#21578 - 09/09/05 12:05 AM
Re: spelling errors
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SensualAriel
journeyman
Registered: 09/21/04
Posts: 59
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I posted part of this on another thread here and never got a response, so I apologize in advance for repeating.
I find that many aspiring Erotica writers started out in chat rooms these days. Maybe they really turned their chat partner on and that's inspired them. Afterall, if they can turn that person on, then maybe they could light up a few hundred readers.
Even more aspiring Erotica writers have the misconception that they write about sex cause they're good at it.
Most of the above and a few more believe that Erotica is about turning on and getting off. That's not Erotica, that's porn. I see more porn here than I do Erotica. Which is fine. There's a whole big market for that, too. But it still has to be written well.
If we want to learn to write Erotica, or any other genre, for publication, then we need to learn the basics of writing. Mechanics, grammer, rules, etc... They're not easy. Then we have to learn the style editors and publishers of our chosen genre expects. For example, we're never to use the symbol & , and in most cases we're supposed to spell out numbers.
When I first started writing several years ago, I had no idea what POV meant, what a gerund was or why editors hate them.
There's several books we can buy and many, many, helpful sites out there that teach us all this. But the best way to learn is through peer reveiw.
As several have pointed out above, it's not helpful to say that something sucked or stunk without giving reasons. And the rude comments that I've read authors reply with and the horrible comments they recieve are of no help whatsoever.
I belong to a few think tanks and workshops on the net. In everyone of them before an author can post his story, he must comment to a certain number of stories. Five is the average. That accomplishes many things.
First of all, the author gets help from other authors who in return want help. Also it ensures communication and participation. When the whole group writers are interacting and seriously trying to help each other, you've formed a support group as well as learned where your writing can be improved.
Grammer and spelling corrections are a must. If an editor can't make it through the first few paragraphs without these simple errors popping up, you're story will be canned.
That said, when you post a story you can ask for a full critique or ask specific questions of the other authors. "Is my plot cohesive? Do I stick to the voice of my character? etc..."
Peer reveiw is a wonderful and successful system and I'd be glad to answer any questions or help any way I can.
Ariel
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#21579 - 09/09/05 04:31 AM
Re: spelling errors
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Lael
enthusiast
Registered: 08/28/05
Posts: 377
Loc: California, US
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I understand what you mean about the various reasons people write. And for the most part, I tend to agree. I write because I like to. I am not writing for publication, for an audience, or even for ego. I write for the simple joy of it. I like trying out a new idea, toying with structure and description. It could be pointed out (and rightly) "Then why do you post them?!" Well, because I also like to share. I do my best to weed out what errors I can find. But I also don't let myself get obsessed with finding every last one of them either.
I welcome comments on my work, though I rarely get them. Hell, sometimes I am just grateful for votes at all. Then again, readers surprise me. I posted something I considered very experimental, fooling around with structure and pointedly not having a happy ending by any stretch of the imagination. If I go by the votes it received, it's stunning in its morbid success. Then again, only 16 or so votes even showed up. The readers on this site are a fickle lot, almost random in their voting or commenting. I am just as guilty.
So, I guess the point I am trying to make is this: each writer has their own particular reason for posting a story. Just as each reader chooses to read something for reasons of their own. Our reactions then intermingle, sometimes in a constructive, helpful and postive way, other times in a negative, bitchy and venomous way. Or so it seems.
If spelling and grammar and rules in general are that important to an individual, then by all means hold to that standard. However, please remember that it takes a lot of courage to share some of these stories, especially that first time. Make your suggestions, but don't expect warm fuzzy reactions. Cherish them when they do happen, ignore the rest.
*sidenote: I had to edit because I didn't catch the use of "construction" instead of what should have been "constructive"... imagine that!*
Edited by Lael (09/09/05 04:35 AM)
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#21581 - 09/09/05 12:32 PM
Re: spelling errors
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SensualAriel
journeyman
Registered: 09/21/04
Posts: 59
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Hello Lael,
You're absolutely correct; authors have different reasons they write. Not everyone has publication in mind. It's great that so many of you here write to share and just enjoy the process. Putting your writing out there for others to read can be scary.
My suggestions were originally meant for here Story Feedback
It was my understanding that PK was interested in our thoughts on what to do with that part of the forum. I thought they might apply here, too. I guess the main thing is for authors to let their specific needs be known. If they just want to be generous and share, but would like to have some feedback then they could state that. If an author wants indepth comments then he could ask that too.
Ariel
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#21582 - 09/09/05 12:59 PM
Re: spelling errors
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SensualAriel
journeyman
Registered: 09/21/04
Posts: 59
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Hi Bobdee,
I guess what we had in regards to my post was an author who didn't make herself clear.  I should have said that Erotica wasn't ONLY about turning on and getting off. Sorry bout that.
I agree that a wam-bam-thank-you-ma'am story can be well written. I also think that it should be. It would be distracting to have to keep backing up and re-reading when we're wanting to get to the steamy bits.
Erotica vs Porn. I once heard that Erotica is when you include feathers; Porn is when you use the whole damn chicken.
Seriously...
Porn is defined as creative activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) of no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire
Erotica, from the Greek eros, "love", are works of art, including literature, photography, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or arousing descriptions. Erotica is rather a modern word used to describe the portrayal of human sensuality and sexuality with high-art aspirations, differentiating such work from commercial pornography.
The book Belinda by Ann Rice had very little actual sex, but it was high in erotic content and atmosphere. Some Erotic movies I can think of off hand are Red Shoe Diaries, Two Moon Junction, The Big Easy.
Personally, I don't think Erotica has to have the act of sex. A lot of things besides sex are erotic and titlilating. But to be pornographic there has to be sex.
Ariel.
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