Story Discussion Group?

[christo]

As we all know, when Laurel finds a story she especially likes she tags it with a little "E". I was thinking, maybe every week (or whatever time period) Laurel could pick one story and post it out there for a kind of "discussion group" thread, where everyone would read it and then post comments about it. With so many stories out there I think it would be interesting to have a large number of people reading the same thing and discussing it.

I enjoy the discussion groups I go to at my local library, both for the conversation and also because it makes you read books you might not otherwise be interested in. I don't often read the BDSM stories, but maybe there's someone out there writing insanely good stuff on that topic and a discussion group like that would get me to read it.

I don't know if anything like this has been proposed before. And while I could just post threads myself asking for discussion on a story I think more folks would take notice if the choices came from a more neutral (and omniscient) source <g>.

By the way, the group I go to recently discussed "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser. If you've, like, ever eaten at McDonalds, read this book. An excellent expose of the burger-and-fries industry. Highly recommended.

 

[Derya]

Pretty good idea

I agree that a discussion may encourage me to read a story that otherwise may not peak my interest, or may draw my attention to other aspects of the material. Discussions seem to be a basic tenent with so many of the Literotica users: rating the stories, the BB, the combination of intellectual and erotic interests. All of this implies to me that such a discussion would be very successful and a natural branch of the current activities.

I've mentioned in some of my recent posts, I've delved right in, but I'm fairly new to Literotica, so whether your suggestion has been done or tried before I don't know and I'm not fully familiar with all the aspects of this site to know if this parallels an activity already available.

I'll keep an eye out to see if this materializes.

http://megsplace.com/dolls/hatnature.gif

 

[nitengale]

I think this is a GREAT idea. Being a fairly new writer, this might also help us to develop our own writing skills, specifically the content. I'm always looking for ways to grow as a writer....

 

[KillerMuffin]

It is a good idea. If Laurel doesn't have time to do it, we could have someone nominated the "story picker" of the week or something, just pick a story with an E on it. Discuss. Or you can go in order of thread resonders or something.

 

[SteamyChik]

I like the idea about a discussion group too. Count me in *smile*

 

[bluntforcemama]

Sounds interesting... will we have to ask permission of the author to discuss his/her work? That might be polite... I'd love to try it.

 

[alexander tzara]

Sounds like a good idea. Instead of giving Laurel extra work, why not get a trustworthy soul to put the "E" stories in a hat each week and pick out one for discussion? You could do it Christo, if you like, since it was your idea.

 

[Weird Harold]

Why limit

why not get a trustworthy soul to put the "E" stories in a hat each week and pick out one for discussion?

Why would it necessarily have to be limited to the stories with an E? Just pick a story number at random for discussion.

Discussing the flaws of a bad story is as illuminating and informative as praising a good story.

 

[Madame Pandora]

Christo – I love this idea, I’m in.

Myst – Good point. I think however this manifests itself, the author should be asked if they mind their story/style being a matter for discussion

Weird Harold – I totally agree, limiting it to only “E” stories seems unnecessary.

Does anyone (other than Laurel) read a good enough sampling of the stuff out there to be able to choose?

I think this is GREAT

MP

 

[christo]

I recommended going with the "E" stories just to narrow things down a bit. But I agree, any interesting story would be a good choice.

Now, how these stories are selected, and who would select them, is the question. I would be more than happy to volunteer my services and pick the stories for discussion (power, POWER!!!) if that's OK with everyone else. I think we would definitely need to get the OK from the author before we go forward. I was a writing major in college, and when we had the class discuss our stories the rule was the author wasn't allowed to say one word in his/her defense until the class discussion was over. And, man, some people got crucified. So before everyone sharpens their claws and starts slashing, the author should give his/her OK.

Lemme know what y'all think.

Here I am, home on a Friday night with a BAD case of the flu, in my flannel PJ's, watching the Sopranos. Just nice and mellow right now, all drugged up. Ahh...

 

[SpecialK]

This is a GREAT idea!

This sounds like a really good idea!

However I don't think that only those stories with an 'E' should be selected. The 'E' is Laurel's stamp of approval. It should be reserved for the stories she feels are noteworthy. Because I know, I already read the E and H stories. I can't help it. I want to see what Laurel thinks. And I'm curious to read those ones that are high on the popularity lists. I figure they must be worth the read.

Instead, I suggest we pick a story that does NOT have an E or an H tag. That way, a story that has not had much exposure has a chance to get more. A diamond in the rough, so to speak. Those who are interested in the discussion group can bring a story to the 'panel' for discussion (we don't even have to limit it to one story) and the rest of the group can go read it and post our comments.

Perhaps this can be done in the Story Feedback Forum? Discussion threads can begin with D: or something to denote it is a discussion thread.

K

 

[Weird Harold]

Now, how these stories are selected, and who would select them, is the question.

As of a minute ago, the most recent story was #9849.

If you have a calculator with a "random" function, take the number between zero and one it generates and multiply times 9849 then add 0.5 and round down.

Take the result, and put into the URL for showing a story, and you have the story to discuss for a week.

For example:

0.9765625 X 9849 = 9618.164063

INT(9618.164063 + 0.5) = 9618

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=9618

is Ride for Pleasure by Bubba402001 in the Erotic Couplings category.

That seems to be as good a story to start the discussion group out with.

 

[Mark Singer]

Oh,god...here I go again...

First of all, I love the idea of a discussion group. Great idea, Christo. And it seems like there is a lot of support.
Secondly, IMOHO, I think that the stories under dicussion, at least initially, SHOULD be the 'E' or 'H' stories. If for no other reason than to discuss the 'E' or 'H' ratings.
After all, Laurel is the mistress of the site and her opinions and judgements are very valueable(sp?).
I think that, otherwise, the process might get too confusing. Does the discussion group first discuss which story shall be discussed before we discuss it? See what I mean?
If we were to start with a determined value, that is, the 'H' stories or the 'E' stories, it narrows things down a bit.
If an independent 'moderator' is assigned to chose the weeks discussion story, might we not be limiting ourselves to his or her individual preferences? I would enjoy participating in a general discussion, but my attention would thin after a steady diet of gay animal bondage tales.

Just my seven cents worth. Great idea.

-Mark-

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Oh,god...here I go again...

If we were to start with a determined value, that is, the 'H' stories or the 'E' stories, it narrows things down a bit.
If an independent 'moderator' is assigned to chose the weeks discussion story, might we not be limiting ourselves to his or her individual preferences?

Limiting the discussion group to just E and H stories would actually make the decision process more difficult instead of less.

If my suggestion of using a random number generator to pick the story is taken, then the only question remaining is whose random number generator do we use.

The story I picked as an example was truly a random pick and doesn't reflect my tastes at all.

Since today is Saturday (very early AM PST) Take the story my random number picked and start a thread in the story feedback forum, editor's forum, or author's hangout with a title of "Discussion group: 03/03/01" and put a link to the story in the thread starter. Start the discussion on Monday after everyone has had a chance to read the story.

 

[Gus]

It's the only reasonable way

I'm with you Harold.
Random selection is the only objective way to pick the story.
As for "we will see what we think of the 'e' & 'h' approbations", well they are one person's opinion, just that.

Did you ask the author, Harold? I thought that was one of the conditions decided.

I am not so sure that this whole concept is such a good idea. Some of the stories that I have read on here are so trite, cliche ridden, poorly constructed and little more than sex scenes.
Some will receive great acclaim but what of the lesser offerings.
Are the writers ready for an absolute panning?
Will it lead to a lot of ill feeling?
Should there be a list of authors who would like to be discussed?

 

[SpecialK]

Leaving the math up to you WH!!

Geezus Harold, I couldn't understand any of that math stuff. lol!! Why did you have to add 0.5? Nevermind, don't tell me. I'm busy memorizing the 17 and 35 times tables for a test I have at work on Sunday. <grumble, grumble>

The random thing sounds like a good idea though. We will have to decide who crunches the numbers. (I do not nominate myself.)

Posted by Gus...
I am not so sure that this whole concept is such a good idea. Some of the stories that I have read on here are so trite, cliche ridden, poorly constructed and little more than sex scenes.
Some will receive great acclaim but what of the lesser offerings.
Are the writers ready for an absolute panning?
Will it lead to a lot of ill feeling?

I hear what you are saying, Gus. We don't want to hack some poor author who merely wrote out his/her fantasy and submitted it in haste that same evening and couldn't give one whit about feedback.

But, conversely, it might be a good thing. Whatever negative feedback is given for a story doesn't necessarily have to serve to merely hurt the author. It can also serve as a learning tool for that author, as well as all other authors. And that will only serve to improve the quality of stories on this site.

How often are we going to do this? One story a week?

K

 

[christo]

My concern with using random numbers is that we might end up with a story no one is really interested in discussing. Then again, letting me pick the stories DOES make me the arbiter of taste, which isn't the best way of doing it either. Any other ideas?

And before we post stories, the author would definitely have to give his/her OK. It's a tough thing to do, putting yourself out there like that. But, I'm sure we'll find willing authors!

 

[alexander tzara]

Here's an idea, Christo. Every week, or whenever, pick 1 "E" story out of a hat and 1 non-"E" story, both for discussion. Make sure they're both from different categories. You can rotate the categories every week so more types of story get covered. Leave the "H" stories out 'cause they're already widely read.

I think this could be a really good thing, so writers can get analysis of their stories that might help with future work, and also so that aspiring writers can pick up tips.

 

[Deborah]

I suggest we select one of Alexandra Tzara's stories and rip him a new asshole.

Really, this sounds like fun!

Let me grease up good old "Big Bob."

Let WH use his magic formula and select the story or stories. I do strongly suggest the author(s) be contacted and agree. If the first one doesn't go down the list until you find one who does.

I think this would be much more interesting and constructive if the author participates in the discussion, for better or worse. Sometimes an author will have reasons for doing this/that which no one "gets" unless explained.

 

[KillerMuffin]

The problem with contacting the author is the amount of time it takes for this to happen. Some authors don't check their email, or they may want to sleep on it for a week or two, or they do it all at the library and you're emailing the librarian.

The other thing to think on regarding this point is 1) we are pretty much all authors involved in this one, though it's not limited to, so you can imagine we're going to be constructive in our criticism. And 2) this would probably be the only place where an author's permission is granted for discussion group purposes. The caveat of putting a work up for public perusal is that the public isn't going to like it nearly as much as you do.

Courtesty notification of the author would be a good idea, "Dear PornAuthorDude, our discussion group is going to make like the Spanish Inquisition on your little story "My Prom Fuck" and the Deborator has pregreased her dildoes (whoo, ya'll are lucky! She didn't grease 'em up for the last guy). If you object to the proceedings or require a good dose of medicinal 'shine, please let us know soonest. We're doing it Monday, with or without you, so ya'll better hurry. Yrs, The Discussion Group." Okay, maybe something more polite and a little less scary...

I think we should just nominate WH to go ahead and pick the story via his little math scale and trust him to winnow out the stories that will not be worth discussing. However, every story is a learning opportunity, especially ones we wouldn't ordinarily read, so let us not forget that.

But if the permission thing is required, you have my blanket permission to discuss my stuff. Just lemme get the arsenal ready... (just kidding there!)

 

[KillerMuffin]

Oh yeah, forgot last time...

If we do this, is each story gonna get it's own thread? I think they deserve that at the least...


...dancing...dancing...through the field...dancing through the field...the field...the field of ellipis...ellipis...

*smacks fingers* Bad fingers!!! What have I told you about gratuitous ellipis...? Of all the nerve.

 

[Weird Harold]

And 2) this would probably be the only place where an author's permission is granted for discussion group purposes.

Courtesty notification of the author would be a good idea, ...

I do not think author permission is really required. There have been some rather pointed discussions started by someone posting a passionate feedback (good or bad) that others disagreed with.

I think I would send an E-mail to the author with notification that the story has been randomly selected for discussion and offering an opportunity to "introduce" his/her story. If there was a point the author was trying to make, or something else about the story they would specifically like addressed by the discussion group they could let us know.

I think we should just nominate WH to go ahead and pick the story via his little math scale and trust him to winnow out the stories that will not be worth discussing. However, every story is a learning opportunity, especially ones we wouldn't ordinarily read, so let us not forget that.

If I do get nominated to pick the stories for discussion, I will NOT reject the random pick except for two reasons:

1: The story number picked doesn't exist for some reason.
2: The story has already been discussed.

Any other criteria for rejection would defeat the purpose of a random selection. As far as I'm concerned, if Laurel found it worthy of posting, any story is worthy of discussion.

If the random number picks the middle chapter of a multi-part story, It picks all parts. That way the higher chance of a multi-part story being picked will be offset by the elimination of all parts from being picked again.

BTW, for those who wonder about the addition of 0.5, it's because there is no story #0 and without rounding up, the most recent story will never be picked.

 

[vgrey]

Great idea!

I really think that WH's random number solution will work well, and I agree with Killer Muffin that author notification, not permission is enough. I mean, feedback comes with the site, whether we like it or not.
I was wondering if there would be a way to ensure that we take stories from different categories each week? Some categories are smaller ponds than others so in a purely random selection we might not get to examine all of the different styles that literotica has to offer. Of course, that would blow the random number thing out of the water. Any ideas on the subject?
VG

 

[nitengale]

I'm not into all the math calculations...actually I still shake at the word 'algebra' when my kids say it out loud...but I still think this whole discussion group is an excellent idea...my permission is here by given to look at one of my stories any time...ok, it would be better if I was less hormonal...but I am really looking forward to learning more thru the process...

 

[Gus]

OK Weird Harold

I have downloaded Ride for Pleasure and I will read it off-line. Commenting Monday am.

Now I'm in England and to ensure a level playing field, what time can I post Monday. I know that you'd have the answer.