What kind of stories do you enjoy

I've been a member for quite awhile and have written in almost every category available. I was idle for quite some time, but recently found the creative juices flowing again.

I’ve been working on older stories for the most part. Stuff I had never quite completed but now I want to try something new.

The problem is, I’m not sure what people are reading these days. So please give a writer a hand and let me know what kind of themes, story, lengths, or kinks you would prefer to read about.

While I can write virtually anything, for once, I would like to write something people actually want to read.

So please don’t be afraid to tell me, and just maybe, I’ll take your ideas and craft a story meant to satisfy that desire

I’d like to read about more realistic flawed characters who find one another, maybe things don’t go smoothly at first. I don’t want everything, even the sex, to come too easily. The ending isn’t wrapped up in a pretty, predictable bow

I’m kinda into darker themes, too. Seedier scenarios. Maybe something both scary and sexy.

I love interesting settings, too. Transport me somewhere I haven’t been, but will want to go after reading your story.

And sexual tension… love it!

And maybe another mystery like your Unknown Caller.

Lengths 5K or under.

Thank you, Kim. With the prevalence of flash stories I feared such short and to the point stories were far more popular. That may still be true but it’s nice to know characters and plot matter.

I often add emotion flaws, doubts or introspection, even intentional emotional detachment but I admit my characters are probably too physically attractive to be considered realistic. That might be a flaw I need to address.

I do like seedier themes and those who prowl the darker side of sex. I will defiantly consider these themes, as well as perhaps horror and mystery. I do enjoy writing twist endings.

Settings is an interesting idea. I’ve been considering a story taking place in a hot air ballon and I’ve a sci-fi story in mind that might well fit that.

As far as the sex coming too easily, I wholly agree.

Thank you. You’ve given me some great things to consider .

This is an interesting question, Milik_the_Red, one I guess most authors would like to know. 😊

For me, the story must come first... not the metaphoric sex acts. The story's characters must have depth to them, so I am engaged in both the characters and the story. Twists are good. Sex is a must, but try to give it some meaning.

I agree with Kimmi; above 5,000 words, and half your potential readers won't even open the story. There's a poll here somewhere basically reinforcing that fact. For clicks/likes, I think it maxes out at around 2k to 3k.

Last November, I counted which were the most popular genres here. No surprises that I/F was number 1 with 423 pages of stories, while straight sex was number 2 with 401 pages of stories... 3 BDSM (203 pages), 4 Group Sex (198 pages), and 5 Wifelovers (192 pages). I doubt the list order has changed that much since then.

So, I would suggest that if you want to write a story for views/clicks, choose one of the top genres and keep it short, hot, and twisted.

However, though I only read a couple of your stories, you are such a good author; whatever you write, the audience will (eventually) find you. So why not write something you want to write? 😊

I like stories where something actually happens. Not just holes getting filled and collars clicking into place — give me characters I can believe in. Make me root for someone, then slap me for it. I want tension, contradiction, stakes. I want the moment where someone says “I’m fine” but their hands are shaking.

The sex is great. But if I don’t care who’s fucking who and why, then I’m just skimming for the next scene.

Conflict turns me on. Denial. Power shifts. Emotional risk. If everyone’s into it and no one gets hurt? Yawn.

Quote by Laura_SM

I like stories where something actually happens. Not just holes getting filled and collars clicking into place — give me characters I can believe in...

The sex is great. But if I don’t care who’s fucking who and why, then I’m just skimming for the next scene.

You've hit the nail on the head. Sex stories that are just about all the sex 1, 2, 3 or more people can have are just boring.

I like stories with butterflies, rainbows, unicorns, and lesbians.

Mostly lesbians.

Quote by kistinspencil

I like stories with butterflies, rainbows, unicorns, and lesbians.

Mostly lesbians.

Come on, Kis, I know there’s a powerful micro inside you about those four things! Give it to us! ❤️ I need to read about those things!

Quote by kistinspencil

I like stories with butterflies, rainbows, unicorns, and lesbians.

Mostly lesbians.

Oddly, that was more along the lines of what I expected might be among the responses I see.

Not lesbians, necessarily, but people speaking about their particular tastes. I've written a few lesbian stories but confess it may be my weakest theme. And I like Lesbian erotica. I just can't seem to nail it down. It might be worth the challenge to try it again

Thank you for your great response

Quote by Laura_SM

I like stories where something actually happens. Not just holes getting filled and collars clicking into place — give me characters I can believe in. Make me root for someone, then slap me for it. I want tension, contradiction, stakes. I want the moment where someone says “I’m fine” but their hands are shaking.

The sex is great. But if I don’t care who’s fucking who and why, then I’m just skimming for the next scene.

Conflict turns me on. Denial. Power shifts. Emotional risk. If everyone’s into it and no one gets hurt? Yawn.

I sensed that in your writing. A distinct cynicism or edgy wearinesss, as if your character had woken in the wrong bed more than a few times. I enjoy that hard emotional edge.

In general, I'm pleased you and others value the story over the sex. After writing many tales with 2 to 3k words of story and set up before ever getting anything wet, I worried that the story no longer mattered. And maybe it doesn't for the average reader in this form of fiction.

But its enough for me to know some still do.

Quote by darkroot50

You've hit the nail on the head. Sex stories that are just about all the sex 1, 2, 3 or more people can have are just boring.

Oddly I detest group stories. Both reading and writing them. Even in the visual media I don't enjoy multiple partners in one scene. I find it distracting.

Quote by wxt55uk

This is an interesting question, Milik_the_Red, one I guess most authors would like to know. 😊

For me, the story must come first... not the metaphoric sex acts. The story's characters must have depth to them, so I am engaged in both the characters and the story. Twists are good. Sex is a must, but try to give it some meaning.

I agree with Kimmi; above 5,000 words, and half your potential readers won't even open the story. There's a poll here somewhere basically reinforcing that fact. For clicks/likes, I think it maxes out at around 2k to 3k.

Last November, I counted which were the most popular genres here. No surprises that I/F was number 1 with 423 pages of stories, while straight sex was number 2 with 401 pages of stories... 3 BDSM (203 pages), 4 Group Sex (198 pages), and 5 Wifelovers (192 pages). I doubt the list order has changed that much since then.

So, I would suggest that if you want to write a story for views/clicks, choose one of the top genres and keep it short, hot, and twisted.

However, though I only read a couple of your stories, you are such a good author; whatever you write, the audience will (eventually) find you. So why not write something you want to write? 😊

I used to write very long works and to be honest they make up the bulk of my best stories. My Last Morning with Melissa was 9 k and won an EP. Jailbait came in at just over 10k and is my most read work with over 300k views.

It takes a long work to write an intricate tale of emotional need that can truly capture the essence of the character. If one is to be invested, they need to invest a bit themselves.

I'm immensely proud of both, and suggest them to anyone willing to delve deeply into a story of love, loss, risk and emotional pain. And yes, they are massive works, but I do not believe they would have succeeded as a serialized work

Likewise, my sequeals to Unknown Caller and Watching Sarah were set up by their first parts, so a reader who is just jumping in to part two, or even a reader if part 1 is only going to read the sex while losing the emotional connection set up in part 1.

This is why I'm torn on the that. The one thing I am sure of after writing these 4 stories is, I'm not easily satisfied in being limited to less than 6k words. For me, the number I need to flesh out a work, round out the characters and set the mood, scene and ambience to make a eroticism possible requires between 5k and 7k words I can go more or less, but that seems to be my wheelhouse.

that was a great comment and it really got me thinking. I very much appreciate you joining the conversation.

Quote by Laura_SM

I like stories where something actually happens. Not just holes getting filled and collars clicking into place — give me characters I can believe in. Make me root for someone, then slap me for it. I want tension, contradiction, stakes. I want the moment where someone says “I’m fine” but their hands are shaking.

The sex is great. But if I don’t care who’s fucking who and why, then I’m just skimming for the next scene.

Conflict turns me on. Denial. Power shifts. Emotional risk. If everyone’s into it and no one gets hurt? Yawn.

My response to your comment was rather muddled and I apologize for that. I'm horribly dyslexic and at times I don’t notice the mistakes.

The truth is, I’m forced to painfully edit everything I do with the written word. I’ve corrected it now so if you wish to read it again and actually be able to understand what I was trying to say, it’s there.

Just spotted this thread. I've read a few of the posts. Really interesting. I try to write a mixture of dark and light stories. Someone commented on one of my stories that they enjoyed it because it wasn’t just suck and fuck, here in Scotland we would say soak and poke. I prefer to write stories with sex in them, with a storyline and personalities. Not just stories about sex. However I’m aware that many prefer raunchier tales. My most popular stories are the ones I consider frothy filth! I like to write more sombre tales too. There is such a wide range of styles and gifted writers, there’s a story to suit all tastes on Lush!

I love stories where the woman takes her husband or boyfriend and dresses him up and then they go out and pick up guys and she watches him have sex with another man. I love it

Quote by Milik_the_Red

I used to write very long works and to be honest they make up the bulk of my best stories. My Last Morning with Melissa was 9 k and won an EP. Jailbait came in at just over 10k and is my most read work with over 300k views.

It takes a long work to write an intricate tale of emotional need that can truly capture the essence of the character. If one is to be invested, they need to invest a bit themselves.

I'm immensely proud of both, and suggest them to anyone willing to delve deeply into a story of love, loss, risk and emotional pain. And yes, they are massive works, but I do not believe they would have succeeded as a serialized work

Likewise, my sequeals to Unknown Caller and Watching Sarah were set up by their first parts, so a reader who is just jumping in to part two, or even a reader if part 1 is only going to read the sex while losing the emotional connection set up in part 1.

This is why I'm torn on the that. The one thing I am sure of after writing these 4 stories is, I'm not easily satisfied in being limited to less than 6k words. For me, the number I need to flesh out a work, round out the characters and set the mood, scene and ambience to make a eroticism possible requires between 5k and 7k words I can go more or less, but that seems to be my wheelhouse.

that was a great comment and it really got me thinking. I very much appreciate you joining the conversation.

I have just seen your reply; I must remember to press the watch thread button next time! 🙄

I have been writing on LS for coming up to 3 years, though I have been on the site a lot longer. In 2010, I started visiting, and 9 years ago, I actually joined. During that time, I would suggest two things have happened... The quality of writing/stories has improved, and they have also gotten shorter. That's just a personal opinion.

Currently, I am writing a series of 5 connected standalone stories. Here is the link to the first one: Cash In Hand 1 - "A Job Opening?" - Part 1 Of 2 I don't expect you to read it, BTW. It is just to illustrate a point, but okay, you can read it if you want to. 🤣

The point I'm making is that this standalone story was deliberately split into two 3.5k-word parts rather than one 7k-word part. The main reason I did this was that I have found I'm more likely to gain new readers, and therefore new followers, by clicking on a shorter story even if it's only half the story. I am not talking about my existing followers; they will tend to click, read, or reject. 😊

If you look at Part 2, you will see I have managed to carry most of my readers over with roughly as many likes/comments and only slightly fewer views. The other bonus for me doing it this way was that I got two cover photos to play with, which was ideal as I could illustrate the uniforms the main character was wearing. A visual always helps the reader and sometimes the author. 🤣

As for views, I think any longer story will do well to reach 10k views these days unless you have a large following. My best story has well over 200 likes and has been published for around 9 months, but as of yet, it hasn't broken 9,000 views!

Just my views on things!

Each to their own I suppose. I have a sequel to Watching Sarak coming out at any moment at 3.6k words. My guess is it won’t do half as well as the 1st chapter

But view tallies on lushed changed. Getting 10K was easy 10 years ago and overnight that dropped by 80% or more. I believe non member hits are no longer being counted so it’s really impossible to know what the viewership is.

Maybe someone can shed more light on that but I questioned it at the time and that is as close to the explanation as I can now recall

Really interesting points you make. I don’t tend to write or read really long stories. It’s a time issue. I’m probably missing out on really good work. I was never aware of Top Authors or Top Stories till recently. I notice the same authors consistently are there every month. Views and likes are miles ahead of everyone else. They obviously have a very strong following. I include myself as one of them for quite a few of them who are quite simply superb. I have also seen some stories that barely get noticed. I am sure a lot of excellent work and new authors fall below the radar.

Quote by Milik_the_Red

Each to their own I suppose. I have a sequel to Watching Sarak coming out at any moment at 3.6k words. My guess is it won’t do half as well as the 1st chapter

But view tallies on lushed changed. Getting 10K was easy 10 years ago and overnight that dropped by 80% or more. I believe non member hits are no longer being counted so it’s really impossible to know what the viewership is.

Maybe someone can shed more light on that but I questioned it at the time and that is as close to the explanation as I can now recall

I don't know the answer, and I am not sure I have ever seen a post about story view numbers. However, I have thought for some time now that something doesn't add up on story views and many other small things.

I never posted a story under V1 Lush. The change to V2 happened on the very same day I went to submit my first story here. However, from time to time, things have been mentioned that are either not available or on the to-do list.

With 6,000 gold/platinum members (we have just been told that) and many times more visitors, I suspect this site's traffic is higher than ever; therefore, it figures (even with more stories here), story views should be higher too. 🙄

Quote by Shyexhibitionist

Really interesting points you make. I don’t tend to write or read really long stories. It’s a time issue. I’m probably missing out on really good work. I was never aware of Top Authors or Top Stories till recently. I notice the same authors consistently are there every month. Views and likes are miles ahead of everyone else. They obviously have a very strong following. I include myself as one of them for quite a few of them who are quite simply superb. I have also seen some stories that barely get noticed. I am sure a lot of excellent work and new authors fall below the radar.

They do and that’s why every now and then I peruse the stories that are coming out and just try to read stuff from people. I’ve never heard of once in a while you find a real gem

I just recently discovered an author who’s just started publishing here and she’s excellent

Quote by wxt55uk

I don't know the answer, and I am not sure I have ever seen a post about story view numbers. However, I have thought for some time now that something doesn't add up on story views and many other small things.

I never posted a story under V1 Lush. The change to V2 happened on the very same day I went to submit my first story here. However, from time to time, things have been mentioned that are either not available or on the to-do list.

With 6,000 gold/platinum members (we have just been told that) and many times more visitors, I suspect this site's traffic is higher than ever; therefore, it figures (even with more stories here), story views should be higher too. 🙄

I looked at that for a long time. When I go back and look at my older stories, I see many with 20 30 40, 50,000 or much more.

Even before I went on my hiatus that was dropping down into the low thousands at best and today’s about the same so it’s not that nobody’s reading the stories. There’s something about the algorithm that changed.

I consider myself lucky if one of my stories gets more than 500 reads in a year. I have one that squeaked past 10k, but it took 8 years. I did notice an uptick on new pieces once L2 got stable, but it wasn't anything substantial, at least in my case.

Unhindered category enthusiasm and personal charisma definitely help push a writer's work to the fore, no matter their skill at storytelling. Some folks have it and some just don't.

Quote by Shyexhibitionist

Really interesting points you make. I don’t tend to write or read really long stories. It’s a time issue. I’m probably missing out on really good work. I was never aware of Top Authors or Top Stories till recently. I notice the same authors consistently are there every month. Views and likes are miles ahead of everyone else. They obviously have a very strong following. I include myself as one of them for quite a few of them who are quite simply superb. I have also seen some stories that barely get noticed. I am sure a lot of excellent work and new authors fall below the radar.

They used to have a continuously updating top ten board on the home page, but don’t anymore. The top authors thing is that if you want to stay up top you have to keep publishing a lot the rest of eternity or you will eventually be overtaken. No one thought anyone would pass Mysteria, but she stopped writing. So I never paid attention to that.

I admire those who can write a great 10K. I’m only wired for the short ones.

Milik, you’ll have readers no matter what you write, because you are a talented author. But how many readers you get doesn’t reflect the quality of the work, imo. And I think male writers just get fewer reads, votes, comments right now anyway.

Quote by kistinspencil

I consider myself lucky if one of my stories gets more than 500 reads in a year. I have one that squeaked past 10k, but it took 8 years. I did notice an uptick on new pieces once L2 got stable, but it wasn't anything substantial, at least in my case.

Unhindered category enthusiasm and personal charisma definitely help push a writer's work to the fore, no matter their skill at storytelling. Some folks have it and some just don't.

No doubt about that.

Having to name people recognize makes a huge difference and I’ve seen a lot of writers who are very well recognized with a lot of views who frankly weren’t very good writers

Especially in days past

Quote by KimmiBeGood

They used to have a continuously updating top ten board on the home page, but don’t anymore. The top authors thing is that if you want to stay up top you have to keep publishing a lot the rest of eternity or you will eventually be overtaken. No one thought anyone would pass Mysteria, but she stopped writing. So I never paid attention to that.

I admire those who can write a great 10K. I’m only wired for the short ones.

Milik, you’ll have readers no matter what you write, because you are a talented author. But how many readers you get doesn’t reflect the quality of the work, imo. And I think male writers just get fewer reads, votes, comments right now anyway.

Well, thank you for your compliment. I like to think I’m at least halfway decent.

When I began at lush, my writing was not good at all, but I was always a good storyteller. fortunately over the years I’ve become a decent writer as well.

But I think a lot of people here, especially men, prefer to read stories written by women and I don’t blame them for that. This is, after all, an erotic site and people are going to gravitate to the things that turn them on and away from the things that turn them off. and I think men especially are a little bit more prone to do that, hence women may get more views.

Views used to matter to me a lot, and because of the constantly updated top story and author boards were based on having a high score. Your stories continued to be seen, and therefore that matter to me.

I prefer the way it’s done today. That way there’s no reason to pine about scores views. I write what I wanna write and what I think the readers want to read, but I’m not looking for accolades or egos anymore.

I’m older and things like that just don’t matter to me

You’ll be a much happier writer with that attitude. I’d still like to see you join the Omnium club. You’re so close…

Quote by KimmiBeGood

You’ll be a much happier writer with that attitude. I’d still like to see you join the Omnium club. You’re so close…

I need a uniform story, a strap on story and a face sitting story.

As it happens, the last story I was writing with simplicity before we stopped writing was a uniform story.

I was going through her files a short while ago when I found that work that included stuff she wrote with me and has never been published

I’m working to finish that story now so as it happens, I’ll get my uniform story

As to when I get a strap on story that could happen, I’ve had strap on used in other stories and I don’t have any issue writing that particular genre

When will I get around to writing a face sitting story, I don’t know. One of the many things that burned me out before was writing stuff I really wasn’t interested in just to get an Omnium badge. Right before I got it, they added more categories

That wasn’t their fault. The site has to grow after all, but at that time the idea of writing more stories I really wasn’t interested in just kind of took the wind out out my sales

There are other things. It wasn’t just that, but that may have been the straw that broke the camels back.

I started this thread to get the kind of input we’re seeing. I just wanted to find out what people were looking at, what they wanted and were interested in.

I’ve learned a few things from it so that’s great, but I don’t know that I’m gonna go out of my way to write a story for a badge unless I have a story in mind that makes it worthwhile

One thing about me that hasn’t changed as I’m not gonna put up a piece of crap I’m not happy with just to get a badge.

Had I’ve been willing to do that, I’d have 1000 stories and every badge you can think of.

But I’d have 900 stories that that I would be wishing I hadn’t written

I feel ya. And I haven’t written in Facesitting. It was fortunately added after I got the Omnium. I still don’t understand why that one was added. Seems like it is covered in Oral. It’s like adding a cock sucking category.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

I feel ya. And I haven’t written in Facesitting. It was fortunately added after I got the Omnium. I still don’t understand why that one was added. Seems like it is covered in Oral. It’s like adding a cock sucking category.

As a sexual act, I’m fine with it, but I just don’t see how to write a story around it.

I can’t see writing a lesbian story for instance, and then put it into a category based on two paragraphs of the story

It just doesn’t make sense to me

If you get ready to write in Facesitting someday, read the one by WannabeWordsmith in that category. It’s called “Sit.” I think his story really hit the spot. 😉 And shows the kind of story that I think goes in that category.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/facesitting/sit-2