What have I done?

[Rustyoznail]

My neighbor fishes. For free. He even spends money to do it.
A friend sings with a barbershop quartet. For free.
Another plays in a community symphony. For free.

I believe most of the authors here write because it is a hobby that they enjoy. I recommend we get past the “for free” part of this and concentrate on the fun of it.

By the way, you have some very nice and interesting stories. I hope you keep writing, “for free.”

Agreed. It's a hobby that I enjoy, and I'm glad I found this place to carry it out. A hobby that you can't share with anyone isn't the same.

 

[gordo12]

I just published my 40th Literotica story, and it's not a lot compared to the product of some authors here, but it was enough to prompt me to think, "What have I done?" I've spent countless hours and hours over the last few years writing dirty stories for free. Many people I know, if they knew, would be appalled, or at best would look at me sideways. I'm sure many would be appalled or disgusted by my stories, if they read them.

I don't regret it at all, because it's been a lot of fun. But sometimes I look back on it and can't believe I'm really doing this. For free!

Congrats on the 40th. The free part shouldn't bother you...too much! It's an opportunity to get feedback and experience. I did it for shit and giggles the first time just to see if I could. I was hopeful but honestly shocked when people said, "hell yes!" Now, it's to give the squirrels in my head room to roam. Only my wife knows WHAT I write. Other people know I write but I refuse to let them read. Or know where I do it.

It's a secret sin and everyone should have one (or two)

Nobody is giving me hell. Only a few know that I write erotic stories, and no one who knows, knows my nom de plume.

This may just be me, but I find that a sense of internal conflict -- wondering if I've gone too far, if I'm crossing one barrier too many -- makes the process of writing these stories more enjoyable and stirs the creative juices. I find that a lingering sense of inhibition, a product of my upbringing, gives the writing process more sizzle.

Mmm, no such thing as going too far. Only laws that should be tossed when books are concerned.

I'm not sure I would say we're writing for free. In a way, writing for Lit can be one giant post-graduate writing program where we get WAY more practical experience and honest feedback than we would in an actual master's- or PhD-level program. That's gotta be worth something, right?

Is Lit sending you a check? No. Is Lit making you a better writer? Absolutely. To me, it's worth not getting a check. I may feel differently down the road, but that's enough for me for now.

For me, this is it in a nutshell. I've learned, expanded and grown as a writer. I can't imagine a course that would have brought me to this stage.

I ran into a guy a few months ago. He shared with me his desire to quit his job and start writing screenplays and scripts. I asked him what he had done so far?

"Well, nothing really. I've written a couple of small plays!"

"Where have you published?"

He hasn't!

I was closing in on 500,000 views at that point and it made me realize just how far I had come compared to most writers. They have ideas. We have the reality of doing! For that experience I will always be grateful to Lit!

 

[ChloeTzang]

For me, this is it in a nutshell. I've learned, expanded and grown as a writer. I can't imagine a course that would have brought me to this stage.

I ran into a guy a few months ago. He shared with me his desire to quit his job and start writing screenplays and scripts. I asked him what he had done so far?

"Well, nothing really. I've written a couple of small plays!"

"Where have you published?"

He hasn't!

I was closing in on 500,000 views at that point and it made me realize just how far I had come compared to most writers. They have ideas. We have the reality of doing! For that experience I will always be grateful to Lit!

I share that one. I started writing here in 2015, and I didn't know anything about writing when I started. 70 odd stories later, and a couple of published novels, I feel that I'm starting to get there, and it's thanks to both Literotica for providing the platform and the readers, and a whole bunch of you on the AH for ongoing advice and shared experiences.

I also have a friend who's writing screen plays, and I know a few other wannabe writers from writing classes. They talk a lot, but so far as I know I'm the only one that's taken it further and a lot of that was thanks to Literotica

 

[MelissaBaby]

I came here four years ago to share one story. Today I published #56.

The only thing I regret is the typos that slipped by.

 

[Athalia]

My neighbor fishes. For free. He even spends money to do it.
A friend sings with a barbershop quartet. For free.
Another plays in a community symphony. For free.

I believe most of the authors here write because it is a hobby that they enjoy. I recommend we get past the “for free” part of this and concentrate on the fun of it.

By the way, you have some very nice and interesting stories. I hope you keep writing, “for free.”

I con only say that every time I come across this thread, I think of Joni Mitchell's "For Free." It really says it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bSgoNNQ0m8

 

[gunhilltrain]

Congrats on the 40th. The free part shouldn't bother you...too much! It's an opportunity to get feedback and experience. I did it for shit and giggles the first time just to see if I could. I was hopeful but honestly shocked when people said, "hell yes!" Now, it's to give the squirrels in my head room to roam. Only my wife knows WHAT I write. Other people know I write but I refuse to let them read. Or know where I do it.

It's a secret sin and everyone should have one (or two)

Mmm, no such thing as going too far. Only laws that should be tossed when books are concerned.

For me, this is it in a nutshell. I've learned, expanded and grown as a writer. I can't imagine a course that would have brought me to this stage.

I ran into a guy a few months ago. He shared with me his desire to quit his job and start writing screenplays and scripts. I asked him what he had done so far?

"Well, nothing really. I've written a couple of small plays!"

"Where have you published?"

He hasn't!

I was closing in on 500,000 views at that point and it made me realize just how far I had come compared to most writers. They have ideas. We have the reality of doing! For that experience I will always be grateful to Lit!

Writing scripts and screenplays is an entirely different thing. I tried a few years ago, mostly as a hobby/experiment. I found it very hard, if not impossible, to stay within the time restraints. (Unless one is doing Berlin Alexanderplatz.) Plays may offer a bit more leeway.

It is a good way to practice writing dialog, because that is the main thing to do. Any non-verbal parts are usually written as directions on which the director and cinematographer will do the heavy lifting during filming.

But don't quit your job for any writing ambition unless things are going very, very well sales-wise.

 

[CyranoJ]

I don't regret it at all, because it's been a lot of fun. But sometimes I look back on it and can't believe I'm really doing this. For free!

There was a podcast once where someone found their father's erotic writing online and read it out to an audience. I sometimes wonder what it would be like if my niece did that with my stuff. Not pleasant, strictly-speaking... but in a gallows-humor way, kinda funny.

I'm pretty much done doing it for free, though. Even if the pay is largely nominal, I need to get something out of it financially.

 

[ElectricBlue]

There was a podcast once where someone found their father's erotic writing online and read it out to an audience. I sometimes wonder what it would be like if my niece did that with my stuff. Not pleasant, strictly-speaking... but in a gallows-humor way, kinda funny.

That's still running - it's now turned into a stage show. My daughter listens to the pod-cast regularly - obviously, she doesn't have a clue that I write...

 

[gordo12]

Writing scripts and screenplays is an entirely different thing. I tried a few years ago, mostly as a hobby/experiment. I found it very hard, if not impossible, to stay within the time restraints. (Unless one is doing Berlin Alexanderplatz.) Plays may offer a bit more leeway.

It is a good way to practice writing dialog, because that is the main thing to do. Any non-verbal parts are usually written as directions on which the director and cinematographer will do the heavy lifting during filming.

But don't quit your job for any writing ambition unless things are going very, very well sales-wise.

My thinking was that if he tried to write a few stories and see how readers reacted it might benefit him. Do they like his ideas, his writing style, his plots? All for nought. He got fired shortly after. I know the restaurant owner and he told me his head wasn't in the job and they'd had more complaints about him...! So maybe he's getting his chance.

 

[lovecraft68]

Writing scripts and screenplays is an entirely different thing. I tried a few years ago, mostly as a hobby/experiment. I found it very hard, if not impossible, to stay within the time restraints. (Unless one is doing Berlin Alexanderplatz.) Plays may offer a bit more leeway.

It is a good way to practice writing dialog, because that is the main thing to do. Any non-verbal parts are usually written as directions on which the director and cinematographer will do the heavy lifting during filming.

But don't quit your job for any writing ambition unless things are going very, very well sales-wise.

I tried turning one of novels into a script and couldn't get the hang of that style. Rather than hack it, I paid someone to do it. Now I have it in hand to peddle to local indy film directors, no luck yet.

 

[lovecraft68]

I ran into a guy a few months ago. He shared with me his desire to quit his job and start writing screenplays and scripts. I asked him what he had done so far?

"Well, nothing really. I've written a couple of small plays!"

"Where have you published?"

He hasn't!

I was closing in on 500,000 views at that point and it made me realize just how far I had come compared to most writers. They have ideas. We have the reality of doing! For that experience I will always be grateful to Lit!

I was thinking about this recently as over the last year I hit a few milestones. 10 years here, with close to 16k followers, stories on top lists 8 contest placings, a story in the top 15 all time list etc...This year 10 years in the selling market, and it dawned on me how far I've come and following I've built both here and for sale.

I have 170+ e-books for sale, but what impressed me more was seeing another author on twitter refer to one of my pen names as the "The OG of erotica" made me think of how long I've been in the game and how much work and sweat and when writing serious material how much personal pain I've invested along the way.

I'm a name here as far as stat status goes, I'm a name in the market based on not just production, but longevity. Not everyone can not only do this for years, but still going as strong as ever...but as I've always told people, I may not be the smartest, or the best writer or the best at anything, but I am one tenacious motherfucker and there's never been any quit in this dog, and that's taken me a long way.

Having said that...for all of that I could never live off what I make...unless I was living in a one room flop house eating Ramen noodles every day

But I think my all time favorite comment about my writing 'career" came from the wife.

"You've set the standard in an industry that has no standards."

That's support for ya.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I write for fun and profit. As ghostwriter I create someone else stories, they pay me, it's an equitable exchange. They provide plot, characters, scenes to include, and other input for the story, and they pay money for my work. I stay within their guidelines, don't deviate or give them twist they didn't ask for.

For me the money makes up for what I consider a very confining format.

When I write for free, well this gives me freedom to explore my mind, my limits, stretch my creativity. Most of stories, the ones I publish, are my outlet, where I can kill the bastard who insulted me. Or have the bitch get her comeuppance. Far more healthy than taking a two by four to everyone that deserves to be beaten with a 2 by 4.

I can cheat on Jo, without cheating on Jo. I can be a killer, a lover, sinner, or saint. Similar to the words of the song Bitch Meredith Brooks, expressing the fact we are all many different people.

So, anyway, what are talking about? I seem to have gotten lost in my own pontification.

 

[gordo12]

<snip>I have 170+ e-books for sale, but what impressed me more was seeing another author on twitter refer to one of my pen names as the "The OG of erotica" made me think of how long I've been in the game and how much work and sweat and when writing serious material how much personal pain I've invested along the way.

Curious question. You refer to one of your pen names. Do you think having multiple IDs has cost you identity in the market? If all your stories had been published under one name, do you think you might have been further ahead?

I'm wondering because I've taken several. I can't imagine mixing erotic, westerns, romance and sci-fi under one name. Yet it makes me wonder....

Or maybe it would be smarter to stick to one genre!

 

[lovecraft68]

Curious question. You refer to one of your pen names. Do you think having multiple IDs has cost you identity in the market? If all your stories had been published under one name, do you think you might have been further ahead?

I'm wondering because I've taken several. I can't imagine mixing erotic, westerns, romance and sci-fi under one name. Yet it makes me wonder....

Or maybe it would be smarter to stick to one genre!

I don't think so because the most successful name writes pure smut including a lot of incest. The other name writes watered down pseudo incest on platforms with different guidelines. Do this to avoid confusion of having two versions of one story under the same name.

Another name writes the more serious horror novels so there is no real crossover market there to be had.

But as I always say, it shows you where society is that any one of my mom books outsells my serious work by 25-1.

This is a point driven home by how it also outsells my wife's self help and spiritual poetry books. I tell her, sin will always outsell salvation.

 

[CyranoJ]

That's still running - it's now turned into a stage show.

Hah, that tracks.

 

[gordo12]

I tell her, sin will always outsell salvation.

That's why deathbed confessions are so popular.

 

[lovecraft68]

That's why deathbed confessions are so popular.

If I confessed on my death bed it would gain me a couple more days.

 

[jehoram]

I con only say that every time I come across this thread, I think of Joni Mitchell's "For Free." It really says it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bSgoNNQ0m8

Yeah, that. That musician is a pure artist, sharing a spontaneous performance, without needing to be paid.

 

[Rob_Howard]

I share Simon Doom's sense of mild bewilderment at the time and effort one expends in writing for Literotica, but for me there is a simple enough explanation... I find it very sexually arousing. In fact I find it arousing in two ways. First, when I'm actually doing the writing, and second when I imagine readers getting aroused when they read what I've written. Do others find this?
Sevenpillars

I do get sexually aroused while writing a story. If I don't get aroused while writing it, I don't find it worthy enough to submit.

About the readers finding my writing arousing: I have a comment or two from the readers on how they were dripping wet by the end of the story. That's the sort of compliments I seek for in the comments.

 

[ElectricBlue]

In fact I find it arousing in two ways. First, when I'm actually doing the writing, and second when I imagine readers getting aroused when they read what I've written. Do others find this?

Yes. It's an affirmation of what I'm doing when a reader says I've turned them on. That's the point.

Although I've just had a reader (anon, of course) comment about a story "full of insecurity and introspection", wondering whether I know what erotica is. Judging by the story's score and the number of people who have voted, that reader is in a minority of one. I suspect they wanted porn.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I do get sexually aroused while writing a story. If I don't get aroused while writing it, I don't find it worthy enough to submit.

About the readers finding my writing arousing: I have a comment or two from the readers on how they were dripping wet by the end of the story. That's the sort of compliments I seek for in the comments.

It's not just about being sexually arousing; it's about writing a good story (one hopes!) that also has sex in it. I have chapters in some series (and one story in Non-Erotic) that have no sex at all in them, although past or future sexual events may be referred to.

If it seems plausible and interesting, I submit it. The readers may get dripping wet or they may not (I assume you have to be female to actually get wet), but that's not the only criteria.

 

[GinnyPPC]

One of my all-time favorite movie scenes is at the end of Bridge On The River Kwai, when Colonel Nicholson, played by Alec Guinness, the commanding officer of a group of British prisoners of war in a Japanse POW camp, finally realizes he's spent the whole movie helping the Japanese war effort, and he looks up and asks himself, "What have I done?" Great movie, and a great ending. If you haven't seen it, you should.

I just published my 40th Literotica story, and it's not a lot compared to the product of some authors here, but it was enough to prompt me to think, "What have I done?" I've spent countless hours and hours over the last few years writing dirty stories for free. Many people I know, if they knew, would be appalled, or at best would look at me sideways. I'm sure many would be appalled or disgusted by my stories, if they read them.

I don't regret it at all, because it's been a lot of fun. But sometimes I look back on it and can't believe I'm really doing this. For free!

That is a great movie. I have many happy memories of watching classic movies as a little girl with my daddy. Good times.

I was thinking similar thoughts the other night as I tallied up my word count of my first story. I've only published four out of seven chapters, so a long way to go to your forty plus stories. Still, the since of accomplishment of getting to almost 95k words is pretty good. I might have to find a way to put in 200 more words just to break that mark.

 

[Rob_Howard]

It's not just about being sexually arousing; it's about writing a good story (one hopes!) that also has sex in it. I have chapters in some series (and one story in Non-Erotic) that have no sex at all in them, although past or future sexual events may be referred to.

If it seems plausible and interesting, I submit it. The readers may get dripping wet or they may not (I assume you have to be female to actually get wet), but that's not the only criteria.

Yeah, agreed on the part that the story has to be good. All of my stories have some sex scenes in it, yet couple of them have ratings swinging between 3.5 to 4 and I had to admit to myself after rereading them that story was bad.

There are one or two comments on my stories where a reader has mentioned that he/she likes the way I write and describe things. That's a bigger achievement to be honest. But about the dripping wet comment; that was some different kind of accomplishment I felt when I got to know that some readers can get aroused that well!

I'm more of a reader than a writer on Literotica and I keep searching for better erotic stories all the time and my main motivation for writing erotica is to arouse readers with a good story. I'm a horny consumer, so I tend to write with horny readers in my mind.

A good erotic story for me is like an action movie with good enough acting and plot along with the action scenes. People can still like the stupid CGI action with wooden acting and nonsensical storyline, just like some readers can be happy with just the description of a penetrative sex.

I have not yet explored the Non-Erotic category on Lit. I will have to check that out.