What I learned from publishing a second Loving Wives story

[EmilyMiller]

See also: What I learned from publishing a Loving Wives story

So no statistical analysis. Well not as much as in the above. At the time of writing, Jacob’s Progress is sitting at:

59 23.9k ️ 4.59 / 1.3k 98

1.3k votes, WTF?

I guess that qualifies as a success.

What I did differently was to figure out I could write my own story, addressing the things I care about, in a way that wasn’t triggering to people and which worked within the LW paradigm as opposed to trying to subvert it.

47 of the 98 comments are me saying thank you to people for their lovely feedback (I turned off anonymous comments, which I think helped). There were only two negative / neutral comments, neither of which involved an ad hominem.

There were two main criticisms:

1. I should have spent more time with the characters and made the story longer (it’s 17k words) - I guess this is the type of criticism most writers would like to have
2. The ending of the main text was abrupt / non-realistic (I know, @Djmac1031 I know ). Oddly this bit was the only section that was based [a little] on IRL events - but I do accept the criticism and I walked it back in the Epilogue

I lost count of how many people asked me to write more LW stories. Such a difference to Harper’s Reckoning.

I also lost count of how may people said they were going to check out my other work - fingers crossed they don’t pick Strapped-down & Strap-on first .

So, what did I learn?

1. That I can write a story which would still stand up if you deleted the sex scenes (or maybe made them PG-13)
2. That I can write what I want to write in the way I want to write it while accepting the constraints of a category
3. That a lot of the LW orc horde are actually kinda cuddly

Em

 

[onehitwanda]

I guess this is the type of criticism most writers would like to have

100%. If people are begging for a longer story it means you achieved the important thing - engagement.

• That a lot of the LW orc horde are actually kinda cuddly

Now hold on a bit there, skippy. You can't draw statistical inferences from a sample size of one.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Now hold on a bit there, skippy. You can't draw statistical inferences from a sample size of one.

Just watch me!

Em

 

[onehitwanda]

Just watch me!

Em

Oh I do...

 

[Djmac1031]

The ending of the main text was abrupt / non-realistic (I know, @Djmac1031 I know ). Oddly this bit was the only section that was based [a little] on IRL events - but I do accept the criticism and I walked it back in the Epilogue

As I said privately, just because some people, including myself, felt the Love & Marriage thing felt a bit rushed doesn't mean it was the wrong choice.

My opinion was that since both were rebounding off past relationships, that they'd be inclined to take things slower.

Especially Lucia, who'd had a bad marriage and messy divorce.

That said, there's certainly no rhyme or reason to love, or people's reactions to it, or what influences their choices.

You took a more positive, hopeful outlook. Some of us are just more cynical

 

[EmilyMiller]

As I said privately, just because some people, including myself, felt the Love & Marriage thing felt a bit rushed doesn't mean it was the wrong choice.

My opinion was that since both were rebounding off past relationships, that they'd be inclined to take things slower.

Especially Lucia, who'd had a bad marriage and messy divorce.

That said, there's certainly no rhyme or reason to love, or people's reactions to it, or what influences their choices.

You took a more positive, hopeful outlook. Some of us are just more cynical

I’m an incorrigible romantic - who likes being tied up .

Em

 

[Rob_Royale]

I’m an incorrigible romantic - who likes being tied up .

Em

Hmm... I'll have to jot that down in my ideas folder.

"Brad, do you take Emily, to love her and bind her, spread-eagle her and lovingly torment her, forsaking all others, til death do you part?"

I can work with that.

 

[Gamblnluck]

See also: What I learned from publishing a Loving Wives story

So no statistical analysis. Well not as much as in the above. At the time of writing, Jacob’s Progress is sitting at:

59 23.9k ️ 4.59 / 1.3k 98

1.3k votes, WTF?

I guess that qualifies as a success.

What I did differently was to figure out I could write my own story, addressing the things I care about, in a way that wasn’t triggering to people and which worked within the LW paradigm as opposed to trying to subvert it.

47 of the 98 comments are me saying thank you to people for their lovely feedback (I turned off anonymous comments, which I think helped). There were only two negative / neutral comments, neither of which involved an ad hominem.

There were two main criticisms:

1. I should have spent more time with the characters and made the story longer (it’s 17k words) - I guess this is the type of criticism most writers would like to have
2. The ending of the main text was abrupt / non-realistic (I know, @Djmac1031 I know ). Oddly this bit was the only section that was based [a little] on IRL events - but I do accept the criticism and I walked it back in the Epilogue

I lost count of how many people asked me to write more LW stories. Such a difference to Harper’s Reckoning.

I also lost count of how may people said they were going to check out my other work - fingers crossed they don’t pick Strapped-down & Strap-on first .

So, what did I learn?

1. That I can write a story which would still stand up if you deleted the sex scenes (or maybe made them PG-13)
2. That I can write what I want to write in the way I want to write it while accepting the constraints of a category
3. That a lot of the LW orc horde are actually kinda cuddly

Em

I think you will find that people just skim over long detailed sex scenes. Unless of course it actually adds or is required by the story. A depiction of full blown abuse may work well in non consent for example.

A flowery prose like "Oh , I am a bee buzzing around your nectar-laden pot." is not gonna work in LW unless your next line is, "Unfortunately, bitch, you are letting every other bee in the hive buzz you too."

I try to keep my stories to 12k and if they run long, split them into chapters. My "Unanticipated" was an exception and talk about getting panned. I got crucified for it being way too long, repetitive, plus the use of gun. I agree it was too long but as I wrote, I became aware of plot holes, and that is another thing that will get you criticism.

 

[djrip]

I think you will find that people just skim over long detailed sex scenes. Unless of course it actually adds or is required by the story. A depiction of full blown abuse may work well in non consent for example.

A flowery prose like "Oh , I am a bee buzzing around your nectar-laden pot." is not gonna work in LW unless your next line is, "Unfortunately, bitch, you are letting every other bee in the hive buzz you too."

I try to keep my stories to 12k and if they run long, split them into chapters. My "Unanticipated" was an exception and talk about getting panned. I got crucified for it being way too long, repetitive, plus the use of gun. I agree it was too long but as I wrote, I became aware of plot holes, and that is another thing that will get you criticism.

I come to lit for erotic stories. There are plenty in LW. This is a favorite. I've come to appreciate in recent months that sometimes the non-erotic or not-very-erotic ones can be pretty good too. But the erotic ones will always be my primary reason for reading and writing here at lit. I may return to the LW pool with a new erotic entry sometime soon; got a couple of ideas tossing around.

 

[gunhilltrain]

1. That a lot of the LW orc horde are actually kinda cuddly

Em

Except for 26thNC. He and his buddies may march around like this:

https://images.fineartamerica.com/i...federate-soldiers-on-the-march-wayne-heim.jpg

 

[Priscilla_June]

Without having read the thread, and apologies if I missed it in the description, did this story not feature infidelity?

 

[Duleigh]

So, what did I learn?

1. That I can write a story which would still stand up if you deleted the sex scenes (or maybe made them PG-13)
2. That I can write what I want to write in the way I want to write it while accepting the constraints of a category
3. That a lot of the LW orc horde are actually kinda cuddly

Learning has occurred!!!

I've learned the hard way too, and it's not fun - but here's what I remind myself every time I start with a fresh, clean .docx file -

Duleigh's Demandments (Top 5)
1. Thou shall write what thou knowest
2. Thou shall write what thou loves
3. Thou shalt always love thy characters
4. At all times thou shalt Respect Thy Readers
5. Thou shalt always remain true to the story

There's more, but it looks like you discovered Duleigh's Demandments (at least the top 5, there's many more but they have to do with stuff like the number of exclamation points, starting a sentence with the word "Finally," keeping the word "said" to a minimum...)

Way to go girl!

 

[EmilyMiller]

Without having read the thread, and apologies if I missed it in the description, did this story not feature infidelity?

My story? Yes it featured infidelity.

Em

 

[Priscilla_June]

My story? Yes it featured infidelity.

Em

Wow! Surprising then!

 

[Mastered_again]

I’m an incorrigible romantic - who likes being tied up .

Em

Ooh! A girl after my own heart.
*Makes note to put you on my reading list*
Any recommendations?

 

[AchtungNight]

Advice from an old friend of mine named Lucid- learn to appreciate the aggressive passion of the Orcs!

 

[Djmac1031]

Ooh! A girl after my own heart.
*Makes note to put you on my reading list*
Any recommendations?

I've got a few personal favorites of hers:

Fragile
https://www.literotica.com/s/fragile-6

A kinky yet surprisingly sweet little tale.

And Traffic:

https://www.literotica.com/s/traffic-6

Which I have vested interest in promoting, because I helped write it with her lol.

 

[Mastered_again]

I've got a few personal favorites of hers:

Fragile
https://www.literotica.com/s/fragile-6

A kinky yet surprisingly sweet little tale.

And Traffic:

https://www.literotica.com/s/traffic-6

Which I have vested interest in promoting, because I helped write it with her lol.

Grazia Mille
Bookmarks in the offing

 

[Djmac1031]

Grazia Mille
Bookmarks in the offing

I figured I'd throw a few, short, easy ones your way.

When you're ready, you can dig into the tentacle porn

 

[Mastered_again]

I figured I'd throw a few, short, easy ones your way.

When you're ready, you can dig into the tentacle porn

I prefer long ones, not necessarily tentacles

 

[EmilyMiller]

Ooh! A girl after my own heart.
*Makes note to put you on my reading list*
Any recommendations?

I was on a transatlantic flight - what @Djmac1031 said

Em

 

[Mastered_again]

I was on a transatlantic flight - what @Djmac1031 said

Em

Read one and commented.
M_A

 

[EmilyMiller]

Read one and commented.
M_A

Thank you for the sweet comment ,

Em

 

[lc69hunter]

See also: What I learned from publishing a Loving Wives story

So no statistical analysis. Well not as much as in the above. At the time of writing, Jacob’s Progress is sitting at:

59 23.9k ️ 4.59 / 1.3k 98

1.3k votes, WTF?

I guess that qualifies as a success.

What I did differently was to figure out I could write my own story, addressing the things I care about, in a way that wasn’t triggering to people and which worked within the LW paradigm as opposed to trying to subvert it.

47 of the 98 comments are me saying thank you to people for their lovely feedback (I turned off anonymous comments, which I think helped). There were only two negative / neutral comments, neither of which involved an ad hominem.

There were two main criticisms:

1. I should have spent more time with the characters and made the story longer (it’s 17k words) - I guess this is the type of criticism most writers would like to have
2. The ending of the main text was abrupt / non-realistic (I know, @Djmac1031 I know ). Oddly this bit was the only section that was based [a little] on IRL events - but I do accept the criticism and I walked it back in the Epilogue

I lost count of how many people asked me to write more LW stories. Such a difference to Harper’s Reckoning.

I also lost count of how may people said they were going to check out my other work - fingers crossed they don’t pick Strapped-down & Strap-on first .

So, what did I learn?

1. That I can write a story which would still stand up if you deleted the sex scenes (or maybe made them PG-13)
2. That I can write what I want to write in the way I want to write it while accepting the constraints of a category
3. That a lot of the LW orc horde are actually kinda cuddly

Em

Em, how can you turn off only anonymous comments. I would love that, as most are nasty, and can get quite personal

 

[EmilyMiller]

Em, how can you turn off only anonymous comments. I would love that, as most are nasty, and can get quite personal

Control Panel Options My Options Scroll down to how to handle anonymous

Em