Your reasons for writing...

[zaxxon]

Hi there. This is my first post here; I usually just keep quiet and enjoy reading the discussions that have already taken place. But after having seen the same thing posted several times, it’s sparked a question in me that I'd like to put out to everyone else...

I've seen many people talk about their writing and they weigh the success of their story/poem by the rating of feedback they get. Some people want to have a high rating on their stories, and others are looking for the written feedback. Many people seem to have a sense of failure if they get bad feedback.

When I write here, it’s purely for my own enjoyment. I often take a few days writing each story or chapter of a story, and writing is the most enjoyable part to me. I guess the satisfying part is creating a world, and characters any way I choose, and deciding every thing that happens. It’s fulfilling my fantasies.

When I’m done with a story, I feel that my mission is complete. Posting it on Literotica and seeing that other people have read it is just a bonus. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting feedback and hearing that my stories were enjoyed by other people. But I would never consider _not_ writing about a subject that I find hot and heavy, because I would be afraid that other people would be bored, or I’d get 1-votes.

So my question is, why do most of you write? Is it for yourself, or do you like turning other people on with your words? There’s no right or wrong answer, and I’m not trying to preach my beliefs.

 

[Solaris the Elf]

I write mainly for myself but also for others who will soon read my story or stories. If something I write gets praise or not, I just know that I wrote a story that envoked that kind of reaction.

But if you pinned me down, I would say I write for others to get off on.

My story that I am currently working on is at this moment; not even a romance story yet but I am hoping to make it into somewhat of a romance/rape story. But I might even take off the rape side and make it pure romance and very hot sex.

I might write stories that deals with hot romance sex or rape. But it mainly depends on the mood that I am in at the moment.

 

[kristydoll]

So my question is, why do most of you write? Is it for yourself, or do you like turning other people on with your words? There’s no right or wrong answer, and I’m not trying to preach my beliefs.

Good topic question and am sure you will receive a variety of answers on this one.

My reasons for writing are simple: 1) for money; and even more importantly, 2) cause it is my need.

Of course, every writer enjoys feedback (we even learn from the negative stuff too). And it would be untruthful to say that we did not enjoy "turning people on"....I mean that is a big part of Erotica.

On a personal note, I have always written and probably always will. It truly is a need for me to write out stories and fantasies, even if for my own pleasure. I would do it even if it never made me a dime!

happy writing,
kristy

 

[Sabledrake]

I write because I can't not write.

Sabledrake

 

[Guest]

Personal confession

My efforts so far have concerned someone I have a bit of a crush-obsession with off the boards, sort of funny how you don't leave that sort of thing in High School.....

 

[Whispersecret]

1. Ditto what Sabledrake said. It would be impossible for me NOT to write.
2. I aspire to make money at this, but in the mainstream.
3. Since my stories seem to have recurring themes, I'd say that writing must be some sort of catharsis or therapy for me.
4. I love the feedback. The votes are nice, if they're favorable, not important if they're low. I know that sounds stupid, but that's how I honestly feel.
5. I'm probably also trying to get my husband interested in my writing, but it doesn't seem to be working, unless he's reading the stories in secret when he's at work.
6. I think I'm pretty good at it, and we all like to do what we're good at.

 

[lustforlife74]

Nothing better to do. That is why I write.

 

[gaigirl]

Why I write

This is a great question. In the short time I've been on Lit, I've learned not to write for ratings. I write for myself-- to improve my style, to respond in some way to the things I read here. To work things out by forcing myself to think in a linear way, logically and exactly about situations. Writing about things helps me get it out, deal with it, and sometimes get over it. If I don't get over it the first time, I can always write through it again until I do.

They say writers should write what they know. I also write about how I would like things to be, which fits some definitions of fantasy.

For me, it isn't only about "hot" although the hot is fun, and I have learned to appreciate it much more since reading others' story submissions.

I do like the feedback--I take it to heart, and then decide whether to keep and implement the advice, or whether to toss it. I've received advice for both the in and the out baskets, but don't particularly classify feedback as a positive/negative thing.

Looking forward to hearing what others offer on this... your thoughts are inspiring.

 

[its Leslie]

I write for the same reason I fuck, eat chocolate, make models, watch anime etc, because I enjoy it when I do it.

My only recent writing has been entirely for a friend. I did it because I wanted to.

I could be sitting here day after day churning out page after page earning a living, but I don't need to (earn the living).

I could just as easily be earning a living with my woodworking, but that too is not the case.

In the end, I guess a lot of us write because we can.

 

[TheEarl]

Because I looked at a story and thought: "I could do better than that." And have never really looked back after that. Although, I'm yet to qualify the original statement.

The Earl

 

[Ineedamuse]

Writing as catharsis

I'd just add that for some of us, life requires responsibility - raising children, changing our world for the better, and all those things that seem, on the surface, the business of the general public.

Decent, physically faithful husband and father, I find the passions burning within are not fully satiated nor drowned by all the things that fill my day.

I write to give voice to those passions, to share with others what I would rather, given the opportunity, have done in situations where I chose to act responsibly, respectably. I write to release my affection in ways that I cannot in real life.

Maybe someday....

 

[Couture]

I do it for the groupies!

 

[Guest]

Different strokes............

I've been writing on Lit now for a little over a year. In the beginning I got a big kick out of seeing the score's of my stories. And admittedly, I still check them from time to time just to see how they're doing. But honestly, I really enjoy the number of feedback emails I receive whenever I've posted a new story.

In the beginning, I wrote more for myself, and usually rushed through the stories. (And my earlier works tend to show that). As I continued writing, and began to recieve honest constructive critisism and help, my stories (hopefully) improved, but as I noticed, so did the feedback emails.

I still get the ocassional anonymous email that tells me a story sucked, or that someone hated what I wrote, or was disapointed in what I did. But I'd say that percentage is down to about 1% of the negative emails I actually do get.

So yes....for me, the rewards vary. I like to see my stories are posting high in the rankings, it also means that people are reading and enjoying them that don't email me. And......I get a significant number of feedback emails, that often result in a discussion, or an idea revisited with that individual on why I did, or didn't do something in a story. And I LOVE it when that happens as I've made new friends, shared thoughts and ideas....and most importantly, hopefully came away with something that will improve my next story.

So.......different strokes for different folks. We all write for one reason or another yes. But I think the most important thing is we write.....because we enjoy doing it.

Everything else is simply icing on the proverbial cake.

I remain,

 

[Guest]

TO see how weird i am

xxxxx

 

[Wildfire427]

Why I write...

1. I started writing as a means to get my wife in the mood.
2. I started writing at Lit to try and get my wife in the mood.
3. I keep writing at Lit because my wife is never in the mood.

Also,

1. Feedback.
2. Votes.
3. Reads.
4. I like knowing someone likes what I write (refer to #3 above)
5. I want to make money writing erotica/porn.
6. I like to do it.
7. It’s cheaper than going to the strip clubs.
8. Maybe someday my wife will get in the mood again from one of my stories.

P.S. WS, sorry for copying your style, but I tend to make a lot of lists, so it works for me.

 

[NaughtyMike]

I write because it is the best way to get my biography published without being put in jail. I have a small cult following who enjoy the elements of humor I place in my stories as well as the constant trivia. There are a couple of young ladies who give me feedback with every story. I was getting story line and technical questions so I recently wrote a NaughtyMike Reader's Guide, not expecting many readers to hit on it. I did it to see how many hard core cult followers I really have- about 500.

To me one loyal dedicated reader is worth a thousand casual readers.

 

[Graymouse]

Huh. good question.

I guess I write because these stories--or bits and pieces of stories--are in my head anyway. Writing them down is the only way to make the voices shut up and leave me alone to pursue more practical things for a while .

Catharsis, as several people have already mentioned, is also a motivating factor for me. I can't help but notice my subconscious tendencies to try to reconcile different conflicting aspects of my own personality by writing them into my characters. In life, especially lately, I'm annoyed with myself for my inability to be single-minded. Many of my characters, however, are; somehow that is helpful in defusing my annoyance with myself. I don't know. Probably this doesn't make any sense.

Another nice thing about writing for me--it is the absolute antithesis of what I'm pursuing as a career, so it gives me balance. And contributes to the whole 'conflicting personalities' thing . . .

 

[wildsweetone]

So my question is, why do most of you write? Is it for yourself, or do you like turning other people on with your words?

I wrote originally because a friend told me to. Since that first story, I have spent my time learning and improving... but realise fully that I have a long way to go before I improve enough to warrant anybody else actually reading my writing. Oddly I've had occasional feedbacks from people who want me to move in with them... Oh, and one who would like to give me a massage with a soft bristled brush... I think my nickname has a lot to do with that though.

Why do I write? If I don't draw, I write. If I don't write, I draw. If I do neither, then I am not a nice person to live with. I have no choice but to let out some form of creativity or the right side of my brain turns my left side into pulp and my family tend to not want to know me.

I get immense satisfaction from letting my creative side free. I don't do any of it for money, I do it because I love it.

As for, 'do I like turning people on with my words?' - suffice it to say that if anybody said 'no' to that question, why would they be here?

 

[Callia]

Graymouse, I can totally relate to what you said!

Callia

 

[Cooksie]

I write because I want to touch someone; and with erotic fiction, that most definitely means turning them on... My most basic philosophy for writing is that it seriously doesn't matter whether I'm enjoying myself, nor does it matter what happens to my characters: they can die a tragic death or meet the love of their life - who cares? The only thing that does matter is what happens to the reader: did they cry, or laugh aloud? Did their heart race? That's real. So in short, I write in order to create something real: an experience in the reader.

Feedback, obviously, is important to me because it means I've succeeded, and to the point where they reach out to touch me in return. And I like being touched.

A high score is important to me simply because it increases the chances of people reading the piece.

 

[RedFenix]

I write because those damn people in my head wouldn’t shut up until I let them have sex.

Honestly – I write because if I didn’t I don’t know what else I would do. I write because I enjoy it and because it makes me feel creative in a way that nothing else can.


Red

 

[English Lady]

Well as someone who has only just signed up,I say I have written for the pleasure of my husband and a few friends whom I have let read my work. I write to express myself and I suppose letting other people see this writing is something that appeals to my slightly exhabitionist streak! I love words and I love to write and erotica is so very primal and so very passionate and vibrant and varied that it is a pleasure and a joy to be able to tap into all that energy and see it come to life in words.

 

[MechaBlade]

I write because I can't not write.

Sabledrake

Yep. It's like masturbation for me: relieves sexual stress. Plus, I have elaborate fantasies that I think need to be documented. They won't stop coming if I stop writing them.

 

[Star of Penumbra]

Originally, I started writing as a favor to a friend. Once I found out how much I liked it, it was hard not to write when I got a good idea.