Lately "The Fall of Chateau Glissant" by LadyX has grabbed me and drawn me into it's crazy world of an innocent being introduced to the wild world or LA and the Hollywood Hills. Having spent time in Benedict Canyon and the movie business in my youth I found the pull of the story to be incredible. LadyX's best writing yet!
Like AngelSlut my mom thought I was handsome and clever. Unfortunately she died and now the population of people who share this view has gone extinct.
Well my mother was always effusive and affectionate, so that was never in doubt. I spent the last six-weeks helping to take care of her when she had cancer and we talked every day. My father on the other hand was very reserved and his mother and father (my grand parents) had been very reserved. I don't recall him ever saying he "loved" me as a child. Two years after my mother died my father got a very aggressive form of bone cancer. I was luckily in a financial position where I could go and take care of him while my siblings could not. I spent the last 3 months living with my father and caring for him, cutting his pills, getting him to the doctor, feeding him. I finally got to hug him, hold him, see him cry and tell him how much I loved him. This remains one of the most special times of my life. In our difficulties we sometimes find a hidden pearl of beauty and we don't realize until later that the thing we hated so much has left behind a gift for us. While my father suffered greatly in the final two months, had he died suddenly I never would have been able to share those hugs and talks. I may be selfish, but I'm so glad I got to share that time with him otherwise I would have huge regrets.
"SEX MONEY" series by SITTING
Amazing writing!!
Nicola, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm quite sure Sydney doesn't have a 3 star Michelin restaurant? He needs to fly you to Hong Kong so he can take you to 8 1/2 (which is 3 Star)!! Then you can stay at the Peninsula and you can have brunch with a helicopter ride over the Hong Kong harbor from the hotel's heliport.
Just re-read "Norwegian Wood" and liked it even more years later. Now near the end of "Kafka on the Shore".
Really this is a small concession for romance. Why not? I go shopping endlessly, comment on this outfit, that outfit, listen to her GF's blather on....when you date you need to accommodate the other person's interests. The Vow? No problem Winky. The Proposal? Yes that was schmaltzy. 500 Day? That was pretty good.
All those "complaining" need to relax. Writing like everything else is subjective and there can be no perfect system of rating that will satisfy everyone. Each writer finds his own audience irrespective of any rating system. It's fun to have competitions (even though I can't enter or win) and it's fun to have "top authors" and "story picks" of the month. Let's all ease up on the administration and take everything in stride. If people want to offer input and constructive comments on improving the site that's great, but if it comes across as "complaining" then it has obviously not been advanced in the most diplomatic manner.
I recall my father advising me "the world is not fair". Sage advice I'm sure you've all received at various points in your life. I've read stunningly good stories on here that have very few views, few comments and are hardly "rated" at all. On the other hand there are stories I think are total crap that get tons of views, lots of comments and are "rated" highly? Jeez, I guess I'm an idiot for appreciating these stories? Oh well, personal taste.
The site does not purport to tell you what YOU should like or appreciate in the stories. The ratings and other features are just a good bit of fun and hopefully a helpful guide to what others appreciated.
Hey another two copper pennies contributed in the spirit of "my two cents"!
For me, keep the feature, I'm good with it.
Oh my hasn't this thread gotten catty? Meow!! The claws are out. Anyone object to my airplane? I got a young lady to change her pink barbed wire avatar which I found a bit disturbing for personal reasons. Perhaps I really am an avatar Neo-nazi? For me I just check on the sexual status.....not that it means much on here (he chuckles).
My favorite is 24 Faubourg by Hermes. For something more flirty perhaps Miss Dior.
OH I found another "two-cents" in my pocket (he rummages in his pocket to pull out two rather worn pennies). Perhaps an "airline" approach would work with Stories that get say 30K views getting "Gold" Status and stories that get 50K views getting "Platinum" or "Diamond" status? Just a thought?
Bear in mind that where ladies are concerned if we are granting "diamond" status they will want at least 3 carats and the rocks must be internally flawless and preferably mounted by Cartier. I do agree that the "top 1%" is a very appropriate level for top level recognition, but again, two or three tiers may allow other writers to strive for recognition where the top 1% is out of their reach. Perhaps "Silver" awards for top 10%, "Gold" awards for top 5% and "Diamond" awards for top 1%.
If you want to get even more complicated you could give "rabbit" shaped awards to those stories getting to a level within say 6 months? And tortoise shaped awards to those getting to that level after six months. There is for sure an "attrition" effect where stories just seem to randomly pick up views over a long period of time?
Geez don't I know how to generate work for the administration? Do I have too much time on my hands or what? OMG my profile has been deleted and I've been banned from the site.....HELP!!! I didn't mean it Nicola.
Okay, well since I have the badge in a non- story category I'll throw in my two cents. If we look at the 50K plus stories a lot of them have been up for a LONG time. Many were posted in 2007-09 and in many cases the accounts are dead. If we revert to the comment on "game theory" analysis, a reward that is so far in the future has no perceived value. I was very pleased to get my 30K views within about 5 months. Another thing to note is that after about 2 months people stop voting and commenting on your stories??? Have these people even read the story? How can thousands read a story and have NO REACTION to it? For myself I am most gratified as an author by those fans who leave comments and who message me about my stories.
I will admit that like Rachel I have an ego as a writer and the badge is something to be attained and I'm happy to have achieved it. However if the badge goes only to stories or stories that have been up for over 2 years then it really is a somewhat marginal kind of recognition. I did write my story in reaction to the fact that the stories I regard as my best written get the fewest views which has sort of bugged me haha. It did get 20K or so views so far, but authors I think need to recognize there is a definite bias in terms of what gets "views" and what doesn't that the moderators and admin can do nothing about.
I do not relish the task of keeping all of these pesky writers happy (good luck Nicola) but perhaps a multi-tier approach with different levels for say poetry, etc. is reasonable.
My two-cents!
Actually the CIA was intending this virus to be sent to Iran, but unfortunately it took a left turn and ended up on the Lush web site. Apparently the CIA code name for the virus is "big cock" and when the virus was set free it felt more at home on Lush than in Iran. Geez who woulda thought??? Yes, we've all been deleted from the digital universe, but don't we all feel safer? The Iranian plot to infiltrate the USA porn industry is still out there so Lush will maintain its "Amber Alert" status until further notice.
Oh dear, there goes my entry.......I tried, I failed.....will probably just file it as a regular series since I like the characters quite a bit....Hmmm.
Well the photos are a bit cheesy for sure, but I took literary license and moved the chalet to Chamonix and changed the clothing brands from JC Penny to Hermes. Hey be creative. Anyways the entry doesn't look good. Are you allowed to enter more than Part 1? Can you enter like a part 1 and then a part 2 and have all the sex in part 2 haha? I'm sure there is a rule of only one entry but am not sure?
Well personally I don't think "Pope DirtyMartini" or "Pope Alan" really works very well. Now "POPE JOHN" on the other hand, now that has a certain ring to it.
Gypsymoth really 9000 words? Wow poor editors....sorry gang! Thanks for the whole "clip and paste" idea. I have like eight stories on the go so I can just take out the "hot" parts, stick them together, add in 4 people standing around talking about the "good old days" of Jean Claude Killy and wooden skis and Shazaam a contest entry is done!! In the meantime I had an even better brainstorm. This sexy lady visits me at my chateau in Chamonix. Serendipity and guess what? We both love B & W photography and she marvels at my darkroom and my prints, stark nudes of West End actresses and Kirov ballerinas. We fall into a deep discussion of "Norwegian Wood" over a glass of 94' Dominus as a Blue Ray collectors edition of Casablanca plays on the TV ignored. As our hands touch and our eyes link we segue into a discussion of Willy's recording of 'Miracle' with Mark Knopfler and how we both love the song "Storybook Love" which became the theme song for The Princess Bride. Torrid sex ensues. I save a few of the 3000 words so we can have a wonderful dinner at Les Vielles Luges during which she drops the bomb that......she's married. So what do you think?
Nicola you know me I'm just ribbing you. Truthfully in my current story I'm at 3367 words and no one has touched each other yet....but hey, that's just me. My stories are all about attraction and seduction, not really so much about sex. YOU MAKE THE RULES and I'll follow whatever you say. 3000 is a challenge for me, but hey, maybe it will be my best work? If it keeps Sprite out of the contest then.....(he smiles a conspiratorial smile)....it's a GREAT rule.
Anyways, ignore my posts, I won't be the winner anyways as my story will take a detour as I describe winning the "over 40" Giant Slalom and being invited to have dinner with Jean Claude Killy in Chamonix at Les Vieilles Luges (OMG what a restaurant) and describe drinking a bottle of 1970 Montrose with a skiing legend. [You see.....my 3000 words are gone already!]
Well I'm a small boob kinda guy myself and am more into the ass actually-- firm and tight ass!! Don't worry there are guys out there for every variety of boobs I'm sure.
Well let me just say outright: I don't want the $$$ and will donate it to Lush (can I win now?) Also, I'm completely simpatico with Rachel on attaining Royal status and am more than willing to "sleep my way to the top". Rachel, think of your most twisted BDSM fantasy and I'm "IN" so long as I get some sort of title. Nicola can you PM me a list of single female Lush "Royalty" so I can begin my stalking. Anyways, I'm sort of in Rachel's position.....at 3,000 words in my stories nothing has even happened. Harsh editing will be required and the ropes and handcuffs may end up on the cutting room floor.
[Gypsymoth nice pick-up on my post and I did chuckle!]
Shit I just read Nicola's post.....Sprite is fucking ROYALTY? Shit! Place foot in mouth John!! In Thailand I'd be in jail by now awaiting Sprite's pardon. Does Lush have any Lese Majeste laws that I'm unaware of? DirtyMartini you seem to know all the small print rules on this site.....am I fucked forever?
Look as far as the rest of are concerned let's just hope Sprite gets arthritis or a very bad flu and can't write until AFTER December 21st.....Anyways, Sprite, too many gold cups or banners and your mantle will look cluttered....leave some silverwear for the "the gang who couldn't write well". Geez if I knew Sprite was gonna join all these contests I never would have signed up for this site. Anyways, I support DirtyMartini's initiative....Proposition #1...those who win a contest are hereby ostracized from Lush for period of not less than.....let's say at least until after Dec. 21st? [The other writers all skulk into a corner and glare at Sprite as they huddle with DirtyMartini drafting convoluted legal language designed to bar Sprite from all future Lush writing contests]
Hey Fish I'm so glad the picture includes the Atomium from Brussels, my old stomping ground. It's this attention to detail that makes the sarcasm so compelling. Well done. This should rile the Sydneyians up a good bit. A rather "proud" group they lay claim to a variety of "BESTS" that are dubious to say the least. As a Canadian I have much more affinity with New Zealanders actually.
So in summary, according to Rachel I am too prolific a writer and according to DirtyMartini the situation is hopeless in any browser. Time to pour myself a Dirty Martini, chill out, forget about re-ordering my scribbles and read one of Rachel's un-re-ordered stories.......and relax!!!
Thanks Rachel, I'll try it in Firefox tomorrow and see how it goes. I don't use Explorer, but I guess if necessary I'll download it.
Actually I have had the same issue as Rachel. I have tried to re-order my stories, but they always just go back to the same old order??? I am using Safari so Google Chrome is not the issue?
