750 word project

[Lifestyle66]

My note says nothing other than "This story is part of the 750 Word Project 2022." I wanted to tip off readers that the story would be very short and they should adjust their expectations accordingly, since so many readers seem to dislike stories this short.

It doesn't seem to do much, frankly, because scores for these stories consistently are much lower than my average.

My story title last year was: "He Missed You – (750 Word Project)"

I still had one commenter say: "Appreciate that this is a 750 word story, but not for me. No characterisation, no explanation or background, not even good sex."



These are from the reading challenged. It's 750 words! What does he expect?

 

[YDB95]

Well, some 750 word stories are better than others. That's part of the challenge. I do, though, agree that expecting much background or characterisation is unrealistic in such a short work.

 

[jsmiam]

Mine just went live. I had put in my own tag of “750 word project” plus 9 of my own carefully chosen tags.

The last two of *mine* were replaced by “750 word project” and “750!word project 2022” leaving me with two tags that say “750 word project” and one “750 word project 2022” tag. Also, I mentioned “750 word project” in my authors note, and that became a hyperlink.

It’s hard to say whether it was completely computer altered or manual. Not everyone will have put “750 word project” in their author’s note.

Anyway, it’s published.

 

[SamScribble]

The reception for 750-word stories is generally so dismal that I wasn't going to bother this time. But then a reader downloaded three of my old ones and sent me a note saying that they made him smile. So I have submitted one - just to see if I can make him smile one more time.

 

[ElectricBlue]

The reception for 750-word stories is generally so dismal that I wasn't going to bother this time. But then a reader downloaded three of my old ones and sent me a note saying that they made him smile. So I have submitted one - just to see if I can make him smile one more time.

You're right, Sam, the usual response to the 750s is luke warm at best (they're definitely a "writer's exercise"), but some readers clearly have taste.

 

[SamScribble]

You're right, Sam, the usual response to the 750s is luke warm at best (they're definitely a "writer's exercise"), but some readers clearly have taste.

Yes, horses for courses I suspect, EB. I get the feeling that most Lit authors are aiming to give the reader an orgasm; I'm aiming to make the reader smile.

 

[SimonDoom]

I've submitted three stories to this event so far this month, and I've thoroughly enjoyed doing it.

One of the cool things about it is the return on effort. It took me 45 minutes to conceive, write, and submit my last 750-word story. It was published that same day (yesterday at 10 pm Pacific Standard Time).

The scores aren't great. By my usual standards, they suck, and they drag down my mean story score. But in terms of favorites and views and comments, they've done just fine, and some readers seem to appreciate the difficult exercise of writing a complete erotic story within 750 words. I've had some nice comments and I really appreciate them. The whole thing reinforces my longstanding position that scores are highly over-rated as a measure of success at Literotica (which is not to say that I don't like getting a high score, because I do).

It's a great exercise for a writer because it forces one to be as economical as possible with one's words. I highly recommend trying it, if you haven't.

 

[jsmiam]

…I had put in my own tag of “750 word project” plus 9 of my own carefully chosen tags.

My tags had three phases. First altered by the submission process to add two 750 word tags, then later my redundant/duplicate 750!word tag changed to “milf” also via not by me, then finally as a result for sending a pm request to Laurel, I swapped out less wanted tags to the two I initially lost and wanted more. All square now.

The reception for 750-word stories is generally so dismal that I wasn't going to bother this time. But then a reader downloaded three of my old ones and sent me a note saying that they made him smile. So I have submitted one - just to see if I can make him smile one more time.

You're right, Sam, the usual response to the 750s is luke warm at best (they're definitely a "writer's exercise"), but some readers clearly have taste.

I had reservations too. In the end I had an experimental story from the figurative cutting room floor and also experimental in no sex other than the main character realizing in the final sentence that they’re about to get lucky. I said if I’m going to be experimental, let me do it with only 750 words rather than investing more time and energy. It’s a good exercise for me and my tendency to get wordy.

Then there’s all the contractions and hyphenated words. Three words: It’s what it’s!

 

[shakna]

Whilst the votes are kinda abysmal compared to my usual scores, and I expected that, what I didn't expect was just how many new readers that it sent my way. There's a lot of people who glanced over these short tales I threw together in an afternoon, and then immediately went on to read a whole bunch of my others.

I haven't done the stats work to separate it from some other network effects, but at a glance, I'd say the four I submitted sent me somewhere around 40-60 new followers, which is kinda awesome.

 

[YDB95]

I posted one yesterday that took an approach I've never tried before: it ended just as the sex started. Anyone who prefers to imagine the sex on their own terms, or who is turned on more by the setting of the stage, ought to love it. Those who want all the graphics will hate it, but I tend to think my work in general is wrong for them anyway.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I posted one yesterday that took an approach I've never tried before: it ended just as the sex started. Anyone who prefers to imagine the sex on their own terms, or who is turned on more by the setting of the stage, ought to love it. Those who want all the graphics will hate it, but I tend to think my work in general is wrong for them anyway.

I like to end stories similarly. I may have complete sex scenes within the story. But endings might be like this ending to my Chapter 10 and epilogue to the entire series:

Jan opened her mouth wide, then said to June, "Try to shoot it in... And try not to miss. I don't want you messing up my make-up. We have a long evening ahead."

June looked at me as she stroked her husband. "Sit down and watch, Ted. You're going to need your strength when I'm done here."

Dinner could wait. It seemed the wives had other plans for the evening.
The End

 

[SimonDoom]

So, I just received a comment criticizing me for not exactly meeting the 750 word limit.

My story is 757 words. The extra seven are the note at the top indicating that the story is part of the 750 word project--added by the Site.

Oh, brother.

 

[DarkWhispers2U]

Us brave souls

Still recovering from injuries to my hands, I didn't really plan to participate in the 750 Word Project 2022. I did manage to throw something together, though it took me much longer to type out than I'd hoped. Damn, the efforts left my hands aching.

Not sure it was worth it or smart, especially with the story not likely to do well score/voting wise. *sigh* Think I just missed writing and the camaraderie of you talented folks.

Anyway, good luck to all of us. Perhaps after enough years, the readership will take the challenge for what it is meant to be and bestow more favorable scores.

Best wishes to all.

 

[KeithD]

Hadn't been following this contest. Now I've looked at it and whipped something up. Yes, it's a good exercise in being succinct.

 

[Djmac1031]

So, I just received a comment criticizing me for not exactly meeting the 750 word limit.

My story is 757 words. The extra seven are the note at the top indicating that the story is part of the 750 word project--added by the Site.

Oh, brother.

LOL. I didn't add the extra words indicating my story was part of the challenge because I thought that might disqualify it.

Tags were added after the fact, but I have no idea how easily it can be found by people looking specifically for 750 word stories. So I doubt I'll even be close to getting enough votes lol.

Oh well. Doesn't matter. I wasn't gonna get enough to win even if labeled properly anyway.

 

[Voboy]

Again, gang, it’s not a contest…

 

[Djmac1031]

Again, gang, it’s not a contest…

Really? I must be confused then. I thought it was.

Like I said, doesn't matter. If it was a contest, I wouldn't win lol.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Really? I must be confused then. I thought it was.

Like I said, doesn't matter. If it was a contest, I wouldn't win lol.

The 750 Word Challenge becomes an anthology collection only. No winners, no prizes, no competition. It was originally introduced as a challenge for authors, and has stuck around since. It's been running a few years now. Readers don't quite know what to think about the stories - many don't get it, at all.

 

[SimonDoom]

The 750 Word Challenge becomes an anthology collection only. No winners, no prizes, no competition. It was originally introduced as a challenge for authors, and has stuck around since. It's been running a few years now. Readers don't quite know what to think about the stories - many don't get it, at all.

I've published 6 of these stories--3 two years ago and 3 this year. None of them has come close to sniffing a 4.5 score. My stories have done just fine, though, in terms of favorites. Obviously, there are some readers that like these stories and appreciate them. But I also get plenty of comments to the effect that the story was too short and should have been longer, despite them knowing I couldn't do that and submit it for the event.

Readers aren't rational. They just like what they like and some of them are more than happy to let you know when they don't.

It's still worth it, though. Not only is it an interesting and worthwhile exercise in itself, but you get a decent return on investment, because it takes so little time to write a story of 750 words, and despite the lower-than-average scores there are plenty of readers who DO appreciate the stories.

 

[Omenainen]

Mine came out today! Also, it's the filthiest, most unique title I've ever came up with: Pussyberry Smoothie

At least right out the gates, with 13 votes, it's even hot! So now that I've seen H-badge on my 750 story, I guess I've seen it all

 

[DarkWhispers2U]

Mine came out today!... At least right out the gates, with 13 votes, it's even hot! So now that I've seen H-badge on my 750 story, I guess I've seen it all

Congrats.

I'm going to note that for at least a few hours today, my story has/had the red hot tag. Of course, I expect it to go away. Just enjoying the fact that I achieved it once in the three years of participating in the 750 Challenge.

 

[Omenainen]

Still hot with 24 votes!

Not much story in this one, though. But as I ended the world last year I thought I’d go for something happier.

 

[SamScribble]

Still hot with 24 votes!

Well done! May your fortune continue.

 

[stickygirl]

The 750 word critics are trolls who like to swap hands after page one

 

[Omenainen]

Still hot after 60 votes, though only barely. It appears one ceaseless sex scene is hotter than killing off most of humanity. Who would’ve thought?

Edit: enough puffing it up here and it has fallen under 4.5 It was fun while it lasted.