Author preface to story: when, if ever, should I write one?

[alohadave]

The story status in my dashboard is Published, with a date of 1/30/2025. Since I didn't find anything in the FAQs on this, I'll ask here. My interpretation is that it's been approved and will drop on the 30th. Is that accurate?

Correct.

 

[MillieDynamite]

With me, it is just admitting the truth.

If a master bullshitter says (s)he's bullshitting, is that also bullshit?

 

[gunhilltrain]

Forewords are okay if short. Anything longer than a paragraph becomes a potential irritation. I use them for content warnings and acknowledgements, mainly.

Usually what I put in forewords are links to the previous story in a series, a link to a prequel (or sequel), or some story that has the same characters in a different situation. The tags should take care of the content issues.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Tags? We ain't got no tages. We don't need no tages. I don't have to show you any Stinkin' tages! You god-damned cabrón and chinga tu madre!

Usually what I put in forewords are links to the previous story in a series, a link to a prequel (or sequel), or some story that has the same characters in a different situation. The tags should take care of the content issues.

 

[SomaSlave]

I added minimal tags to this story because the primary tag would have given away a major twist in the story. However, to satisfy MillyDynamite, #sierramadre.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I quoted the book, not the movie. It's a little more colorful.

I added minimal tags to this story because the primary tag would have given away a major twist in the story. However, to satisfy MillyDynamite, #sierramadre.

 

[SomaSlave]

I quoted the book, not the movie. It's a little more colorful.

I was wondering about those lasts two sentences. I don't remember them being in the movie. I'll have to add the book to my list. It may wind up as an obscure cultural reference in one of my stories.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Bastard motherfucker is how it translates, or at least that is the meaning. "bastard and fuck your mother!" is the literal one.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I added minimal tags to this story because the primary tag would have given away a major twist in the story. However, to satisfy MillyDynamite, #sierramadre.

I picked a category once to hide a plot twist. Do I need a spoiler alert for my own stories? SPOILER ALERT!!!

Actually, it's pretty obvious from near the beginning what is going on, but I decided to not to use the Non-Human category. I've gotten a lot of mileage over the years from my own college. It always struck me that the South Campus of City College was once a Catholic women's school. The contrast between the later 1970s weirdness and the pious predecessor is often mentioned by characters in the stories.

https://classic.literotica.com/s/amelia-of-finley-hall

 

[SomaSlave]

Bastard motherfucker is how it translates, or at least that is the meaning. "bastard and fuck your mother!" is the literal one.

Sounds like a LIterotica story title.

 

[Britva415]

It sounds like you're talking about a preface which is in fact part of the story.

A preamble would be categorised as a description, would it not?

I'm going to take your question in good faith and inform you about: how there's a "description" field when you enter the publishing stuff into the story form. Right near the title and tags fields.

The actual rules say you can put "true story" in the story content, but not in the fields I named, including the description field.

I brought the receipts:
https://www.literotica.com/resources/content-guidelines

A preamble could go into the description field, but not much of one, as it's limited to something like 70 characters. But yeah, if someone did that, then, they couldn't put "true story" in their short-ass preamble.

 

[AlinaX]

The preface is not part of the story, although you can argue it's technically part of the story content on Lit. The fundamental difference here is whether the author is claiming it's a true story, or the narrator is claiming it.

 

[MillieDynamite]

This is a true story. Only the names have been changed to protect our asses from lawsuits.

 

[SomaSlave]

My story dropped this morning, sans preface. If you'd like to see what all the fuss was about, you can look here. I hope it's not anticlimactic.

 

[Britva415]

I added minimal tags to this story because the primary tag would have given away a major twist in the story. However, to satisfy MillyDynamite, #sierramadre.

The fundamental difference here is whether the author is claiming it's a true story, or the narrator is claiming it

All I know is what the rule says. It doesn’t make this distinction. Does this info come from someplace citeable?

 

[AlinaX]

You may be right about the rules, but the distinction stands.

 

[AlexBailey]

I added minimal tags to this story because the primary tag would have given away a major twist in the story. However, to satisfy MillyDynamite, #sierramadre.

Tags are the site’s keyword search function. Limiting your tags limits one of the best ways for readers to find the stories they are interested in.

Categories limit search results - tags are what readers search for.

You cannot select tags to eliminate unwanted tags from search results.


A screenshot of Google results for Literotica:



.

 

[SomaSlave]

The story finally dropped. We'll see how folks respond to it.

 

[FidelityBoss]

After a long, dry spell, I'm plunging back into the world of erotic writing with a series based on actual events. I've tried to keep the characters as true to life as possible while embellishing enough to make people want to read it. I'm concerned that the people are offbeat enough that they'll be viewed as either caricatures or bad writing (I'd settle for the first). Is it advisable to provide a setup of sorts, or just let the events unfold? Those who have read my previous works know I believe in letting characters reveal themselves in all their messed up glory by their own words and actions rather than the reader being told why things are happening the way they are. Here's the introduction I'm considering. Feel free to be brutally honest in your assessment of it. Thanks in advance.

Author’s note: Consider this series a docudrama: the main characters are real and, hence, complex and messed up people. I’ve taken dramatic license, which will grow in subsequent episodes, but, if their behavior seems unbelievable…let’s just say I know at least one of them very well.

Love the idea of a docudrama-style series! The author’s note is a great touch, it sets the tone and prepares readers for the offbeat, real-life complexity of the characters. Letting them reveal themselves through actions and dialogue is a smart move; it keeps things organic and engaging. If the characters feel authentic, readers will be hooked, quirks and all. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds!