The Mould Broke

[wildsweetone]

The stories I've been writing have varied greatly (in my own opinion) however when I've submitted them to various places, I've had to specify 'categories'.

I've found that unconsciously I've been submitting stories, or showing others, stories that I have written that particular readers have expected to find.

My longwinded reason for this thread is to ask other authors what you have done.

I have written a few that I would call 'oddball' pieces. Stories that are complete in themselves, but are not what my reader would expect to see from me. I have recently shown one of them to a couple of people and did not warn them what to expect. I feel guilty at not having prewarned them.

I am holding back on submitting a couple of stories for the simple reason that they are bound to shock the reader who has come to 'expect' a certain type of story from me.

Any ideas what I should do?

 

[kristydoll]

I have written a few that I would call 'oddball' pieces. Stories that are complete in themselves, but are not what my reader would expect to see from me. I have recently shown one of them to a couple of people and did not warn them what to expect. I feel guilty at not having prewarned them.

I am holding back on submitting a couple of stories for the simple reason that they are bound to shock the reader who has come to 'expect' a certain type of story from me.

Any ideas what I should do?

I'm not sure I have any practical advice for you - but I have just done the same thing. My "Dolly" series just got posted and it is the most bizarre thing I have ever written - not my style at all!

But go for it and post them - no one said writers can't be diverse in their writing. And there's something to be said for being unpredictable *grins*

kristy

 

[wildsweetone]

Good points Kristy.

My thoughts are a little more though... I know as a writer I have a responsibility to my reader to try and make sure my spelling and grammar are as near correct as I can get.

Do I also have a responsibility to my reader to ensure consistenty in the type of stories that I give him/her to read?

 

[its Leslie]

Avoid stereotyping at all costs, or be cursed with being unable to write anything else seriously.

It isn't just actors that can suffer from this trap eh.

If you can, write things that are way out of your norm, and soon your audience will assume you are merely multi faceted, and not "out of character".

 

[kristydoll]

Do I also have a responsibility to my reader to ensure consistenty in the type of stories that I give him/her to read?

The responsibility you have is to yourself and to your writing.

I totally agree with its Leslie

kristy

 

[wildsweetone]

hmm i'm still uncertain...

if i think about a published author... say hmm stephen king.

if he felt like publishing a romantic story out of the blue, what would his core readership think?

 

[BigTexan]

I may be being a little presumptuous here, but I think I'm one of the people you feel you should have warned.

I disagree wholeheartedly!!!

If you had warned me it would have reduced some of the power of the story. Think about it. The first time you read a story by Poe, was it better or or more powerful than the second and third story by him?

For me that was the case.

As to your question. I asked you a very similar question not long ago and you gave me the perfect answer. "Do what your heart tells you to do."

That is the answer to your first question.

As to the second:

I don't know what RESPONSIBILITY a writer has to his/her reader, but I'm sure it's not to conform to a specific style nor even to remain in a specific genre'

The only advice I have to give is this:

Write what is within you. You are a magnificent writer. Be true to yourself and tell the rest of the world to go to hell.

BigTexan

 

[kristydoll]

I'm sure there are many of his (Stephen King) fans who are still unaware that he used to write Erotica before becoming a big name in his now genre.

If you are really concerned about it - why not just publish these stories under a different alias?

just an idea
kristy

 

[jon.hayworth]

Whilst understanding what you say about consistency - you cited Stephen King as an example. I do not think that we have the same "unspoken" contract with our readers.

The reader comes here to read stories for free. The reader must also recognise that the writer has an agenda.

So why do we publish our stories for free?
Many of us would say, we do so to develop their skills as a writer!
Part of that development includes the right and freedom to experiment. Indeed the Literotica Survivor Contest by its very nature encourages us to experiment.

"Publish them and be damned."

Get the feedback and carry on developing - as Leslie says don't get typecast.

Speaking as one of those people who have had sneak previews of your work - they are good very good. I thought LIFELESS was one of the best crime short stories I have ever read. Do not deprive other people - or I'll start another thread entitled "why WSO must publish Lifeless"

jon

 

[wildsweetone]

yes BigTexan, you are one of the two who has read "Lifeless". i guess i was not prepared for such strong reactions.

i have no qualms left about writing whatever my characters make me write. i am their tool afterall.

my qualms are in the submission of such writing. i am torn between sharing the unusual stuff and not sharing it.

even published authors give fair warning in their blurbs - but you are right there Big Texan, a warning would take away some of the oomph.

hmm i wonder if it would be logical to submit under a different name... but then i'd probably find myself picking and choosing the placement of future stories too much, i'd hate doing that.

i so hate it when people throw my own words back at me
but thank you for doing it.

 

[wildsweetone]

gee thanks for that jon

pleease don't start another thread. i'm trying to hide out you know lol

edited to add:
i knew i should have stayed in the laundry.

 

[TheEarl]

I've written in incest, mind control, celebrities and scifi&fantasy. One in each. And am currently writing an autoerotica sotry (god knows which category that will fit in). So I don't really have that much of a mould to break.

The Earl

 

[Weird Harold]

Good points Kristy.

My thoughts are a little more though... I know as a writer I have a responsibility to my reader to try and make sure my spelling and grammar are as near correct as I can get.

Do I also have a responsibility to my reader to ensure consistenty in the type of stories that I give him/her to read?

No, you don't have a rsponsibiliy to keep rewriting the same story over and over bcause your fans expect it.

You mentioned Steven King and someone else mentioned he wrote erotica early in his career; I don't know if that's true or not, but I do know that Steven King does not limit his writing to the horror/occult genre he also writes fantasy and science fiction.

You can do what many authors do and use a different name for each genre, or you can post a wide range of styles under one name, as many other authors do, and bring variety to your existing fans and attract new fans.

 

[its Leslie]

Arthur C Clarke is my hero in the capacity area, I think if I am not correct he has written for every permutation of writing possible.

Not sure if he has written erotica though.

 

[Quasimodem]

Originally posted by its Leslie
Arthur C Clarke is my hero in the capacity area, I think if I am not correct he has written for every permutation of writing possible.

Not sure if he has written erotica though.

I vote for Isaac Asimov. He wrote about 300 books covering nearly every topic beside science fiction, and he even had time to publish "Dirty Little Limericks" under the 'pseudonym,' Dr. A.

I've even forgiven him for employing George Scithers as editor of "The Isaac Asimov Science Fiction Magazine."

 

[Sabledrake]

Dean R. Koontz has written in many different genres under a host of pseudonyms, everything from Gothic Romance to sci-fi. He's best known for horror but rejects the label, preferring to think of himself as a "cross-genre" kind of guy.

One of my personal role models, actually. I'm mostly writing fantasy and horror at the moment, but there's a bodice ripper waiting to be done, as well as a series of kids' books (heck, Clive Barker, who has written some of the goriest stuff I've ever read, is doing a kids' book).

Sometimes I feel all over the map, like I can't settle on one thing and do it right, but then why would I want to limit myself if I'm having fun?

Sabledrake

 

[wildsweetone]

thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement. i understand better now what i need to do. i've decided to stick with my wildsweetone nickname and post under it whatever happens along that's worthy of submission.

it's really nice to know that there's support and caring in Litland.

sometimes when i'm finished writing, i feel quite lonely. i look back on something i've written and wonder 'where the heck did that come from?' that's when the occasional uncertainties slip into the front of my mind and i wonder if i've done the right thing in writing it or if i've overstepped the mark... for me, it can be quite a scary feeling.

i've come to accept that i'll write whatever my characters want written...

but the next step of course is wondering whether such things should be read by other people. i intend submitting 'Lifeless', as soon as i've figured out which category it should go under. lol

it's a good feeling you've given me, thank you

 

[ronde]

I like to write in different categories because I like to challenge myself. Different categories require somewhat different styles and possibly POV if they are to be an enjoyable read. I think writing in only one category could become boring after a while, rather like eating the same food day after day.

I suppose a following of readers might come to expect a certain type of story from any author, but I think they would still be pleased with a different category if the work was well written.

 

[wildsweetone]

hmm

my first Lit rejection:

Hi! The Non-Erotic category is meant for PG-rated stories that would be suitable for a broader audience. The sex scene is too explicit for the Non-Erotic category. We'd love to have the story in any of the other categories.

trust me to write a story that doesn't fit under any particular category.

i'm trying for 'erotic couplings' now.

 

[sirhugs]

Re: hmm

my first Lit rejection:

Hi! The Non-Erotic category is meant for PG-rated stories that would be suitable for a broader audience. The sex scene is too explicit for the Non-Erotic category. We'd love to have the story in any of the other categories.

trust me to write a story that doesn't fit under any particular category.

i'm trying for 'erotic couplings' now.

my understanding is 'erotic couplings' is the default for stories that fit not elsewhere- generally two people, one of each gender, and too sex driven to be 'romance'.

I wouldn't view being told the sex scene is HOT as negative.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I write in many categories and many voices and no one has given me any legitmate complaints..no worries

 

[wildsweetone]

Okay here it is. 'Lifeless' is not a jackoff piece. Do not expect great sex.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=68572

if you read it, i'd like to know your thoughts. privately or publically, i don't mind. as i've said previously, it's not my 'normal' style of writing, it just happened.