How many of the 10 types are here?

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Conveniently Numbered Lists maximize content engagement on the YouTube platform.

Not from me.

 

[Erozetta]

She didn't say they weren't talented writers, just that they are difficult to interact with, and they are when they are at these extremes.

1 & 2 are especially difficult to interact with as an author because they make you doubt your own ability to a point they can get you to stop writing. It can also be difficult to watch these types get their first cold dose of reality handed to them and crumble under pressure, because then what type of shot do you have?

Some of my favorite people fit these types in one way or another, it's not a diss on them, it's looking at their flaws and accepting them as a part of who they are.

The only issue that arises is when an author slides so far into the caricature "type" that they willfully ignore and vehemently denounce the idea that they could maybe, possibly be wrong about their stance within the type.

That and when one sees a mirror for the first time, they tend to not like the reflection cast back at them. Sometimes we need a reality check to remind us to be aware of our own flaws and maybe work on our sensitivity around those flaws. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging your own shortcomings as either a writer or a person.

"Yes, I'm reactive to criticism and should probably sit with that a bit to figure out what's at the root of that issue so I can be more open to the opinions and thoughts of others rather than taking them as a personal attack."

"Yeah, my expectations for myself and my work are likely going to result in severe disappointment and a deep depression when I actually put myself out there and the reaction isn't what I expected it to be. Perhaps I should consider the possibility that my work might be flawed in a way that I'm too close to see at the moment, just to temper my expectations so I don't crash out if I'm wrong."

"Oh, yeah, I do kinda do that, but it works for me, so whatever."

"Ooh, that's my friend to a T! I should prepare for the crash that's about to come for them and figure out how to be supportive and encouraging."

"Hah, that sounds just like my friend, they'll get a kick out of this list when they see themselves and laugh at what a dick they've been unintentionally."

Would all be valid reflections upon hearing this list.

A writer can have extremely refined talent and/or skill and still be an insufferable twat to be around because they hit one of these extremes and refuse to acknowledge any such flaw within themselves or their approach. Those aren't mutually exclusive.

Also, these are only an issue when these types attack other writers who aren't in their same category, particularly if those writers call out bad behavior for that person and the person refuses to acknowledge it as a problem by lashing out instead. This is especially true with 1, 2 & 10, as each of these types are capable of inflicting significant damage on other writers.

It's the same with the reader list. On its surface, it's meant to display an extreme side of things where the readership becomes somewhat toxic to be around.

I've had an experience with the "mentor" reader type that went from pleasant to deeply uncomfortable and somewhat scary right here in the AH shortly after I first joined Lit. The conversation went from pleasant skill sharing from an established writer to one just starting out and quickly turned into attacks on my abilities as a writer simply because I wouldn't do sexual roleplay with them. I would also argue that this is actually more of a problematic writer type than a reader type, as this makes the exchange predatory (I am established and know what I'm doing, you need me) rather than opportunistic (I know what readers are looking for, you could use my help to get ahead.)

But that was just what I took from the videos.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I don't know. To me, this is an example of how you see what you want to see. Where she sees "the worst types of authors," I see talented people who have all the same frailties, faults, ego-management problems, and insecurities as everyone else in every walk of life. Some of the very BEST authors of all time could with little difficulty be pegged into several of these categories, especially number 10. Nobody likes being criticized. Every artist and author has human flaws. I think we all can, and should, be forgiven for that.

Her video strikes me as a snark-pumped indulgence in caricature rather than a meaningful discussion of author "types," if there even is such a thing. Thinking the way she thinks seems icky to me.

If this is an indication of the way one thinks about one's fellow authors at Literotica, I think that's sad. I don't think of them that way at all.

This was a clearly humorous, tongue in cheek post, with some elements of truth. Of course no one is that simple or caricatural as to fit exactly under these types. This was meant to be funny but also a bit self-reflective. That's how I see it, at least.

And you're taking it too literally because I believe you're inferring a specific, negative intent based on who posted/commented.

 

[big_cane_sugar]

Hate to break it to the lady, she seems fun, but self-insertion is HOT

(I do it whenever I get a few minutes alone.)

 

[lovecraft68]

She didn't say they weren't talented writers, just that they are difficult to interact with, and they are when they are at these extremes.

1 & 2 are especially difficult to interact with as an author because they make you doubt your own ability to a point they can get you to stop writing. It can also be difficult to watch these types get their first cold dose of reality handed to them and crumble under pressure, because then what type of shot do you have?

Some of my favorite people fit these types in one way or another, it's not a diss on them, it's looking at their flaws and accepting them as a part of who they are.

The only issue that arises is when an author slides so far into the caricature "type" that they willfully ignore and vehemently denounce the idea that they could maybe, possibly be wrong about their stance within the type.

That and when one sees a mirror for the first time, they tend to not like the reflection cast back at them. Sometimes we need a reality check to remind us to be aware of our own flaws and maybe work on our sensitivity around those flaws. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging your own shortcomings as either a writer or a person.

"Yes, I'm reactive to criticism and should probably sit with that a bit to figure out what's at the root of that issue so I can be more open to the opinions and thoughts of others rather than taking them as a personal attack."

"Yeah, my expectations for myself and my work are likely going to result in severe disappointment and a deep depression when I actually put myself out there and the reaction isn't what I expected it to be. Perhaps I should consider the possibility that my work might be flawed in a way that I'm too close to see at the moment, just to temper my expectations so I don't crash out if I'm wrong."

"Oh, yeah, I do kinda do that, but it works for me, so whatever."

"Ooh, that's my friend to a T! I should prepare for the crash that's about to come for them and figure out how to be supportive and encouraging."

"Hah, that sounds just like my friend, they'll get a kick out of this list when they see themselves and laugh at what a dick they've been unintentionally."

Would all be valid reflections upon hearing this list.

A writer can have extremely refined talent and/or skill and still be an insufferable twat to be around because they hit one of these extremes and refuse to acknowledge any such flaw within themselves or their approach. Those aren't mutually exclusive.

Also, these are only an issue when these types attack other writers who aren't in their same category, particularly if those writers call out bad behavior for that person and the person refuses to acknowledge it as a problem by lashing out instead. This is especially true with 1, 2 & 10, as each of these types are capable of inflicting significant damage on other writers.

It's the same with the reader list. On its surface, it's meant to display an extreme side of things where the readership becomes somewhat toxic to be around.

I've had an experience with the "mentor" reader type that went from pleasant to deeply uncomfortable and somewhat scary right here in the AH shortly after I first joined Lit. The conversation went from pleasant skill sharing from an established writer to one just starting out and quickly turned into attacks on my abilities as a writer simply because I wouldn't do sexual roleplay with them. I would also argue that this is actually more of a problematic writer type than a reader type, as this makes the exchange predatory (I am established and know what I'm doing, you need me) rather than opportunistic (I know what readers are looking for, you could use my help to get ahead.)

But that was just what I took from the videos.

Thank you for explaining this-and the true intent because as you called out there is no "these people are bad writers' just bad personalities/traits-for anyone offended by this (only one so far)

The beta reader in the 10 worst readers can be the most dangerous, they go from making some polite suggestions to at times being insulting and trying to shame your work. I think new authors need to be very careful with who they use. You don't want someone who will tell you everything is perfect (although many here want that) but you need someone who can respect you, your work, and be able to dole out valid criticism and make suggestions if a friendly and professional way. I know someone who stopped writing thanks to an asshole who just shredded their work and then took it to a personal level.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I don't know. To me, this is an example of how you see what you want to see. Where she sees "the worst types of authors," I see talented people who have all the same frailties, faults, ego-management problems, and insecurities as everyone else in every walk of life. Some of the very BEST authors of all time could with little difficulty be pegged into several of these categories, especially number 10. Nobody likes being criticized. Every artist and author has human flaws. I think we all can, and should, be forgiven for that.

Her video strikes me as a snark-pumped indulgence in caricature rather than a meaningful discussion of author "types," if there even is such a thing. Thinking the way she thinks seems icky to me.

If this is an indication of the way one thinks about one's fellow authors at Literotica, I think that's sad. I don't think of them that way at all.

I find her voice annoying. Which begs the question, who else is grateful that AH posts are not audible?

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I find her voice annoying

Wouldn't know. I never click 'Tube links.

 

[lovecraft68]

I find her voice annoying. Which begs the question, who else is grateful that AH posts are not audible

I have a feeling she plays that voice up a bit for some reason (Not sure why). I caught part of a workshop she did once, and she was more toned down.

I have an old thread here with a link to a radio interview I did. I don't care for my voice so people can feel free to go find it and make fun of me.

 

[crookedletter]

I've definitely come across many of these. Happily I will say, though, that the sum total of all 10 types in my experience has been a small minority. Or maybe I'm just good at ignoring annoying people. But most writers I know are almost comically self conscious about slipping into one of these pitfalls. And as a result are generally lovely people.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

Guys, you misunderstand. The issue is not the video. The issue is the medium is the message. If I see this video in a place like the Writing About Writing Facebook page, which is a meme page 98% of the times, I would be fine about it. However, this is Author's Hangout, and can be pretty much treated as a species of IT support for writers. There's already enough people posing questions in the first page at this moment.

I don't doubt that the video is tongue-in-cheek, but the reason I quoted my own post is because this is one of those threads in which due to Poe's law, I can't tell whether you mean this for real, or you're being ironic, and I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way.

 

[lovecraft68]

Guys, you misunderstand. The issue is not the video. The issue is the medium is the message. If I see this video in a place like the Writing About Writing Facebook page, which is a meme page 98% of the times, I would be fine about it. However, this is Author's Hangout, and can be pretty much treated as a species of IT support for writers. There's already enough people posing questions in the first page at this moment.

I don't doubt that the video is tongue-in-cheek, but the reason I quoted my own post is because this is one of those threads in which due to Poe's law, I can't tell whether you mean this for real, or you're being ironic, and I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way.

What do we say here all the time about writing as far as good/bad liked it/didn't? Its subjective. You and I read the same story and we could have very different opinions on said story. Which one of us is right? We both are because we're speaking for ourselves.

That's what we have here. How do you interpret the video? True, a valid warning that these are some of the types you'll deal with over time, parody? Insulting, helpful?

It means what you feel it means to you and some might feel the same way, some don't and none of you are wrong.

But just like what we deal with all the time in an increasingly triggered and sensitive society, someone should not be afraid to post something simply because no matter what it is someone is going to take it the wrong way and the answer isn't to say "That has no right here" the answer is you didn't like it, and that's fine, but others are getting something out of it.

I'm a proponent of the "I'm leaving this on your doorstep, enjoy it or throw it out, its up to you."

 

[Erozetta]

I find her voice annoying. Which begs the question, who else is grateful that AH posts are not audible?

My voice is up for people to judge as freely as they like here in the audio section and on my podcast. (I think it's worse than hers, so *shrug*)

 

[lovecraft68]

Let's take this out of Lit.

For three years I was a member of ARIA (association of RI authors) we met in person, we did events together, networking etc.

Anything you see here in behavior that you feel is negative, multiply it by ten. Many of these folks were supportive friendly and although they took their writing seriously, they didn't have an inflated opinion of it or themselves, but more than a few did and they were insufferable and to the point they could-whether intentionally or not-damage a new inexperienced author or someone who has thinner skin- and every type in this video was on full display.

To me, that's what this is, a disclaimer/warning that you will meet these people and have to deal with them to some extent.

Anyone who feels this is a direct shot at you? The question is, is it? If you feel it is then maybe you're one of these types.

Do you not see yourself as any of these types? Then that's great, you're probably not.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

My voice is up for people to judge as freely as they like here in the audio section and on my podcast. (I think it's worse than hers, so *shrug*)

Let me explain my voice this way...

When I first started school, we all had to start the day by singing the national anthem. After the first day, the teacher told me to just lip sync.

Things haven't improved with age.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Let's take this out of Lit.

For three years I was a member of ARIA (association of RI authors) we met in person, we did events together, networking etc.

Anything you see here in behavior that you feel is negative, multiply it by ten. Many of these folks were supportive friendly and although they took their writing seriously, they didn't have an inflated opinion of it or themselves, but more than a few did and they were insufferable and to the point they could-whether intentionally or not-damage a new inexperienced author or someone who has thinner skin- and every type in this video was on full display.

To me, that's what this is, a disclaimer/warning that you will meet these people and have to deal with them to some extent.

Anyone who feels this is a direct shot at you? The question is, is it? If you feel it is then maybe you're one of these types.

Do you not see yourself as any of these types? Then that's great, you're probably not.

I agree.

In the reader video she mentions the Alliance of Independent Authors, which is one of the several associations that I belong to. While my interactions with the other members is predominantly online, their "traits" are obvious.

Even at local book festivals and author workshops, you are almost certainly guaranteed to run into more than one of the writer types she listed.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

My voice is up for people to judge as freely as they like here in the audio section and on my podcast. (I think it's worse than hers, so *shrug*)

I didn't know you did audio. Do you use any processing/altering for your voice? I ask because even if I had such tendencies, I would never dream of using my voice out of fear of being recognized. I think that's healthy paranoia.

I checked out a few of your audios now, and if that's your actual voice, then I've no idea why you'd feel insecure about it. As a musician, I've often had a chance to hear the recording of my voice, and yeah, our voices always sound different and weird to us. But to be honest, yours sounds great. I don't know how you are at singing , but for this particular purpose, I think it's excellent. Soft and sensual, and it also feels like it belongs to a young person.

 

[AG31]

I was hoping someone would write out that list. I know there's no way I could remember 10 points once the video finished and I was facing a piece of virtual paper. I need to be able to flip back and forth.

 

[MillieDynamite]

That's just fine with me, don't want to see him (especially not with cum squirting), read him, argue with him, be insulted by him, or be forced to kill him because of his toxic obnoxiousness!

You'll never see him coming.

 

[lovecraft68]

I agree.

In the reader video she mentions the Alliance of Independent Authors, which is one of the several associations that I belong to. While my interactions with the other members is predominantly online, their "traits" are obvious.

Even at local book festivals and author workshops, you are almost certainly guaranteed to run into more than one of the writer types she listed.

One year a dozen of us were doing Comic con together six tables, you shared a table with another author so only paid half, and we got a discounted rate. I initially signed on, then saw some of the other people I'd be forced to spend and entire weekend with and backed out. I got my own table and paid full price, but well worth it. I'd have lost my mind sitting in the middle of that group.

Better off anyway, because I'm sure you've done similar things and if you're not one of the people at a table that's first up when shoppers come around the corner, odds are people spend their money before they get to you.

 

[old_prof]

I think a common form here, and to me the most annoying, is our own flavors of genre elitist. Some who see no need for anything beyond their own category -- I find incest and LW authors to do this more than any other. And the ones who claim you have to have at least x amount of sex in your story. Yesterday someone said (and I won't quote pull it here for their anonymity) "Why would you even publish it if it only had two sex acts in the whole story?"

One of the positives of this site is the size of the reader community and its diversity. Some people want to read strokers. Some people want to read explicit romances. Some people want to read emotional stories that have minimal sex. We each have our own kinks. So do our readers. One is not better than the others. (I and many others have preferences and distastes but in the global picture, those don't matter).

I write some sex driven stories -- my NEY party WIP is most a large orgy -- but most of my stories aren't. I view this site as an opportunity to write stories that don't have to fade to black. Sex is a big part of the human experience and we should be able to treat it as such in our writing. That does not mean it's the only way to write.

 

[lovecraft68]

I think a common form here, and to me the most annoying, is our own flavors of genre elitist. Some who see no need for anything beyond their own category -- I find incest and LW authors to do this more than any other. And the ones who claim you have to have at least x amount of sex in your story. Yesterday someone said (and I won't quote pull it here for their anonymity) "Why would you even publish it if it only had two sex acts in the whole story?"

One of the positives of this site is the size of the reader community and its diversity. Some people want to read strokers. Some people want to read explicit romances. Some people want to read emotional stories that have minimal sex. We each have our own kinks. So do our readers. One is not better than the others. (I and many others have preferences and distastes but in the global picture, those don't matter).

I write some sex driven stories -- my NEY party WIP is most a large orgy -- but most of my stories aren't. I view this site as an opportunity to write stories that don't have to fade to black. Sex is a big part of the human experience and we should be able to treat it as such in our writing. That does not mean it's the only way to write.

There's a lot of that in different ways here. I have a lot of stories that go 6-8 lit pages with one scene at the end. I have others that are sex fests. The only thing that matters is you're writing it the way you want and not being pressured by readers or other authors to do what they want over what you want.

I'll vent a form of elitism that myself and others deal with, the infamous:

"Anyone can write incest, people only write incest because it's easy and they want numbers, the readers there are just low hanging fruit, I'm too good to write there...but inevitably, they do it because they want the numbers, then they suck at it and cry.

On another note, I keep confusing your AV with mine when I go through a thread. "Wait, did I say that? Oh, no, I didn't."

 

[old_prof]

I'll vent a form of elitism that myself and others deal with, the infamous:

"Anyone can write incest, people only write incest because it's easy and they want numbers, the readers there are just low hanging fruit, I'm too good to write there...but inevitably, they do it because they want the numbers, then they suck at it and cry.

I'll admit to more than a bit of that bias, but I did spend 4 hours tops on a story that got 100K views and 2K votes in T/I. I'm pretty sure I could crank those our two a day and get a million views a week pretty easily. I won't write another one though. I just didn't say that before I tried. And I don't think I'm a particularly talented writer. If others want to chase that, that's up to them.

But I can't count the number of times I've been told by T/I writers in this forum that romance stories are garbage and don't belong here.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Wow, I know a writer who writes both, and sells more of the romancey ones than somewhat foreful ones. In the end, though, all parties enjoy what's happening.

I'll admit to more than a bit of that bias, but I did spend 4 hours tops on a story that got 100K views and 2K votes in T/I. I'm pretty sure I could crank those our two a day and get a million views a week pretty easily. I won't write another one though. I just didn't say that before I tried. And I don't think I'm a particularly talented writer. If others want to chase that, that's up to them.

But I can't count the number of times I've been told by T/I writers in this forum that romance stories are garbage and don't belong here.

 

[Erozetta]

I didn't know you did audio. Do you use any processing/altering for your voice? I ask because even if I had such tendencies, I would never dream of using my voice out of fear of being recognized. I think that's healthy paranoia.

I checked out a few of your audios now, and if that's your actual voice, then I've no idea why you'd feel insecure about it. As a musician, I've often had a chance to hear the recording of my voice, and yeah, our voices always sound different and weird to us. But to be honest, yours sounds great. I don't know how you are at singing , but for this particular purpose, I think it's excellent. Soft and sensual, and it also feels like it belongs to a young person.

I have figured out how to remove the long pauses and me telling myself "Nope, that's not what that says." Beyond that, nope, it's fully my voice.

My singing is like a fine wine poured over rotting eggs. (Seriously, I cannot hold a tune to save my life. I lip synced my way through three years of choir.) But I will still belt Bohemian Rhapsody in the car by myself, it is a requirement.

Also, that "young person" comment.... Yeah, that seems to be the consensus, lol.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Yeah, we had some arguments in these threads before about stories that focus on plot and characters vs stroke stories, long vs short, etc. But keep in mind that we are all essentially writing the same genre - smut. I can only imagine what would happen if we wrote all the different mainstream genres here, too.

But again, that's not all necessarily bad. There will be insightful arguments among all the noise. The same as here, I imagine it's mostly new writers who might find such arguments discouraging and intimidating.