So, what's your ultimate monkey?

[sinagainChris12]

When it comes to submitting a story on LIT. What makes you do it?

Are you trying to get votes? Win awards?
Are you refining your writing craft?
Are you more comfortable with this more "anonymous" forum?
Are you needing guidance, trying to improve your writing?
Are you new to writing and seeking the above -^?
Are you looking for praise in your work?
Are you just seeing what people think?
Are you just submitting because you think this is all very hot and sexy and you want to add to the conversation?

I have started posting stories because I have been writing since I was way to young to be writing about this stuff and enjoy knowing that something I've written is being read. And writing erotica gives me a little thrill. I learned within a day that looking at the votes will only make you crazy, and I'd much rather have constructive criticism of my work, but it's still a crazy pendulum that you get sucked onto. Plus, after reading stories for a year and half on here and not voting on a single one, I feel like a total asshole and feel like I need to spend a month going back and scoring them all.

I think I'm more focused on the desire to see that people are just reading it, (hopefully the whole chapter), and maybe, just maybe, they're enjoying it and, you know....ever so slightly decreasing their chance of prostate cancer....

So what's your monkey?

 

[DreamCloud]

Truth:
To feed my ego. It is an insatiable beast that constantly needs validation.

 

[sinagainChris12]

Truth:
To feed my ego. It is an insatiable beast that constantly needs validation.

Well, we're all a little narcissistic or we wouldn't put ourselves out there like this, I suppose.

 

[lovecraft68]

When it comes to submitting a story on LIT. What makes you do it?

Are you trying to get votes? Win awards?
Are you refining your writing craft?
Are you more comfortable with this more "anonymous" forum?
Are you needing guidance, trying to improve your writing?
Are you new to writing and seeking the above -^?
Are you looking for praise in your work?
Are you just seeing what people think?
Are you just submitting because you think this is all very hot and sexy and you want to add to the conversation?

I have started posting stories because I have been writing since I was way to young to be writing about this stuff and enjoy knowing that something I've written is being read. And writing erotica gives me a little thrill. I learned within a day that looking at the votes will only make you crazy, and I'd much rather have constructive criticism of my work, but it's still a crazy pendulum that you get sucked onto. Plus, after reading stories for a year and half on here and not voting on a single one, I feel like a total asshole and feel like I need to spend a month going back and scoring them all.

I think I'm more focused on the desire to see that people are just reading it, (hopefully the whole chapter), and maybe, just maybe, they're enjoying it and, you know....ever so slightly decreasing their chance of prostate cancer....

So what's your monkey?

Wow, this is a good topic.

I think at one point all these might have applied.

In the beginning it was to see what people other than my wife thought of my writing. So comments and votes were what I really looked at.

Then it became about pushing to get better, but refining my style and not copying others.

I first started entering contests with the sole intent of hoping to place at some point.

All those are in the past and now that I've been selling for awhile now I think I write for an option you did not provide and that is

Loyalty to the readers who have read and supported me here. Most people who sell tell me I'm nuts to give things away here, that it defeats the goal of making money.

But the supportive readers-and some authors-are what got me to where I felt I could sell so I still toss things up as a thank you in a sense.

Occasionally I get in a something to prove mode and will write something kind of dark and nasty which was how I started here, but eventually decided to lighten up and use lit for fun sexy things, but at times I like to show I can still put out an "are you kidding" type of story.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I write erotica as a way to hone my writing skills.

For me, stories are like jokes: once it's told, the fun is gone hearing it again. Doing a poor job at telling a story still means it got told. The joke analogy holds true. If you hear a joke told poorly, the punchline is still ruined.

So I don't feel as if I can risk clunky writing on my mainstream ideas. I write exploring different POVs and different writing styles. I experiment with voices and tones. I'm working on pacing, building to filling a canvas as big as a novel.

Is it working? In a way. I feel more secure in my ability to write a novel length work. I feel like I understand the space better and how to fill it with story and not just words. I feel I have a better understanding for how to write in the 3rd person POV, though I still tend to limit myself to 3rd person limited instead of the more popular, mainstream 3rd person omnipresent.

The feedback is good. Writing without sharing feels empty and worthless to me. Lit is a nice staging ground with lots of different eyeballs. Since posting online, I've added a new wrinkle that sometimes motivates my writing: describing non-traditional relationships. I get tired of people being pigeoned holed with easily applied labels. So, I'll write about straight guys who like to suck dick without accepting the label of being bi or gay. Or straight guys with a cum fetish. Or couples who shun traditional boyfriend/girlfriend situations.

The world is a big place filled with as many different preferences towards sex as there are people. I enjoy exploring some of the alternatives and challenging people to open their eyes and (hopefully) becoming more accepting.

 

[Gorza]

Truth:
To feed my ego. It is an insatiable beast that constantly needs validation.

Yeah, to be honest the ego is insatiable: look at me, the writer, the author! Give me your love, dahlinks!

Well, we're all a little narcissistic or we wouldn't put ourselves out there like this, I suppose.

Yup, its a geeky kind of exhibitionism.

When it comes to submitting a story on LIT. What makes you do it?

Are you trying to get votes? Win awards?
Are you refining your writing craft?
Are you more comfortable with this more "anonymous" forum?
Are you needing guidance, trying to improve your writing?
Are you new to writing and seeking the above -^?
Are you looking for praise in your work?
Are you just seeing what people think?
Are you just submitting because you think this is all very hot and sexy and you want to add to the conversation?

I have started posting stories because I have been writing since I was way to young to be writing about this stuff and enjoy knowing that something I've written is being read. And writing erotica gives me a little thrill. I learned within a day that looking at the votes will only make you crazy, and I'd much rather have constructive criticism of my work, but it's still a crazy pendulum that you get sucked onto. Plus, after reading stories for a year and half on here and not voting on a single one, I feel like a total asshole and feel like I need to spend a month going back and scoring them all.

I think I'm more focused on the desire to see that people are just reading it, (hopefully the whole chapter), and maybe, just maybe, they're enjoying it and, you know....ever so slightly decreasing their chance of prostate cancer....

So what's your monkey?

I write for a living -- academic stuff. There's room for creativity, but not much. So, it's overflowing here. There is something immediate about erotica, that it's written to arouse the reader, even get them off. The best feedback is a reader who tells me they got off to my writing. It makes me feel like a dirty gigolo of the mind. That's good to know, because these are my fantasies, I get off to them, so it's nice to spread the love. I admit to loving the ratings far too much, but they're fickle.

 

[sinagainChris12]

Wow, this is a good topic.

I think at one point all these might have applied.

In the beginning it was to see what people other than my wife thought of my writing. So comments and votes were what I really looked at.

Then it became about pushing to get better, but refining my style and not copying others.

I first started entering contests with the sole intent of hoping to place at some point.

All those are in the past and now that I've been selling for awhile now I think I write for an option you did not provide and that is

Loyalty to the readers who have read and supported me here. Most people who sell tell me I'm nuts to give things away here, that it defeats the goal of making money.

But the supportive readers-and some authors-are what got me to where I felt I could sell so I still toss things up as a thank you in a sense.

Occasionally I get in a something to prove mode and will write something kind of dark and nasty which was how I started here, but eventually decided to lighten up and use lit for fun sexy things, but at times I like to show I can still put out an "are you kidding" type of story.

That is an excellent reason to write! I have read stories on here that went on for chapters and the author suddenly stopped writing and I wanted to sob and tear my hair out. I love reading just as much as I love writing. Being true to your fans is really important, I am sure. It just makes you a better writer keeping their wants in mind as you publish here.

I am probably 60 pages from being actually finished with my first novel (a lot tamer of a piece than what I've submitted here), and then the big edit before I look at publishing. It's been....25 years since I wrote my first story and that's a long time to do so in secret, with no one reading it by a few very select friends...and my husband when he finally came along 12 years ago.

I figured I'd start here because I hear from them what I write is good, but they know me, I want to hear from others.

So I of course start out with an "are you kidding" type of story myself, lol. I've got 13 chapters submitted, but only three are approved so far. I wasn't even going to tell my husband I did it, but ended up letting him read them as they get submitted. Let me just say he is a happily married man, and my biggest fan so far. Ha!

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate the reminder about the readers....

 

[sinagainChris12]

I write erotica as a way to hone my writing skills.

The world is a big place filled with as many different preferences towards sex as there are people. I enjoy exploring some of the alternatives and challenging people to open their eyes and (hopefully) becoming more accepting.

Yes yes yes. I also like that you explore relationships! I have definitely opened up my eyes as I've grown older and been able to explore in different ways with my husband, and through my stories. It really is no fun writing something and knowing you're the only one who may ever see it. (Once upon a time before computers, I wrote on paper, and I had a huge plastic bin full of stories I had written, from age 13 to about 24/25. I was actually really paranoid about people reading them, so my husband shredded them for me. Thus proving I'm an idiot. I lost an entire 11 years worth of stories that I had written.

Needless to say I don't do that anymore. I think it's because I'm more secure in what I write now.

 

[sinagainChris12]

I write for a living -- academic stuff. There's room for creativity, but not much. So, it's overflowing here. There is something immediate about erotica, that it's written to arouse the reader, even get them off. The best feedback is a reader who tells me they got off to my writing. It makes me feel like a dirty gigolo of the mind. That's good to know, because these are my fantasies, I get off to them, so it's nice to spread the love. I admit to loving the ratings far too much, but they're fickle.

I'm with you there, the ratings are very fickle, but when I think about the fact that there are people who rated it high, and maybe one...or two of those.....and then add in those that liked it and didn't vote....so many happy hormones. Makes me feel very very good.

 

[Gorza]

So I don't feel as if I can risk clunky writing on my mainstream ideas. I write exploring different POVs and different writing styles. I experiment with voices and tones. I'm working on pacing, building to filling a canvas as big as a novel.

Is it working? In a way. I feel more secure in my ability to write a novel length work. I feel like I understand the space better and how to fill it with story and not just words. I feel I have a better understanding for how to write in the 3rd person POV, though I still tend to limit myself to 3rd person limited instead of the more popular, mainstream 3rd person omnipresent.

I'm interested in what you write about POV. I like writing 1st person for its immediacy. The omniscient 3rd person POV can easily look juvenile, especially when you start jumping around inside different people's heads. I think limited 3rd person is a tough one to keep on track as you have to keep reminding yourself of the limitations you have set yourself. The classic trick is to reveal who the 3rd-person narrator is at the end of the story, by switching into 1st person.

Do you think there's something more inherently voyeuristic about writing in the 3rd person?

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I'm interested in what you write about POV. I like writing 1st person for its immediacy. The omniscient 3rd person POV can easily look juvenile, especially when you start jumping around inside different people's heads. I think limited 3rd person is a tough one to keep on track as you have to keep reminding yourself of the limitations you have set yourself. The classic trick is to reveal who the 3rd-person narrator is at the end of the story, by switching into 1st person.

Do you think there's something more inherently voyeuristic about writing in the 3rd person?

There are some readers who seem to judge a story by the perceived gender of its author. If I'm going to write a story from a female POV with the Bucky Duckman by-line, it's easy to dismiss the story as poppycock. So, I think the 3rd person limited POV alleviates some of that suspension of disbelief for the reader.

Artistically, writing from a different POV gives you an opportunity to comment on the world in a different way. It allows you to make observations about the world and its environment that would sound contrived if written from the 1st person POV.

Regardless of POV, we're all storytellers. Sometimes the voice and tone of the narrator is as much a part of the story as the action of the characters.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'm interested in what you write about POV. I like writing 1st person for its immediacy. The omniscient 3rd person POV can easily look juvenile, especially when you start jumping around inside different people's heads. I think limited 3rd person is a tough one to keep on track as you have to keep reminding yourself of the limitations you have set yourself. The classic trick is to reveal who the 3rd-person narrator is at the end of the story, by switching into 1st person.

Do you think there's something more inherently voyeuristic about writing in the 3rd person?

Funny because I have heard the opposite. A lot of people think first is the 'easy way out' and third is 'real writing"

I think that's because most main stream novels are in third so people are used to it.

First works well for erotica because the person experiences what the character is doing sexually 'with them'

A friend of mine who writes erotica for pay and not on sites like this does everything first person except his non con stories. He says he can't because he would not want to 'experience' the woman being raped, nor be in the head of someone getting off on it.

Interesting because I had never thought of that, then again I've only done non con once and briefly and not for erotic effect and I did do it in first from the 'victim' had to say looking back he was right, I was very uncomfortable doing it.

 

[Everyday_Man]

most of my writing is not on lit and it's 3rd ... but, those are the books I read and for fantasy it works great ...

I did the 3rd Godly presence and I did 1st person .... I found that giving everyone's thoughts made the writing longer, but at the same time, for erotica, made the writing a little bit hotter.

Gorza said, 'look juvenile' but childish writing is just childish, has nothing to do with the point of view.

I think 1st person makes you focus more while that 3rd Gorza mentions gives you more room to be extremely porno from the start.

 

[lovecraft68]

Of course if your story has some kind a trick or twist first is bad because it can give things away so third can have more shock value.

 

[sinagainChris12]

Funny because I have heard the opposite. A lot of people think first is the 'easy way out' and third is 'real writing"

This is how I have always seen it, been taught it in the million and one literature courses I took in college. I've only ever written in third person, and yes, I've gotten spun up in it a few times, but I try try try to edit it to make it right. I do love to read first person erotica, but have gotten equal pleasure from third person erotica. It lets me think in terms of more than just the main character and dig into the others a little deeper, especially when I'm trying to get their thoughts to the reader. I have no idea if I'm successful at it all the time, but that's ok. I'm new at this....I'll get better!

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

Me? I like to tell stories. Even better if I can sneak in a bit of a moral lesson. If I can make one person think, I win.

 

[Gorza]

There are some readers who seem to judge a story by the perceived gender of its author. If I'm going to write a story from a female POV with the Bucky Duckman by-line, it's easy to dismiss the story as poppycock. So, I think the 3rd person limited POV alleviates some of that suspension of disbelief for the reader.

Artistically, writing from a different POV gives you an opportunity to comment on the world in a different way. It allows you to make observations about the world and its environment that would sound contrived if written from the 1st person POV.

Regardless of POV, we're all storytellers. Sometimes the voice and tone of the narrator is as much a part of the story as the action of the characters.

I've written one female 1st-person POV, and it made me write quite different sex. I can't remember who said it, but there was a woman writer on here who said that she quite enjoys reading men writing as women. She thought that men often make the women sexier and more adventurous, and obviously liked that. Maybe 'Gorza' isn't so gendered as to impede the reader.

As an editor, I've had a writer write in 1st and describe what's behind closed doors, so I think there's a tendancy to drift into that god-like authorial voice as one surveys one's creation. I've got myself into saying contrived things in small ways too. An editor commented on a 1st piece of mine, "Do you think Gemma's the kind of woman who can spot that Adam's wearing a Rolex Explorer without having to read the words off the dial?" My response, "Sorry, of course she can't".

Funny because I have heard the opposite. A lot of people think first is the 'easy way out' and third is 'real writing"

I think that's because most main stream novels are in third so people are used to it.

First works well for erotica because the person experiences what the character is doing sexually 'with them'

A friend of mine who writes erotica for pay and not on sites like this does everything first person except his non con stories. He says he can't because he would not want to 'experience' the woman being raped, nor be in the head of someone getting off on it.

Interesting because I had never thought of that, then again I've only done non con once and briefly and not for erotic effect and I did do it in first from the 'victim' had to say looking back he was right, I was very uncomfortable doing it.

Yeah, I think 1st is easier that good 3rd, but I see a lot of writers trying out very poor 3rd. One of those was following online advice to write in 3rd. I don't know quite what it is that makes or breaks 3rd. I think being able to write limited 3rd shows some maturity as a writer. There's something here about learning how not to abuse your god-like powers as a 3rd-person narrator.

I really get why non-consent would be difficult to write in 1st. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that. It'll make me think again before trying to write it.

 

[Messier82]

When it comes to submitting a story on LIT. What makes you do it?


Are you refining your writing craft?
Are you more comfortable with this more "anonymous" forum?
....
Are you just seeing what people think?
Are you just submitting because you think this is all very hot and sexy and you want to add to the conversation?

I've done various kinds of writing over the years; some paid for, some just part and parcel of the job you're already getting paid for and some just for fun.

There's an option I would have included on your list, that is the simple joy of creating something with your own abilities, and in that way is no different than, eg fixing something on your car, building your own computer or doing your own plumbing. All these activities satisfy a certain something which I wouldn't call ego.

Additionally, writing can be very therapeutic.

 

[sinagainChris12]

I think 1st person makes you focus more while that 3rd Gorza mentions gives you more room to be extremely porno from the start.

I love first person writing for that focus, you can get really caught up in it as the reader and then use your imagination to figure out the other characters in the story.
Writing in third, however, allows me to see in stories I read/my own writing the characteristics that make the other characters tick, and sometimes that's important to whether or not I can connect or "get off" in what I read. Other times, eh, it's not as much so. Depends on the writer, and the story, maybe?

 

[Gorza]

Of course if your story has some kind a trick or twist first is bad because it can give things away so third can have more shock value.

If you do this (esp. for Halloween) then the 1st-person narrator cannot be in on the twist -- it has to happen to them.

 

[lovecraft68]

A downfall to first-and keep in mind I write in it most of the time here-is it is very easy for all your characters to sound like you and sound the same.

On the other hand it makes writing opposite gender more challenging, which is good.

 

[sinagainChris12]

I've done various kinds of writing over the years; some paid for, some just part and parcel of the job you're already getting paid for and some just for fun.

There's an option I would have included on your list, that is the simple joy of creating something with your own abilities, and in that way is no different than, eg fixing something on your car, building your own computer or doing your own plumbing. All these activities satisfy a certain something which I wouldn't call ego.

Additionally, writing can be very therapeutic.

Yes, writing to write....that's what drives me a lot of days...It's a great escape.

And I do believe in the therapy aspect, our readers may not always realize that is what it is for us, but it can definitely drive a piece of writing.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I've written one female 1st-person POV, and it made me write quite different sex. I can't remember who said it, but there was a woman writer on here who said that she quite enjoys reading men writing as women. She thought that men often make the women sexier and more adventurous, and obviously liked that. Maybe 'Gorza' isn't so gendered as to impede the reader.

As an editor, I've had a writer write in 1st and describe what's behind closed doors, so I think there's a tendancy to drift into that god-like authorial voice as one surveys one's creation. I've got myself into saying contrived things in small ways too. An editor commented on a 1st piece of mine, "Do you think Gemma's the kind of woman who can spot that Adam's wearing a Rolex Explorer without having to read the words off the dial?" My response, "Sorry, of course she can't".

Staying aware of what your character can or can't see is so important. Writing in 1st or 3rd limited means a lot of things can happen off-stage that the reader doesn't get to see unless you mix things up. You tend to see the world through a single pair of eyes, which becomes an artistic choice on the part of the author.

Speaking about women who like reading female erotica written by men, that's interesting. I've read several articles that suggest women enjoy reading and writing gay romance. (Two references: Jezebel.com: What Women Want: Gay Male Sex and Allparenting.com: Is Gay Male Erotica the Next Big Thing?)

I've had stories I've started from one POV or another before realizing it would be a better story if told from a different POV. The re-write sucks, but the results have been worth it.

 

[Gorza]

Staying aware of what your character can or can't see is so important. Writing in 1st or 3rd limited means a lot of things can happen off-stage that the reader doesn't get to see unless you mix things up. You tend to see the world through a single pair of eyes, which becomes an artistic choice on the part of the author.

I quite like having things happen off-stage that the reader isn't aware of until the 1st person narrator notices. In my last story, luggage worked as a subtle means of showing there's more going on than meets the eye. In one scene, a hotel porter brings down the woman's overnight bag from the room, and the narrator suddenly realises that she had planned to stay the night with him. Later, the narrator is so entranced with the tour he's being taken on that he forgets his luggage, only later to have a woman deliver the bag to his apartment, inadvertently walking in on him while he's having sex. The reader had probably forgotten about the bag until it gets delivered.

Speaking about women who like reading female erotica written by men, that's interesting. I've read several articles that suggest women enjoy reading and writing gay romance. (Two references: Jezebel.com: What Women Want: Gay Male Sex and Allparenting.com: Is Gay Male Erotica the Next Big Thing?)

Yes, I've had women tell me that they prefer gay-male porn too. I think some of it is because it is more removed from a woman's experience of sex, and there's no sense in which she needs to think whether it could be her in the scene.

I've had stories I've started from one POV or another before realizing it would be a better story if told from a different POV. The re-write sucks, but the results have been worth it.

That must be tough!

 

[sr71plt]

I originally posted stories to Lit. to have storage for my dirty stories other than in my own systems.