Pink Orchid: Story Event for Women-Centric Erotica - Official Support Thread

[Lovecraft_lore2]

In 1879-1881 London, there was a series of erotic magazines published called "The Pearl", which were a collection of erotic short stories. I started my series Chapter 8 with the following:
“…She sucked my delighted prick, handled and kissed my balls, till I spent in her mouth, as her teeth were lovingly biting the head of my penis. She sucked it all down, whilst I repaid her loving attentions to the best of my ability with my own active tongue….”, ’The Pearl’, Volume 7, January 1880.
Per Wikipedia: “The Pearl is a collection of erotic tales, rhymes, songs, and parodies in magazine form which were published in London between 1879 to 1881, …”
The above quote is a scene from one story in which a family invites two young neighbor girls to spend the day. So, for those people who want to believe their parents, grandparents, etc. were ‘pure and innocent’, guess again. Sex has been around forever.


That was 20 years before your story time of 1904 and 140 years before today, so not much changes with regard to sex.

Yeah, there ae the love letters of James A Joyce, written around 1908 or so. Holy cow, they are hard core. He wrote pages calling her his filthy fuck pig, and how much he loved jisming on her head.


I was happy with the feedback I got on mine. Thank you for spending the time to not only reading it but adding something. I get comments all the time "WTF did I even just read." or "Stop writing this unhinged crap." or my personal favorite "this is not erotic, it's not a sex story, it's just some minotaur beating everyone with his dick for no reason." It is always good to have constructive criticism that I can action instead.

 

[Grendelpuppy]

My goal is to read all event stories, and I will leave a comment. At least in one occasion I managed to be an asshole about it... I apologize, and I'll do my best not to do that again. I've been very happy with how many stories there are already. Thank you all! I've certainly had a blast. And I can't wait for the final list to see those I've missed.

I'm already thinking forward to maybe hosting this again next year. I've learned a thing or two from this round, for example to not mention "female empowerment", because people get so hung up on that

Your comment on my story was cruel and inhumane.

I don't have a list of triggers that I use to troll the BTB crowd. I just have my own fetishes that I focus on. These fetishes were once extremely common in the LOVING WIVES category before the BTB mafia invaded. Once those trolls put you on their shit list, they follow you everywhere. There is no point to posting on different categories.

I once wrote a story that embraced the Burn The Bitch ethos while also being a cautionary tale. It was so violent that the proprietor of this site deleted it. My ode to Mickie Spallane was similar but fared much better.

What truly terrifies me is that the BTB trolls actually masterbait while reading stories that have no sex or erotic content as the author describes their plot for revenge.

 

[Omenainen]

I apologize to all I’ve offended. It was not my intention to be “cruel and inhumane”. Opinions are like assholes, we each have one and sometimes they stink. I thought it would be of some interest to hear what I thought of your stories, but since I’m too blunt a weapon, I guess it’s best to keep me silenced.

The second lesson I’ve learned for next year is that in the future I will only comment on those who ask me to. Or if I have something nice to say.

I want to thank everyone for participating, whether I liked your story or not. I’ve been very happy with how many stories there are. Thank you for taking the time to think about this theme.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

. I thought it would be of some interest to hear what I thought of your stories, but since I’m too blunt a weapon, I guess it’s best to keep me silenced.

The second lesson I’ve learned for next year is that in the future I will only comment on those who ask me to. Or if I have something nice to say.

Does Finnish have a phrase equivalent to "praise in public, criticise in private"?

Thank you for reading my story (and the draft of my previous intended story, where your feedback which I'd requested was incredibly helpful), but my reaction to your fair comments was "why is this a comment rather than private feedback?" Then I remembered the cultural difference and figured that explained it.

Especially if people haven't asked for criticism, they probably don't want much of it. I already knew that story wasn't the most appropriate for the topic, hence pointing to two which were, but didn't want to leave the event without any contribution.

I may manage another contribution before the deadline, but wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I apologize to all I’ve offended. It was not my intention to be “cruel and inhumane”. Opinions are like assholes, we each have one and sometimes they stink. I thought it would be of some interest to hear what I thought of your stories, but since I’m too blunt a weapon, I guess it’s best to keep me silenced.

The second lesson I’ve learned for next year is that in the future I will only comment on those who ask me to. Or if I have something nice to say.

I want to thank everyone for participating, whether I liked your story or not. I’ve been very happy with how many stories there are. Thank you for taking the time to think about this theme.

You can comment on my "Her Bucket List: Strip Club".

I already know what you thought of my first draft as a beta-reader. I did make some changes to address some of your concerns. We just have different opinions of what makes a woman strong and in-charge of her own life and pleasure. But with 95 votes at a 4.44 and almost 13,000 views, I think the majority are on my side.

 

[NotWise]

You can comment on my "Her Bucket List: Strip Club".

I already know what you thought of my first draft as a beta-reader. I did make some changes to address some of your concerns. We just have different opinions of what makes a woman strong and in-charge of her own life and pleasure. But with 95 votes at a 4.44 and almost 13,000 views, I think the majority are on my side.

I don't see why O would respond to this. Apparently she wouldn't be telling you things you don't already know. She wouldn't be telling the rest of us very much either, since you chose to defend your story against things that weren't said publicly. Now we all have a pretty good idea what she thought of it.

 

[Jake_Raazor]

I apologize to all I’ve offended. It was not my intention to be “cruel and inhumane”. Opinions are like assholes, we each have one and sometimes they stink. I thought it would be of some interest to hear what I thought of your stories, but since I’m too blunt a weapon, I guess it’s best to keep me silenced.

The second lesson I’ve learned for next year is that in the future I will only comment on those who ask me to. Or if I have something nice to say.

I want to thank everyone for participating, whether I liked your story or not. I’ve been very happy with how many stories there are. Thank you for taking the time to think about this theme.

Submitted mine today. Title is 'Bang, Bang, Mr Finch'. Feel free to comment away once it appears.

Jake

 

[Lifestyle66]

I don't see why O would respond to this. Apparently she wouldn't be telling you things you don't already know. She wouldn't be telling the rest of us very much either, since you chose to defend your story against things that weren't said publicly. Now we all have a pretty good idea what she thought of it.

O offered to beta-read stories a few weeks ago. I took the PM comments I received and made some changes addressing those I felt were good constructive criticism.

But addressing the fundamental critique of my female protagonist being too manipulative and bossy would change that main character from what I had built her to be.

When O advertised this Pink Orchid event for "female empowerment", I took that to mean a strong female character, which is what I write. After receiving the feedback and reading several of O's stories, O appears to more appreciate empowerment being a female who grows and changes within the story, not one who starts out that way.

So, I would appreciate O re-reading and commenting on my current version of the story. Listening to feedback is the only way to learn. O doesn't offend me. O provides me with a different point of view from which I can learn.

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

The second lesson I’ve learned for next year is that in the future I will only comment on those who ask me to. Or if I have something nice to say.

I don't have a problem with constructive comments or criticism. Two other readers said they thought the story lacked something and told me what it was - some sex scenes were undercooked. They were probably right.

But to merely say 'it reads like a porn movie directed by a man' tells me very little. What makes it so? As I am a man who writes porn it may very well be a valid comment, but if you are going to say it, qualify it. No-one else has said it in 53 stories, so I am not sure what you find offensive with it.

Yes, we all have opinions and we are never always going to agree but it would be nice to have an example of why you thought that way.

Thanks for organising the event and it was nice to try something different, but just a bit more thought in the comments would be appreciated.

 

[Grendelpuppy]

I apologize to all I’ve offended. It was not my intention to be “cruel and inhumane”. Opinions are like assholes, we each have one and sometimes they stink. I thought it would be of some interest to hear what I thought of your stories, but since I’m too blunt a weapon, I guess it’s best to keep me silenced.

The second lesson I’ve learned for next year is that in the future I will only comment on those who ask me to. Or if I have something nice to say.

I want to thank everyone for participating, whether I liked your story or not. I’ve been very happy with how many stories there are. Thank you for taking the time to think about this theme.

Your comment was constructive criticism. I was attempting to be funny.

Keep on commenting

 

[gunhilltrain]

I assume I can still submit something in the next day or so?

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I assume I can still submit something in the next day or so?

Stories need to be posted in February and the list will be published on 8 March, so there's time yet!

I may get another done...

 

[PennameWombat]

Stories need to be posted in February and the list will be published on 8 March, so there's time yet!

I may get another done...

By 'posted', does that mean:
1) Submitted for publication but pending...
2) Published by the site for public consumption?

I'll be running up against the deadline and can likely make it for 1), but 2) will be difficult. And I don't control submission -> publication. I saw 36 hours for my Valentine's/Pink Orchid story, but well, can't predict.

 

[NotWise]

By 'posted', does that mean:
1) Submitted for publication but pending...
2) Published by the site for public consumption?

I'll be running up against the deadline and can likely make it for 1), but 2) will be difficult. And I don't control submission -> publication. I saw 36 hours for my Valentine's/Pink Orchid story, but well, can't predict.

For contests, the deadline means "submitted by," not "published by." I expect the same thing would apply here.

 

[Omenainen]

Does Finnish have a phrase equivalent to "praise in public, criticise in private"?

Thank you for reading my story (and the draft of my previous intended story, where your feedback which I'd requested was incredibly helpful), but my reaction to your fair comments was "why is this a comment rather than private feedback?" Then I remembered the cultural difference and figured that explained it.

Especially if people haven't asked for criticism, they probably don't want much of it. I already knew that story wasn't the most appropriate for the topic, hence pointing to two which were, but didn't want to leave the event without any contribution.

I may manage another contribution before the deadline, but wouldn't get your hopes up.

Nooo, now I’m alienating even those I originally got along with

This might explain why all my comments are so positive, but then I haven’t received criticism even through private feedback. Oh, well.

I’m not a complete oaf, you know. There were a few stories that were the author’s first submission, and I was careful to be encouraging and friendly. My error lay I’m assuming that a) people would be interested in other than all positive comments in relation to the event and b) people who have published longer and/or more than me would not be offended by a not all praising comment from a stranger. I stand corrected.

I don't have a problem with constructive comments or criticism. Two other readers said they thought the story lacked something and told me what it was - some sex scenes were undercooked. They were probably right.

But to merely say 'it reads like a porn movie directed by a man' tells me very little. What makes it so? As I am a man who writes porn it may very well be a valid comment, but if you are going to say it, qualify it. No-one else has said it in 53 stories, so I am not sure what you find offensive with it.

Yes, we all have opinions and we are never always going to agree but it would be nice to have an example of why you thought that way.

Thanks for organising the event and it was nice to try something different, but just a bit more thought in the comments would be appreciated.

I will send you a PM (see! I have learned something!) with more detailed feedback, if you want. I’m currently on vacation but will get back to this by the end of the week.

Your comment was constructive criticism. I was attempting to be funny.

Keep on commenting

Ohhhh. You see, I do “funny” almost as well as I do “polite”. Don’t know if that is more of a personal trait or cultural one.

 

[SisterJezabel]

Mine is so close to being ready it's not funny. I was going to call it Hashtag Not All Men, but I'm not sure that would be received that well!

I am quite bewildered by some of the privilege shown in this thread, especially by men who have been questioned as to how they have portrayed women. Just some food for thought.

 

[Jake_Raazor]

Mine is so close to being ready it's not funny. I was going to call it Hashtag Not All Men, but I'm not sure that would be received that well!

I am quite bewildered by some of the privilege shown in this thread, especially by men who have been questioned as to how they have portrayed women. Just some food for thought.

Oh, I don't know, the chances that we would read 'Pink Orchid' as 'Mansplaining Women' were always pretty high

In other news, my entry (link below) went from submission to publication in about 8 hours, so I await the verdict. Yes, 8 hours. I now feel like a proper author.

Bang, Bang, Mr Finch

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Nooo, now I’m alienating even those I originally got along with

Alienating? Nah. Thinking you're an alien? Possibly.

My error lay I’m assuming that a) people would be interested in other than all positive comments in relation to the event and b) people who have published longer and/or more than me would not be offended by a not all praising comment from a stranger. I stand corrected.

Did I say I was offended? I did not say I was offended. I was not offended. Surprised, yes. Especially as my preamble had already mentioned that it wasn't the best fit for the call, hence my recommending a couple other stories instead.

It's good to know how what is vaguely intended as a set of standalone stories come across to someone who hasn't read the previous ones with the same characters, especially as I've got to the point where it's a nightmare to remember what details I put in which stories. I aim for the plot to be comprehensible, but yeah, people who haven't read previous ones will miss details. C'est la vie. I'm encouraged by how many people have put earlier stories of mine on reading lists, thanks to this one, which is nice.

Readers are weird (up to you whether you include yourself in that, Omen!) I've spent two years trying to get from 90 to 100 followers, then get to 110 in a week thanks to this story.

It's certainly a fun wee story I just posted, with a woman who wants to fuck a certain guy again so pulls various strings to get him to the same country and town as her for a week, staying in her hotel room no less, which seems pretty empowered of her to me, but it's certainly no beautifully structured work of literature! FWIW I'm female.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Tea, please. Milk no sugar.

My in-laws would call a spade a f'kin' gert big shovel. Probably need one to get all the random gazebos and trampolines and all out of their driveway, today - they live at the bottom of a hill...

 

[Lovecraft_Lore]

Nooo, now I’m alienating even those I originally got along with

This might explain why all my comments are so positive, but then I haven’t received criticism even through private feedback. Oh, well.

I’m not a complete oaf, you know. There were a few stories that were the author’s first submission, and I was careful to be encouraging and friendly. My error lay I’m assuming that a) people would be interested in other than all positive comments in relation to the event and b) people who have published longer and/or more than me would not be offended by a not all praising comment from a stranger. I stand corrected.



I will send you a PM (see! I have learned something!) with more detailed feedback, if you want. I’m currently on vacation but will get back to this by the end of the week.



Ohhhh. You see, I do “funny” almost as well as I do “polite”. Don’t know if that is more of a personal trait or cultural one.

Your comments were constructive criticism. Thank you for your feedback on this and other stories.

 

[PennameWombat]

Your comment was constructive criticism. I was attempting to be funny.

Keep on commenting

<snip>
Ohhhh. You see, I do “funny” almost as well as I do “polite”. Don’t know if that is more of a personal trait or cultural one.

Poe's Law in action. *I* took Grendelpuppy's original "cruel and inhumane" comment at face value, as without voice or facial tones, the rest of the posting didn't make clear it was not meant seriously. Since other people have complained, it was not possible (for me as well, at least) to differentiate that was not also the case.

I felt that Omenainen's comment on my story was very fair and thoughtful. Its score seems to agree with the judgement expressed.

If I can get a second one submitted, I still plan to do so. I have to finish it first...

 

[MelissaBaby]

It was a race against time, but I got mine in.

 

[Omenainen]

I'm gone for a few days and the whole place has changed! Let me see if I can sort out this quoting business...

I don't have a problem with constructive comments or criticism. Two other readers said they thought the story lacked something and told me what it was - some sex scenes were undercooked. They were probably right.

But to merely say 'it reads like a porn movie directed by a man' tells me very little. What makes it so? As I am a man who writes porn it may very well be a valid comment, but if you are going to say it, qualify it. No-one else has said it in 53 stories, so I am not sure what you find offensive with it.

Yes, we all have opinions and we are never always going to agree but it would be nice to have an example of why you thought that way.

Thanks for organising the event and it was nice to try something different, but just a bit more thought in the comments would be appreciated.

I sent you a PM. I did not find it offensive. There is nothing wrong with writing like that, and as you said, you do have an audience.

Alienating? Nah. Thinking you're an alien? Possibly.



Did I say I was offended? I did not say I was offended. I was not offended. Surprised, yes. Especially as my preamble had already mentioned that it wasn't the best fit for the call, hence my recommending a couple other stories instead.

It's good to know how what is vaguely intended as a set of standalone stories come across to someone who hasn't read the previous ones with the same characters, especially as I've got to the point where it's a nightmare to remember what details I put in which stories. I aim for the plot to be comprehensible, but yeah, people who haven't read previous ones will miss details. C'est la vie. I'm encouraged by how many people have put earlier stories of mine on reading lists, thanks to this one, which is nice.

Readers are weird (up to you whether you include yourself in that, Omen!) I've spent two years trying to get from 90 to 100 followers, then get to 110 in a week thanks to this story.

It's certainly a fun wee story I just posted, with a woman who wants to fuck a certain guy again so pulls various strings to get him to the same country and town as her for a week, staying in her hotel room no less, which seems pretty empowered of her to me, but it's certainly no beautifully structured work of literature! FWIW I'm female.

I didn't mean you specifically were offended, but apparently some people were. Writing a story with a woman who wants to fuck a certain guy again and pulls strings to do that is certainly plot enough for an erotic story! I have no objections. And you did point to the beginning of the saga, so shame on me for not following your instructions.

There is a word to be said about pre-existing characters. (And this is now not directed at you, KQ!) Challenges like this do allow for stories that are even chapters in mid series, and certainly stories about characters the author has written about before. And I do get that including all the background in every story is an overkill, and the regular readers would be as bored with it as the author. Still, new readers do not know the existing history of those characters, and thus are only reading what is presented in this one particular story. It might not always come across as the author might think. I don't know if that's much of a problem, none of this is so serious, after all. Just something to think about.

I am now back from my holiday and will continue reading the stories. I am still very pleased that there is so many of them! Thank you guys, you are amazing. Can't wait to see how long the final list will be.

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

I sent you a PM. I did not find it offensive. There is nothing wrong with writing like that, and as you said, you do have an audience.

Yes, just received it and much appreciated. I am about to respond but thanks in advance!

 

[Omenainen]

You can comment on my "Her Bucket List: Strip Club".

I already know what you thought of my first draft as a beta-reader. I did make some changes to address some of your concerns. We just have different opinions of what makes a woman strong and in-charge of her own life and pleasure. But with 95 votes at a 4.44 and almost 13,000 views, I think the majority are on my side.

It is not a democracy. I get to decide what my event is and isn't about. Now, it is possible my event description wasn't as descriptive as it could be, and if and when I will host this again next year I will work on that. But the point remains that if you and I disagree on what I meant, it is me who is right.

(Here is a prime example of mansplaining, by the way. This guy asked me to beta read, then when I said this was not what I meant, he said, "oh but I think you just don't understand female empowerment". I don't claim to be an authority on what is and isn't female empowerment, but really, neither is Lifestyle66.)

O offered to beta-read stories a few weeks ago. I took the PM comments I received and made some changes addressing those I felt were good constructive criticism.

But addressing the fundamental critique of my female protagonist being too manipulative and bossy would change that main character from what I had built her to be.

When O advertised this Pink Orchid event for "female empowerment", I took that to mean a strong female character, which is what I write. After receiving the feedback and reading several of O's stories, O appears to more appreciate empowerment being a female who grows and changes within the story, not one who starts out that way.

So, I would appreciate O re-reading and commenting on my current version of the story. Listening to feedback is the only way to learn. O doesn't offend me. O provides me with a different point of view from which I can learn.

I quote myself: "Being bossy and bitchy does not equal strong. Behaving like a man does not equal strong. Being oppressive to the point of ignoring consent does not equal strong."

I don't have nothing against characters who are strong from the beginning, the story being about something other than their finding their strength, but I do not think exploiting others makes a character strong. I also don't think sex, or life for that matter, is a zero-sum game where someone always has to lose if someone else is to win. I think of sex positivity as an opposite attitude to that.

That being said, I have now read your published version, and I think the changes you made based on my comments made the story a lot better. I think they changed the tone in a meaningful way. There's still this undercurrent of disrespect I don't like, but I think it reads much more like a pink orchid story now than the first time I read it. So I say, well done! I'm glad we went through this back and forth with you. I think we both benefited from it.