Forum: Story Discussion and Feedback

I will definitely have to read this one and see if I can learn the 'secret sauce'.

Considering that it's currently languishing at 6.26 (as I type), I would hold off on trying to learn or copy from that writer as clearly, the story still needs some work.

If you are after 'secret sauce' you would be far better to read some of the high scoring stories on this site and try to work out why they are so highly rated and adjust your own work accordingly.

I would also recommend that you write a short story and post it. That's so you can gauge both interest and calibre of your own work. No point in writing a 100K word story if it then sinks without a trace after posting because no-one likes your writing style. It's better to find out beforehand and make adjustments.

I've noticed your posts in the forum over time and I'm starting to see a trend in them. You lead with a question (or you answer someone else's' question) and then you go on at length about how you have a large backload of work, that for many different reasons, never seems to see the light of day.

It's starting to sound like your problem is procrastination.

So here is a challenge for you. Just pick one of your stories (completed or not) and post it. Don't overthink it, just do it. You can always re-post it later, or if you worry that the original score will tarnish the re-post, delete the old story and re-post.

If you can't do that, then your problem is procrastination and you may need to tackle that issue first before you spend time on writing.

I don't see many stories I've liked or even gotten into under say 25k. you mention score what would you set your 'cut-off' at? I'd be ecstatic to receive mid 7's as a newbie

I don't have a score cut off, per-say. I read what I fancy reading, though to be honest, I have read very little here in the last few years. I don't enjoy reading stories on screen, as I much prefer to read from a physical book. In the past, I have read stories that scored 5 and enjoyed them. Equally, I have attempted to read highly vaunted 9+ stories on here and never made it past the first few pages.

I also doubt your implication that 'newbies' automatically score lower until they gain 'traction' has actual merit. My first story many moons ago here, was also my highest scoring story for many decades, yes, decades (I started submitting back in 2002). To date, I have 63 stories on this site and they range in scoring from 4.26 (ouch!) to 8.24. I have only started gaining consistent scores above 7.70 in the last three years. The result, I'm sure, of posting, reading the feedback and adjusting my writing accordingly.

one other 'problem' I foresee is that I don't have a singular 'style'. though I am trying to be mostly consistent within a single story I have not come close to achieving that across titles. I don't even have a singular theme, the closest to that would be incest but there are at least two stories where it is conspicuously absent. short-ish afternoon delights which is completely stand alone and another from a series that need to mostly be read in order.

Neither do I, which is why my scores are so... varied... in range. I write what has caught my attention at that moment.

Anyway, to re-cap, just post... something... and take it from there. In fact, as I write this, I'm pretty darn sure I wrote something similar to this reply a few years ago in response to one of your forum posts.

I shall be keeping an eye on the new story page, over the next few days, for your response...

clearly, the story still needs some work.

I sampled the first few paragraphs and they screamed 'editor' at me :-(

AJ

sampled the first few paragraphs and they screamed 'editor' at me :-(

I had the same reaction.

I don't know the numbers or math related to the options

Per the author stats page, it's a formula based on story size and score:

This number is the size of text qualifying for premier service. If it is over 500, then you should be getting premier service on the site, or you will after your next post. It's calculated from the regular size and the score. Better quality stories are worth more.

For me, my story size is 78,198KB, and my average score is 8.72, resulting in a 'premier score' of 69,378.

That should give you a rough idea of the formula. Given I don't know the details, I won't speculate on exactly how it works, given I don't know the weighting algorithm.

I sampled the first few paragraphs and they screamed 'editor' at me :-(

You, (and Michael Loucks) are clearly, braver individuals than I am... 🫣

I read the whole of it. The starting premise is somewhat similar to the start of Delaware Dan's Spring Break story. I don't think there's anything particularly original about it. I don't share the OP's enthusiasm.

I'm not a complete Mr Negativity. I really liked the opening chapter of Manik Bunee by FictionalChris. I think it's a sort of cross between BarBar's Bec series and Pixy's Angry Girls stories, and I definitely want to read more.

AJ

Pixy's Angry Girls stories

Baaahahaaahaahaa.... I see what you did there... 🤪

I really liked the opening chapter of Manik Bunee by FictionalChris

I've just read PCT by the same author and a rather wan version of the Manik Bunee protagonist crops up in a minor role.

I found PCT a frustrating read - what seemed like strategic sub-plots were developed then suddenly dropped without resolution. And vital events occurred off-camera and not mentioned until later, forcing the reader to go back and re-read the parts they affected to understand why the characters suddenly acted out-of-character.

AJ

Writes

and the only just found the forums

And follows up with;

I'm good at catching typos, grammatical errors, and odd turns of phrase that could be confusing.

😜🤪 😁

The whole theme of a boy finding out by accident that he's being purposely left out of the family sexy times, is honestly one of my favorites.

Try "Tiny Tim" by Overconfident Sarcasm.