Pink Orchid 2023: Story Event for Women-Centric Erotica - Official Support Thread

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

Oh, bother. My story was included in the 'pink orchid 2023' tag search, but now it isn't. I hope the site hasn't disqualified it for the event, because the original version was posted last spring. The revision was done during the 2023 event window. If necessary, I'll try to learn if this is something intended by the site folks, or another temporary glitch.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

Do I misunderstand you? For contests, stories are required to be original, and I do hope the same goes for challenges.

To me, it seems like a cheap trick to get another wave of attention, by revising an existing story to make it participate in new challenges. It doesn't seem to be in the spirit of this kind of things.

I had concerns about this also, and I discussed with Omenainen whether this would be a problem. O expressed willingness for me to go ahead. Because this is an event, and not a contest, I found nothing in the FAQs that state clearly that it's not allowed. If it turns out that the site won't allow this, so be it. It has never been my intention to flim-flam my way into the event.

Today I checked the tags on the story, and found that 'pink orchid 2023' has been changed to 'pink orchid 2022.' That's not correct, because the story was posted on Lit after last year's event closed. I've used the Report function to ask that the tag be changed back, and also requested that the story be included in the story list for this year's event when it is posted. Again, I will accept it if the requests are clearly denied. At this stage, though, I don't yet know if the tag change was part of an action to include my story from this year's event, or an attempt to normalize the tag with the posting date of the story's original version. At the very least, the 'pink orchid 2022' tag should be deleted, because it's incorrect and potentially misleading for someone searcing

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I had concerns about this also, and I discussed with Omenainen whether this would be a problem. O expressed willingness for me to go ahead. Because this is an event, and not a contest, I found nothing in the FAQs that state clearly that it's not allowed. If it turns out that the site won't allow this, so be it. It has never been my intention to flim-flam my way into the event.

Today I checked the tags on the story, and found that 'pink orchid 2023' has been changed to 'pink orchid 2022.' That's not correct, because the story was posted on Lit after last year's event closed. I've used the Report function to ask that the tag be changed back, and also requested that the story be included in the story list for this year's event when it is posted. Again, I will accept it if the requests are clearly denied. At this stage, though, I don't yet know if the tag change was part of an action to include my story from this year's event, or an attempt to normalize the tag with the posting date of the story's original version. At the very least, the 'pink orchid 2022' tag should be deleted, because it's incorrect and potentially misleading for someone searcing

Nertz. That should be 'exclude.'

 

[MelissaBaby]

It's nothing personal, and I'm really not blaming you for anything, JSFH, but I really hope the site won't allow it. Obviously, I have no say in this, but where would it stop if this gets trough? People recycling their whole story-lists just to make it fit in other events? I hoped events would stimulate creativity in different ways.

With respect to Juan, I have to agree. If this is an acceptable practice, why shouldn't I give a boost in readership to any of my old stories that fit the criteria for events by entering them?

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's nothing personal, and I'm really not blaming you for anything, JSFH, but I really hope the site won't allow it. Obviously, I have no say in this, but where would it stop if this gets trough? People recycling their whole story-lists just to make it fit in other events? I hoped events would stimulate creativity in different ways.

Also agree.

I tried to get an already written two part story listed in a challenge (the Life with Covid event, a couple of years ago). Laurel said no, unless I took both parts down and resubmitted as a single story, which would obviously open up the re-cycling issue and would be a cheat on my readers. Too much effort, so I let it go. The story is doing okay, even without any boost the event might have given it.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

It's nothing personal, and I'm really not blaming you for anything, JSFH, but I really hope the site won't allow it. Obviously, I have no say in this, but where would it stop if this gets trough? People recycling their whole story-lists just to make it fit in other events? I hoped events would stimulate creativity in different ways.

If the upshot of this is that there's a clear definition from the site folks that this isn't allowed (so it won't be attempted again), AND that as a result my story can't be in the event, I'd take that as a step forward. This is on me, because I haven't been able to write a new story for this event (and that doesn't seem to be changing, with each passing day). I appreciate the concerns expressed above, and on the whole I sympathize.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Mine is submitted - Lesbian Sex. Thanks to @robroy1968 for beta reading. Any remaining pacing issues are all on me - he pointed out one bit was a mood-killer, and I doubled down on it!

My inspiration was I saw a suggestion from near the start of this thread about women being less likely to seek or go for casual sex, and went "well actually..." and built on a fragment I had already.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Meaningless Kisses is now live. No obvious typos or formatting errors, though a couple word choices I'd have changed...

@Omenainen , feel free to critique!

 

[Omenainen]

I think I’m up to date with the entries once again. So please, people, keep them coming!

@Kumquatqueen, loved yours. Hot, literally

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I think I’m up to date with the entries once again. So please, people, keep them coming!

@Kumquatqueen, loved yours. Hot, literally

Was this comment you, @Omenainen ? "A lesbian story that is centered in women and their lives. Good."

You may get another entry from me (will if I finish it...), but I don't know if femdom hard BDSM is your cup of tea.

 

[stickygirl]

Mine is submitted - Lesbian Sex. Thanks to @robroy1968 for beta reading. Any remaining pacing issues are all on me - he pointed out one bit was a mood-killer, and I doubled down on it!

My inspiration was I saw a suggestion from near the start of this thread about women being less likely to seek or go for casual sex, and went "well actually..." and built on a fragment I had already.

An older friend of mine told me about someone she worked with, whose marriage ended after ten years or so. Her friend went on a shag-fest, signing up to various hook-up sites. She supposed the lady felt a need to feel desired/wanted/valued and I expect men do that too, to bolster their ego.

I suspect that's where the casual sex comes from much of the time - and you don't need a divorce to suddenly feel the need for an ego-boost.

We talked as well about the peer pressure she's experienced when her own marriage ended 'Oh, you must come out to the party...' Initially she thought that maybe she ought to start dating but quickly discovered the men she met were a bit needy. I think everyone needs a cooling off period after a relationship to reset and discover who you are once more.

I'll stop there or sound like a therapist!!

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I suspect that's where the casual sex comes from much of the time - and you don't need a divorce to suddenly feel the need for an ego-boost.

I was thinking more of people who just enjoy casual sex, whether they're young and carefree, or enhancing an established relationship. There's still loads of clubs for men which are aimed at hooking up on or off the premises. For women? It's niche even in a huge world city like London. A mixed-sex venue would probably give a woman more choice of amenable ladies.

There's some truth in the old jokes about stereotypes:
Q. What does a gay man bring on a second date?
A. What second date?

Q. What does a lesbian bring on a second date?
A. A U-Haul/removals van.

There's a lot to be said for the kink scene, where varied sexuality is taken in people's stride.

 

[Omenainen]

Was this comment you, @Omenainen ? "A lesbian story that is centered in women and their lives. Good."

No, I comment with my name. It’ll come up sooner or later.

You may get another entry from me (will if I finish it...), but I don't know if femdom hard BDSM is your cup of tea.

It doesn’t need to be my cup of tea, it just needs women who make sense. And I’m certain it will. I will be very surprised if you post something that doesn’t meet that criteria.

 

[2soon2no]

I just submitted a story for this challenge. It will no doubt take 3 or 4 days to clear, but look for 'Woodland Adventures', coming to a computer screen near you.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I have a new story, so I can let go the last-year story. I won't submit yet, because it's also 750 words, so it'll be double-evented. Yes, that's a word, because I just invented it.

 

[stickygirl]

It's interesting how the idea of PO has caused so much grumbling in certain quarters. Some are saying it's unnecessary, others that it's fake feminism and yet others completely baffled by it. I suspect they are over-complicating the idea, bringing their own baggage and cluttering up the lobby. I'd say to them 'They're just stories, it isn't compulsory and take a slug from the bottle of calm-the-fuck-down.'

It's a long time to Pancake Day and International Women's Day so I made cake to keep myself going while I'm tinkering with the 750-word challenge. Even that challenge has had people whining about the need for it to be exactly 750 words... *sigh*

 

[Rob_Royale]

It's interesting how the idea of PO has caused so much grumbling in certain quarters. Some are saying it's unnecessary, others that it's fake feminism and yet others completely baffled by it. I suspect they are over-complicating the idea, bringing their own baggage and cluttering up the lobby. I'd say to them 'They're just stories, it isn't compulsory and take a slug from the bottle of calm-the-fuck-down.'

It's a long time to Pancake Day and International Women's Day so I made cake to keep myself going while I'm tinkering with the 750-word challenge. Even that challenge has had people whining about the need for it to be exactly 750 words... *sigh*

That surprises me. The idea of a sexually confident woman in charge of her own sexuality is an incredible turn-on for me. My wife could be the poster woman for PO. Every one of my stories features them. Maybe they equate it with Femdom, when it's really not.

 

[NotWise]

It's interesting how the idea of PO has caused so much grumbling in certain quarters. Some are saying it's unnecessary, others that it's fake feminism and yet others completely baffled by it. I suspect they are over-complicating the idea, bringing their own baggage and cluttering up the lobby. I'd say to them 'They're just stories, it isn't compulsory and take a slug from the bottle of calm-the-fuck-down.'

I think some of that grumbling is just habitual cynicism, but habitual cynicism keeps people from being constructive.

 

[stickygirl]

That surprises me. The idea of a sexually confident woman in charge of her own sexuality is an incredible turn-on for me. My wife could be the poster woman for PO. Every one of my stories features them. Maybe they equate it with Femdom, when it's really not.

Myeah... the convos I've seen didn't set much store by sexually confident women as being their gripe.

I think some of that grumbling is just habitual cynicism, but habitual cynicism keeps people from being constructive.

Ha! I think you're probably right! I'll think of it that way instead

 

[Rob_Royale]

I am all caught up. A lot of really diverse and impressive work. I'm really enjoying this event.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I've submitted one that's both Pink Orchid and 750 words. It may be that the attempt at each will undermine the other.

 

[NotWise]

Have a good time, y'all. I decided my story wasn't great Pink Orchid material. That leaves room for someone new!

 

[Omenainen]

Bump! Still more than a month of submitting time to go!

 

[MelissaBaby]

Bump! Still more than a month of submitting time to go!

I'm hoping to finish mine and submit it in the next few days.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

My story has now been scheduled for posting on Wednesday, Feb. 1. It's intended for both Pink Orchid and 750. If you see this notice also in the 750 thread, it's merely deja vu all over again.