The Uniqueness of Stories

[The_Misplaced_Gypsy]

I have to say that I love some of the original stories that I have found on this site. I also, however, have to say that a lot of the stories that I have read are "cookie-cutter" and tend to get VERY boring. Its the same thing, the same thing, the same thing over and over again.

Sister sleeps with brother. Brother mistakes the identity of someone in a costume and they turn out to be his sister, mother, cousin, etc. etc. etc.

Specially when it comes to Halloween stories. You know, if we were all alike, looked alike, dressed alike, sound alike, eat alike, and so on that this world would be a VERY BORING PLACE. I am so sorry but common sense tells you that if a brother and sister grew up together, they will recognize each other's voice. Its like in the Green Lantern Movie.

Quoted:
Carol Ferris: Hal?
Green Lantern: Miss?
Carol Ferris: Hal? Oh, my G...! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Hal!
Green Lantern: How did you know it was me?
Carol Ferris: What do you mean? I've known you my whole life! I've seen you naked! You don't think I would recognize you because I can't see your cheekbones?

Anyone that has known anyone for a number of years would be able to know who they are within a few moments, if not then they were never paying attention to them in the first place.. sooo sad. I mean you can tell you know someone even without them saying a thing just by how they carry themselves.

Now lets revisit the Halloween Stories. Halloween is deep with the spiritual, macabre, blood, gore, death and both happiness and sadness. A time of both Tricks and Treats where spooky and sexy can go hand and hand with grim and gore. If you cannot think outside of the normal box then you need to work on your imagination. Grant you, I do not write stories on here yet, but I know a good story when I read one or hear one if they are being read to me.

I apologies if I have offended anyone, that was not my intention but if you call yourself a creative writer, then write CREATIVELY.



The Misplaced Gypsy
Do what you love and love what you do.

 

[Stella_Omega]

You have to admit, there are only a few plots available for such a constricted genre as Incest.

Try Science Fiction/Fantasy. Perhaps your need for variety may be appeased thereby.

 

[PennLady]

Sometimes it's not so much what the plot is but how it's done. I agree with Stella, though, in that some categories seem simply to be a bit more restrictive than others by nature.

Whatever kind of story you'd like to read, I'd bet it's here somewhere.

 

[njlauren]

You have to admit, there are only a few plots available for such a constricted genre as Incest.

Try Science Fiction/Fantasy. Perhaps your need for variety may be appeased thereby.

Ya mean like guy goes back in time, falls in love with his grandmother, they have mad, passionate sex, she gets knocked up, marries the 'real' grandad.....and the guy can sing "I'm my own grand-pah"

Or even better, person is a trannie, goes back in time, and seduces and has sex with 'their old self'....does that count as incest, screwing oneself?

 

[sun_sea_sky]

Now lets revisit the Halloween Stories. Halloween is deep with the spiritual, macabre, blood, gore, death and both happiness and sadness. A time of both Tricks and Treats where spooky and sexy can go hand and hand with grim and gore. If you cannot think outside of the normal box then you need to work on your imagination

I did a Halloween story about someone's wife returning from the grave. Unfortunately I did a pretty bad job of it. However I recommend Hallowed Eve by sleeplessgurl who did something along slightly similar lines, much better.

In neither story was there a "hey, wait, aren't you my sister?" moment.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ya mean like guy goes back in time, falls in love with his grandmother, they have mad, passionate sex, she gets knocked up, marries the 'real' grandad.....and the guy can sing "I'm my own grand-pah"

Or even better, person is a trannie, goes back in time, and seduces and has sex with 'their old self'....does that count as incest, screwing oneself?

I dunno, I hardly ever read het porn. It bores me, when it isn't creeping me out. Even when Heinlein gets his jackoff all over time travel., it's still just another dude jacking off...


For me, scifi is 'Woman has a tentacled symbiont implanted in her pussy and becomes famous for it in ways no one ever expected.'

Or 'Young Earth Lieutenant is kidnapped by the chief of an alien race who doesn't like the way the earthman's commanding officers treat the kid'

Or 'Internet trolls turn out to actually BE trolls- communicating from several million years in the past, in the hopes of helping some earth kids win the game that will otherwise destroy this universe the way the troll's universe was destroyed when they lost their game.'

 

[lovecraft68]

I have to say that I love some of the original stories that I have found on this site. I also, however, have to say that a lot of the stories that I have read are "cookie-cutter" and tend to get VERY boring. Its the same thing, the same thing, the same thing over and over again.

Sister sleeps with brother. Brother mistakes the identity of someone in a costume and they turn out to be his sister, mother, cousin, etc. etc. etc.

Specially when it comes to Halloween stories. You know, if we were all alike, looked alike, dressed alike, sound alike, eat alike, and so on that this world would be a VERY BORING PLACE. I am so sorry but common sense tells you that if a brother and sister grew up together, they will recognize each other's voice. Its like in the Green Lantern Movie.

Quoted:
Carol Ferris: Hal?
Green Lantern: Miss?
Carol Ferris: Hal? Oh, my G...! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Hal!
Green Lantern: How did you know it was me?
Carol Ferris: What do you mean? I've known you my whole life! I've seen you naked! You don't think I would recognize you because I can't see your cheekbones?

Anyone that has known anyone for a number of years would be able to know who they are within a few moments, if not then they were never paying attention to them in the first place.. sooo sad. I mean you can tell you know someone even without them saying a thing just by how they carry themselves.

Now lets revisit the Halloween Stories. Halloween is deep with the spiritual, macabre, blood, gore, death and both happiness and sadness. A time of both Tricks and Treats where spooky and sexy can go hand and hand with grim and gore. If you cannot think outside of the normal box then you need to work on your imagination. Grant you, I do not write stories on here yet, but I know a good story when I read one or hear one if they are being read to me.

I apologies if I have offended anyone, that was not my intention but if you call yourself a creative writer, then write CREATIVELY.



The Misplaced Gypsy
Do what you love and love what you do.

I was picking on the costume cliche early this month. As Stella stated how the hell would a bother not recognize his sister's voice? Unless of course one was tricking the other.

If you want a different type of incest story read my Siblings with Benefits series. How good it is would be up to you, but I will say you will not find another series like it. Be warned however, the sex is hardcore BDSM and there's a lot of depressing story lines running through

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The OP is correct. Ninety-nine percent of LIT stories are deja-vu all over again, kittens on the keyboard.

 

[autoplot]

You know what else isn't original? Lecturing people to "write a BETTER story" without offering any unique ideas of your own. It's also easy and lazy.

You want more original stories, lead by example or shut the fuck up, please.

 

[lovecraft68]

You know what else isn't original? Lecturing people to "write a BETTER story" without offering any unique ideas of your own. It's also easy and lazy.

You want more original stories, lead by example or shut the fuck up, please.

Well, hey, at least you said please.

 

[MSTarot]

You know what else isn't original? Lecturing people to "write a BETTER story" without offering any unique ideas of your own. It's also easy and lazy.

You want more original stories, lead by example or shut the fuck up, please.

Lovely. When she reads this I'm going to be hearing about this shit all night. Just what I needed a pissed off gypsy


Thank you. ( please read in the sarcasm)

 

[MSTarot]

If you cannot think outside of the normal box then you need to work on your imagination.

How can I think outside the box? You wont take the tape off!

Love you my wicked gypsy

M.S.Tarot

 

[lovecraft68]

Lovely. When she reads this I'm going to be hearing about this shit all night. Just what I needed a pissed off gypsy


Thank you. ( please read in the sarcasm)

Let me pass on some advice about husbands/wives on lit.

Stay off each others threads. Don't post on the same threads and never take lit to bed with you.

 

[MSTarot]

and never take lit to bed with you.

Of course not... the computer would be way to cold. I would roll over and get a keyboard in my side. One of us would end up with the mouse cord wrapped around something.


She and I have been together for 13 years. One of our biggest arguments was over how you fold towels. Grin.

It's all good.

M.S.Tarot

 

[bashfullyshameless]

I apologies if I have offended anyone, that was not my intention but if you call yourself a creative writer, then write CREATIVELY.

Dear Gypsy,

Two things. First, if you are going to offer constructive criticism, then please be constructive and not destructive. You may have noticed that no one here is paid for their effort. The authors on this site place their work in the public eye at their own risk, and are often poorly treated for it. Don't add to that.

You do not cough up any money for the stories available on this site. Please do not address the authors here as if they owe you something, and moreover, please don't address them in such a degrading tone.

Secondly, as has been noted, it's always easy to criticize but it's harder to actually get up and do better. If you feel you know how to do this, then by all means, step up and show us.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

You know what else isn't original? Lecturing people to "write a BETTER story" without offering any unique ideas of your own. It's also easy and lazy.

You want more original stories, lead by example or shut the fuck up, please.

That aint how it works, dipstick.

If I go out to eat, and the food sux, I aint gotta go in their kitchen and show them how to do nuthin. If the free tv show eats shit, I dont gotta watch it. I dont gotta read your crappy tale, either.

The other thing is, almost no one on LIT accepts criticism of any kind. Almost every LIT writer hides behind ignorant snobbery such as you exhibit. When your stories suck, they suck. What LIT writers dont know is how to recognize when their stuff stinks.

LIT aint Valley Forge, and your stuff aint selfless sacrifice for the American Way and Mom.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Dear Gypsy,

Two things. First, if you are going to offer constructive criticism, then please be constructive and not destructive. You may have noticed that no one here is paid for their effort. The authors on this site place their work in the public eye at their own risk, and are often poorly treated for it. Don't add to that.

You do not cough up any money for the stories available on this site. Please do not address the authors here as if they owe you something, and moreover, please don't address them in such a degrading tone.

Secondly, as has been noted, it's always easy to criticize but it's harder to actually get up and do better. If you feel you know how to do this, then by all means, step up and show us.

Dear Reader

Here we have anuther conceited halfwit who thinks we should rub our bellies, smack our lips, and roll our eyes when he cooks up a free shit-burger. He demands BETTER but prolly wont recognize it. He's a Special Olympian with crutches.

 

[The_Misplaced_Gypsy]

How can I think outside the box? You wont take the tape off!

Love you my wicked gypsy

M.S.Tarot

You keep that up and I will start stacking stones on your box..
=P

 

[The_Misplaced_Gypsy]

Secondly, as has been noted, it's always easy to criticize but it's harder to actually get up and do better. If you feel you know how to do this, then by all means, step up and show us.

Okay. Not a problem.

 

[TimothyM]

Let's look at the Gypsy's critical comments rationally, instead of getting all defensive, shall we ?

First of all she makes a general statement about there being too few original stories and too many which are boring because they are too alike (I'm making assumptions here, because I'm not quite sure what she means by 'cookie-cutter').

I have to say that I love some of the original stories that I have found on this site. I also, however, have to say that a lot of the stories that I have read are "cookie-cutter" and tend to get VERY boring. Its the same thing, the same thing, the same thing over and over again.

Secondly, she suddenly narrows it down to Incest - and this makes me unsure whether the first part was mainly directed at the fact that Incest/Taboo is one of the biggest and most popular categories on Lit.

Next she goes on to criticize the stories in the Halloween theme for being unimaginative and not creative enough. Though I suppose urging writers to be more creative (at the end of the post) can be taken to apply to all kinds of categories and themes and stories.

And finally there is the matter about whether it is OK to criticize if you are 'just' a reader, or you are only allowed to do so, if you are a writer (and can do it better yourself). A trap gypsy falls into by admitting she hasn't got stories on Lit (yet).

So I suggest, we address those issues separately in our posts - that is if we actually want to have a discussion about this subject on AH. Although somehow I have the feeling that all the issues have probably been debated several times

Interestingly enough it is the last matter that finally gets people going. Although the first few posts are about the possible restrictions of certain categories, including Incest, and then there are posts relating to the Halloween theme, before we get sidetracked a bit. Only one post relates directly to the first statement about the sameness of Lit stories.

I'm not able to give any opinion about Incest stories or the sameness of Halloween stories, and I'm certainly not going to fall into the trap of discussing whether it is OK to criticize the quality of stories as a reader on a free erotica site. Though I do feel that it probably depends on the quality of the criticism offered.

And it's hard to say something intelligent about the first statement, because either you can say: yes a lot of the stories are not very original, and some of them are not very well written, but there is also briliant and creative stuff on Lit, and part of the fun is to find those stories (often with the help of comments from other readers or scores or contests). Or I suppose you can disagree and say that even if a lot of the stories are alike, so what - just means there is always another story to read in the category / variety that you enjoy as a reader, instead of having to read the same stories again and again (which can get boring in the end, no matter how original brilliant they are).

So I think that my conclusion has to be that I'm not offended by gypsy's initial post and I applaud the idea of wanting to start a discussion about quality of stories on Lit in principle. But I think you would have had more luck if you had done it differently. And in order for this to be contructive criticism, here are my suggestions.
Don't mix general and specific issues:
1) The part about the Halloween theme would have done better in the official contest thread, where people expect to discuss this issue (and are already doing so).
2) Equally if you want to discuss the sameness of stories within a specific category, find an appropiate thread. I'm sure there are plenty where the incest angle is dealt with, try asking LC.

Be more specific and give examples in your general criticism:
a) explain precisely what kind of sameness you are annoyed about.
(here it is OK to say that you think that theme contest stories like Halloween are too often based on the same plot, or that incest stories are alike in xxxx, if that was what you were trying to say in the original post. Sorry if I'm making wrong assumptions here. It's even OK to say that you think that there are too many stories of a specific kind, but I think you won't get very far with that, because the obvisous answer is: just ignore those categories as there are plenty of other stories to read.)
b) expanding on the advice in a, you could also specify whether you get annoyed by both sameness in plot and in descriptions (of sex, characters, setting etc).
(e.g. I sometimes feel that a lot of writers in GM follow the same recipe on how M/M sex works, or there is some sort of unspoken convention on this, and I wonder if they have read the same book or 'original' story or just copy each other.)
c) cite examples of original and creative stories and writers that you like and admire, as well as examples of the not so good work.
d) if at all possible try to give suggestions for possible improvements in specific cases.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Let's look at the Gypsy's critical comments rationally, instead of getting all defensive, shall we ?

First of all she makes a general statement about there being too few original stories and too many which are boring because they are too alike (I'm making assumptions here, because I'm not quite sure what she means by 'cookie-cutter').



Secondly, she suddenly narrows it down to Incest - and this makes me unsure whether the first part was mainly directed at the fact that Incest/Taboo is one of the biggest and most popular categories on Lit.

Next she goes on to criticize the stories in the Halloween theme for being unimaginative and not creative enough. Though I suppose urging writers to be more creative (at the end of the post) can be taken to apply to all kinds of categories and themes and stories.

And finally there is the matter about whether it is OK to criticize if you are 'just' a reader, or you are only allowed to do so, if you are a writer (and can do it better yourself). A trap gypsy falls into by admitting she hasn't got stories on Lit (yet).

So I suggest, we address those issues separately in our posts - that is if we actually want to have a discussion about this subject on AH. Although somehow I have the feeling that all the issues have probably been debated several times

Interestingly enough it is the last matter that finally gets people going. Although the first few posts are about the possible restrictions of certain categories, including Incest, and then there are posts relating to the Halloween theme, before we get sidetracked a bit. Only one post relates directly to the first statement about the sameness of Lit stories.

I'm not able to give any opinion about Incest stories or the sameness of Halloween stories, and I'm certainly not going to fall into the trap of discussing whether it is OK to criticize the quality of stories as a reader on a free erotica site. Though I do feel that it probably depends on the quality of the criticism offered.

And it's hard to say something intelligent about the first statement, because either you can say: yes a lot of the stories are not very original, and some of them are not very well written, but there is also briliant and creative stuff on Lit, and part of the fun is to find those stories (often with the help of comments from other readers or scores or contests). Or I suppose you can disagree and say that even if a lot of the stories are alike, so what - just means there is always another story to read in the category / variety that you enjoy as a reader, instead of having to read the same stories again and again (which can get boring in the end, no matter how original brilliant they are).

So I think that my conclusion has to be that I'm not offended by gypsy's initial post and I applaud the idea of wanting to start a discussion about quality of stories on Lit in principle. But I think you would have had more luck if you had done it differently. And in order for this to be contructive criticism, here are my suggestions.
Don't mix general and specific issues:
1) The part about the Halloween theme would have done better in the official contest thread, where people expect to discuss this issue (and are already doing so).
2) Equally if you want to discuss the sameness of stories within a specific category, find an appropiate thread. I'm sure there are plenty where the incest angle is dealt with, try asking LC.

Be more specific and give examples in your general criticism:
a) explain precisely what kind of sameness you are annoyed about.
(here it is OK to say that you think that theme contest stories like Halloween are too often based on the same plot, or that incest stories are alike in xxxx, if that was what you were trying to say in the original post. Sorry if I'm making wrong assumptions here. It's even OK to say that you think that there are too many stories of a specific kind, but I think you won't get very far with that, because the obvisous answer is: just ignore those categories as there are plenty of other stories to read.)
b) expanding on the advice in a, you could also specify whether you get annoyed by both sameness in plot and in descriptions (of sex, characters, setting etc).
(e.g. I sometimes feel that a lot of writers in GM follow the same recipe on how M/M sex works, or there is some sort of unspoken convention on this, and I wonder if they have read the same book or 'original' story or just copy each other.)
c) cite examples of original and creative stories and writers that you like and admire, as well as examples of the not so good work.
d) if at all possible try to give suggestions for possible improvements in specific cases.

Dear Reader

Let me translate what he posted.

Critics are responsible for LIT writers feelings. Criticism is an insult to LIT T-ball authors, cuz all authors are guaranteed high-fives and backpats.

 

[TxRad]

Dear Reader

Let me translate what he posted.

Critics are responsible for LIT writers feelings. Criticism is an insult to LIT T-ball authors, cuz all authors are guaranteed high-fives and backpats.

Let me translate what he posted.

JBJ is our pet troll who appears to read a lot but has nothing posted here on Lit or anywhere else that anyone can find. If you can't write then you become a critic and a troll like him.

 

[TimothyM]

Critics are responsible for LIT writers feelings. Criticism is an insult to LIT T-ball authors, cuz all authors are guaranteed high-fives and backpats.

I hope most readers are able to read and understand for themselves, what I meant - which for sure was NOT anything like the above. Quite the contrary believe it or not.

Actually your posts on this thread were the ones I agreed with most, I just didn't want to say so, for obvious reasons (see post above by TxRad).

And a post which qoutes a very long post unnecessarily (forcing people to scroll and using up space for no reason) is also stupid.

 

[lovecraft68]

I apologies if I have offended anyone, that was not my intention but if you call yourself a creative writer, then write CREATIVELY.

A bit easier said than done. Look around you, look at movies. Almost every movie out there is a "cookie cuter" in its genre or a flat out remake. Especially in horror where in the case of "The Thing" they are remaking Carpenter's remake of the 50's classic.

Halloween, Friday the 13th they all just keep coming back, people are out of ideas. And don;t get me started on television where all it has become is ridiculous reality shows.

Point is, is that we are writing stories in a genre that although has an endless amount of kinks, each kink has its Tropes and people like them.

In fact in erotica see what happens when you give them twists. They react poorly.

THEY WANT the bother/sister mistaken identity cliche. THEY WANT every wife to fuck all her husbands friends. THEY WANT every 18 year old virgin to lose her virginity in gang bang.

So in some agreement with JBJ many authors are obsessed with their scores and H's and will not stray from the path of successful tropes. Ask Larasscasse what you get when you go for different.

That being said I've gone with a blend. I give them what they want in incest, but take the reader down a different path to get there. Incest as many have sais is a hard category to make "plausible" I like the challenge and my feedback and scores tell me I'm up for it.

Speaking of challenges. On the statement that I quoted from you?

Show us. I'm not being sarcastic, but that is my nature. You make some bold statements and I'm not taking them personally, but I say all the time talk is cheap.

So show us what you got and be creative yourself. I'll be happy to check it out.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Let me translate what he posted.

JBJ is our pet troll who appears to read a lot but has nothing posted here on Lit or anywhere else that anyone can find. If you can't write then you become a critic and a troll like him.

TEX is my pervert twin brother.