Sorry, this isn't about BDSM.
I was wondering what other writers' routines were, during the writing of, and before the submission of, a story.
1. My usual practice is to sit and just start writing from an idea that was sparked. I don't write an overview or break it down into parts or a plan. I just see what happens.
2. As I go along, I correct little mistakes as I go (my brain cell and fingers have different speeds), and if I find myself at a standstill, I read over my last paragraph to get me started again. I may change it a little, or just use it as a springboard. Any mistakes I notice, I change as I see them.
3. Once my story is complete, or at least has an ending, I read it through briefly to spot any obvious mistakes.
4. Since I write in Word, and save regularly, I copy the text, and paste into a Lush PM to myself (it's always exciting to receieve a message, even from myself). This prevents the hidden coding or whatever it is in Word that messes up my format when entered into the submission box. I copy from the sent message to myself, and then paste into the submission form.
5. I add my title, tags and one-liner, and choose which category I think best fits the story as a whole, rather than the element I wanted to write about, or thought I was.
6. The next step is pre-view, in which I go through more thoroughly, looking for spelling, grammar, and storyline mistakes. I always find that the pre-view makes me see my work differently, and am therefore more alert.
7. My final stage is to read the story aloud to myself, which can bring to light any problems with sentence structure, and character issues. I often pick up at least one or two spelling mistakes that I missed with this method.
8. Finally, I submit the story.
9. Then I fret about if my story will be rejected and if my friends will like it or not if it's accepted.
I don't tend to let anybody read my work before submission, even though I know it's sensible to. I would lose my nerve and never post it if I did. Sometimes, when I am struggling with my confidence, I ask a friend if they want a preview, just to gauge if I'm doing alright. But nine times out of ten they say they will wait for the whole thing. I think if I told them the real reason I was asking, they would, but I don't like to put them out.
My biggest concern at this stage is what the moderators think about my story, and whether or not they think it worth posting, and whether or not they are annoyed with both my writing and mistakes I might have made. To me, if my story is what less than one person thinks worth posting, and is littered with mistakes, then it was a waste of everybody's time, including my own.
I do care what people think of what I write. I shouldn't, but I do. If one person enjoyed it, then I am over the moon. And so, I go out of my way to make sure that what I submit is not only what I hope is an enjoyable or thought-provoking story, but also is delivered in a way that does not detract from what I am trying to put across by spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
So, if you lasted this long, what is your writing and proof-reading process?
Ut incepit fidelis, sic permanet.
*** 
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Well, I'm incredibly weird in that I usually, when I'm in the mood to write, i go straight to the submissions page, pull up a blank screen and begin to write...
Usually, it takes me several hours to write a piece. I NORMALLY have an idea of what I want to write about, usually I've thought about my characters before I begin to actually create them on the page. Very often, I have an idea for a plot, but more often, my characters take on a life of their own as I write them, frequently they surprise me.
The snag with writing this way is that I rely on an innate ability to edit as I go, correcting mistakes as I realise I've made them. Invariably, when the story is approved by a colleague and posted on the front page, I notice mistakes and have to go back and re-edit.
You may ask why I write in such a slipshod, haphazard way? Wouldn't it be easier, cleaner to write in Word, correct, proof, copy and post.
Well, it would... But.... My laptop doesn't have a Word programme!!! (It used to but I think it caught a disease and went mad... anyway it doesn't work!!!)
I wouldn't recommend my method to serious writers.
xx steph
After finding erotic stories online, I got tired of not finding just what I was looking for, so I wrote one myself. Initially, my stories were for me. Then, I found a site where I could upload them and, why not? So, basically, I write for me, and then share it with others.
The process itself is usually simply me getting an idea for a sexy story. I run with it, with little functional planning. I create characters, put them in situations, and see how they react to eachother. I think it works marvelously if you try to make believable characters, but I have the problem of losing interest with stories before they're finished. That's a pickle, because I either leave it unfinished, which is unfulfilling, or I half-ass it, which is also unfulfilling. Writing stories where the end is already planned makes it much easier, but then it leaves the end closed to exploration without a bunch of sequels, also not appealing.
Well usually an idea comes up and I try to imagine a little. If I think there's potential, I'll go to my laptop and start typing. I don't come up with the title right away. It's only while writing that potential titles come up. Starting is the hard part but once I get started, the ideas start flowing in but sometimes I find that I'm stuck and the story seems lame, time to abandon the project or keep it for later.
I usually open 2 word docs. One for the actual story and another when I suddenly come up with ideas for something that would happen later on in the story or in later chapters. I don't rush through my writing anymore. I only write when I feel like it. I also try to imagine scenes and conversations in my mind and at times imagine how each character would react to a situation.
I usually review my story but it does happen that I do not spot some mistakes or I skipped a word. Usually I would take read a paragraph or two and take a break before I continue reviewing the next paragraph.
Then it is time to submit the story; type the title, tags and any necessary final edits...and wait nervously hoping it is not getting rejected and also hoping that people will like it.
When I get an idea, I write like a paragraph and save it a word document. I'd say 90% of my ideas get deleted. The ones that do turn into stories don't really get planned; I just see where the story goes and keep writing it. I often skip parts and write the end first etc and then I proof read about three/four times at which point i'm sick of the damn story and then I submit it to get rid of it!
My process varies a little because I like to experiment, but basically my stories often form when I'm not in a position to write. For example, I could be driving down the road and "writing" in my head. It can be anything from forming the plot to imagining the dialog. When the time comes, I type it into notepad with wordwrap on, because that adds no formatting. I write symbols into the text to let me know where to add formatting in the finished product. For example [ i ] for italics and [ b ] for bold. I write the title, tagline and tags at the top when I think of them.
I sometimes write the sex in with the story, but other times I write the story with placemarkers for sex scenes. I sometimes write a paragraph describing how the plot advances and then I get away from the keyboard for a while and that's when ideas for smoothing, expanding or otherwise improving the story happen. I often replace these paragraphs with dialog.
I reread and catch mistakes. Before I submit, I review the consistency of the character's dialog, and sometimes reread the story several times to find flow problems. Sometimes I do a manual find and replace on the most common mistakes, your and you're, there, their and they're, to make sure the correct word was used.
When I'm ready to submit, I turn wordwrap off and copy and paste the text into the submit form. I run through the story one more time because now I have a spellchecker from the browser and this is I remove the formatting placemarkers and add the formatting. I try to minimize editing here, but I invariably still find something I want to change. This last minute editing is where the majority of errors that I miss get injected. I skim through the preview, looking mainly for formatting anomalies, and then I place my baby in the hands of whichever verifier snags it from the queue.
Oh gosh, let's see....
I have an idea, it festers in my little pea brain until I can write it down in my "New ideas" folder on the laptop.
Then I go about trying to finish one of my other stories I've been working on over the past year or so.
When one has come to a conclusion (chapter or finale) I read it over, print it out, re-read it, go over it again, edit, then if I'm patient I look for someone on the site to proof it and edit it. I do have an editor friend but I feel obligated to pay her and I don't think she's that into erotica.
I then get it back and make some if not all the changes suggested, then print it and read it out loud to myself.
Finally, I submit it for publishing and if the online editor is nice they send me feedback and it gets published.
I usually get an idea from a friend and i let my imagination run with it. Sometimes it has to stew in my head for a while before i write it down. But when it finally gets down on paper it usually flows. If it doesn't flow then I stop writing and let it simmer a bit longer. I find that if i try to force a story then it is not very good. I do write in word and I try to make sure i correct all the mistakes that i can before i submit it. I also send it to a friend to read before i submit it to get his feedback and then make any changes if neccessary.
I try to write from experience as much as I can usually in word. I then try to put in more detail of the event to make it more readable next comes a spell check, then paste and copy into a new story again. Check spelling and split the story to read better if I can then submit. Usually I get it back at least once which then gives me an idea of silly mistakes I have made then re-submit and keep my fingers crossed that it's all good.
I'm usually sitting on a bus when an idea pops into my head, or someone says something which sets a scene in motion. I write it down immediately - I have a pad and pen with me at all times. Sometimes I write for the entire bus journey, which draws some funny looks. People don't mind you reading on a bus but writing makes them uncomfortable. My writing is pretty bad, but I do wonder whether some people recognise the odd 'cock' 'pussy' 'suck' or 'lick' when it's written on the page. Occasionally I'll write directly into an email during my lunch at work, but I tend to censor what I write on my work laptop for obvious reasons.
At some point I'll sit down at home and transcribe this text into a word document and then add the missing parts. Then I leave it for a few days and come back to it fresh. I read through again and rewrite anything that I think can be improved. If I've got time, I'll leave it again, format it to the given specification, give it one final proof-read and send it wherever it's going, writing the associated blurb or one-liner or whatever is needed. I make a note of it in my submissions spreadsheet and record any useful details in Sonar3. Then I sit back and enjoy the glow of satisfaction that comes from finishing a piece of work... and start thinking about the next one.
I really don't worry what people think of my work. I've been writing for long enough that I know whatever I write, some people will love it, some will hate it. If this piece gets rejected, the next one will have to be better.
I come up with a grain of an idea, a person, a place, a situation.
I go to submit and start writing.
If it is a poem it completes itself in less than an hour. Then I edit. Closely.
If it is a story it completes itself in about 2 to 3 hours. Then I edit. Closely.
Then I submit.
It is always accepted.
I am a worry wart. I'll sit at my laptop, just staring at my WORD screen, letting the idea simmer in my head. Then I’ll compose. Delete. Compose again. Delete again. Compose. You get the picture. It's very exhausting. Nerve wracking. But so worth it when I get the flow of it just right. I never have a title until I am force to give it one. Normally, this happens when I hit the submit page and must put one in the tile box to continue with the submission. Then I worry again – will it be accepted. If it is, will anyone read it. Will they like it? Very frustrating to have all these emotions catapulting through me. That’s why I don’t post as often as I’d like.
Usually start with an idea, often a fantasy I've had. As I write, I tend to flesh things out, especially the non-sexual stuff about relationships and plot. I some cases, I'll start, stop, delete, re-write multiple times rather like Roxanna describes. When I'm finished, I generally re-read and edit multiple times, seeking some kind of perfection that I know I'll never achieve. Finally, I throw in the towel and post. Like Roxanna above me (again), I often don't have a title until I post and have to put one in, though sometimes it suggests itself as I go.
Hello Shylass, Nice to meet you, Couldyou please help me, I have joined this Forum and I am a Page Member, I`ve tried to join other Pages but I get no answers from them and I not raise any help, so I can only feel they do not want my Membership, anyway, I got in the door here and I wish to search the place out in an effort to learn the direction I will head In, and I believe the Feedback
from Readers and you Other Authers {Dare I call myself that ;-}} as well, But there Is one small problem I need help with at the moment! I have tried Three Times now to Upload a Story,
Which is" Part 1" of a 3 or 4 Part Story of my Love, courtship and Marrage when I was a Young Sailor in 1960, Yes I`m 69 years old, still as Sex crazed as ever, and still a Bloody Rogue to boot!
Can you help me please with simple Instructions on Uploading please!
Happy New Year to all of you,
Best Wishes,
John Richards.
"Email richards13@bigpond .com"
Hello again Shylass and any others there, i like the Subject of Prepation for writing a Short Strory , I have had a lot of experiences in and about the Navy, The Men, Boys Wrans
Girl Friends, Wives, Officers, and of course MUM`s.
So when I start to get all self Important and thinking of changing my Name to ' Mark Twain" I just sit and dream of yesteryear and the People who made my stories and the People I remember
then each of those people must get renamed ,so they can remain a Ghost!
Most times I start a Story about 0300Hrs and wander through the day on and off,
The editing takes the longest!
Best regards,
Privateer.
Hello again Shylass and any others there, i like the Subject of Prepation for writing a Short Strory , I have had a lot of experiences in and about the Navy, The Men, Boys Wrans
Girl Friends, Wives, Officers, and of course MUM`s.
So when I start to get all self Important and thinking of changing my Name to ' Mark Twain" I just sit and dream of yesteryear and the People who made my stories and the People I remember
then each of those people must get renamed ,so they can remain a Ghost!
Most times I start a Story about 0300Hrs and wander through the day on and off,
The editing takes the longest!
Best regards,
Privateer.
When I'm commuting to school/work, sometimes an idea strikes and I pull out a notebook to begin writing. When I have some down time at work, I would actually type it up in an email and send it to myself. I'll work on it until it's done.
Sometimes, an idea strikes while I'm doing my homework. I open up a Word document, type it right away, and save it until I'm ready to work on the story. When I finish any story, I edit it a few times before I actually submit the story for reading.
www.szadvntures.com
Latest story:
I write the story in a Word document. I don't stop for spelling mistakes or second guessing until I'm finished writing. It's a very rough draft, filled with run-on sentences and errors.
When the story is complete, I'll sift through it many times with certain intentions in mind. One time I'll read through for grammar/spelling mistakes. Another time I'll read through it for sentence structure. Another time I'll read through it to get a feel for the verbiage - did I repeat things? am I using the same words too often in a short spanse of text? Then I'll read through for general vibe and maybe switch sentences and paragraphs around, add things (sometimes whole new paragraphs), delete others. This process definitely takes a while until I feel like I'm happy with the finished product. I need to take breaks in between as well so that the story feels fresh again so editing is usually done over several days.
I spend a lot more time polishing my writing *now* than I did when I first started writing erotica. Back in the beginning, I would typically write the story, do a general spell/grammar check and publish. The editing process makes a huge difference. I remember a conversation with Jaymal back then when he was telling me about all these 'drafts' he would go through with a story before publishing and I used to be amazed by his dedication. Now I finally understand what he was talking about. lol. It just takes the story to a whole different level when you take your time with it. And if you're writing a longer piece that you've already put a lot of effort into, it makes sense to give it a chance to really shine in the best possible light.
By the time I upload it into the Lush 'submit story' section, I still give it one or two last reads using the 'preview' button and I still always find little things to tweak. I probably always will.
I've made the best discovery (you probably all know about it already but it's AMAZING)
I've started saving my stories to google docs - this means that they are all saved online and that I can access and edit them from my phone, ipad or indeed any device at any time at all.
Like a word programme, you can edit, add comments etc
But you can also add other people to your document as well and chat online as you work.
It really is quite simply wonderful and I have been much much more productive since I've started using it...
Once I've submitted a story, I just save a final copy to my laptop...
It's the best thing I've found in AGES!
I just start writing, using word. Sometimes I start with an idea I want to convey; sometimes a particular character nuance; and sometimes a ganeral plot. Frequently, I wind up with only a paragraph or two. So I just save it. Then, as I am writing another story, that snippet will come to mind, and I insert it into the story. Once I have the whole thing written, I leave it alone for a week or two. I don't look at it, or read it, and I try to not think about it. Then, when I come back to it, I approach it as if it is a new thing. I read it all the way through for content, but do not make any edits in the first reading. Then I open the spelling/grammer checking program in word, and scan the entire piece, making suggested corrections or ignoring them, as I see fit. Then I go back into the piece again, looking for words or phrases I want to change. Usually, somewhere along in that process, I forward it to one of my ex-wives, or a trusted Lush friend to read, just to get her general impression, and to see if it is any good. After I have received that blessing, I am ready to submit.
When I submit, I do a copy/paste, then double check to see if there are any weird formatting glitches. The last thing I do, before I hit the "submit " button is insert tag words, and a one-liner.
"There's only three tempos: slow, medium and fast. When you get between in the cracks, ain't nuthin' happenin'." Ben Webster
I also write the story in a Word document. sometimes i look at mens profiles for a story on other sites..... there is always something to write about. I don't stop for spelling until I'm finished writing. It is a very rough draft, filled with errors. and my grammar/spelling is alway bad. the grammar is where i get lost in. can't always see where to fix it and after daisy or someone els from admin remove`s my storie i just try and try again untill it is right. but i dont give up. from the views i know my stories r good
Daisy is correct about the amount of work necessary and about the point of view of the story moderators. I would prefer to verify and post every story that I read, but sadly, that is not possible.
I find that many mistakes are the result of a lack of time and care being invested in the story. If a story is sent back with a list of issues and links to resources that should be read to assist, writers should read them before trying to fix their story.
I had a note from a writer today who wanted "some pointers". The questions she asked me would all have been answered by the resources I indicated should be read. I admit that I am more likely to want to help someone who is willing to put some effort into their work, rather than expecting to have it done for them. The standard that we want to see is not more stringent than that which would be expected by any site that displays stories that are literate.
the whole story in one shot onto the the submission page. After I am done writing the story I preview it and fix any grammatical errors. I wish I could have somebody else proof read my story, that always worked very well in college but nobody that knows me knows that I write stories for a pornographic web site. 
Happy New Year to you, too. 
