We could all learn something from SamuelX

[lovecraft68]

Even though its always been discussed here, it seems there's more threads now about one bombs and bad comments and ratings and locking in ratings and crying about 4.8's that are now only 4.7's. This leads to the same comments, arguments, suggestions etc...

I was drifting around lit and saw the name SamuelX, and it struck me that this is the man many here could do with modeling themselves after.

Samuel X has been around here forever, he has over 3700 stories and is the most prolific author on Literotica. This is a link to his stories

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=371839&page=submissions

Not only is there not one red H, I'm not sure if he even has a 4. His aggregate score is most likely under 3. 3700 stories and not a good score to be found, high percentage of his comments tell him his stories are crap.

This is because this man writes with less than zero fucks given. This guy has so much apathy he makes me look like I give a shit. He writes what he wants and how he wants, and TBH his stories are offensive for a lot of reasons, and again, he doesn't care. Even in this pathetic era of the professionally outraged the man does his thing and his stories are his and a middle finger to anyone who doesn't like it.

He rarely pops in on the boards, but that's the point, is he here complaining? Whining about trolls? Nope, the legend just keeps churning out stories at an insane clip and hasn't change from day one. Which is another thing, he's not here telling us all how many stories he has(like someone else) because how many stories he has is as meaningless to him as his scores.

In this respect the guy's my damn idol, and despite the shit scores he's obviously enjoying himself or he wouldn't do it. He is writing to write and he doesn't have time to worry about his scores because he's already into the next damn story.

He's obviously an extreme case as far as all time low scores, but point is it makes the people here crying about their scores look like its all they care about, and in some cases I've become convinced its true for them.

There's that expression, dance like no one is watching. Years ago I remember seeing Sam's stories and thinking, yeah, write like no one's reading except you.

Perspective is a powerful tool. If there was an all time bombed or trolled list, his guy would be #1 except he'd never know it because he wouldn't care. Something to think about next time a story dipping a few points sends you to the forum crying about it.

 

[nice90sguy]

Wow. First time I've EVER seen a story with a score as low as 1.47

Some of his stories are rambling polemics, almost nonsensical glossolalia. Certainly not erotica.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'm going to be honest, I don't like the stories that I've read from him, but I must admire his attitude. He's got a drive.

That's pretty much my point, the guy just keeps trucking along oblivious to the noise. There's a freedom in that level of just doing your thing that many never experience

 

[AwkwardlySet]

The guy is a true legend. I have read some of his stories long ago, and they are... yeah, but still his attitude is really impressive. The comments he gets are so vile and hateful, yet he clearly doesn't care. He is making us all look like pansies in comparison

 

[SimonDoom]

I take a different view.

I personally think the "I give zero fucks" attitude is a shitty attitude with which to do virtually anything in life. Nobody ever accomplished anything with that attitude. You may be satisfied with yourself as you sit in your basement with that attitude, but that's ALL you will ever do.

There is a huge and fertile middle ground that lies between "I slavishly seek the approval of others" and "I don't give a fuck about what anybody else thinks." It's somewhere in that middle ground that people who accomplish worthwhile things dwell. There's a reason SamuelX's stories have low scores. He writes in a bubble with minimal interaction with others.

If you actually want to achieve something in this life, you have to give a fuck, and that includes giving a fuck what others think, even when it's different from what you think. you don't have to agree with others, but you have to be open to others' opinions, and to learn from them. We learn from criticism. We learn by paying attention to how others have done things before we did them. If you want to build a good chair, you don't say, "Fuck it, I'm going to build chairs my way." You learn from others who have been building chairs for a long time, and when you've learned the craft you try to put your own unique stamp on the craft.

My view about all the Lit feedback, including scores, is that it's data we can learn from as long as we don't get obsessive about it and give it too much credence.

 

[Voboy]

There's a freedom in that level of just doing your thing that many never experience

Some of us would rather not.

I feel freedom to write, and I doubt my stories are any less liberating for me than SamuelX's are for him. A dedication to subjectively mediocre stories is not necessary to experience the joy of writing whatever you want to write.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I take a different view.

I personally think the "I give zero fucks" attitude is a shitty attitude with which to do virtually anything in life. Nobody ever accomplished anything with that attitude. You may be satisfied with yourself as you sit in your basement with that attitude, but that's ALL you will ever do.

There is a huge and fertile middle ground that lies between "I slavishly seek the approval of others" and "I don't give a fuck about what anybody else thinks." It's somewhere in that middle ground that people who accomplish worthwhile things dwell. There's a reason SamuelX's stories have low scores. He writes in a bubble with minimal interaction with others.

If you actually want to achieve something in this life, you have to give a fuck, and that includes giving a fuck what others think, even when it's different from what you think. you don't have to agree with others, but you have to be open to others' opinions, and to learn from them. We learn from criticism. We learn by paying attention to how others have done things before we did them. If you want to build a good chair, you don't say, "Fuck it, I'm going to build chairs my way." You learn from others who have been building chairs for a long time, and when you've learned the craft you try to put your own unique stamp on the craft.

My view about all the Lit feedback, including scores, is that it's data we can learn from as long as we don't get obsessive about it and give it too much credence.

I understand your point, but I think you are trying to see the guy through your own eyes. Maybe this is exactly what he wants? Maybe he simply gets off on writing his fantasies and putting them out there, never seeking to improve or to have approval from readers. Bottom line is, we aren't all here for the same reason. That middle ground between fully caring and not caring at all, isn't necessarily the best for everyone, while it might be the best for you.

 

[AlexBailey]

. There's a freedom in that level of just doing your thing that many never experience

Well, yeah!

There is a tremendous freedom in not giving a fuck what anyone else thinks. I think most people can understand that to some degree. I can certainly relate.

My wonder in Sam’s case is - why does he bother posting his stories if he doesn’t give a fuck? It’s doing something for him…

 

[lovecraft68]

Some of us would rather not.

I feel freedom to write, and I doubt my stories are any less liberating for me than SamuelX's are for him. A dedication to subjectively mediocre stories is not necessary to experience the joy of writing whatever you want to write.

The point you're missing is when I say freedom in the literotica sense, its liberating to not fret over the numbers, comments, or stats. Many here will avoid writing a story because they figure it will get killed for whatever reason. I'm not discussing his actual work, just his attitude of like it or not.

 

[djrip]

SamuelX's attitude seems admirable. Personally I'm interested in my scores, to get a feel for people's reaction to a story, but I'm not bothered if it's low, I just want the data point. The one achievement I *do* care about, and desire to accomplish, is getting stories into the recommended similar stories lists of other stories, however that happens. Because I suspect that is the single most important factor in growing readership over time, based on my history of finding stories and authors that way.

 

[lovecraft68]

Well, yeah!

There is a tremendous freedom in not giving a fuck what anyone else thinks. I think most people can understand that to some degree. I can certainly relate.

My wonder in Sam’s case is - why does he bother posting his stories if he doesn’t give a fuck? It’s doing something for him…

Why do any of is post for public consumption? Maybe he likes knowing people hate his work and every story is "I'm still here!" who knows other than him.
But he's like the anti-AH member.

 

[Voboy]

Why do any of is us post for public consumption?

...because not everyone is the same?

And because it's fine for him to do his thing and the rest of us to do ours without having to "learn something" from him?

 

[lovecraft68]

I take a different view.

I personally think the "I give zero fucks" attitude is a shitty attitude with which to do virtually anything in life. Nobody ever accomplished anything with that attitude. You may be satisfied with yourself as you sit in your basement with that attitude, but that's ALL you will ever do.

There is a huge and fertile middle ground that lies between "I slavishly seek the approval of others" and "I don't give a fuck about what anybody else thinks." It's somewhere in that middle ground that people who accomplish worthwhile things dwell. There's a reason SamuelX's stories have low scores. He writes in a bubble with minimal interaction with others.

If you actually want to achieve something in this life, you have to give a fuck, and that includes giving a fuck what others think, even when it's different from what you think. you don't have to agree with others, but you have to be open to others' opinions, and to learn from them. We learn from criticism. We learn by paying attention to how others have done things before we did them. If you want to build a good chair, you don't say, "Fuck it, I'm going to build chairs my way." You learn from others who have been building chairs for a long time, and when you've learned the craft you try to put your own unique stamp on the craft.

My view about all the Lit feedback, including scores, is that it's data we can learn from as long as we don't get obsessive about it and give it too much credence.

The thing you're missing is the not giving a fuck applies to others perceptions, you of course have to give a fuck about what you're doing as far as does it serve you. If you're not into it, then its not going to work. But if I believe in it, and you don't? Oh well, can't make everyone happy.

I think you're not a fan of the concept because you do care way too much here, and if someone else doesn't, it, in your mind diminishes you so we have to get the simonsplaining of why fucks need to be given. Because you take yourself and everything here way too seriously. I don't and yet...

Take a look at my story file and numbers here. My attitude is I write for me first, and if people like it cool, if they don't, I'll live. My work has been well received here for whatever reason but I've never made an effort to write anything for any reason other than I want to write that story.

And as far as lit goes? No one is going to learn writing with the help of Billylikesbooty who suggests "More anal!" as advice.

Ever hear of the strategy of ignoring the girl all the guys are fawning over because she's hot and she knows it? Apathy towards that type will draw them to you because they want to know why you're not like the other shameless dopes.

The Black Flame resides within, not without, approve of yourself and you don't need it from others.

But end of the day your response to my post shows the problem...oh, no, someone doesn't care, and they should!!!!!

 

[AwkwardlySet]

...because not everyone is the same?

And because it's fine for him to do his thing and the rest of us to do ours without having to "learn something" from him?

I think you took that maybe too personally. It certainly doesn't apply to everyone here. I am certainly not indifferent about my scores and ratings myself, but there is a certain group of authors who fret over every little change in their scores and react noticeably to every 4* they get. I do think this was meant for them, as extreme as Samuelx's example is.

 

[lovecraft68]

...because not everyone is the same?

And because it's fine for him to do his thing and the rest of us to do ours without having to "learn something" from him?

I think I'm proving my own point because as I just said to Simon the point here is going over people's heads. You don't have to be that guy what people here need to do is stop whining about your stupid meaningless scores given to us by people who vote based on countless reasons and many of them have nothing to do with talent or quality

Man, you guys are just walking right into it, aren't you?

 

[lovecraft68]

I think you took that maybe too personally.

I went into this wanting to make the simple point of not worrying about numbers here that aren't indicative of pretty much anything here, and just enjoy writing your stories. But with that knew that the post was going to show why I wanted to make the point because now we have the defensive posturing of people....taking a comment too seriously.

No one has to agree with me, and I'm fine with that, but others can't seem to handle an opposing philosophy without replying in the tone of "wahhh"

 

[Voboy]

I think I'm proving my own point because as I just said to Simon the point here is going over people's heads. You don't have to be that guy what people here need to do is stop whining about your stupid meaningless scores given to us by people who vote based on countless reasons and many of them have nothing to do with talent or quality

Man, you guys are just walking right into it, aren't you?

...do I do this?

I mean, I'm not quite sure what your last line refers to, either. If more than one of us is unclear on what you "intended to say," then perhaps your way of saying it sucked? Maybe?

 

[Omenainen]

…so we have to get the simonsplaining of why fucks need to be given.

Maybe we could use this as a shortcut in future threads. “Now insert the simonsplaining of why fucks need to be given, and then invoke Kumquat’s Law.”

 

[SimonDoom]

I think you're not a fan of the concept because you do care way too much here, and if someone else doesn't, it, in your mind diminishes you so we have to get the simonsplaining of why fucks need to be given. Because you take yourself and everything here way too seriously. I don't and yet...

I respect you and I think you have a gift for storytelling, but when it comes to pontificating you are completely full of horse feathers. You're the least self-aware person at the Author's Hangout. You "splain" more than anyone else here. Out of one mouth you say you don't give a fuck and out of the other you're constantly berating people for what they do and why, and accusing people of being hypocrites for not living up to imaginary standards that only you seem to live by.

I don't think you've even read my stories so you're in no position to judge, one way or another.

You don't write for yourself any more than I do. Not one percent more. And it's all good. What you do works for you, and what I do works for me. What SamuelX does may work for him, but I don't admire writing in a bubble, any more than I admire being a carpenter or a plumber or a heart surgeon in a bubble. It's not the way you maximize your ability at something. I see writing as no different from anything else.

 

[Djmac1031]

I was reading stories here years before I ever attempted writing one.

In all that time, I dont think I ever rated a 1 Bomb.

If I started to read a story and either...

A: wasn't into the actual story / kink, or
B: just found it so poorly written I couldn't tolerate it

...I'd simply go back and search another story.

Flash forward to now having written my own and posting them here for public consumption.

Most of my stories do well. This is not a BRAG, but I won't pretend there's no pride in it either. Nothing wrong with being proud of your work, and the positive reception it gets.

I write my stories because no one else is writing them. At least not MY way.

So my stories are for ME.

I'm grateful most readers like them, forgiving of those who do not.

If they offer constructive criticism, I do my best to accept and learn from it.

If they're simply trolls, only there to insult and instigate drama, I ignore and move on.

As for this guy SamuelX, hey, good on him. He writes what he wants. Maybe he enjoys drawing the trolls to bash his work; maybe he's the Ultimate Troll and writes apparently crap stories on purpose for just that reason. To piss people off.

I have no idea, honestly. Either way, if he's having fun, good for him. It's not like anyone is here to get paid or even credit since we all post under pseudonyms.

Me and Lovecraft haven't always gotten along, but on this one I tend to agree.

Write what you want, when you want. If it's not fun, you're doing it wrong.

Fuck the haters. Fuck the trolls. Fuck the meaningless ratings.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I take a different view.

I personally think the "I give zero fucks" attitude is a shitty attitude with which to do virtually anything in life. Nobody ever accomplished anything with that attitude. You may be satisfied with yourself as you sit in your basement with that attitude, but that's ALL you will ever do.

There is a huge and fertile middle ground that lies between "I slavishly seek the approval of others" and "I don't give a fuck about what anybody else thinks." It's somewhere in that middle ground that people who accomplish worthwhile things dwell. There's a reason SamuelX's stories have low scores. He writes in a bubble with minimal interaction with others.

If you actually want to achieve something in this life, you have to give a fuck, and that includes giving a fuck what others think, even when it's different from what you think. you don't have to agree with others, but you have to be open to others' opinions, and to learn from them. We learn from criticism. We learn by paying attention to how others have done things before we did them. If you want to build a good chair, you don't say, "Fuck it, I'm going to build chairs my way." You learn from others who have been building chairs for a long time, and when you've learned the craft you try to put your own unique stamp on the craft.

My view about all the Lit feedback, including scores, is that it's data we can learn from as long as we don't get obsessive about it and give it too much credence.

With respect, Simon, there is a through line in your comments on writing, and that is that you put a very high value on constant improvement. There seems to be an assumption in nearly all your comments that it we all ought to be striving to be better writers.

Now, I feel that way about my own writing, and it's why I do pay attention to my scores. They may be an imperfect metric of success, but they are better than nothing.

But there are certainly people who have no interest in improving their skills, and that should be perfectly acceptable. We all have out reasons for writing. Just having fun is as good a reason as any.

 

[Lovecraft_Lore]

SamuelX is the best. My fav is the one where he butt fucks a homeless guy on the mayor's desk and then lectures the mayor about the homelessness problem.

 

[Djmac1031]

I take a different view.

I personally think the "I give zero fucks" attitude is a shitty attitude with which to do virtually anything in life. Nobody ever accomplished anything with that attitude. You may be satisfied with yourself as you sit in your basement with that attitude, but that's ALL you will ever do.

There is a huge and fertile middle ground that lies between "I slavishly seek the approval of others" and "I don't give a fuck about what anybody else thinks." It's somewhere in that middle ground that people who accomplish worthwhile things dwell. There's a reason SamuelX's stories have low scores. He writes in a bubble with minimal interaction with others.

If you actually want to achieve something in this life, you have to give a fuck, and that includes giving a fuck what others think, even when it's different from what you think. you don't have to agree with others, but you have to be open to others' opinions, and to learn from them. We learn from criticism. We learn by paying attention to how others have done things before we did them. If you want to build a good chair, you don't say, "Fuck it, I'm going to build chairs my way." You learn from others who have been building chairs for a long time, and when you've learned the craft you try to put your own unique stamp on the craft.

My view about all the Lit feedback, including scores, is that it's data we can learn from as long as we don't get obsessive about it and give it too much credence.

I fully understand everything you said.

And in most circumstances, I'd 100% agree.

Except for the fact that we're talking about LE.

It's not fair to compare professional singers with the person who enjoys drunken Karaoke every Friday night.

It's not fair to compare the artist with paintings in a gallery with a child's stick figure drawing.

So is it fair to compare the weekend keyboard warrior who enjoys writing sexy little stories for a free website where nobody knows their name, with a polished, true, talented author?

No.

It's why I won't rate a story a 1. No matter how poorly written, no matter how bad the spelling or grammar.

Or just how bad the story itself is.

Instead, I look at it like the child drawing stick figures: hey, at least they're TRYING to be creative. They may never be a Picasso or Bob Ross, but as long as they're having fun, who cares?

 

[KeithD]

I think that SamuelX also doesn't give a fuck about anyone following him around to see and highlight whatever he chooses to do here.

 

[alohadave]

...do I do this?

I mean, I'm not quite sure what your last line refers to, either. If more than one of us is unclear on what you "intended to say," then perhaps your way of saying it sucked? Maybe?

The whole thread is a troll. That's what the last line means. Post 17 outright says that is the whole point of the thread.