Virgin Here..Breaking my writing cherry

[Shugahhhh]

I had to look at this thread just to see what kind of horror new-to-lit writers are subjected to when they ask for feedback.

Yikes.

Style manuals, like writers, do not always agree. My advice is to pick one and stick with it. It's far more important to be consistent throughout your piece. I've used AP style since college, which probably means I'll eventually get blasted for the use of four ellipses at the end of a sentence to denote a trailing thought. Nonetheless, my objective is to give my reader a smooth read, uninterrupted by jarring or confusing punctuation.

In re: parenthesis, I use them very rarely.

When I do submit on lit, I think I will limit my requests for feedback to "Did it make you hot?"

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I had to look at this thread just to see what kind of horror new-to-lit writers are subjected to when they ask for feedback.

Yikes.

Style manuals, like writers, do not always agree. My advice is to pick one and stick with it. It's far more important to be consistent throughout your piece. I've used AP style since college, which probably means I'll eventually get blasted for the use of four ellipses at the end of a sentence to denote a trailing thought. Nonetheless, my objective is to give my reader a smooth read, uninterrupted by jarring or confusing punctuation.

In re: parenthesis, I use them very rarely.

When I do submit on lit, I think I will limit my requests for feedback to "Did it make you hot?"

While the scurvy lot of us don't always agree on certain points, our goal is the same, to try to help beginning writers improve.

 

[Shugahhhh]

While the scurvy lot of us don't always agree on certain points, our goal is the same, to try to help beginning writers improve.

The goal is admirable, it's the execution that can be confusing or even intimidating. Wouldn't the new writer be further ahead to work with one editor as opposed to having to distinguish among the pedancy of the multitudes? I didn't see any posting that said, "Use an editor." Including mine. So allow me to edit.

1. Find an editor you can work with--one who speaks in terms you can understand.

2. Pick one stylebook and stick with it.

3. Keep writing...but also keep reading. I've learned more from reading bad material than I have from any editor or stylebook.

By the way, how is it that some of the worst crap ever put to keyboard gets published on here? I'm referring to construction/grammar/spelling/punctuation. I too often find myself starting a story only to click the back button. I read in the guidelines that stories will be rejected for the above-mentioned deficiencies; so how does so much crap sneak through?

 

[LadyIlsa]

I just re-read the story, and I can't find the spelling errors I thought I saw before. One was MrReal, was that how you intended it, or was it supposed to be Mr. Real?

Yes, your characters were believable, but really not that interesting. There wasn't a lot of time spent on character development as the majority of the story was sex.

I may be holding you to a higher standard as I think you have a lot of talent.

Thank you again.

Yeah, the MrReal is in keeping with the handles used on a specific site I'm referring to (wouldn't want to offend the gods by actually naming it), but let's just say that Adults looking for Friends can Find them there. But of course, that kind of site, the more sex the better, even in fiction!

I have a few other stories, one is 10 chapters, that is more a period piece with great sex. There is mystery, romance and of course, some really great sex. At first I thought it would turn off my blog readers because most of them are male, but they liked it. So what the heck, I may put it on here too.

Can you recommend an editor, or would you like to take on that bit of responsibility? LOL - I should probably read all of your contributions too!

Let me know what you think.

~J~

 

[LadyIlsa]

The goal is admirable, it's the execution that can be confusing or even intimidating. Wouldn't the new writer be further ahead to work with one editor as opposed to having to distinguish among the pedancy of the multitudes? I didn't see any posting that said, "Use an editor." Including mine. So allow me to edit.

1. Find an editor you can work with--one who speaks in terms you can understand.

2. Pick one stylebook and stick with it.

3. Keep writing...but also keep reading. I've learned more from reading bad material than I have from any editor or stylebook.

By the way, how is it that some of the worst crap ever put to keyboard gets published on here? I'm referring to construction/grammar/spelling/punctuation. I too often find myself starting a story only to click the back button. I read in the guidelines that stories will be rejected for the above-mentioned deficiencies; so how does so much crap sneak through?

Thanks!

1 - Great idea and I'm working on that.

2 - The only 'style book' I have is my own. I really don't want to be like anyone else - just me. I've read other people who 'write in the the style of' and find that they never compare favorably.

3 - I am a voracious reader - always have been - and find that while I enjoy almost every genre, I am picky about the writing itself.

Poor grammar, punctuation, spelling are all turn offs. But if the story itself grabs my attention, I can overlook some poor techniques. Some, not all. The guidelines that are listed are not how stories seem to be approved. I had asked the same question before. 'Monday Again' was first rejected for 'word bleed' - not content or spelling or anything like that. But some that I have seen - I would be so embarrassed to have them read by anyone.

Again, thank you so much for your comments. I have 2 more pending and I hope that you'll read them.

~J~

 

[gauchecritic]

The goal is admirable, it's the execution that can be confusing or even intimidating. Wouldn't the new writer be further ahead to work with one editor as opposed to having to distinguish among the pedancy of the multitudes? I didn't see any posting that said, "Use an editor." Including mine. So allow me to edit.

1. Find an editor you can work with--one who speaks in terms you can understand.

2. Pick one stylebook and stick with it.

3. Keep writing...but also keep reading. I've learned more from reading bad material than I have from any editor or stylebook.

By the way, how is it that some of the worst crap ever put to keyboard gets published on here? I'm referring to construction/grammar/spelling/punctuation. I too often find myself starting a story only to click the back button. I read in the guidelines that stories will be rejected for the above-mentioned deficiencies; so how does so much crap sneak through?

Can I just disagree with everything you said?

Maybe not the editor part.

If you're going to use a style book then fair enough, but when or if you come to publish your stuff then it's likely that you'll have to learn a new range of styles unless you're really lucky.

And I agree with the writing and reading too, so it was just the style book thing really.

The main reason that some of the stories are below your personal requirements is mainly that, for the most part, rejections are handled by bots. Slovenly bots. punctuation is virtually impossible to correct or be spotted by bots due to the nature of the medium.

Imagine if they used the Word bot. there would be no English stories and very very few American ones either. So as long as there isn't a comma after every word then readability/punctuation is very low on the acceptance list.

 

[Shugahhhh]

Can I just disagree with everything you said?

Of course, you can, I would expect that on here.

If you're going to use a style book then fair enough, but when or if you come to publish your stuff then it's likely that you'll have to learn a new range of styles unless you're really lucky.

Then I hope I'm lucky as hell because, after 20 years of using AP style guidelines, it's highly unlikely I'm going to adopt Strunk & While, Chicago, et al. If a contrary rule is pointed out to me and it makes sense and is relevant, I'll use it.

The main reason that some of the stories are below your personal requirements is mainly that, for the most part, rejections are handled by bots. Slovenly bots. punctuation is virtually impossible to correct or be spotted by bots due to the nature of the medium.

You have got to be fucking kidding me. Bots????

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Can I just disagree with everything you said?


And I agree with the writing and reading too, so it was just the style book thing really.

The main reason that some of the stories are below your personal requirements is mainly that, for the most part, rejections are handled by bots. Slovenly bots. punctuation is virtually impossible to correct or be spotted by bots due to the nature of the medium.

Imagine if they used the Word bot. there would be no English stories and very very few American ones either. So as long as there isn't a comma after every word then readability/punctuation is very low on the acceptance list.

Gauchecritic is pretty much right. Forget the style book but get an editor you can live with. Read a massive amount of stuff. Readers make good writers.

And don't read my stuff. I don't follow anyones rule.

 

[Shugahhhh]

Gauchecritic is pretty much right. Forget the style book but get an editor you can live with. Read a massive amount of stuff. Readers make good writers.

And don't read my stuff. I don't follow anyones rule.

I like your attitude, Jenny. I may read your stuff for that reason alone. I'm no fucking elitist.

 

[sr71plt]

I like your attitude, Jenny. I may read your stuff for that reason alone. I'm no fucking elitist.

If you know AP style well it should be good enough for Lit.--and you'll probably know a consistent style better than most anyone claiming to be an editor here (and will save yourself a step in submitting). AP of course is for reporting journalism, which we don't see much on this story site, not fiction, but at least you'll be doing something consistent and with more rationale behind it than what you thought Aunt Mildred's cousin Clyde once said about the issue.

 

[Shugahhhh]

If you know AP style well it should be good enough for Lit.--and you'll probably know a consistent style better than most anyone claiming to be an editor here (and will save yourself a step in submitting). AP of course is for reporting journalism, which we don't see much on this story site, not fiction, but at least you'll be doing something consistent and with more rationale behind it than what you thought Aunt Mildred's cousin Clyde once said about the issue.

And consistency was my whole point about using a style guide to begin with. Thanks for getting it.

 

[sr71plt]

And consistency was my whole point about using a style guide to begin with. Thanks for getting it.

Consistency is the major point of editing. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[mjl2010]

I promised I'd come back, read your story and comment. Here I am.

Your writing style starts out almost clipped. A lot of the sentences are very short, almost staccato. It plays well for the scene setting. Regarding that single parenthetical phrase we squawked about earlier, I'd say it didn't need to be one. You could have simply said she had checked and there wasn't a full moon.

I kind of liked how you sprinkled in little facts that weren't really necessary, but added to the scene and the story, a hospital ward at 3:30 in the morning.

Now, usually I'd tell you not to mention how big a guys dick is in inches. Usually it's a detraction. For some reason, I didn't see it that way this time. Perhaps it was because it she had thought about how big he was previously to his exposing it to her.

For almost all numbers, I suggest writing them out. Forty four instead of 44. eighty six instead of 86.

A nicely written short story. Easy to read. A quickie blowjob at the end just spiced things up. I voted. My comments are here.

Welcome to Lit and to writing.

MJL

 

[sr71plt]

I promised I'd come back, read your story and comment. Here I am.

Your writing style starts out almost clipped. A lot of the sentences are very short, almost staccato. It plays well for the scene setting. Regarding that single parenthetical phrase we squawked about earlier, I'd say it didn't need to be one. You could have simply said she had checked and there wasn't a full moon.

I kind of liked how you sprinkled in little facts that weren't really necessary, but added to the scene and the story, a hospital ward at 3:30 in the morning.

Now, usually I'd tell you not to mention how big a guys dick is in inches. Usually it's a detraction. For some reason, I didn't see it that way this time. Perhaps it was because it she had thought about how big he was previously to his exposing it to her.

For almost all numbers, I suggest writing them out. Forty four instead of 44. eighty six instead of 86.

A nicely written short story. Easy to read. A quickie blowjob at the end just spiced things up. I voted. My comments are here.

Welcome to Lit and to writing.

MJL

forty-four (not forty four).

 

[Shugahhhh]

I promised I'd come back, read your story and comment. Here I am.

Your writing style starts out almost clipped. A lot of the sentences are very short, almost staccato. It plays well for the scene setting. Regarding that single parenthetical phrase we squawked about earlier, I'd say it didn't need to be one. You could have simply said she had checked and there wasn't a full moon.

I kind of liked how you sprinkled in little facts that weren't really necessary, but added to the scene and the story, a hospital ward at 3:30 in the morning.

Now, usually I'd tell you not to mention how big a guys dick is in inches. Usually it's a detraction. For some reason, I didn't see it that way this time. Perhaps it was because it she had thought about how big he was previously to his exposing it to her.

For almost all numbers, I suggest writing them out. Forty four instead of 44. eighty six instead of 86.

A nicely written short story. Easy to read. A quickie blowjob at the end just spiced things up. I voted. My comments are here.

Welcome to Lit and to writing.

MJL

Now THAT was constructive. I hope she checks back in to see it.

 

[mjl2010]

Now THAT was constructive. I hope she checks back in to see it.

Of course she will. She's been sitting on pins and needles since I promised I'd come back and read it!

 

[LadyIlsa]

Now THAT was constructive. I hope she checks back in to see it.

You better believe I'm checking back! And yes, constructive and helpful - thank you so much.

Really, I love all the comments and the suggestions and hope to continue to learn more each day.

~J~

 

[Shugahhhh]

You better believe I'm checking back! And yes, constructive and helpful - thank you so much.

Really, I love all the comments and the suggestions and hope to continue to learn more each day.

~J~

Best of luck to you! You'll do fine.

 

[LadyIlsa]

New Story!



Here's the next story up for slicing and dicing...The Company Party.

It's very short - not a lot of depth. I wrote it in response to a blog post about company Christmas parties - you know the kind!

So this is a quickie about a quickie.

~J~

 

[Daniellekitten]

I just wanted to wish you luck with your work. Enjoy the site and listen to Brian, drksideofthemoon, he's a genius. Kisses Bri.

 

[LadyIlsa]

I just wanted to wish you luck with your work. Enjoy the site and listen to Brian, drksideofthemoon, he's a genius. Kisses Bri.

Thanks! So far, he does seem so...!

 

[Daniellekitten]

Thanks! So far, he does seem so...!

You're a Michigander too? We're neighbors.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

Can I just disagree with everything you said?

Maybe not the editor part.

If you're going to use a style book then fair enough, but when or if you come to publish your stuff then it's likely that you'll have to learn a new range of styles unless you're really lucky.

And I agree with the writing and reading too, so it was just the style book thing really.

The main reason that some of the stories are below your personal requirements is mainly that, for the most part, rejections are handled by bots. Slovenly bots. punctuation is virtually impossible to correct or be spotted by bots due to the nature of the medium.

Imagine if they used the Word bot. there would be no English stories and very very few American ones either. So as long as there isn't a comma after every word then readability/punctuation is very low on the acceptance list.

HOLY CRAP!

for real?

surely somebody must check through? what about the age caveat? how would that be enforced?

 

[Daniellekitten]

I would say they would have to have somebody probably not reading every submission because that would be impossible, but hand picking a select few to go through. I've seen some slip through the age requirement but I think those get caught by others pretty quickly.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I would say they would have to have somebody probably not reading every submission because that would be impossible, but hand picking a select few to go through. I've seen some slip through the age requirement but I think those get caught by others pretty quickly.

i woulda thought some kind of filter perhaps? one that picks up keywords?