Writing for me or others

[Wonderlusting]

I was wondering what the general consensus was when writing a story. Is it better to write a story that I feel something about and hope others enjoy it also? Or is it better to write something that I think others would find enjoyable based upon some common themes and scenarios?

 

[Reba67]

Considering the number of categories and number of stories in each category, whatever you write about, someone will read it.

 

[Wonderlusting]

That seems to be true. Guess it depends on my ego and if I'm looking for hopefully great feedback or just self satisfaction. Maybe both.

 

[noisymother]

I think whatever you write - you do need to have some feeling for it - even if it's not 'your thing' - if it does nothing for you, the writer, chances are it will do nothing for others.

 

[Wonderlusting]

That seems to be what I'm finding. Just concerned trying to write in areas of no experience or little knowledge.

 

[noisymother]

Read other people's stories. I've written about things I'd not done before - and then tried them because I'd made them sound so damn hot!!

 

[SweetErika]

The stories I've read that are specifically aimed at getting good feedback haven't been great. I'm sure they're great for the people who like to read a quick, formulaic story about, say, incest, and then jack off, but they leave a lot to be desired for those who enjoy good character development, eroticism that builds to a crescendo and a plot or characters that stick in one's mind.

So, I say write something you love first, and then put a lot of time into reading with a critical eye and editing to make sure it's at its best for your readers. That, IMO, is where a lot of writers go wrong - they get so caught up in the writing and posting of it that they fail to really polish it up and purge it of the distractions (misspellings, grammar errors, irrelevant info, etc.) that make it so-so instead of really pleasurable to read and easy to get lost in. Your enjoyment of your subject matter and characters will shine through if you write for yourself first. You know what you can be proud of and makes for an exceptional read; trust it'll attract readers who see what you were aiming for and enjoy it.

 

[Wonderlusting]

Great advise from all. Thank you.

 

[SweetErika]

That seems to be what I'm finding. Just concerned trying to write in areas of no experience or little knowledge.

Like what?

That's where beta readers and an editor who knows the subject matter can be lifesavers.

The best writers usually do a fair amount of research to get some background knowledge, too.

 

[Wonderlusting]

I have pursued some of the research through stories and on line search. Just looking for accuracy in describing certain scenes and trying hard to include the sensations and thoughts as accurately as I believe someone involved in such an activity would feel. Say what one likes about visuals, but the mind being able to connect is more erotic to me then just the obivous visual description. Hope that all makes sense.

 

[greeneyed_Lady]

I know for me, I tend to write things that please me, or that I'm enthusiastic about. I also tend to write in detail, so having a good working knowledge of a place or object is an absolute must.

I'm far too shy about posting my writings here tho.

 

[SweetErika]

I know for me, I tend to write things that please me, or that I'm enthusiastic about. I also tend to write in detail, so having a good working knowledge of a place or object is an absolute must.

I'm far too shy about posting my writings here tho.

You should post them! A lot of authors post stories under a different name from the one they use on the board, too.

I bet you'd be really shocked at the amount of positive feedback you get. The response to my story has been overwhelmingly positive; IIRC, the very few negative comments I've received haven't even made sense or were so irrelevant that they're not even worth remembering. Plus, you can always have your stuff taken down or turn off the comments (and voting, I think) if you want.

C'mon, you summon the courage to post, and I'll summon the courage to write and post something else. Deal?

 

[bobsgirl]

You should post them! A lot of authors post stories under a different name from the one they use on the board, too.

I bet you'd be really shocked at the amount of positive feedback you get. The response to my story has been overwhelmingly positive; IIRC, the very few negative comments I've received haven't even made sense or were so irrelevant that they're not even worth remembering. Plus, you can always have your stuff taken down or turn off the comments (and voting, I think) if you want.

C'mon, you summon the courage to post, and I'll summon the courage to write and post something else. Deal?

And if you write and post something new, so will I. Deal?

I know, I know, you weren't talking to me, but I have the pleasure of knowing what a good writer (and editor) you are.

Wonderlusting, write for yourself first. If your characters don't interest you, they likely won't anyone else either.

One of my pet peeves about stories here is some authors not taking the time to check for spelling, grammar, etc., all the boring stuff you learned in English class. And my biggest rule: No chatspeak!

Okay, I feel better now.

 

[bailadora]

*perk* - new stories by SE, BG and GEL? I'm so there. Woo hoo!

Wonderlusting - I'm not a writer, but I will say that I'm an avid reader and I tend to gravitate to the stories that take the time to develop the characters and the plot. To me, this is important and when its well done, I will sometimes find myself captivated by tales that are in genres that are usually not my cup of tea. But the stories themselves are so well written and compelling that I often go back and reread them.

I would also second the advice to pay attention to grammar, avoid chat speak, etc. If there are too many errors, I quickly lose patience and move on to something else.

Hope that helps.

 

[SweetErika]

And if you write and post something new, so will I. Deal?

I know, I know, you weren't talking to me, but I have the pleasure of knowing what a good writer (and editor) you are.

You'd better get started without me. It'd be a crying shame to keep your fans waiting much longer, and I know you have some great inspiration to go on! I'd be shocked if I had time to write anything significant in the next couple of months since we'll be leaving in a couple of days. It's going to be a challenge for us to find time and energy for babymaking sex, FFS!

I'll get to it someday soon, I hope. My two issues are that I lack inspiration and I put so much into the first that I'm afraid anything else I turn out will be crap in comparison. It's kind of irrational, I know, but fear of underachieving is my Achilles heel. Well, one of them, at least.

 

[Wonderlusting]

I agree with your comments. I've become more attuned to the writing and diction of the stories I now read since beginning to write. It's like a pothole in the story to have an inappropriate, or misspelled word that should be so easily caught with spell checker.

In any case, I'l just try to keep writing what I like and if others enjoy it as well, then welcome aboard for the ride.

THanks to all.

 

[Iamcanadian28]

I agree with your comments. I've become more attuned to the writing and diction of the stories I now read since beginning to write. It's like a pothole in the story to have an inappropriate, or misspelled word that should be so easily caught with spell checker.

In any case, I'l just try to keep writing what I like and if others enjoy it as well, then welcome aboard for the ride.

THanks to all.

If you want to write something you enjoy and still get a tonne of feedback, try entering a submission in a theme contest like the Nude day contest that is currently being held. I've done that with my first submission and the feedback and exposure is crazy. So much so, that I have two more entries coming to try to take advantage of all the response and get some good critical comments.

The bonus is you can write in any category you like as long as you fit it into the contest criteria.