Dry here too. In fact, not a cloud in the sky for the second day running, but boy, is it windy! π³ Despite the reasonable temperatures, it's not a day for the beach! A mug of Yorkshire tea, please, Bear. Thank you.
I don't know about anyone else, but I like the 'Element' competition badge. It's probably my second favourite of the ones I have so far gained. π
Quote by MC1982
I've finally cracked the steampunk tale that will complete omnium for me, and thank God because I'm tired of writing to genre! Beyond that, I've got an idea for a short series about either a family or a group of colleagues who all write Lush stories but don't know about each other's secret double life of smut.
We look forward to welcoming you, the twentieth member, to the omnium club! π
Quote by LinaDS2025
I appreciate your response! I asked because, as a silver member, I often need to wait for three weeks to get feedback for regular stories that I submitted. I don't feel the difference in the waiting time when I was a non-paying member. It's my first time to enter a competition.
Competition stories always get priority, as it gives other members (like me, actually, definitely me ππ) the opportunity to read and comment on your competition entry. I don't know, but I would be surprised if being a silver member makes that much difference in the wait time for a competition piece.
BTW: competition stories are not judged on the number of likes you receive. In fact, I believe the number of likes are largerly incidental. I know one winner who received just 15! π
Quote by LinaDS2025
Hello! May I ask: How many days does it take to approve a competition entry?
I submitted mine yesterday. I hope it's not too late! ΰΉ_ΰΉ
Although I am only just another member, so I carry no authority to say this... However, I can reassure you that competition stories are given priority and will go to the front of the moderating queue. I also believe that once you submit, you have entered. Now, it is just down to waiting for a moderator to become available.
My guess (assuming it meets grammar standards, etc.) is it will be published in the next 24 hours. π
Having just finished the first "Cash in Hand" series, which consists of 12 separate stories, 32 parts, plus one standalone competition story. I'm taking a short break from posting anything new. π³π
So far in 2026, I have published 18 stories, broken through the 750k published words on LushStories, and achieved my omnium badge. π Although I feel that my biggest achievement was getting 50+ likes on every story part of my "Cash in Hand" series. I also received some wonderful comments from my followers. Thank you to every single one of them. π
So, now I turn my attention to writing "Cash in Hand 2" and re-editing the second book that I published here. It is called "Bonding."
I leave you with the link to the first part of the "Cash in Hand" series, even if it's just to read the kind comments. π
A job opportunity, which if accepted, might come with its own rewards...
Uniform
Quote by KimmiBeGood
And now I feel another writing break here. Was kinda manic writing during all the health stuff with my sister and me. My biopsy came back βinconclusiveβ, so the doctor wants to wait and watch it, retesting in six months.
Positive vibes from me, Kimmi. β€οΈπ Take care, and I look forward to your new story. π
Mug of Yorkshire, please, Bear. Thank you. π
Quote by Shyexhibitionist
Is that not fewer than normal?
I would say, in general, yes.
IMHO, this is a good theme and for those who have not entered a competition before, a good one to start with, as fitting an "element" into a general story is fairly easy to do. ππ
Of course, there have been more taxing competition themes like the "Whodunnit" one, which had fewer entries.
Do give Bears' story a read. Here is the link: The Water Snake
As you will see from my review, I loved the story! π
Well, I returned from Gran Canaria last night; all good, I'm pleased to say. π It's been a lovely day here on the south coast of England, though I spent most of it tidying up the front and back garden. It's surprising how things seem to grow faster when you are away.
Lion, stay safe; you too, Kimmi, if the tornadoes head your way. I watched a couple on the BBC that were in Oklahoma. Ape, I hope your cold/infection goes away over the weekend and you feel better soon. Bear, I look forward to reading your comp. story, and commenting on it. π A mug of Yorkshire tea, please. Thank you.
Hi, TheSheriff1985, when you say 'series', how long is the series we are talking about? Three, four, five parts? Or do you plan something much longer?
Do have a look at my stories, here is the link: Wxt55uk's Stories. You will see that I have written quite a few series that range from 2 to 102 parts.
If you are looking to write a shorter series, then I would suggest planning it and then writing it in its entirety. Post a part, and do read feedback when you get it, before you publish the next part. Do be prepared to adjust the storyline if, from your feedback, you think of something new (better) - tweak the story.
With longer series (books), my first 6 were all (to a degree) planned out, and I was always several chapters ahead when a published one. One tip is to publish in the genres the chapter fits, rather than putting them all under novels. You will get more readers, as from experience I have found LushStories members seem to be put off when they see the novel tag.
My latest series, "Cash in Hand", morphed into a long series. It was never planned. I just thought of a story and hung it around the characters I had created. This is far more difficult to do. "Cash in Hand 2" will be more thought out, and I will be writing a couple of chapters ahead of what is posted.
Here is a link to the first chapter: Cash In Hand 1 - "A Job Opening?" - Part 1 Of 2
I write using Word 2010, yes, old, but free. My first edit is just using the free self-checker that automatically attaches itself to Word when you write a story. Once happy, I then use the free copy of Grammarly, though Word and Grammarly often argue over commas and semicolons.
Once happy, I will have my story read to me by the computer, normally at 1.25x speed, as I find that amplifies grammatical errors. This is the biggest tip I can give to any author here. Don't rely on what you read with your own eyes. Let a computer read what you actually have written.
Finally, I forked out for Quillbot, which is okay, but take what it says with a pinch of salt, as it has a habit of wanting to suggest American grammar and spelling, even though I have mine set to British grammar. Note: all 3 programmes often have different ideas on grammar, and it often comes down to your own feeling.
Lastly, I have the computer read my story to me. Then edit when necessary, and repeat.
I will only hit the submit button when I feel it should pass grammar moderation. π
Quote by Seeker4
Hello all and welcome back Bear. I too have returned but with an unwanted tag-along called a "virus". Yeah I have a cold or some such crap on top of my jet lag. Nice trip but I am becoming increasingly convinced that I need to take some more staycations. This is two trips out of the last five or so that have ended with me being ill.
Sorry to hear that, Ape. Hopefully, the virus will clear quickly. I am flying home tomorrow; I certainly don't want a pesky virus... lots to do on my return.
Quote by JamesLlewellyn
One of the places we visited was Honfleur, a long-time artist community on Normandy's Channel coast. I swear there were streets where I thought Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, would pop out of a door at any moment!
Thank you for the photos, Bear. Honfleur, my wife has been there, and it does look nice, as you say, Disney-esque. π However, I do believe they also advertise the town as the wettest place in France, so it seems you were lucky catching the place on a dry day. My wife didn't, btw.
Quote by JamesLlewellyn
Good morning, David!
Yes, we have a Second Cup β right across the street, and while they're coffee is good, their, um, ambience isn't what ours is. Take that as you will.
And here are some of ze patisseries that I promised earlier, including FRESH croissants!
Yes, I do know 'Allo! 'Allo!. Lady Jay is English, after all, and I lived in England for a while, so β¦
Zut alors! I also know about the Highly Esteemed GOON SHOW!
Eh bienβ¦
Now you are showing off!!! ππ
Second cup, nahhh, Iβm okay. Happy here cuddling up with Terrance. He is tigerish, you know! π
Welcome back Bear, but l have to ask, are you now stuck in the British comedy βAllo, Allo?β Google it if you donβt know what Iβm talking about. Sniggers. π
As l currently outside drinking a cup of Yorkshire tea, I quite like the idea of people watching in an outside area. Yes, I know I will be in the minority, but I still have a better chance of finding that area than Kimmiβs storeroom 4. π
A mug of Yorkshire tea, please Bear as I fancy a second cup. Thank you. π
Quote by WannabeWordsmith
I was really struggling to come up with a cover pic for my latest story I posted above. I wanted an empty bottle of vodka lying in the foreground, and a couple in their underwear on the bed, blurred in the background, her sitting astride him.
That's very specific, and a Google search of course came up with nothing I could use, so I figured I'd try to split my search efforts and manually composite the elements. Hunted for "sensual woman on top" type images and found a few that didn't match but were possibilities, and downloaded them just in case.
Thank you, WW, for sharing your cover AI cover journey. Yes, I feel your frustration too, and can only look in awe at some of the cover creations that appear on LushStories. π
Quote by WannabeWordsmith
saunters in and steps to the bar
drums fingers on the bartop
Hey Bearkeep, make mine a... umm, anything but vodka π² Anyone who reads How Not To Lose Your Virginity will find out why.
Just a fruit cider, please, and apologies for the spam, but I heard this was THE place in town to swap bar tales.
settles down in the corner nursing my drink
Good to see you in Rumpee's, WW. Another Brit, we could talk about real football... Good story, BTW. Also, judging by the size of the hailstones, Lion has been getting there; there will be plenty of extra ice in the drinks today. Just saying... π
A Diet Coke with ice, please, Lion. Put WW's drink on my tab, or Bear's if it is more appropriate! ππ€£π€£
Good to hear you're enjoying France, Bear. π I donβt have any restaurant recommendations, but there are many to choose from, and taxis are affordable in comparison to the UK, so it's easy to get around.
Morning Rumpeeβs, I enclose my holiday photo, Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. Take care, everyone. π
