This Is Hard to Believe

[Boxlicker101]

Two of my three most recent submissions are Parts 1 and 2 of a romance. I have always believed that romances don't get much action but these two sure are. Part 1 has been posted just under 48 hours, since 9PM, PDT on Sept. 9, and has 83 votes and seven PC, besides several emails to me. Part 2 has been posted just under 24 hours, since 9PM PDT on the tenth and has 103 votes and eight PC.

I have stories that have been around over four years and don't get that much attention.

 

[glynndah]

Perhaps they're planning on participating in that Russian Day of Conception (other thread) and want to get in the mood.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Well, there's always the chance this is one of those rare occassions at Lit when quality writing is being recognized. The combined fotals for the first seven chapters of the romance novel I've been posting (see sig) are lower than thos of your first chapter. That would seem a strong indicator that Lit's romance readers may be making a well-founded value judgement.

All that, and the title is great for attracting non-romance readers

I'll read both chapters tomorrow and take notes.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[knitedreams]

Perhaps it's all in the title? I had the same phenomena happen to one of my stories, albeit to a lesser extent. Whatever the reason, that's great news and no one deserves the loving attention more!

 

[Boxlicker101]

Perhaps it's all in the title? I had the same phenomena happen to one of my stories, albeit to a lesser extent. Whatever the reason, that's great news and no one deserves the loving attention more!

It could be the title, although it doesn't really sound very erotic. Still, most of my first person story names don't even sound interesting, let alone erotic. Anyhow, the PC and emails are all highly complimentary, although the voting isn't all that great.

 

[Guest]

Two of my three most recent submissions are Parts 1 and 2 of a romance. I have always believed that romances don't get much action but these two sure are. Part 1 has been posted just under 48 hours, since 9PM, PDT on Sept. 9, and has 83 votes and seven PC, besides several emails to me. Part 2 has been posted just under 24 hours, since 9PM PDT on the tenth and has 103 votes and eight PC.

I have stories that have been around over four years and don't get that much attention.

Oh come on Box, I'm hurt. Most of my stories are romance...I wouldn't be putting them there unless they got the reads. I actually recommend to people who put their novels/novellas in that cat that they resubmit to romance, there are more people willing to read a fourteen chapter story in romance than in the novel cat.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Oh come on Box, I'm hurt. Most of my stories are romance...I wouldn't be putting them there unless they got the reads. I actually recommend to people who put their novels/novellas in that cat that they resubmit to romance, there are more people willing to read a fourteen chapter story in romance than in the novel cat.

Strange you should mention that, DK. I was thinking about doing just the opposite and ask Laurel to move mine over to Novels/Novellas after all the chapters had been posted in Romance

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

Strange you should mention that, DK. I was thinking about doing just the opposite and ask Laurel to move mine over to Novels/Novellas after all the chapters had been posted in Romance

Rumple Foreskin

Why would you want to do that? I think yours has a lot of potential and a lot of ways you could take it that would make it a sensational romance story...

 

[MarshAlien]

I have to agree with knitedreams. While the story is still on the "New" list, the overwhelming majority of readers are going to be attracted by the title or the author (your loyal fans), and maybe later by the little red H. They'll look to see the category, because perhaps they wouldn't read "Donna from Day Care" if it was in, say, Gay Male, but they won't be stopped by the "Romance" label. It's not a deal-breaker, the way that Loving Wives might be, or Incest.

And it is a catchy title. It creates a picture in the minds of most readers, particularly the male ones, and as long as the picture that you create isn't too different from theirs, they'll keep reading and, ultimately, voting.

I have a couple of stories in Romance as well, and they've attracted fairly sizeable votes. The highest scoring one is a serial that I started in Sci-Fi & Fantasy (four chapters), carried into Novels and Novellas (two chapters) and ended in Romance (the last).

 

[Guest]

You wouldn't perhaps be talking about Stitch in Time would you???? I loved that story...it was actually an eight on the sighable meter.

 

[jomar]

Hmm, you all make me want to try my hand in that category. I need to learn the rules first from you guys/gals. I have a beginning of a story on the "grab 'em by the balls" exercise that I might flesh out - if I can figure out where it's supposed to go after 300 word opener, which I didn't think about.

Well done, Box.

 

[Guest]

Hmm, you all make me want to try my hand in that category. I need to learn the rules first from you guys/gals. I have a beginning of a story on the "grab 'em by the balls" exercise that I might flesh out.

The biggest thing about Romance, if you want to keep your following happy and not end up with death threats, hea's are a must. HEA=happily ever after. I mean, kill off the hero, but then kill off the heroine for a blissful reunion in death or bring him back to life somehow.

 

[MarshAlien]

You wouldn't perhaps be talking about Stitch in Time would you???? I loved that story...it was actually an eight on the sighable meter.

Aw, you're so sweet. I have to get one of those meters.

Hmm, you all make me want to try my hand in that category. I need to learn the rules first from you guys/gals. I have a beginning of a story on the "grab 'em by the balls" exercise that I might flesh out - if I can figure out where it's supposed to go after 300 word opener, which I didn't think about.

Come on down! This will help: How to Write Romance. Well, maybe not, but it might give you a laugh. Dani's right, though, when they say (you didn't know that daniellekitten was actually three different people?) that Romance readers like a nice tidy story. They like to get to the end, and go, "Awww." If you only get a two-W "Aww," you're doomed.

 

[Guest]

Aw, you're so sweet. I have to get one of those meters.




Come on down! This will help: How to Write Romance. Well, maybe not, but it might give you a laugh. Dani's right, though, when they say (you didn't know that daniellekitten was actually three different people?) that Romance readers like a nice tidy story. They like to get to the end, and go, "Awww." If you only get a two-W "Aww," you're doomed.

If I'm three different people, why the hell aren't the other two pull their weight. Dammit, I got laundry to do and dishes to do and I have to take the dogs out and make a doc appointment for Steph...find me them other two bitches, I wanna kick some Dani butt.

 

[jomar]

The biggest thing about Romance, if you want to keep your following happy and not end up with death threats, hea's are a must. HEA=happily ever after. I mean, kill off the hero, but then kill off the heroine for a blissful reunion in death or bring him back to life somehow.

Thanks Dani, I was hoping you'd give me a pointer. I like HEA's.

Come on down! This will help: How to Write Romance. Well, maybe not, but it might give you a laugh. Dani's right, though, when they say (you didn't know that daniellekitten was actually three different people?) that Romance readers like a nice tidy story. They like to get to the end, and go, "Awww." If you only get a two-W "Aww," you're doomed.

Excellent link with good advice from a quality author. So an HEA ending with the couple safely reunited and laughing by the glowing fireplace playing with their new puppy while it snows outside. That should get the extra "w" right? Thanks, Marsh, and good luck in the "grab 'em." Lord knows, I'll need it with the authors who submitted.

 

[MarshAlien]

If I'm three different people, why the hell aren't the other two pull their weight. Dammit, I got laundry to do and dishes to do and I have to take the dogs out and make a doc appointment for Steph...find me them other two bitches, I wanna kick some Dani butt.

See, from my point of view, that last sentence has one too many "ck's" in it, and one too few "ss's." So when those other two do show up, you come on over here for some snuggling.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Oh come on Box, I'm hurt. Most of my stories are romance...I wouldn't be putting them there unless they got the reads. I actually recommend to people who put their novels/novellas in that cat that they resubmit to romance, there are more people willing to read a fourteen chapter story in romance than in the novel cat.

Well, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, DK, but my own romance stories haven't gotten much action, nor have many of those in the top list. If you check that list, you will see some with between 200 and 300 and some with just enough to rate an H. I don't know about the numbers of views.

Counting these two, I have five stories in the category. Two of them were entries in Valenstine Day contests. The other one has 16 votes, 11,998 views and one PC in four years. The contest entries have more, but not as many as stories in most categories.

I do have some fans, although I have no idea how many. I get emails from them, usually anon., telling me how much they enjoy my stories and how they want me to keep writing more. Of course, mostly they just read my smut, because that is what I mostly write, although this two part story is different from that.

I don't have any novels posted. I do have two novellas, but they are just longer stroke stories. When I write romance, at least now, I try to have some character development and a plot.

ETA: A lot of the feedback is telling me to add more chapters. I might do that, but I consider the story as having been told. There is no "Happily ever after" written, but I think I said enough that any reader would make that assumption.

 

[Guest]

Well, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, DK, but my own romance stories haven't gotten much action, nor have many of those in the top list. If you check that list, you will see some with between 200 and 300 and some with just enough to rate an H. I don't know about the numbers of views.

Counting these two, I have five stories in the category. Two of them were entries in Valenstine Day contests. The other one has 16 votes, 11,998 views and one PC in four years. The contest entries have more, but not as many as stories in most categories.

I do have some fans, although I have no idea how many. I get emails from them, usually anon., telling me how much they enjoy my stories and how they want me to keep writing more. Of course, mostly they just read my smut, because that is what I mostly write, although this two part story is different from that.

I don't have any novels posted. I do have two novellas, but they are just longer stroke stories. When I write romance, at least now, I try to have some character development and a plot.

ETA: A lot of the feedback is telling me to add more chapters. I might do that, but I consider the story as having been told. There is no "Happily ever after" written, but I think I said enough that any reader would make that assumption.

Hmm, I guess that's what I get for ignoring top lists. I just usually write what I like.

By the by, congrats on being a great grandpa, though I bet you've been one of those for years, at least the great part.

 

[knitedreams]

I know I'm not considered an expert with the few stories I've written. In fact, I don't get that many comments, but the few readers who do comment say they're drawn to my stories because of the realism.

I read your story and, not only is it very well written, the characters are very realistic who are placed in a realistic situation. It's easy for a reader to identify with them. To add onto the comment that I made earlier: You're success could be a combination of the title and the realism.

 

[MarshAlien]

I think it's a combination of your title and your opening warning:

To regular readers of my raunchy stories: Bless you, and I hope there are many of you, but please be advised: There is no sex in this chapter, except a reference to what led to the divorce of one of the protagonists. The second one will have a fair amount, as he and his female counterpart make up for lost time. If you just want to read smut, you might prefer to skip this part, but the final part may not make much sense if you do.

Romance readers love the idea that you might have reformed. And when they find out, in part 2, that you haven't, they're already hooked on the story.

See? Problem solved.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I know I'm not considered an expert with the few stories I've written. In fact, I don't get that many comments, but the few readers who do comment say they're drawn to my stories because of the realism.

I read your story and, not only is it very well written, the characters are very realistic who are placed in a realistic situation. It's easy for a reader to identify with them. To add onto the comment that I made earlier: You're success could be a combination of the title and the realism.

Thanks for the compliment, and I hope you're right. I did put a fair amount of effort into making it realistic. Even when I got to the sexy part, I tried to make it fairly realistic. That is not really a thing I usually do.

By the way, I mentioned two out of three stories. The third is strictly stroke, like most of what I write. I submitted another story since then, and it is also smut. Don't worry, I haven't reformed.