I've done a ton of stories, never published, but most are.. Eh in my own opinion. I know my first submission is going to get rejects, primarily because i didn't proof it enough.
I've created the following flow-
Write
Word spell/grammar check
run it through Grammarly
read it.
listen to it through a text to speech
Like others, i don't really outline. Maybe I should. If I block I do something else then circle back
Quote by Mandapanda2025
Like others, i don't really outline. Maybe I should.
It depends on what you are writing. IMHO short stories within this site's limit of 10,000 words, esp. flash and micro, don't need outlining. Notes on key points that you need to keep consistent should be enough if anything.
But if you're doing a series or novella/novel, then outlining helps ensure you know where are you are going and keeps things consistent.
My workflow is kind of:
Write, often spontaneously because an idea has struck me. I find stories that I spend time planning are the ones that stall.
Read and edit repeatedly to make sure everything flows and makes sense.
Proofread for any remaining spelling and grammar issues.
A vacation encounter as a man seeks to cope with a less than merry holiday season. My Natasha
A gay teen's lust for a friend leads to some erotic exploration. Finding Myself
Quote by Mandapanda2025
I've done a ton of stories, never published, but most are.. Eh in my own opinion. I know my first submission is going to get rejects, primarily because i didn't proof it enough.
I've created the following flow-
Write
Word spell/grammar check
run it through Grammarly
read it.
listen to it through a text to speech
Like others, i don't really outline. Maybe I should. If I block I do something else then circle back
My two cents...
Don't fear rejection. When we send a story back to a writer, we give feedback and explain why. No one is going to say "this is horrible, you suck!" We're going to say, "You're on the right track, but try to focus on these areas..." IMO that feedback is invaluable to new writers. When we first start out, we don't know what we don't know, so getting insight from a more experienced writer can be a huge help. It was for me early on, and still is.
As for workflow...
I almost always have an outline, but that doesn't mean that I follow it once I start writing (I find that when I start writing characters they sometimes develop their own voice and personality, which doesn't always align with my original intention). Having said that, I think you should have some idea of what the story is going to be about and a general direction to follow before you start writing.
Odds are something inspired you to write that particular story, so use the story to tell the readers what you want to say about that inspiration.
9/10 times, I start with a picture. Something about a picture grabs my attention, and I start thinking, "Who is this person?" "Where is this place?" "What's going on here?" and the idea for the story comes from answering those questions.
My writing process isn't efficient, so I don't recommend it, but I usually write at least 4 drafts (often 5 or 6!) of a story before I feel like I got it right. I think if I had better workflow and planning, I could cut that back to 2 or 3 drafts. I know a few writers here who do a single draft, followed by careful editing, and they're good to go.
Finally, if a story isn't working, don't force it. Put it aside and work on something new. Eventually, you'll figure out why the original story wasn't working and you can revisit it. I have a bunch of published stories that I started but didn't finish until months later.
Quote by GreyMatter
My two cents...
Don't fear rejection. When we send a story back to a writer, we give feedback and explain why. No one is going to say "this is horrible, you suck!" We're going to say, "You're on the right track, but try to focus on these areas..." IMO that feedback is invaluable to new writers. When we first start out, we don't know what we don't know, so getting insight from a more experienced writer can be a huge help. It was for me early on, and still is.
Well, if you were to do me the solid and kill the one in the pipeline, I'd appreciate it. if i'm waiting 2 weeks between submissions I want something good to go through
I would not mind replacing the one in the pipeline with the more complete version.
Quote by Mandapanda2025
I would not mind replacing the one in the pipeline with the more complete version.
After you publish a story, you can go back and edit it. The key is to edit it within Lush (as opposed to doing a full ‘copy and paste’). If you tell the mods what you edited, they can see the changes and it should get fast tracked through the approval process.
I'd describe my process as undisciplined. A story might start with a single phrase/sentence or a picture in my head but they don't always come out in a complete and coherent order.
1 - Write a first draft (often with big gaps)
2 - 2nd draft (now I'm editing too but typically filling in where there are big gaps, I yellow hilite anything I don't like and don't have an immediate fix for, could be a word or even multiple paragraphs)
3 - 3rd draft/Finetuning - (for a short story of 2500 or less this is likely final, for longer stories the draft/edit process repeats a few times)
Outlines: I rarely use them and usually only for longer stories after I start them and I need to keep track of timeline or certain details
I don't use grammarly but I do use WORD spellcheck about 50% of the time when I actually remember.
Some stories I barely edit others get changed radically.
Hello Manda,
This is a very good approach, but only for finding missing words, or if the flow and pacing of your writing need some improvement. However, what I would say (my approach is very similar to yours), be mindful that it may affect your creativity. I must use a grammar checker as English is not my first language. However, if I overuse it, I think it turns the way the words flow into something I remember from work - designed for comprehension only.
My suggestion with your approach, write in blocks, whatever you are happy with. For example, 500 words, check, read it back and when you are happy, proceed with the story. It is very easy to be caught up in the moment and write more, it does mean this is more to edit, to deliberate over, to change... or... throw away.
Put yourself in the character's own mind, would they do that, do they have a quirk, let their personality and thoughts shine. Ask these questions of them, and put that into your writing.
Last, GreyMatter has a great point, find a picture - I love this. You find a picture and it inspires. When you are stuck for a story, they can just come from musing at a picture, and then you are away!
Have fun, and publish! We do not bite! 😘
This is my collection of muses and stories. Stories of note include:
Little Bird - A true story of submission and dominance set in Paris between an older couple and their younger lover.
Le Weekend - Six lives intertwined during one weekend create events that change their lives forever.
Quote by AmuseBouche
Hello Manda,
This is a very good approach, but only for finding missing words, or if the flow and pacing of your writing need some improvement. However, what I would say (my approach is very similar to yours), be mindful that it may affect your creativity. I must use a grammar checker as English is not my first language. However, if I overuse it, I think it turns the way the words flow into something I remember from work - designed for comprehension only.
My suggestion with your approach, write in blocks, whatever you are happy with. For example, 500 words, check, read it back and when you are happy, proceed with the story. It is very easy to be caught up in the moment and write more, it does mean this is more to edit, to deliberate over, to change... or... throw away.
Put yourself in the character's own mind, would they do that, do they have a quirk, let their personality and thoughts shine. Ask these questions of them, and put that into your writing.
Last, GreyMatter has a great point, find a picture - I love this. You find a picture and it inspires. When you are stuck for a story, they can just come from musing at a picture, and then you are away!
Have fun, and publish! We do not bite! 😘
I did that in today's doodle it seems to work very well
Some great comments and ideas here!
Just wanted to add: EDIT! You have to invest the time and effort. And sometimes it doesn't take much change to really elevate a story.
Raise your hand if you've done this: written a complete story except for all the sex bits which you then add later. lol
Quote by LYFBUZ
Raise your hand if you've done this: written a complete story except for all the sex bits which you then add later. lol
If I'm not feeling sexy, I might write 1000 words of plot, then type
[they bang I guess]
then write another 1000 words of plot, then type
[ass fucking or whatever]
and on it goes... 😆
True Micros! 100 words, 100% true!
Cassie+Kevin in ‘87: New Hampshire, 1987
All That Jizz: New York City, 1926
Quote by LYFBUZ
Some great comments and ideas here!
Just wanted to add: EDIT! You have to invest the time and effort. And sometimes it doesn't take much change to really elevate a story.
Raise your hand if you've done this: written a complete story except for all the sex bits which you then add later. lol
i literally just did this with podcast. i wrote the dialog, realised though dirty, no sex, and added some after the fact. TBH I think it detracts.
