Madam Laurel?

[CreamyLady]

I have two questions.

(1) I have two stories somewhere in the queue; one has been in over a month. Is there an estimated time of posting? (I haven't wanted to sound nagging.)

(2) I have three stories published, but am not in the author's index, and I have some friends who couldn't find the stories easily. Will I ever get there?

Thank you.

 

[Hecate]

a little off subject

Creamy Lady , I stumbled over one of your stories "by accident" (just happened to see if there was anything new and interesting in my prefered category), and hey .. it was great! So I can understand your friends looking for them *s* I didn't know there was more of you, but I will have a closer look now *s*

Have you submitted a member profile yet? (sorry - too much in a hurry to look up now if you did already) - there should be links from there to your stories too, so that is a little "back up" passage if you aren't on the authors list maybe? ... or is it the same list even??

Ooops -looks like I got lost here somewhere with my great idea *blushes* anyway - I wanted to let you know the story of you I came across so far (and of which I unfortunately can't remember the title right now) was great.

 

[CreamyLady]

It wouldn't have been "Bindings," would it, Ma'am?

I'm glad you liked it; I am always happy when people enjoy my stuff.

 

[Guest]

I am always happy when people enjoy my stuff.

Me too CL! Are we talking about stories? LOL (sorry, I couldn't resist the temptation)

 

[Laurel]

Hi all,

Yes, I'm severely backed up. I'm doing my best to simultaneously answer email (we get 30-80 pieces a day, most of which are story submissions) AND edit & post stories (550+ in my "to edit" box) AND try to manually add all 4000+ of our existing stories into the new script. Once we have the new system in place, it shouldn't take more than 24-48 hours for your story to appear on the site.

Until all of the stories are put into the new script, we can't start the new system. Because I'm so far behind, I spend much of my time editing stories instead of loading old ones into the new script, which means it's going to take longer to get the new system in place. However, if I don't concentrate on editing & posting stories, then I get emails from authors that I have to answer, PLUS I get further behind. So you can see, I'm in a tough situation - it's a lose/lose proposition.

Manually adding stories to the new script is an incredibly time-consuming process, as is editing and posting stories. I can edit around 12-15 average length stories in an hour, and I can post about 10 stories in that time. So, it takes me about 2 hours of work to get 10 stories on the site. I have, as I said, 550 in my inbox. I can add about 15-18 stories to the new script's database in an hour (assuming all the author info is in the script - if it isn't, it takes me 3-5 minutes to create an author record). I have, as I said, over 4,000 of those on the site that need to be moved over.

I won't go into the amateur pics, or harderstuff, or the other projects we're trying to get off the ground that I'm having trouble finding time for.

I'm sorry that it's taking so long right now, and promise that in a couple of months (hopefully sooner), the backlog - like the 500 errors (remember those?) - will be a thing of the past. I appreciate your patience, and promise you it will be rewarded.

 

[Laurel]

As for the Author Index question, I'll add you immediately. I haven't been as diligent at adding writers to the author index because as soon as we convert over to the new system, my current author index will be obsolete. The script will automatically create an author index, listing all members with stories, instead of me having to add them manually. Not a good excuse, but it's the only one I have. I'll add you tonight, CL...

 

[Laurel]

Were those posts whiny enough for you guys? 'Cause I can always whine a little more..

 

[Shintani]

But Laurel...you're so damn SEXY when you whine...

 

[CreamyLady]

Thank you, Laurel. I really didn't want to nag. I won't from now on. I will burn incense and do a spell so that the work progresses with no hitches at all, and you may rest.

I did notice that one has emerged. Thank you.

 

[Gingersnap]

Wow Laurel I knew it was work but not that much. I wish I lived closer I would give you a hand.

 

[Hecate]

*huge supportive hug*

Unfortunately a cyber hug is all the assistance I can give you right now Laurel (and Manu of course) - if there is anything at all I can do for you .. let me know!

*chuckles* the one thing I will do though is to keep my stories here and the flood you with the whole bunch once the new script is running -- I really wouldn't want to add to your "back log" any further... and trust me - I know what you are talking about, running my own little web-community with a script(stories) section, member profiles etc. etc. although TINY compared to the huge Literotica *lol*

So take a deep breath and a BREAK now and then - even if it seems impossible! The last thing we all would need was a breakdown on your end *hug again*

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: *huge supportive hug*

*chuckles* the one thing I will do though is to keep my stories here and the flood you with the whole bunch once the new script is running -- I really wouldn't want to add to your "back log" any further...

Good idea Hecate. It deserves to be in bold print.

I'm currently holding a story as well, I think unless a story is "time critical" like a story for someone's birthday, or a holiday story, then holding it for thirty or sixty days isn't going to make much difference. If we can keep the new stories coming in down to a trickle, then Laurel can make headway on the backlog.

It won't make any material difference in when the story makes it to public view, because if it's submitted today, it still won't be seen until it works it's way throught the pile. Held and submitted later, (about when it would show up anyway,) when the scripts are in place, it will make it online about the same time as if it wasn't held.

PS to any authors waiting for a story to be posted:

If you have a story in Laurel's pile of stories, send her an E-Mail asking her to hold it until the scripts are in place. Every story she can skip over in the pile is that much closer to getting everyone's stories posted quickly.

Those with the patience to wait for their stories to be posted may have to wait a bit longer to see the story they've been waiting for, but won't have to endure the agony of suspense for future stories.



[Edited by Weird Harold on 07-26-2000 at 12:35 PM]

 

[Laurel]

Nooo!

Poop! I don't want to sound like I don't want you guys to submit! I do - I love submissions. I'm just unhappy with the curreny situation because I'm making you all unhappy by taking so long to post stories. I do enjoy your work, and please please do submit! Don't lose faith in me yet..

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Nooo!

I do enjoy your work, and please please do submit! Don't lose faith in me yet..

I for one haven't lost faith in you! I fully intend to submit the story I'm holding, but It can wait for the automated script. Consider it my contribution of 20 minutes to be applied to getting the scripts working.

I know that you would never ask anyone to NOT post as story, and actually neither would I. I do see some value in letting it wait for posting on my machine instead of yours.

You didn't ask. Hecate and I volunteered and I went one step further to point out that slowing the submissions voluntarily will help you to improve the site by reducing your workload a bit.

 

[Laurel]

WH, you're awesome. And our scripts will be ready for your vigorous troubleshooting skills very soon.

 

[CreamyLady]

Well, I've added to the burden by sending two more in this past week (good grief!), but with any luck some new stuff will take a little while longer.

You do a wonderful job, Madam Laurel. This place is awesome now; it will be magnificent in the near future.