My previous post 'Suspending disbelief - Writers get your details correct', hit a nerve. In a good way. I want to condense a couple of points that were the gist of the 10 or so replies.
Yes please, accurate details mater to the story is the main comment. To many stories on SOL fail in this area was the consensus. When a writer takes the time to supply accurate details the story tends to be better received. Main issue, failing to check easily verifiable information or to simply provide the information. It feels lazy. Again, trust comes into play. By supplying believable factual details that support your plot (or
fictional world) you build trust with your reader. Once the reader see's you care and have gotten real world details correct the suspension of disbelief is more likely. I believe the reader will accept your plot or premise no matter how far out if you ground the story in checkable details. Let's face it there are a lot of far out plots on SOL so the more we do to help the suspension of disbelief the better.
There are two sides to the coin. Writers who don't bother, saying details don't mater (that is the sound of me moving on to the next story in my Q). The other, too many details. I call this the 'sharing all your research and knowledge' that can have the effect of slowing down the flow or distracting from the plot. (I recently read a story, excellent writing, on SOL where half of the dozen chapters were on physics and math most of which had little to do with the story). Find the balance, think of the reader. Do the details add to the story?
But what do you do when you get the details wrong? I think as a writer if the detail is important to the overall story make the correction. I don't sweat the small mistakes I read, but it is the cumulative effect of many small ones or a big one or two that kills that suspension of disbelief. As a reader we expect the writer to do the work if you want our time. That is the feedback I received. The SOL writer Lubrican has a rule that a month after he publishes he reposts/updates again after he has received feedback to catch detail and other mistakes. Good policy.
A couple people spoke about another detractor bad grammar and spelling. I raise my hand as an offender. I would agree this can be a problem. So writers should take the time to do the basics of spelling, grammar and reading up on things like how to write dialog. It was suggested the free version of Grammarly is a good tool. I have learned a lot from editors and feedback on my few tries at erotica. There are a lot of easily fixable preventable mistakes. I do make corrections when informed but grammar is not my strength.
Another argument sent to me was that plot is more important along with strong characters than details. I would argue that plot and good characters supported by a few good details will make for a great story.
The bottom line from feedback is that readers want good details. They expect writers to do the work to check to makes sure they have their details correct. When the writers fails on the details the story fails and the reader walks away most often.
I will end with two of my favorite writers on SOL as they always post quality work. Both these writers get details correct but are also excellent at 'setting the scene' painting with words so to speak where we are going to spend time.
First Lubrican who I wrote a story based off his Prick Van Winkle epic. He does details better than well most anyone. We exchange some email and his comments on dialog were very helpful when I wrote my story based on his. A link https://storiesonline.net/s/49486/prick-van-winkle?ind=1 . All his works are good and he takes feedback.
The other melanieatplay, she has about 20 stories posted she writes mostly about the Las Vegas area. She does a fantastic job of giving the reader details they need to set the stage and see the story. I loved her short story placed in 1960 Las Vegas, https://storiesonline.net/s/22175/an-evening-at-the-copa . Again she takes and appreciates feedback.
I would love to hear about any other authors that you think do the details well. I might do a third post capturing a few to help the reader who is looking out.