Reader Buying Into A Story

[gordo12]

I had a reader comment on one of my stories. He brought up a scene and pointed out it was so logical he was wondering if there was some truth behind it.

I patted myself on the back for making it so realistic. It was incredibly logical but on the level of the Devil popping up to have a convo with you. So not happening.

But then the second thought occurred. There's a story there—a novel, perhaps.

If somebody could buy into a fantasy from my head, there had to be more.

I've written up a preliminary sketch of an idea of a story around it and intend on writing it.

Has any reader pointed out something in your story that made you want to write around it?

 

[lovecraft68]

Can't say that I have but that's because I have this thing where I never write sequels so all their suggestions of where the story could go don't appeal to me

Years ago, I write a story "Anniversary to Remember" from a thread in story ideas and gave the person who came up with it a shout out.

Closest I came was after I did a long I/T story that was kind of a homage to classic horror movies with elements of the house with the troubled past, a cursed object, the neighbor who seems to know to much, a restless spirit, someone had told me I needed to do a HPL inspired one, and possible a possession one.

I'd already considered the possession angle, but didn't have the right idea, but their comment did get me to revisit the scenario and I eventually came up with the bunny that turned into a 84k novel length wreck. So partial credit to the reader for reminding my muse of something I wanted to try.

 

[gordo12]

I'd already considered the possession angle, but didn't have the right idea, but their comment did get me to revisit the scenario and I eventually came up with the bunny that turned into a 84k novel length wreck. So partial credit to the reader for reminding my muse of something I wanted to try.

That's what I'm driving at. Something that made you take part of the original story and build something else. It doesn't have to be a sequel.

 

[lovecraft68]

That's what I'm driving at. Something that made you take part of the original story and build something else. It doesn't have to be a sequel.

I know, it just seems most of my comments seem to be about wanting more and what else I can do with the characters. I don't see a lot of original suggestions.

 

[SamScribble]

Has any reader pointed out something in your story that made you want to write around it?

No. But I do have four or five readers who regularly explain to me what I have written. And it's often a surprise. A pleasant surprise, but a surprise.

 

[gordo12]

No. But I do have four or five readers who regularly explain to me what I have written. And it's often a surprise. A pleasant surprise, but a surprise.

That's an intriguing statement!

 

[SamScribble]

That's an intriguing statement!

I am not ungrateful.

 

[LilyWaters]

No. But I do have four or five readers who regularly explain to me what I have written. And it's often a surprise. A pleasant surprise, but a surprise.

One of my favourite quotations is from French poet and philosopher Paul Valéry: "I write half the poem; the reader writes the other half."

I think that's true of all writing, all art. Someone's ideas and lived experiences will be interwoven with your words to create something new. It's one of the purest joys of reading. And writing.

 

[RejectReality]

Ebon Genesis arose completely from a reader's curiosity about what made Zoraster tick. The plan all along was to slowly reveal that in Danica and SOTM, but that was the motivation for his master plan. This reader was curious about his fetishes as well.

That's what got me going. There really wasn't any motivation behind most of that beyond some variety in the sex scenes, and breaking pawns in his game. So I worked them into the rest of his backstory, and told it. Now, there's a reason for his odd sexual quirks as well, and it's all connected.

I still get the biggest smile when someone comments how I'm the evil one for making them sympathize with Zoraster. Also made for much more poignant scenes in the main story.