The Winter Holiday Contest Support Thread

[Boxlicker101]

I know from experience, WRJ, and agree 99%. Both my Halloween stories were novella length as is one of my Winter entries. 7 and 8 page Literotica tales scare readers away in droves but I wouldn't split up those three stories of mine into chapters (even though editing a 90 or 100 page manuscript on Lit's submission form is a grueling, mind-numbing 8 or 9 hour task for me). That trio of stories is part of an ongoing story arc in a series but each one is a complete three acts and meant to be read wholly, not serially, so that's where the other one per cent goes. I know authors who produce lengthy works for Lit are likely to feel otherwise, but that's just me. A tip of the hat to you for producing such word counts, it ain't easy and often works against you where votes, readership and commentary are concerned, but it's a validation of integrity to take the pitfalls associated with it.

(snip)

Do you actually do the heavy duty editing on the submission form? Can't you just edit on your HD and, when through, copy and paste the edited copy? You might then do a final look-through to see that all your proofreading notes have been eliminated.

 

[Five_Eight]

Do you actually do the heavy duty editing on the submission form? Can't you just edit on your HD and, when through, copy and paste the edited copy? You might then do a final look-through to see that all your proofreading notes have been eliminated.

Editing was a poor verb choice on my behalf, Box. I prepare manuscripts on my hard drive, of course, doing massive rewriting/tweaking before entertaining the thought of cutting & pasting onto Lit's submission form. Before the submitting process I save a second manuscript file to double space between paragraphs because it's far easier doing it in Word than on Lit. With a 100 pager that's a couple hours work minimum.

When I post stories that only consume 2 or 3 Lit page lengths there's few formatting problems. BUT when it's 4 to 9 pages some kind of odd skewering transformation occurs, mostly paragraphs squashed together or sentences that stop incomplete halfway across Lit's page. That's when I reread the entire manuscript yet again on Lit as it will appear to readers (more hours) and clean up those anomalies with the delete key or space bar. It's during that long reread I discover two 'the's' in a row or omitted words, especially short ones: a, of, the, etc. As prolific as you are, Box, you know those kind of errors will invariably elude a writer in the heat of composition.

Upon finishing a story I let it sit for two weeks to a month before rereading in order to weed out those pesky 'writer's optical illusions.' Dan 'DA VINCI CODE' Brown prints his manuscript pages to reread/edit slouched in a chair because printed matter reads differently on paper than on a monitor for some bizarre reason. I confess I do that too.

Am I just a neat freak or doesn't everybody do it that way?

 

[WRJames]

Editing was a poor verb choice on my behalf, Box. I prepare manuscripts on my hard drive, of course, doing massive rewriting/tweaking before entertaining the thought of cutting & pasting onto Lit's submission form. Before the submitting process I save a second manuscript file to double space between paragraphs because it's far easier doing it in Word than on Lit. With a 100 pager that's a couple hours work minimum.

When I post stories that only consume 2 or 3 Lit page lengths there's few formatting problems. BUT when it's 4 to 9 pages some kind of odd skewering transformation occurs, mostly paragraphs squashed together or sentences that stop incomplete halfway across Lit's page. That's when I reread the entire manuscript yet again on Lit as it will appear to readers (more hours) and clean up those anomalies with the delete key or space bar. It's during that long reread I discover two 'the's' in a row or omitted words, especially short ones: a, of, the, etc. As prolific as you are, Box, you know those kind of errors will invariably elude a writer in the heat of composition.

Upon finishing a story I let it sit for two weeks to a month before rereading in order to weed out those pesky 'writer's optical illusions.' Dan 'DA VINCI CODE' Brown prints his manuscript pages to reread/edit slouched in a chair because printed matter reads differently on paper than on a monitor for some bizarre reason. I confess I do that too.

Am I just a neat freak or doesn't everybody do it that way?

Here's a trick I use to get the formatting right I write in MS Word. If I am going to post on Lit, I save that as HTML, then bring up the HTML as a web page, copy the Web Page content, then paste into the Lit sumissions box.

 

[Five_Eight]

Here's a trick I use to get the formatting right I write in MS Word. If I am going to post on Lit, I save that as HTML, then bring up the HTML as a web page, copy the Web Page content, then paste into the Lit sumissions box.

Instead of Save As you do Save As Web Page? Does that put spaces between paragraphs and clean up sentences that drop off halfway across Lit's page?

 

[TalyisBagley]

Here's a trick I use to get the formatting right I write in MS Word. If I am going to post on Lit, I save that as HTML, then bring up the HTML as a web page, copy the Web Page content, then paste into the Lit sumissions box.

I had the same problem. But funny enough, when I previewed it was fine.
Laurel told me to double space between paragraphs to fix the problem.

When my manuscript is less that 3 pages everything is fine.

 

[WRJames]

Instead of Save As you do Save As Web Page? Does that put spaces between paragraphs and clean up sentences that drop off halfway across Lit's page?

You don't just save it as a Web page. You then bring that Web page up in your browser and do the copy from there.

You may find that it looks wrong already on that Web page. If you have sentences that break in unexpected places, you probably put new line characters into your document.

If you are using MS Word, you can use find/replace to get rid of tabs, new line characters, etc. In the Find Replace dialog go to Special and select the various special characters you need to get rid of. Then siimply replace them with nothing. This is something I do all the time as an editor for Club Lighthouse. God only knows what our authors think they are doing for formatting, but it takes some massive initial cleanup to get the stuff ready for editing.

 

[Five_Eight]

You don't just save it as a Web page. You then bring that Web page up in your browser and do the copy from there.

You may find that it looks wrong already on that Web page. If you have sentences that break in unexpected places, you probably put new line characters into your document.

If you are using MS Word, you can use find/replace to get rid of tabs, new line characters, etc. In the Find Replace dialog go to Special and select the various special characters you need to get rid of. Then siimply replace them with nothing. This is something I do all the time as an editor for Club Lighthouse. God only knows what our authors think they are doing for formatting, but it takes some massive initial cleanup to get the stuff ready for editing.

Thanks to you and Talyis, I'll try it; am using MS Word!

 

[SexyBetelgeuse]

Thank you guys for the kind comments on my first go at writing! (The Locket)

Now I just need to know how voting works so I can start enjoying all of your guys' stories too Can anyone explain please?

 

[jacks4u]

Sexy,

I'm not entirely certain myself about how the voting works. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in to correct me if I error.

Your posted story will have 3 numbers, listed in the 'view submissions' page: Rating, a number between 1 and 5, 5 being best - My story's rated 4.31 right now; Votes - a number that increases incrementally, I think each person that rates your story increases the vote by one (not sure about that, but the more the better); Views - The number of times your story is viewed (this is similar to a 'hit counter' for web pages - it increments each time someone views your story)

Perhaps someone else could better explain the 'votes' specifically, but my belief is that when someone rates your story - good, bad, or ugly - the vote count increases. I could be wrong there, and instead the votes actually count '5' ratings. not sure.


Jacks

 

[Boxlicker101]

Thank you guys for the kind comments on my first go at writing! (The Locket)

Now I just need to know how voting works so I can start enjoying all of your guys' stories too Can anyone explain please?

Voting on stories is simple. Most authors here have links in their signature lines, and you just click on that and go to their index or to the specific story that is linked. After you get to the end of the story, there are five stars, and you click on the first, second, third, fourth or fifth, depending on how many you think the story rates. You can also add a comment if you wish, and they are always appreciated.

As for votes on your stories, there are four numbers on your index page below the story name. The first is between 1.00 and 5.00 and is the average score that has been voted. The second number is the number of votes and the third is the number of views. A view is not necessarily a read, because somebody may click on a story and decide not to read it, and that would still be a view. Or, they may read it in three sittings, and that would be three views. The fourth number is the number of public comments that have been posted by viewers. This last is the most important to most authors because it says what people think of our stories more than simplw voting does.

ETA: Welcome to Lit. and the AH in particular. Most of us try to be helpful to new authors, partly because we were all new once ourselves.

 

[TalyisBagley]

Thanks to you and Talyis, I'll try it; am using MS Word!

If all else fails you can always upload. It takes awhile to be approved but its an option.

 

[TalyisBagley]

Hows everyone doing?

My score has been hoovered. 4.00's ehhh. Got great comments though. Strangely, I am inducing tears again. I never expect that from readers- kinda cool.

Its my first romance story. I hear its a challenging genre.

The Rekindle

 

[Equilibria]

Ranking

Hi, all. I have a question that has probably been asked before, but as I could not find it, I decided I'd just speak up.

Is there any way to tell in advance how the stories in the contest are currently ranked for votes, or does it come as a complete surprise when it is announced. I noticed that when you look at the submissions page for the contest, the order in which the stories appear seems to change, and was wondering if that was ranked from highest to lowest?

Inquiring minds want to know. Or, at least. to have some clue how they're doing.

I admit, I don't expect to win, but there's a part of me that wants to rank high, at least, and I don't see any way of finding out how I did without some means of seeing how I'm doing. Er. If that one even made sense.

ps: Vote! For me. For someone else. I don't care, time is just running out.

 

[DG Hear]

Dec. 6, last day for submissions is Dec. 7, As of now there are a total of 116 stories posted for the contest.

I wish the best to each one of you. Unfortuniately only 3 can win a prize, but without all of your entrees it wouldn't be much of a contest. I want to say congradulations to all of you. We've done our best and hope all enjoyed writing their stories.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Hopeful Happy New Year.
With respect
DG Hear

 

[mia_erotica]

the martyr

Fucking Jesus currently has a score of 3.21 w/ 77 votes and 5,000 reads. Hope that makes the rest of you feel better.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Hi, all. I have a question that has probably been asked before, but as I could not find it, I decided I'd just speak up.

Is there any way to tell in advance how the stories in the contest are currently ranked for votes, or does it come as a complete surprise when it is announced. I noticed that when you look at the submissions page for the contest, the order in which the stories appear seems to change, and was wondering if that was ranked from highest to lowest?

Inquiring minds want to know. Or, at least. to have some clue how they're doing.

I admit, I don't expect to win, but there's a part of me that wants to rank high, at least, and I don't see any way of finding out how I did without some means of seeing how I'm doing. Er. If that one even made sense.

ps: Vote! For me. For someone else. I don't care, time is just running out.

It can be done, if you want to spend a long, boring day doing it. Make a list of everything entered, including the category. Then look up each story in the category. The score will not be up to date, but you could get a good idea.

Personally, I can't see why anybody would go to this much trouble, but it can be done.

 

[Equilibria]

Er, yeah, I don't want to know quite that badly. Thanks, though.

It can be done, if you want to spend a long, boring day doing it. Make a list of everything entered, including the category. Then look up each story in the category. The score will not be up to date, but you could get a good idea.

Personally, I can't see why anybody would go to this much trouble, but it can be done.

 

[sethp]

who's winning!!!! ?????

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

For a contest page everytime you open the page the stories will be randomized so as not to appear that Lit is pushing one story or one author.

Hi, all. I have a question that has probably been asked before, but as I could not find it, I decided I'd just speak up.

Is there any way to tell in advance how the stories in the contest are currently ranked for votes, or does it come as a complete surprise when it is announced. I noticed that when you look at the submissions page for the contest, the order in which the stories appear seems to change, and was wondering if that was ranked from highest to lowest?

Inquiring minds want to know. Or, at least. to have some clue how they're doing.

I admit, I don't expect to win, but there's a part of me that wants to rank high, at least, and I don't see any way of finding out how I did without some means of seeing how I'm doing. Er. If that one even made sense.

ps: Vote! For me. For someone else. I don't care, time is just running out.

 

[driphoney]

Dec. 6, last day for submissions is Dec. 7, As of now there are a total of 116 stories posted for the contest.

I wish the best to each one of you. Unfortuniately only 3 can win a prize, but without all of your entrees it wouldn't be much of a contest. I want to say congradulations to all of you. We've done our best and hope all enjoyed writing their stories.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Hopeful Happy New Year.
With respect
DG Hear

Did you say 116 stories? How the hell am I supposed to make a dent in that?

Hmm...

Will read and vote for chocolate!

​

Good luck everyone.

 

[YoursSINSerely]

I just posted. I hope it gets up there tomorrow and I can get 25 votes before they close the voting. I just needed to have snow on the ground to get in the mood. Whew!

 

[DG Hear]

Did you say 116 stories? How the hell am I supposed to make a dent in that?

Hmm...

Will read and vote for chocolate!

​

Good luck everyone.

I just posted. I hope it gets up there tomorrow and I can get 25 votes before they close the voting. I just needed to have snow on the ground to get in the mood. Whew!

OK, now we have more than 116 stories. haha Congrats on getting your story out on time. You have a week to accumulate the votes. Buy DH some chocolates and she'll vote for you. haha

I just checked my votes and I had 540 on one and 450 on the other. I'm sure you won't have a problem getting 25 votes. Hell, I'll go read your story and vote too. See, two votes you'll have already. I'll even leave a comment. Good luck to you Sin.
DG

 

[SexyBetelgeuse]

um...

Oh man this website is confusing! I tried looking for the numbers a few of you directed me to (ty Jacks and Box... haha Jack in the Box!!... anyway....) and all it says under my story is 4.74...

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=453066&page=1

I understand there are supposed to be more numbers than that? Gosh, for a 20 year-old, you'd think I'd me able to tackle any tech question but I can't seem to get the flow of this website...

 

[Boxlicker101]

Oh man this website is confusing! I tried looking for the numbers a few of you directed me to (ty Jacks and Box... haha Jack in the Box!!... anyway....) and all it says under my story is 4.74...

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=453066&page=1

I understand there are supposed to be more numbers than that? Gosh, for a 20 year-old, you'd think I'd me able to tackle any tech question but I can't seem to get the flow of this website...

On your index, to which only you have access, each of the stories should have a listing something like this:


"Friendly" Undertaker Excellent mortuary services at rates; everyone benefits.

3.99 68 9693 Erotic Horror (English) 10/01/09 approved

Public Comments: 6
Moderate Public Comments
Voting Status
Yes No Public Comment Board: Yes No


This happens to be the story that is first on my index. The first part is the name, followed by the description. The numbers under that are the score, (and 4.76 is an excellent score) the number of votes and the number of views. Next comes the date it was approved and the fact it was approved. Next is the number of public comments, followed by a link to those public comments and info on the voting status.

 

[YoursSINSerely]

OK, now we have more than 116 stories. haha Congrats on getting your story out on time. You have a week to accumulate the votes. Buy DH some chocolates and she'll vote for you. haha

I just checked my votes and I had 540 on one and 450 on the other. I'm sure you won't have a problem getting 25 votes. Hell, I'll go read your story and vote too. See, two votes you'll have already. I'll even leave a comment. Good luck to you Sin.
DG

Thanks, DG. I appreciate your support. With 116 stories, I don't have a snowball's chance in hell in finding enough people who have time to read mine, too. I did notice that as the year went on and the amount of subtmitted stories went up, my total views decreased. My scores went up. I'd like to think that my writing has improved, but I think it might just be a recognition of my name with people. Although, I have been getting some awfully nice PMs lately. Maybe they like me, or like the one-legged lady.

I think there is only so much that people have time to read. You are a popular author, so they recognize your name and probably go down the list to find you. Me? I write crappy sex, but I always think I have a good story with my submission. I'd like to think that I'm an interesting person that likes to have some fun along the way.

Hey, you might even like this one, too. I filed it under Mature. Ahem. I'm right there with ya, guy.