Forum: Author Hangout

That's the way I approach a story when I read, although I understand the question some folks may have. I'm thinking less is more in talking about where story ideas come from.

Although given you never know who's on the other end of the typewriter, "No" is always a pretty good answer to "Did you really do that with your sister/mother/dog/pony?"

Not to mention reminding the reader the author and the narrator or protagonist are not the same person unless the author says so.

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But there's been a couple times when someone writes to say "I really loved the story, any of it real?" and I say, "Yeah, that one part actually happened to me" and I never hear from them again.

Clearly it depends on what that one part was.

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So you gave him your address, right?

I remember telling rache as I read "Mornings on Horseback" that she'd better make it right at the end, "it" being what happened to the narrator. Definitely a successful story.

The only times (a couple or three) I've found it creepy is when the reader hints at his own experiences as if to invite a mutual sharing of what might have happened with a family member.

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make shit up

There it is, folks. The very definition of fiction writing.

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Do you always walk up to perfect strangers and ask them personal questions?

Devil's advocate - we aren't really perfect strangers. Sure, we've never met the readers in person and until they asked the question had no personal interaction, but we did write something that we placed in public view that describes certain actions. On one hand we say that readers might have a problem distinguishing fantasy from reality, but on the other we admit that many things in the stories are at least inspired by real life events.

Therefor, I do think it's natural to have a curiosity. It's another question as to whether one should actually ask the question.

The relationship between an author and reader does not include a right to pry into the author's life.

I can understand the curiosity. I did not condone the questioning. I think I've scared some away by answering.

Follow the DS advice, above: "Share until they beg you to stop and/or threaten to get a restraining order."

One time was along the line of, "Yeah, that part actually happened with one of my cousins, but I was really (age x) and she was (age y)" (where y >= 14)

One time was along the line of, "Yeah, that part actually happened with one of my cousins, but I was really (age x) and she was (age y)" (where y >= 14)

The degree of truth really doesn't matter, as the responder is having difficulty with the fiction/reality separation, and will be disappointed if any of it isn't true (plus, you never know their particular kink. Their kiddie-porn fascination may overshadown their incest preoccupation (or their incest squick might override their under-age interest).

In short, you have no idea what nuts are loose in their heads, so entertaining any of it is inviting disaster. I suggest being polite, but keeping them firmly at arms distance (since many seem to fall into the 'let's trade daughters' camp, which is a separate can of worms altogether when they decide they like yours better than theirs). :(

(since many seem to fall into the 'let's trade daughters' camp, which is a separate can of worms altogether when they decide they like yours better than theirs). :(

On the other hand, there's always the "Harper Valley" series by "Peter Pan" (uds3@hotmail.com). There's a lot of trading of underage daughters with their enthusiastic participation. You'll have to dig around for them, but the Kristen Archives at ASSTR has several. There's some 35 or so in all. More on the stroke side than not, but still worth a read or two.

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On the other hand, there's always the "Harper Valley" series by "Peter Pan". There's a lot of trading of underage daughters with their enthusiastic participation. ... More on the stroke side than not, but still worth a read or two.

While I enjoy a good story, there's a big difference between fiction, trying something between lovers, and a stranger proposing something during your first contact over the internet. That goes beyond Creepy, venturing into the 'police entrapment' category.

The relationship between an author and reader does not include a right to pry into the author's life. That brings one down to the level of tabloid reporters who believe they have a right to know everything about everyone and, if not, have a right to make things up.

That's not the fault of the inquisitive reporter, or curious reader, instead it's up to the author to say 'No, I gave you a story to enjoy for free, but I'm NOT telling you about my personal sex life (mainly because it's not as enjoyable as my stories are)!

However, the 'polite' way to express that topic isn't to attack the questioner, but to put the question into the proper perspective, otherwise they'll just respond with "Famous author denies he had affair with his sisters!"

One fans the flames, the other tamps the coals down before they combust.

The same thing happens when you write about politics. Readers of both stripes will attack you for your 'personal' beliefs, even when they're NOT your beliefs, merely the beliefs of a fictional character to provide a dramatic story conflict. I earned a LOT of rapid critics based on my responses to a few of those.

Therefor, I do think it's natural to have a curiosity. It's another question as to whether one should actually ask the question.

This isn't limited to SOL readers desiring juicy details about authors' sex lives either. Fiction authors have a LONG history of readers assuming every MC is a reflection of their personal views and experiences. Thus, it isn't so much an imposition as an 'expectation adjustment' (i.e. "No, this was a simple fantasy I constructed, trying to make it as real as I could be basing it upon a variety of real experiences I've encountered over the years").

Readers need to accept that every mystery writer isn't a mass-murder, and that no ever porn writer is a sex-hound banging their sisters. Just because you write about it doesn't mean you've either done it or condone it. The 'real-life experiences' is what breaths life into an unrealistic fantasy, it's not a literal transcription. That's also why the best 'war' stories are traditionally written by people who NEVER fought in the war themselves. You need distance on a situation to write about it objectively. For most of us, we write about the failure of other stories to properly present and capture these situations, rather than simply reciting personal experiences.

"Yes I did go shopping st a supermarket, but not admit to any shenanigans there.

And swear you never went near the Reddi-Whip. Or the liver.

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Unless your reader is someone you know and trust in real life, I would admit to things like "Yes I did go shopping st a supermarket, but not admit to any shenanigans there.

Given the political situation around the world, I'd be very careful about what you 'admit to' online. There's NO assurances that the 'friendly reader' isn't a prosecutors office looking for evidence to launch an investigation designed purely to score political points rather than to follow the existing laws.

Fiction is fiction for a reason. If it was true, it would be called "I'm a sleezebag, please arrest me!"