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Stories expectations

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firmdreamer012
Active Ink Slinger
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Anyone ever post a story expecting it to be received really well, (relative to your other works) only to see it bomb. Or post one you don't think is your best work and see people praise the hell out of it?
KimmiBeGood
Simple Scribbler
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Yes and yes! So ... the takeaway is always write for yourself! If you love it, it was worth writing. I think if you write, trying to please others, your writing will suffer. Art is subjective. Writing is art. Impossible to know for certain what will be a big hit with readers.
kistinspencil
Voyeur @ f/64
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Yes to the former, quite a few times (to be fair, I'm somewhat delusional); to the latter, no, that's not happened. As Kimmi says, you must write for yourself ultimately. It can be a lonely dance, so you must satisfy 'you' first and foremost.
firmdreamer012
Active Ink Slinger
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Quote by KimmiBeGood
Yes and yes! So ... the takeaway is always write for yourself! If you love it, it was worth writing. I think if you write, trying to please others, your writing will suffer. Art is subjective. Writing is art. Impossible to know for certain what will be a big hit with readers.



I agree, I'm mostly writing for myself. But at least part of the fun(in my opinion) is seeing how others respond. Wish I could say I was not letting it frustrate me at all but I'd be lying.
But I only just discovered this love of writing very recently so, growing pains I guess. Lol
campusvamp
Active Ink Slinger
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Not really. I write because I enjoy it. Though I admit having my very first story I posted on Lush being selected as a blue thumbs up Recommended Read did feel good. But as long as I'm satisfied with my writing that's all that matters to me. Although when others like my writing my ego gets stroked.
Master_Jonathan
Active Ink Slinger
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I am always flabbergasted when one of my stories gets multiple reads! In high school, I barely eeked by my Creative Writing class (I think the teacher passed me only to get rid of me!). I was told in no uncertain terms that I needed to find another means of support - my writing wasn't going to cut it! So when I see one of my stories do well, it's a complete shock to me! I was terrified when I put my first story out and the "wonder" hasn't diminished any over the next 650!
techgoddess
Sassy Red-haired Beach Kat/Dune Goddess
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I've had both scenarios happen. Like Kimmi and others, I have really learned to focus on writing what I like. It's thrilling when a story seems to be well-liked. After 220 stories/poems with a collective million-plus views, I still fret about each story and am always excited to read comments about my characters or storylines.

While I was working on writing a story in every category, I felt like some of those stories would not go over particularly well. So, I was blown away when some of them attracted far more attention than I ever imagined.

It takes a while to build an audience of regular readers. Keep writing!!

Please enjoy my current story competition entry:

Alisha Unleashed

Book Four in the Mac and Grace Saga begins:

Boardrooms & Boudoirs

And the latest micros:

Sated Bliss

Birthday Spankings

Stormdog
Gentleman Stranger
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Yes to both - probably true of anyone that's written a dozen stories or more, if they're being honest - but "well-received" and "bombed" can be tough to judge here. As has been noted elsewhere, scores tend to be very generous at Lush unless the story is just awful, and not many of those make the cut.

Views don't tell you much, at least initially, because the title could be one that drew people in but once they read a few hundred words they may have given up and moved on. Views doesn't necessarily equate to reads. Long-term, if it keeps getting "viewed" and collecting votes, that's probably a good indicator of a solid story. Oh, and the title, category, or word count may have also scared some people off that never clicked on what might be a great story, so really all you have initially is the comments.

I enjoy the comments because you can get a better sense of how readers felt about it. The fun ones are when the reader tells you (sometimes quite graphically!) how the story affected them arousal-wise, or that the story was "better than Viagra for me and my wife". We are writng erotica, after all; its main purpose in life is to tease and arouse and inspire all kinds of fun stuff! If you can tell a good story in the process, one where the reader finds the characters relatable and the story line captivating, those are the ones that tend to be very popular.

As much as anything I enjoy the comments because they are a way to stay in touch with friends - if you have a following you'll hear from the same people a lot. I enjoy that and try to reply in some pesonal way to each comment to let them know how much it means to have them support my stories. It's time-consuming, but also a big part of what keeps me going.

And I too write for me - an idea bounces around for a while and eventually either fades or demands to be written - and as long as you're putting in the time, you might as well try to write the best story you can. After that you throw your baby out there and leave it at the mercy of the readers. You hope they like it - and that if they do, they might tell you. If not... well, other stories are waiting to be written. Or the lawn needs mowing, dogs need feeding, or...
darkroot50
Active Ink Slinger
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I think Kimmi nailed it. Write for you. I don't get frustrated or surprised by reactions to my submissions. I do get frustrated when I think I wrote a good story and I get lower scores than anticipated and NO comments as to why. Everybody on here is an adult and if you are critical of a writer and their submissions please take 30 seconds and tell us "why". I know, in my case, I can handle the criticism. Maybe your critique will help me improve and you'll get more enjoyment from my next story.
KimmiBeGood
Simple Scribbler
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Quote by darkroot50
I think Kimmi nailed it. Write for you. I don't get frustrated or surprised by reactions to my submissions. I do get frustrated when I think I wrote a good story and I get lower scores than anticipated and NO comments as to why. Everybody on here is an adult and if you are critical of a writer and their submissions please take 30 seconds and tell us "why". I know, in my case, I can handle the criticism. Maybe your critique will help me improve and you'll get more enjoyment from my next story.


Great point! Most of us don't mind the low vote if you just tell us why. And if the critique is respectful, other friends/commenters shouldn't attack the one who downvoted. I think that's why peeps vote and don't comment - afraid of being attacked for not liking the story.
firmdreamer012
Active Ink Slinger
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Yeah it would be way better if there were either more votes or more comments. I would not even care if a bad comment was malicious and rude, at least it's a critique of some sort. Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words everyone.
CumGirl
Attention Whore
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Quote by firmdreamer012
Yeah it would be way better if there were either more votes or more comments. I would not even care if a bad comment was malicious and rude, at least it's a critique of some sort. Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words everyone.


To be honest, I don't believe most Lush authors really would appreciate critique reviews of their submissions, and I don't feel the comments sections are necessarily a suitable venue for such.
Yes, you should have a hazard label on you, "warning CG will be your every fantasy"

kistinspencil
Voyeur @ f/64
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My delusions would be shattered like a champagne flute subjected to the Queen of the Night's ravishments
CumGirl
Attention Whore
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Quote by kistinspencil
My delusions would be shattered like a champagne flute subjected to the Queen of the Night's ravishments


I've always found it is best to keep your delusional champagne flute brim-filled. That way it's less fragile, less prone to fracturing at every casual comment.
Yes, you should have a hazard label on you, "warning CG will be your every fantasy"

CumGirl
Attention Whore
1 like
Quote by firmdreamer012
Yeah it would be way better if there were either more votes or more comments. I would not even care if a bad comment was malicious and rude, at least it's a critique of some sort. Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words everyone.


Just to say, firmdreamer012, that if you replied to the comments you receive on your stories (which you may well have done privately, but haven't publicly) readers may be more inclined to leave a comment.

Certainly, if I leave a comment on another author's work then I expect some form of acknowledgement from them regarding that comment, preferably in the form of some reply. If an author doesn't demonstrate that courtesy then I am unlikely to make the effort to comment on any of their further submissions. The fact that you don't reply to the comments that you receive would stop me from commenting in the first place and if I had previously left a comment that has been unacknowledged then I probably wouldn't bother reading any more of your stories.

That may sound harsh but a small amount of common courtesy goes a long way in this place.
Yes, you should have a hazard label on you, "warning CG will be your every fantasy"

CumGirl
Attention Whore
0 likes
Quote by firmdreamer012
Yeah it would be way better if there were either more votes or more comments. I would not even care if a bad comment was malicious and rude, at least it's a critique of some sort. Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words everyone.


And whilst I'm on a roll ...

Lush is a community that thrives on reciprocity. You read my stuff and leave a comment, nice or otherwise. I read your stuff and leave a comment, nice or otherwise.

Many of us are less good at doing the second part of that contract, me included, but if you expect readers/authors to read and comment on your stories then you should make more effort to read other people's stories and leave *them* comments. If I review your activity on your profile, you haven't commented on a single story and have only voted on one story.

If you did that I'm sure you'd find that more people would read and leave comments on yours.

Ps. Calling the Moderators a bunch of Grammar Nazis probably hasn't helped your cause much either.
Yes, you should have a hazard label on you, "warning CG will be your every fantasy"

CarltonStJames
🎵Picture perfect, I paint a perfect picture...🎵
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Yes to both. A story that has the most views and tied for my most votes now isn't what I would consider anywhere near one of the favorites I did. My favourite story I wrote doesn't even have 1000 views.

That's how it is at times.

My last published story: Ain't Nothing But A Divorce Party

AAnna
True love stories never have endings.
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Quote by CumGirl


And whilst I'm on a roll ...

Lush is a community that thrives on reciprocity. You read my stuff and leave a comment, nice or otherwise. I read your stuff and leave a comment, nice or otherwise.

Many of us are less good at doing the second part of that contract, me included, but if you expect readers/authors to read and comment on your stories then you should make more effort to read other people's stories and leave *them* comments. If I review your activity on your profile, you haven't commented on a single story and have only voted on one story.

If you did that I'm sure you'd find that more people would read and leave comments on yours.

Ps. Calling the Moderators a bunch of Grammar Nazis probably hasn't helped your cause much either.


I agree with you 100%. Seems common courtesy to thank readers. If they take the time to read the story the very least you can do is thank them.
I have a new story that I wrote for the new competition. If you have a few minutes would you please read it?

verity100
Mary Poppins
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I just wish I had the necessary skills to take the story out of my head and write it down. It always sounds so good in my head. I’m often one to get my ambitions mixed up with my capabilities. If it wasn’t for the lovely comments I get I would have given up by now. Any help in how I could improve would be gratefully accepted.
Be nice to each other

Stormdog
Gentleman Stranger
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Quote by CumGirl


And whilst I'm on a roll ...

Ps. Calling the Moderators a bunch of Grammar Nazis probably hasn't helped your cause much either.


Oh, thanks for the clarification - I thought he'd called us Gramma Nazis! I was a little offended that he thought I was an old lady, but I let it slide. But grammar Nazis... yeah, I can live with that.
Unknown User
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Quote by CumGirl


Just to say, firmdreamer012, that if you replied to the comments you receive on your stories (which you may well have done privately, but haven't publicly) readers may be more inclined to leave a comment.


Depend on the comment. If the comment is "Hot" (yes, I've had that), I am probably not going to waste a lot of energy replying and may just hit Like or say "Thank you". If the comment is a sentence or two, then it gets some effort. If it is a good comment that actually shows the person read the story, I respond in kind, esp. if there is something for me to respond to. Basically, I reward good comments, in other words.

I have had a few stories that didn't go over as well as I had hoped over the years. Some of it was category choices, I think (Straight Sex is a graveyard, IME) and some was me being more into the story than maybe other people were. There were a couple comp entries that I was really hoping would be top 10 material that flopped comp-wise but still got good responses from others so I was not too disappointed.

And, frankly, the term "Grammar Nazi" needs to be retired. It's an insult to those who have suffered under real fascism. No heavy-handed moderator or editor has ever inflicted the kind of suffering that the SS did. Not sure of a replacement offhand. "Grammar lawyer"?? "Grammar judge"??
yurigagarin
Indefinable !
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Quote by verity100
I just wish I had the necessary skills to take the story out of my head and write it down. It always sounds so good in my head. I’m often one to get my ambitions mixed up with my capabilities. If it wasn’t for the lovely comments I get I would have given up by now. Any help in how I could improve would be gratefully accepted.


My humble opinion is that stories transfer from your thoughts to the written word very sensually indeed ! ?
There are no strangers here - just lots of sexy friendly folk to chat with ?
verity100
Mary Poppins
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Quote by yurigagarin


My humble opinion is that stories transfer from your thoughts to the written word very sensually indeed ! ?


Thank you. That is indeed a jolly nice thing to say. But, I’m still no closer to a useable mop.
Be nice to each other

F_LaCid
Active Ink Slinger
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Quote by seeker4


And, frankly, the term "Grammar Nazi" needs to be retired. It's an insult to those who have suffered under real fascism. No heavy-handed moderator or editor has ever inflicted the kind of suffering that the SS did. Not sure of a replacement offhand. "Grammar lawyer"?? "Grammar judge"??


Might I, respectfully, suggest, with the muscular fleshy mouth organ firmly lodged in the relevant side wall, self-assured erudite pedant as an alternative?

OK, guilty as charged.
Unblemished
Active Ink Slinger
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Yeah. A story I was pretty proud of became my worst-received. The ones before and after had several times the reviews etc. It's always the way though, it's hard t judge your own work objectively.

Gotta say I was surprised the first time I got more than a few reviews and comments, too. I posted a tale that didn't feel any better than what I'd done before, looked back later and did a double-take.
krystalg
Smut-slinging slut
0 likes
It very recently happened to me. In retrospect, I wrote it more for myself than for anyone else and therefore it is special to me, but just another story in a sea of others to everyone else.
It would be enjoyable for it to have been better-received, but my main satisfaction was actually in being able to write something coherent...for once in a row...anything else is just icing on the cake.
Am I a good witch, or a bad witch? History will decide
WiseGinger
Active Ink Slinger
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I write for the pure joy of writing. I like imagining new situations and, most of the time, I can't wait to finish a story because I already have a new one in mind. But yes to both. When I think: "Uhm, this is not very good," I get the surprise to find readers like it, and sometimes, when I'm excited for a story, it's not as good for the readers. Lol.

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YOU CAN'T LET ANYONE COME IN BETWEEN YOU AND THE THINGS YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IN THIS LIFE, OR IT AIN'T WORTH LIVING.

Ensorceled
Easily amused
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My first story I barely expected to be even noticed, and it did really well.

I thought my second story would do really well, and it barely made a splash.

There was, admittedly, a lot more sex in the first story.

Tintinnabulation - first place (Free Spirit)
Comet Q - second place (Quick and Risqué Sex)
Amnesia - third place (Le Noir Erotique)

kistinspencil
Voyeur @ f/64
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Writing primarily in a niche category with a niche stance, I get what I get. We all have our little hopes and desires here, past the internal satisfaction of creation. For myself, I know an RR is out of the question, but it would be nice to see 20 votes/comments on at least one of 125 micros, but that hasn't happened and it's very rare to see a name that isn't one of a handful of extremely kind friends anymore. It may be life opening up again or the Comp, but I suspect I just write too much of a much and have become boring. I'm vain enough to think I'm pretty good at crafting the stories, but lack the erotic incitement that others possess in abundance, it seems. Oh, well, I do what I can do -- at least it's better than penning SM menes.