Authors : What are you working on?

Working on a 'husband-sharing' story. Don't have a title for it yet, but I'm 6500 words deep into it. It will be at least two parts by the time it's finished. Then I might take a crack at the latest competition, but I kind of feel like I already wrote that story, so I'll see if a new idea comes to me that seems worth writing about.

Good thing my next couple of stories are nearly ready to publish, because my mind has been occupied all weekend with my competition entry. I initially thought it would be in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi category, for which it would qualify, but now I'm seeing an even better choice of genre (sorry, not revealing yet).

I have a setting (right here in Iowa for once, sometime in the 2040s), most of a world built in my head and several characters who will be involved in the simulation(s) starting to develop. The last part to coalesce is the plot, with some challenges and tribulations for my protagonist to overcome, but that has finally started to come into hazy focus today too.

[EDIT, one day later: Um, locked in the plot and finished the first draft. Still needs tons of work, of course].

I am just about finished with a story (set in Iowa, as it happens) about a woman in a psych ward in 1938. Mostly narration, with some internal thoughts and only a smattering of dialogue. Not one of my usual goofy gagfests.

I'm not sure whether I want to release it in October, because readers might think "It's spooky season! Ooh, a psych ward! ... Hey, this wasn't a horror story, no fair!" It's been sitting for a month with occasional light edits here and there, so I have no qualms about letting it sit for a couple more weeks. 😉

My first story for the comp has folded like a cheap unbrella. I'm making a last-ditch attempt to save it today.

Quote by Ensorceled

My first story for the comp has folded like a cheap unbrella. I'm making a last-ditch attempt to save it today.

Plenty of time if you like the general concept you got to bang out details.

Quote by Ensorceled
My first story for the comp has folded like a cheap unbrella

I feel for ya, but I'm kinda glad it's not just me. I opened mine, a few spokes tore the canvas, then a gale force gust blew it inside out. Dammit.

rummages for the roll of story gaffer tape

I was working on a voyeurism/masturbation story written in a third-person perspective with limited point of view, focusing entirely on the perspective of person C in an A&B relationship but struggling with the perspective that I want it to be from.

It's teetering on the rim of the bin.

I'm working on a story for the comp, but I'm not sure if it's going anywhere. Aside from that, I have a few other stories in the works.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/that-might-cure-it

A little flash for those at a loose end.

Had a soft and nice fantasy that triggered one of those ‘drop everything else and write this’ response. A gentle DDLG late night moment…

I have just finished my new book, 'Inviting' which is about a house with endless rooms full of endless hot and horny "activities" going on in each room. The main character (which lets be honest, is me haha) goes from room to room and enjoys the pleasures in each...nothing is off limits and every gender/sexuality is explored. I am releasing it on paperback as well as putting a few chapters on my profile.

Will be submitting a story soon. Drafted 862 words for comp entry Thursday night, but wasn't feeling it so stopped. I'll try to read what I have so far, compare to my outline and decide how best to proceed.

If I get stuck with that or bored, I'd pivot to the next story on my editing list and review that for any logic gaps. Then I'd make my notes on what gaps need to be filled.

Quote by JaxCockram
endless rooms full of endless hot and horny "activities" going on in each room

So an X-rated House of Leaves? 😁

Quote by Seeker4

So an X-rated House of Leaves? 😁

Hahaha, yep, pretty much. And yeah, House Of Leaves is outstanding, a genuine masterpiece 😉

Dragons. There be dragons coming soon. 🐉

My first attempt at the Simulation comp didn't get off the ground. So, I'm trying to think of a second idea!

Quote by Georgia_27_8

I was working on a voyeurism/masturbation story written in a third-person perspective with limited point of view, focusing entirely on the perspective of person C in an A&B relationship but struggling with the perspective that I want it to be from.

It's teetering on the rim of the bin.

I binned it because I just couldn't get person C right, especially as I kept slipping into the existing style of internal monologue of person A.

But, I scraped it back out of the bin and have been brainstorming the personality of person C to help develop their vocabulary, thought processes and demeanor.

It turns out that a story is easier to write once you've "met" the character.

I'm curious how other writers approach this. Do you usually use any or all of these techniques, and which do you find best for you?

A) Deliberate development: developing/getting to know character personalities before you start writing.

B) Organic development: let them develop naturally as the story progresses.

C) Character modelling: base them on an existing person/fictional character and have them act appropriately.

A) Deliberate development: developing/getting to know character personalities before you start writing.

B) Organic development: let them develop naturally as the story progresses.

C) Character modelling: base them on an existing person/fictional character and have them act appropriately.

I think I'm a (C). I have several character types in my head. A shy one, an "I'll fuck anyone," one, a type character, a downright naughty character, the one that just does things to shock people, and others. I normally associate them with names, and people here may know about my Melissa.

These character types could be male or female and they fit in any kind of setting, occasionally I let the story write around them, but mostly they control the storyline I put them in, if that makes sense.

Quote by Georgia_27_8

A) Deliberate development: developing/getting to know character personalities before you start writing.

B) Organic development: let them develop naturally as the story progresses.

I usually approach it as a mashup of these two. If I'm basing a story off an image, it'll be primarily (B).

If maybe a killer line or two hit me, or I get a flash of inspiration around a particular character I want to write an arc for, I might think about how they act or speak so I can demonstrate their values (show, instead of tell). That usually generates a few story beats or key points that I'll scribble down, then use (B) to join them up.

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

I usually approach it as a mashup of these two. If I'm basing a story off an image, it'll be primarily (B).

If maybe a killer line or two hit me, or I get a flash of inspiration around a particular character I want to write an arc for, I might think about how they act or speak so I can demonstrate their values (show, instead of tell). That usually generates a few story beats or key points that I'll scribble down, then use (B) to join them up.

That's a nice insight to writing technique. Thinking of sidelines and then splicing them in.