The Difference Between Good and Great

[SilentA]

So I just published my first story on literotica a couple days ago. Maybe it's because it's my first story, but I am constantly logging on to check how many views and votes it has, and what the rating is. Unfortunately, every time I log on, the rating is lower. (I think it's around 60 votes- 4.21). Granted, I sat down and wrote the story in about two hours on a whim with out so much as a second go-over. Anyway, I want to write a second story, but I'm planning on putting a lot more work into it. I was just wondering if anyone wanted to share some advice on how to get more positive return on their stories. Also, if you have any ideas for my next story, do tell!

Thanks always,
-A

 

[Darkniciad]

Just keep writing. Getting your name out there is the best way to attract new readers.

As to your first story: Erotic Couplings isn't the most populated category on the site. Because it's something of a catch-all, people never know what they're going to get there. Keying in on a specific kink with one of the narrower categories is likely to generate more reader interest, if you have an idea along those lines that floats your boat.

But beware of Loving Wives. It's a shark pit of low scores and venomous comments.

 

[LadyVer]

I liked your story. Very good for a first story with it being just a first draft. I think Romance would have been a better category, though. It probably would have done better there. I voted a 5.

Word choice is also important. Instead of using terms like "sopping wet," which is commonly used by mostly male writers, try to use language that gives the same idea, but is in context to the story theme.

Good luck!

 

[SamScribble]

I suspect that once you have an interesting story, well written, the difference between good and great is largely luck. What was your category? What day did your story hit the front page? Who were you up against? Did the readers who really liked your story (and gave it a five) also post a comment? Etcetera, etcetera. As one of my friends says: ‘Sam, stop worrying, and get back to writing.’

 

[TamLin01]

Work hard, try again and again, and don't get preoccupied with the things you can't control.

 

[Everyday_Man]

I'd imagine on Lit one of the factors is how many different people want to come to your story more than once.

If you're writing a short stroker, it better have some hot scenes or a hot scene described in vivid detail ... if it's longer, some plot and story and some hot scene and the money shot should be there. Money being sex related to the category you put it in better be worth the read or even in the story.

Don't judge how well you write by the red H ... remember, that stands for Hot and hot refers back to my first sentence. There will be more people on here that want to jerk it rather than be engrossed in the overall quality.

 

[oggbashan]

The ratings do not indicate the difference between 'Good' and 'Great'.

They show, if they show anything, relative levels of popularity. A well written stroke chapter will be more highly rated than a great novel.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The difference between good and great is the difference between fashion and significant truth. One satisfies the desire for novelty, the other settles some issue in our souls and mind. Its the difference between a conviction order and remorse/penance. One satisfies a temporal condition, the other is forever.

 

[lovecraft68]

Looking at this from a reader point of view

Good= I read the entire story it held my interest and I felt it was worth my time when I finished.

Great= is the above with the addition that my mind kept turning back to the story after I read it, really great has me envisioning how I would have handled the characters or what I would have liked them to do a little differently. That sounds like critique, but its not because to me it shows the story left a mark if I am investing mental energy on it.

As for good/great in the statistics area....Sam said it well there are just so many variables, category, day, do you have a following in that category? Was the story "fluffy" or was it darker, stroke or serious....

Don't get hung up with the numbers, yes its fun and yes it can be both exciting and depressing, but writing more should always be the focus of your energy here.

That and procrastinating by posting in the forums