It would help me if you added Dragon to the other Paranormal categories. I want to check if they drag on.
It would help me if you added Dragon to the other Paranormal categories. I want to check if they drag on.
I consider Dragons to be Fantasy creatures (along with elves, orcs, fairies, goblins etc), not Paranormal (vampires, zombies, ghosts etc).
consider Dragons to be Fantasy creatures (along with elves, orcs, fairies, goblins etc), not Paranormal (vampires, zombies, ghosts etc).
There is some overlap here. The Dead Tree publishing industry tends to categorize having Fantasy creatures in a modern setting as paranormal.
Agreed, there is some overlap.
However, I don't see a path towards resolution anytime soon. High fantasy, low fantasy, paranormal, grimdark, etc, all have overlap based on opinion with no recognized central definition.
High fantasy, low fantasy, paranormal, grimdark, etc, all have overlap based on opinion with no recognized central definition.
But the overlap isn't 100%. We could work in the forum on some basic definitions. Along with an agreement not to pound on people for miss tagging something that falls into an area of overlap.
I would propose:
High Fantasy: Magic with multiple intelligent humanoid* races in a medieval setting. Elves, dwarves, orcs, etc would be the traditional set of humanoid races, but you could do something with races based on different anthropomorphic animal species.
Sword & Sorcery: Similar to High Fantasy, but without any intelligent humanoid races other than normal humans.
Paranormal: Supernatural forces (can include magic) in a modernish setting. Can include high fantasy races as well as other traditional paranormal elements such as ghosts, undead of various types, and/or werecreatures.
Fairy Tail: Magic, though usually not wielded by humans, supernatural creatures more towards traditional Irish/Celtic folklore "little people" than Tolkien style Elves. Setting can be anything from Medieval to modern. (could be considered a subset of paranormal)
Lots of stories here drag on. Not all are Para-normal Some are Abby-normal.
But do we have any Nermal stories?
Is this a serious request or are you abusing this forum for the sake of an unfunny pun.
If the former, could you give examples of stories where the presence of a 'Dragon' tag would have helped you?
If you're a premium member, paid or earned, you can search stories for occurrences of the word 'dragon', and not all of them will me misogynistic ;)
AJ
Is this a serious request or are you abusing this forum for the sake of an unfunny pun.
Seriously..??
The wording of the OP makes it an obvious piss-take.
The amusement comes from those who take it seriously.
Seriously..??
He's been judged responsible enough to have reviewer privileges, and he tries to do a better job than the "I lick this storey 10 10 10" merchants. Therefore I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
And it seems to have led to a serious discussion of an area where SOL is weak.
AJ
a serious discussion of an area where SOL is weak.
Lazeez does not publicise the number of members/readers, however it is obvious that the number of those vocal on this forum is an insignificant percentage.
I have no doubt that there are people who consider they could improve the category/tag system, of course they would change it to suit their tastes and views, not those of everyone else.
Since those vocal on this forum can't actually agree on how current tags are used/abused etc, why is it important to add more that require several sentences of explanation yet would apply to a handful of stories?
The current tags make sense if viewed as applicable to sex stories, which is exactly what they were designed for. Lazeez might wish to down-play the sex story focus to engage a wider readership but the fact is that the majority of the stories on SoL are sex stories. Creating the sister sites was a far better way to deal with both non-sex stories and attract new readers.
Which site a 'Dragon' story is posted to is relatively simple. Is it a sex story with dragons, or a story about dragons..?
The former goes to SoL, the later to scifistories
Lazeez might wish to down-play the sex story focus to engage a wider readership but the fact is that the majority of the stories on SoL are sex stories.
That's true, but it also seems to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Since SOL is already dominated by sex-oriented stories, it attracts predominantly sex-oriented stories.
Creating the sister sites was a far better way to deal with both non-sex stories and attract new readers.
I don't think it's been a big success. The numbers of stories and readers must be immensely disappointing.
A unified submission system would help, for stories that could be posted on more than one site as-is.
AJ
I don't think it's been a big success. The numbers of stories and readers must be immensely disappointing.
Only Laz knows for sure. Besides which he seems to be pragmatic enough to take the long view rather than expecting instant $$$
It's way to create in six days and rest on the seventh if you have unlimited funds, absolutely no constraints, critics or lawyers... An even that does not get a perfect result...
Given his constraints and the results achieved to date, I'm not sure if Lazeez deserves a Knighthood, Sainthood or a lifetime of damn fine blow-jobs...
Maybe all three in his order of preference..?
A unified submission system would help, for stories that could be posted on more than one site as-is.
Perfect for those too lazy to use the submission wizards for the relevant sites.
If they care enough to post a story they ought to care enough to use the wizards and complete them correctly, including tags and story description. A quick glance proves that in fact many don't care enough.
A unified submission system would help, for stories that could be posted on more than one site as-is.
Perfect for those too lazy to use the submission wizards for the relevant sites.
Lazeez has said in the past that his long term plans include not only a unified submission system, but a single underlying story database to serve all three sites.
It's possible that he has since decided that it isn't practical, but he hasn't said so.
It's possible that he has since decided that it isn't practical, but he hasn't said so.
It is still in the plans and necessary if I want to keep the workload smaller with multiple sites (maybe more soon).
However, I'm getting old (50s) (slower in coding) and too many things to do (SOL and sites, Bookapy, Clitorides, business to run, family etc...).
Bookapy is now taking all of my time. I'm currently working on a ebook building system so that authors don't have to worry about various formats. Then an online ebook reader.
Unfortunately, currently, I can't afford to hire a young programmer that would be more productive than myself. So things, for now, take a lot of time even when the potential for time saving for me is big.
However, I'm getting old (50s) (slower in coding) and too many things to do (SOL and sites, Bookapy, Clitorides, business to run, family etc...).
Unfortunately, currently, I can't afford to hire a young programmer that would be more productive than myself.
What you need is an apprentice. Someone to carry on so the site doesn't die off when you are gone.
What you need is an apprentice. Someone to carry on so the site doesn't die off when you are gone.
Hoping one of my kids would do that. We'll see.
Hoping one of my kids would do that. We'll see.
Well, if you can get one of them interested in helping with site development/maintenance now, it would be a start.
Lazeez has said in the past that his long term plans include not only a unified submission system,
Ok, so go design and code a wizard suitable for use by folk with a wide range of competence that allows them to submit their stories to playboy, sci-fi monthly and teen mag of the month, without ever allowing an inappropriate submission to the wrong publication...
Alternatively, take this teaspoon and go empty the Pacific into the Atlantic.
Teaspoon..?? Hell, I'd take that option if you offered a fork..!!
Ok, so go design and code a wizard suitable for use by folk with a wide range of competence that allows them to submit their stories to playboy, sci-fi monthly and teen mag of the month, without ever allowing an inappropriate submission to the wrong publication...
It's Lazeez's plan, what are you bitching at me about it for?
It's Lazeez's plan, what are you bitching at me about it for?
Actually it wasn't aimed at you personally, but don't worry, I'll get around to you soon... :)
Actually it wasn't aimed at you personally
Hey, you can bitch at me. I'm the one who's too thick to operate one submission wizard, let alone three.
Or did you mean bitch in the literal sense, woof woof?
AJ
Hey, you can bitch at me. I'm the one who's too thick to operate one submission wizard, let alone three.
Why are you responding to a post addressed to DS..?
Because I'd like Lazeez to "code a wizard suitable for use by folk with a wide range of competence that allows them to submit their stories to playboy, sci-fi monthly and teen mag of the month". (Remind me again - which of those is analogous to FineStories?)
I resemble your target.
AJ
(Remind me again - which of those is analogous to FineStories?)
We are conversing via computer, therefore none are analogue, they are all digital...
:)
I resemble your target.
No. You ARE my target. (Well, once I reload, the rock salt doesn't do it.)
:)
You do know I'm English, don't you?
Of course I know. You're also a gentleman with a sense of humour.
:)
Not me - I don't prefer blondes ;)
Ok, to get back somewhere close to the topic... Rather than let this banter dragon...
Perfect for those too lazy to use the submission wizards for the relevant sites.
I find all the minutiae of submitting a story to SOL quite challenging - comparing SOL's meaning of the story codes with what I want to tell the readers, for example - and I quite often have to ask Lazeez to bale me out. Multiply that by three and my inclination is not to bother.
If Lazeez can sort out a system where you fill in all the details as best you can then tick the boxes for which sites you want to submit to, and then the system sorts out the codes appropriate to each site etc, not only will it reduce author fat-fingers but also introduce a consistency and uniformity I think readers will subconsciously appreciate.
I know it won't work for everyone - I understand some authors tailor their works for each site (eg cut out the smut for Finestories), but I would see a unified submission wizard as a huge plus.
AJ
If Lazeez can sort out a system where you fill in all the details as best you can then tick the boxes for which sites you want to submit to, and then the system sorts out the codes appropriate to each site etc, not only will it reduce author fat-fingers but also introduce a consistency and uniformity I think readers will subconsciously appreciate.
It wouldn't even need to have the site tick boxes.
IIRC, Lazeez's plan is for a unified tag set and one underlying story database. Each of the three sites would be served the appropriate stories based on the tags.
Finestories would get anything marked no-sex for example.
is this a serious request
Yes, I looked up "dragon" on the advanced search page and got a thousand entries. But the advanced search doesn't show a lot about the story, I would have to individually search 300 stories a day to find out the information you get when you look at the story, like rating, score, story size, if it has been reviewed, if it is complete or if it has been abandoned. Now that we Premiers of Canada who pay a little over $69 a year (that's an SOL appropriate number, maybe there should be a tag for 69) we get 300 story views a day, at least until the virus is under control.
I am interested in stories about dragons, Uncle Jim has one right now that has a witch who discovers she and her partner can shape shift to being a dragon. I wouldn't mind reading some more stories like that (not his, I have read them all and recommend them highly, I even reviewed one.) But Advanced search doesn't help much in finding stories I would prefer to read after finding 1000 dragon stories.
Yes, I looked up "dragon" on the advanced search page and got a thousand entries.
Uhmmm, you would have the same problem if you searched for "dwarf", "elf", or "orc". If "dragon" is added as a code all other magical beings should be added too, don't you think? I understand your problem when searching but a "dragon" code is probably too specific. Try your search again with something like "dragon + lair" and maybe you get less results that fit what you are searching for.
I am interested in stories about dragons, Uncle Jim has one right now that has a witch who discovers she and her partner can shape shift to being a dragon.
And it's an excellent story too.
Three Square Meals has a nymph who can shape-shift into a dragon. It's not yet finished, it's very long and I ended up paging past the sex scenes but it's a good story.
Wolves has dragons. But the plot seems to be racing away from the main story arc and down rabbit-holes that are excuses for diverse GameLit scenes.
Paige Hawthorne's stories have dragon ladies. No comment.
AJ
Another thought, and showing my ignorance here, but would you want/expect drakes to be coded as 'Dragon'?
AJ
Wayzgoose just started posting Steven George & the Dragon, is that obvious enough for a dragon story?
Wayzgoose just started posting Steven George & the Dragon, is that obvious enough for a dragon story?
I get the feeling it's going to be a very metaphorical dragon.
AJ