So, I've been thinking about Camp Hardwood for a bit, and I was unsure as to the direction it was taking, and how it would be received. And a combination of things has lead to me to putting this new poll out and the subsequent text beneath if you care to read it. If not, the poll is regarding Camp Hardwood. The poll asks if I should rewrite Camp Hardwood or not. The choices are
1) No, I like the direction it's taken!
2) Yes, I don't like the direction it's taken, I'd love a rewrite!
3) Whichever way, I just want more balls busted!
4) Other (Please Specify)
Note, if I do rewrite it, it will likely start up with Day One and move on from there in a new-ish, and likely lighter vein.
There will NOT be a new part of Camp Hardwood come February 7th. I'm unsure what I plan on doing regarding Camp, and feel it would be best to sit and ponder on the matter. However, I will make it up to you guys, I intend to put out more stories to compensate.
First and foremost, I apologize for making this a whole ordeal. I know it's kinda weird that I'm making a long post like this, but thanks for bearing with me.
Onto the actual reason for this post. Not every post on this blog is going to be for everyone, and sometimes people aren't going to like what I do with my stories and writings. That's okay, and I wish everyone would love everything I do all the time, but that's unreasonable. So, I'm going to write what I want to, for the most part, and hope you guys understand and enjoy what you can.
So, why am I considering a rewrite of Camp Hardwood?
Because, I was unsure on how I felt about the direction it was taking already. I was sitting on the whole 15 days for awhile because A) I was worried about how people would react to the shifts and drama B) I was unsure if what happened (is going to happen) makes logical sense and tells the story I want. I decided that as long as I'm happy with the result, it's okay if other people don't like it all that much. If I was 100% happy with where the story was (is), I wouldn't be making this post right now.
I eventually decided not to change anything outside of what I first wanted to do, which I thought was the right thing. I'm not so sure anymore, which is why I'm considering rewriting.
A few more points
1) If I rewrite it, it will likely be less intense and it will be more playful. There still will be drama and emotions and stupidity, because that is central to the plot and I don't want to change much about the overall lay out. I like the characters a lot and find the story to be pretty decent for the most part. But part of me thinks I lazily found the easiest way to create the story I had in mind. Which, ultimately, is a story of young people in camp who have a unique experience that is memorable for all involved for reasons both good and bad.
2) A rewrite will likely take some time, and if I decide to rewrite, I wouldn't expect any of it to be published until summer time at the earliest. There will be stories in between, and I will leave the days that are already up here if you'd like. But if I do rewrite, I'll take those days down to avoid any potential confusion.
3) This poll is not going to dictate what I do. I'm just looking for your guys general opinion, which may or may not sway me a certain way. I already have an assumption that most would prefer a rewrite, as it appears that there has been a diminishing interest in the posts every month since the first one. However, everyone could say rewrite this, and I could end up deciding against it because I feel the story is acceptable the way it is, and I just don't have the motivation to revisit something I label as completed. I may also rewrite it even if everyone says it's fine, just because I feel it could be better and am not happy with where it's sitting.
4) Please give me your opinion on this, whether it be a vote on the poll or a short comment here. Camp Hardwood is something I put a lot of my time into and I just want it to be as right as possible. All of my writings are extensions of myself, and I want them to be as quality as I can make them with my limited abilities. Not just Camp Hardwood, but all of the writings I put out. All of my writings embody who I am as a person, and I want to be able to be proud of them, proud of my expression.
So, the poll will be out for about a month or so. I'll follow up with my decision when I feel comfortable doing so.
I apologize for those looking forward to a new part. I hope the stories I post to compensate tickle your pickle the right way.
Until Next Time. Enjoy Yourselves!
Ah! Nooo! I didn't mean to suggest you rewrite it! I want you to do what you want- it's your story, and I don't expect everything to be tailored to my tastes. Gosh, I feel guilty and embarrassed now...
ReplyDeleteBut since this is here... If I'm being perfectly honest, I won't keep reading Camp Hardwood if it stays like it is, but I would read a rewrite. To further explain why- I have problems being overly empathetic to fictional characters. Be it movies (most popular comedy movies I just cant enjoy, if the comedy involves someone going through comically worse and worse situations), video games (I never pick evil options if given a choice), and yes, stories. I'm hardly normal. However, if a porn story STARTS OFF being very rough and dark, I have no issue with it. Because I won't grow an attachment to the characters- hence why I enjoyed even your first stories posted on this blog. But with Camp Hardwood, the first couple stories just got my hopes up too much, so I got attached to Cevin and Cameron enough that when things got really bad for them, I couldn't bear to keep reading.
I want to make clear, my opinion here is not normal. I doubt I speak for everyone, and even if I do, you still should do what YOU want.
Phew. Well. Anyway, I look forward to more stories from you- the only thing I might skip is a continued Camp Hardwood, I still love all the rest. Hope you do what's best for you!
-Jantra
P.S. Is there any way to comment with a set username that isn't linked to a google account, and isn't my real name? I don't really want to stay anonymous but I can't figure it out.
First off, I apologize for calling you out like that. I shouldn't of done so, it was misguided.
DeleteAnd I'm not doing this JUST because of you. You aren't THAT special ;) Don't feel embarrassed, that's the last thing I wanted to do.
I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't feel the story would be better this way. This isn't just a bb story to me, this is meant to be as close to quality as possible and the path I put it felt suboptimal to me. I'm trying to become a better writer, and this blog is a perfect outlet for me to do so.
Hearing your perspective helped push me in the direction I was leaning already, but might've been too content to bother with. It's totally possible I would've put this out anyways, and I'm happy I did.
There's nothing wrong with being empathetic, do not apologize! All that means is that you are able to understand others and that's something lacking in the world it feels. I'm touched you feel connected to my characters, and just because your the outlier doesn't mean you're in the wrong.
I fully intend to do what I want to do, even if it means bothering a few people. But thank you for your words Jantra, I do appreciate it :)
As for the comment, I'm unsure if that's possible. On my phone there's an option for word press/live journal etc. I've no idea how they work, but my assumption is poorly. Perhaps I'm mistaken.
I agree with Jantra! I love the story as is, however I dislike how they're being treated because of my connection towards the characters!
DeleteFurthermore, I just find the main character to be immature as of right now, but I would love to see him develop, so if you decide to rewrite or continue, I would be content either way, as there is (hopefully) some sort of development on the main character that I can look forward to.
This is only because you asked for our opinions, but in the end, I think that our opinions mean jack shit, to put it crudely. Writing isn't meant to please others at all times. You should write what makes you happy, so if you believe that the series has taken a turn for the worse, do what you feel necessary to mend it, right?
Thank you for being a blog that I can enjoy both sexually and platonically! I truly enjoy your stories and hope that if this blog gets deleted that you will seek out other writing communities/groups to continue your work! (I pray that it doesn't, though!)
Thank you for your comment!
DeleteI don't necessarily think that your opinions mean 'jack shit', but I do understand. Writing is expression, and I should write what makes me, as the writer, happy. That's ultimately what this blog is about, giving me an outlet to express myself, my thoughts and in many cases, fantasies. And that's not going to change, but you guys are a part of this blog. Your opinions do matter because you give a perspective that I should take into account. Not because I want to make you all happy necessarily, but because it lets me see my work from a wider perspective. I'm not going to write only about Cody and his family, despite them appearing to be the most popular here, but knowing that everyone likes it does tell me that I'm doing something that invests people in a positive way. Same thing regarding Camp Hardwood. People don't like the direction it's taking, there's a reason for that.
It's my job as the writer to figure out what I can do to improve my work, and criticism is one of the best ways to shave off the icky bits and leave a nice sculptured, toned body that I can be proud of.
However, as a writer, it's also important to realize when criticism's are invalid, and when an unenjoyable situation can lead to a rewarding resolution.
Such as, people don't like how Cevin is such an immature prick. I understand that, but I don't think that's going to change if I rewrite. Because him being immature is a part of the story, and looking forward to seeing him develop is something I want to keep. And spoiler alert. I do feel he gets better, and at the least, it's easier to sympathize with him. At least from my direct perspective.
Thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad that others take pleasure in this blog! It makes it much easier to work on everything when I know that I'm not the only one looking forward to the finished product. And it's really warm to know that people enjoy this blog for more than just a cumstation. Nothing wrong with that, but I'm glad to able to connect with people in more ways than one.
Again, thank you for taking your time to comment! Enjoy yourself!
Hi Lenny,
ReplyDeleteI can follow the first both comments. It is your story and writings means in the main-focus that you decide wherein the story will go. Ok I understand that as well it is important for an author that the readers are happy too but to complete rewrite it? ...only you really want it due to that you are unhappy with the direction.
From my point of view you have build all characters very good and memorable over the different parts. So I noted already in one of the first parts that maybe the amount of kicks/hits/etc would be too much and not very real but it is a story and maybe these guys can withstand this most attacks. So in total I enjoyed the first 3 parts. For me (this is my opinion and feeling) it was going to emotionally from part 4 and too soft. And I'm candidly the last part I was only flowing over the text and did not read it with time and deepness.
I can undestand and will support your willing to develope your talent and skills as author as well here in this blog but bear in mind that -in case you want realy to develope an emotional story between two youths in a camp with love and other playfull things- maybe you have currently some "twisted" readers and followers. Means (I speak for me) myself is looking for good stories of youths and boys/girls where the main topic of a story is to go into the nuts of the boys, mostly rough and hard. I do not looking for a love story.
But please be NOT frustated or do stop your writing! Remember: you are the author and you decide where the story will go, independend from single opinions of readers. According the results of your last poll about fm/mm you could see a lots of answers althought the comments below your stories will be done only from very few of your fans. This implies the others like your stories. Keep that in mind.
I'm still following you and your stories and am curiouse about the next stories.
Good luck and keep your knees together.. hahahaha
Jasmin
Thank you for your comment Jasmin!
DeleteBefore I go on, first I would like to thank you for your honesty. It's appreciated, and I am glad to be able to hear your perspective on this post.
I only intend to rewrite these stories if I feel the overall experience could be improved. From what I've gathered so far, I think the answer is yes, it could be improved. What I'm hearing from you though (I think at least), is that rewriting is unnecessary, as it's already alright as is. That's understandable, and to an extent I agree with you. The story is okay and will do it's thing regardless, and it's not like the current trajectory is bad or anything. Plus the characters are good and the busting scenes are fine too. Plus, I liked the consistency I had going, and it does bother me that it's going to be undone due to something completely controllable on my end.
I understand that a lot of readers just want to read guys getting their nuts smashed, or as you say, a lot of my readers are 'twisted'. That's fine, and this blog is called 'Lennystwistedwords', so I see where they're coming from. It's great to just open a story and find the busting and focus on that. And the harshness of busting can be a total turn on, and I'm similar. When I look for a bb story, I look for the hottest story, not the most well written one.
However, I planned on Camp Hardwood to be story driven. I know most people don't go to a fetish blog and look for a deep and passionate love story filled with twists and turns, but that's kinda what I want to do. I'm not expecting this to be anything close to a masterpiece, but that doesn't mean I should be content with something I feel is done unwell.
Camp Hardwood will get a bit 'mushy', regardless of if I rewrite or not. I understand not everyone will want that, and that's okay. I hope they will still be able to find something worth enjoying on this blog, even if it's just a few paragraphs of stories that were already written.
I don't intend to stop writing, my motivation to keep this blog going is still strong. As the author, these stories will go in the direction I want them to go, but individual readers, such as you Jasmin, are very welcome to voice themselves. And you're right, a lot of people voted on the F/M or M/M poll, and that's something that does make me happy. A decent amount of people enjoy my stories and want to read more. To me, that's really cool.
Bottom line. I understand rewriting is unnecessary, what my issues with this so far is not inherently an issue everyone else shares. A lot of people just want some hot stories, and only a few people really care about the path the story goes on as long as there's some busted balls along the way. This is perfectly fine and in no way demotivates me. People are welcomed to read what they'd like, and if what I do happens to make some of you happy, then that makes it even better! :)
Thank you for your comments Jasmin, they are truly appreciated.
Enjoy Yourself!
Hi Lenny! I like the edgy situations that show up in your recent stories. They help to develop the characters and keep the plots from becoming one-dimensional. You switch gears between intense and playful, which not a lot of writers can do. No rewrite needed!
ReplyDelete