Why we write.

[gauchecritic]

I've just received probably the best kind of comment on my Valentine's entry:

From Aurora: (thankyou)

Even though Incest/Taboo isn't one of my favorite categories, I found myself reading until the end to see what would happen next.

It really didn't matter that no mention was made about the literary nuance, the character development, the phrase/situation echo, the psychological aspect of the main character's motivation nor indeed the glaring time slip errors, the occasional change of tense or the rather convoluted and difficult attempt at story within a story. Just "I wanted to read on."

As with a lot of Lit. stories, and unfortunately quite a few contest entries, I found myself back clicking after a paragraph or two.

Apart from when you aim at the strokers or begin your story with "Well now that I've made my mom pregnant I should start with my sis. (honey blonde hair, 5' 2", perfect tits etc)" Is "I wanted to read what happened next" the best comment?

 

[3113]

Apart from when you aim at the strokers or begin your story with "Well now that I've made my mom pregnant I should start with my sis. (honey blonde hair, 5' 2", perfect tits etc)" Is "I wanted to read what happened next" the best comment?

Actually, there is one comment better than that:
"I keep coming back to read this story again and again."

Because that means that even knowing what happens next, they still want to read it.

But "wanting to read what happened next" in any shape or form runs a close second. Those other forms include:
"I couldn't stop reading..." And, even better, "I knew I had to go to sleep and wake up early the next morning...but I had to find out how it ended."

And after that, the best comment is:
"That was the best read," and "The ending did not disappoint" or just "Wow!"

Wow is always good

 

[TxRad]

For me, any comment that doesn't start with "Hey, Asshole....." Is just fine......

 

[damppanties]

Actually, there is one comment better than that:
"I keep coming back to read this story again and again."

That's definitely a better one. And so is:

Words to my emptiness
02/03/06 By: Anonymous in USA
Thank you, you have managed to put narrative to some emotions I have felt for a long while. It was bneautifully written. Thank you.

I'm on a giddy high.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

No argument from me about any of those, even TxRads.

However, this comment Colly left on my Alive and Going Home story will probably always mean the most to me.

Sometimes the words won't come. The flash of inspiration drowns in the dark waters of hesitancy, indecision and self doubt. At various times in my writing career, I have sought out the works of others, drawing from their eloquence the spark of new inspiration. I often find myself returning to this work. In its simplicity and stark humaness I find the power of words to move emotion time and again.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[drksideofthemoon]

That's definitely a better one. And so is:
I'm on a giddy high.

This is one of my favorites...
cattleman
11/04/05 By: Anonymous in usa
I am a 67 year old former cattle rancher. The cattle working in this chapter brought tears to my eyes and I don't think that I am a sentimental person.


And this one...I was truly rendered speechless...

Hi- I just wanted to let you know that my latest story and Valentine
Day Contest entry is dedicated to you. In many ways, I
think this is my best story ever, especially from an emotional
viewpoint. No, it isn't on the same level as Montana Summer, few things are.
But thanks for the positive effect on my life and writings, it IS
appreciated.

 

[LadyAria]

After the flaming hate emails I've gotten from a few women on my BDSM series, I wasn't really feeling like writing for Lit anymore. Then one really sweet person wrote this comment on my story: Incognito. It actually prompted me to start writing again.

Its killing me waiting for the conclusion!!!
12/29/05 By: Anonymous in USA
Please try to make time for a conclusion of this story. I am constantly checking for it. I die'n to know what happens next! Thank you!

It's like they knew I needed to hear it.

 

[elsol]

From an email sent to me anonymously:

Without the steamy sex I would have still read
and reread all your stories; they helped me
understand and fix something that I hadn't
realized was broken.

The road ahead is still long, but I'm getting closer.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[oggbashan]

My favourite PC is still this one, the only one on 'Bagged at the Opera' currently rated at 3.50:

I'm a married female in her 30's, currently on anti-depressants that made my sex drive go fron 55mph to maybe 5 at best. (With my husband using every trick in the book--so to speak--at once).
That was well written, imaginative, and sexy. Plus, I think someone just FLOORED the gas pedal to the metal. Thanks. I needed that. Writer? Try to publish! You can do it.

Og

 

[TheEarl]

For me, any comment that doesn't start with "Hey, Asshole....." Is just fine......

Seconded and taken further. I'm happy with "Hey Asshole." If I'm read, then I'm happy.

The Earl

 

[TheEarl]

Just to share my favourite feedback e-mail:

A girl who send me a complimentary e-mail on one story, wrote back just minutes later to say - "I've just looked and seen that the last story you submitted was over a year ago. Please, please don't tell me that you've stopped writing. I think I might cry if you're not producing any new material."

That comment inspired me to my last spurt of Lit writing. All I needed to hear was that my writings were wanted. Sadly, it was anonymous, so I couldn't tell her what it meant to me. She got a mention in my comeback story author's note though.

The Earl

 

[impressive]

Nope. It's not "why I write." I write because I can't NOT write.

However, such kudos & strokes are a part of the reason I share what I write -- not even the biggest part.

 

[shereads]

The best stories communicate so powerfully, they don't have to be read at all.

~ A Busy Reader

 

[TheEarl]

The best stories communicate so powerfully, they don't have to be read at all.

~ A Busy Reader

My arse.

~ The (egocentric) Earl

 

[shereads]

My arse.

Exactly. The title is so powerful, I don't have to read the rest to know that 'My Arse' is a damn good story.

 

[3113]

Nope. It's not "why I write." I write because I can't NOT write.

Even though that's the title of the thread, that wasn't the real question.

If you look at the original post, the real question is: "Is this the best comment?" not "Is this why we write."

I think we can all agree that we write because we "can't not write." I've never yet met a writer nor read of any writer, real writers, who said anything else. That answer is as old as Homer, and surely a given by now.

 

[Guest]

Is "I wanted to read what happened next" the best comment?

No, not even close. I prefer appreciation about literary nuance, character development, etc., as the reason(s) for wanting to read on.

Still wishing you took your writing more seriously, Gaucho (i.e., this entry really does read like a 'first draft').

Perdita

 

[dreampilot79]

For me, any comment that doesn't start with "Hey, Asshole....." Is just fine......

I hear ya there... but ya ain't lived till ya get...

"You miserable sucking asshole.. If I knew where to find you... I'd rid the world of scum like you. The world would be a much better place if I could only kill you"

after that.. "hey asshole" sounds good!!!

 

[MissBri]

 

[cloudy]

This is still one of my favorites (on Possession):

Fun time in the Big Easy.
10/14/04 By: Rumple Foreskin in a state of consternation
Cloudy,

I'm proud of you.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[gauchecritic]

No, not even close. I prefer appreciation about literary nuance, character development, etc., as the reason(s) for wanting to read on.

Which is implicit in mentioning them in the first place.

 

[Guest]

Which is implicit in mentioning them in the first place.

Huh? or: Then I don't understand why you asked your question. Not that it really matters.

Perdita

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

This is still one of my favorites (on Possession):

You more than earned it.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Nope. It's not "why I write." I write because I can't NOT write.

However, such kudos & strokes are a part of the reason I share what I write -- not even the biggest part.

Amen to that!

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I'm not a great story-teller and probably never will be. I wish I were, but I seem to be more interested in what people think than in what they do. I think more in terms of feelings than in terms of deeds.