The Singer & the Song

[dr_mabeuse]

Do the contencts of an author's atories sffect how you view that author on a personal level?

What I mean is, this is the Author's Hangout, and so many of us are authors of posted stories. Would the fact that someone wrote stories that invariably seemed to deal with, say, violence against women, or hatred against men, or anything that you personally found repugnant influence your opinion of that person? Would it prejudice you in regards to them?

---dr.M.

 

[Guest]

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Not in the least. For the most part we write fiction. I write F/F erotica almost exclusively and many of my characters are married to awful husbands of one type or another. It is not my opinion of men in the stories, it is simply a useful (if done to death) tool to set up a female character who is open to trying something new.

I assume everyone uses such devices and that no story neccissarily indicates the writers personal preference in anything.

-Colly

 

[Quasimodem]

Taking into consideration the "Survivor's Contest" and the seemingly strange satisfaction derived by some writer's to successfully write about fetishes that they do not posses, in some cases, that they do not fully – or partially – understand, I consider sexual practises describe in fiction as just that – fiction.

I would judge them as writers, however, by how good their fiction was.

If, they keep referring to a story which demonstrates a reprehensible sexual practise – in my opinion – claiming they had experienced ‘something similar' to it, and that the story was ‘based upon a RL incident' I may change my usual practise, and hold them accountable.

But, just off the top of my head, I can't think of any totally unredeemable sexual practise permitted on Literotica.

<snap> Got it!

Incest! Is THAT why it's so popular?

 

[Uther_Pendragon]

Well, it depends. I don't read much eroticism these days,
one way or another. But,
I think you can see something about an author by
his fiction. OTOH, characters don't always reflect the
writers opinions. I always get annoyed when people say:
"'To thine own self be true,' -- William Shakespeare."
Guys, WS was putting platitudes in the mouth of a character
to show what a bore he was.
I hope people don't see the narrator of "Duty" as showing
my opinions. OTOH, I don't mind their taking Bob from
the Bob&Jeanette stories as really me; he isn't, but I
wouldn't mind people believing that he is.
I remember taking a course with my wife in a place where we
had to be in separate rooms -- she with other women, I with
other men. We were having a conversation in her room when
two of her roommates came in separately. One said: "Aha! I
know what you've been doing." The other said: "Eek!
there's a man in my room." Both were joking, but the
different jokes showed the different personalities.

 

[wildsweetone]

From what I've seen...

Do the contencts of an author's atories sffect how you view that author on a personal level?

What I mean is, this is the Author's Hangout, and so many of us are authors of posted stories. Would the fact that someone wrote stories that invariably seemed to deal with, say, violence against women, or hatred against men, or anything that you personally found repugnant influence your opinion of that person? Would it prejudice you in regards to them?

---dr.M.

I could put link after link in this posting proving that some authors have judged other authors in this Forum alone, on their writing that has been published on Literotica.

When a person writes something akin to reality that touches a cord within a reader, then it ceases to become 'fiction' and instead takes on the reality of the reader's previous experience in life.

It's a true measure of the writer's ability to transport the reader into a remembered reality. And it can be a very, very difficult place to beam oneself out of.

To answer your first question dr., anything that is written well enough to touch that cord within me, will give me the ability to look on that writer's skill as superior to mine.


wso

 

[Guest]

I always get annoyed when people say:
"'To thine own self be true,' -- William Shakespeare."
Guys, WS was putting platitudes in the mouth of a character to show what a bore he was.

Uther, you're my hero of the day! Besides my beloved Sh're professor you're the first person I've heard say this. You did leave out the most platitudinous bit (quoting from memory here):

"and it will follow like the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

Great wit and bullshite.

Perdita

 

[Wills]

I don't think anyone is likely to post at AH saying I screwed my Mum last night and I've just written a story about it. Similarly anyone admitting to violence.

Lesbian & Homosexual writers, as far as I can tell, don't receive treatment any different from most that post on AH.

Is that because their particular affection is acceptable to the mainstream? (Difficult to write without sounding as if I am being judgmental, which I am not.)

It is clear that certain people who post on AH get up peoples noses either because they simply make a poor argument, miss-state facts, have a strong minority opinion or have their head up their arses as far as the majority is concerned. Edit added I don't think that has anything to do with the stories they write, it is to with views they expound, however coherently or otherwise.

I'm not sure how many write feedback disagreeing with the princlple of a story, for example, an incest story where Jack and Jill have simply beeen swapped for Brother and Sister. I suspect most won't bother to vote let alone send feedback. That is also a judgement issue. Getting a reply to your feedback sometimes tell's you more about the person than you ever expected. Recent feedback to 'HardPrick' (ficticious) brought a reply from 'Tom and June@virgin.net' (ficticious), it throws you for a moment.

Another point worth considering is that writers and posters at AH have two distinct persona's, unless they are living their lives as a complete fiction. Most of the time we can seperate the two.

Will's

 

[Guest]

 

[McKenna]

.

 

[A7inchPhildo]

I think the majority of your stories can give a better insight to the way you think or what you like to occur.

I would not think differently about an author because of single stories (meaning a single category with a few selected stories in it). How ever if the Author tends to write in a certain pattern or based on a certain topic repeated. I can gather what that person is into or likes or fantasies are about.

I would never dislike someone based on a story. But certainly it may make me think before crossing a topic while engaged in chit chat.

I have another perspective too I find that more of the poorly written stories tend to be closer to the truth. Not because they are poorly written but because someone who does not have a clue on how to write. Wants to post what has happened in their life. So they write without the knowledge or help of an editor.
While the better constructed stories are more or less an imaginary tale written by a seasoned author looking to broaden the horizons. Taken time for planning and proper construction of the story.

Phildo

 

[Guest]

I am limiting my comments to encompass only writing on Lit.

I do not care for fiction, however well written, that presents "gratuitous" violence, whether to women, men or animals. I judge those authors, personally, as disturbed. I will not credit their writing skills the way WSO or others might; I cannot be objective about that kind of violence (lurid to be lurid, whatever). To be clear, I am not speaking of non-consent (vs. rape) or bdsm stories where what can be labeled violent is controlled and mutually engaged for pleasure or other personal satisfaction. (I don't judge bdsm adherents except for what seems to me an elitist attitude about sexual daring and fulfillment.)

As for any other sexual fantasy that is fictionalized, however "out there" it may strike me (personally) it's the quality of writing that keeps me reading, and possibly curious about the "person" who wrote it. I won't judge an author in any way personally if the writing is exquisite. Intelligence and creativity are beyond judgement for me (except as noted above).

A couple of my favorite Lit. authors are the sanest people I know. I say that because I think too many people would judge them by their characters; that thought makes me larf.

Perdita

 

[Boxlicker101]

Generally speaking, the stories are fiction, and don't necessarily reflect the author's opinion. However, if the characters in a story always express certain opinions, I might get the impression that the opinions are also those of the author. In my case, most of my stories are about the adventures of George Boxlicker and I think of him as being something of an alter-ego. I wish I had the kind of life that he leads, and all the opinions that he expresses exactly reflect mine. If people judge me based on what George Boxlicker says and does, then they judge me accurately.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=207952MySmut

 

[Guest]

This is a very interesting topic, and something I've thought a lot about. My comments here are in relation to writing broader than that found on Lit.

I agree with what most others have said here about writing being an art form, and authors using that medium through which to express themselves. The ideas they pen come from within them, but, for the majority of authors, those ideas merely come from their very fertile imaginations, not from any wish or desire to act out the storyline (whatever that may be) for real.

I would never negatively judge anyone with regard to anything they've written, unless it included completely gratuitous violence, ie violence written in for violence's sake, which doesn't move the plot forward or build on the development of the characters. I enjoy reading violent, horrific short stories and novels, but only if well written and the violence condusive to the plot.

With regard to whether authors of horror, for example, are potential psychopaths, just because they write about such people, I don't believe it for one minute, and I know it not to be true. Horror authors, at least those that I know and know anything about on a personal level, are some of the most normal, down to earth, well adjusted people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. I could argue that because they get channel their anger and aggression into what they write, in their real lives they are soft pussycats. They are certainly the friendliest breed of author I know. Perhaps they're just luring me into a false sense of security, who knows?

Lou

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Rhino, explain. Perdita

 

[Guest]

 

[dr_mabeuse]

What's up Doc,

You really split this question didn't you. I think I will do my comparison on you since you bring up the topic.

I know you have written an incest story (it was rather good) I also know your stand on incest from posts here. At least a fair assumption.

For the record, I don't recall ever having written an incest story. I'm not philosophically opposed to writing one, it's just that the subject has no appeal for me. So unless my memory fails me (which is entirely possible), you have me mixed up with someone else.

---dr.M.

 

[McKenna]

.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Sheesh, Rhino. By "personal" I meant personal re. the author, not my personal/subjective feelings about them (whoever they are in RL).

Yes, I love Shakespeare, I think all sorts of subjective things about him, and I "feel" real feelings about "Shakespeare" but I never met the man so I can't possibly make a personal judgement about him. Nor about anyone on Lit. that I haven't had personal(ized) relations with. If I say you are stupid it's not personal, it can't be. There is nothing personal about anything we've ever posted to each other, not even this post. So I resent your flippant comments.

It's all empty words until there's a personal connection. Just to be clear, we have none.

Perdita

 

[Wills]

McK's

Is this possibly something to do with a written work being static, like a painting or sculpture. I have lost count of the number of times I have heard the expression 'What was the Artist thinking when they did this'.

You don't hear the same thing applied to Singers, Actors or Musicians.

Is it the form of expression that turns the question back on the writer?

Are we generally afraid of asking the reader/observer how the work moved them emotionally?

Will's

 

[Guest]

 

[McKenna]

.

 

[Wills]

McK's

Sorry if I confused, I used 'static' purely in relation to the printed page, (or painting/sculpture). Any thing 'performed' seems to elicit a different level of questioning directed to the performer(s).

I agree with your final paragraph, society appears to shun the emotional in many and varied aspects. In men the emotional is often viewed as a weakness, I suppose that is one reason why men 'shut down' in emotional discussions.

How many times have we heard the flippant remark addressed at a woman, 'Oh your just being emotional', treating the feeling as of no consequence. Perhaps that is why we find it so difficult to ask others how a written work moves them emotionally, we asking them to describe a reaction that is demeaned by and to both sexes.

Erotic/Porn is unique in the physiological capacity to 'move', I have been trying to think of another form of expression that produces a similar totality of sensation - without success. Unless of course it is a real stimulation.

Will's