Storywriting help requested :)

[redria17]

So I've looked around and think (hope) that this is the right place to post this. If not then let me know and I'll do what I can to have it relocated or removed

But anyway, my question: I'm trying to write out some of my story prompts into actual short stories. However between writers block and just general boredom with knowing how my story will develop before it's even written (since I'm writing it, basically...) it's kind of something I struggle with. If it was for just one story it wouldn't be a big deal but I'm worried that each story I write might feel like the same thing, over and over, because of my writing habits.

I'm hoping that I can connect with a good storywriter on here and work with them to build some of my prompts into short stories

Thanks in advance! And again I hope this is an appropriate post for this section.

 

[SimonDoom]

Your best bets are probably either to keep posting questions here to try to draw answers from a number of fellow authors or gradually developing contacts or relationships with authors you like and asking them to help. I think it's difficult to get helpful reactions to unfocused solicitations. Keep in mind we're all so busy with our own stories and lives beyond Literotica. Good luck figuring things out.

A tip: Just write something. Pick one of your story ideas, make yourself write a story, not too long, submit it, and see what happens. Don't overthink it. The way to learn how to write is to write.

 

[GrantBricksly]

I'm with Simon. Just pick one prompt, and write the story. Keep it short if that's what you need to do, but write it, focus on only that one story. When its done, submit and see what happens. Then, move on to the next.

 

[Defluer]

Yeah, I've learned to not turn a story "Idea" into a micro-short story. AKA I don't do paragraph after paragraph explaining to myself where I'm going with my story. I just write something like:

Concert Cuties

Guy gets dragged to an "older" band with this friend. Friend abandons him and leaves him. There is a group of women from 20 to 50. All work at the same bank/office. They take him in, dance with him, buy him drinks, and take him home.

One/Two of them blow him in the van on the way to the “afterparty”? Or at the concert?
They go to a nearby hotel room?

All of them eventually get a part.

That's literally one of my story Ideas, maybe a prompt. I don't often STATE what is going to happen I prod myself with a "Maybe this?" And as you can see PLENTY of room for interpretation. Plenty of places for me to go and be surprised by. It's tempting to flesh out the major beats of the story, that probably works for a lot of people, but for me I feel like I've written the story and there is no urge in my perv soul to sit down and write it.

 

[Whanmore]

Knowing how its going to end is half the fun. Watching the scene play out its created. You're the only one who gets that experience. You get to see a black page tell a story. That should make you giddy with excitement and that excitement forces your stories to brim to the top of your brain until you can't think straight until you write every thought out. ...man I love writing! lol

 

[Seadog777]

My advice is this, just write.

Pick one idea for a story.
Lay out the things you most want to get across.
Then you just write. No thinking about anything at all. You just let everything flow until the ancestors tell you to stop.
Then you read what you did write. Keep what you like, discard what you don't like.
Do that until you have the story length that you like.
You might need to add a paragraph or two as filler but usually IME, doing it that way the story ends up writing itself.

Good luck.

 

[Voboy]

...I mean, yeah. Just write.

If you're a writer who can't do that, then you're not really a writer; your "process" or "habits" aren't really either of those things. What you seem to be looking for is a ghostwriter? Am I off-target there?

 

[GrantBricksly]

...I mean, yeah. Just write.

If you're a writer who can't do that, then you're not really a writer; your "process" or "habits" aren't really either of those things.

Not really. Sometimes you just have writers block. I have gone through days without being able to put "pen to paper" or finger to keyboard as it were. Sometimes you just can't get it up for a bit. it happens (yes I know what I said...I do not now, nor have I ever had such a problem in the bedroom, so lets move on....)

Not every writer can just sit down and write every day. And we all have good days and bad days. Good habits and bad habits. etc..

The important thing is that we work at it and eventually write.

 

[Voboy]

Not really. Sometimes you just have writers block. I have gone through days without being able to put "pen to paper" or finger to keyboard as it were. Sometimes you just can't get it up for a bit. it happens (yes I know what I said...I do not now, nor have I ever had such a problem in the bedroom, so lets move on....)

Not every writer can just sit down and write every day. And we all have good days and bad days. Good habits and bad habits. etc..

The important thing is that we work at it and eventually write.

"However between writers block and just general boredom with knowing how my story will develop before it's even written (since I'm writing it, basically...) it's kind of something I struggle with."

That is not how I would describe writer's block. I don't know whether the OP is even interested in writing the stories. Often, when newer writers wish to "connect with a good storywriter on here and work with them to build some of my prompts into short stories," I read it as code for a request for collaboration if not outright ghostwriting.

 

[Dearelliot]

Have they ever rejected a story with excellent grammar and punctuation but because it was so poorly written...?

 

[gunhilltrain]

Some other hints:

1. You can enjoy creating the setting, the time and place where your tale occurs. I have no problem using a setting I already know well, even if it doesn't exist that way in the present. I have a thing for old movie theaters, for example. I try to research what films were in release when the characters visit the place.

Loews Paradise

One naughty couple is watching (or ignoring really) The Day of the Locust (1975) while they have a tryst in the back row.

2. You can try a non-erotic story occasionally. The one I have did pretty well.

3. The Reviews and Essays section allows a wide range of non-fiction, often in the form of memoirs. Some interesting things have happened to you if you think about them.

4. Try a different genre than you are used to. I have one science fiction story that I admit was influenced by an old Twilight Zone episode.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm hoping that I can connect with a good storywriter on here and work with them to build some of my prompts into short stories

Thanks in advance! And again I hope this is an appropriate post for this section.

You're welcome to ask, but you may not find a lot of takers. In general there are more story ideas/prompts floating around than there are writers to fill them; a lot of good writers (or even middling-to-bad ones ;-) can't keep up with writing their own ideas, let alone somebody else's.

It's also harder to rustle up interest in a collaboration when you don't have material out there to give potential collaborators a feel for your style. You could be the Mick Jagger of story prompts, but if if the person you're trying to work with is the Paul McCartney of erotica writing, that might not be the right partnership for either of you.

I'd strongly second the others here who've suggested taking a go at writing them yourself. This is a free amateur site, it's a great place to practice. Even if you ultimately decide that you'd rather focus on prompts, it'll improve your chances of finding collaborators, and give you more insight into what they'll need from you.

 

[redria17]

"However between writers block and just general boredom with knowing how my story will develop before it's even written (since I'm writing it, basically...) it's kind of something I struggle with."

That is not how I would describe writer's block. I don't know whether the OP is even interested in writing the stories. Often, when newer writers wish to "connect with a good storywriter on here and work with them to build some of my prompts into short stories," I read it as code for a request for collaboration if not outright ghostwriting.

I wasn't describing writer's block. I was just stating it as one factor.

I really meant for this post to be read at face value. I'm not seeking a collaboration or a ghostwriter. That's what commissions are for and I've already tried a couple of those lol. Learned that it's just not gonna work having another writer do your story for you. There's just too many details that need to be assumed for creative flow or whatever, and it tends to ruin the vision I had for the plot. But that's okay because now I know that if it's gonna come out the way I like then I'm the one who's got to write it. Which is what brings me here lol

What I'm looking for is someone willing to let me directly reach out with questions as I write. Whenever I encounter a problem (such as moments when my writing feels repetitious or if I'm just stuck with where to go next) I would just reach out for advice. I'd like to try getting advice from a single source for now, rather than just post my questions on the public forum. It just seems like input from an array of writers would conflict with one another and just lead to more confusion.

I dunno. Did my best to try and explain my plans for this. But I suck at putting thoughts into words sometimes. Another reason having input would be useful, lol

 

[Euphony]

I wasn't describing writer's block. I was just stating it as one factor.

I really meant for this post to be read at face value. I'm not seeking a collaboration or a ghostwriter. That's what commissions are for and I've already tried a couple of those lol. Learned that it's just not gonna work having another writer do your story for you. There's just too many details that need to be assumed for creative flow or whatever, and it tends to ruin the vision I had for the plot. But that's okay because now I know that if it's gonna come out the way I like then I'm the one who's got to write it. Which is what brings me here lol

What I'm looking for is someone willing to let me directly reach out with questions as I write. Whenever I encounter a problem (such as moments when my writing feels repetitious or if I'm just stuck with where to go next) I would just reach out for advice. I'd like to try getting advice from a single source for now, rather than just post my questions on the public forum. It just seems like input from an array of writers would conflict with one another and just lead to more confusion.

I dunno. Did my best to try and explain my plans for this. But I suck at putting thoughts into words sometimes. Another reason having input would be useful, lol

You likely want an editor with creative input which is fine.
What I'd suggest though is not as "in process" of help as you suggest.
Writing is the work and the work is the writing. A key part of crafting the good stuff is learning to build your momentum through the bad (or downright terrible.) Getting stuck and digging your way out, writing plot holes you could drive a truck through, dumping interminable word salad you learn to gut to only what moves the main idea forward, those struggles are where you get good.

Give yourself the freedom to writing horrific rough drafts. At first, it can be disheartening, but when you find your comfort and your groove and can look back your early attempts and see all your progress, it really gets you motivated to keep up the regular fights with your muse.

 

[Djmac1031]

Everyone has already said it, but:

Just write. If you already know the ending, great. Find the path to it.

If you don't know the ending, write anyway.

Sometimes it's the journey, not the destination.

But we can't write your stories for you.

We can give advice, pitch ideas, answer questions.

But in the end, YOU need to write it.

Best wishes with it.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

The question that I have is whether you truly have story ideas.

When I hear the term, "prompt", I interpret it as more as "inspiration", and that can be a long way off from a more structured and grounded story "idea".

For example, a song title or lyric can be the inspiration that leads to the formation of an idea - like a seed to a plant. The story idea comes from planting that seed in fertile soil and allowing it to start to grow. As it grows, it takes on form. A writer shapes the budding plant to help it become his or her vision for it fully grown, and that becomes the story.

The seed of inspiration was planted, cultivated into an idea, and harvested into a story. Sometimes that seed produces nothing but a weed, but that's all part of the adventure and joy of writing.

 

[nice90sguy]

I'm not sure the O.P. means by a "prompt" here. Can s/he post an example?

What I'm looking for is someone willing to let me directly reach out with questions as I write

It sounds like you need someone to spitball with, which a standard thing to do among writers. Maybe there's a slack channel for that somewhere.

 

[Gator50]

So I've looked around and think (hope) that this is the right place to post this. If not then let me know and I'll do what I can to have it relocated or removed

But anyway, my question: I'm trying to write out some of my story prompts into actual short stories. However between writers block and just general boredom with knowing how my story will develop before it's even written (since I'm writing it, basically...) it's kind of something I struggle with. If it was for just one story it wouldn't be a big deal but I'm worried that each story I write might feel like the same thing, over and over, because of my writing habits.

I'm hoping that I can connect with a good storywriter on here and work with them to build some of my prompts into short stories

Thanks in advance! And again I hope this is an appropriate post for this section.

Hi - I hear you, and it would be good to chat with you about ways to go about writing stories for the Lit site. I’ve just submitted one and am waiting on whether it will be accepted or not. Two things that seem to help me is to use some experience I’ve had as the prompt and then build on it. Also I find dialog is difficult, maybe because it seems to be harder to write a play than a short story. PM me and lets talk.

 

[Dunes_et_Soleil]

Hi there, I see you one story and raise another glass! Well, if you are struggling with writing down your ideas, try something that seems quite popular among some writers.
Make a story board, just very simply in a few lines what the first main thing is that needs to happen. Then the next and so on. I tend to get exhausted during this but just save it and start writing the first part. This way you can set up the entire story and work on your chapters.
Hope this helps
Campai and chin chin!

 

[yukonnights]

I wasn't describing writer's block. I was just stating it as one factor.

I really meant for this post to be read at face value. I'm not seeking a collaboration or a ghostwriter. That's what commissions are for and I've already tried a couple of those lol. Learned that it's just not gonna work having another writer do your story for you. There's just too many details that need to be assumed for creative flow or whatever, and it tends to ruin the vision I had for the plot. But that's okay because now I know that if it's gonna come out the way I like then I'm the one who's got to write it. Which is what brings me here lol

What I'm looking for is someone willing to let me directly reach out with questions as I write. Whenever I encounter a problem (such as moments when my writing feels repetitious or if I'm just stuck with where to go next) I would just reach out for advice. I'd like to try getting advice from a single source for now, rather than just post my questions on the public forum. It just seems like input from an array of writers would conflict with one another and just lead to more confusion.

I dunno. Did my best to try and explain my plans for this. But I suck at putting thoughts into words sometimes. Another reason having input would be useful, lol

Sounds to me that you want a "friend who knows the ropes here — a friend who can beta-read and give some input and point out things that don't work for the story, etc.". That is not an uncommon thing. I have collaborated with several other authors in my time here. Finding the "connection" for such a friend is the hard part.

Just a thought, perhaps you could make a request for a beta-reader in the Editor's Forum or maybe even the Story Feedback Forum. I'd suggest that you offer to return the favor to proof-read and or collaborate on their stories.

 

[Bramblethorn]

What I'm looking for is someone willing to let me directly reach out with questions as I write. Whenever I encounter a problem (such as moments when my writing feels repetitious or if I'm just stuck with where to go next) I would just reach out for advice. I'd like to try getting advice from a single source for now, rather than just post my questions on the public forum. It just seems like input from an array of writers would conflict with one another and just lead to more confusion.

For the interesting questions it often will conflict. But usually what that conflict means is that different answers work for different people (or for different stories). If you're only going to one person, often the answer you get will be right for them but not for you.

Over time, you can start to connect with like-minded writers who know a bit about how you work, what matters to you, and can provide answers that are tailored to your style. "I think I know what you're trying to do here, and it doesn't quite work because X" - that kind of advice is fantastic from somebody who understands you well enough to be accurate with it. But it takes time to build those relationships.

 

[gunhilltrain]

You're not the first person to bring up this issue. Ultimately, you've asked, "how does one write?" and that question may be beyond answering.

The comparison to screenwriting above it useful up to a point. Usually, if one has the good luck to get a script into production (it's extremely difficult to do that), then the work is mostly out of one's hands. Writing stories (and novels, if one has the inclination for that) can be a lonely task. There is no director, cinematographer, casting person, production manager, location scout, or anyone else to make it work. It's entirely entirely dependent of on the words you use.

* A digression: I have a thing against the 1997 Titanic. 1958's A Night to Remember is a far better movie to see how such an event can be handled on screen.

 

[Duleigh]

All great bits of advice you're getting.

Personally all I can add is not to throw anything away. When one of those prompts pops up (you'll hear them referred to as Plot Bunnies) write the idea down, just an outline is all you need, and put it in your "Great Idea" directory and revisit it on occasion. Put the stories you get bored with in there too, you may be able to rescue them later, or use a piece of them on a current project.