Writing under a LITonym

[oggbashan]

Re: Re: Writing under a LITonym

I say go for it. Hell, you can always pull the story if it bombs. At least you'll get a reputation as someone who's not afraid to take chances.

---dr.M.

I've written several stories that bombed. Even a couple that made readers sick (barf in US). I haven't pulled them because somebody likes them - if only me.

Og.

Then I tried to be someone else. I'm still trying to make sense of the results of posting stories under a different sex and name.

 

[A7inchPhildo]

Re: Re: Re: Writing under a LITonym

I've written several stories that bombed. Even a couple that made readers sick (barf in US). I haven't pulled them because somebody likes them - if only me.

Og.

Then I tried to be someone else. I'm still trying to make sense of the results of posting stories under a different sex and name.

Og you are too cute!

I don't post under a different name for reasons of being anonomous. I think Phildo is plenty annon by it self.

Just as Og is you here, but it is not you in the real world. If I went to your country and started asking everyone where Og lives likely no one would know who the hell I am talking about.

Characters for me started out from a feedback letter. It was given in response to Me as the original Lit character Tyler. Under that name I have several stories, ranging from Romance to incest.
The letter went on to say how one of my stories really touched this person in a special way. The after thoughts of the story made this person inquire to read more stories I had written. Upon seeing the wide variety of story content. The reader felt compelled to let me know how uncaring of an individual I really was.

Stepping back I can see the point of this reader. He/She was intimate into the Romance story. Then pondering more reads comes upon incest and wife stuff along with nonconsent. I can see how this took much of the credibility from the story and threw it out the window.

When I read I want to believe at least portions of the story are from this person's personal experience. If they are not, "I don't want to know that, let me enjoy the fantasy."

Thus for Tyler "ME", A business man who has ventured into many areas. It is not easy to make a reader believe a man named Tyler or Phil can relate to being a young female. In the readers mind they might like the tale, but they will automatically dismiss any credibility knowing before they read it is a Male writing the story. Been there done that!

Now "ME" writing a story, and posting it under a feminine name, gives the whole story list a different feel.

Same story posted by me as a male: 3.57 25 votes and 4 feedback letters. Removed it last July!
Now as a female: 4.67 curently with 196 votes, and over 200 feedback letters in the first two days.

Sorry I am enjoying writing. I will give the crowds exactly what they want and how they want it. It would be differernt if I was publishing my works. I write for the kick! I don't need money, I need to be entertained.

The crowds want to hear a slutty girl lay her inner most secrets on the line? Tadah!
The crowds want the romance of a kind gentleman? Tadah!
They want to hate and despise the weasel of weasels? Again Tadah!

What is it you want to read? Do you want to read it from a person who fits the character or a person fantasizing?

I can bet you want to hear how a little girlie begs for sex as she intoxicates a man to fill her desires.
I can also bet you don't want to ever think that little girlie is a bearded man. Who can write what you want to read.

I don't advertise my stories because I don't have too other than a great title. People read them because they want to, I very rarely ask someone to read a story.

Here is the thing I read all the feedback, but never reply to any of the characters letters. Pretending to be something I am not. Other than Tyler who is me or the original me? Whatever, does that make more sense to you?

Phildo

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Writing under a LITonym

The crowds want to hear a slutty girl lay her inner most secrets on the line? Tadah!
The crowds want the romance of a kind gentleman? Tadah!
They want to hate and despise the weasel of weasels? Again Tadah!

What is it you want to read? Do you want to read it from a person who fits the character or a person fantasizing?

I understand what you're saying, Phil, but you might ask your question another way: what would you want to read? A story by an author who takes responsibility for it? Or a story by someone lying about who they are?

---dr.M.

 

[A7inchPhildo]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Writing under a LITonym

I understand what you're saying, Phil, but you might ask your question another way: what would you want to read? A story by an author who takes responsibility for it? Or a story by someone lying about who they are?

---dr.M.

dr.M,
Precisely that is my point. What is the difference if I post as A7inchPhildo or a 27inchPhilatio? I'll tell ya, one writes Bdsm and the other Romance. Let's be honest the reader seems to like not knowing, better than knowing the truth. If they wanted the truth they would not be reading at Lit.

Out of the 200K+ Names at Lit. there is, but a good bakers dozen that utilize a real accountable name. I would have to be out of my mind to guess the percentage of Authors who use a second or third name to post stories. I only know of about 25 or so currently doing such.

You are correct on one way to view it. I myself am a realist reader. I like to believe the story could have or Might have actually been real. I like to think I can place the true identity from the story. I know for a fact that several of my all time favorite stories are not real, the author is not macho, and the facts are farthest from the truth. Knowing what I know, and having written stories. I still like to believe thay are real. It adds a certain amount of flair to the fantasy.

Asking my self, "an author who takes responsibility for it?" I don't write mainstream. I really don't think Lit stories are accountable to anyone for any of the matter placed within. They have guidelines set up by Laurel, If one needs to be accountable Laurel will notify that person.

The only reason I can gather for responsibility is to gloat in ones own works. (Hey folks look what I can do.) I can see where it is a prestiege thing to have certain works under ones fake name at Lit. I don't disagree many times I read an excellent story, and I enjoy writing feedback to a known fake name. I also have written to unknown fake names, and never was replied back. That is ok too. I enjoyed the story, and figure good chance Him/Her has read my feedback, and has reasons not to reply.

I am not ashamed of writing in any of the categories. I have written in several. And I am more than happy to direct an asking person to stories I like or have written in any of the such categories. That is why I keep Tyler around, there is at least one story of each category I post in under that name. I probably should go back and edit some of the stories now, but none the less that is why I keep Tyler. A mish mash of stories, that don't all go together. But a place to send the curious mind of just how demented my mind can be!

Nope no guilt trip here. I like lying to the reader. Then again I don't believe any one is named A7inchphildo, nor the story they tell is 100% real either. So I guess I like being lied to as well.

It would be different if they started a IM or PM game with me of purpose directed personal deciet. Even then ask some of my friends just how long it takes before I trust a person I meet online.

Well off to decieve some very very happy readers, with some newly posted stories.

Phildo

PS. wait my real name is Phil. Oh God now you all know who I am!

 

[Pure]

Charley said,

I have a couple of stories that I want to post, and yet they are not my usual fare. Has anyone ( I know Ogg does) ever posted under a different Lit name and why? Has it been beneficial? Different? Generally what's the experience - you don't have to recount the name.

My reasons would be several fold:

to experiement with language that I do not use
to really go into subjects my fan base might not enjoy
to really delve dark and offensively to anyone who might read.

EDIT: Yes there are four more reasons!


I think your reasons are excellent. a fan base gets used to certain things, e.g., 'straight sex'.

I've used other names for authorship, and it's to keep control. I.e., if there's one list, everyone knows everything. Yes it works.

As to 'dark' topics, exactly. If you have a dark screenname you can choose whom you show that story to.

A couple other comments. The downside is that reputation does not help you; there's no synergy. One of Doris Lessing's books was actually turned down for publication, without her name. So your omnivorous fans can't help you, won't know of your new offering.

Second, (as another poster said) isn't it odd, that a person is attached to one literotica identity. And that it's somehow felt as insufficient protection. [I'm using this as a hypothetical example, only, my friend] I.e. if mabeuse writes an incest story or a gay story, 'mab' is compromised! But who the hell is mab, anyway.

It's understandable why "Joel Finkelman" doesn't want his neighbors to know he writes porn (i.e., see a book with his name as author), but that's cuz of a possible police interest in "Joel Finkelman" and his synagogue membership as 'Joel Finkelman'.

But what the hell difference does it make if "mab" is suddenly known for some perverse writing? His r.l. publications can stay unaffected.

Yet, despite all this, I say, 'do it.'

---
PS. Oddly, I partly agree with Phil. If a person's so damn proud of his/her porn, let him/her use a real name. Yet this isn't done much. So the 'porn author' name is already a dodge. In mab's terms, the person isn't letting on who they are, and it's

[dr m:] a story by someone lying about who they are

But then what's the problem if all the 'gay' stories are with another name?

Obviously some people supply selected personal details under their main lit name; yet they needn't. The second identity merely disconnects that authorship (say, of something dark) from the known details: that "LustrivenSarah" is a sunday school teacher with two kids.

 

[oggbashan]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Writing under a LITonym

I understand what you're saying, Phil, but you might ask your question another way: what would you want to read? A story by an author who takes responsibility for it? Or a story by someone lying about who they are?

---dr.M.

How many mainstream authors write under their real name?
How many use a pseudonym?
How many have more than one nom-de-plume?
How many, even using their real name, are packaged and marketed as something different from their real persona?
How can anyone tell what an author's persona is apart from reading their output and if that output is fiction how much is based on the author's real life?
Even when using a nom-de-plume the author is responsible for the story. Lying is an essential part of writing fiction because what is fiction but a tissue of lies creating a world that doesn't and didn't exist. The skill lies in getting the reader to suspend disbelief.

What Dr.M. seems to be advocating is academic responsibility. I wrote this book; here are my references; this is my theory/idea and therefore I claim responsibility for its accuracy or inaccuracy.

Fiction doesn't work like that. The author is responsible for the story, good or bad. If the story is interesting and enthralling at least to some readers than the author has achieved the goal.

Og

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Every so often I'll read a recommendation that comes out of the blue for some story. Very often you'll see that the recommender has only one posting to his name, and you can pretty easily figure out who he is. I'm also aware that there are some 'top' authors in the story lists who have figured out ways to manipulate the system so as to make their stories come out on top. I suppose it involves doing things with multple identities and self-promotion. That's understandable, but it's kind of discouraging to think that people you know are doing the same kind of thing.

In the grand sceme of things I guess it's not very important, but I guess it pains me to think that this kind of thing is more widespread than I'd thought on Literotica. Of course you figure that some people are writing under multiple names, and I can see where that would be a perfectly ethical option in certain cases, but now I get the feeling that it's very common, and I find that somehow disconcerting. What does that do to the legitimacy of story recommendations and favorable reviews if the odds are that the person is just recommending himself? Makes them as worthless as the votes, I guess. What does it mean to be slammed by a friend hiding behind another screen name? (Well, I guess they could already slam you under the cloak of Anonymous)

I guess you're right. I guess it doesn't make any difference at all how many identities you have here, or what name you publish under. You have to be a fool to trust anything you see on the internet anyhow.

Hey, whatever...

---dr.M.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

You have to be a fool to trust anything you see on the internet anyhow.

Hey, whatever...

'Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.'

 

[rgraham666]

I was thinking of creating another identity for the new story I'm working on. It's quite different from the one I just finished.

But I decided against it.

This is because I want people to read my stories, not the genre I'm writing in.

I'm thinking of that authour I mentioned in another thread, Harlan Ellison.

I first came to him from SF. But he has turned his hand to everything. And just about everything he writes is good.

That's what I want, is for people to admire my writing.

Another reason I'm not making another identity is very personal. I've had to spend most of my life hiding who I was. I'm not going to do that anymore. If people have a problem with me writing erotica, or anything else for that matter, it's their problem.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

One of my favourite authors is Iain Banks. I don't particularly enjoy his sci-fi novels, which he writes as Iain M. Banks, so I am very appreciative of his use of two distinct noms-de-plume. And it's not as if he is hiding anything...

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I guess Abstruse is my pen name, my secret identity, my alter ego. I don't see myself as much of a writer, more of a reader and my real name doesnt have a writerly sound.
I'm comfortable with my anonimity. No one knows I write erotica. It started out as a challenge. I did it. People gave me feedback. I can live with that for now.

~A~standing at the crossroads yet again

 

[A7inchPhildo]

Every so often I'll read a recommendation that comes out of the blue for some story. Very often you'll see that the recommender has only one posting to his name, and you can pretty easily figure out who he is.
I will throw you one further, There is a glitch in the forums, and if you catch it just right you can instantly have 100 posts with as little as 3 or 4 posts. So all my characters have at least 100 posts for an Av. Don't worry they don't chat on the forums, I get in enough trouble as Phildo no need to multiply my busy schedule with useless bantering.
I'm also aware that there are some 'top' authors in the story lists who have figured out ways to manipulate the system so as to make their stories come out on top. I suppose it involves doing things with multple identities and self-promotion. That's understandable, but it's kind of discouraging to think that people you know are doing the same kind of thing.
The people who manipulate the voting system are interested in self identity, they are not likely to use a second lit name. They like the attention of having top rated stories. Why would they make it impossibe to be located? That is a horse of a different color.

Not at all the same as someone who has no motive to be the best, simply a writer trying to deliver what really excites the people. I know it is hard to believe, but some of us actually write (not for money, not for fame/status) to know we are making someone emotionally changed by our words. Votes and feedback tell us just how much of an impact we are having.

In the grand sceme of things I guess it's not very important, but I guess it pains me to think that this kind of thing is more widespread than I'd thought on Literotica. Of course you figure that some people are writing under multiple names, and I can see where that would be a perfectly ethical option in certain cases, but now I get the feeling that it's very common, and I find that somehow disconcerting. I can really see your point. It is almost like an underground secret at Lit who is really who. You probably know even better than I. Think of the authors you know. How many AH authors do you know for a fact have a second name? Now how many others would you guess have another name?
I don't think too many authors have the time to play childish games on the forums of Lit. I suppose it happens, but more so in the other rooms.
What does that do to the legitimacy of story recommendations and favorable reviews if the odds are that the person is just recommending himself? Makes them as worthless as the votes, I guess. What does it mean to be slammed by a friend hiding behind another screen name? (Well, I guess they could already slam you under the cloak of Anonymous)
I find some humor in this. Not really funny but, do people actually read the reviews? Should they not be posted before the story? Maybe a link before you open the story or something. I mean really after the story is, like redundant to tell me how good the story was, I just read it. I have a mind I can figure it out on my own after I read it.
Friends slamming friends. Hm, that would never happen at Lit??? Just another reason even my friends don't know where my stories are.
I guess you're right. I guess it doesn't make any difference at all how many identities you have here, or what name you publish under. You have to be a fool to trust anything you see on the internet anyhow.
I sense sarcasm, in a mild degree. If the world was a better place you and I would not have to concern our selves with deciet. I could post my stories as Phildo1, Phildo2, and so on. Unfortunately the internet is a basket full of lies. It always has been, and always will be.
Someone is always finding a way to sneak in from the back un-noticed, and take away what little good and joy you want to share. You can have faith in the system, but once you have been raped a few times you too will be a bit more discerning as to how you play the Lit game.

The alternate names provide safety for me, and my computer. While allowing a unique diversity in characters to enhance the image to the reader.
Mother said, "Never put all your eggs in one basket."

Hey, whatever...


Now that is the team spirit!

In all fairness I do see what dr.M is looking at. Yes there is an amount of deception placed into a fictional story. By creating the deception before the actual story is really pushing the limit as to how far one should go to promote reality in his/her read.

A few good close friends of mine know I did not come upon the decision lightly. Many things were considered before taking on such fictional characters. One of which is how do you repond to feedback? I came to the decision that as much as I don't care for the review section, it would be the only way to communicate. To the reader that I have read all feedback, with out having a personal coversation.
I also know why I am writing, and what I expect to recieve for my time spent. If someone is writing stories to recieve more than a thank you. A second name is not a good idea. The scores and feedback can never be more than a way to gauge if what you are doing is good for the readers.
If you need more than a thank you, then you should post consistantly under the same name. I think it is wonderful that some work very hard to achieve such awards. They deserve them, and more. For me I know where I stand, I know why I like to write. The awards and contests only get in the way of what I am doing.
It is nothing but pure fun for me! This is like an addictive hobby I would continue even if no one ever read a single story. However since I can share I do. Now I do also benifit greatly from sharing as it corrects my style, and hones my writing skills. I never even asked for that benifit, so I am so far ahead of what I originally wanted I can't loose.

Is a second name wrong? Yes in my opinion for most, the second name is wrong! Simply for the way it is used. I also know that I am not worth, but a pimple on a blindmans ass. What can I say welcome to the "World Wide Web"! Or as I like to say the, "Land of Make believe."
Notice my siggy even Edgar Poe knew way back then it is only but a dream.

Phildo