Stories.

[NCmVoyeur]

I just joined Literotica (and am eagerly awaiting the term 'virgin' to appear beside my name on this post--great sense of humor around here). I noticed this feedback board. I have recently 'published' several stories I've written, and the feedback I've gotten to date typically hasn't gone much deeper than the 'liked it' or 'OK' type of superficiality. It appears that at times this board can be a 'tough crowd,' so it seemed fun to throw them out for analysis.

The stories appear in chronological order, so maybe the curious will want to read the earliest written first.

The first is at: http://www.geocities.com/ncmwriter/story1.htm (entitled "Atonement") But comments about any of the 4 stories written to date are welcome.

 

[bluntforcemama]

reserved crowd

I'm not sure if "tough crowd" is the right word... more like a reserved crowd. I'm not sure anyone wants to hurt feelings. But I have received a few much-too-in-depth feedback reports from a rather hostile reader. I guess take what you can get and ask for more depth in responses. I always take time to reply to emails and get a better sense of what the reader liked or didn't like. Unfortunately, most of the more critical mail is anonymous. I'm just thrilled that they read it and hated it at all! lol.... take it all in stride, love.

 

[KillerMuffin]

One of the problems you may be having is that some of us are reluctant to read stories anywhere else but literotica. Call it a brand loyalty if you will. Advertising another website on the boards, even in this manner, smacks of spam. I, personally, don't read anything at anyplace other than literotica. That way I'm assured not to read the few things that offend the living heck out of me. I'd rather avoid a click and miss out on a story than be exposed to something I object to.

 

[NCmVoyeur]

Stories

One of the problems you may be having is that some of us are reluctant to read stories anywhere else but literotica. Call it a brand loyalty if you will. Advertising another website on the boards, even in this manner, smacks of spam. I, personally, don't read anything at anyplace other than literotica. That way I'm assured not to read the few things that offend the living heck out of me. I'd rather avoid a click and miss out on a story than be exposed to something I object to.

That's a bit like a New York Times book reviewer saying she'll review books published by Random House, but no other publisher. I find the mindset puzzling.

This is a story feedback forum. I've given feedback to one writer here (and intend to provide feedback to others). I was merely hoping that others could do that for me as well. I find it odd that you'd suggest my action is 'spamming.' My stories do contain simple formatting (italics, bold, indentations) to delineate flashbacks, etc., and such formatting appears to be forbidden here (why that would be the case I can't fathom). For clarity, they are best read with the formatting, which is why I provide the links.

I'm just a new writer hoping to get some constructive feedback in the hopes of improving. My apologies if I broke some unwritten rule here.

 

[NCmVoyeur]

Postscript

P.S. Literotica writers routinely tackle topics I wouldn't touch. It is highly unlikely anyone here will find my stories offensive (all adult 'couple' situations). Read without trepidation.

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Stories

This is a story feedback forum. I've given feedback to one writer here (and intend to provide feedback to others). I was merely hoping that others could do that for me as well. I find it odd that you'd suggest my action is 'spamming.'

More specifically, this is a forum for feedback on stories posted at Literotica. That's what the site owners provide it for. Although I don't know that Laurel would object to stories on other sites being reviewed here, It would confuse people who see a good review and then can't find the story.

I personally didn't take the time to check your site out because I don't have time to read all of the stories here and comment on them.

My stories do contain simple formatting (italics, bold, indentations) to delineate flashbacks, etc., and such formatting appears to be forbidden here (why that would be the case I can't fathom). For clarity, they are best read with the formatting, which is why I provide the links.

One of the reasons I post my work here is because this site DOES allow italics, bold, and other special formatting. You just need to submit a Word document or RTF format file instead of using the text box or a text file for submissions. It does slow down the submission process if your file requires special handling, but it is far from forbidden.

 

[Hecate]

In regards to formatting ..

I found out that simple formatting, such as italics, bold or underlined (didn't toy with any others) are very well "useable" in the submit-form, if you know the right HTML codes... just thought I'd mention it here.

Of course the "easier" way is to just upload the formatted document

 

[Kadee]

Not enough time....

I'm with ya on that one Weird Harold. I barely have time to read my favorite authors stories anymore with my own writing and the bulletin boards. There aren't enough hours in the day.

(can someone please email me and tell me how to post a quote on a reply...I'm still learning the ropes...thanx!!) jaemic67@aol.com

 

[NCmVoyeur]

Re: In regards to formatting ..

I found out that simple formatting, such as italics, bold or underlined (didn't toy with any others) are very well "useable" in the submit-form, if you know the right HTML codes... just thought I'd mention it here.

Of course the "easier" way is to just upload the formatted document

I've read the "Submission Guidelines," which require stories to be sent either in Word format (I don't own Word) or text-only (which strips out all formatting). If they can be submitted in HTML format, that solves the problem for my stories are presently all in HTML format.

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Re: In regards to formatting ..

I've read the "Submission Guidelines," which require stories to be sent either in Word format (I don't own Word) or text-only (which strips out all formatting). If they can be submitted in HTML format, that solves the problem for my stories are presently all in HTML format.

I'm not sure exactly how much HTML can be used in the text box. I don't think a complete HTML document will work because the script converts the text submitted into an HTML file. It seems likely that submitting a complete HTML document would cause problems with duplicat codes that are supposed to occur once in each document.

I do know that Laurel has said here on the board that RTF (rich text format) is an acceptable format because Word 97 can read it.

I suppose how much work Laurel will have to do to convert your html files to match the consistent Literotica formatting depends on how complex the HTML files your stories are currently in are. (i.e. any background image, links, font assignments, etc.)

 

[NCmVoyeur]

I'm Now Official

For KillerMuffin and those for whom it seems to make a difference where the blue hyperlink leads you, my stories are now on Literotica. I'm now fully "Literotic" (or is the proper term "Literoticized?")

My thanks to Circe! for her private feedback on my first story and her curiosity on whether I'd sent the stories to Literotica. (And, while I'm at it, let me put in a plug for her "Hurrying Down the Road" series. We've been doing a mutual critique of each other's stuff (that didn't sound quite right; you know what I mean). The series gets increasingly better as one goes along (though one caveat, her Chapter 2 may test the average reader's sensibilities a bit.)

The stories:

Atonement: http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=8811

First Touch: http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=8812

Postcard from San Juan: http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=8813

Reminiscences: http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=8815

 

[circe!]

". We've been doing a mutual critique of each other's stuff

And believe me, I've got really nice stuff!!!

Oh, I mean, you've very welcome! Congratulations on getting the Editor's Picks on your stories.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Wonderful. Your analogy is anomolous. Neither of you cited mainstream publishers post pornography on the internet. Literotica is the only site that I have seen that does not allow pedophilia or snuff. I strongly object to both of these things, therefore I don't visit places that allow those subjects. Since I don't read much erotica to begin with, Literotica fills my needs without straying.

Anyway, the reason I didn't go read is because I don't want to subject myself to pedophilia. I know I won't get it here. I don't know if I'll get it there.

 

[Persephone]

Pardon?

I don't understand what KM's post means. Please explain?

 

[Laurel]

LMMFAO!!

Muffin, his analogy wasn't anomalous--he signed his name!

I'm in tears, really...

 

[KillerMuffin]

Anamolously anomolous? *snicker*

I'd like to read, anomolously of course, his stuff, he's easy to read by his posts, just wonder where his stories are on lit.

 

[Bacomicfan]

hey, some of us are computer ignorant!

Some of you have mentioned that you can use italics and
such on Literotica submissions if you know the proper codes
or something called HTML (whatever the hell that is!).
Well, I've been submitting my stories devoid of those things
because I'm a computer moron. I haven't got a clue what
all that computer jargon means, let alone how to accomplish
them! I still prefer to post here, because I like the basic
setup, although it takes almost two months to get a story
posted...lol.
Anyway, I can understand someone wanting to keep italics
and bold script and such for story clarification, and if you
don't know the ins and outs of computerdom you have to do
without them here on Literotica. I'm just curious why those
writing tools can't be used here on Literotica as they can
be on other sites....without becoming computer ejicated,
anyway...lol.
Just thought I'd throw my two cents into the bowl!

 

[Laurel]

Re: hey, some of us are computer ignorant!

I'm just curious why those
writing tools can't be used here on Literotica as they can
be on other sites....without becoming computer ejicated,
anyway...lol.

That's not true. If you submit a story to us with italics or bolds in .rtf or .doc format, we convert it into HTML, retaining the formatting. This is noted in the Writer's Guidelines. That's how any author that uses bold/italic formatting does it. Have you tried submitting a story with formatting in .rtf or .doc and had the formatting not come through?

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: hey, some of us are computer ignorant!

Some of you have mentioned that you can use italics and
such on Literotica submissions if you know the proper codes
or something called HTML (whatever the hell that is!).
Well, I've been submitting my stories devoid of those things
because I'm a computer moron. I haven't got a clue what
all that computer jargon means, let alone how to accomplish
them!

Might I recommend the book "HTML For Dummies" -- Not soley because you admit to being a "dummy" but because it's a good book even for the computer literate who only has a very occassional need to use HyperText Markup Language.

In very simple terms, HTML is the "language" of formatting commands used on web pages. Italics and bold type are vey similar to the Vb codes used for the same purpose here on the BB.

If you want something in BOLD you use the 'B' and '/B' to mark where the beginning and end of the bold type. in HTML you use '<' and '>' to enclose and identify the tags, and on the BB you use the square brackets [ and ]

In HTML the word BOLD above would be bracketed with <B> and </B> instead of what you see when you quote this post.

As Laurel said above, you only need to submit a file instead of cut and paste into the submission form to have Laurel insure that your special character and formatting needs are met.

If you do happen to know the HTML codes, you can cut and paste into the text box to save Laurel the extra time needed to post the story.

One of the reasons I chose to post my stories here, is because I've found that it is one of the very few sites that does allow italics and bold type for all of the authors. Most other sites I've been to want stories in text format which doesn't allow such formatting.

 

[Bacomicfan]

ok, now I AM confused...lol

Laurel,

I'm confused. If I misread the "Authors' Guidelines",
I apologize. I could've sworn I read in there over a year
ago that italics and bolds couldn't be used. Hmmm...maybe
I just skimmed and missed the converting part. At any rate,
I'm glad that's cleared up, because I feel that those tools
help IMMENSELY with clarifying certain situations and
character dialogue and I prefer to use it rather than do
without.
By the way, a previous poster mentioned that that converting process increased posting time. Is that so, and
if so, how much time does it add? Or did I miss that in the
"Guidelines" too? lol.
And while I gotcha, didn't you email me once saying that
you were starting a new system that would greatly improve
posting turnaround time? Has that system been implemented?
Thanks again for the clarification....but I'm still confused. Guess that's just a steady state with me...lol.
Take care.

 

[Laurel]

No biggie! Here it is, from the guidelines:
http://www.literotica.com/subguide.shtml

6. If you have specialty formatting requests, such as the need for bold or italics in certain parts, PLEASE LET US KNOW in your submitting email or in a note at the top of the story. Otherwise, all special formatting will be stripped from the stories before posting.

If I don't know that there's bolds or italics in the story, I won't know I'm supposed to convert it to HTML first. I'll treat it as straight text. There are some authors that always use bolds or italics, so I'll know to check those. But if an author doesn't normally use formatting, then I may unintentionally miss it. I do try to check, but it's always a good idea to leave me a little note at the top of the story so I know what's up.

If the formatting you need is just bolds and/or italics, it doesn't usually increase the time all that much. However, if you're submitting, for example, a poem that requires me to do special things to it so as to retain its look, that might take a little bit longer, though not a lot.

Right now, the lag time between submission & posting is around 24 hours for stories & poems submitted through the site scripts. Stories submitted to me through email are still lagging behind as I sort through my mountain of mail. If you've submitted a story through email and have not seen it yet, you can speed the process up quite a bit by submitting through the new site scripts.

 

[Laurel]

Re: ok, now I AM confused...lol

And while I gotcha, didn't you email me once saying that
you were starting a new system that would greatly improve
posting turnaround time? Has that system been implemented?

Sure has. Go here:
http://www.literotica.com/stories/
This is the new site index.
At the top, you'll see the words "Login". Click that, and you can use your BB username & password to access your Author Profile. From there, you can modify your profile, add a pic if you like, and submit poetry & stories (and in the future, audio & amateur pics as well). You can also check the voting scores of your stories in real time from your author profile. Check it out and let me know what you think!

 

[Mark Singer]

Just gotta say...I love this place! There is nowhere else that you get such wonderful and useful feedback from members, contributors and the management as this place.
Ya gotta love it.
Just two cents worth...

-M-