An Open Letter To All First-Time Writers

[jeleane]

I'm innocent.

I'm not saying you offended me Mistress. I really appreciated everyones advice on my writing and when i re read my stories I noticed I did improve over time. With the advice you gave me I took it and worked on my skills. If I got a 2 star rating I want to know why I don't want to figure it out but I don't want to hear the story sucks like tell me why it sucked ass. I don't 'get off' on al the stories I read but that doesn't mean they weren't well written and didn't entertain me. I've read really messy ones and it does drive me a little crazy to try to understand where the author was coming from.

 

[kromen]

@Jenny_Jackson *coke spew*
You owe me a new mousepad. I should know better than to hold liquid in my mouth when your av pops up.

 

[evanslily]

posted in error

 

[sr71plt]

posted in error

As, I (personally) think were so many posts to this thread.

 

[evanslily]

Dammit, I knew someone would notice.

Note to self - don't try to post when inebriated...

 

[Dual_Triode]

As a First-Time Writer

I read this thread with great interest. CWatson asks the question:

You who are reading this right now: ask yourself a question for me. The question is, "Why am I doing this?" It's not for the fame? Is it for the industry cred? Is it for the money? There's little and less of that to be had--especially here, at an erotic-stories site, where we write under pseudonyms (most of us) and are hardly likely to receive monetary compensation for our efforts. Is it 'cuz you're bored? God, I hope not; writing because you've got nothing better to do is not a great start. So what is it?

I wanted to try writing. No, no, certainly not, yes I was bored.

The first draft of my first posting was a single "wham-bam" sexual encounter. That's what porn is all about, right? After proofreading that draft, I threw it in the trash. I realized I didn't want to write porn as much as I wanted to write good erotic fiction. I'm striving to achieve that goal.

Good grammar, spelling, and punctuation are essential to making a good story work. I think of it this way: a lamborghini is a wonderful work of art, but if the doors don't close, or if the windows don't work, what fun is it to drive? CWatson is correct: it is a matter of pride and workmanship, at least for my part.

I am not yet a good writer. I struggle with the same issues as everyone else. Homophones are the great bane to my writing.

Thank you for an interesting and informative thread. Now I'm off to fit a door properly...

Dual

 

[sry2bthryou]

I could go into a long drawn out post with a little about what everyone has posted here, but I won't, lol. I completely agree with the OP. While I am still an aspiring writer, I am a grammar freak of sorts. It is very difficult for me to shorten words in a text message...it's almost too stressful at times. While I can ignore "normal" typos that all of us fall victim to, I cannot read a story that is just riddled with them. I have come upon some really, really, REALLY horribly typed stories that had the potential to be really good reads. I'm sorry, but I believe that if you are going to write a story and publish it for ten of thousands of people to read, freaking spell check that shit! I mean, if I open an erotic story, intending to read something erotic, I don't want to spend 15 minutes berating the author in my head instead. I have yet to send anyone feedback yet, so don't flame me on being too harsh on Lit writers...yet.

By the way, for all of you who are going to follow the link to my first story (Come on, you know you are going to...), I welcome all feedback on it. Good or bad. But, I did write this story in less than an hour, edited it in about 10 minutes and was not going for perfection yet. This was my cherry popping, testing out the Lit world story.

 

[Epmd607]

I could go into a long drawn out post with a little about what everyone has posted here, but I won't, lol. I completely agree with the OP. While I am still an aspiring writer, I am a grammar freak of sorts. It is very difficult for me to shorten words in a text message...it's almost too stressful at times. While I can ignore "normal" typos that all of us fall victim to, I cannot read a story that is just riddled with them. I have come upon some really, really, REALLY horribly typed stories that had the potential to be really good reads. I'm sorry, but I believe that if you are going to write a story and publish it for ten of thousands of people to read, freaking spell check that shit! I mean, if I open an erotic story, intending to read something erotic, I don't want to spend 15 minutes berating the author in my head instead. I have yet to send anyone feedback yet, so don't flame me on being too harsh on Lit writers...yet.

By the way, for all of you who are going to follow the link to my first story (Come on, you know you are going to...), I welcome all feedback on it. Good or bad. But, I did write this story in less than an hour, edited it in about 10 minutes and was not going for perfection yet. This was my cherry popping, testing out the Lit world story.

Your first passage really conflicts with your second for me. "I'm sorry, but I believe that if you are going to write a story and publish it for tens of thousands of people to read, freaking [spend more than an hour on it!]" Why would anyone want to go read your story when you're telling us you don't really care that much about it, that it might just be throwaway? That's the sort of thing that people get criticized for on story feedback message board. You can have perfect punctuation, but most likely your story isn't worth reading because you haven't spent time on the content. Legible grammar is easy, good sex stories really aren't. You can tell when someone's taken time on a story, there is plenty in grammar world to forgive when there's a good story.

 

[sry2bthryou]

Your first passage really conflicts with your second for me. "I'm sorry, but I believe that if you are going to write a story and publish it for tens of thousands of people to read, freaking [spend more than an hour on it!]" Why would anyone want to go read your story when you're telling us you don't really care that much about it, that it might just be throwaway? That's the sort of thing that people get criticized for on story feedback message board. You can have perfect punctuation, but most likely your story isn't worth reading because you haven't spent time on the content. Legible grammar is easy, good sex stories really aren't. You can tell when someone's taken time on a story, there is plenty in grammar world to forgive when there's a good story.

I never meant to imply it was simply a throwaway or that I did not care about it. I was instead trying to imply that when you send your nasty comments about it being too short or the imperfect writing of it, do not expect me to be heartbroken. Or that after spouting my rant about grammar, that my own first story may not be perfect. You assume a lot for three lines of text in which I briefly mention my story. Also, who says it should take more than an hour to write and edit a one page short story? Perhaps I pay attention to my writing and grammar in the first place, so there is no need to spend hours writing and editing it?
My original point was not the length of the story or the amount of time taken to pen it, but rather the quality of the writing. You are criticizing me for not taking enough time, according to your standards, to write my story. Yet you do not in turn criticize the writers who do not take the time, however the length, to edit their work? So it's ok to publish a horribly written story as long as you spend more than an hour writing it? You contradict yourself.

 

[Epmd607]

I never meant to imply it was simply a throwaway or that I did not care about it. I was instead trying to imply that when you send your nasty comments about it being too short or the imperfect writing of it, do not expect me to be heartbroken. Or that after spouting my rant about grammar, that my own first story may not be perfect. You assume a lot for three lines of text in which I briefly mention my story. Also, who says it should take more than an hour to write and edit a one page short story? Perhaps I pay attention to my writing and grammar in the first place, so there is no need to spend hours writing and editing it?
My original point was not the length of the story or the amount of time taken to pen it, but rather the quality of the writing. You are criticizing me for not taking enough time, according to your standards, to write my story. Yet you do not in turn criticize the writers who do not take the time, however the length, to edit their work? So it's ok to publish a horribly written story as long as you spend more than an hour writing it? You contradict yourself.

I said your message is conflicting. And it is. I read your story, it is throwaway, most likely because you took no time on it. Why admit you took no time on it if you didn't already know it was throwaway? I don't defend shit grammar, I shit on universal declarations that have no merit. I criticize writers who take no time to tell a story. Flawless or flawed grammar usually has nothing to do with whether a story is good or bad. How hard is it to write 750 words with perfect grammar? Who cares, the story will be shit if there's no content. 'Taking the time' has nothing to do with whether the story is legible, it has to do with whether the story is engaging. Post about one of your stories when you've written something you believe is worth reading, not just some story you've written in 70 minutes as a 'test'.

 

[sry2bthryou]

I said your message is conflicting. And it is. I read your story, it is throwaway, most likely because you took no time on it. Why admit you took no time on it if you didn't already know it was throwaway? I don't defend shit grammar, I shit on universal declarations that have no merit. I criticize writers who take no time to tell a story. Flawless or flawed grammar usually has nothing to do with whether a story is good or bad. How hard is it to write 750 words with perfect grammar? Who cares, the story will be shit if there's no content. 'Taking the time' has nothing to do with whether the story is legible, it has to do with whether the story is engaging. Post about one of your stories when you've written something you believe is worth reading, not just some story you've written in 70 minutes as a 'test'.

Awww...now I'm heartbroken. I guess now that I've gotten my first and only bad review, it is a throwaway. I do believe I warned that it wouldn't be a 5 star story after my grammar rant, I don't believe I said "My story is shit, don't bother reading it". You assume so much, no wonder you are so judgemental. I guess I should have consulted you before writing and posting my story, since you seem to decide what is and isn't a story. Mine IS a story, btw. I simply dislike obviously ignored bad grammar no matter the story, but you...you are judgemental of probably every single story you've read. Once work on my actual story is finished, I'll be sure to run it by you before I post it. Thanks for your time

 

[Arethusa]

Going back to the OP, as a reader, I want to see good spelling and grammar and so, as a writer, I try to reciprocate

If the spelling and grammar are poor, then that really detracts from the story for me, and I do conclude that the writer didn't really care enough to get it right

But then, as my husband knows, I am a perfectionist

 

[michchick98]

Does anyone else get the feeling this thread has turned into a pissing contest? Or maybe a piss and moan contest?

 

[sr71plt]

Well, yes. But I see it as validation of my suggestion that vigilante critique--assuming that everyone who has posted a story to a Web site ipso facto wants your unsolicited detailed critique or, just as important, that you are the one to give them a critique--can justly be seen as rude (as well as other things).

 

[Epmd607]

...Mine IS a story, btw. I simply dislike obviously ignored bad grammar no matter the story, but you...you are judgemental of probably every single story you've read. Once work on my actual story is finished, I'll be sure to run it by you before I post it. Thanks for your time

Who doesn't judge a story they've read? How does one read a story and not assign it some value? Someone was fond of saying the reader deems what is and what isn't... Please don't contact me, solicit me, or any of those other things people post at the bottom of craigslist sex trafficking ads.

 

[Firebrain]

Amen to that, CWatson.

If you want to be a writer, google punctuation and start using it. If you can't see that your work is badly constructed compared to other authors, you're stuffed from the beginning.

 

[sry2bthryou]

Who doesn't judge a story they've read? How does one read a story and not assign it some value? Someone was fond of saying the reader deems what is and what isn't... Please don't contact me, solicit me, or any of those other things people post at the bottom of craigslist sex trafficking ads.

Hahaha, did you really think I would?? That's just too funny!!!

 

[PornGoddess2]

From what I can tell you have at least two names here, PG and PG2, and you haven't posted a story(you don't write shit) So what's your story? Overseer of the English Language? Porno story Harold Bloom? This is a community of writers, erotic, porno writers etc.

(1) I'm not the un-numbered "Porngoddess"[/quote] - she's in Idaho, i'm in Atlanta.

(2) i registered specifically to post stories. [url=http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=454289]i have posted a story. feel free to rip it to shreds.

of course, if you do, it won't bother me much, because you are obviously a cranky dweeb with a prick about the size of a {small} peanut.

i have also written under other names (though not here); "PornGoddess" was adopted because i hade some ideas for something different from what i had posted under my other teo pen names.

and, since you asked, my "story" is that i'm a relatively literate reader who likes stories that actually are readable and make sense.

i could brag about my connections in the professional publishing world, as some here have already done, mention my numerous best-selling writer friends, acquaintances and relations (and they're real)...

but that's irrelevant to the discussion here...

 

[PornGoddess2]

While I can ignore "normal" typos that all of us fall victim to, I cannot read a story that is just riddled with them. I have come upon some really, really, REALLY horribly typed stories that had the potential to be really good reads. I'm sorry, but I believe that if you are going to write a story and publish it for ten of thousands of people to read, freaking spell check that shit!

Unfortunately, spellcheck won't catch some errors - particularly homonym errors, like the amazingly common "discrete" (separate or unique) where "discreet" (respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic) is meant, or "chaise lounge" (yes, it looks right, doesn't it?) where you mean "chaise longue" (which looks wrong, but is in fact the correct spelling...).

If the typo or usage error results in a real, albeit incorrect, word, it's not gonna help.

Unfortunately, all too many people think that if it passes spellcheck, it's okay. (And, sadly, that appears to include more than a few professional editors at real publishing houses.)

 

[sry2bthryou]

Unfortunately, spellcheck won't catch some errors - particularly homonym errors, like the amazingly common "discrete" (separate or unique) where "discreet" (respectful of privacy or secrecy; quiet; diplomatic) is meant, or "chaise lounge" (yes, it looks right, doesn't it?) where you mean "chaise longue" (which looks wrong, but is in fact the correct spelling...).

If the typo or usage error results in a real, albeit incorrect, word, it's not gonna help.

Unfortunately, all too many people think that if it passes spellcheck, it's okay. (And, sadly, that appears to include more than a few professional editors at real publishing houses.)

This is true, spell check won't catch things like that! I just figure, at least get rid of some of your spelling errors before you publish a story. I've seen some bad ones on here!

 

[Epmd607]

(1) I'm not the un-numbered "Porngoddess" - she's in Idaho, i'm in Atlanta.

(2) i registered specifically to post stories. [url=http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=454289]i have posted a story. feel free to rip it to shreds.

of course, if you do, it won't bother me much, because you are obviously a cranky dweeb with a prick about the size of a {small} peanut...

1. You went and posted a story just for me? I was wondering if you'd ever show up here again. I guess you knew you had to go post a story so you didn't sound completely alt-ish. Really, I'm not interested in you and I'm not going to read your stories. You didn't have to post anything, could've continued trolling along.

2. Wow, everyone's going to high-five you, I'm soooo pissed that you think my penis is small. I think you're most likely borderline obese.

 

[PornGoddess2]

1. You went and posted a story just for me? I was wondering if you'd ever show up here again. I guess you knew you had to go post a story so you didn't sound completely alt-ish. Really, I'm not interested in you and I'm not going to read your stories. You didn't have to post anything, could've continued trolling along.

What - you think i'm so impressed with your ludicrous baying that i posted a story to try for favour with you?
Hardly. I submitted that story as soon as i finished registering; submitting it was the reason i registered. It took three days to clear moderation, something you ought to know would happen.

2. Wow, everyone's going to high-five you, I'm soooo pissed that you think my penis is small. I think you're most likely borderline obese.

Maybe i am. But at least i'm not a judgmental jerk who rushes to judgement.

 

[PhaonsBrother]

OTOH, it is a contribution to the horrible decline of the English language to chide others for advocating proper language use, spelling and punctuation.

And, to be honest, anyone who posts here and *doesn't* want or expect feedback strikes me as a tad delusional - posting erotica without expecting/accepting feedback is basically masturbating ... and nobody ever got a baby playing with themselves.

"Tad delusional", judgmental much? Sounds pottish calling kettle blackish. I was hoping this thread would disappear and the silly declarations on grammar with it. I don't really post stories, mostly poems, but it's the same deal. Most of the feedback received is absolutely useless. Going and posting a detailed critique of a poem or story on literotica is 90% egotistic, 9% pedantic masturbation. Saying it sucks, sucks, saying something is good is a positive movement and might lead to the content creator to continue posting free content. I'm liking this market view.

There's no such thing as a decline in language in terms of poor grammar. The only decline in languages comes when there are fewer speakers and writers in the language. Language isn't about looking this way or that, it's about utility of communication. It's really grandmotherly when people start talking about preserving old structures in a vibrant language. Good thing grammar's changed in the last four hundred years, got out a lot of rubbish, took in a lot of shorthand. Thank god we don't speak and write in 17th century British. Some people try in poetry portion of this site, and fail fail fail.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

I remember seeing something on one of my favorite author's--a New York Time best selling author btw--site. It was on the FAQ page. It said something to the effect of 'Do you know there are typos and grammar mistakes in your book?' The answer, unlike all the other answers which were longer and more detailed was simply 'Yes.'

Other authors have quirkier answers, but this simple acknowledgment seemed classier. And really, why should she defend herself? She's human, she makes mistakes and she's written a story millions have bought and read and loved. I'm not saying you shouldn't always strive to improve and get the story across in the clearest way possible. What I'm saying is most people--IMO--would prefer a few mistakes over a grammatically correct snooze fest.

Having good grammar doesn't make you a brilliant writer. Lacking it doesn't make you a bad one. New writers should take what critique helps them and let the rest slide. If someone picks up on a mistake you habitually make and gives you a gentle nudge that helps than all the better. If someone wants to bite your head off over comma use take into account the anon it's coming from and move on.

*stepping down from the soapbox*

 

[Skorpion49]

Critique

I couldn't have put it better myself. Critique means the art of discerning. Perhaps a Canadian or Frenchman is closer to the spirit of the word. In English "criticism" has unfortunately come to mean something entirely negative. Has anyone read "Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson? A very funny and enlightening book. Languages must be allowed to evolve, and creativity must flourish, and todays rules will most likely become tomorrows jokes. Having said that, however, there is a lot to be said for a fundamental grasp of the basics so we can all read quickly enough and not get too annoyed!