Forum: Author Hangout

Lesson - keep true to what I want, and it isn't just me that gets the occasional baffling email. Ho hum. Back to imagining the Welsh summer and naked teens.

Excellent plan. Especially the naked teens.

The readers I hear from are pretty good-natured. I've had a few "Wouldn't it be nice if ..." comments, plus a few that indicate some confusion about who is the author of the story and who is the narrator, and what is fiction and what isn't. Such as, "Did you really do that with ...?"

As for "Write your own story," one of mine (never mind which one) came out of an exchange with a reader who told me about an experience but refused my suggestion he write it up as a story. "You do it," he said, so I did.

We've had no little debate here about the question of what, if anything, the reader owes the author and vice versa. I confine myself to believing if the author says "Let me tell you a story," he or she has an obligation to the readers/listeners to finish it.

(Yes, it's the author's story and he can do whatever he likes with it. Got it. That doesn't change the obligation, in my view.)

Finishing the story before beginning to post solves most of the "Uh oh, where do I go now and how do I get X out of this?" problems.

Happy New Year to all.

bb

Sometimes it is best avoided like the plague, as it can open doors for potential lawsuits later. Much like prior discussions regarding issues with fan fiction and commercial products.

I've heard movie studios won't read unsolicited scripts for that reason, i.e., a subsequent claim the studio took the idea without payment, but I'm not sure I've heard of a successful author doing that. Do they? Have their agent read their mail?

bb

I simply envision the alternative. Demanding an author has to finish a story he started also could mean that many of the dreaded 'Incomplete and Inactive' stories would have never been published. Would I feel better then? My personal answer is no.

Most of us who only post 'completed stories' have a drawer full of unfinished stories. For me, I'll know whether I can finish a story or not by the third chapter. If it's not a strong enough story, or I can't quite put myself into the characters positions, the words just won't come.

Because I plan out the entire story long before I ever start putting the words together, I've never really run into situations where I've painted myself into a corner with a story, though I have had 'writers' block' during writing a story.

The key is 'writers' block' is traditionally your characters revolting over what you're forcing them to do. Once you realize that, it's easy to step back and consider how your planned actions run counter to their personality, and it's rarely taken me more than a single day to figure out how to resolve the problem (it takes MUCH longer to recognize you have a problem to begin with). Many authors never get past a single case of writer's block, thinking they've lost their ability to write.

In the end, you have authors who only have a single story to tell (like cmsix who continually struggled to complete most of his stories). Those are the ones who'll write one great story, and then lose all interest in writing another. They're your 'splash in the pan' authors, who simply can't envision more than that one single story.

Doh! You're too humble, Bruce; aim higher.

Aim higher than only serving as an editor, or aim higher than Ross as an editor?

I've had several of my editors start their own stories after having worked with me for several stories. They've each done extremely well, and I'm proud of them, and like to think that I had a small influence in helping them tell their stories (as I frequently discuss issues like pacing, character development, foreshadowing and red herrings).

Starting out is NOT a loss, as it teaching you many of the techniques required you might not learn without struggling though many failed attempts. My earliest stories were a real mess, writing technique-wise, at least.

Yes, but I would go much further than "without any obvious errors".

I went back and re-read the post - as if I was editing someone's story. It is not just technically perfect writing. It has a style I fould truly delightful. I literally savoured the word choices, rhythms, and appealing repetitions you found.

I suggest, do like I did, become an editor! Based on that one short post, I declare you have the capacity to help some of the better authors here turn fine stories into works of literature.

Another alternative is: explore more types of stories. Generally, each of us encounters a single story which challenges us, one which DEMANDS that we write it. Often, it's an unfinished story, or one where we see the author going in the wrong direction, and we think 'Damn, I could write a better story than that.'

Once you find a story which sparks that flame, you can then use those excellent pacing, rhythms and styles you've naturally developed throughout your life. Don't ever think you CAN'T write! You just need the write inspiration, an idea which really riles you personal muse.

only one great story to tell is a noble and worthwhile ambition on its own

Or even one true sentence. Yay, Hemingway!

bb

Thanks.
Somewhat ironically, given what you said a couple of posts before, I've recently come to the conclusion that becoming a 'flash in the pan' with only one great story to tell is a noble and worthwhile ambition on its own. That is a tough enough ambition and I'll leave thoughts about what comes after until after.

That makes sense. However fine the first book is, if the new author isn't sufficiently motivated to write another, they'll never finish it, so I'd let them determine whether to or not. You should just be aware, as an editor, that this IS a recognized pattern in many new authors. They have one story to tell, and they tell it well (sometimes), but simply have no compulsion to spend the rest of their lives writing.

Throughout it all I simply admire the people who have the ability to dream up all these stories and the pluck to tackle writing them, whether they finish or not. It's something I wish I could do. Alas, I lack the talent.

Trust me, few of us ever thought we 'had the talent' to write, as we cover a variety of backgrounds, but few of us have ever spent much time practicing our writing skills.

What's more essential than basic writing skills (extensive reading provides most of what you need to know) is life experiences you can draw on. That's what's provide the background of strong storytelling, being able to involve readers, and the personal backgrounds with a variety of people to make each character 'real' for the readers.

Young people study writing for years before ever considering writing, and are often instructed by teachers what is 'suitable' writing and what isn't (though they continue writing about dragons and dwarves of princes and maidens anyway).

More mature individuals are more concerned with how characters deal with situations, and thus they deal with outright fantasy and focus on how the characters deal with the issues they face, which leads to better character development.

So don't undersell your potential story telling abilities. If you haven't been able to write, it's NOT that you don't have the necessary skills, it's only that you haven't found the one story that speaks to you, and which demands you write it. Once that process starts, you couldn't stop writing if you wanted to.

On the other hand, there are thousands of writers who write one story, achieve a fair amount of success (mostly like luck or personal connections), but lost interest and NEVER write another story. I encounter this group all the time. They felt drawn to write a single story, but never quite 'caught' the writing bug.

They start a story and real life gets in the way. They start a story and the new missus issues an ultimatum. Worst of all, Saint Peter came knocking.

I was thinking more of authors who begin a story and change the conditions, such as going to some kind of pay system. Even if there was enough story, or even part of a series, to avoid SOL's prohibition on posting teasers, it still breaks the contract, in my view.

Certainly it applies to any author, but as you point out there may be factors the author cannot control. St. Peter is one of them.

It was really rude of Russell Hoisington to leave us, although I don't remember any unfinished work. Ditto rache.

bb

I've had a few readers message with where they think the story should go, but after I respond it's already finished and uploaded on the site with delayed display settings they tend not to send similar messages in the future after they know I won't involve them in the story. I do still get some messages about ideas for sequels.

Like you, I won't typically change an already written story (i.e. like adding new chapters or additional plot elements), but I will if I perceive there's a problem with how readers are responding to the story. This is where the individual chapter score variations come in. If the story is chugging along, and the scores suddenly drop, and it wasn't anticipated, I'll try to figure out what set the readers off—typically it's either a character or a situation they don't particularly like. In that case, I'll often throw in a short element, or even a full chapter if it seems called for, addressing the readers concerns. That alone won't resolve the issue, but it buys you time with the readers, so they'll keep going, knowing that you're aware of it, so the issue can eventually work itself out in the story.

Hint: A LOT of readers DO NOT like 'strong' women characters, thinking they're not 'feminine' enough!

Like you, I won't typically change an already written story

Although I won't change the story, I have been known to add an author's note in a revision due to a reader's comment seeking clarification of something in a story. I think I've only done that once or twice, I tend to put such information on my blog page.

Hint: A LOT of readers DO NOT like 'strong' women characters, thinking they're not 'feminine' enough!

I think they are afraid of strong woman.

In several of my stories, where little sisters stand up for and defend their brothers, there is usually a large backlash of readers complaining about how much they dislike the character. Pressed for more details (we all want to know why our characters are disliked, aren't we), it falls into fairly predictable patterns. Those without female children, or who never had sisters, think the characters aren't feminine enough. Those with exposure to young girls think the characterizations are spot on, as they've 'know girls just like that'.

I now try to make adjustments, giving a little more perspective for those unfamiliar with young girls, but I don't change the characters at all. Why weaken a story just to please those sadly uninformed.

I can't imagine you received 'A LOT' of feedback from readers telling you 'I DO NOT like 'strong' women characters, they're not 'feminine' enough!'. I assume that's your personal conclusion.

I already answered this question in an earlier post this morning, but yes, curious, I asked for more details, wondering what it was about my characters which was turning them off to the characters. It turns out, virtually all of those who didn't like the characters never had sisters or little girls of their own. Little girls tend to be MUCH bossier than women who spent a significant amount of their time trying to please men.

So, no, you should NEVER change a successful character just because of an ignorant portion of your audience, but it's worth spending a little extra time explaining the character, including having other characters confront them, asking what's motivating their actions. Think of it as 'educating' your readers who don't understand young self-assured girls.

But it seems to be a fairly prevalent problem. You'll note that, most 'strong women' characters in fiction are also alternately VERY feminine to counter their strong personalities (i.e. they're only strong when they're pushed, or defending their children, but otherwise they're 'all women').

It's really an incredibly sexist stereotype, that women are simply not allowed to be strong except for certain situations (like defending their kids, or small stray cats).

A LOT of readers DO NOT like 'strong' women characters, thinking they're not 'feminine' enough!

That may be peculiar to SOL readers. "Hollywood" (in the generic sense meaning contemporary U.S. filmmakers) feature strong female characters now more than before (skipping superheroes and imaginary persons):

"Ree" (Jennifer Lawrence) in Winter's Bone;

"Claire Randall" (Caitriona Balfe) in Outlander;

"Eilise Lace" (Saoirse Ronan) in Brooklyn.

bb

As an author my stories also feature female characters, which I perceive as strong. No reader ever complained about the female characters in my stories or about their lack of feminity.

I've never had any complaints, either, even in those stories where a female drives the action.

For what it's worth, when "strong" really means "jerk," all bets are off.

bb

More often, when the actors were being assertive or even slightly aggressive, the males were rated favorably. While the women received negative reviews. Now what is currently hard to decipher is if that is a cultural bias, or an actual biological/physiological response thing.

All true. I'd bet on cultural rather than biological cause.

I had Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski in mind when I wrote that. From idiosyncratic and strong-willed (both are compliments) in early novels she (the character) turned kind of rancid, in my view. If memory serves, even Warshawski herself acknowledged she was being a jerk.

Paretsky and her fans would argue she was going through a tough time---probably true, so perhaps that's a mitigating factor.

You're right about the perceptions of women vs men, but I'm also thinking of Carly Fiorina as CEO of Hewlett-Packard. She didn't get there by being a shrinking violet, but many accounts depict her as unnecessarily abrasive, in addition to making some pretty bad business decisions.

Women often get knocked back for being as appropriately assertive as men, no question there.

Don't get any woman you care about started on the whole "Smile for me!" thing.

bb

As a reader I want to read about strong female characters and wouldn't dream about complaining when I encounter one. I read many stories on SoL and enjoyed a wide spread of strong female characters by a various number of authors and I never noticed the popularity of their stories to suffer from it.

My stories with those strong female characters were never rated badly, but I DID specific chapters where the character figured prominently would score lower, prompting me to inquire my readers about it. Even then, I had to push them as to what upset them, and that's when I got the "not feminine enough". Subsequent responses, based on the "I've seen the same attitude in my daughters/sisters all the time", led to me asking about whether the other have daughters or sisters, and the results fell along predictable lines.

Not really, not really, true.

This is a pay site with a small free to use section. Many readers do indeed pay to read work here, so I can understand why some might be a little bit demanding, because, in their eyes, they have paid for a product.

Not really true either. They contribute to keep the site up, we write to fill it with stories. Volunteer editors make the stories more readable and enjoyable. The staff moves the posting queue along and keeps the site online. A site such as SOL is almost like a living organisms, with each part contributing to survival and proliferation.
Am I philosophical today or what?
Or is it the Glenmorangie talking? :o)

Personally, I just ignore the demanding ones- If they want a story to go a certain way, then they can write it that way themselves.

Many of the regular SOL authors, including me, started out just that way. We read just one too many stories which seemed to falter at a critical place and think 'Damn, I could write a better story than this!'

If it wasn't for the many bad authors—especially those who seem chronically challenged to finish their stories—we wouldn't have anywhere near the amount of excellent authors here that we do. Few of us ever thought about ourselves as frustrated authors until we'd been reading here for a certain amount of time.

So some of those "demanding" commenters may be anything but, although they may certainly look like they are.

I've had MANY discussions like that over the years, and I'm always glad to pontificate on my process and where I'm taking the direction I'm taking the story, though I almost never specify spoilers—except sometimes here on the forum.

On the flip side of that, while I rarely change an existing stories, sometimes those suggestions will work their way under my skin, and after considering it for sometime (a couple months), it often germinates a sequel, where I specially address those issues, building on them and taking the story in all new directions.

Few of my Series started out that way. Most were simply single stories which, once written, took on a life of their own.

So, Not_an_ID, feel free to carry on. I appreciate constructive feedback. I'm not about to spoil a great story, but I'll listen to any advice anyone wants to give me.

Then again, people who want more of your writing and quicker posting may be your most steadfast followers. Just explain to them your reasoning and ask them to be patient. Most will relent and send you a nice reply. If not, stop answering and ignore them like you would ignore a spoiled child.

This is an excellent point. Most of my 1 bombers—back when I was still able to identify them—were some of my most loyal fans, reading each chapter within a day or two of it's release and voting on each chapter.

After I threw in a reference to Fox News in one story, they felt I was making the story "too political" (I wasn't, I was just trying to portray a single character's motivations) they began 1-bombing me, despite the fact they continued to devour my stories. Whenever I'd write a particularly exciting chapter, those 1s would all become 3s, before dropping back down again, so they were still actively involved.

I finally explained to them that, if they continued to 1-bomb me, they wouldn't be able to respond when I did something else they disliked. Alas, they ignored me, so I brought back the character they disliked—much to my other readers delight—and after that they changed their ratings to 3 across the board, voting a full 5 for the exciting chapters.

Now tell me those readers aren't involved!

When the story first started, my first impression was that the pacing was too slow. Then as the characterisation unfolded, I changed my opinion. The interactions between the protagonists are just as important as the revelations about the MacGuffin and I admire the way you've given them such different personalities and voices - that's a very rare skill for novice writers. I feel as though you could feed me a random line of dialogue from the story and I could tell you who said it.

Typically, for most of us, our first chapters are our weakest—not our strongest as they should be—simply because we as authors, aren't fully into the story and don't yet know where the characters will take it. Once we do get into it, it moves along at a more consistent pace.

If Clee_Hill's readers complained about the slow pace during those early chapters, I hate to suggest it, but you may want to rewrite those opening chapters. If you do so once you're already into the story, your writing will be more consistent, and you characters even more engaging. Unfortunately, on the flip side, the characters themselves many times will take the story in an entirely new direction. However, if you only rewrite a couple (one or two) chapters, they aren't likely to take it far afield, yet!

Typically, for most of us, our first chapters are our weakest—not our strongest as they should be—simply because we as authors, aren't fully into the story and don't yet know where the characters will take it. Once we do get into it, it moves along at a more consistent pace.

In my case I missed the 'Slow' tag. It's last in the list and easily overlooked. :(

AJ

Which are very good reasons. My reason to start posting while the story is incomplete are selfish and greedy. I like the feedback as an impetus to continue writing.

In my case, I become involved in the story itself, and am more interested in finding out how MY story ends than I am in reading any other random writer's stories. Thus I'll continue writing, regardless of any other demands on my time, and I'll continue writing them even if NO ONE ever reads my stories. Writing is my personal cross to bear, and if others receive pleasure from it, so much the better. But it's my inner demons which determine my writing schedules, not fans telling me how great my writing is.

My muse is a real slave driver!

I totally agree, in principle, but how many attempts did you start before you knew you were capable of finishing stories you start?

Well, the first actual fiction I wrote as fiction (thus discounting many of the government and financial reports I used to write for work) I finished and published with an Irish e-publisher before I started on another story. This was the case for the next 50 stories, too. When I started working with others I got used to working on multiple stories at once, and I learned that sometimes you have to leave a story sit for a while before you finish it. That's why I now have so many projects going at the same time. However, I always finish a story before posting it. The only time I was involved with a story that was posted as it was written was very discouraging because the person I was working with posted as soon as a chapter was finished, and I ended up having to rewrite something near the start for him to get to the finish he wanted due to the bad way he handled the bit at the start. Technically, it wasn't my story, I was just writing some of the action scenes and editing it, but I did end up having to finish it after he gave up on it.

A couple of years later I had a similar situation where another author asked me to finish a story he started and couldn't finish due to personal reasons.

Both experiences were extremely educational.

Personally, I wouldn't even start to write unless I know the beginning and the end of my story. Details may be floating and change while I write but start and destination have to be clear.

I agree, but sometimes that side road in the middle can be very rocky.

If post-as-you-write helps them reach the point they know they can finish something they start, I'm happy for them to experiment while learning, and have a few failures along the way.

I don't disagree with you on that. However, I will add there are many readers who won't start reading a story until after they know it's finished. I know some of the people who read my stories say the only reason the read as soon as I start posting is because they know the story is finished from my blog entry and their past experience with my stories.

I agree with the basic idea of an author being able to sharpen their skills while they write. That's why I have so many revisions. I go back and apply the learned skills to the older stories.

Post as you write does have some drawbacks, and people need to know that. I've seen a few new authors stop writing and complain about the responses they get while posting as they write, while others say it helps them. Neither system is the perfect answer for every writer.

Both experiences were extremely educational.

Educational is when you discover a solution.

An experiment that fails to support a scientific hypothesis nevertheless represents a scientific advancement.

So, from a scientific viewpoint, I disagree.

AJ

I totally agree, in principle, but how many attempts did you start before you knew you were capable of finishing stories you start?

In MY case, I know I had the right story from the get-go. I also knew, upfront, that it would be a multibook series, NOT a continuing, unending story and I knew I wanted to write the ENTIRE story (the first book at least) before I released it.

However, after I'd finished the first story (which at that point consisted of what became the first two books of the final series), I had an issue with one particular editor. He read one chapter, which I thought really provided the motivation for the primary character, and he thought that the chapter was so minimally important that it shouldn't be included. I ended up saying, "without that one chapter, I CAN'T continue the story."

It was at that point I swallowed my pride, declared that I was never meant to be an author, and put the whole story and a future as a writer aside.

But the story wouldn't let me surrender. After only a few weeks, I was back at it. Rather than trying to continue the 'failed' story, I decided to rewrite, setting it in a new location, with all new characters (other than the primary characters).

Unfortunately, when you rewrite, the story goes in new directions, and I soon realized I could never reuse most of my FAVORITE scenes with the newer story. At that point, I went back to revise the old story, but I'd learned enough about the characters (and the character's capabilities), I was able to refashion the story so it worked (and yes, that one 'problematic scene' was completely unnecessary, and I resolved the one 'motivation' issue much earlier in the story though several repeated scene, rather than waiting late in the one book).

An idea for Lazeez to consider ... Could you allow authors to label stories as "Complete", "Incomplete", or "Incomplete and Abandoned"?

I would LOVE a setting of "Complete" which authors could set when they post the first chapter of a story, so we can reassure nervous readers.

Of two possible divisions, I think CW's suggestion is more important. So, IMHO:
Important: dividing "Complete" into "Finished" and "Posting Incomplete, but Writing Finished"
Nice to have: dividing "Incomplete" into "Writing Continuing" and "Incomplete and Abandoned"

That's a little complicated to implement, I'm not sure readers would understand the distinctions.

Either "Finished" or "Complete" are easily understood. I'm sure several people write "How is this complete if you're still posting", but after explaining the tag, hopefully they won't keep asking.

I would LOVE a setting of "Complete" which authors could set when they post the first chapter of a story, so we can reassure nervous readers.

Don't need it - the blog entry or the blurb can do that.

I would LOVE a setting of "Complete" which authors could set when they post the first chapter of a story, so we can reassure nervous readers.

Don't need it - the blog entry or the blurb can do that.

Except, not everyone reads blogs. Plus, readers could search for the tag "Complete", rather than wondering whether the author will ever finish.

Except, not everyone reads blogs.

so use the blurb or the end note.

Except, not everyone reads blogs.

so use the blurb or the end note.

Except,you often reach a whole different range of readers by posting blogs, though I don't know if they're any more likely to read your stories. Typicall, they are more likely to respond to the blog itself.

Despite protests that SOL isn't primarily a sex story site, the story codes seem to be geared that way.

'Slow' is explained as: 'There is a story and plot development before any sex occurs. Not a stroke story.' (I've noticed several authors use 'Slow' in conjunction with 'No Sex'.)

I don't have a complaint as such - it was my own fault I overlooked the tag.

AJ

Guess how my very unimaginative parents named me?

And there was me assuming your pen name was a play on 'Robert Hans'. :(

AJ

old nick

You little devil :)

AJ

So you'd have to look at specific time frames to search for a name. Like this one.

Rather than 'baby name' sites (which are highly questionable, in many cases) is the U.S. Censor reports, which list the top 100/1000 male and female names for each year, often broken down by nationality too.

If you can't find a perfect name there, you simply can't!

I'm sure that other countries have census data too, but I've never discovered another searchable list like the U.S. Census department regularly does.

Unfortunately, every couple years they decide to 'revamp' their website, meaning all of my saved 'top 1000 names' lists become invalid, meaning I'm forced to search the entire site, trying to discover where they've hidden it. :(

Rather than 'baby name' sites (which are highly questionable, in many cases) is the U.S. Censor reports, which list the top 100/1000 male and female names for each year, often broken down by nationality too.

The U.S. Social Security Administration has lists by gender, geographic region, year, and who knows what else.

bb

I still like CW's idea, even if most authors say something somewhere. Being able to search for stories that will be posted until completion some time soon does seem like a useful additional feature to me.

It would also help readers search for authors who wont't frustrate them with multiple incomplete stories.

I still wish that authors who finish a story got a cut of the revenue,

Some authors now publish print a e-books of their stories via sites like Lulu, Amazon, and their own websites where you can buy copies at varying prices. You can buy a book or two and support them that way. Some others have their own website where you can make a donation to support, while others simply have a PayPal account you can donate to which they list in their blog. Many would have a PayPal or similar account you can make a donation of any size to.

Thus, if you want to do so you can support them to whatever extent you want. Simply message you favourite authors and ask them how you can get them some money if you want to send them some.

To add to what Ernest suggested, the site does not currently provide any 'cut' to the authors, although Lazeez is working on creating a new associated site which offers book sales (by self-published authors) where SOL gets and the authors both get a cut. We'll see how soon it finally gets set up, though.

For now, your best bet is to do as Ernest Bywater suggests, either read each author's blog to see if they list how to donate or purchase a book, or ask the authors themselves.

Hope that helps. By the way, I currently have 15 books published, if that helps. ;)

Which one? "Soccer" which most of the world calls "football", Austrailian Rules, Canadian Rules, Indoor, Touch, Tackle, Flag, Pro, College, High School or lots of other sports that use an oblate spheroid with different rules. One tag to rule them all doesn't necessarily help that much. If a character gets kicked in the balls, does the tag apply?

Definitely not "incomplete football stories", as who wants to read about a incompetent high school player in any of those sports?

But it would be okay if they were incompetent professional players?

Possibly, if they were having sex with equally incompetent fans ("You're a professional football players? Sure, I'll sleep with you. By the way, what team are you on." "Don't worry about that, little lady, I'll relate everything afterwards, rather than rushing out the door.")

I would open a Paypal and a Gmail and tell them if they want to hire you to write a custom story the starting price is $5,000 per 2,500 words. Else sit back and enjoy the story.

Hell, I'll drastically undercut your fee, charging only $100 per word, and reap the untold numbers of non-paying offers that pile up on my desk!

As you say, if someone wants a story, there best bet is to write it themselves. The only people who pay others to ghost write for them are sleezeballs trying to project a patently false narrative about themselves. I rank ghostwriters right up there with attorneys and drug lords.

if they want to hire you to write a custom story the starting price is $5,000 per 2,500 words.

Then they would have the right to change your story because it's their story. But for that price, I can be flexible.

Exactly, and since 99.9% can't or won't pony up the cash they can be quiet. I've never minded honest criticism but I don't do demands very well unless I'm being paid for it.

I even received a tip once from one of the Simon and Trudi readers who liked their story and understood it could never be made into an e-book through the bigger sites where I would receive a percentage of his purchase.

Actually, there's a strong demand for decent gay stories (i.e. more plot than just gay porn) in publishing, though there are few independent gay-friendly publishing companies (i.e. it's assumed any will be self-published, so it's not a bar to getting noticed).

You're likely to get a better reception as a published book, since the story isn't likely to be down-voted by homophobes, but will be passed around by interested gay readers.

Just something to keep in mind if get begin edging closer to publishing in the future.

By the way, my published gay story, "The Nature of the Game", did not garner much attention, though several readers wrote how the ending made them cry (whether that's good or bad, I'm not sure).

Part of succeeding in this field is having connections into the supporting gay network to promote your work, which most straight authors don't have access to.

... purposely avoided posting anything gay to SOL, because of the intense homophobia here. ...

I find this statement interesting in an odd way. Of the 107 stories I've posted to SoL 2 of them have male homosexual sex scenes as the only sex scenes in them. However, neither are gay romance stories, they're revenge type stories. The one listed as much sex has higher scores than the one listed as minimal sex. One of them is my tenth lowest scoring story at 6.84, and the other is the 4th lowest scoring story at 6.34, and both have much sex heterosexual sex stories with lower scores than them. All of my lower scoring stories with sex scenes in them are short stories from early in my official fiction writing career.

I also have some other much sex stories which include gay sex scenes, both female / female and male / male which have good scores.

I suspect the people who attack the gay stories are attacking the gay romance stories, in which case it would be the petting etc. they're angry about. However, we don't have enough data to be able to determine anything meaningful.

BTW my lowest scoring story is a much sex short story at 5.94 while my highest scoring story is a no sex short story at 9.23. My highest scoring much sex story is in 70th place at 7.34 with 2 some sex stories (13th - 8.16, 51st - 7.61) and 2 minimal sex stories (7th - 8.54, 41st - 7.74).

I'm inclined to agree that it is the (sexual) "bromance" that is getting the 1 bombers excited. Non-con male/male won't "trigger" them, it's the consensual male/male that will.

Either way, I doubt many people will be interested in posting gay stories to SOL if the reception is overly harsh. While anti-gay stories are accepted without the harsh 1-bomb penalties, that's small consolation for those writing pro-gay (i.e. positive gay) stories. :(