January 31, 2012 Why did he write THAT?

I wonder how many times a reader asks that question after reading something I have written and posted. It’s a fair question.

A part of the answer can be found in who I wrote the story for. That information is listed at the bottom of the text along with the date I originally wrote or finished editing the story. Sometimes I write a story for myself. But more often than not I write it for someone in particular.

Sometimes a story comes in the form of a request. Someone has a desire to read a story containing a particular scene or peril. Maybe it is just an interest they have or maybe it is some sort of wild fantasy.

Other times that information comes out during a chat or a series of emails sent back and forth. I find out something about the individual, something they find interesting or – dare I say – arousing? Sometimes it triggers a story idea. I usually find out after writing a particular story just how much the person I wrote it for really enjoyed it.

For example, my friend jqpublic likes accidental drowning stories that often involve a favorite celebrity of his. In the tales I write for him there are certain characteristics he likes me to include. One of the two big ones involves some sort of task involved – a swim, fixing something underwater or trying to open or close something. The other is some sort of remark about how long she can hold her breath to accomplish the task. These are things he likes to read about so I try to incorporate them into his stories.

On the other hand Emma works as a scuba diver during the summer months. She enjoys reading about scuba perils both real and imagined. But she also likes being roughed up and manhandled and reading about how she is put into other perils or scenes of bondage.

She has shared some of her real life adventures with me, some of which have been converted into stories. She is always thrilled to read about herself being mentioned specifically by name as she is put into another peril which she may or may not have gotten into all on her own. She doesn’t seem to mind if she lives or dies in any particular story. For her it is the thrill of the peril.

I have gotten other requests from other individuals, some of which have become stories and some which are still simmering on a back burner. Needless to say I have several files of story ideas, some by request and some of my own making. But I don’t always know what idea will strike my fancy and give me the energy to sit down and type. Because of my perfectionistic tendencies each one takes time and thoughtfulness to write.

Naturally some stories are more of a challenge to write than others. Some stories fit my interests while others do not, making it easier to work on some and harder to work on others. If the interest or enthusiasm is not there then I get concerned that I will not give a story my full attention. I do not wish to shortchange myself or my readers so I won’t always work on a story until I know I can give it my best effort.

Many times I find myself Googling for background information in an attempt to make a story more plausible and enjoyable. There is a lot of time and energy involved in the writing process and even I forget that sometimes. But at the end of the day when I’ve written something that I’m proud of that people enjoy it is a satisfying feeling, even if the story is not one I am accustomed to writing.

So the next time you find yourself wondering why I wrote THAT? Just check for the name at the bottom of the story and know that I tried to give a good effort for that individual or that I was writing with a certain audience in mind. Then look around and find something else. I firmly believe that you will find a story somewhere on this site to your liking. And even though it might not specifically say that I wrote it for you? I hope you will enjoy it so much that it FEELS like I wrote it just for you.

Thanks for stopping by…