Posting stories reminds me of dating

[Trionyx]

Posting a story reminds me a bit like going on a new date, something I admit I haven’t done for years.

With the first date you wonder if the date will pan out, be better than expected or worse than expected. Sometimes not much is expected and you are pleasantly surprised. Sometimes you build up expectations only to be disappointed.

Twice in the past six months I posted stories that I thought were particularly interesting with unusual issues or slants. I built up expectations in my mind, only to be disappointed. Most comments were generally favorable but the votes weren’t rewarding. I try to dust myself off, acknowledge that readers aren’t necessarily as enthralled as I am with the twists and issues presented and promise myself I will continue to write what I want while not pandering to the readers and the red H demon.

Any comments from other authors about how they handle such disappointments?

 

[windar]

Posting a story reminds me a bit like going on a new date, something I admit I haven’t done for years.

With the first date you wonder if the date will pan out, be better than expected or worse than expected. Sometimes not much is expected and you are pleasantly surprised. Sometimes you build up expectations only to be disappointed.

Twice in the past six months I posted stories that I thought were particularly interesting with unusual issues or slants. I built up expectations in my mind, only to be disappointed. Most comments were generally favorable but the votes weren’t rewarding. I try to dust myself off, acknowledge that readers aren’t necessarily as enthralled as I am with the twists and issues presented and promise myself I will continue to write what I want while not pandering to the readers and the red H demon.

Any comments from other authors about how they handle such disappointments?

I don't pay attention to scores, likes or anything of that sort. Comments I pay some heed if the person put some thought into it and more if the commenter is a fellow writer whose work I respect. In the end, though, I write what I would enjoy reading and I enjoy the writing process.

 

[NotWise]

Any comments from other authors about how they handle such disappointments?

I try to understand why. It's helpful to have someone I know read and comment on the story after it's published. That has produced some interesting after-the-fact revelations, AKA learning experiences.

I'm not usually one of those people who writes entirely for myself. I like scores and feedback that indicate readers enjoyed the story, but it doesn't always happen to the extent I'd like. Sometimes -- especially when I have some understanding of why a story isn't real popular -- I can shrug it off and say, "I guess that one was for me." I can be happy with that.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

. . . readers aren’t necessarily as enthralled as I am with the twists and issues presented . . .

I'm not usually one of those people who writes entirely for myself.

It's tough chasing after what readers want the most. Makes me think of movies where they are always chasing after whatever is hot. There are so many actors, directors, and movie producers who were sure they had created the next blockbuster.

Then we wind up with Marvel "Avengers" vs DC's "Justice League." If we're lucky, we put a story out there that slowly gains in popularity. Like 1982's "The Thing" which bombed at the box office but is now considered a great horror movie.

Chin up, Trionyx, keep swinging for the fences!

 

[windar]

It's tough chasing after what readers want the most. Makes me think of movies where they are always chasing after whatever is hot. There are so many actors, directors, and movie producers who were sure they had created the next blockbuster.

Then we wind up with Marvel "Avengers" vs DC's "Justice League." If we're lucky, we put a story out there that slowly gains in popularity. Like 1982's "The Thing" which bombed at the box office but is now considered a great horror movie.

Chin up, Trionyx, keep swinging for the fences!

Movies cost a small fortune to make so I understand the need to appeal to a mass audience. With stories on a free site, I don't see it. Some will disagree, I'm sure, but while I do hope that a few people like my stories enough to tell me that they do, the difference to me between 3000 views and a 4.5 rating and 100000 views and a 4.7 rating just isn't meaningful. At least not meaningful enough to change what I write.

To come back to the date analogy, you do want your date to like you, but you don't necessarily need every woman in the room to drool over you like you're Brad Pitt (believe me, that can be a real pain!)

 

[SimonDoom]

Movies cost a small fortune to make so I understand the need to appeal to a mass audience. With stories on a free site, I don't see it. Some will disagree,

There's no one right way and there's absolutely no need for all of us to agree. We can all be here for our own purposes.

For me, it's not about the number, it's the idea of publication and communication -- the idea of my story being out there, being read by people, and them enjoying it and appreciating it. I want that to happen as much as possible. I like the idea that I'm connecting with people, even if they don't vote on my story and I never hear from them. I know the reality is that the feedback -- votes, comments, favorites -- is just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless more readers, many of whom might like my story, that will never provide feedback of any kind. And knowing that I have an appreciative, but invisible, readership gives me pleasure, too.

I find that there's a calming effect in thinking this way, because I don't find myself riding the waves of numbers quite as much. I like numbers, and I pay careful attention to them, but I try to tease whatever is positive from them and ignore the negative--unless the negative is in some way useful, like a good piece of constructive criticism.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

At least none of my readers are going to vomit on me.

I get the similarity - how will it be received? Will they like it? - but it doesn't really matter. I have a few nice fans, I like re-reading my own stuff, and mostly I get ignored.

Bit like being middle-aged really - a few people who enjoy my body, lots of masturbastion, mostly invisible to the outside world...

 

[PenetratingIntelligence]

Thank you for posting, Trionyx.

I've been around Literotica forever, but have just in the past few weeks started writing and publishing. It helps knowing that other writers struggle with whether individuals will enjoy what is published. Personally, in the few stories I've written, I'll admit that A) I refresh to frequently hoping the stats will improve, and B) I won't reread my stuff once published.

Practice makes perfect, I suppose. I appreciate all of you in AH.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

Any comments from other authors about how they handle such disappointments?

I'm not sure what's disappointing you, Trionyx. Almost every story in your library has earned a red-H. You've won a couple of contests and will surely have more wins in your future, too.

All-in-all, most people would love to have a catalog like yours. Keep up the good work! It appears lots of people like your style.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Posting a story reminds me a bit like going on a new date, something I admit I haven’t done for years.

With the first date you wonder if the date will pan out, be better than expected or worse than expected. Sometimes not much is expected and you are pleasantly surprised. Sometimes you build up expectations only to be disappointed.

Twice in the past six months I posted stories that I thought were particularly interesting with unusual issues or slants. I built up expectations in my mind, only to be disappointed. Most comments were generally favorable but the votes weren’t rewarding. I try to dust myself off, acknowledge that readers aren’t necessarily as enthralled as I am with the twists and issues presented and promise myself I will continue to write what I want while not pandering to the readers and the red H demon.

Any comments from other authors about how they handle such disappointments?

Your GPS story for the Pink Orchid challenge has a 4.7 rating and only ONE negative comment about relying on male bashing to claim it's female oriented and female sex positive.

Other stories I've read in this Pink Orchid set are similar in needing weak males to better highlight insecure females in a positive light. So, why are you complaining when someone (and only one) points it out to you?

In my own stories, I get comments reaming me for having a self-confident/self-assured female protagonist putting equally confident men in their place! And mine only rate in the very low 4's at best.

So, no sympathy here.

 

[Trionyx]

Your GPS story for the Pink Orchid challenge has a 4.7 rating and only ONE negative comment about relying on male bashing to claim it's female oriented and female sex positive.

Other stories I've read in this Pink Orchid set are similar in needing weak males to better highlight insecure females in a positive light. So, why are you complaining when someone (and only one) points it out to you?

In my own stories, I get comments reaming me for having a self-confident/self-assured female protagonist putting equally confident men in their place! And mine only rate in the very low 4's at best.

So, no sympathy here.

I appreciate your comments but I wasn’t referring to the story Golden Penis Syndrome at all when I posted my original remarks. I’m actually pleased with the response on that story. It was a couple of others in the last six months that triggered my post. Sympathy was never requested, I just wondered how others handled similar situations. And I apologize if I appeared to be complaining.

 

[yowser]

Some of us haven't done the dating thing in some time, so long ago memories may have to suffice.

Anxiety? Sure. Nobody noticed how nicely dressed up I got? My best clothes after all. And that splendid line I tossed out between the soup and salad? Well, maybe it wasn't as good as I thought.

The curse, and blessing, of a writer is living in the head.