Forum: Story Discussion and Feedback

Its Moanday, lets stir things up. I was looking at the top 50 classic long stories and asked myself, Self, which of these would you most like to read again?

Its a tough decision. There are a lot of great authors represented on the list, and at least one I go Huh? why are those stories there? Hint, they include Vampires and I don't bother with stories about vampires, or zombies.

Does anyone want to go on record to select the best of the best? I recently read the do-over by Rlfj and it sticks in my mind. Lots more sex than I remembered from the first time I read it. And of course Dance of a Lifetime by Frank (the guy who changed his name to Don). There are some really good stories on that list. I suspect people who aren't as crazy as I am about long stories might select stories from some other list, or maybe even ones they wrote themselves. I am looking for something to read after I finish Lost and Found by Douglas Fox. Its on the list but not my choice for best, football, football, and then some more football.

Anybody want to venture an opinion? You can chicken out, like me, and only mention some finalists, THE BEST can be hard to identify.

I was going to do a list and give a brief yea or nay to each, but there's actually quite a few I've not read (yet - except for even fewer that I probably won't)

I'd reread any of the Al Steiner, BarBar, bluedragon, gwrresearch, Lazlo Zalezac or Lubrican, or the works by Andrew Wiggin, Gina Marie Wylie, rlfj, or even Douglas Fox (though I preferred his A Reluctant Hero tying into the Greenies/Perfect World universe), in fact I have reread most of them, however a best was requested.

Since there's so many different styles and subjects, and each appeals at different times depending on mood, I've decided to go by emotional impact. There are two stories on this site I can say bring me to emotional tears. The one in the top 50 long stories, which gets my vote, is Lazlo Zalezac's Hunter, specifically the scene which becomes the magazine cover. The other, which gets my overall top vote isn't in the 50: BarBar's short story First Times which makes me cry even thinking hard about it (warning - it is NOT a 'nice' story).

"The Best" has to be based on the likes and dislikes of the individual reader. Yes, there are authors whose styles I dislike or whose spell checking is rubbish but can produce a good story. I see Madnidge has singled out Lazlo Zalezac's Hunter (and I also endorse Madnidge's Greenies choice) and, because of its entire tone I would add his "Millionaire Next Door" because he makes a clear life route to possible success (what a pity some idiot spammers forced him to take down the site which discussed his "rules"). Other than that you could usually find me reading "doover" stories

I will confess to having read Hammingbyrd7's The Pracher Man at least 4 times. Whilst there are many fine and enjoyable stories on SOL, and I am a big Lazlo Zalezac fan, that one is just so unique, it gets my vote as the best I've read here.

There are so many fantastic stories, but my personal favorite is Aftermath by Al Steiner.

A strong candidate would surely be the completed story with the most downloads for its only/final instalment.

AJ

Redtail
Blackfeather
Dance of a lifetime
Second Chance

Although it's not comepletely finished yet,

Every book in the A Well Lived Life series so far, is a winner.

If I had to suggest THEE Long Stories to read to the first time SOL reader, it would be this list. Though the order would change with the day and mood. I seriously can't rank them.

I think Lazees "Top Lists" is about the best compromise. I also think he is wise to refrain from attempting to declare a single top story.
The process of determining a best overall story is is just too subjective and would drive some people to leave SOL no matter how carefully it was done.

The correct answer is Al Steiner's Aftermath.

And what's wrong with Vampires... as long as, you know, they're written like a shark.

Answering the question in the subject line, yes, because if are there or more choices there is always a best and a worst*. As to what that story is it will vary with each reader.

*With two choices there are only better and worse.

And as to the vampire question. If there are vampires there are still normal humans for the same reason there are still deer in the ranges of mountain lions and/or wolves. If there are too few pray the area can't support predators.

About 100 to 1 for African lions, for instance.

Hi there authors,
enjoyable exchange here among yourselves. Thank you. I am curious if a reader, like myself, can put in "two bobs worth" as the saying goes. In other words, would there be any use to you to know what an "outsider" thinks in therms of "the best".

To be precise, the best I've read thus far, subjective, and in doing so, reveal my taste, my age, perhaps critical at times.

Or, it would be something you rather wouldn't want to know!
Cheers.

First time posting here. Always get nervous my writing will get badly criticized by all you great writers. Hmm, not. At least I can spell correctly..;).

Favorite would be Honkytonk Hero by Joe J. Also, most stories written by Coaster2.

Best story (stories)?
If there are just couple of stories, then there may be answer to this question.

But, with so much good an appealing stories (and lot of them are good or even brilliant) there is simply no god answer to this question.

For me - some stories are good read when outside is sunny, some are good in winter times, some make me smile when I'm sad, some make me cry.

Let's say: stories are here. If you did not read Top 50 (long and short) and Authors' favorites, start with them and then expand your circle ->
- find what are your preferred author favorites,
- search for category or mix of categories,
- follow Top finished downloads
(or Recent Top stories),
etc...

You are not going to miss...

It's difficult to decide how to start whittling down 'favourite stories' into a shortlist of 'possible best stories'. For example, I would undoubtedly pick Preacher Man over Kinetic by almost any measure in some arbitrary 'writing competition', but I find Kinetic to be a more enjoyable read.

Most of my suggestions have already been covered above so I'll just mention the Blacktower series.

I think the best story will vary from one reader to another. Each one has a little different preference in one form or another. Its why when I have recommended this site to potential users I have met in r/l I only recommend a particular story if I know its what they are looking for. Otherwise thankfully
SOL and its sister site FS has a great variety of choices for just about any taste in reading materials. I recommend the sites as a rule because of that great variety in choices. There is probably something to fit almost any one's preferences. Of course I could be wrong about it but what the heck.

Many come to mind, but I pick "The Millionaire Next Door" by Lazlo Zalezac.

I am not trying to be rude, but the more recent stories, (that is, 2010- present) are extremely repetitive. I think I have enjoyed the "precursors" of the site. The years 2002-2009 have some of the most powerful and inspirational stories, not that I'm trying to slight any of the current authors. I miss stories that are set apart from the others, and still have a great meaning to them.

There are many favourites, but I would have to say Tom's Adventures by T-Rix

Personal favourite - Tycoon by Raven Soule though I fear the author may have passed and it won't be completed.

Following that, it depends on mood. aubie56 has stories that I've read numerous times, some of the other authors that write westerns are great for re-reading as well.

I think the Halloween Redemption stories by Starcrawler are very good reads. Many of the stories in The Swarm universe are great for enjoyably chewing up spare time.
Dual Writer has some excellent storytelling, though the swinging elements tend to rip me out of the story.

I find that there are a great many fine story tellers on SOL, it's just a matter of finding stories that match what you want to read, and that don't include elements that ruin your enjoyment of the story.

If you get dizzy swinging, you need to hold on tight, or maybe move from the swings to the teeter-totter, or maybe the monkey bars. Stay off the slides, they are too dangerous.

@docholladay

Usually I can skim through elements that to me, don't fit the story. The way Dual Writer includes it at times is just too jarring. I went so far as to email him about it at one point, because the female character, who was bi but very heavily female preferential, somehow saw no issue with banging other dudes - on their honeymoon.

Or one of the Florida friends stories, where the female member of the newly married couple had maintained her virginity till marriage, but was banging a stranger within a day of losing it. In cases like those, it just doesn't seem to fit the character, so I can't keep my head in the story.

Those are pretty much my only complaint with his stories though, and Dual Writer remains one of my favourite SOL authors. I just need to REALLY skim past sections of the story :)

No, there is no "best" or "greatest" story here or anywhere else and that is a very good thing. Just think how boring and depressing it would be if there was just one best and most perfect x of category y. So a toast to and a celebration for diversity.

This is in no way a cop out just because I am unable to choose just one story over another...of course it's not...