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

For me, the accolade is a positive comment from a writer I admire or follow. I also find that if I have created good characters then the story writes itself. More than once a story has grown into a sequel or even more driven by the characters and their desires.

Quote by joe71

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.

Thanks so much, its mutual, I loved your Noir story too. The word unconventional resonates with me, like your bisexual male writing, I do a lot of bisexual women, mainly as I love knocking up against heteronormative preconceptions. Lol, my Starting Over story about restarting the universe with two Australian women was an example of that. Maybe it isn't mainstream, but that's the way I like to write. My latest, called Steampunk Sydney will end with a final chapter where the Victorian changes I make in earlier chapters mean a different modern Australia ... I'm totally influenced by the critical comment on Australian Steampunk that it doesn't envisage a different path for colonialism. Will readers get it: I hope so, but irrespective, I'm writing it as I love the challenge of doing something different.

A really great book review, preferably not on Amazon as it's impossible for new authors to be noticed in that vast ocean, positive encouragement from a Lush mod (see Angie's Love) and great Lush reader feedback (The Slut)

Good question! I think firstly, I need to have enjoyed writing the story. I don’t think it can be a coincidence that my higher rating ones (which are still not that ‘highly-rated’ in comparison to other authors but I’m fine with that) are the ones where I barely had to think and the words just flowed. (Like https://www.lushstories.com/stories/oral-sex/strawberry-curls which I had THE most fun writing!). I definitely value comments from authors whose work I admire, they carry a lot of weight. I must admit, it is nice to get ‘likes’ and especially ‘favourites’ but I’m aware that this site draws a readership with such varying tastes that I certainly don’t let a lack of either of those deter me. I know I have a long way to go before I achieve ‘great story telling’ and I’m always trying to learn how to improve. I do have a friend on here who happily rates my stories on his cum-o-meter 😂 Not scientifically accurate but good for a laugh.

Quote by cydia

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."

Absolutely agree. If I get myself excited on first writing it then I "feel" I'm tapping into some vein of desire. The hard work then starts just getting the technical aspects right, typos, grammar, flow, tone, etc - a feeling that the story & writing naturally builds to a climax - hehe.

I knew my second story in my series didn't tick all these boxes but I had sat on it for so long that I published, anyway. And the voting supported my view - it had significantly less votes.

I think there is some value in the number of votes received - a sort of "wisdom of crowds" but I think a lot of people on Lush want a wank story & not necessarily interested in good writing or good story telling? But there are enough people who bother to vote & I agree with General Iroh's quote above

I'm unsure about the RR or other accolades given to a story - I don't know who awards such badges of merit or what the mechanism is?

Quote by AmelieB

Good question! I think firstly, I need to have enjoyed writing the story. I don’t think it can be a coincidence that my higher rating ones (which are still not that ‘highly-rated’ in comparison to other authors but I’m fine with that) are the ones where I barely had to think and the words just flowed. (Like https://www.lushstories.com/stories/oral-sex/strawberry-curls which I had THE most fun writing!). I definitely value comments from authors whose work I admire, they carry a lot of weight. I must admit, it is nice to get ‘likes’ and especially ‘favourites’ but I’m aware that this site draws a readership with such varying tastes that I certainly don’t let a lack of either of those deter me. I know I have a long way to go before I achieve ‘great story telling’ and I’m always trying to learn how to improve. I do have a friend on here who happily rates my stories on his cum-o-meter 😂 Not scientifically accurate but good for a laugh.

Yes, the cum-o-meter or the leak-o-meter can be a valid indicator - hehe. Replaces the clap-o-meter from times past.

I definitely concur that the story just flows in your "Strawberry Curls" story and it's also interesting that you had the most FUN writing it. I always say, if it doesn't turn you on writing it, then how can you expect the reader to be turned on?

I honestly don't know. There's no one thing or group of things, although "having fun while writing it," prior comment rings very true. Sometimes I just know, and, yet, others, I'm surprised that people enjoy it as much as they do.

The stories I care to write bring me a profound sense of satisfaction; they make me feel like I was there, living what the characters are living. I'm only satisfied when I feel my story come to life in vivid images, scents and colours. When I do experience this, then I feel the story was worth writing. This is my personal, inner satisfaction.

This is not to be confused with how readers respond to my story. I write what I feel like writing independent from what seems to be popular or not. Some readers may like what I have to write, others less so. At times, it gets lonely, but my characters are counting on me to give them a window where they can step out of the shadows.

There's a difference between a story being popular and a story being great, not saying a story can't be both. All readers will find what they like on LushStories.