Responding To Demand

[flyer333]

I now have six accepted submissions in several different categories. I have noticed a trend where submissions in some categories tend to get more views and responses than another. I am tempted to write more in the areas where there is a greater response in hopes of reaching more readers.

In that vein I would deny submissions to the smaller reader base. I have many ideas that span many categories. I am wondering what others think. Reader feedback will infuence me in one diredction or the other.

 

[cantdog]

A lot of us in the AH are stretching to write to as many cats as we can, but I think most writers for Lit as a whole settle comfortably into one niche and build an enthusiastic following. It's artificial to want to cross into a type of sexuality you're not naturally inclined to, of course, but the AH cultural assumption holds that to do that is to meet a challenge of some kind.

I'm warning you about this, because you are likely to hear that sort of thing in the AH, and it's not necessarily the best advice. Doing one thing very well and becoming a star at it is probably every bit as much of a developmental journey, as a writer, and it makes more readers happy besides.

cantdog

 

[davidwatts]

I now have six accepted submissions in several different categories. I have noticed a trend where submissions in some categories tend to get more views and responses than another. I am tempted to write more in the areas where there is a greater response in hopes of reaching more readers.

In that vein I would deny submissions to the smaller reader base. I have many ideas that span many categories. I am wondering what others think. Reader feedback will infuence me in one diredction or the other.

Hello.

Yes, there are certain categories that seem to get a great deal more stories and readers than others. I think that for some of the categories you have written in, the readership may be smaller but seem to be more loyal than many others.

The main thing to me would be to make sure you put the story in the correct section, no matter what that may be. Readers don't like being misled, and frankly the only time I have ever slammed a story was the time an erotic coupling ended up with them defecating on each other. If there's little or no sex, better let them know upfront.

Believe it or not, once you get readers to take a liking to your work, they will find you no matter what.

p.s.: the loving wives crowd is a rough one if you don't give them what they want, and what they want varies from day to day.

Best wishes.

 

[rgraham666]

I can't write on demand. I get an idea for a story and I write it.

Some cats are very different from others. Erotic couplings for example, you get a lot of reads, but few comments.

Romance, I often get fewer reads but more comments.

Over all, I prefer the comments. It's more personal and means more somehow.

I think what is really important is a fan base. People who look forward to your stories.I don't think they will be too fussy about what you write, as they're reading you, rather than just the story.

 

[flyer333]

THANK YOU!!

At first I thought I was writing for me. And in a way I still do. I have a need to write as desperate as my characters are to couple. I am working on a story that I hope will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF!

 

[cantdog]

Good to have you aboard, flyer.

 

[flyer333]

Thanks For Sharing

Thanks to all for responding to my teasers. Your cumulative experience is formidable and thought-provoking. I am seeking a positition as a volunteer editor that I truly aspire to be. You are all my inspiration and guiding light. I know it sounds hopelessly sappy. LOL.

 

[cantdog]

We kinda do that to people here.

 

[flyer333]

Reckless

I don't see myself locking onto a specific category. Life is too short to specialize (at least right now). Thanks much for sharing, I do appreciate it. I have many unfinished stories. I start many when the idea is fresh and abandon them only to return when I am re-inspired. The last example it Virtually Anywhere. Started it months ago but I lacked an ending I was agreeable to. On my way to work the ending struck me and my story was agreeable to Lit and, apparently, to some readers. I remain indebted to their support.

 

[elsol]

Be wary of becoming addicted to Reader Feedback and letting the audience dictate what you write.

That way lies damnation.

Write what you want to write... it will come out better and more natural... the audience will be there if you do it well.

ElSol

 

[wishfulthinking]

Readers aren't stupid. They see a formulaic story garnered to attract votes and readers a mile off, and will troll you for your efforts.

Stick to a few categories or try them all, but stay true to yourself and your enthusiam and passion will shine through. And this is the beginning of finding your reader base, in my mind.

 

[oggbashan]

The answer you haven't been given yet is that INCEST attracts the most attention.

The other way to get more feedback is to take part in one of the themed competitions. Valentine's Day contest is now closed with voting still possible.

A 'New' story gets attention for 2 or 3 days at most before it slides out of most readers' view. A contest story gets 2 or 3 WEEKS exposure.

I suggest that you think about writing a story, or stories, for the next themed competition. We have just had Valentine's Day, then there are Earth Day, Nude Day etc. The list is on a floppy at the top of the Author's Hangout. Reading through the support thread for Valentine's Day will give you an idea of what happens during the competitions, including the AH patented Last Place competition.

Og

Edited to add this from the Authors Please Read sticky:

2005 Contest Schedule

Here's the contest list for 2005. Same rules apply as last year. Thanks, all!

Valentine's Day
themes: romantic love, Valentine's Day, Cupid, sensuality, etc.
starts: January 20
closes: February 5
winners announced: February 12

Earth Day (April 22)
themes: nature appreciation, outdoors, etc.
starts: March 24
closes: April 13
winners announced: April 19

Free Speech NEW
themes: censorship and free speech (must be submitted in Reviews & Essays cateogry)
starts: May 14
closes: June 6
winners announced: June 12

National Nude Day (July 14)
themes: public nudity, exhibitionism, etc.
starts: June 15
closes: July 6
winners announced: July 12

Halloween
themes: scary stuff, costumes, Halloween traditions (trick-or-treating, etc.), etc.
starts: October 1
closes: October 22
winners announced: October 29

Winter Holidays
themes: winter holiday traditions (dreidels, gift giving, etc.), cold weather (snow), holiday mythology (Santa, elves), etc.
starts: November 10
closes: December 7
winners announced: December 14

 

[flyer333]

New Horizons

At first I mentally shirked away from incest stories when my eyes first gazed at the list of categories when I initially found Lit. But I agreed to edit a story in that category and found it... uhm... shall we say uplifting? My attitude now is "give most categories a try" (I didn't say all). After exploring different options I may settle into one. I am leaning towards First Time.

One reader out there requested something on CSI and that idea is still formulating. I have the basic plot line and will start that soon.

Since I have you all here (so to speak) I am wondering something. I tend to start a story and get far enough into it so that if it is dislodged from my consciousness I can go back and finish it up. I have several in various stages of completion. Is this common among writers, or do most start and finish a piece before going on to the rest?

As always, I appreciate your honest feedback.

 

[brightlyiburn]

Re: New Horizons

Is this common among writers, or do most start and finish a piece before going on to the rest?
[/B]

*giggle* I run from one idea to the next like a hamster on crack. And my readers do get a little frustrated, but I think for the most part they realize that if I tried to stick to one story, I'd get an irreversible writers' block.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Re: THANK YOU!!

At first I thought I was writing for me. And in a way I still do. I have a need to write as desperate as my characters are to couple. I am working on a story that I hope will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF!

You should write for yourself. Write stuff you enjoy writing and if the readers enjoy it, that is somuch the better. I write because I like it and I like to entertain readers.

As Og said, Incest gets a lot of views, maybe the most, but my story with the most views is in the Non-consent/reluctance category. Anal stories also get a lot of views. Erotic Coupling gets probably more views than any other category but there are so many stories there that the views are spread around.

I think Non-erotic gets the least, then probably Sience Fiction and Romance and Novels/Novellas.

 

[rgraham666]

No, Romance doesn't get a lot of views.

The readers are pretty good about voting and commenting though. My last romance has less that 4,000 views, but 60 votes and 11 comments.

 

[flyer333]

Releasing Ideas

I won't write anything that isn't natural to me. I have many ideas that could be shaped to fit into several types of categories, hence my original thread. A woman could be a virgin [First Time], experienced [Erotic Couplings], as an example. With a little tweaking a story can fit in several different places. But I am also finding that my previously narrow field of view is widening and I want to experiment.

When I first joined I replied to a thread where a writer complained that they didn't receive feedback. In my innocence I replied that feedback wasn't important. Now I realize the error of my ways

 

[brightlyiburn]

I have recently extended into the realm of Non-Consent/Reluctance.

http://english.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=184632

I'm bracing myself for wealth of criticism I'll no doubt get. But I decided that, even though I get such good response to my Romance stories, I'd like to try something else. So I did.
But don't completely ignore your readers, either. I've twined some of the ideas they've suggested into my stories, making sure to put my own personal spin on them, and they seem to really enjoy that.

 

[flyer333]

Incorporating Feedback

I am not driven by numbers. However I shamelessly enjoy feedback. Right now I am in a period of exploration and discovery. I am TOTALLY EXCITED by my next submission and hope all will enjoy..."IT WILL BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF".

Give me a few more days to complete. The problem is on my commute to work I think of ways of "tweaking" it.

Please tell me this is normal. <g>

Have you "sub"'ed a story you could take back?

I am like the branches on a tree.

When is it proper for one to "thread" vs "post"??

I really am relying on your posts to guide me. Thx in advance.

 

[cantdog]

I'm having two stories removed from the site right now, so yes, I have submitted ones I decided to take back. They suck.

cantdog

 

[Guest]

Re: New Horizons

 

[rgraham666]

I flip back and forth from long stories with full plots to 'quick pieces of smut'.

Like lilred, this allows me to recharge my batteries.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Re: Re: New Horizons

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by flyer333
... I tend to start a story and get far enough into it so that if it is dislodged from my consciousness I can go back and finish it up. I have several in various stages of completion. Is this common among writers, or do most start and finish a piece before going on to the rest?...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I tend to start one, finish it, then do another. I do find that switching back and forth from humorous to serious stories is a good way for me to recharge my batteries. While I'm working on one of my (hopefully) funny pieces, I've got snippets of my next serious story in my head and vice versa.

I tend to work on at least 20 stories at a time, of varying length and subject matter (All smut, though) Right now, I am about half way through a long story, probably about 60,000 words, besides twenty or so short stories.

 

[flyer333]

First Time

Do readers expect First Time submissions to be based on virginity? First Time in my mind has many implications, but I wouldn't want to post in the wrong area.

 

[rgraham666]

As far as I can tell, First Time is entirely about virginity and plain old vanilla.

Never seen the attraction in virginity. A virgin is too inexperienced to enjoy it much.

On the other hand, teaching them to enjoy it might be fun.