What tells you that you've written a great story?

Just wondering. Where do you get your validation about writing?

Is it a numbers thing? Do you go by number of votes, comments, etc?

Or do you look for that one comment where a reader says he/she/they was deeply affected by your story?

Does it take winning a competition? RRs? EPs?

Or is it just something you need to feel inside when you write your story and read it back to yourself?

For me, it's the latter or one comment where a reader really felt something from my scribbles. But I wonder if I really know what's great writing if my opinions differ from the readers. Do you question your story if it wasn't popular with readers?

I am constantly baffled here about which of my scribbles are my best writing. The ones that made me feel, "Hey, I can be a writer," were written in the Supernatural category and usually my least read and voted. Others that I thought were "meh" are very popular with readers.

What even makes a great story to you, authors?

Comments from writers who are better than me make me puff my chest into the air, I won't lie. That said, I still don't think it means my story was great. Maybe good and intriguing, but not great.

The reason I say this is this: If it were great, it would've had the RR plastered onto it. With enough work, I'll get to that level, but right now, I'm just about having fun writing ridiculous sexual scenarios 😈.

When you've had fun writing it, and then have fun again reading it after a while. Also, comments that show that someone read it and got really into it are nice to have.

To quote the wonderful Uncle Iroh: "While it is always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing."

Quote by CarltonStJames

Comments from writers who are better than me make me puff my chest into the air, I won't lie.

Yup. That puffs my chest too. It just takes one comment really from someone who's writing I admire.

I haven’t written an especially good one yet. Just scribbling nonsense. I wish I could say it was humility but it just crap so far.

I've written poetry for years and when I look back at some of my early attempts, even though they may have had the correct meter and rhythm, they're still rubbish. Hopefully, as I've continued to write, I've got better.

Like why skill, I guess you've got to start somewhere and practice.

Did someone find it entertaining, exciting or thought-provoking enough to like and comment? Then I am happy with my story. I also feel that some of my best stories are the least viewed, but that is a result of the category and content I believe.

As Maximus asks “Are you not entertained?”

I am, and if others are that’s validation for me.

I wouldn't have a clue. I've written a few stories that I can reread with some real pride of accomplishment, but that is no indication of any sort of greatness outside my own head. Similarly, while I have enjoyed some very kind comments along the way, none of my posted reads, recommended or not, have stirred more than a mild, transitory interest. I am too cloistered in my motivation and haven't the invention, wit, or spirit for anything more than that.
Now it's time for a pickle, I think.

In a way, Kimmi, my answer is all of the above. And it varies a bit from story to story.

As writers we know a couple of things (how the story came about, and what we did to realize it) that our readers don't understand. So when I evaluate my own stories, they certainly can succeed in terms of what I set out to achieve. This resonates for me:

Quote by cydia
When you've had fun writing it, and then have fun again reading it after a while.

I have a number of stories that I'm thrilled with because of the research or effort or perspective that I have brought out. I often try different things including allusions to other author's work and I have a lot of fun writing like this. And happy memories when I re-read them.

One example is my Noir story: it is modern day Australia grounded in reality and is written in a category that more serious Australian writers than I have publically stated they have struggled to get attention in. I rate it highly and the icing on that cake was, as Carlton said, comments from someone I admire, Jake in this case (The bolding is mine

You do what you do so well here - take the well-worn tropes of a long-standing genre and reshape them in terms of era, sexuality, culture, the works. Simultaneously noir-as-fuck and unlike any noir that's been written before. It bristles with sexiness, intellect, and outrage - has the reader rooting for justice or payback (like Trousseau mentioned), yet delivers a bleak and fearless gut-punch ending.

In my terms this is a huge success, confirmed by some writers I admire.

But as Kistin said:

Quote by kistinspencil
I've written a few stories that I can reread with some real pride of accomplishment, but that is no indication of any sort of greatness outside my own head.

So my reality for the Noir story is that readers generally didn't rate the story up to top ten level in the competition nor RR worthy. I've had more than a few top tens RRs and EP's so in that sense the message I have to make myself accept is that this isn't one of my better stories as independently judged by those who judge more stories than I do.

With most of my stories I do spend time pondering 'why;' not in an aggressive 'why didn't my story do better' way, rather in a, 'what could I have done differently so the stories are better.'

I'm actually trying to do less of this as frankly I wonder if that question will eventually suck the joy out of writing. If the only measure of football success is winning super bowl then disappointment shall surely follow us nearly all of our days. I started writing for stress relief and my significant other will surely tell me to stop if pondering results creates stress.

I tend to write for myself in as much as I try to write stories that I would like to read and enjoy if written by someone else.

It is nice to get a number of nice comments and also to get lots of likes and 'favs' but sometimes I think 'well you liked that one but why did you not like such and such, which I think is better?'

Likes seem to depend on the category that a story is written in (at least partly) because I have written about four in the crossdressing category (from imagination along with advice from those that know) and I like to think that they are quite good, but they do not get huge amounts of likes.

I do particularly like to get likes and comments from females because I like it if my words and imagination excite a lady.

If I was asked which my 'best' story was, it would not necessarily be the one that has got the most attention.

A very interesting question, Kimmi.

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers or whether a story gets an RR (most of mine don’t) or an EP (I have only a couple of those and not in quite some time) or that elusive OS award (which is only given to series that are short enough for multiple mods to read…I get it, although I’m not sure I agree that a two part story is a series…but I digress).

At the end of the day, I try to remember that I write because I enjoy the escape from reality. So I tend to look at that comments people leave, the ones that clearly show me that they enjoyed my story and take those as my pat on the back.

Is it nice to get accolades? Sure it is! I won’t lie, I get really excited when I see a lot of 🔥 on a story. And I do a happy dance every time I hit the top ten on a comp! But I’ve stopped worrying about how I compare with other writers so much and have focused on how much growth I’ve made since my first stories here 15 years ago.

I also try to keep in mind that liking a story is subjective. The person I really need to please is my worst critic…me!

On the other hand, I happened to notice the other day that my name is fourth in the top author list of all time here on Lush. At least for now. That was pretty cool to discover.

I write for myself, foremost. I am my own intended audience. For me, a successful story is one that I can get lost in as a writer, vividly picturing the action as I get it down on the page as if I were actually there inhabiting each of my characters. I explore my fantasies through writing, and if I turn myself on - if not sexually, at least creatively - I'll consider it a success. But I don't need or even expect others to share those same fantasies.

The reception by other readers is secondary. As I see it, I share what I've written for myself by publishing on the site, but I don't write for other readers - not in general, nor for anyone specific. It's mental masturbation (with a slight exhibitionist streak). I do appreciate comments because it's kinda hot to know that something that came from my mind is turning other people on, but getting a reaction out of others isn't my main drive as an author.

As for the ratings, the EPs, RRs, contest placing, and the rest of it, I couldn't give a shit.

Id say when people take the time to come find you or send you a message complimenting your story and telling you what they liked about it...

It’s a good question. As a rookie scribe, I've not written anything remotely ‘great’. But when I read a story back for the 1000th time and there are no further corrections to be made, it’s so exciting!

And positive comments from readers really are the incentive that makes me want to continue. Not everyone will ‘get’ your sexual thoughts, as expressed through your writing. But when they do, it's pleasing to know you've given them a few moments of enjoyment by sharing your thoughts.

That’s the buzz for me.

I agree with all that's been said with one thing to add. My stories tend to be long with lots of descriptive background so when a commenter said he felt like he was there and described it as "theatre for the mind", I felt like I'd accomplished what I set out to do.

That is a really interesting question; though I am not sure I will ever have the ability to write a truly great story.

I write for myself, enjoy the writing, and especially enjoy the second and third rewrites. That gives me the chance to improve and expand the story detail (my secret pleasure).

It was always nice to have someone PM or leave a comment that they liked the story or they asked a question about one of the characters. So I would say interaction. It is certainly not the total of likes you receive, though it is always a pleasure to receive at least a few!

Krystalg and CallmeJayne I think provide the best input critically…straightforward and detailed. Sprite is very good when she feels like commenting. Kimmiebegood is so very bright and has the kindest heart. I don’t really write for acclaim…just to see if I can do it. My stories only get periodic attention albeit I have to admit a pat on the back feels pretty good deserved or not.

Quote by Icarus4

Krystalg and CallmeJayne I think provide the best input critically…straightforward and detailed. Sprite is very good when she feels like commenting. Kimmiebegood is so very bright and has the kindest heart. I don’t really write for acclaim…just to see if I can do it. My stories only get periodic attention albeit I have to admit a pat on the back feels pretty good deserved or not.

I know you are an avid reader, Icarus. What is it that makes you say, "Wow. That was a great story."

I know it's a subjective thing though. For my own stuff, it's just a feeling I get. For others, it has to be something I've not read before. Like I enjoy romance novels, but wouldn't call any of them "great writings" because they are all the same. The common theme of a woman so special she gets the previously unattainable rich bachelor to fall in love with her, has been done to death. Like Hallmark movies, there's always a misunderstanding that separates the lovebirds, but then they work it out and live happily ever after. I want to read something different if I call a story great. For example, if it's cuckold or wife lovers, write me something I haven't read before. Atypical feelings or scenario. Something that lingers in my mind after reading. That's just my opinion on what makes a story great.

Within the shelves of public libraries are some incredible reads. I usually read 3 to 4 books a month. The best money I ever spent was on a speed reading course. I also scan the volumes of stories written on Lush. There are writers that write on a level that is truly amazing…not every story but even the less than their best is really good. KBG tells me the readers on Lush are not literary critics just looking for a good erotic story. I think a lot about characterization, thematic construction and aligned pace…really not as much I should. I am a quick draw artist when I imagine a story or poem in most cases I write it all at one time, no drafts or revisions. Sixty percent of what I write I delete and twenty percent what I submit is rejected. From all that babble if you can tell me what a great story is please do let me know. I only know when I like reading something it was time well spent.

Oooh, Kimmi, such a great question - it plays to philosophy. Camus said life is absurd. Imagine going through life thinking that you have never written a great story, yet you look back on a corpus that is great. Or, that you spend all your time trying to write a great story, realise it is unobtainable, and you could have done something else 'great' with the time.

I think it is a mixture of knowing I did the best I could with the initial thought, yet, a story I write in one go does better than one I spend weeks poring over. Votes and comments are a measure to only strangers. They inspire me a lot, and that is personal. I will always reply if I have moved someone to do so. Does the reaction to that story then become a vehicle for empowering myself and my novice craft? If so, is that a great story? Perhaps.

Does it still garner votes long after it was written? Or recognised by peers and better writers than me (I admit... this one really gets me and my emotions). Personally, to read back on it weeks later and think... wow... you were on fire.

Or, if I can understand people's motivations to read it - that can be reused. Are those insights the key to a great story?

I think I take comfort in the greatest books are not always the best selling, but the ones most esteemed by readers of your persuasion. So I shall take the same attitude. Have I written a great story? Not yet, but I'm content to know I have written some good ones and am still hungry enough to write the elusive great one.

Quote by AmuseBouche

I think it is a mixture of knowing I did the best I could with the initial thought. I have this same dilemma, a short story written on one go does far better than I imagine, and something I spend weeks writing is barely noticed.

Votes and comments are a measure. I will always reply if I have moved someone to do so... it is right to reply with thanks, thoughts and feelings to encourage them to comment on other stories here. They inspire me a lot too. Is the story then just the vehicle to empowering myself and my novice craft? Perhaps.

A great story? There are simple ways - it still garners votes long after it was written. Or recognised by peers and better writers than me (I admit... this one really gets me). Personally, to read back on it weeks or months later and think... wow... you were on fire.

I think I take comfort in the greatest books are not always the best selling, but the ones most esteemed by readers of your persuasion. So I shall take the same attitude. Have I written a great story? Not yet, but I'm content to know I have written some good ones and am still hungry enough to write the elusive great one.

Honestly, comments are out currency. And yes encouraging commentators to read more of your oeuvre makes perfect sense.

Inspiration is a wonderful writing drug, there are many who do it for me. You do already have a great story; Little Bird's EP tells you that. But as I do with Oxford Street, you'll never think it perfect. Every time I read my best story (and all my others as well) I find editing opportunities. To be a writer I think is to be a perfectionist.

Quote by CuriousAnnie

Honestly, comments are out currency. And yes encouraging commentators to read more of your oeuvre makes perfect sense.

Inspiration is a wonderful writing drug, there are many who do it for me. You do already have a great story; Little Bird's EP tells you that. But as I do with Oxford Street, you'll never think it perfect. Every time I read my best story (and all my others as well) I find editing opportunities. To be a writer I think is to be a perfectionist.

You are most kind, thank you. I admit, I was shocked to receive it and being so lauded made me very determined to finish it. You are right, I do need to go back and correct mistakes in it, it most certainly is not perfect.

I have found a new hobby and passion, one where it plays to that sense of perfectionism. Perhaps that is a measure...

Lol, perfectionism is such a tough Mistress ... tbh it's why I do competitions, they have deadlines. Otherwise I'd be adding to my 300,000+ words of unpublished stories. Writing is a wonderful hobby, my only regular creative outlet; and the neat thing about Lush is that the writers chat to each other. Talking of which I will be PMing you in a bit ... lets just say I want my French to be right

Nothing yet. 😇

I am a novice writer and reader, having immersed myself in nonfiction most of my life. But I grew up surrounded by literary geniuses, and my reading of literature, while limited, was well-directed. I took to erotica and Lush to work out my fantasies. I hoped in writing, I would exhaust them of their obsessive energy and could in these fantasies the play of energy of desire and love; minus all the projections.

I feel like I have grown as a writer since I began over a year ago. I look at my earlier works and see them as my first steps on the journey of being a writer, and I hope to go back and rewrite those pieces.

My journey as a writer is secondary to my journey as a person. I wish writing makes me a better person.

First and foremost, I have to like it myself. A story that I don't believe in personally is unlikely to be seen as "great" by me.

Then comes reactions, and by that I mean mostly comments. Likes and Favorites don't really do it for me.

RRs, EPs, and comp wins are all nice to haves but they really just kick things up a notch for me. Some of my favorite writing has no awards to its credit so why should my own stories need them?

So my own feelings once the story is out and reader comments are the main validations, I think.

For my poems it’s that yes and a surge of emotion like giving birth without pain.

Stories like all other artistic forms are meant to be enjoyed by others. It is a great story when others tell you how much they enjoyed reading it.

Like Just_A_Guy_You_Know, I am my own intended audience. Or at least that's how it started. It's been over a decade since I started typing up my longtime fantasies, often based on missed (or botched) opportunities when I was young, but only three years that I've been publishing them. Much of my initial motivation has simply been to get my ideas committed to paper, or at least to pixels. Maybe as I age I just want to get them documented before the memories recede too much further!

To be more specific about my internal gauge of quality, I'm not always confident when I click "Submit" that it's a great story. But the more times I've reread and re-edited the story, sometimes dozens of times. the more confident I am. I spent an inordinate amount of time reviewing and fine-tuning my Noir entry, "Dick Job." My initial submission was actually sent back due to a number of errors I hadn't caught on my own, after which I installed Grammarly to check my work and went through several more edit cycles. I ended up being highly confident that my final submission was a great story, and knew it was among my best work. I felt validated in that by the story's top-ten ranking, the only one I've had.

Despite pretending I'm doing this for myself, I have to admit I enjoy positive feedback when I get it. As others have said, Likes and Favorites are nice, but Comments are king. I do really enjoy hearing that a story of mine resonated with someone as a shared unfulfilled fantasy, or brought back fond memories of an actual encounter. Since most of my stories focus on male bisexuality, it's not surprising that many of these comments are from other men ... and guys being guys, quite a few have even stated frankly that my story brought them to orgasm. As banal as that may sound to some here, I take it as high praise. A number of my stories have also resulted in collecting new Friends and/or exchanging fun messages with them, and it's hard not to enjoy feedback like that.

Quote by CuriousAnnie

One example is my Noir story: it is modern day Australia grounded in reality and is written in a category that more serious Australian writers than I have publically stated they have struggled to get attention in. I rate it highly ...

I rated it highly too. I thought what you did there was brilliant, and I thought it deserved a ranking: as a nice modern-day twist on Noir in an unconventional setting (true of most of my favorites in that comp), as a uniquely Australian take (admittedly I am an Aussiephile), and as a really hot, sexy story. It was easily one of my favorites in the competition.