The 7th Annual Literotica Awards Discussion Thread

[Guest]

The debate on "Is it porn" or "Is it erotica" will always be there. It is whatever the reader and the author decide. . . I write erotica 99.9% of the time and I have written three "porns" .

I like to think that I write good stories that have an abnormal amount of sex in them...actually half my stories don't contain that much sex at all...now that I think of it.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I like to think that I write good stories that have an abnormal amount of sex in them...actually half my stories don't contain that much sex at all...now that I think of it.

I think you write great stories. I like to think I do to. I like to develop my characters. I also like to work with characters that I give a history too prior to the story, married couples, long time friends. . .etc. I just love to write. If there is a lot of sex, then it is because the story flowed that way, if there is more dialog and detail then sex, then again, it is because the story flowed that way.

 

[asian_princess]

I would like to thank selenakittyn without whom i would not even have known that such a contest existed

excuse me, must be off...*goes off searching for the buttons that say..."porn? gimme gimme!"*

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I would like to thank selenakittyn without whom i would not even have known that such a contest existed

that's ok, I didn't know I was nominated for anything either until I started voting! lol
good luck, princess!

 

[Guest]

I think you write great stories. I like to think I do to. I like to develop my characters. I also like to work with characters that I give a history too prior to the story, married couples, long time friends. . .etc. I just love to write. If there is a lot of sex, then it is because the story flowed that way, if there is more dialog and detail then sex, then again, it is because the story flowed that way.

You know, you keep this up, my head is going to swell terribly.

It's amazing though, that feeling when a storyline just seems to flow right out of you, pages written without thought, words flying onto the page as if you didn't write them you'd burst. It's an almost orgasmic feeling, the stimulus of knowing your just wrote something and it was good.

But when it doesn't flow, when you sit and feel like every word is forced out of you, that's one of the worst feelings in the world. Reminds me of kidney stones...

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

You know, you keep this up, my head is going to swell terribly.

It's amazing though, that feeling when a storyline just seems to flow right out of you, pages written without thought, words flying onto the page as if you didn't write them you'd burst. It's an almost orgasmic feeling, the stimulus of knowing your just wrote something and it was good.

But when it doesn't flow, when you sit and feel like every word is forced out of you, that's one of the worst feelings in the world. Reminds me of kidney stones...

I hear I'm good at making heads swell.

I agree with you though. If the story isn't flowing. I stop and leave it.

 

[Guest]

I hear I'm good at making heads swell.

I agree with you though. If the story isn't flowing. I stop and leave it.

I wish I could. There's just something really really stubborn about me that refuses to leave it alone if it's trying to kick my butt. I'll sit and stare at the screen for an hour then usually it'll start flowing. I've only had one story that has defeated me and it's the story my mother most wants me to finish, something I started I'm calling The Island. I know original, huh?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I wish I could. There's just something really really stubborn about me that refuses to leave it alone if it's trying to kick my butt. I'll sit and stare at the screen for an hour then usually it'll start flowing. I've only had one story that has defeated me and it's the story my mother most wants me to finish, something I started I'm calling The Island. I know original, huh?

Fairy Tale Fantasy: White's Story was my hardest. It took 4 attempts, before I was satisfied. I had over 30,000 words down and pitched it all because it was feeling forced. Then I took a breather and started again. Finally I was happy.


The Island. . .sounds. . . mysterious.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

You should have been up there for a few different cats, Bri. And I'd have voted for you also. Your Montana Summer series is a winner all on its own.

Thanks Danielle, from you that means more than winning any contest.

Montana Summer...did I luck out with that one or what...

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I for one am glad Lit took 54 votes off one of my stories in one hit a month or so ago (after it was a January winner), further reducing it's score AND failed to remove bombs from either of my monthly winners for the last six months.

At least they saved me an email withdrawing from the contest.

And I don't need another crappy pen or poorly photocopied certificate anyway.

To the winners, enjoy your spoils.

Just take a second to ask yourself why ALL the monthly winners don't get the opportunity to be voted for again. It's a hollow victory.

SN

Rather than ask myself why the contest is run as it is, I fnd myself asking why someone who loudly proclaims he would have withdrawn had he been nominated can't resist the opportunity to try and lessen the fairly innocent enthusiasm and joy of those who did get nominated.

It sounds very much like sour grapes to me. I can't win, so I'm going to deride those who can by proclaiming their victory is hollow. Even before they have an opportunity to actually enjoy winning.

If you are so confident in your abilities that a "crappy pen" means nothing to you, more power to you. Why try and tarnish the enjoyment of those who might find such a token to be wonderful? A validation of their growing skill and fan support? Something tangible, that they can take pride in owning, not because it's so worthwhile in and of itself, but because it represents appreciation for their time and effort.

For my part, the nomination of one of my works is extremely gratifying. Actually wining would be even more so, but losing to people of the caliber I am up against holds no shame. I lost to Lucky last year, and took great pleasure in her winning and the recognition that came with it.

It seems to me very small, and petty and mean, to announce the contest is a crock and those who win have a hollow victory. Even if you truly believe that, there was no call for announcing it.

My congratulations to all the nominees. I do wish you all the best of luck, even those who are nominated in the same cat I am. I hope you all enjoy the same kind of pleasure I get from being nominated. It's a rush and a thrill and it is validation for me, to me.

My "crappy pen" still works by the way, and it writes all the more beautifuly because I am reminded of how I came to own it, everytime I use it.

 

[Caroline Covington]

Congratulations

Congratulations to all of the finalists in all of the categories: Well done! Getting this far is a wonderful achievement. Good luck to everyone.

Caroline

 

[Guest]

Thanks Danielle, from you that means more than winning any contest.

Montana Summer...did I luck out with that one or what...

Brian, luck would have been it doing well with the first chapter. With each consequetive chapter, it gets better and better. That's not luck, that's talent. And the other work that you have done has been well written, interesting and erotic, you have talent, now you just have to know it.

 

[Guest]

Rather than ask myself why the contest is run as it is, I fnd myself asking why someone who loudly proclaims he would have withdrawn had he been nominated can't resist the opportunity to try and lessen the fairly innocent enthusiasm and joy of those who did get nominated.

It sounds very much like sour grapes to me. I can't win, so I'm going to deride those who can by proclaiming their victory is hollow. Even before they have an opportunity to actually enjoy winning.

If you are so confident in your abilities that a "crappy pen" means nothing to you, more power to you. Why try and tarnish the enjoyment of those who might find such a token to be wonderful? A validation of their growing skill and fan support? Something tangible, that they can take pride in owning, not because it's so worthwhile in and of itself, but because it represents appreciation for their time and effort.

For my part, the nomination of one of my works is extremely gratifying. Actually wining would be even more so, but losing to people of the caliber I am up against holds no shame. I lost to Lucky last year, and took great pleasure in her winning and the recognition that came with it.

It seems to me very small, and petty and mean, to announce the contest is a crock and those who win have a hollow victory. Even if you truly believe that, there was no call for announcing it.

My congratulations to all the nominees. I do wish you all the best of luck, even those who are nominated in the same cat I am. I hope you all enjoy the same kind of pleasure I get from being nominated. It's a rush and a thrill and it is validation for me, to me.

My "crappy pen" still works by the way, and it writes all the more beautifuly because I am reminded of how I came to own it, everytime I use it.

Amen

 

[Mad Lews]

Uhm Wow

Deeply honored are we to be placed in this esteemed company.
My grateful thanks to those who nominated me whoever you are
I'd like to thank me Mum and Da for the....
Oh wait that's for the acceptance speech
I need to beat out four real writers to get there
Never Mind
Mad (and )Lews

 

[minsue]

Rather than ask myself why the contest is run as it is, I fnd myself asking why someone who loudly proclaims he would have withdrawn had he been nominated can't resist the opportunity to try and lessen the fairly innocent enthusiasm and joy of those who did get nominated.

It sounds very much like sour grapes to me. I can't win, so I'm going to deride those who can by proclaiming their victory is hollow. Even before they have an opportunity to actually enjoy winning.

If you are so confident in your abilities that a "crappy pen" means nothing to you, more power to you. Why try and tarnish the enjoyment of those who might find such a token to be wonderful? A validation of their growing skill and fan support? Something tangible, that they can take pride in owning, not because it's so worthwhile in and of itself, but because it represents appreciation for their time and effort.

For my part, the nomination of one of my works is extremely gratifying. Actually wining would be even more so, but losing to people of the caliber I am up against holds no shame. I lost to Lucky last year, and took great pleasure in her winning and the recognition that came with it.

It seems to me very small, and petty and mean, to announce the contest is a crock and those who win have a hollow victory. Even if you truly believe that, there was no call for announcing it.

My congratulations to all the nominees. I do wish you all the best of luck, even those who are nominated in the same cat I am. I hope you all enjoy the same kind of pleasure I get from being nominated. It's a rush and a thrill and it is validation for me, to me.

My "crappy pen" still works by the way, and it writes all the more beautifuly because I am reminded of how I came to own it, everytime I use it.

Hear, hear!

Well said, beautiful.

 

[elsol]

What is this crappy pen people keep talking about?

Do we get prizes?

A crappy pen maybe?

Well... do we?

I've always wanted a crappy pen... is it the kind that blows up in your pocket? Is it the kind that you have to roll in your hands to get the ink to flow?

Is it a Bic? (Or is that a razor).

If I get a crappy pen then I want everyone to vote for my story... "A Master's Ring" (Uh... okay it's not nominated but for next year... oh, yeah... this story won't be eligible next year... I guess I have to finish book 4 before the end of the year then.)

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[Guest]

What is this crappy pen people keep talking about?

Do we get prizes?

A crappy pen maybe?

Well... do we?

I've always wanted a crappy pen... is it the kind that blows up in your pocket? Is it the kind that you have to roll in your hands to get the ink to flow?

Is it a Bic? (Or is that a razor).

If I get a crappy pen then I want everyone to vote for my story... "A Master's Ring" (Uh... okay it's not nominated but for next year... oh, yeah... this story won't be eligible next year... I guess I have to finish book 4 before the end of the year then.)

Sincerely,
ElSol

You do that and I promise to vote for you.

Everyone deserves one crappy pen in their life.

 

[Sir_Nathan]

It sounds very much like sour grapes to me. I can't win, so I'm going to deride those who can by proclaiming their victory is hollow. Even before they have an opportunity to actually enjoy winning.

It seems to me that only ElSol 'got' my comment.

I think you misunderstood me, Colleen. I've already won a crappy pen lol. Last year. And that victory now seems hollow, and the reason is that I don't know whether I deserved it. How many other authors have been treated as I have, through deliberate manipulation of the votes/scores of their stories?

I can't say with any confidence that I should have won last year.

Yeah, I'm expressing my anger at Lit, but its not directed at the authors who have qualified and the wonderful journeys they take us on. You all deserve to be nominated.

What I'm saying is, who else might 'also' have deserved it, but by the power vested in the webmasters of Lit, their stories haven't even had the chance to let the jury decide?

I'm absolutely certain that if any of you had been through what I have, you would be up in arms.

So yeah, I'm having my final bitch about Lit. I'm quite willing to let this go as I've already had my rant. If you guys all ignore me, I'll go away lol. It was Colleen's direct comment 'to' me, ie. "If you are so confident in your abilities that a "crappy pen" means nothing to you, more power to you," which drew this response in return.

Once again, as I said in my follow up message, good luck to all the nominees. You are all wonderful artists, and you don't need a crappy pen or a poorly photocopied certificate to 'feel' successful. You are amazing already.

SN

 

[drksideofthemoon]

What is this crappy pen people keep talking about?

Do we get prizes?

A crappy pen maybe?

Well... do we?

I've always wanted a crappy pen... is it the kind that blows up in your pocket? Is it the kind that you have to roll in your hands to get the ink to flow?

Is it a Bic? (Or is that a razor).

If I get a crappy pen then I want everyone to vote for my story... "A Master's Ring" (Uh... okay it's not nominated but for next year... oh, yeah... this story won't be eligible next year... I guess I have to finish book 4 before the end of the year then.)

Sincerely,
ElSol

You never know, it could be the Spell-O-Matic 4000, with the built in spell checker...spell a word wrong and gives you a zap! LOL!

 

[Guest]

It seems to me that only ElSol 'got' my comment.

I think you misunderstood me, Colleen. I've already won a crappy pen lol. Last year. And that victory now seems hollow, and the reason is that I don't know whether I deserved it. How many other authors have been treated as I have, through deliberate manipulation of the votes/scores of their stories?

I can't say with any confidence that I should have won last year.

Yeah, I'm expressing my anger at Lit, but its not directed at the authors who have qualified and the wonderful journeys they take us on. You all deserve to be nominated.

What I'm saying is, who else might 'also' have deserved it, but by the power vested in the webmasters of Lit, their stories haven't even had the chance to let the jury decide?

I'm absolutely certain that if any of you had been through what I have, you would be up in arms.

So yeah, I'm having my final bitch about Lit. I'm quite willing to let this go as I've already had my rant. If you guys all ignore me, I'll go away lol. It was Colleen's direct comment 'to' me, ie. "If you are so confident in your abilities that a "crappy pen" means nothing to you, more power to you," which drew this response in return.

Once again, as I said in my follow up message, good luck to all the nominees. You are all wonderful artists, and you don't need a crappy pen or a poorly photocopied certificate to 'feel' successful. You are amazing already.

SN

I've heard so many negative things about the "webmasters of Lit" but have never actually experienced anything that deserved that negativity. Maybe I've been lucky, I don't know.

I've had contest stories that one day had 108 votes and the next day only had 65 and had gone down a little in the rating. I realize that is due to voters who go a little whacko on the vote button and give me four or five good scores in a row. Those votes get taken away, it's only fair. I guess I don't understand why people get so upset about it. Readers showing appreciation is a good thing even if they don't understand the way the voting works through Literotica.

I've had mostly good experiences with Literotica which will make it very sad for me when I do leave. I have met a lot of wonderful writers and readers through this website which I happened upon by accident. I think my writing has improved one hundred percent due to all the feedback comments and some wonderful authors who took pity on the newbie and took her under wing. And I met my editor which was the best thing that ever happened to me.

The few negative aspects have been far outweighed by the good. I hope, elsol, that you can look back and see some good as well.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

I read Sir Nathan`s words, and I am not sure what it is exactly that he wants from Lit.

To receive a pen, be it described as crappy or not, in appreciation of your talent, is surely something to be proud of, Especially as it comes indirectly from your peers, your fellow writers. Might I remind SN, that

"Big trees from little acorns grow"

In other words, we all have to start somewhere, and who knows how many budding Henry Miller`s there may be on lit?

And if there are, and the lit awards set them on their way to glory, then, the whole process becomes justified, and very worthwhile, IMHO.

I write a little, nowhere near as skillfully as the nominees, but I do appreciate the effort, and it really is effort, that goes into this work.

To everyone who was nominated I say

CONGRATULATIONS, and very well done, you have every reason to be proud of yourself.

*OK, gets off his soap box and slips away*

 

[didijune48]

A bit embarassed but realy honoured!

Just found out by a friend PM that I was in the nominees for the French Language Story!

That was my first ever story so I feel a bit embarrased but deeply honoured
There is a lot of very good writers in the French section of Lit.

Congratulations to the other French nominees and to all the nominees in all the categories!

I know there is people in the English section of Lit that reads the French stories. So I would like to thank everyone who have made that possible for me!

Winning or not, just to be in the nominees means a lot to me! That is a wonderfull way to encourage people to write more!

Thank you again, Didi

 

[BlackShanglan]

I would like to *sob* thank Sir Nathan...

For a second there, I almost lost my head.

Ordered a Vera Wang gown... started writing my acceptance speech... called my mom....

I'm so grateful he reminded me it's just porn.

Sincerely,
ElSol

Please tell us you're keeping the gown.

Enquiring minds want to see photos.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I'm absolutely certain that if any of you had been through what I have, you would be up in arms.

In that certainty you are most assuredly incorrect.

 

[Sir_Nathan]

I'm absolutely certain that if any of you had been through what I have, you would be up in arms.

In that certainty you are most assuredly incorrect.

Um, in the interest of brevity, I haven't LISTED all the problems I've had with Lit over the years, and nor have I gone into much detail over the 'straw that broke the camel's back'. So, BlackShanglan, your comment is staggering, and seems designed purely to elicit a response.

I'm pleased to oblige!

Also, thank you Daniellekitten for your patient explanation, but I beg to differ on one small point... You said, "I've had contest stories that one day had 108 votes and the next day only had 65 and had gone down a little in the rating. I realize that is due to voters who go a little whacko on the vote button and give me four or five good scores in a row. Those votes get taken away, it's only fair. I guess I don't understand why people get so upset about it."

I have no argument with that. I've been here since 2002. I know the score.

The difference is this: The story I was referring to was a JANUARY monthly winner. That's January, 2005. It's had the opportunity for regular monthly cleanout of bombs, both good and bad, for 12 months! And its score WAS altered accordingly until six months ago. Since then, only GOOD bombs have been removed. No bad bombs. The score worked it's way down from 4.79 to 4.75. But alas, I guess it still wasn't low enough. So, on February the 6th, 2006, the story had 54 votes wiped off it - almost all good votes, sending it from 192 votes at 4.75, down to 138 votes at 4.67.

How anyone can infer it's sour grapes is beyond me. The only credible explanation I can come up with is, "Lit can do whatever they want." And that's why I would have withdrawn anyway.

Anyway, let's leave this topic. All I wanted to do was mention that I was still pissed off about it and I've done that. I guess what this conversation 'does' show is that it actually doesn't matter to anyone else whether you are a past winner or not. Unless you are a 'Lit Guru', no one gives a damn when you have a legitimate gripe... and the apologists come out swinging.

shrugs

See ya.

SN