Questions That Might Lead to a Request for Level One

Hello, all!!

Thanks for reading this. I'm here first to ask about the writer's block. How does it work, exactly? In this forum, there are hints at 'assignments' and there's word that it's based on activity. Sounds cool.

Still, I'm wondering about the nature of these assignments? And, even more, about how much activity is required. My real life is such--I'm married, we have a four month old child, I work full time--that I'll be able to be active. . . irregularly. Since I only want to ask for level one access once, I thought I'd ask upfront what kind of time commitment I'm making.

And, this isn't really a Writers' Block question, but I figure that someone reading this will have an answer: what are the guidelines for writing for the stories section? I'm 'exploring' a universe in which D/s is common. . . but a lot of my ideas aren't explicitly erotic. (I tell myself that the Gor novels, aren't, either.) Is something like that welcome here? And where can I learn more, in general, about what's expected of an author. (Call me stupid, I did look here and at the Stories page. . . it might be there, but I didn't see it.)

Thanks for your time,
-Toby

Hello Toby,

I am Venom, an author who has reached Level Three so far. Therefore, I am not the one in charge here. It is possible that your post wasn't noticed because of technical and/or organisational difficulties. So I will take the liberty to answer it:

"Assignment" means "writing" - stories, of course, but at the beginning there also can be something like "Tell us the reasons why you want to be an author". But all assignments will be of literary nature, if this was your question. There won't be anything like: "Get five nudes of Miss Piggy."

The stories I wrote for the Writer's Block were quite long - it took about four weeks each (maybe ten to fifteen hours of pure writing). But there is absolutely no need for such extended narrations. Content counts.

An assinment could look like "Write a story about a girl meeting her kinky aunt" as well as "Create a story including the words green-coloured, shutter and sulphur".

You upload your story, and the Level's tutor will edit it and give you tips for improving it. Once you have acquired sufficient skills, you will enter the next Level.

Unlike my narrations in the Library, my stories for the Writer's Block were generally not erotic. One for example was about a car terrorising people at a petrol station, an other was classic Fantasy with swords and knights. Not erotic or BDSMesque at all.

To your question "Where can I learn more about what's expected of an author?"
I am sure, Level One is exactly the place for it.

Thanks, Venom!!

In that case, I'd like to request Level One access. Is this message sufficient, or should I do something else, too?

-Toby

Maybe you should submit your request in a separate post in this thread, just to get more attention. Below you will find a quotation from "Getting Started/Introduction":

"How to Start/Gain Access
You need to write a brief, 25 word description/essay on why you wish to be a part of The Writer’s Block. Then, a Writer’s Instructor will contact an Administrator to provide you access to Level 1."

But it could take a while, for - as far as I know - there is no Level One Instructor around at the moment.

Send a message to Torq requesting admittance. If there is no Level 1 instructor I am sure our venerable Level 4 Instructor could lend a hand. I intend on getting back to helping out as soon as possible. Though, my schedule is a nightmare right now.