Quote by LuceDevlin

Question - If I do more than one submission (non-comp stories of course) that have the same characters - does that automatically mean I need to connect them as a series/serial? or can I just leave an author's note so that readers know that the characters were mentioned in a story elsewhere?

My novel Charlotte Sometimes has a young Irish woman, Fiona, 19/20 years old experimenting in being a Domme. Then an older Domme, also Irish, with a very similar history turns up in a stand alone story set twenty years later. They aren't connected stories but the characters are. I like putting in characters from one story as a background or supporting character in another. It makes absolutely no difference to the sorry but I get a kick out of including them

Quote by Lynkeus

Does that mean you want to keep getting private messages from me? No public criticism? Shy girl! -😊

No, I can take as much public criticism as you are willing to throw. As long as it is warranted 😘

I can take the unwarranted criticism too.. I'd just expect better from you

Quote by Lynkeus

Hi!!!

I joined LUSH as a READER! I never thought of chatting, commenting or creating a group! I liked the friendly climate here.

But I never expected to find a "safe space" here where writers cuddle, cuddle and hug each other, reassuring each other how awesome they are.

Criticism (even mutual) is vital for authors!!

And then the old prejudice (as in your question):

Critics should kindly be better (or at least as good) as the author.

Why?

i am the reader

And you write for me, not your colleagues!!

I like criticism.. as long as it is explained... We all used to laugh about the 1 or 2 scores as the voter/critic seldom left an explanation of what went wrong for them with the story.

I don't agree Lush is a safe place, but there is a difference between a kindly worded private message and a public slanging

Quote by Ensorceled

I agree with Suze, that this definition of Noir is specific to the movies, but nearly every example of Noir I can think of involves a movie (Hammet is an exception). It's a genre that movies interpreted REALLY well.

That's an interesting observation and asks the question, is this a good theme for a competition? ... (she wonders now, 7000 words into a noir story with loads of entries already in... )

But , that's the challenge of this competition. Some writers here write like they are painting a picture while others write about internalised inner feelings and desires.

What excites me about this competition is how do we, as writers, get across the feeling of noir.. without necessarily using voiceover, private eyes and femme fatales.. or is that possible?

Looking forward to the last minute slew of entries, mine included.. hopefully

Quote by Lynkeus

Today is the 80th birthday of the great director Martin Scorsese.

A reason to remember that Scorsese made 4 of his greatest films in equal partnership with his screenwriter (and director himself!) Paul Schrader.

Well - via the detour Scorsese/ Schrader I get to what I actually wanted to remind you of:

This same Paul Schrader published his now classic essay "Notes on film noir" in 1972 - and that's also a 50th anniversary!

Above all, I would have wished that one or the other of our authors would have taken a look at the text before hastily submitting their story to the Noir Erotique competition... 😉

Just a small sample:

"Film noir is not a genre (...) It is not defined, as are the western and gangster genres, by conventions of setting and conflict, but rather by the more subtle qualities of tone and mood."

"There is a love of romantic narration. (...) the narration creates a mood of temps perdu: an irretrievable past, a predetermined fate and an all-enveloping hopelessness. (...) one can only take pleasure in reliving a doomed past."

I think Schrader is very limited in his definition of Noir.. specifically in terms of time and geography. Also, you are quoting notes on Film Noir.

While you note "There is a love of romantic narration", the essay also notes

The majority of scenes are lit for night.

As in German expressionism, oblique and vertical lines are preferred to horizontal.

The actors and setting are often given equal lighting emphasis.

Compositional tension is preferred to physical action.

These are all cinematic conventions. I think it would be a very dull competition if everyone set their story in the United States between the late 1940s and the late 1950s.

I love the stealth mode... thank you so much ❤️

And the Crown is lovely too hehehe

Quote by sprite

That is fantastic 🤣

Quote by CarltonStJames

Hey, it can definitely happen. Especially if you realized you could add a little more detail in certain places or you're filling logic gaps.

That happens to me anyway.

I'm suffering that now..I'm watching my noir story word count climb as I try to tidy up the flaws in the story and try to explain all the inconsistencies.. 😳

Quote by kistinspencil

And she'll keep you there, teetering on that white hot edge, while you beg to cum.

😈

Giggles… edging… whimpering.. please read my story hehehe 😘💋♥️

Almost famous 😘

How are the 4 most popular stories on the front page chosen and how often are they refreshed?

Is it views per week? Or does it include views from previous weeks?

If it is views per week should the same story be able to stay for a second week? This could well happen as being on the front page for an extended period of time will naturally result in higher views.

I’m just curious. I think it’s nice to know how things work. It removes the mystery.

Quote by kistinspencil

Go to Messages. Click the three dot bar and open Settings. Turn off Send on Enter. Made me crazy before I found that!

Oooh I could kiss you… kisses you anyway 💋 thank you for making my life so much easier ♥️

Awwwwww Sprite… I know underneath the armour plated scary mod admin, there’s a little puddy cat… tickles you under the chin (I really hope I’m right about that) ♥️

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

BTW, in continuing with the Micro Madness that seems to have gripped this joint, I have a new one just approved! Find it here:

A Mermaid's Tail

p.s. Blame Kimmi – she encouraged me!

That made me smile, Bear. But maybe you just weren’t looking properly. Maybe it was where her clit was and that’s why sailors couldn’t find it hehehe

Those of you with long memories might remember my horror story with the tag skin care. This micro doesn’t involve any blood you’ll be glad to know.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/skin-care

Ape.. that story was something else. Chef’s kiss 😘

Quote by sprite

it only counts unique views so regardless of how many times you click it still only counts as one

Awwwwww that takes all the fun out of it lol ♥️

I wrote a very naughty, apparently, micro too. The joy of micros is it doesn’t take long to read them. So enjoy the Ape, the Bear and the Deviant all in one sitting 😘

Mine is at https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/bad-girl-5

Sad to see the Vixen leaving. Where will I get my fix of messy food porn now 🤷‍♀️

Quote by fuzzy1954

The 3rd song

Dead Can Dance

Children Of The Sun

Fuzzy, you are spoiling us today… Echo and the bunnymen, the psychedelic furs and now Dead can dance.. ♥️

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

On my way, kiddo…Anyone else wanna join us? I'm into group cuddles.

BTW, I'm dabbling my tootsies in Micros with a modest effort. Not sure if it sucks or not, but since everyone ELSE is doin' it…

I'll let you know if it gets bounced or published.

I find micros good for forcing me to be economical. Having said that, A picture can paint a thousand words so the image can often help set the tone.

A really good micro let’s you join the dots of what happened before hand and also let’s you imagine what happens next. But hey, Kistin and Kimmi are the queens of that genre.

I look forward to reading it.

ahhh that makes sense.. I was looking how to delete them from the queue, not from the story... I'll need to remember to delete them as I read them. 🙂

I'm possibly having a brunette moment but I cant seem to delete stories from my reading queue. When I read a story in my queue it doesn't leave but stays there.. which is making my queue unmanageable.

What am I missing?

Quote by Ensorceled

I click once a day, so you should be famous in 100 days max! Let us know.

Fantastic.. I check every day too.. so that's only 50 days max.. or less even.. it's currently at 29,909.. I like there are quite a few nines there ❤️

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Yup, I'm thinking it will just prove what I suspect about the current culture of readers. My preference will always be stories with more plot or character than sex, but this is a sex site and we're all here for different reasons. Many are just here to get off. And my reason is a fun hobby, escape, to improve as a writer, so I'll keep writing what I want after this one.

I have NOT written stories with lots of sex lately, so I need watch porn or something to get in the mood. Hahaha!

I know what you mean. I love the build up, the scene setting. The sex is almost a by product but I’m realising that’s not what the lush public wants. However the main thing is how long you are on the front page. I would say at least 75% of likes come in that initial rush when it’s in the front page. I’ve seen stories last 24 hours but others are gone in 14 or 15 hours. Currently the bottom story on the front page is 10 hours old. You really need to time publication to happen just before all the mods go on holiday

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

First pic, definitely. And I'm with Annie – I'm not sure I want your story to be a big success.

No, wait – I DON'T want your story to be a success.

But I suspect Carl is right – it's likely to be a big one.

I agree. The first pic is stronger. It’s an interesting experiment. I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs. Though you have a solid follower base already. You should really make a second account to try it (though obviously you wouldn’t as that is against the rules)

Quote by JamesLlewellyn
And here's a VERY different look and sound for Elvis Costello (who happens to be married to Diana Krall, BTW)

I preferred his ex-wife Cait O'Riordan who used to play bass in the Pogues and while she didn't often sing, she had such a sexy voice in this song, "I'm a man you don't meet every day"

How could we let Elvis Costello play in the bar without including the greatest creepiest obsessive stalker song ever... I want you

Quote by Ensorceled

Famous yet? I’ve visited like three times!

Awww you’re so good to me. Not quite. Maybe I’m destined to be Almost Famous lol

Well despite being next to impossible to advertise it, my story 'In the Library' is almost at Famous Story status.. I just need 100 more views to gain the badge..

So if you haven't already read it, or even if you have and want to relive the way the University Dean watches the horny student playing with herself in the college library, then click here...

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/college-sex/in-the-library

Gosh the bar is busy for a Monday morning or evening I guess if you are Annie.

I just dropped a dirty little micro onto the front page. Here’s a link to save you the effort of going to look for it.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/cum-in-my-panties

I’ll have a coffee to go as I really should do some work.

See you later, my lovelies xx

Quote by sprite

ya'll should. be nice to class up the category with well-written IFs from talented authors from time to time. not all IFs need to leave you feeling like you need a long hot shower (best if they leave you feeling like you need a cold shower ;)).

I’m old enough to remember the arguments when was banned as a category and the arguments when it was reinstated .. the main one being all the other sites allow it so Lush needs to too. But other sites allow non-consent, animals and god knows what else so I think that’s a spurious argument.

There have been some good fantasy stories. Sprite’s Summer series being a perfect example but it’s hard to wade through the filth to find the odd well-written gem that isn’t fucking your 16 year old daughter with the pneumatic breasts and the ability to deep throat’s a 9 inch monster cock without gagging on the first attempt. And that’s why I have that category hidden.

I think it speaks volumes that you don’t have to write in that category to get the Omnium badge.

As for eyeballs on stories, with less than 24 hours on the front page and so many stories being written, 500 views is a lot these days. I can’t imagine many more stories getting the Famous story badge

Quote by sprite

this is where i am right now and yeah, was thinking of starting over... we'll see. mostly i just don't feel like writing right now. i am sure that i'll probably start again and finish up at the last second. or not.

I feel your pain. I’m there too. I think I’m getting too wound up in trying to make the plot convoluted. I should just put lots of sex in instead. That’ll work lol.

Hope everyone is good. I’ve submitted a story in the face sitting category in an attempt to get my Omnium back. Since the move it appears your have to write in all categories to get it. I will not be happy if they expect an story out of me. Always struck me as a cop out that you can slap fantasies after and make that ok to publish but can’t have a beastiality fantasy, a fantasy or a snuff fantasy. After all, is as illegal as the other three.

Shrugs. Anyway, if they say No I can’t have the Omnium back, it may solve my Noir story difficulties.

Slainte 🍷