How does your best work compare with what readers think?

This is one of those topics that fascinates me so I'm curious how other authors feel.

We all have our favourite stories that we write - ones we think represent our "best" (at the time) work that we're proud of writing. And yet these are not always the stories that evoke the greatest reaction (views, likes, comments, ...) from readers.

My questions are therefore simple:

1. What do you consider your best work (and, briefly why)?

2. Do readers agree, or has another piece you've written surprised you and resonated more with them?

Ooo great questions. I know the work I think is my best is not what’s been best received. I need to go back and peek at a few and then I’ll be back with specifics. I’d like to see you answer your questions, too.

Glad I'm not alone in that disconnect between my expectations and those of readers.

Okay then, I'll start. I still think the piece that shows off my greatest depth of writing is When Yesterdays Fade. But, maybe because people think it's going to be a heavy slog or an uncomfortable subject, it's relatively uncharted by readers. Of those that do take the plunge, it's very well revered and that makes me all warm and fuzzy because it took aeons to write and perfect. [It's meant to be an uplifting celebration of a life well-lived and how that sentiment is passed on through generations].

However, in terms of sheer ratings and apparent satisfaction, that's tied between Blank Canvas and my Pink series. Both in the category. Is it because that category is more travelled, or do those pieces represent a more accessible and acceptable level of pornage that readers are here to enjoy than the heavy-going, emotional journey I consider my best work?

Intriguing.

I think sex sells here. Plain and simple. In the 16 stories with the most favorites, the word “fuck” was in the title in 6 of them. Examples: “How to Fuck Me”, “Fucking Blind”, “Dare to Fuck with the Devil”, and “Fucking with Art”.

I think “The Black Rabbit” is my best writing because I was writing about a different era and trying to keep up with 5 very different characters. It had 3 long parts and was nowhere near top of my best reader received. I tend to like my supernatural stories, too, because I think I’ve created unique storylines. Sometimes my best storylines aren’t best executed though, so there’s that. I like the emotions in my gay male stories, but they don’t get many reads, etc.

I try not to worry about the votes, etc and count one happy reader as important as fifty.

Quote by KimmiBeGood
I try not to worry about the votes, etc and count one happy reader as important as fifty.

Oh absolutely. This isn't necessarily just about votes but also overall impression. The piece I singled out above has got some amazing, lengthy comments and I treasure every one because they mean people resonated with the writing. Each one counts for about fifty Likes in my head!

I find it interesting that I've put out stories I think are run-of-the-mill concepts (albeit done well, imo) and been blown away by how many people leave "great story, loved it" or even longer comments, when I expected to fight for five reads and a single comment given it was "just" a story about girl meets boy and they bonk.

Category plays an important part, I'm sure. And many drive-by readers are probably looking for a quick story to get off, and then go do something else. So titles with rude words in them, or those that "explain" the plot in the title (e.g. "My hot cousin visits and fucks the pool boy") are going to do better than the more abstract titles with that demographic.

As I says it fascinates me.

I've had these same thoughts and wonders before. I am nowhere near either of you in writing ability or reader draw, but I do feel a little pride in what I have fiddled up overall. There are a few Micros and a poem or two that I think have a voice that speaks. My three longer lesbian pieces about the working professional made me feel immodestly pleased with myself, but they didn't stir much of a reaction and just collect cyber dust now.

I guess I get a very average number of likes and reads across my 200. Suffice to say I'll never get a Famous badge. I am far more pleased with the comments people (including you two) leave on my stories. Truly, it always startles me.

On the whole, I think I try too hard to be clever instead of sexy and I haven't a real talent for either.

Let me preface this with the fact that I’ve only published nine stories thus far. My profile says fourteen stories, but five of those are part of a longer story.

My favorite stories are my Open Secrets series, The Summer Tour, and Endless Nights

Open Secrets was something I spent over a year writing and rewriting (and rewriting) before I discovered Lush. I was nervous as hell to share it. It was a long story that exceeded Lush’s 10k word limit, so I broke it into five chapters. Chapter 1 is still one of my highest scoring stories. And, as others have experienced, the number of views dropped with each subsequent chapter. Despite that, I’ve gotten some very favorable feedback on each and the experience was positive enough to inspire me to keep writing.

The Summer Tour and Endless Nights are what I consider to be my strongest stories. They are in the outdoors and supernatural categories and neither have a to ton of views. Not surprising.

On the other hand, stories like Unexpected Maintenance and Sex and Coffee are all smut and virtually no plot (or to quote WW, higher on the “pornage” scale). Each have had a ton of views and have higher scores. Granted, those stories are in the reluctance and true categories, which seem to draw more interest.

As I was writing my elements comp story, Earth, Water, Air, Ash, I was going back and forth between the story and the sex. Because of the character limit, I ended scrapping most of the sex. It turned out to be something I am really proud of, despite having only a meager 800 views. The comments I’ve gotten have been the most thoughtful and meaningful comments I’ve received since joining Lush. But to be fair, it is a comp story, which draws encouragement from other authors who may not otherwise read my stories.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

I think sex sells here. Plain and simple. In the 16 stories with the most favorites, the word “fuck” was in the title in 6 of them. Examples: “How to Fuck Me”, “Fucking Blind”, “Dare to Fuck with the Devil”, and “Fucking with Art”.

Mental note - go back and add “fuck” to all of my titles. If someone looks past the fact that it’s in the supernatural category, 'Endless Fucking Nights’ just might generate a few more views. 😊

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

This is one of those topics that fascinates me so I'm curious how other authors feel.

We all have our favourite stories that we write - ones we think represent our "best" (at the time) work that we're proud of writing. And yet these are not always the stories that evoke the greatest reaction (views, likes, comments, ...) from readers.

My questions are therefore simple:

1. What do you consider your best work (and, briefly why)?

2. Do readers agree, or has another piece you've written surprised you and resonated more with them?

Not everyone has the type of personality to talk about their "best". Certain stories might, however, have been 'the most fun to write' or the one that drew on elements of reality most rewardingly when written. The response of readers? If you did it simply by numbers, the answers are there to see, but if a comment is left, it can mean as much as a hundred hearts or clicks, depending on what is said.

Quote by JustForYou
Not everyone has the type of personality to talk about their "best".

Totally. My "best" changes fairly frequently as I evolve my writing. I thought my first story here was my best work once. How things change!

Story length no doubt plays a part. Some of my most character-driven writing is 5k+ but few have the spare time to invest to read it. For the ones that do, I'm so grateful. Especially with comments, as you say.

Splitting stories up into chunks seems like a win-win to keep readers, but viewership almost always tails off in later chapters, so that tactic risks people not reaching the end.

Interesting topic! I'll riff on a couple of things already mentioned above. Relatively small sample sizes because my most popular stories have ~5000 views or ~50 likes.

The Land of Milf and Honey: I recently concluded a 12-chapter story, Cassie+Kevin in ‘87: The Lake Ossipee Saga. I think all of the chapters are of the same quality, but the MILF and Anal stories tend to get more views than Threesomes and Outdoor.

Pride Goeth Before a Fall: My most ambitious story, Chapter 14: July 4th, 1926, The Musical, has a decent number of views, but fewer likes and comments than many of my other stories. I wrote lyrics for five musical numbers and recorded myself singing a barbershop quartet for one of them, and nobody seemed to care. (There were also four fluffer scenes and five sex scenes, by the way. It was not light on sex content.) When this didn't earn a Recommended Read, I realized that whatever strikes a chord with the mods, it ain't what I'm cuing up.

Slippery When Wet: My most rollicking, most slapstick story, Bad Medicine, has the highest score of all my stories. Why? Probably because it stars a more popular Lush member as the main female character and I got some cross-promotion in her social circle. (Note to other struggling male authors: make friends with a hot chick and ride her coattails. Or her nurse's scrubs—whatever works.)

My first comp entry is still my favourite story I have ever written. One Last Chance still hits for me whenever I skim it. I think I am a better writer now and compared to almost 6 years ago, but something about that story shows so much heart in my opinion. It had a score of 28, which is just below my batting average(cricket) so nothing monumental.

What is popular with the masses almost never aligns with what we consider our best. RDJ says Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is the best movie he's ever done. How many people even know about that film?

It occurs to me that my reflections on all this would be rather different, if I took myself seriously as a writer. I write what entertains me, what speaks in my voice. It is all I am capable of. I have never considered the desires of an audience nor taken a calculated aim at a category. Some stories find their mark and some do not.
In the end, I get what I deserve and live happy with anything at all. Past that, it's all a bother.

By the way, has anyone seen my jar of pickles?

Quote by CarltonStJames
RDJ says Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is the best movie he's ever done. How many people even know about that film?

I agree. It's amazing. Also, Shane Black writer/director so it was in good hands from the start.

Quote by kistinspencil

It occurs to me that my reflections on all this would be rather different, if I took myself seriously as a writer. I write what entertains me, what speaks in my voice. It is all I am capable of. I have never considered the desires of an audience nor taken a calculated aim at a category. Some stories find their mark and some do not.
In the end, I get what I deserve and live happy with anything at all. Past that, it's all a bother.

If you take yourself seriously, I will feel betrayed and even more like an outcast...PLEASE don't ❤️

My latest competition entry, Excuses, was my attempt at pandering to an audience. It came out of frustration with the confines of word limits and my inability to tell a good story the way I'd like within those constraints. So, I decided to tell a stupid one instead. It's basically the absurdist logic of summer blockbuster movies; Fuck coherent world building, character development and depth. The plot is just a flimsy excuse to move from one brief silly action-packed sequence to another until I ran out of space and arrived at an abrupt half-assed conclusion. "Give people what they want." Jury's still out, but I'd be surprised if it landed in the top 10.

The one I did best was a holiday themed competition entry called Ex-Mas Shopping. There was generous room allowed to develop the story the right way, and I'm fond of the characters. It all came together nicely. More impressive because I often find it difficult to get inspired by the holidays. This one doesn't have too much to do with Christmas, it's mostly just in the background and serves as a general reason for the characters to be at the mall at the same time, sort of the same way Die Hard is a "Christmas movie."

This is an aspect of Lush I've tried and failed to understand! Obviously, what a writer thinks is their best work is as subjective as what they think other people's best is...I think A Christmas Carol was Dickens best, but he thought it was David Copperfield.

Let's be honest, you can game the system by loading it with certain tags....if, anal, first time etc.

I thought this tale of an old man growing obsessed with his actress neighbour deserved more love, but if I'd finished it in time and entered it to the obsession comp I wrote it for, it probably would have, so thats on me! https://www.lushstories.com/stories/voyeur/the-girl-in-killer-rabbits-from-hell

This one is my personal favourite and is sort of mid table in terms of engagement. Take a trip back to ancient Egypt with https://www.lushstories.com/stories/historical/takabuti

I think the "issue" I have with reader receptivity and what I consider my favorites is that what I write is rather niche. Pregnancy, changing bodies, emotional/psychological, reclamation. For example, Morning Cravings, is a favorite because it combines humor, hunger, pregnancy, and acceptance at the end. However, it only garnered a handful of likes/favorites and comments that I appreciate (across all my stories). Compare that to, Humpday (But It's Saturday), a hot quicky scene of a tired couple stealing a moment in their laundry room before their kids wake. It's one of my better preforming stories and a lot of fun to write! But I understand. Most people read erotica to escape or explore. Not live out a sliver of reality.

With that being said. I've been working on giving myself permission to write stories that aren't so heavy handed. Dead Batteries, Desperate Measures, a flash fiction piece about a woman button mashing her way to orgasm while scolding her past self. It's fun, comedic (I think).

However. If we expand your question to stories you enjoyed the most writing and whether it resonated with the audience? Then, Masks Of Desire: Halloween Surrender, would have to be where both unified. A CNC Halloween story that takes place in corn maze at the fair, Zoey surrounded by classic horror movie villains. It was my first attempt at CNC and group sex. Had a lot of fun and those who read seemed to enjoy themselves to. Not my best work though and it's actually in the process of being rewritten to be rereleased during the Halloween season.

I write for myself and the joy of assembling words in pleasing and clever ways. I'm not trying to write the Great Australian Erotic Short-Story. Rather I'm usually trying out new (and some would say crazy) ideas and am delighted when I feel they work and even more delighted when others notice. This one for instance I am really proud of Yellow, Blue, Green and Red. Orange, Purple; and Black too because it was the first time I used conversation to drive characterization and narrative. But it's not a stand out in terms of likes and comments.

This one on the other hand, Miss, my Miss is a second person, watersports, D/s story which I really loved the moment I finished it but didn't expect it to become close to my most liked and commented upon story.

One of my best in my view is Pride and Prejudice – the Down Under Edition which incorporates Jane Austen's words into a modern setting has had minimal likes and comments. And yet I am enormously proud of achieving what I set out to do.

In truth I like writing sassy, sex-positive heroines who are smart-arses. I like referring to the canons on literature and culture. I like when others get that, but me feeling proud of what I have done is pleasure enough.

The consensus is that On Oxford Street, This Gay Girl Found Pride While Playing With Balls is my best story. And I am moved to tears whenever I reread the comments on that story. For it has touched the (especially gay) reader like nothing else I have written. Yet it wasn't as challenging to write as many of my subsequent stories so I don't quite have the sense of achievement as a writer that you might expect from my success in writing that story.

Quote by CuriousAnnie

The consensus is that On Oxford Street, This Gay Girl Found Pride While Playing With Balls is my best story. And I am moved to tears whenever I reread the comments on that story. For it has touched the (especially gay) reader like nothing else I have written. Yet it wasn't as challenging to write as many of my subsequent stories so I don't quite have the sense of achievement as a writer that you might expect from my success in writing that story.

No, that is not right. Your story moved hearts and minds. That is the real goal, or should be. I know a writer's writer, a true master of words, and she can't make a heart beat above yesterday's pulse. Kit Marlowe was far above that sandy playwright Bill, but who do we read today?
The truth resides beneath the ink and it will be found.