next day and racked up a lot of practice on what they taught each other with new partners. Writing a new chapter in the story takes that away, and not everyone is going to like it. But they are your characters, and the decision belongs to you.

 

[Cruel2BKind]

I'm a hopeless romantic, none of my characters are unsatisfied with their relationships

But there are a few that beg 'follow-ups'. I had some dissatisfaction on my most classically romantic piece to date, a seven-part series called Tenderness. I ended it without the couple ever having anal sex. With a gay couple, this is a formulaic no-no. I was definitely frustrated, but it would be nice to have a follow-up where I show that the character eventually gets over his insecurity.

Then there was another ambiguous ending where I left a couple in the basement of a farmhouse with a group of families in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, it would be nice to check up on them.

And the future-distopia piece where it was clear that Tam Berling was rescued, but we never got to see where he ended up or how he fell in love with Taylor Bashke all over again!

I'm getting excited all over again!

 

[Safe_Bet]

Then there was another ambiguous ending where I left a couple in the basement of a farmhouse with a group of families in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, it would be nice to check up on them.

Well, DUH!

You KNOW you can't trust stupid damn zombies! Just cuz you ended the story doesn't mean those apocalyptic zombie asshat paid any attention!

Jeez...

 

[sr71plt]

If you are tempted to reopen a story, by all means consider doing so. But don't read too much into the pleas by readers to continue the story. They either just like the story so much they don't want it to end (and therefore won't want the sequels to end until/unless they get tired of your characters and plotline) or they've just got to have a fairytale ending--which has killed more stories than it's enhanced, I believe.

I do feel flattered when a reader asks for a story extension, but I also get the feeling that I should be given the credit to know what ending I wanted on the story. I do consider the ending--I don't just let them wind down into a puddle.

I sometimes extend stories--more often adding to them to put them in the marketplace than to post sequels here--but I've sometimes expanded them for posting here. It's always because I've rethought something I wanted to do to them, though, not because a reader has asked for more.