MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
sorry
I cut and pasted the last one it seemed to have not done very well.
I cut and pasted the last one it seemed to have not done very well.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
299
Son of a bitch it was hot. The air was thick like in the YMCA shower room. I was sittin’ on the curb outside pop’s diner when she walked by. Them cotton mill girls were really sumthin. They wore them blouses with the big holes for their arms. A guy could see them mill girl’s bra if he looked down that whole.
I stood up to follow her as she walked past the small strip of stores. I followed her around the corner. Where we were in the dark. She was about three car lengths in front of me. I waited until I was sure no one could hear me.
“Hey Lois, wait up.” She slowed down so I hurried to close the distance.
“What you want Roy?” she asked.
“Why I want a kiss.”
“Roy, you been drinking?”
“No Lois, I don’t have to drink to ask you for a kiss. I know you kissed about everybody on the mill hill ‘ceptin me.”
“Well how come I miss you honey,” she said opening here arms to me.
I moved to her then pulled her to me. I held her tight while I kissed her. I tried to put my tongue in her mouth but she kissed like a brick. I was soaked in sweat from the heat of her body even more than the night. I roughly pulled her blouse from her skirt. I could feel her gasp. I knowed right then I had her. I opened the buttons on my trousers, then I lifted her skirt. I pushed the crotch of her panties aside and slipped into her. I pumped her right there in the middle of that dirt road. I did it to her till I came. I was too young to know about women then
Son of a bitch it was hot. The air was thick like in the YMCA shower room. I was sittin’ on the curb outside pop’s diner when she walked by. Them cotton mill girls were really sumthin. They wore them blouses with the big holes for their arms. A guy could see them mill girl’s bra if he looked down that whole.
I stood up to follow her as she walked past the small strip of stores. I followed her around the corner. Where we were in the dark. She was about three car lengths in front of me. I waited until I was sure no one could hear me.
“Hey Lois, wait up.” She slowed down so I hurried to close the distance.
“What you want Roy?” she asked.
“Why I want a kiss.”
“Roy, you been drinking?”
“No Lois, I don’t have to drink to ask you for a kiss. I know you kissed about everybody on the mill hill ‘ceptin me.”
“Well how come I miss you honey,” she said opening here arms to me.
I moved to her then pulled her to me. I held her tight while I kissed her. I tried to put my tongue in her mouth but she kissed like a brick. I was soaked in sweat from the heat of her body even more than the night. I roughly pulled her blouse from her skirt. I could feel her gasp. I knowed right then I had her. I opened the buttons on my trousers, then I lifted her skirt. I pushed the crotch of her panties aside and slipped into her. I pumped her right there in the middle of that dirt road. I did it to her till I came. I was too young to know about women then
Whispersecret
Clandestine Sex-pressionist
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2000
- Posts
- 3,089
MW, you won't go to the trouble of proofreading your work. You say you don't take it seriously. But you pitch a prolonged fit about unfair voting. You might want to consider the possibility that you're pulling the wool over your own eyes.
It takes courage to "take something seriously" and give it your all, because you risk failure. Believe me, I know. I rarely try things I'm not fairly sure I'll succeed at, so I'm in a different room in the same house. But you gotta understand that if you don't try too hard, you're 1) setting yourself up for failure, and 2) giving yourself a handy excuse why you failed.
Also, that "I am not as good a writer as you...I am not as good a writer as anyone here" business won't wash. Proofreading has little to do with real skill. It's more a give and take between apathy and pride in one's work.
Back to the topic. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not aroused. I'm not saying the examples aren't well written. I don't want to get into a full-blown critique. Could be that I'm just stubborn and have made up my mind that 300 words isn't long enough. Could also be that there's just not enough "literary foreplay" to get me going.
And just to be clear, I never doubted that a person can describe a sexual encounter in 300 words or less. I just think the brevity unnecessarily and drastically reduces the level of arousal that can be attained, if arousal can be attained at all.
I'd sure like to get a clearer idea of what Dara's hoping to accomplish.
It takes courage to "take something seriously" and give it your all, because you risk failure. Believe me, I know. I rarely try things I'm not fairly sure I'll succeed at, so I'm in a different room in the same house. But you gotta understand that if you don't try too hard, you're 1) setting yourself up for failure, and 2) giving yourself a handy excuse why you failed.
Also, that "I am not as good a writer as you...I am not as good a writer as anyone here" business won't wash. Proofreading has little to do with real skill. It's more a give and take between apathy and pride in one's work.
Back to the topic. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not aroused. I'm not saying the examples aren't well written. I don't want to get into a full-blown critique. Could be that I'm just stubborn and have made up my mind that 300 words isn't long enough. Could also be that there's just not enough "literary foreplay" to get me going.
And just to be clear, I never doubted that a person can describe a sexual encounter in 300 words or less. I just think the brevity unnecessarily and drastically reduces the level of arousal that can be attained, if arousal can be attained at all.
I'd sure like to get a clearer idea of what Dara's hoping to accomplish.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
Deacon Burke for the defense your honor
Where to start, where to start. After ten drafts, ranging from my right to write garbage, and your right call it garbage, to simply ignoring it all, I have chosen to try number eleven.
The reasons I write are pretty much personal. They are not however, to be published, to be acclaimed as a great writer, or to be humble in the eyes of god and man. Writing does not make me an arrogant prick. Posting the bits and pieces here makes me an arrogant prick.
Save your critique for those who want it. I am sure there are many. The boards are full of them. I personally don't. I know without it, I will never be a better writer. I will just have to muddle along. I have said it before, I edit just enough to make the work readable. If I don't do it enough for you, then I guess, I won’t have you as a fan. But then that puts you in the majority. It does not make you unique.
I am not as slick a writer as Muffin and probably not as slick as you. Like I said, I don't write for the same reasons.
If you can't see the difference, between what I was saying about the voting, and a simple 'I hate that you don’t edit' vote, then I will never be able to explain. Justice was in question, not my writing ability at the time. I know my remark about paranoia must have been a bit upsetting to you, for that I am sorry. I have seen that pattern for too long, on too many writers to just ignore it. I didn’t ignore it the last time I was here and I won’t now.
I knew it wasn't my poor writing or editing that got that particular one. This weekend I went a couple of rounds with a ‘little stalker person’. I got two different votes of one on each story I had posted. He just went from one computer to another to cast them. The computer tag is how they make sure you don't vote twice. It was always possible for him to do it. If you doubt that, have someone pull the voting records for my stuff on Saturday.
I am not being spiteful or cruel when I say all this. I hope you took it in the same way I took your posting. I think probably everyone here is a better technical writer than I am. That was not bull. I am not sure there is anyone here who can spin a better yarn than I can. That is what I meant whisper. I am your basic, one each, oral story teller who happens to post his scripts here.
“There ain’t a lot of grammar in the way people talk,” Deacon Burke the first said. “Grammar is for them fancy penny novel writers back east.”
The most common reaction I get from readers, (I will not call them fans) is that they feel part of the story. I truly believe it is because the script reads like a story teller would tell it. It is not polished and it is not even grammatically correct but is how his/her uncle talks.
I don’t expect that you will stop hating what I write. I don’t even expect that you will stop bringing it to my attention. I also don’t expect that I will change much.
As for the looking at the paragraphs I cut and pasted the things. Sometimes they pasted fine, sometimes they didn’t, I am guilty of not checking before I hit submit. I suppose that makes me another candidate for the ‘hangthimbytheballs’ festival. Oh this ain’t personal you know.
As for whether these stories, do it for you or not, is up to you personally. They don’t get me off but then they are not pure porn either. The point was that you could not define a character in three hundred words, or gain the readers interest so that they cared about the characters. I think three hundred words are adequate to do that. If you can tap into the reader’s own mind. If you stay with common fantasy, Some readers will fill in the hair color and eye color and even the details of the event. Not everyone can do it. Being an imaginative reader is not good or bad, I suppose. They are just the ones who can be aroused by the subtle sexuality in the three hundred word pieces. There was never any attempt by me to make them jackoff pieces. I don’t think the other writer had that in mind either.
Hell, I should write draft twelve but I am tired of this already.
Where to start, where to start. After ten drafts, ranging from my right to write garbage, and your right call it garbage, to simply ignoring it all, I have chosen to try number eleven.
The reasons I write are pretty much personal. They are not however, to be published, to be acclaimed as a great writer, or to be humble in the eyes of god and man. Writing does not make me an arrogant prick. Posting the bits and pieces here makes me an arrogant prick.
Save your critique for those who want it. I am sure there are many. The boards are full of them. I personally don't. I know without it, I will never be a better writer. I will just have to muddle along. I have said it before, I edit just enough to make the work readable. If I don't do it enough for you, then I guess, I won’t have you as a fan. But then that puts you in the majority. It does not make you unique.
I am not as slick a writer as Muffin and probably not as slick as you. Like I said, I don't write for the same reasons.
If you can't see the difference, between what I was saying about the voting, and a simple 'I hate that you don’t edit' vote, then I will never be able to explain. Justice was in question, not my writing ability at the time. I know my remark about paranoia must have been a bit upsetting to you, for that I am sorry. I have seen that pattern for too long, on too many writers to just ignore it. I didn’t ignore it the last time I was here and I won’t now.
I knew it wasn't my poor writing or editing that got that particular one. This weekend I went a couple of rounds with a ‘little stalker person’. I got two different votes of one on each story I had posted. He just went from one computer to another to cast them. The computer tag is how they make sure you don't vote twice. It was always possible for him to do it. If you doubt that, have someone pull the voting records for my stuff on Saturday.
I am not being spiteful or cruel when I say all this. I hope you took it in the same way I took your posting. I think probably everyone here is a better technical writer than I am. That was not bull. I am not sure there is anyone here who can spin a better yarn than I can. That is what I meant whisper. I am your basic, one each, oral story teller who happens to post his scripts here.
“There ain’t a lot of grammar in the way people talk,” Deacon Burke the first said. “Grammar is for them fancy penny novel writers back east.”
The most common reaction I get from readers, (I will not call them fans) is that they feel part of the story. I truly believe it is because the script reads like a story teller would tell it. It is not polished and it is not even grammatically correct but is how his/her uncle talks.
I don’t expect that you will stop hating what I write. I don’t even expect that you will stop bringing it to my attention. I also don’t expect that I will change much.
As for the looking at the paragraphs I cut and pasted the things. Sometimes they pasted fine, sometimes they didn’t, I am guilty of not checking before I hit submit. I suppose that makes me another candidate for the ‘hangthimbytheballs’ festival. Oh this ain’t personal you know.
As for whether these stories, do it for you or not, is up to you personally. They don’t get me off but then they are not pure porn either. The point was that you could not define a character in three hundred words, or gain the readers interest so that they cared about the characters. I think three hundred words are adequate to do that. If you can tap into the reader’s own mind. If you stay with common fantasy, Some readers will fill in the hair color and eye color and even the details of the event. Not everyone can do it. Being an imaginative reader is not good or bad, I suppose. They are just the ones who can be aroused by the subtle sexuality in the three hundred word pieces. There was never any attempt by me to make them jackoff pieces. I don’t think the other writer had that in mind either.
Hell, I should write draft twelve but I am tired of this already.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
ah ha
I just tried a little experiment. When you past into the box your paragraph indentions are there. It is only when you hit the submit that they disappear. If you edit the piece in a word processor then post it anyone not familier with that feature would assume his/her paragraphs were indented. Now I know. See what ya'll can teach an old country boy. Just had to work it out for myself it seems.
I just tried a little experiment. When you past into the box your paragraph indentions are there. It is only when you hit the submit that they disappear. If you edit the piece in a word processor then post it anyone not familier with that feature would assume his/her paragraphs were indented. Now I know. See what ya'll can teach an old country boy. Just had to work it out for myself it seems.
Whispersecret
Clandestine Sex-pressionist
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2000
- Posts
- 3,089
Re: Deacon Burke for the defense your honor
After ten drafts, ranging from my right to write garbage, and your right call it garbage...
I never called it garbage. I never would because it's not.
Writing does not make me an arrogant prick. Posting the bits and pieces here makes me an arrogant prick.
No, I'm the arrogant one. I apologize. I was on my high horse again, assuming that how I view writing is how everyone views writing. I sometimes forget that when people say they don't take it seriously, they really mean it. I'm a chronic psycho-analyzer with no training whatsoever, but just a strange penchant for it.
Still, I think you should proofread, regardless of how serious you are. Proofreading is like the personal hygiene of writing. You don't go out of the house looking like a bum and you don't publicly post something you've written without fixing the errors.
If you can't see the difference, between what I was saying about the voting, and a simple 'I hate that you don’t edit' vote, then I will never be able to explain. Justice was in question, not my writing ability at the time.
Yes, you're right. I'm fully able to distinguish the difference. I also believe there is some voting fraud, but on a small scale, and unpreventable.
The most common reaction I get from readers, (I will not call them fans) is that they feel part of the story. I truly believe it is because the script reads like a story teller would tell it. It is not polished and it is not even grammatically correct but is how his/her uncle talks.
I'd agree. Judging from the short snippets I read here, you have an ear for dialogue, which is wonderful. You said you'll probably never improve. I disagree. If you just took the damn time to polish up your mechanics, you'd be a much better writer than many who post stories here. I'm not blowing smoke, nor do I hand out false compliments. Ask Muff.
I don’t expect that you will stop hating what I write. I don’t even expect that you will stop bringing it to my attention. I also don’t expect that I will change much.
I don't hate what you write. I've re-read my post and can't see where you could have gotten that idea. Hate is much too strong a word. What I feel is more of a lack of respect for your work, but only because you don't seem to respect it yourself.
As for the looking at the paragraphs I cut and pasted the things. Sometimes they pasted fine, sometimes they didn’t, I am guilty of not checking before I hit submit. I suppose that makes me another candidate for the ‘hangthimbytheballs’ festival. Oh this ain’t personal you know.
Now you're getting melodramatic.
I only want to hang despicable plagiarists by the balls. You're just a little lazy. The lazy ones I just spank.
As for whether these stories, do it for you or not, is up to you personally. They don’t get me off but then they are not pure porn either. The point was that you could not define a character in three hundred words, or gain the readers interest so that they cared about the characters.
Naughty Mike was the one who brought up character development. Dara The Student's actual intent is unclear. I think we're all arguing about different things, all for a purpose that was never really defined adequately. Since Dara has never come back, I don't know what to assume. I'm not sure why I care so much. From what she wrote, it doesn't seem to me that her study is going to have much validity.
After ten drafts, ranging from my right to write garbage, and your right call it garbage...
I never called it garbage. I never would because it's not.
Writing does not make me an arrogant prick. Posting the bits and pieces here makes me an arrogant prick.
No, I'm the arrogant one. I apologize. I was on my high horse again, assuming that how I view writing is how everyone views writing. I sometimes forget that when people say they don't take it seriously, they really mean it. I'm a chronic psycho-analyzer with no training whatsoever, but just a strange penchant for it.
Still, I think you should proofread, regardless of how serious you are. Proofreading is like the personal hygiene of writing. You don't go out of the house looking like a bum and you don't publicly post something you've written without fixing the errors.
If you can't see the difference, between what I was saying about the voting, and a simple 'I hate that you don’t edit' vote, then I will never be able to explain. Justice was in question, not my writing ability at the time.
Yes, you're right. I'm fully able to distinguish the difference. I also believe there is some voting fraud, but on a small scale, and unpreventable.
The most common reaction I get from readers, (I will not call them fans) is that they feel part of the story. I truly believe it is because the script reads like a story teller would tell it. It is not polished and it is not even grammatically correct but is how his/her uncle talks.
I'd agree. Judging from the short snippets I read here, you have an ear for dialogue, which is wonderful. You said you'll probably never improve. I disagree. If you just took the damn time to polish up your mechanics, you'd be a much better writer than many who post stories here. I'm not blowing smoke, nor do I hand out false compliments. Ask Muff.
I don’t expect that you will stop hating what I write. I don’t even expect that you will stop bringing it to my attention. I also don’t expect that I will change much.
I don't hate what you write. I've re-read my post and can't see where you could have gotten that idea. Hate is much too strong a word. What I feel is more of a lack of respect for your work, but only because you don't seem to respect it yourself.
As for the looking at the paragraphs I cut and pasted the things. Sometimes they pasted fine, sometimes they didn’t, I am guilty of not checking before I hit submit. I suppose that makes me another candidate for the ‘hangthimbytheballs’ festival. Oh this ain’t personal you know.
Now you're getting melodramatic.
I only want to hang despicable plagiarists by the balls. You're just a little lazy. The lazy ones I just spank.As for whether these stories, do it for you or not, is up to you personally. They don’t get me off but then they are not pure porn either. The point was that you could not define a character in three hundred words, or gain the readers interest so that they cared about the characters.
Naughty Mike was the one who brought up character development. Dara The Student's actual intent is unclear. I think we're all arguing about different things, all for a purpose that was never really defined adequately. Since Dara has never come back, I don't know what to assume. I'm not sure why I care so much. From what she wrote, it doesn't seem to me that her study is going to have much validity.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
I just hate that
I hate when people know the edge off my sword. I wrote this and damn it I am gonna post it .. forgive me please. in advance..
"Look Simon all you have to do to survive is to pretend. What difference does it make. You know what you are. Hell, just pretend for a few weeks this will all pass I promise. I you refuse to bend to their wishes it can only be trouble."
"So, you have no problem being what they want, that is you Jake. I just can't do it. I am too old to play games now. I will soon have to face myself at that last minute when a man sees who he is. He has to like it Jake, cause it is Eternity we are talking here."
"You know they have years of tradition on their side. What do you have? A few people who overlook your ways?"
"Jake, even if I didn't have those few people, I wouldn't change a bit of it. I don't do it for them. I certainly don't do it for those you are talking about. In the end we all do what we think is right. We all fight battles, you just chose different ones and maybe different weapons. In the end we all lose. Jake on that last look I hope you are not disappointed with what you see."
"God, I hate these dark holding cells. Look Simon, they will be coming for you soon. Promise me that at least you will go quietly." He added as an after thought. "And be respectful. You just can not beat them you know."
"I don't want to beat them, Jake, I just want to do things my way. In the end what more can a man do."
"Well I hear them in the hall. Please Simon, just say you will try."
"I can't do that Jake. All the grammar police and all the
hangembytheballs courts in the land can't make me use correct English and grammar. I will use spell check when I write something important but I will not use it for just a note to people. It is just my way Jake."
"Then I fear you will be center of attention at the 'hangembytheballs' festival.”
“Well, that my friend is life. If they are hanging me, then they are leaving some other poor devil alone.”
(371 words sorry it is a little over)
I hate when people know the edge off my sword. I wrote this and damn it I am gonna post it .. forgive me please. in advance..
"Look Simon all you have to do to survive is to pretend. What difference does it make. You know what you are. Hell, just pretend for a few weeks this will all pass I promise. I you refuse to bend to their wishes it can only be trouble."
"So, you have no problem being what they want, that is you Jake. I just can't do it. I am too old to play games now. I will soon have to face myself at that last minute when a man sees who he is. He has to like it Jake, cause it is Eternity we are talking here."
"You know they have years of tradition on their side. What do you have? A few people who overlook your ways?"
"Jake, even if I didn't have those few people, I wouldn't change a bit of it. I don't do it for them. I certainly don't do it for those you are talking about. In the end we all do what we think is right. We all fight battles, you just chose different ones and maybe different weapons. In the end we all lose. Jake on that last look I hope you are not disappointed with what you see."
"God, I hate these dark holding cells. Look Simon, they will be coming for you soon. Promise me that at least you will go quietly." He added as an after thought. "And be respectful. You just can not beat them you know."
"I don't want to beat them, Jake, I just want to do things my way. In the end what more can a man do."
"Well I hear them in the hall. Please Simon, just say you will try."
"I can't do that Jake. All the grammar police and all the
hangembytheballs courts in the land can't make me use correct English and grammar. I will use spell check when I write something important but I will not use it for just a note to people. It is just my way Jake."
"Then I fear you will be center of attention at the 'hangembytheballs' festival.”
“Well, that my friend is life. If they are hanging me, then they are leaving some other poor devil alone.”
(371 words sorry it is a little over)
wildsweetone
i am what i am
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2002
- Posts
- 6,809
a personal vendetta or what???
I guess underneath our pens we are all human. I'm not the exception to the rule either. Yet again I see that a simple (albeit not defined) request from a student for help has it's usual effect. No matter where in the world we live, it seems that rather than get down to the hard work of helping students, most of us prefer to pontificate and find excuses for avoiding the hard work or challenge. (no offense intended to anyone)
MW, the only person I am defending here is the student.
To add to the mess you lot seem to be enjoying wallowing in, some of the best work I have ever seen has come from students with dyslesia. Their imagination and creativity far exceeded their use of a dictionary or thesaurus. It was up to me to teach them the skills to use those tools. Ok they're still not perfect, (and I am no great teacher), but they are achieving so much more than they were and what's more important, they're willing to learn and they're enjoying their learning.
At certain times stiflying(sp) the creativity with rules and regulations will stifle any possible future greatness. There are ways and means of teaching important skills to us all. Personally I think that verbally abusing and forcing people to succumb to some imaginery imposed rule - we must edit out work - is not the way to go.
I am disappointed that there are people who appear to be extremely experienced authors who have resorted to this kind of slinging match. I am a new author myself and would have preferred to have better role models to 'look up to'.
Adding to this discussion has taught me several things.
1. I put myself in the position of an older person with one of the anecdotes I wrote for the student. I've never done that before. It was a good learning experience.
2. I've realised that there are people all over the world who prefer to avoid helping students. That's ok. We're all different and we are allowed to choose who we help and who we don't.
3. None of us are perfect, me included.
4. There are better ways to encourage people to love and care for their writing.
5. I found the courage within myself to 'go against the grain' at the beginning of the discussion.
I wish you all the best of luck in looking back at this discussion and figuring out what it is you've learnt from it. Don't be afraid to take that step back to look. Humbleness in us all is a worthwhile achievement.
I guess underneath our pens we are all human. I'm not the exception to the rule either. Yet again I see that a simple (albeit not defined) request from a student for help has it's usual effect. No matter where in the world we live, it seems that rather than get down to the hard work of helping students, most of us prefer to pontificate and find excuses for avoiding the hard work or challenge. (no offense intended to anyone)
MW, the only person I am defending here is the student.
To add to the mess you lot seem to be enjoying wallowing in, some of the best work I have ever seen has come from students with dyslesia. Their imagination and creativity far exceeded their use of a dictionary or thesaurus. It was up to me to teach them the skills to use those tools. Ok they're still not perfect, (and I am no great teacher), but they are achieving so much more than they were and what's more important, they're willing to learn and they're enjoying their learning.
At certain times stiflying(sp) the creativity with rules and regulations will stifle any possible future greatness. There are ways and means of teaching important skills to us all. Personally I think that verbally abusing and forcing people to succumb to some imaginery imposed rule - we must edit out work - is not the way to go.
I am disappointed that there are people who appear to be extremely experienced authors who have resorted to this kind of slinging match. I am a new author myself and would have preferred to have better role models to 'look up to'.
Adding to this discussion has taught me several things.
1. I put myself in the position of an older person with one of the anecdotes I wrote for the student. I've never done that before. It was a good learning experience.
2. I've realised that there are people all over the world who prefer to avoid helping students. That's ok. We're all different and we are allowed to choose who we help and who we don't.
3. None of us are perfect, me included.
4. There are better ways to encourage people to love and care for their writing.
5. I found the courage within myself to 'go against the grain' at the beginning of the discussion.
I wish you all the best of luck in looking back at this discussion and figuring out what it is you've learnt from it. Don't be afraid to take that step back to look. Humbleness in us all is a worthwhile achievement.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
i would like to explore
I am not going back to reasearch who said this but someone said you can't do a story in three hundred words. What is a story? Some one tell me why the encounter on the train is not a story. What exactly does it lack. (besides someone to edit it) (slap... shut up mw)
It has the required protagonist, the young soldier, It has a story line. I admit it is a short line and not very profound. I think there is one there. It has an ending.
My vote is that it is (no surprise there). I think that it is the purist form of story. It requires the reader to draw on his/her own experiences to fill in the frame that I have drawn for them. Every reader becomes its author.
For instance, where is the soldier coming from and where is he going. Who is the woman. Why would a total stranger pick up another total stranger. What does the ending mean. Now you might not believe it, but some readers filled in those blanks as they read. Those are the ones who will have a good feeling about the story while those who do not will hate it. I should post it in the lit section just to see what would happen...
Just a thought guys...
I am not going back to reasearch who said this but someone said you can't do a story in three hundred words. What is a story? Some one tell me why the encounter on the train is not a story. What exactly does it lack. (besides someone to edit it) (slap... shut up mw)
It has the required protagonist, the young soldier, It has a story line. I admit it is a short line and not very profound. I think there is one there. It has an ending.
My vote is that it is (no surprise there). I think that it is the purist form of story. It requires the reader to draw on his/her own experiences to fill in the frame that I have drawn for them. Every reader becomes its author.
For instance, where is the soldier coming from and where is he going. Who is the woman. Why would a total stranger pick up another total stranger. What does the ending mean. Now you might not believe it, but some readers filled in those blanks as they read. Those are the ones who will have a good feeling about the story while those who do not will hate it. I should post it in the lit section just to see what would happen...
Just a thought guys...
Whispersecret
Clandestine Sex-pressionist
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2000
- Posts
- 3,089
Re: a personal vendetta or what???
It must be my week to be misunderstood.
There is no vendetta. Good God. That would suggest there is some history here between me and MW or Dara or anyone on this thread, and there isn't.
I guess underneath our pens we are all human. I'm not the exception to the rule either. Yet again I see that a simple (albeit not defined) request from a student for help has it's usual effect. No matter where in the world we live, it seems that rather than get down to the hard work of helping students, most of us prefer to pontificate and find excuses for avoiding the hard work or challenge. (no offense intended to anyone)
In my own defense I am a teacher too. I teach elementary kids. I volunteer in my own children's school every week, even for classes my kids aren't in.
I think that you're looking at this exercise through "teacher-colored" glasses. I know from experience that so much is thrown upon our shoulders that it's hard not to be resentful when no one else seems to want to put any effort toward improving education on a broad scale or even with their own kids.
However, that's not the case here. Dara is in COLLEGE. My take is that she doesn't seem to want to do the work of finding stories that would fit her needs. She'd rather sit back and have everyone send her stuff. She hasn't even returned here to see what response she's gotten.
It seems to me that your opinion about people avoiding helping students is very ingrained. I'm sure you're justified, given the work you do. I applaud you. I don't have the right stuff to work with special needs kids. However, the priorities in my life don't include at this moment helping an unknown university student with a study about pornography and gender differences. Especially when I don't think what she wants me to write is going to help her prove what she wants to prove.
This lack of interest should not paint me, or anyone else who doesn't want to do this, as someone who isn't interested in helping students in general.
To add to the mess you lot seem to be enjoying wallowing in, some of the best work I have ever seen has come from students with dyslesia. Their imagination and creativity far exceeded their use of a dictionary or thesaurus. It was up to me to teach them the skills to use those tools. Ok they're still not perfect, (and I am no great teacher), but they are achieving so much more than they were and what's more important, they're willing to learn and they're enjoying their learning.
If you look back, I told MW that in my opinion he had some strengths that would be greatly augmented if he would but proofread.
At certain times stiflying(sp) the creativity with rules and regulations will stifle any possible future greatness. There are ways and means of teaching important skills to us all. Personally I think that verbally abusing and forcing people to succumb to some imaginery imposed rule - we must edit out work - is not the way to go.
*blinks* Imaginary? No. I'm going to go at this from yet another angle. Writers have a responsibility to clean up what they write. It's disrespectful to your readers not to. Purposely leaving mistakes for people to push past as they read is like saying, "I don't care enough about you or what you think to fix this." Similarly, a long while ago, writers at Literotica would say in defense of badly written stories that "Hey, it's only porn!" as if that absolved them of being held to any standard.
It all really boils down to whether you care about your writing enough to make it as good as you can make it.
And it's not possible for me to force anyone here to do anything. I may have been more forceful than I needed to be in making my point, but I did apologize for my heavy-handedness.
I am disappointed that there are people who appear to be extremely experienced authors who have resorted to this kind of slinging match. I am a new author myself and would have preferred to have better role models to 'look up to'.
Adding to this discussion has taught me several things.
1. I put myself in the position of an older person with one of the anecdotes I wrote for the student. I've never done that before. It was a good learning experience.
2. I've realised that there are people all over the world who prefer to avoid helping students. That's ok. We're all different and we are allowed to choose who we help and who we don't.
3. None of us are perfect, me included.
4. There are better ways to encourage people to love and care for their writing.
5. I found the courage within myself to 'go against the grain' at the beginning of the discussion.
I don't see this as a slinging match. Again, I repeat that my attitude wasn't the most encouraging, but as you said, none of us is perfect. I have my testy moods.
FYI, I do encourage and teach here. I have several "how-tos" in the Writer's Resource section of this site, designed to instruct new writers on various ways they can advance their skills. I have a thick file of emails from people thanking me for helping them and for inspiring them to improve.
I wish you all the best of luck in looking back at this discussion and figuring out what it is you've learnt from it. Don't be afraid to take that step back to look. Humbleness in us all is a worthwhile achievement.
Yes, humility and self improvement are worthy goals. Trying your best is right up there too.
It must be my week to be misunderstood.
There is no vendetta. Good God. That would suggest there is some history here between me and MW or Dara or anyone on this thread, and there isn't.
I guess underneath our pens we are all human. I'm not the exception to the rule either. Yet again I see that a simple (albeit not defined) request from a student for help has it's usual effect. No matter where in the world we live, it seems that rather than get down to the hard work of helping students, most of us prefer to pontificate and find excuses for avoiding the hard work or challenge. (no offense intended to anyone)
In my own defense I am a teacher too. I teach elementary kids. I volunteer in my own children's school every week, even for classes my kids aren't in.
I think that you're looking at this exercise through "teacher-colored" glasses. I know from experience that so much is thrown upon our shoulders that it's hard not to be resentful when no one else seems to want to put any effort toward improving education on a broad scale or even with their own kids.
However, that's not the case here. Dara is in COLLEGE. My take is that she doesn't seem to want to do the work of finding stories that would fit her needs. She'd rather sit back and have everyone send her stuff. She hasn't even returned here to see what response she's gotten.
It seems to me that your opinion about people avoiding helping students is very ingrained. I'm sure you're justified, given the work you do. I applaud you. I don't have the right stuff to work with special needs kids. However, the priorities in my life don't include at this moment helping an unknown university student with a study about pornography and gender differences. Especially when I don't think what she wants me to write is going to help her prove what she wants to prove.
This lack of interest should not paint me, or anyone else who doesn't want to do this, as someone who isn't interested in helping students in general.
To add to the mess you lot seem to be enjoying wallowing in, some of the best work I have ever seen has come from students with dyslesia. Their imagination and creativity far exceeded their use of a dictionary or thesaurus. It was up to me to teach them the skills to use those tools. Ok they're still not perfect, (and I am no great teacher), but they are achieving so much more than they were and what's more important, they're willing to learn and they're enjoying their learning.
If you look back, I told MW that in my opinion he had some strengths that would be greatly augmented if he would but proofread.
At certain times stiflying(sp) the creativity with rules and regulations will stifle any possible future greatness. There are ways and means of teaching important skills to us all. Personally I think that verbally abusing and forcing people to succumb to some imaginery imposed rule - we must edit out work - is not the way to go.
*blinks* Imaginary? No. I'm going to go at this from yet another angle. Writers have a responsibility to clean up what they write. It's disrespectful to your readers not to. Purposely leaving mistakes for people to push past as they read is like saying, "I don't care enough about you or what you think to fix this." Similarly, a long while ago, writers at Literotica would say in defense of badly written stories that "Hey, it's only porn!" as if that absolved them of being held to any standard.
It all really boils down to whether you care about your writing enough to make it as good as you can make it.
And it's not possible for me to force anyone here to do anything. I may have been more forceful than I needed to be in making my point, but I did apologize for my heavy-handedness.
I am disappointed that there are people who appear to be extremely experienced authors who have resorted to this kind of slinging match. I am a new author myself and would have preferred to have better role models to 'look up to'.
Adding to this discussion has taught me several things.
1. I put myself in the position of an older person with one of the anecdotes I wrote for the student. I've never done that before. It was a good learning experience.
2. I've realised that there are people all over the world who prefer to avoid helping students. That's ok. We're all different and we are allowed to choose who we help and who we don't.
3. None of us are perfect, me included.
4. There are better ways to encourage people to love and care for their writing.
5. I found the courage within myself to 'go against the grain' at the beginning of the discussion.
I don't see this as a slinging match. Again, I repeat that my attitude wasn't the most encouraging, but as you said, none of us is perfect. I have my testy moods.
FYI, I do encourage and teach here. I have several "how-tos" in the Writer's Resource section of this site, designed to instruct new writers on various ways they can advance their skills. I have a thick file of emails from people thanking me for helping them and for inspiring them to improve.
I wish you all the best of luck in looking back at this discussion and figuring out what it is you've learnt from it. Don't be afraid to take that step back to look. Humbleness in us all is a worthwhile achievement.
Yes, humility and self improvement are worthy goals. Trying your best is right up there too.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
guys guys
Can't we all just get along.... Not till I have the last word damn it.
Can't we all just get along.... Not till I have the last word damn it.
wildsweetone
i am what i am
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2002
- Posts
- 6,809
my apologies
Whispersecret, I apologise. My only defence is that my comments were not specifically pointed in your direction. It was the general 'I can't be bothered to try to help' aura that came through the postings to me from several authors that got to me.
I have read through many of your 'How to..." postings. I've found the majority I've read fairly helpful. Thank you for taking the time to pass on your knowledge.
As I made plainly obvious, I have a huge chip on my shoulder about lack of help for people who ask it of us. It's my own problem and I will deal with it, hopefully a little more privately in the future.
You are right, it could be that Dara didn't want to bother herself with her own research. But could it not also be that she genuinely wanted help? Sometimes too many of us spend wasted time second guessing others, I was simply taking her request at face value. My ignorance showing through I guess.
Just as a thought, how can you tell that she has not returned? Is there some part of the lit.com site I've not gone through yet? Please advise me on this. I'd be interested to know.
As a last note from me, I saw this discussion turning into a slinging match. I think that was because there is difficulty at times of passing on the tone of voice we are using in our postings. To my inexperienced ears it sounded bad. I also see that my own postings may be interpreted in such a way. I will endeavour to try harder to get across a better tone.
Thanks for listening and responding.
*hug*
Whispersecret, I apologise. My only defence is that my comments were not specifically pointed in your direction. It was the general 'I can't be bothered to try to help' aura that came through the postings to me from several authors that got to me.
I have read through many of your 'How to..." postings. I've found the majority I've read fairly helpful. Thank you for taking the time to pass on your knowledge.
As I made plainly obvious, I have a huge chip on my shoulder about lack of help for people who ask it of us. It's my own problem and I will deal with it, hopefully a little more privately in the future.
You are right, it could be that Dara didn't want to bother herself with her own research. But could it not also be that she genuinely wanted help? Sometimes too many of us spend wasted time second guessing others, I was simply taking her request at face value. My ignorance showing through I guess.
Just as a thought, how can you tell that she has not returned? Is there some part of the lit.com site I've not gone through yet? Please advise me on this. I'd be interested to know.
As a last note from me, I saw this discussion turning into a slinging match. I think that was because there is difficulty at times of passing on the tone of voice we are using in our postings. To my inexperienced ears it sounded bad. I also see that my own postings may be interpreted in such a way. I will endeavour to try harder to get across a better tone.
Thanks for listening and responding.
*hug*
Last edited:
Whispersecret
Clandestine Sex-pressionist
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2000
- Posts
- 3,089
Re: my apologies
You are right, it could be that Dara didn't want to bother herself with her own research. But could it not also be that she genuinely wanted help? Sometimes too many of us spend wasted time second guessing others, I was simply taking her request at face value. My ignorance showing through I guess.
No, you're right. She could honestly want help.
Just as a thought, how can you tell that she has not returned? Is there some part of the lit.com site I've not gone through yet? Please advise me on this. I'd be interested to know.
I make the assumption that she hasn't returned because she hasn't posted anything further to this thread. It's obvious we're confused about what she wants exactly, and if she had come back, I'd think she would have clarified things.
As a last note from me, I saw this discussion turning into a slinging match. I think that was because there is difficulty at times of passing on the tone of voice we are using in our postings.
I completely agree. I try very hard never to be sarcastic, because it doesn't transfer on the printed page.
You are right, it could be that Dara didn't want to bother herself with her own research. But could it not also be that she genuinely wanted help? Sometimes too many of us spend wasted time second guessing others, I was simply taking her request at face value. My ignorance showing through I guess.
No, you're right. She could honestly want help.
Just as a thought, how can you tell that she has not returned? Is there some part of the lit.com site I've not gone through yet? Please advise me on this. I'd be interested to know.
I make the assumption that she hasn't returned because she hasn't posted anything further to this thread. It's obvious we're confused about what she wants exactly, and if she had come back, I'd think she would have clarified things.
As a last note from me, I saw this discussion turning into a slinging match. I think that was because there is difficulty at times of passing on the tone of voice we are using in our postings.
I completely agree. I try very hard never to be sarcastic, because it doesn't transfer on the printed page.
G
Guest
Guest
Student is back
Hey all, thanks so much for your help. I have been back several times, although I refrained from saying something after the first reply that I read told me to be nicer in my request, and that I wasn't making friends. From the critism that I got, my group decided to try and make our own stories, and ended up being shot down by the human subjects dept for being too graphic {although I'm not quite sure what they expected from erotic stories intended to arouse!?}. When I came back tonight, after working on midterms and this project more, I read what was here. Yes like any student, and therefor any person, I am a trifle bit lazy. But I also admitted to you that I needed help. I'm cut and pasting all the stories that were posted and taking them with me to my group, whichever stories we chose to use I will let you know if you like, and email the authors. All in all, I agree that while there was some mud slinging, you all have been terrific in your help. Sorry it took me so long to repost. Have a great night, and to all you authors: I love your work, and I love coming here to read!
Hey all, thanks so much for your help. I have been back several times, although I refrained from saying something after the first reply that I read told me to be nicer in my request, and that I wasn't making friends. From the critism that I got, my group decided to try and make our own stories, and ended up being shot down by the human subjects dept for being too graphic {although I'm not quite sure what they expected from erotic stories intended to arouse!?}. When I came back tonight, after working on midterms and this project more, I read what was here. Yes like any student, and therefor any person, I am a trifle bit lazy. But I also admitted to you that I needed help. I'm cut and pasting all the stories that were posted and taking them with me to my group, whichever stories we chose to use I will let you know if you like, and email the authors. All in all, I agree that while there was some mud slinging, you all have been terrific in your help. Sorry it took me so long to repost. Have a great night, and to all you authors: I love your work, and I love coming here to read!
G
Guest
Guest
Get my penn'orth in
As a non-author and non-member I’m probably out-of-order here; but I never let such trifles stop me. *wink*
The carping about needing more words seems to me rather unimaginitive and negative. I always thought that one of the key attributes of good creative writing was to make the words and the format work hard; to maximise content within the space, rather than be indulgent with it.
This is my first ever attempt at erotic fiction (or, for that matter, "published" fiction of any sort). I wrote it in five minutes, and in exactly 100 words. As far as I can see, it has all the characterics of a "story".
-----------------------------------------
The first time ever he set eyes on her she was naked… young; beautiful; smooth skin free of blemish; voluptuous… she posed for him, now thrusting her firm ripe breasts towards his face, now teasingly parting the lips of her trimmed pudenda to reveal glistening folds of flesh… within minutes of first contact he was rubbing his thumb along her thigh, around her rock-hard nipple… he closed his eyes as he thrust his pelvis rhythmically, flesh against flesh, ever faster… and groaned as he ejaculated. He returned the magazine to the bedside drawer and, satisfied, went downstairs to make coffee.
As a non-author and non-member I’m probably out-of-order here; but I never let such trifles stop me. *wink*
The carping about needing more words seems to me rather unimaginitive and negative. I always thought that one of the key attributes of good creative writing was to make the words and the format work hard; to maximise content within the space, rather than be indulgent with it.
This is my first ever attempt at erotic fiction (or, for that matter, "published" fiction of any sort). I wrote it in five minutes, and in exactly 100 words. As far as I can see, it has all the characterics of a "story".
-----------------------------------------
The first time ever he set eyes on her she was naked… young; beautiful; smooth skin free of blemish; voluptuous… she posed for him, now thrusting her firm ripe breasts towards his face, now teasingly parting the lips of her trimmed pudenda to reveal glistening folds of flesh… within minutes of first contact he was rubbing his thumb along her thigh, around her rock-hard nipple… he closed his eyes as he thrust his pelvis rhythmically, flesh against flesh, ever faster… and groaned as he ejaculated. He returned the magazine to the bedside drawer and, satisfied, went downstairs to make coffee.
KillerMuffin
Seraphically Disinclined
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2000
- Posts
- 25,603
A 300 word vignette is not a story. It is a slice of a story and it can arouse. However, in 300 words? I'm sorry guys, but I was not aroused, you need a lot more talent than that to make me care enough about the character to feel sympathic sexual arousal. We're a jaded lot, mentions of sexual organs and sex itself simply doesn't do the trick. The readership is the ultimate voyeur. We don't just want to "see" the sex, we want to "see" inside of the person doing the sex. We want to "see" their thoughts and feelings. That's what makes an erotic story delicious. A "real" person doing naughty things.
To sum up, a 300 word vignette is like an 8 second mpeg slice of a video. Enough to capture interest to sell the story, but not nearly enough to deliver on the promise.
I can establish a character in about 100 words. Enough to make people like, dislike, or in general feel towards tha chartacter. You will know quite a bit about that character. However that character will not be developed enough to carry off satisfying sex in the next 200 words. I could probably make hard nipples in 300 words, but to make someone get aroused enough to want to masturbate? At least 500-750 words.
MW, darlin, on a side note, you reserve the right to post your stories as lazily as you choose. I reserve the right to judge your stories as "less" because I know that is not the best that you can do. Who gave me that right? You did when you posted them publicly. You gave me the right to judge you simply by making your work available to the public. Not just your work, but you personally as well. Don't feel picked on, it's the same with me and every single other human being who puts any piece of creativity up for public consumption. You want to increase how well the public receives something you have to put some effort into it. Simple as that. If I want to increase how well the public receives it, then I have to put some effort into it.
To sum up, a 300 word vignette is like an 8 second mpeg slice of a video. Enough to capture interest to sell the story, but not nearly enough to deliver on the promise.
I can establish a character in about 100 words. Enough to make people like, dislike, or in general feel towards tha chartacter. You will know quite a bit about that character. However that character will not be developed enough to carry off satisfying sex in the next 200 words. I could probably make hard nipples in 300 words, but to make someone get aroused enough to want to masturbate? At least 500-750 words.
MW, darlin, on a side note, you reserve the right to post your stories as lazily as you choose. I reserve the right to judge your stories as "less" because I know that is not the best that you can do. Who gave me that right? You did when you posted them publicly. You gave me the right to judge you simply by making your work available to the public. Not just your work, but you personally as well. Don't feel picked on, it's the same with me and every single other human being who puts any piece of creativity up for public consumption. You want to increase how well the public receives something you have to put some effort into it. Simple as that. If I want to increase how well the public receives it, then I have to put some effort into it.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
But muffie. (298)
I am really sorry that you don’t find 300 words enough to make it a story. I disagree totally. It depends on how you write. If you feel your readers are so simple that you have to lead them by the hand, then you probably do think that it takes 20,000 words to do a piece. Unless I am terribly mistaken, and I don’t think I am, there are short story contests that require the stories to be very, very short. Some, if my memory serves me, as few as three hundred words.
I never claimed to be able to write a jack off piece in 300 words. I didn't have you in mind when I wrote those pieces. Who I had in mind was someone who could connect the dots. Fortunately not everyone in the whole wide world is jaded. If I can create an image, hopefully some people can use it to create their own arousal.
If the 300 word thread sparks just one person to contribute, one who has never written before, it will be worth the effort. I think there are people who would like to write but are intimidated by the size of the things we normally write.
I am not the one who accused anyone of picking on me. I respond love I do not whine. Funny, I don’t mind that you write well. Why is it so important that I write as you write. If some poor misguided person finds my work interesting, what does it matter how it reads to you. Can’t we just let them enjoy it. Actually there are a couple who do find it interesting.
Truth is this whole topic is beginning to bore hell out of me. I am sure it is boring everyone else too.
I am really sorry that you don’t find 300 words enough to make it a story. I disagree totally. It depends on how you write. If you feel your readers are so simple that you have to lead them by the hand, then you probably do think that it takes 20,000 words to do a piece. Unless I am terribly mistaken, and I don’t think I am, there are short story contests that require the stories to be very, very short. Some, if my memory serves me, as few as three hundred words.
I never claimed to be able to write a jack off piece in 300 words. I didn't have you in mind when I wrote those pieces. Who I had in mind was someone who could connect the dots. Fortunately not everyone in the whole wide world is jaded. If I can create an image, hopefully some people can use it to create their own arousal.
If the 300 word thread sparks just one person to contribute, one who has never written before, it will be worth the effort. I think there are people who would like to write but are intimidated by the size of the things we normally write.
I am not the one who accused anyone of picking on me. I respond love I do not whine. Funny, I don’t mind that you write well. Why is it so important that I write as you write. If some poor misguided person finds my work interesting, what does it matter how it reads to you. Can’t we just let them enjoy it. Actually there are a couple who do find it interesting.
Truth is this whole topic is beginning to bore hell out of me. I am sure it is boring everyone else too.
wildsweetone
i am what i am
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2002
- Posts
- 6,809
bored? hmmmm a vignette, maybe...
Her tongue lightly ran over its surface, barely touching.
Beautiful smooth softness greeted her.
Slowly she moved, licking, stroking with her tongue.
Accidentally she licked her own fingertips as she held it, leaving them wet and shining in the sunlight.
That tasting tool circled it.
Dipping into every crevice.
Flicking lightly over the top, around, underneath...
The salty tang had her body squirming for more, she took it deep into her mouth and sucked hard.
As her saliva enveloped it, she sucked noisily.
Finally unable to stop herself, she deep throated it.
92 words
Her tongue lightly ran over its surface, barely touching.
Beautiful smooth softness greeted her.
Slowly she moved, licking, stroking with her tongue.
Accidentally she licked her own fingertips as she held it, leaving them wet and shining in the sunlight.
That tasting tool circled it.
Dipping into every crevice.
Flicking lightly over the top, around, underneath...
The salty tang had her body squirming for more, she took it deep into her mouth and sucked hard.
As her saliva enveloped it, she sucked noisily.
Finally unable to stop herself, she deep throated it.
92 words
KillerMuffin
Seraphically Disinclined
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2000
- Posts
- 25,603
MW, a rose by any other name.Call it whatever you wish, disagree with me all you like. Do feel free to actually define a short story, since you have yet to do so. It's not like pornography that you can't define it, you only know what it is when you see it. A short story has an actual definition and actual parameters.
Anyway, a short story:
Since I know you actually didn't read that, the gist is this: A short story has an actual Plot that has a beginning and is resolved. That's what makes it a story and not a scene. Trust me, I not only know more than you about this, I'm better with a search engine.
By the way, I have yet to see one of those scenes with an actual developed plot.
Stubbornness doesn't make it so.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
But muffie.
I think I saw the word usually when you gave the word count... dear
I think I saw the word usually when you gave the word count... dear
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
anyway muffin
The plot thing is a bit sticky define plot for me please but like you said I am stubborn it sure as hell quacks like a duck to me.
The plot thing is a bit sticky define plot for me please but like you said I am stubborn it sure as hell quacks like a duck to me.
KillerMuffin
Seraphically Disinclined
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2000
- Posts
- 25,603
Give over, MW. You know damned good and well what a plot is. Arguing just isn't going to make you right and you know it. It's the sign of a strong man who can admit when he's wrong, or at the very least quit barking up the wrong tree.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
no i must not know
because I was under the impression that plot was no more than the movement of the story. If that is not the case then please define it for me. I obviously do not know what I am doing.
I agree and it is a strong women who can think not just quote facts and last weeks opinions. If you have managed to convince all the writers around here that these rules are carved in stone somewhere on a mountain then fine. I am not convinced that anybody's rules are static when it comes to writing. I am of the impression that a story is what the reader decides is a story.
The little 'scenes' I wrote I believe are stories. Maybe not the kind you would have written but stories nontheless. So if you can convince everyone that the rules of writing from some textbook is the only way they can write then one of you is being kidded by the other.
because I was under the impression that plot was no more than the movement of the story. If that is not the case then please define it for me. I obviously do not know what I am doing.
I agree and it is a strong women who can think not just quote facts and last weeks opinions. If you have managed to convince all the writers around here that these rules are carved in stone somewhere on a mountain then fine. I am not convinced that anybody's rules are static when it comes to writing. I am of the impression that a story is what the reader decides is a story.
The little 'scenes' I wrote I believe are stories. Maybe not the kind you would have written but stories nontheless. So if you can convince everyone that the rules of writing from some textbook is the only way they can write then one of you is being kidded by the other.
MysteryWriter
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2001
- Posts
- 422
one more thing
I can not speak for any other stories other than my own. If they wish to be heard the forum is open. However my 300 word stories have define characters, action that moves the them along to a definate ending.
The only difference I can see, is in the amount of detail. It is going to be hard to impossible to convince me that the train encounter is not a story. Yes it requires the reader to work some but it is all there.
I can not speak for any other stories other than my own. If they wish to be heard the forum is open. However my 300 word stories have define characters, action that moves the them along to a definate ending.
The only difference I can see, is in the amount of detail. It is going to be hard to impossible to convince me that the train encounter is not a story. Yes it requires the reader to work some but it is all there.
KillerMuffin
Seraphically Disinclined
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2000
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- 25,603
Well, you never did get around to defining what a plot actually was. Just took a stab in the dark? This information does not come from me. This isn't the gospel according to KM, unlike what you've been saying here. This is a corroboration of different experts in the field of English who have defined the already in place conventions that have evolved from thousands of years of writing. No one person set themselves up as the defining authority here, a bunch of different persons or groups of persons simply took what was already in existence and gave it a definition, just like a rose. Roses exist already, we just gave them a conventional definition.
The reason we have the definitions is so that when someone requests a short story, people know what they want. When someone says plot, then people know what was meant.
A plot, by the by, is defined as a causal sequence of action that progresses through conflict to a climax and ends with a resolution.
Your train story didn't have resolution or conflict, therefore it didn't have a plot. You can't say that you have a skeleton when you've only got a couple of bones. You can't say you have a plot when you've only got a couple of pieces of it.
The reason we have the definitions is so that when someone requests a short story, people know what they want. When someone says plot, then people know what was meant.
A plot, by the by, is defined as a causal sequence of action that progresses through conflict to a climax and ends with a resolution.
Your train story didn't have resolution or conflict, therefore it didn't have a plot. You can't say that you have a skeleton when you've only got a couple of bones. You can't say you have a plot when you've only got a couple of pieces of it.
