I just wanted to give a big thanks to the author's that take the time and effort to respond to readers. It is one of the reasons I enjoy this website, and every time an author gives a bit more detail about there story or explains why they did something makes a story more engaging to me.
Second this, and add that I very much appreciate readers who comment, even the (few, I'm happy to say) who tell me the story didn't work for them and explain why.
Third. I very much appreciate comments and email/DM feedback. I do my best to respond to every DM/email message because reader input is valuable.
My stories definitely improved because of reader feedback... (And, Graybyrd told me what I was doing wrong and offered his services as an editor when I first started posting...)
Seconding others on this thread: I appreciate it when readers write to me, and do my best to reply. It definitely works both ways. Writing would be a lot more lonely without feedback and connection with readers.
Thanks.
It becomes very difficult to appreciate the responder offering helpful feedback on the stories when the majority of our attention is captured by those who would rather tear down writers who write free stories for others' amusement.
If it doesn't come when they want it and in the way they want it, the complainers resemble young children who don't like their macaroni and cheese with the wrong kind of pasta.
I've learned to treat those complainers as if they were children fighting over not wanting to go to sleep because they might fall asleep. (Actually happened with one of mine a few years back. Of course, it doesn't fully show the breakdown unless the child is crying, pouting, and jumping up and down on the bed.)
But I digress, thanks to those who enjoy our offerings, and it's straight to bed for those who choose to complain about getting the ketchup on the wrong side of the hamburger.
--Shinerdrinker
As always with those behaving childishly, it's always best to speak harshly, so the know what the did wrong, and then publish them for it. For myself, I tend to include more of the content they object to, just to further piss them off.
Luckily, my stories have always had decent stories, so a couple 1-votes won't affect my overall scores much, if at all. In fact, if I don't have a few 1-votes, I feel like I haven't done my job. Just as love isn't opposite of hate, they're two side of the same coin, so the opposite of either is no reaction at all.
And for every 1-voter I've ever had, they still actively read every single chapter anyway, and that is truly a badge of honor (for me, at least)!
Luckily, my stories have always had decent stories, so a couple 1-votes won't affect my overall scores much, if at all. In fact, if I don't have a few 1-votes, I feel like I haven't done my job
Do you have stories here? I don't see anything listed under this name for you.
Sadly no. They were mostly on the paying level, which is typically awarded for experienced authors, yet I removed a few, and others didn't actually survive the switch over (i.e. I removed them, rather than undergo it), and finally, I've been learning more by NOT publishing than I ever did by racing to publish novel after novels for 13 straight years.
Now, all I need to do is to write a decent new story worthy of being traditionally published (i.e. more of a classic published story, not catering to my unique niche market (i.e. no incest, simple erotica and nothing too extreme for the general public.
I figure, this is my one shot at traditional success, and if I don't do it now, it'll never get done. So, I've finally put my other, new SOL works on hold, to focus entirely on this now.
I was curious to read some of your work, and I know the Vincent Berg name, so I may have read some already, although I don't immediately recall.
They were mostly on the paying level, which is typically awarded for experienced authors
Any author can put their stories behind the SOL paywall - experience has nothing to do with it.
AJ
Any author can put their stories behind the SOL paywall - experience has nothing to do with it.
Pretty sure he meant if you post enough story text, you get 'free' access to the paywalled stories.
Pretty sure he meant if you post enough story text, you get 'free' access to the paywalled stories.
I don't think so. He was replying to "Do you have stories here? I don't see anything listed under this name for you."
Nope, that was what I was saying. Though I've often stated that I stopped using my own name in the Forum, as posting anonymously doesn't generate the same hostility as if I post under my own name. But for a cue, try searching for the author of Lost … With Nothing to Lose?, my last posted SOL story.
Pretty sure he meant if you post enough story text, you get 'free' access to the paywalled stories.
I found out recently that I could access premium because of the amount of content I've published. Only my old stories were switched to premium without my input, as they were old and inactive.
I did find crumbly's author page and found them to be consistently high rated and will pick one shortly to start. on.
I have written quite a few tales (57 full books and 33 full novels), mostly over a 13-year period. For the first ten years, starting in my mid-forties, I'd publish three full, fully edited and published stories a year (technically they were once I finally started publishing them).
I've always believed that by NOT waiting the typical three to five years for a publisher to finally publish your first book, and instead writing and publishing as quickly as possible, you gain a hell of a lot more experience than you do awaiting approval to 'try again'.
Starting writing late, that's always been my motto, experience over biding my time, waiting for permission. Plus, I chose to 'retire' quite a few books which I felt no long reflecting my later writing style, but try a few of the higher scoring of both, as it'll best highlight the difference in the stories.
Yet, as a 'niche' author at best, I've found that I make more by writing consistently compelling stories, as that way, for every new reader I get, I'll likely sell, at least fifteen books at a cheaper, heavily discounted rate, thus earning more of an overall profit. Thus those discounts pay off in spades, as the full retail prices doesn't even come close to closing the difference.
Which is also why they love me on Quora, as I have a wealth of both writing, publishing and self-publishing experience and knowledge, which newbie writers most need and seek. (I've been over 1M reads long enough, I'm wondering when I'll finally cross the 2M mark.) Not to brag, but just to give you a better grasp in how I think and approach stories.
Thus those short, kinkier short stories are of less value (to me, at least) than those that preserve their value over time.
Thus those short, kinkier short stories are of less value (to me, at least) than those that preserve their value over time.
Sometimes inspiration strikes and I want to get the story into writing, but of course the style might not be to everyone's tastes.
With OTA I'm doing a full length novel in three acts, and I'm pouring my heart into it. After I retire I may have more time, but I'll need something to write about.
There's nothing wrong with that, as once the story starts flowing all of it's own volition, we'd all be fools to try to damn it up, midstream.
Again, I was only pointing out how I generally write, as opposed how many others do. As always, muses can often be very fickle bitches, so it's best to do what they want to NOT piss them off.
And again, I'm hardly a typical writer, ANYWHERE. Both my mind and my motormouth tend to go their own separate ways at times. As my muse is simply a crazy fucking bitch! Though if you want, I'll gladly trade you, sight unseen. I can always use a calming, soothing voice in my mind.