https://www.lushstories.com/stories/threesomes/rising-for-the-summer

Having ventured into art for the comp, I thought I'd continue the theme and write about other things I know nothing about! Politics and threesomes this time, although it's mostly the latter...thankfully!

Sticking to flash recently, excluding the comp, meant I decided to buck my trend and go for a longer piece. It's to test my belief that I can't really get into anything outside my experience or comfort zone. The second of these isn't negotiable, though 'outside my experience' isn't, even if I seldom do it.

A 'threesome' story involving a member of parliament, her bestie, and an acquaintance of the MP she once had an afternoon romp with before politics called her.

It's a story where the wildest aspect of the sexy bit is the fact that there are three involved. I have no interest in writing for reads alone.

Congratulations to WW, others placed at the top table and to everyone who entered. It was a wonderful ( and luddite-challenging ) brief, and I hope everyone had as much fun with it as I did. Thank you to everyone who made the competition possible. ❤️

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Judging is a lengthy/time-consuming process and the timescales depend on shortlister and judge availability, number/length of entries, and eligibility discussions that sometimes crop up.

Notwithstanding the odd AI entry that slips through and we catch during judging, we've also had people disqualified who have entered more than once under different accounts, or submitting previously published work, or part of a series, etc. All this extra administrative work has a knock-on effect on the announcement date.

Jen's hat, as beautifully rainbow-coloured as it is, cannot fit all the entries in, so we abandoned that route long ago.

I think the vast majority 'get it', and, hard though it is to imagine, do understand that those sifting, shortlisting, judging, etc. have lives even beyond this parallel universe...no, really, they do! (I probably should have prefaced that bombshell with 'spoiler alert'...but I forgot.) 😊

Quote by Chet_Morton

I do SO MUCH RESEARCH for historical stories. I don't even want to go into detail describing it. I read a lot of the New York Times archives from 1926 for my smut. So many of the details and events and locations are historically accurate, it's actually rarer for me to just make something up, like the name of a nightclub. But I enjoy doing the research, and I enjoy knowing that readers can learn something from my dirty stories.

The choice of whether the goal is to 'educate' or entertain is a personal one. The same is true with regard to what a reader is looking for. If a writer can't accept that some aren't interested in historical and geographical accuracy or 'learning something', that's their look-out. It isn't anyone's job to tell anyone what's 'important'; that's patronising.

People who write but don't see research elements as important have responsibilities, too. They shouldn't pour scorn on those obsessed with 'accuracy', but they should retain their right to express themselves as they wish, rather than worry about rather elitist-sounding snobbery that seeks to elevate something that's a choice, not a by-word for a good read.

Good, and less so, occur with either approach. It always will.

Clearly, as I don't write about things I've no experience of/ periods I didn't live in, I don't have to worry about either. If I did research, it would involve doing something I wouldn't enjoy, so my bottom-line of everything being fun would be under threat. It will matter to some, but if it doesn't. it doesn't have to. Differences of opinion only matter if they're used to imply superiority in their use.

For me, it will always be about what feels comfortable to write about. I can't set a story in a part of the world I've not experienced, or in a period either. Plenty can and do, so those who enjoy that aspect don't miss out.

Kink-wise, my thoughts are the same. I can only write honestly about things I've experienced (even if disastrously). The exception that proves the rule is the odd story I've set in the future, as that is creative speculation, not research- based. I would never suggest this is a case of right or wrong, but 'feels right or wrong for me to do' is an entirely different standpoint.

If people's enjoyment of a story is genuinely affected by a historical inaccuracy, or seen as impossible because of geographical or even physical improbability errors, they are perfectly entitled to take that view, just as I am to choose the settings and activity I do.

Doing what I do for fun allows me to stay in my lane. What seems restricting to some might feel like an important safety net to others. Not being interested in chasing badges or wanting to 'push boundaries' can be very liberating! If I need to Google it, except to confirm I'm correct, I wouldn't be happy writing about it...but that's just me.

My latest flash is up. It's a little different. The next project is a departure from my usual environment- a longer read, and with rather more sex in it than usual for me. I blame having three central characters instead of my standard two!😀

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/memories-are-made-of-this

Quote by wxt55uk

I hope your day improves too, Kimmi, and yes, naughty, Butters.

I spent the day doing a little writing. It is simply too hot, too dusty and too dry to go outside. Still no rain here; we need it, as everyone is worried about wildfires. The government has just sent out an emergency alert about them. That has never happened before. 😳

Something cold and wet, please, Bear... Thank you, Kimmi. 😊

Yes, the dog was not happy when nanny state interrupted her cooling off nap with that armageddon noise. 'Take care if you live near stuff they use to make firewood with in this hot, dry weather..' That never would have occurred to me otherwise...🙄

A polite request to focus on the words in a story in a writing competition? Whatever next?🤣😇

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/a-sweet-treat-and-a-baguette-please

A little something for if you've ever been kept waiting for something sweet, or to nibble on.

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Not sure I follow. The Comp Story List is updated every time a comp story is submitted.

What competition site do you mean?

As a yardstick for 'how to' navigating, even I managed to grasp it, so I'm pretty sure it must be bordering on the self-explanatory!

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/spicing-up-the-restricted-menu

A couple of others are simmering on the stove, but one more has hit the dinner table.

Quote by MC1982

The honest truth is, when the weather is glorious and the world cup is on (and Spain are in the final!) I'm less likely to Lush as much as on cold, rainy winter nights. I would suspect that will be true for most moderators!

Living within a croissant's throw of the French Quarter here, I was able to continue my creative escapism in a quieter environment than might have otherwise been the case. Its existence has, indirectly, kept a roof over my head for over a decade, so, given the date, I would have happily taken a loud night on the chin, but 'twas not to be. This meant I could keep my creative juices flowing.

Quote by techgoddess

Just keep in mind that these are numbers of published stories. And if you're counting on the front page, these numbers might not include IF stories. But lest you think mods aren't hard at work, many stories don't get approved on the first pass. On any given day when I am modding, there are typically several that need to be returned for some additional attention from the author.

I'm just happy whenever my nonsense negotiates its way across the swamp and back after its trip to Lush Towers. I'm very appreciative of those who make it possible...but those are only my expectations, of course.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/diving-for-pearls-2

Some midweek flashing, if anyone's up for it.

Quote by darkroot50

I think that’s true for the vast majority of Lushies. But I’ve had a few nasty comments on my stories. I don’t waste the time to block them I just ignore them.

I genuinely don't get what the issue is. Even if blocking is a feature I'd only EVER use if someone crashed into my space uninvited, or was rude, if someone did it to me for whatever reason, it's a function that's available, and they've used it. Analysing it won't change that, although as I've never thought about it for more than a second, I'm not speaking with any authority on the matter.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/group-sex/very-naughty-tessa

A slice of bonkers as a thank you to those who work hard to make these comps happen. Might not be an area I know anything about, but that's not always the point.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/group-sex/very-naughty-tessa

It's a bit bonkers, but they say life imitates art,

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/giggling-at-the-back

A little flash fun for anyone needing a massage.

First throwdown of everything in my head for 'Very Naughty Tessa' done. 4.7k of absolute mayhem that I might be able to convert into something vaguely comprehensible, once it's been left to settle, Whatever happens, it was fun to let the wild horses run and see what happened...The arty crowd decides they want to create ' Five Decades Of Sex' and need someone sixty-plus to finish the set...Just your normal comp effort, I guess.😇

I'm knee-deep in bedsheets, body paint, and cum at present...Blame those responsible for competition themes for that. Surreal is such an overused term...Sticky ending guaranteed. 😇

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Better them than us Americans, given our current state of things.

Why would anyone want to take over that dysfunctional thing? Just create your own in your head and live chaotically in that instead. Much more fun to do.

It's harder than it first seems, as they say in Innuendoland, isn't it? I've gone for abstract art featuring a mass of bodies covered in paint, rolling around on white bedsheets in an art studio, and a guest, an older gent, creating his own masterpiece on a black bedsheet with the help of his new neighbour, who is friends with everyone else. Nothing bonkers from me, then.... 🤣

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/cut-and-blow

A bit of a Monday micro nibble, if interested.

Quote by BigMartha

Thanks for your response. Honestly i am used to not driving. LOL

I realised fairly early on it wasn't for me. In my late teens/ early twenties, friends were all finding out how much it cost to run a car and what that meant. Me? I was living out of a rucksack, seeing the world and experiencing things that have stayed with me for a lifetime. One of my better decisions!

60, never been interested and seen more of the world than most. There are plenty of more fun ways to be permanently broke.

Well, the theme's already made your resident philistine laugh, so that's one box ticked already!🤣

Quote by paddlingincognito

I love that. I’ve been trying to write some flash stories, but the words keep coming and coming.

I am convinced that I am addicted to over explaining things to my readers.

Someday I’ll figure it out.

It's practical, in my case. Not getting bogged down in explanatory phases that suit other categories helps to keep focus and avoid going off at a tangent (usually),

Quote by Hot_Toast_Cool_Butter

Just getting together my first story, sort of trying writing out to see how it goes with my, our first effort.

Enjoyed the writing so far and hoping it'll read as good for others too.

Submitted the first 1200 words 2 days ago and its been in review since then. Not picked up.

Got the first submission returned, was being lazy and didn't try.

Is there a wait for submissions to be look at?

Also thinking of creating a private media folder, inside will be a visual interpretation of events from the story, to run alongside each story for whoever reads can ask for access. Sounds like it'll work but you never know.

Participation within the story submission aspect of the site requires certain attributes.

First and foremost, moderators give up their time to do it, and have far more knowledge than most about this. You need to be patient.

You need to be realistic. This is a hobby site for writers, not a synopsis in-tray for a publishing house that will make you rich and famous.

Waiting is a reality; it isn't going to change. If you look through other threads you will find answers to almost any question you could possibly have,

If you can't see the answer to something, the forum MAY help, but is more likely to do so if your question is directed to a relevant thread. ( This one's for authors talking in a low-key fashion about what they're doing/ have had published on the site.) Multi-topic queries don't work well, and the appropriate threads are easy enough to find.