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 ❤️

Quote by Piquet

Frankly, I haven't a clue what an Ai story looks like much less reads like. Why don't we capture one and put it on display (in a cage of course) in the Forum, (clearly labled as potentially dangerous) for educational purposes?

My only worry remains how many people end up knowing far more about cattle breeding than they'll ever need to, with the searches for AI that must happen. Hopefully, they won't try to breed from what you hope to cage in this way.

Quote by kistinspencil

53 by my count. Somewhat lower than usual, but there may be a flurry near the end.

I hope that just means a late made rush, and isn't some term for something I've never heard of. Always a worry in here,,,

' Her flurry shone in the moonlit sky, as the tentacled beast slithered toward her' etc. etc.

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 Just_A_Guy_You_Know

So you are in favor of standards for publication... How "elitist."

No, I'm in favour of it, I'm English.

I'm exhausted just reading the account, never mind doing it. I'm not a smug luddite, just the latter, so I feel your pain, even though the 'ins and outs' of the issue might be beyond me!

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/flash-erotica/banter-of-delight

Does a rub trump a flash?😇...No, mine's a practical preference. My wonky brain can't deal with too many threads when reading or writing, so I tend to stick with what's best for me.

Once you start flashing regularly (as it were), they can become almost addictive writing-wise. They're lifestyle-friendly for many of our lovely readers, too, who don't necessarily want to commit to a longer read.

Quote by AvidlyCurious

Btw, the elements subjected to 'gratuitous censhorip' were drugging, non-con and death.

So yeah, proudly regimented and unwelcoming of such content.

...and be so forever more ❤️

Quote by Sinfulwords

I believe I understand just fine what moderators do, I just don't share your appreciation for an element that makes the wait-time take so long. Especially in the name of censorship. I'm just used to a more free-range writing experience. I suppose the platforms I've used in the past are just more lenient with their user-base's creative freedom. They offer conveniences of warning labels that authors can pin to their work that will tip-off the search engines and filter out content people might find unpleasant while the people who do enjoy that kind of content can access it freely. Being an adult website I'm just a little taken aback by the rigorous vetting process that simultaneously takes a really long time. We just value different things from our platforms....sucks for me, though, both the free-range publication sites im referencing are for fanfictions, so, I'm having trouble finding a place I like to post my original erotica. This isn't feeling like home already haha

It may come to feel more like home if you try to assimilate into your new environment, rather than wanting to dictate how it operates. Would you do that in a new country you had settled in? I hope not. 'Lenient' implies you wish to push boundaries, rather than operate within those in place, which is rather disrespectful towards those who are here exactly because of the safeguards in place. The reason things take time is that they are done properly. If that doesn't matter to you, they are your values; just don't expect well-established sites to fall over to accommodate those that don't align with theirs. It's up to you to amend how you do things, not everyone else.

JustHereToWriteAndRead sounded a bit of a mouthful, so I trimmed it.

Quote by Just_A_Guy_You_Know

If we raised the minimum word count north of 2500 and really focused on quality rather than whether a story meets the site's ToS, I bet we could reduce the overall number of submissions and therefore publication wait times. We could also do it if authors wouldn't flood the queue with push-button AI slop, actually read and followed the ToS and stopped publishing novel length stories 500 words at time, but that's probably too much to expect.

If people prefer to read shorter pieces, any rise in the minimum word count would deny them the opportunity to do something they enjoy. Yes, the people who read. They have as much of a right to a voice as anyone. 'Focusing on quality' comes across as rather elitist and subjective. If you think only people who write should read what you've written, you're perfectly entitled to hold that opinion, but ask readers what length of pieces they prefer to read, and they may not give an answer that would make a 2500-word minimum viable.

Quote by Sinfulwords

I feel like the site should just introduce ratings, like on other free writing publication websites. That way users can filter content they don’t wish to see in the search engine and moderators won’t be necessary to view every submission. Like look to A03, Archive of Our Own, for reference. The reader simply clicks which level of explicitness they’re trying to read (or avoid) and the search engine filters the work available on the site 🙌 something to consider

It appears you may not be aware of what moderators actually do, and you may have been misled by your own interpretation of the word. Those of us who submit our efforts are hugely grateful to our heroes, the mods, who ensure stories meet guidelines that are vital to avoid pieces that do not meet the site rules appearing.

As a contributor, I know that someone is giving up their time to help me. That's a human element, which will always be more valuable to me than any tech. 'Levels of explicitness' is, of course, subjective to a degree, and I suspect most readers can use tags to help them decide if a story will be for them.

Moderators do far more than tick an imaginary 'pass' or 'fail' box, and it may be worthwhile for you to submit something. That would explain everything in real terms far better than I could in a reply to a post.

Quote by MicaMeesha

thank you, good idea. I really don't want to use my voice, and i did try narrating a story, to justr see how difficult it would be but goodness, to make it listenable requires good reading and orating skills!

I'd be quite happy to pay a fellow writer to record an audio version of a story, although the logistical difficulties involved would probably make it a non-starter. My reasons, however, would be quite different from yours, although I would argue, just as valid.

1. My northern English voice sounds awful on recordings.

2. I would like to offer a hands-free, different sensory experience option for anyone wanting to have a dip into what I've come up with.

Similar issue, different goals, I suppose!

Quote by wxt55uk

Hi, Rumpee's, drinks are on me. 😊 Gets out the polish and rubs my omnium badge. 😊

Here is the story that got me there... Ms Lush | Lush

Don't laugh; it is very different. 😳😈 And of course, completely true. 😜🤣

Read it and 'don't laugh' is an impossible demand...impossible. It is a hoot. Brilliant stuff.

Quote by MicaMeesha

I have to be honest, I have no clue how to use AI, however. I used to be a rather public face; I state as much on my profile, and I have very good reasons for not wishing to post my real face on my media photos. I therefore use 'Photoshop' to alter my face. The body is me (from my distant past, usually), but the face isn't. That is about the limit of my Photoshop skills, and I do freely say that I alter my face. I don't think I am breaking any rules here and would hope that someone would tell me if I am (or have ) broken any rules.

As you've just said it's what you do and it's not mandatory to have a photo, they'd be very harsh rules indeed, if someone was to decide you'd broken one! (Well, from where I'm sitting, anyway.)

Quote by KimmiBeGood
And if a picture shows 3 nipples, it’s probably AI. 😊

That Al's a cool guy, isn't he? Oh, AI, sorry...😇

Quote by Racoonteur

Again, I just had not seen any real discussion about this taking place while the fake accounts continue to proliferate here. My hope was that if there was such an ongoing discussion, and people would happen across it, then maybe they'd eventually start to look a little closer and be a bit more discerning before buying into the ruse.

One of the challenges is that when a person sees someone passing a bunch of AI images off as actual pictures of themselves, they might say something in response, but that person can simply delete the comment and block the person who is pointing out their scam.

Just an ongoing, informational discussion to keep the fact that these accounts are present here is helpful in itself.

It's worth noting that many use the site simply to submit/read stories and will only respond to people they have interacted with through that. This issue will feel more relevant to some users than others. That doesn't mean I, and I presume, others aren't sympathetic; it may just be that their own experience makes them feel they have little to offer on the subject. Any messages I get that aren't related to the reason I'm here aren't for me. I may not be the only one for whom this issue is largely irrelevant, which may explain why it's not a hot topic for discussion.

As long as you don't take it too seriously, I think it's fine. If you did, I think it defeats the purpose of it.

There are far too few contexts where 'pulled back wind' needs no further explanation. Congratulations on finding one of them.

Sending you positive energy on that.

Quote by Meagananne1986

Can't wait. Been trying to keep up reading the competition entries.

It's a tough task, but I'm trying to keep pace with them, now I'm done, too. Well, 'tough' and 'task' probably aren't the right words, but...you know!

Quote by KimmiBeGood

It’s not the number of words you’ve written, but how you used them. 😎

Never counted mine, but I still cherish getting the exclamation 'fuckywuckydoodah!' into a story. Ambition takes many forms!

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Well there’s a flood of water 💦 in stories out now!

As the ancient proverb says: ' If it isn't wet already, make it so,' (It's actually neither ancient nor a proverb, but I stand by it nevertheless.) 😇

Quote by Mandapanda2025

Thank you. Now that I've been here a minute, I've seen reactions to my writing. The first being stories I write for ME, the Mandi saga, and Take My Breath Away. Looking at likes and comments, they don't get the response that the two Dante stories got. I have to wonder, is it the length of the stories? That on one side, there is world-building vs. as described by another, "Stroke stories?" or is it subject matter, IF, and lesbian romance vs interracial?

I think my bottom line is I'm writing what I like. That will change as I cross off categories.

I suppose your bottom line will depend on what you consider to be the purpose of your creativity, and what is most important to you. I wouldn't write something that wasn't for me, purely to fulfill a category, but I understand that's my standpoint and not a criticism of anyone who views things differently. If you think the end justifies the means, that suggests we write from a different perspective, but, again, that's not a judgment. If sacrificing writing what you like doesn't mean more, then you'll be able to set that aside; if it does, then you've discovered something about yourself, which might be at least as rewarding as any attempt to create work spanning 'everything'.

Quote by wxt55uk

I am looking forward to reading your story, Piquet, as soon as I have finished mine. 😜😈

Dog walked, dog napping...it appears I have a window of opportunity for a read,

Quote by AmuseBouche

This is such a wonderful idea. However, I have writer's block, and it has never happened before. 😨 Honestly, I feel sick to my stomach to write. I have no idea what to do, but not writing anything feels about right.

To all of you who enter, my sincere best wishes! 😘

I'm not long out of a similar period, during which my brain found getting from one end of the day to the other quite enough to contend with. Realising I'd probably know if/when it was time to 'get back on the horse' meant I didn't worry about it. I agree, it's a great theme and got me to put something together, although I would have thought the same, even if I hadn't felt inspired or ready to put something together.

Quote by gffphann

No Ai? But evy tyme i send storee, modulaters tel my use ai becus my ritings giv thim big hedakes.

If you grew up (allegedly) in a generation when AI only ever meant artificial insemination, you can see why I just can't take people getting their unworn knickers in a knot over it!

As a fan of all things nonsensical, if I did do it, I'd insist it was with auto-correct enabled. I'm sure there would be more fun and never-heard-before lines, that way!😇