Stories

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Originally posted by Nadia


So anyway, why this confession ? I don't think I will write anymore chapters, I don't belong in a writer's circle and it was a failed try to act as one.
And it was a little bit embarrasing to find out what people really though about my story, I personally can't wait until this site is updated and my story will be on it's way to obscurity and off the front page :-)

Thanks to everyone who read it and to people who posted reviews. As embarrassing as it was, constructive criticism has never hurt anyone ( although baccaccio - you did make me cry :-))

Nadia

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Nadia, if you're next chapter is as charming and technically correct as your note here, I'll be more than happy to revise the review. Not that you will need me to, because you will probably have several other glowing reviews to help you forget this one unfortunate one. :-)

And if English is not your first language, I tip my hat to you for your courage in trying your hand at this. No one has written the perfect story yet; we're all floundering in the same sea.

Boccaccio

Can I just admit first that I'm a little bit star-struck right now?

"To Obey" was a first story I have read on this website. Originally, I was drawn to it because it had an illustration at the end of each chapter. But after awhile, I started to wonder if that mean bitch Ivy will ever get her ass kicked and man...did she ever !

It's probably the only story in the category of "extreme" that I read, otherwise I'm more into lighter, fluffier writings.
Bring on that chapter# 114 ! And gosh darn it ...if in fifty years I'll see a chapter # 1,000,000 - I'll be here in front of a computer with my old lady glasses on !

Thank you for welcoming me to a writer's circle, it's really in honor. Honestly, it's like going backstage at a rock concert !

Nadia

PS. Until recently, I thought the author of "To Obey" was a woman. It's that tricky word " Fire-Bird" that confused me. Hee, I'm such a doofus.

I want to come down very, very strongly on the original poster's side.

Unfinished stories are very frustrating. I've even thought of a little 'check' sign to mark those with an actual ending (however open or scrambled) in my private catalogue. But I realize that would be unfair.

Of course writers do it as a hobby. And all kinds of accidents can interrupt their hobby. But in many cases what we have is the literary equivalent of the guy who shoots his wad, turns over and snores. The writer gets to a climax of sorts, then grows completely bored with the story, if not downright hostile. It happens all the time, mainly with male writers!

I understand the lack of feedback is much to blame. Much of my collection comes from outside BDSM Library. Whenever I came upon a hot text with no ending, I spent quite a lot of effort tracking down the author, and doing a lot of indecent coaxing and ego massaging (when I felt it was deserved). Guess what, it worked - sometimes. Somehow this site's review/vote format repels me a bit - maybe if I can bring myself to think of it as a slave's duty...

For the one and only book I wrote, I did not start writing before having a synopsis, character files and background data pat. The reward is then that you can write in any old order, like movies are actually shot. This removes much of the drudgery of going from one scene to the other. But the creative process is different in each of us so there's no rule - except that the prevalence of unfinished stories does not make them any more acceptable. (sorry guys, that book is in French)

This does not make me any less grateful to the writers who grace us with their wicked creations! And even 'endless' stories can be delicious, skill helping...

There are many reasons why a story can remain unfinished for a while, and it is a natural part of the creative process. There is also a temptation, if a story was finished, but it was popular, or even just because the writer feels like it, to bring it back to life with a sequel, or even a 'prequel'.

Short stories, and good novels that have a well-constructed and conceived plot, have a beginning, a middle and an end and they feel right that way. There are many good ways to begin or end a short story, or a novel.

When people write erotica, they are often thinking more on the lines of, 'a day in the life', something more like an episode in a television series than a novel. They are focused more on the detailed denoument than any underlying plot that extends beyond the particular chapter or episode. In that case, it is easy to see how a story can become almost endless. When this happens, you need to take a fresh look at the story, decide where it is going and make sure that it actually gets there. Was there a message in the story? Is that clear from the episodes out there? If not, maybe it's time to get round to saying just what that message is. It is better to write something shorter with a message, than something longer without any particular message. A writer should not take reviewers too seriously either. They don't always see, or understand what the message is, perhaps because they are also focusing on the detail of the action rather than its underlying message, but sometimes because they don't share the same perspective as the writer on the subject matter.

Sometimes it is easy to put an idea down in a way that makes it complete in itself, but sometimes we don't do it justice by rushing to finish it. Knowing where the story is going, where it will end, does not mean that every problem will solve itself easily along the way. Posting chapters means that you cannot change direction by going back and writing them again. You have to solve problems by carrying on, which is much more difficult.

I have at present a number of stories that are unfinished, although I believe that what I have shared with people out there was worth sharing as it is. If there is a problem to be solved, I have always preferred to take longer and solve it better, than rush into it. In the end the reader benefits.

There are ideas, stories that pull a writer on. The personalities you create seem at first to have little shape, and even less right to dictate their place in the story, but the power of a writer can be an illusion. When you see a world in your mind with people in it, they appear to behave like real people in their own alternative world, and sometimes it seems as if they are writing it all by themselves. That is where the middle of a story can become very much longer than you had originally intended. You have to keep them in line, and always remember where the story is going to finish up, whether they like it or not!

None of this matches up with the kind of reasons that have been posted here to explain the unfinished story. It is not particularly a result of having other things to do, but sometimes a break is needed before the right idea pops up to create that much needed bridge between the middle of a story and the end.

Problems that arise can be technical in nature, psychological, behavioural or even affected by events in the outside world. I had a story set in Manhatten that seemed inappropriate to continue immediately after September 11.

As readers, here you are fortunate in being able to communicate directly with the writers. You can ask them about a story that appears to have been on hold for a while, and they might tell you the reason. But please try to be patient with them. In the end, their imagination is your entertainment!

I realize what you are saying and understand
what i was in reference to is stories that where posted 1-2 maybe 3 years ago with no end, i understand leaving stories hanging but for 2-3 years?? :)

My Manhatten story has been hanging for 2-3 years. I have another story that needs about three more chapters to finish it, and I left it on hold because the site where it was posted was not updated for that period of time. There are some excellent stories out there that are enjoyable as they are, but everyone wants a little more - or in some cases, a lot more!

What is important, in the end, is the quality of what we finish up with.

Thank you for your reply

I don't know abut the rest, but I've never finished a story in my life. Some, due to lack of discipline, and others, because I don't know where I'm going. Some things posted here are vignettes; simply scenes. "Flesh, Blood, and Bone" is the only one I've posted here thus far, and while this could definitely continue, the continuation would not be something suitable for a BDSM library. None of my stories could be seriously considered a BDSM story, and as those who are reading the stories on this site are looking for a certain subject matter, why waste their time and mine? I have stories upon stories that I would love to post here and get feedback for, but as they do not suit the subject of this site, I don't.

This is not an easy subject to write a plotted story for, at least for me. The BDSM elements tend to overwhelm the rest, or there is not enough BDSM to satisfy what I consider the requirements to be. Any story of mine would have maybe two chapters containing a BDSM scene, tops, and that alone would be a struggle. Most who read stories here, from what I've seen, are looking for erotica, or outright porn. I don't write either.

thank you for your reply

I come down on the side of the OP (sometimes I get frustrated waiting years for new chapters), but I'm also surprised by writers who are able to publish work that they haven't finished yet. I understand the idea of teasing readers by publishing in installments, but I couldn't possibly publish something when I didn't know where it was going.

A big reason for this is that my stories often change shape radically over their writing, and I need to go back to earlier chapters to fill in more details, or change characterisations, so that the later chapters make sense.

thank you for your reply

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Originally Posted by mkemse

thank you for your reply

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Mkemse? ... Are you stuck on a record or something?! ... Honestly, if you can't give something constructive to the forum, just be quiet and stay down the back where no one can see you.

Oh by the way, I saw the review you gave my last story. Mkemse, I'd appreciate it if you actually waited for the remainder of the chapters to be released before making some stupid half cock assessment. Your review only highlights the fact that you can't make an objective observation on a story. All you've given it is a low mark and some dumb comment without any feedback about the story itself.

For someone who is in their 50s, can't you come up with something better than "the rating is very genenrous" ... and bloody hell, there is actually an invention called a spell checker, although after reading some of your other reviews, I certainly wouldn't believe it.

I've worked long and hard on creating, writing and building up the story over the past two months. I've had it proof read by a member of the BDSMLibrary who actually specialises in proofreading as their occupation. I've re-read and re-wrote the story a number of times to get it as perfect as I can.

... and immediately some dufus of a moron comes along and gives it a low rating without even bothering to read it ... why, maybe you were intimidated because it had big words in it. Who knows, who cares!

Mkemse, us writers put A LOT of EFFORT into our work. We don't mind criticism and we do love compliments, but for God's sake, at least put down SOME feedback. If you can't or won't ... then f'cking don't write anymore reviews.

Firebird.

I will make sure i never review another story by you

you do not have to read my review but in this country we do have freedom of speech and expression, unless you are not aware of that

Promise?

BTW, the US isn't the ONLY country in the world that has freedom of speech. But you seem to take the freedom to be an asshole to the nth degree.

Good riddance to YOUR reviews.

Calm it down, guys. Whilst I couldn't agree more with "freedom to be an asshole" with a lot of people, it's more appropriate in a PM than the open forum.

Having posted my own serial story, the method has its own problems and advantages. You get feedback from people straight away on the quality, but things are pretty set in stone. The best way I've found is to keep chapters in reserve, and only post when you're certain of what's going to happen.
That given, it's pretty easy to tell an unfinished story. Usually you can read the chapter titles, or if the Author is good, the reviews, to see what they're doing.

And people do need to lighten up on us Authors, and always remember that just like you're reading it for free, we get nothing out of it than the satisfaction of knowing that people took the time to read, and enjoy or dislike it. Be thankful that you got a part story, rather than none at all. Perhaps instead of being frustrated, you should use the open ending to fuel your own creativeness? :)
LD

H LD, look ... I am angry, not so much for the low rating given to a story I've worked very hard on, but that there was no informative feedback as to why the reviewer felt my story wasn't good. This has been my gripe for a while now. Readers (and authors) can simply make a rating, add in a couple of words and that is suppose to be a review.

A story has a lot of components and it isn't easy getting them to work together. If a part of a story doesn't make sense, needs a spell checker, has bad grammer, doesn't flow, etc ... then fine, but reviewers need to write that in the review. Not just "I don't like it."

Insubstantial reviews like that are a waste of time, energy and don't help anyone, especially the author.

FB

as a poor speller and an un-finisher i suppose i ahve no right to post to this thread but it saddens me to see ppl getting so aggressive towards each other in the open posts - it doesn't help anybody least of all the fine reputation of the Library which i have coem to love :)

please would ppl keep their spats out of public view? is it too much to ask?

love & respect

ruthie[Phil]
XXXXXX;)

Hi Slave Ruthie,

You're right. This website is brilliant and we shouldn't be aggressive towards each other. I think this is one of maybe two times where I've actually had a go at someone on the internet, but in this case, I feel my point has been made and I'm happy to leave it at that.

Jinn has done a fantastic job with the website and he keeps making improvements everyday. There is a really good supply of pictures available to the paying members, the dungeon for learning, the forums for intelligent conversation, and even a chatroom. And now his new website (BDSM-Illustrated) is looking to be just as popular and I'm very happy to help him build it with extra story writing.

We've got it good people (and subs.) I cannot think of another website which offers so much, and all for so little.

In saying that, this website relies on authors to produce stories. Writing isn't as easy as it sounds. Myself personally, I have to fit it in with work, my family, relatives, sleep, and renovating a house into my 24 hours a day. Sometimes the authors need a break from story cynicism and an occasional pat-on-the-back wouldn't hurt either. We're not all professionals in the story writing business. We just enjoy storytelling. We don't get paid and unfortunately I've seen and spoken to a number of promising authors get shot down in flames on their first story submission. Others however have thrived and gone on to make awesome BDSM literature.

So lets put it this way, if you really like a story ... let the poor old author know. If you don't like it ... ditto. Let them know how good or bad it is, and importantly to help them improve or just put a big darn smile on their faces ... tell them 'why' you like it or where it could be improved.

Jinn. Excellent website mate. You get two thumbs up from the Bird. Your new site is looking awesome and I'm privileged to be on the ground level with it.

Authors. You're the grease that helps drive this website. Each and everyone of you is important, and your work (both good and bad) is appreciated by all.

Anyone else want to cheer on Jinn and/or the authors ... the stage is yours.

Thanks for listening to an old firebird.
FB

"We've got it good people (and subs.)" - LOL!

love & respect

ruthie aka rotten-speller/unfinisher...and sub
XXXXXX;)

i am not sure if this is the place to post this comment or not, but here goes ... i try to review the stories i read that i think are really good. however, sometimes i read stories that contain things i don't find sexually stimulating (snuff, incest, etc.) that are not listed in the little box under the title. i have given some less than good reviews because i didn't like the story and wasn't prepared for the content. i have gotten blasted by a couple of people for giving a poor review. why don't the authors make sure the reader's know up front what the content of their work contains?

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i have given some less than good reviews because i didn't like the story and wasn't prepared for the content.

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That's one of the most useful aspects of posting a review. I don't care much for those subjects either (which severely limits the selections I do look at). No one should complain if your review points out the obvious, and in the process you'll spare the rest of us from making the same unfortunate discovery.

Well, I agree that authors should be careful to use the correct codes for their stories, so readers can avoid the topics they personally don't enjoy, and also search for those they do find interesting. Like you, I am dismayed when I read a story and find it contains a topic that's a turn-off for me. My list of turn-offs includes snuff, incest, and underage characters.

However, I don't give a bad review on the basis of a missing or incorrect story code. I will mention it in the review, but I base the review on my perception of the quality of the writing, and I do make an effort to explain why I rated it as I did.

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Originally Posted by bisarah

i try to review the stories i read that i think are really good. however, sometimes i read stories that contain things i don't find sexually stimulating (snuff, incest, etc.) that are not listed in the little box under the title. i have given some less than good reviews because i didn't like the story and wasn't prepared for the content. why don't the authors make sure the reader's know up front what the content of their work contains?

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