Quote by wxt55uk

Well, my story is in. The Beauty Within

As I mentioned above, I had two genres to write in for my omnium badge. Now it is down to one. This story has been published in the Trans genre, and therefore is very different for me. I hope you enjoy it.

Now, I will be reading, liking and commenting on all the other Elements competition entries. 😊

Needless to say I loved the story Dave. But with regard to 'different,' not only did you do a marvellous job writing this but I think this is a great 'gateway' story for those who might not have ventured far into the Trans genre before.

Mesdames et Messieurs, it gives me great pleasure to announce that my entry in the 'Elements' competition is now posted. 'Winter Days at Fontainebleau' is the intriguing, decades-spanning story of one woman's efforts to solve a bizarre mystery. Join Elodie de Monteclair as she searches for answers amidst the splendour and magnificence of the Château de Fontainebleau.

Winter Days At Fontainebleau | Lush Stories

Quote by LordCephius

I was blocked! I've started a paragraph for new chapters for each of my serial stores. I couldn't face sitting down and writing! I skipped the last two Lush contests, even though I came up with good ideas. This one I just couldn't pass up. My Feburary Tropical Vacation was still fresh on my mind. My writer's block lasted years. I think my muse is back! Best wishes.

In the past, I've found that writer's block most often hits when you sit down in front of a blank screen and try to force the story out. What works for me is to think about a story and, throughout the day (or night), jot down any interesting words, phrases, character names, or sentences that come to mind. I often do this during breaks at work using my phone's notepad app. This takes the pressure off me and allows the story or poem to grow and develop gradually. Otherwise, it can be like sitting in an exam room at high school, staring at a blank exam paper.

Quote by MC1982

Still trying to think of an idea that fits 'steampunk', my last genre for omnium (I think). Crickets, so far! 😢

Until I joined this thread, I thought Omnium was a washing powder.

See, and absolutely no Ai required !

After having given this topic hours of careful thought, I propose we create a new genre called 'CNC' which stands for ' Classified, Non Classified' ....oh, wait...

Quote by simplyjohn

Mary had a little lamb. They went sky diving and fell from 3000 feet to earth. Then it started raining but the air was nice and fresh. At home they lit a fire to dry out and keep warm... sorted.

Yes, but where's the fucking and more crucially, what genre is this?

For me, the first decision I have to make when thinking about writing a new story is: 'Is this going to be a story with sex or is it going to be a story about sex?' Stories about sex are going to be shorter than stories with sex. There are only so many ways to describe fellatio, cunnilingus, and coitus without using words like 'hammering', 'pounding', 'nailing', and other tired old cliches. So writing a story with sex is, for me, far more challenging, creatively stimulating, and rewarding. Over the years here, I've read many well-written stories where the sex was minimal at best and, at worst, thrown in almost as an afterthought. I've also read others where the sex was so drawn out and laboriously written that it fell into a repetitive list of cliches. I used to fall into the trap of doing this myself, but these days, I've tried to avoid doing so in my recent work.

Quote by kistinspencil

I think if your tag just read "I wrote this" it would do very, very well.

If only. btw The word 'i.c..t' was removed from in front of 'fantasy.' Thank you, Kistin.

Quote by Just_A_Guy_You_Know
There are a number of redundant, niche categories that could be culled, or at least streamlined. God knows why we thought 'historical' had to be its own category, like nothing turns me on more than reading about Ancient Rome. 🙄

As someone whose output includes a high percentage of 'Historical' stories, I feel the need to disagree. However, I'm sure that if I tagged a story of mine ' Fantasy,' yada, yada, yada, yada, 'historical,' - it would do very, very well.

Personally, I've never used the Novels tag. I've shied away from it, imagining a potential reader thinking that they're about to be confronted with something the length of Anna Karenina. I recently learned that the 'Outstanding Series' tag was abolished. I remember seeing that back in the 90s when I was writing long, multi-chapter series and praying that I could win it. Of course I didn't. Now I think it's a mistake to write a long multi-chapter series if you care about views, likes, and comments, and let's face it, who the hell doesn't?

I've written four novel-length series since I started here, and while some of the individual chapters have received Recommended Reads and even a few Editor's Pick badges, none of the series have done well in terms of likes and comments. (eg, Editor's Pick for 'The Slave Princess, Chap 2. It got 17 likes and 8 comments.) I consider any story that gets fewer than ten comments a failure.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on myself, but I certainly won't be writing multi-chapter stories in the future, nor will I be tagging anything a 'novel'.

I, for one, am eagerly awaiting the next one, whatever it is. They're always fun. I don't care about the prizes, but the chances of your story being read more than three or four times increase significantly.

Since 2009, when I first joined Lush and started writing, my goals have been the same.

Firstly, to write stories and poems that I can feel proud of, that get across what I want to say, and that truly represent who I am as an author. Secondly, I want people to read my writing, to get something positive out of it, and to react to it positively.

I've been lucky over the years here in that I seem to have made a positive impression on most people, and my writing has generally done the same. For this, I'm truly grateful.

But I'm always caught in a dilemma, too. Do I write stories on tropes, topics, and in genres that don't interest me but that I know are popular, and thereby get more views, likes, and comments? Or do I continue being true to myself and writing stories that are alternative and 'outside the square' and therefore will not attract many views, likes, and comments? If my latest story is anything to go by, then I think I know the answer.

I've always had a lot of fun on Lush, and as long as I'm having fun, I'll stay and keep writing.

Quote by HotRodUK

I always take the time to write a reply to feedback. As someone who writes stories, it's nice to know that the reader has enjoed a story, it encourages a creator to do more. I wish more people would hit the like button or comment. For example one of my stories https://www.lushstories.com/stories/incest-fantasy/holiday-with-a-naturist-family-part-1 had 16,500k views, 234 likes and 21 comments the ratio just doesn't add. Obviously it's not everyones cup of tea, but part 2 had 9,743 views and 127 likes, and by part 5 there were still 7,912 views so it must have been liked by at least that number to read each part but only 101 likes and 8 comments. Good job I have thick skin, could be soul destroying

What you're describing here has been the norm ever since I joined Lush and started writing 16 years ago, except that the disparity between 'views', likes, and comments grows ever greater. To me, 'views' mean absolutely nothing. At best, somebody has clicked on your story, read the first line or the tags, decided it wasn't for them, or they've stumbled upon a big word and moved on to the next story.

'Likes' are always welcome and appreciated, but unfortunately, many will just be left by people trying to be polite. People who probably have not finished reading the story. Finally, we come to comments. Personally, I only leave likes and comments if I've read the story to its end, not otherwise. I appreciate all comments, especially those that are longer than just "Was good" or "Nice story". Considering all the effort that writers put in, I encourage readers not to leave a like or a comment unless it's sincere and meaningful. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Lastly, if you write multi-chapter series, you can expect diminishing returns on views, likes and comments. This is the voice of bitter experience speaking. Lol. The longer the series, the greater the diminishing returns. In 16 years, I've only ever had one person read and comment on all eight chapters of one of my multi-chapter stories. That's why I don't write series anymore.

OMG! Three of my favourite stories on the podium. A tremendous well done to Amuse Bouche, WannabeWordsmith and Ascendant. Well done too, to everyone who participated whether as writers, readers or both. To everyone who liked and commented on my story, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and I feel a deep gratitude for once again scoring an RR award.

No. I've been known as Piquet (PK) here for 16 years now with the same avatar - 'The Trumpets of Jericho' by HR Giger. I'm not about to change.

 Perdonami Padre.

Venice, January 4th, 1725.

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned...

 “What are you writing, maestro, another concerto?”

“My confession.”

“Will you need more paper?”

“Not yet.”

It has been…a year since my last…my las…conffffesssio… On…on this very day last year, I swore I would ggggive her up…. but, the fffflesh is weak… and her beauty so bewitching…

“Mmmmm, maestro.”

“Damn it!”

“Oh, mmmm… ”

“Get up off your knees and get ready for rehearsal!”

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Cum one, cum all to enter the Backfiring New Year’s Resolutions writing challenge while the story submit is on pause.

Write a 75-word story to post in this forum about a New Year’s Resolution that backfired. Be funny or scary or maybe it backfired in the best way possible. Just hit the theme, writers!

Rules:

1. All Lush site rules apply

2. Max 75 words

3. Must be about a New Year’s resolution that didn’t go as planned

4. Must be erotic.

5. No IF or Poetry

6. Have Fun!

Contest begins Dec 30th and ends at midnight January 9 Eastern Standard Time. One winner will be picked and awarded 375 coins ($37.50)

Edit: thanks to a second generous Lushie, the prize has been upped from 375 Lush coins to 500!!! :worship:

I don’t know who will judge yet, but it won’t be me. :)

Oh, Kimmi, these little competitions of yours are so silly and so much fun! I've just posted my entry (below). It's another gilded Baroque confection. And while we're on the subject of currency, I will add 200 coins to the prize, as I only deal in Venetian gold ducats. In the unlikely event of my winning, I will give the coins to my fellow podium occupiers.

Now that the competition's use-by date has been extended, please find some time to read and comment upon some of the wonderful Advent-tide stories that our talented and very naughty authors have come up with. I've noticed that we have quite a few first-time entrants this time around - well done to you. Let's give as much love and encouragement as possible to as many of our contributors as we can.

Mistress Of All Masters | Lush Stories

Quote by Shyexhibitionist

I’ve read the first of your recommendations but the second is on my list. I have heard great reports. Piquet’s story is exceptional. I shared it on my page. I never read any entries before I posted mine. I’m glad because I would have scrubbed mine!!!

Thank you so much. I'm honoured and humbled.

Quote by Klaus_B_Renner

The deadline is drawing near. I've read more entries this time around than I usually would have. I've also skipped a lot based on the first two paragraphs. Two entries stand out to me, that have me regretting even submitting my own. Readers criminally undervalue both.

There's Piquet's wonderfully sensual history lesson on Leonardo da Vinci. A masterful tale in a language I've yet to develop the skill for. Mistress of all Masters deserves so much more love.

Then there's Alissa Palmer's wonderful The Penitent. I've admired Alissa's writing for a while, but this piece?

By all means, do indulge in all the stories in this comp, but do yourself a favor and dig into these two pieces. They are sublime.

The kind of writing that makes me doubt my own. The type of reading that leaves me breathless.

This is so wonderfully generous and kind of you Klaus. Thank you. I greatly enjoyed Alissa's 'The Penitent' and Klaus's 'Behind Door 24' - both amongst my favourites. I would encourage everyone to read both stories and indeed to read, like, and to comment on as many of our fine competition entries as you can.

Thanks, I'll try and think of something clever.

Oh, right, I had no idea. Thanks Kimmi 😊 🫂

Slightly off topic, but how many forum posts do we need to progress from 'active ink slinger' - a rather bland and generic label considering I've been here 16 years ?

Quote by wxt55uk

I'm still enjoying reading and commenting on all the Advent competition stories. I believe I am not alone in doing this. 😊

There are a few crackers (not easy to do in 1500 words), and I have to say there are plenty of novel/clever ideas behind some of the stories. The current total of competition entries is 56. 😊

You are certainly not alone, Dave, I'm averaging two stories a day with more on the weekend - and loving it. Well done all. Read, like, and comment and show our authors that all of their/our hard work is appreciated.

Quote by paddlingincognito

I get the audience thing. My entry is on the verge of surpassing all of my other stories, combined! And I am seeing more people check out my other stories. As a result. I think I’ve doubled my number of followers in the past week!

Granted, I keep telling myself “I am not here to chase numbers. I am not here to chase numbers”. lol

One of the great things about the competitions is that more people will read your work. Granted most of these will be other contestants but it's a start to developing friendships and building up a 'following'. It's so rewarding to read and have your work read and commented upon by friends, followers and orher Lushies. Participation is far more important to me than literally competing against others. Writers here, as everywhere, appreciate being read. For me, every time somebody reads and comments on a story of mine, it's better than winning any prize.

Quote by paddlingincognito

I am in a unique situation. New to Lush. I am new to sharing my stories. That being said, I’ve been writing for over a year. Probably closer to two years. Both the stories I’ve published and several others have been in a perpetual state of write/rewrite/rewrite for what feels like forever.

1500 words is a third of what of what I usually write. And I like character development. So writing something brand new, short, in a different category than I’ve written previously, and giving myself a 24 window to write, rewrite, and edit… It was a fun challenge!

Being the first competition on Lush since I’ve joined, I am curious… How is this one different from previous editions?

No different to previous competitions.

Having long believed that variety is the spice of life, I invite you all to a very different time and a very different place with my 'Advent' story, 'Mistress of All Masters.' See if you can guess who the speaker is before you get to the final line...

Mistress Of All Masters | Lush Stories

Hmmm, I can feel something distinctly historical coming on, but not Dickensian.

Wonderfully expressive Grusha. I can't see anyone objecting to these if you posted them. Nicely done and, as I've said before, this is light-years removed from my own work and for that reason, I value the experience of having read it.