Who do you write for?

[Brutal_One]

I recently joined literotica and have been a writer of hard core BDSM for years. Typically I use Pages on iPad so also add images and gifs so can in effect turn out to be a graphic novel.

The writing has always been exclusively for me, wtitten by me, for me. Never of course published. Literally dozens of ideas, crazy amount. A lot of it very, very dark.

I have written quite sensual stuff too. Suitable for here arguably. But a few really strong story ideas to sustain a long ongoing series.

So first couple of submissions later, 2 rejections. One in particular just not suitable for here in reality (real character and way too selfish non consensual ). The second though a redraft, same basic story but written better. More suitable for here. A better lit erotica offering.

Then the wait - is it good enough - chapter one is key. I write on and write four more chapters easily in same vein. Still waiting.

Then Chapter 1 published, then chapter 2.

I get a follower, I get some likes.

So now I am writing for others. They have a lot to look forward too. That’s not as arrogant as it may sound. It’s just what I think for those who enjoyed part 2.

And yes a lot more to come.

So now I am not just writing for myself, I am writing for others. I write all the parts, all the characters, I love to create great characters, that people can relate to. They need to come across as real, authentic. Characters you can emote with.

So who are you writing for?

As of now, I am writing for you

EDIT - this means at least 8 others currently based on the follows

Brutal One

 

[AlinaX]

I write for me, then give it to the world...

 

[jaF0]

I write for no one.







(I should say wrote since it's been so long.)

 

[lovecraft68]

At this stage anything I put here is for the readers as in its now mostly fun stuff, and although I'm predominantly writing for $$$ now, I started here and like to give the readers who helped me get where I am a little gift of sorts.

My off lit writing is for me. Its mostly horror based, but with a bit of a feminist angry woman edge, also with hard core erotica and a lot of violence. A mixed bag of vices that doesn't appeal to everyone, but those are all of the things I enjoy.

 

[KeithD]

Some of what I write is for niches, underserved kinks. All of it is to entertain myself too, though.

 

[SamScribble]

I write to entertain myself and a few of my friends around the world.

 

[NotWise]

I write mostly for myself, but I do try to select stories suitable for Lit and color my choices to Lit reader's tastes.

 

[Ginlover]

I write for the reader, specifically the reaction.

If I wrote a sad scene and they cry I'm ecstatic, a suspence and they cant stop reading I'm happy. Sex was my weak point. So I came here and another site to write sex ... what stronger physical and emotional reaction could I get to my writing that fucking hot porn in text?

My next challenge is to write a novel with loads of sex (ive written several argly sexless novels before). If that is received okay then I'd like to explore publishing. Long way off yet. So ultimately I'm writing for me but in fact every step of the way my reader is my focus.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I started writing for the pleasure of writing, for what it gives me intellectually, emotionally, creatively. The process of publishing and gauging the reader response became part of it and might guide it, especially once I realised words are powerful things and can affect people directly - intimately, emotionally, intellectually.

When folk responded to my writing in such a positive way it turned a corner and took on new meaning. In particular, the person who said my stories gave them a "safe haven" - those two simple words sum it up for me: the fact that my words can give a troubled person a safe place where they can find some personal, sexual pleasure, an escape.

That's a powerful thought: socially responsible erotica? I suppose now, I write for those people. Those anonymous people sitting in a chair, lying on a bed, sitting in a bus or a train, reading my stories to turn themselves on or simply for the pleasure of reading. Those folk out there who read my stuff.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

I really don't know anymore. I mean I'd like to say that I just write what I want and if I'm the only one who likes it, well that's fine with me. But if I'm honest with myself, I get a thrill from every five star vote and every comment.

Someone on the AH (I think it was Melissa baby) once said that making a reader cry was the best feeling in the world. I've been lucky enough to have one or two comments from weeping readers, and I have to admit, it's true. Knowing your words moved someone to tears is just ludicrously validating.

So while I'd like to claim that I have too much "artistic integrity" to pander to the readers, I'm pretty sure I don't. There has to be something in my brain by this point that is making choices just to please my audience. I'm just not smart enough to recognize it and stop myself. And I'm not sure I want to.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Can I still say "I write for my own amusement" even if I'm making money off it?

My stories are stuff I'd like to read, filled with kinks which arouse me or ideas I find interesting. I don't chase trends. Every person who likes my writing is a small win, every new Patron a big one.

I haven't changed my content to appeal to more readers (in fact it's rather the opposite). The only concession to my paying customers is better communication and a somewhat regular schedule.

 

[VermillionVenusian]

I write for myself, in that I write stories that I would want to read. But I also write to try to make myself a better writer. And that’s a tricky one. It’s hard to tell if I’m improving or not, from my short time here. The “lessons” to be learned about writing by way of practicing that craft are elusive to me. I feel like the only things I have learned from my time on this site relate to how to select category or how to interpret scores. Feedback is, as we all know, so incredibly rare. I don’t want to learn how to pander to a particular audience. But distinguishing between the effects of becoming an objectively more skilled writer and becoming better at pandering to a niche group might be impossible.

Sorry to get all philosophical and kind of maudlin, but that’s just what came to my mind from the topic.

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't see it as either/or, and I never have, and I never will.

When I started writing and publishing stories here in 2016, it was to scratch an itch I'd felt for a while, having been a longtime reader of stories at this Site. I had no idea how my stories would be received, but I wanted to publish them anyway. I'm still scratching that itch. I write stories I want to write.

But I see publishing a story as a communicative act, between me and my readers. When I write, I want to communicate whatever it is I want to say in the best way possible to reach my readers. I respect them. I'm mindful of them as I write.

I try to write the best story I can write. Whether it's for me, or for readers, I don't know -- I suppose it's some sort of combination. I don't fret about it, one way or another. I just keep trying to write the best story I can.

 

[vanmyers86]

I write primarily for myself, but also because, at heart, I am an entertainer. I like to bring pleasure to others and maybe relieve them of their burdens and cares for a little while.

 

[Jada59]

It varies. Some things I write for me. Some things I write for specific people. Some things I write for who I presume my target audience to be.

 

[yukonnights]

I'm going to give credit to writing my first story in 2007 for Literotica to SR71pilot (KiethD). I had scribbled a few erotic short stories prior to that, but just for fun. When I found Lit, it just seemed really cool to write and share them. At that point, I doubt I even had in mind who I was writing for or what I wanted to say — I just wrote and published a taboo sex story

But in hindsight, I can see that I have always generally written for those who are seeking a love story they can relate to. Often it's for some part of the LGBTQ population — but I also write heterosexual just as easily. Pretty much everything I write is a love story regardless of the category. They are all uplifting and positive — I doubt I could craft a horror or dark story — my beta-reader buddy here on Lit says my stories are "sappy".

Basically, I've come to describe my stories as propaganda for my worldview. Along the way I've attracted a number of like minded people who like to read about people finding love. Lot's of sappy people in the world, it seems.

As has been said by others; When a reader comments and tells you they cried or 'this story made my day' — or thanking you for "getting it"; that does justify all the effort.

I guess that I write for both myself and those who read what I write - duh I doubt I would write without Literotica as a place to share my thoughts. It's an edifying feedback loop my readers and I share with each other.

 

[Abbafan]

I finally finished a story. I wrote it for my own amusement. There might be others out there with similar tastes who would like it, I suppose. I didn't write it to hit some target audience though and haven't even published it. If I did start putting stories up, that wouldn't change.

 

[AlexJayce]

I read for myself, because I always lived by the philosophy: You want something done right, do it yourself!

 

[Emirus]

Myself and hope

I write for myself first and then, because it’s in the public domain, hope some other people like it as well.

I would wake up in the morning having written an Oscar winning film script in my dreams but being only able to vaguely remember it. That’s why mainstream authors and, I suppose some on here, keep a notepad or laptop by the side of the bed. I’d been reading stories on here, and other sites, for a while and decided I’d put my dreams in a more solid form and submit them. That’s when I discovered although my dreams were good my attempts to put them into words weren’t and I wasn’t as good a writer as I thought I was.

I still write for myself, and submit what I enjoy, because I figure if I don’t like what I’ve written how can I expect other readers to like it?

 

[CoffeeWithMonkeys]

I write for no one.







(I should say wrote since it's been so long.)

That's what I was going to say. Really I've pretty much stopped writing. I don't have the time for it and I guess I'm burned out or something.

 

[yukonnights]

I write for myself first and then, because it’s in the public domain, hope some other people like it as well.

I would wake up in the morning having written an Oscar winning film script in my dreams but being only able to vaguely remember it. That’s why mainstream authors and, I suppose some on here, keep a notepad or laptop by the side of the bed. I’d been reading stories on here, and other sites, for a while and decided I’d put my dreams in a more solid form and submit them. That’s when I discovered although my dreams were good my attempts to put them into words weren’t and I wasn’t as good a writer as I thought I was.

I still write for myself, and submit what I enjoy, because I figure if I don’t like what I’ve written how can I expect other readers to like it?

Aw, you're being too modest. All of your stories are 4.5 or above except for a couple of them — and those are in categories with readers that are hard to please. Non-con and humor — seems that should be easy, but the readers there can be very picky.

 

[SamScribble]

That's what I was going to say. Really I've pretty much stopped writing. I don't have the time for it and I guess I'm burned out or something.

I hope that whatever else it is that is consuming your time is something that you are getting something out of. Life is so short.

 

[HeyAll]

Great question.

I write for readers. And for my personal enjoyment. But my enjoyment comes from readers enjoying it. If no one read, I wouldn't bother to write anything. It wouldn't be worth the effort and time I put into it.

I'd say I gear my erotica for the average person who wants to get off. I try to appeal to all legal ages, men and women.

 

[oggbashan]

Myself and my muses who can be demanding and perverse bitches.

 

[Reshbod]

For myself. My stories all have the same general themes, so far and I write them because they are the stories I have had little luck finding. Some people do like them and want more, but still they are mostly for me.