Losing the will

[Tarakin]

haven't even written one for you yet!

You write stories for AH-residents?

* raises hand * Pick me! Here! Pick me!

 

[where]

You write stories for AH-residents?

* raises hand * Pick me! Here! Pick me!

no... what I meant was, all my stories are written for or about someone in particular. I have to *coughs* know the person quite well to write one.

 

[rengadeirishman]

no... what I meant was, all my stories are written for or about someone in particular. I have to *coughs* know the person quite well to write one.

I wouldnt mind knowing you better

 

[Guest]

You write stories for AH-residents?

* raises hand * Pick me! Here! Pick me!

I wrote one for a GB'er..
It was actually quite refreshing to do something like that, I went completely out of my comfort zone and had a fabulous time doing it.

*cough* Venus Rising *cough* Link in sig *kaff, kaff*

 

[where]

I wrote one for a GB'er..
It was actually quite refreshing to do something like that, I went completely out of my comfort zone and had a fabulous time doing it.

*cough* Venus Rising *cough* Link in sig *kaff, kaff*

you have to say who first!

 

[where]

I wrote one for a GB'er..
It was actually quite refreshing to do something like that, I went completely out of my comfort zone and had a fabulous time doing it.

*cough* Venus Rising *cough* Link in sig *kaff, kaff*

you can stop coughing now

 

[rgraham666]

Well, darn.

 

[DeeZire]

I wrote one for a particular author here at LIT, but it's a satire. Shame on me.

 

[starrkers]

Yeh... it's a bastard feeling.
Thing is... I haven't written anything for Lit for an age. I start things, and think, actually I'd prefer to work on my non-erotic stuff (which has even less chance of being read).

On the other hand, I don't read Lit stories any more save for a couple of people I'm very fond of, so I can't really expect to get read in return... particularly if I'm not writing.

I am writing a 'How To' but it probably won't be posted unless I can think of a few more gags, and Humour (Humor) is just about the worst category to write for So why bother. Well... one bothers because one wants to write, and one writes because one wants to be read... believe me, Lit is a far better place to post Anything than other writers sites... unless you're particularly keen of have testicles/ovaries (strike what doesn't apply) extracted through ones nostrils

I finally decided that no one becomes a writer because they want to, You become a writer because you have to. You just can't stop. You write like some people sing or hum under their breath. A good story to you is where you say, "God! I've got to put this into words!" and writing it is almost like sex or music. It's something you have to do to fully experience life.

But of course, you're right. A story's no good unless it's read, and being read, we want some kind of response. If you're serious about this, I'd take my story over to the Story Discussion Circle Board and ask them: What should I do to get more reader responses? If nothing else, you'll rub elbows with some Serious Writers and get a reputation as a Serious Writer yourself. Most likely you'll get a very good idea of what your stories look like to the average reader too and get some ideas on how to tune them up to get more votes and feedback.

Readers respond to stories that move them. As writers, our job is learning how to convey emotion through words. If we're not getting feedback, then we're probably not doing a very good job of that. Sometimes we can fix the problem ourselves, sometimes we have to go to others and ask them for help. Sometimes too, we've just reached the end of the line as far as a particular creative vein is concerned and have to backtrack and find a new direction and a new vision.

Incidentally, I'd just like to point out that the one thing most artists have always tried to keep in mind when they work, no matter what their medium, is honesty, and this works amazingly well in porn, where bullshit and fantasy are the norm. A little honesty thrown into a story is surprisingly difficult for most authors to achieve, but can give a piece incredible power. If you want to see comments pour in, try writing an honest story.

It might be an idea to take a break from writing until you HAVE to write.

I stopped for nine months. I still have plenty of ideas but little inclination to write because other things in my life are more important now.

I will write again and I'm still writing but for several causes. I get satisfaction from writing successful bids for money for my community. Each bid takes many hours of research and consultation - that doesn't leave much computer time left for fiction.

It's another form of writer's block - diversionary activities.

Og

A slight attitude adjustment on the author's part might help. There's no requirement for readers to try to make contact in any way with the author of a story--through comments or even votes. This is a nice to have for the author--and probably much more of a motivator for the writer than the reader realizes, or the readers would do more of it--but nothing even close to the realm of a right. As a writer, you can choose to decide what is reward for you for writing (if you really feel you need one). I don't get many comments and votes here either--and I highly expect that much of the voting I get is based on my postings to the forum and have nothing to do with how good my stories are.

But I do get some--and they are overwhelmingly favorable. And they are more than I get from the mainstream writing I do (although getting paid for that is reward enough). And the hits reflect more probable reads of my works here than in my mainstream writings (and more than I get from stories posted at other similar sites, too). So, I choose to see that as a good response, certainly enough to post stories here. Writing erotica and posting it here is an outlet for me that helps keep my mainstream writing fresh and inviting for me. That's good enough for me.

Having said that, I've reached a goal here and I don't particularly like the adjustments to voting system here and the inexplicable nature of the sweeps (not to mention that sweeps are required at all by such a loose voting system and the bad behavior of some voters), so I'll be putting more of my eggs into the larger works and mainstream writing too starting next month.

Thanks for the inciteful comments.

I think that's part of my problem - diversions.

But the main one is disillusionment with the site and its scoring system. I see so many stories that I consider trite, mediocre rubbish rising to the top and other, excellent pieces being knocked down; and months old scores changing inexplicably due to some esoteric sweep.

There seems no honesty in the system.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Thanks for the inciteful comments.

I think that's part of my problem - diversions.

But the main one is disillusionment with the site and its scoring system. I see so many stories that I consider trite, mediocre rubbish rising to the top and other, excellent pieces being knocked down; and months old scores changing inexplicably due to some esoteric sweep.

There seems no honesty in the system.

Oh God, honey! If popularity were the same as quality, McDonald's would be haute cuisine!

 

[Plainly_Jane]

I don't seem to be able to muster up the will to write fiction anymore.

For a while I thought I just lacked ideas, but that's not it. The ideas are there, I just can't be bothered fleshing them out and putting them down in written form.

When I first lobbed here, it was a thrill to see my stuff rack up a few hits and gain a vote or two and, if I was terribly lucky, a comment.

Problem now is, nothing's changed. If anything I'm getting less votes and comments than I was 18 months ago.

So, fuck it. No one wants to read my crap, what's the point in writing it?

</self indulgent wank>

Hi Starrkers -- it would be a shame if you stopped writing and posting. I have read your stories and think you have a wonderful voice.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

It's not her voice that needs raising; it's not her spirits that are sagging. She's confused. What she needs is a boob job and lift them off the keyboard.

 

[tickledkitty]

Why would you say something like that, James? It's not helpful at all. Nor is it entertaining.

 

[rgraham666]

It's what he does. His only reason for existence is to dispense random cruelties through the world.

 

[tickledkitty]

It's what he does. His only reason for existence is to dispense random cruelties through the world.

I've read it over a few times thinking I must have misunderstood, that perhaps I've missed something.

I guess I'm going to have to put him on ignore too, because this isn't the first time I've been offended and upset by one of his posts. I'm bothered by them even when they're not aimed at me. It's not worth it.

 

[OLDERNWISER]

.....

 

[sr71plt]

What I'm getting tired of is the petty people here who just keep plugging away at zapping stories even though the Web site is on to them and keeps deleting their zaps. They must really have an overabundance of nasty and bile to just keep on zapping. I have a story that's been at a 5 rating for more than five weeks now. Every morning it gets zapped, by the next day, the Web site has swept the zap. I don't mind the story having less than a perfect rating. It still remains hot after being zapped. I just think it reflects on the quality of people on this Web site that they would just keep on zapping and getting swept away. Such sad lives they must lead.

 

[starrkers]

I've read it over a few times thinking I must have misunderstood, that perhaps I've missed something.

I guess I'm going to have to put him on ignore too, because this isn't the first time I've been offended and upset by one of his posts. I'm bothered by them even when they're not aimed at me. It's not worth it.

He's already on my Ignore list. Which is a pity in a way, because occasionally he has something relevant and inciteful to say. But lately he's been on the cruelty jag, and that's just tiresome.

What I'm getting tired of is the petty people here who just keep plugging away at zapping stories even though the Web site is on to them and keeps deleting their zaps. They must really have an overabundance of nasty and bile to just keep on zapping. I have a story that's been at a 5 rating for more than five weeks now. Every morning it gets zapped, by the next day, the Web site has swept the zap. I don't mind the story having less than a perfect rating. It still remains hot after being zapped. I just think it reflects on the quality of people on this Web site that they would just keep on zapping and getting swept away. Such sad lives they must lead.

Yes, that's one of the things that is sapping me. That and the random zappings that inexplicably don't get swept.

 

[where]

It's not her voice that needs raising; it's not her spirits that are sagging. She's confused. What she needs is a boob job and lift them off the keyboard.

that is a horrible thing to say to someone You should be ashamed of your self!

 

[SavannahMann]

Why I write

I write to explore my own ideals. I've written a half dozen stories that remain on my hard drive, because I didn't like where they were. Perhaps I'll play with them later, perhaps not.

I want to explore ideals, images and that sort of thing. I write so I can read a story I like. I write to explore a subject, or a character I've come up with. I'm a selfish bastard that way.

As for others opinions, if I was writing for money, then it would matter more than it does. Since I'm the above mentioned selfish bastard, and am writing for me first, then their opinion is of less import. Feedback is always appreciated, but no comments, no problem.

Starrkers, I like some of your stories, and I would suggest you keep writing, for you if nothing else.

 

[Guest]

I've read it over a few times thinking I must have misunderstood, that perhaps I've missed something.

I guess I'm going to have to put him on ignore too, because this isn't the first time I've been offended and upset by one of his posts. I'm bothered by them even when they're not aimed at me. It's not worth it.

The marvelous thing about having someone on ignore is that even the threads they start disappear.

Lovely thing, really.

Starrkers - you'll find it again, this I know.

Or you'll start submitting to a different site. Perhaps one for pay.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Oh SARAH youre the biggest hypocrit on LIT. You wail and threaten IGNORE then follow your antagonist around from thread to thread, including the ones he posts.

Deal with your ambivalence.

 

[Guest]

Oh SARAH youre the biggest hypocrit on LIT. You wail and threaten IGNORE then follow your antagonist around from thread to thread, including the ones he posts.

Deal with your ambivalence.

Actually, pissant, this is the first post of yours I've opened to read because I had a feeling you were responding to me.

No, enough people usually quote you when they reply. Just that brief glimpse of your idiocy is enough for me.

I don't follow you around, sorry to dispel your illusion. You are a silly little man. I have far better things to do with my time.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

You remind me of Gloria Potter. Gloria sucked but her mom was pretty hot.

 

[JustLikeEwe]

What I'm getting tired of is the petty people here who just keep plugging away at zapping stories even though the Web site is on to them and keeps deleting their zaps. They must really have an overabundance of nasty and bile to just keep on zapping. I have a story that's been at a 5 rating for more than five weeks now. Every morning it gets zapped, by the next day, the Web site has swept the zap. I don't mind the story having less than a perfect rating. It still remains hot after being zapped. I just think it reflects on the quality of people on this Web site that they would just keep on zapping and getting swept away. Such sad lives they must lead.

Amen to that. The scores I'm ambivalent about for stories I write under this name. It's the absolutely cruel and venomous things that people write as comments and in e-mail that are disturbing. I realize that making yourself available for comments and communication will give people a free shot at you, but from the incredible anger and rage of some of these people, it really does make you wonder what they are like in real life.

These deliberate attempts to try and inflict pain on people (is schadenfreude the proper term?) you don't even know by word or vote for your own satisfaction is indeed sad. I get a laugh out of most of my snipers, but sometimes they do get to you, and to others as well judging by the comments here.

I guess the question is really one of, would you rather get ignored or trolled and abused?

Actually, that's not a bad question.