To Tell You the Truth.......?

[Jen_fla]

I originally posed this question on the Playground board but it quickly got lost amongst the word and numbers games over there. So I thought I'd try it here

I'll get back to the title of this thread in a bit, but for now, here's my deal.
I've been lurking around these parts for a while. I'm finding it entertaining. I've read some pretty good stories. There are some talented authors, and there are definitely some hacks.

Anyhow, I decided to have a go at writing something erotic, figuring it wouldn't be all that tough. After about 2 weeks and 25 paragraphs, I made a fascinating discovery - as a writer, I'm one of the hacks. And I mean really bad. I made my husband read it and he just shook his head in pity.

He did have a suggestion however. Why don't I write an actual experience I had a couple of months ago. I told him it was a dumb idea because noone would want to read something where no actual sex took place. But he reminded me that it had turned out to be inadvertantly erotic for me, and when I related the event to him that he had found it equally so. Okay - that's true enough.

I've been rolling it around in my head for a few days and find that I have great clarity about the things that happened and the things that were said. And the conversations are truly the gist of what occured.

It would be written with some humor, as that's how things seemed to me. And that's how I view the world, frankly, with a rather wry and sardonic point of view.

I have two questions then. Would the sort of thing I've described be of any interest to anyone?

If the answer to that is yes, where would I post it? It seems to me that there would be a place to relate actual life experiences, someplace other than the fiction areas. Would it belong under story feedback, story discussion circle, story ideas, where do you think?

Thanks in advance to anyone who will try to lend an assist here.

Okay, I'm done - talking too much as usual.
Does a truth-telling place exist? And if not, shouldn't it?
Any thoughts?

 

[sr71plt]

By all means write it up as a story and submit it. And it would be best not to identify it as the "truth."

This is something that amuses me in some of my stories and a lot in my mainstream writings. I include some actual experiences from time to time and sometimes critics and reviewers say that these were the unbelievable parts. Real life can sometimes be more interesting than fiction.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

So you expect the truth from a bunch of authors of fiction?

And while some are upstanding citizens there are those here who do nothing but lie about themselves all the time.

 

[sr71plt]

Yep, one of the great amusements around here is to tell the truth about your past and have it doubted. I take that as evidence of who actually has had an interesting life--and who hasn't.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I can't write true erotic tales (and not just because I am so inexperienced). It never comes out being as fun as the actual event. I'm much better at crafting fiction.

 

[JackLuis]

Another way to look at it, is that you can 'embellish' fiction. The truth is never as good as the personal experience, because you can't put all the various stimulants in a story.

I saw a woman today, 30'sish, tight jeans, filling her gas guzzling SUV. It was a beautiful day after the fog burned off and I was feeling happy about that and tried not to think about Rioting in Egypt, the Looming Debt Crisis and politics, I was just enjoying a respite from the fog.

She was slim and ginger haired, I wondered if she shaved today?

 

[DeeZire]

....It seems to me that there would be a place to relate actual life experiences, someplace other than the fiction areas. Would it belong under story feedback, story discussion circle, story ideas, where do you think?...

Since many LIT stories are told as if they were actual life experiences, I don't see why you couldn't just submit your story in the "erotic encounters" category, (or in whatever category applies.) Many readers assume the stories are true, as evidenced by the comments at the end of most Loving Wives stories where the authors are berated for allowing their wives to screw around.

Personally, I like to see an author's note at the top of the story indicating that it's based on real life. I'd much rather read about a housewife who accidentally flashes the neighbor while she's walking out of her bathroom than read about an idealized housewife who struts out of the bathroom with her 36d tits jiggling and has wild (and perfect) sex with the neighbor during which they both climax at the same time. The former is exciting, the latter is boring and predictable.

For a "truth-telling place," google "confessions". You'll find some pretty wild stuff, most of it with an aura of authenticity that is sorely lacking in the standard LIT fare. It would be cool if LIT had a "confessions" category, but how would you weed out the fiction from the nonfiction?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Most LIT writers are troglodytes, incapable of profiting from anything that isnt wank fodder, but others may benefit from your tale.

 

[oggbashan]

... Personally, I like to see an author's note at the top of the story indicating that it's based on real life.

... It would be cool if LIT had a "confessions" category, but how would you weed out the fiction from the nonfiction?

When I see such an author's note my normal reaction is "I don't believe you".

Weed out fiction from non-fiction? You can't. Not even in the Biography section of a library, and certainly not in politicians' Autobiography. Even the 'auto' bit can be a lie because a ghost writer was used.

Og

 

[vrosej10]

By all means write it up as a story and submit it. And it would be best not to identify it as the "truth."

This is something that amuses me in some of my stories and a lot in my mainstream writings. I include some actual experiences from time to time and sometimes critics and reviewers say that these were the unbelievable parts. Real life can sometimes be more interesting than fiction.

I actually write erotic poetry that occassionally pays. You know what gets me? People think erotica writers must do everything they write about??!! That don't expect science fictions writers to fly around in space ships!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Erotic writers oughta do what they write about, otherwise its BS.

 

[vrosej10]

Erotic writers oughta do what they write about, otherwise its BS.

Then you could only write about masturbation then?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Then you could only write about masturbation then?

OMG! Youre my ex, Exasperella Crabtree!

I heard you were training soldiers how to do without sex if theyre captured.

 

[vrosej10]

OMG! Youre my ex, Exasperella Crabtree!

I heard you were training soldiers how to do without sex if theyre captured.

Fuck that's funny. If you actually knew me, you'd know that I am the LAST person you'd ask for advice on that. I DO NOT tolerate personal celibacy. I am a veritable nympho and not nice to live with if I don't get it regular. I'm just a bitch to you, cause you're a dog.

 

[sr71plt]

When I see such an author's note my normal reaction is "I don't believe you".

Bingo. And then I would have that running through my head instead of concentrating on the story. So, when I see that author's note, I click out of the story.

 

[estragon]

Which Is Why he Has Never Posted Anything

Most LIT writers are troglodytes, incapable of profiting from anything that isnt wank fodder, but others may benefit from your tale.

Which Is Why he Has Never Posted Anything. There, I said it again.

 

[estragon]

Jen, Just Do It

Jen, write the story, true or false, good, bad or ugly. Submit it. Take your lumps (believe me, there'll be plenty who will hand them out, free, gratis and for nothing). If you are so moved, write another, and then another. One may be praised by a writer you really admire; I got one such, and it made all the dings and cheap shots disappear. Play quarterback; throw the damn football and let the linebackers try to decapitate you. Get up cussing, go back to the huddle, forget the pain and call another play. Then, one day, you'll throw the bomb that will stick it to all of them.

 

[Jen_fla]

Wow. I was hoping for maybe 2 or 3 responses, but not this. Thanks all of you for taking the time.

And yes, there was some good advice here. After reading through the comments, I realized I shouldn't have even needed to ask the whole Is it true thing.

As a reader, seeing IT'S TRUE, IT"S TRUE in bright red letters would make me immediately skeptical. If I even bothered to read it, I'd be checking every word, comma and phrase to see if they seemed authentic.

So, once it's written I'll submit it and let it stand or fall on its own. And I'm prepared for any slings and arrows that come my way - I'm pretty thick skinned. Whether anyone else enjoys it, I'll enjoy writing it, and my husband will enjoy reading it.

In any event, I think a few readers might perceive it as a real event, especially since no one in the story gets diddled, jerked, fingered or sucked. It's just me being my charming and lovable self.

Thanks again everyone. If you happen to read it when it goes up, throw some feedback my way if you want.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Which Is Why he Has Never Posted Anything. There, I said it again.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27851

Heres a tale for you. Your autobiography?

Have a homophobic Christmas,
Its a scary time of year;
Santas lap could be a trap
If he turns out to be queer.

 

[cullowheekid]

Wow. I was hoping for maybe 2 or 3 responses, but not this. Thanks all of you for taking the time.

And yes, there was some good advice here. After reading through the comments, I realized I shouldn't have even needed to ask the whole Is it true thing.

As a reader, seeing IT'S TRUE, IT"S TRUE in bright red letters would make me immediately skeptical. If I even bothered to read it, I'd be checking every word, comma and phrase to see if they seemed authentic.

So, once it's written I'll submit it and let it stand or fall on its own. And I'm prepared for any slings and arrows that come my way - I'm pretty thick skinned. Whether anyone else enjoys it, I'll enjoy writing it, and my husband will enjoy reading it.

In any event, I think a few readers might perceive it as a real event, especially since no one in the story gets diddled, jerked, fingered or sucked. It's just me being my charming and lovable self.

Thanks again everyone. If you happen to read it when it goes up, throw some feedback my way if you want.

it would be nice to know that its true, but as long as you believe its true its the same fantasy!