Everyone posts on Literotica for free, so give them something back in the way of an honest vote - and comments. Authors on Literotica highly value thoughtful comments so do take the time to let them know what you think about their competition entries.
As a rule, better stories go into the contests because the authors who enter are ones who regularly go on Literotica and are serious about their writing. It's well worth having a look, checking titles and links and seeing if there are stories on there you think you will enjoy. (Pssst, link to the complete list here!)
Having said that, the first story I am going to review is by a new Literotica writer. Body Paint at a Rave is a lovely descriptive account and a proper 'nude' story. (There are some in the competition where it just happens that characters are occasionally naked.) This is more of a 'scene', which is where there is detailed descriptive writing and we get into the action pretty quickly. There isn't development in the way of story or character arc, apart from a gentle teasing at people to get up the courage to bare their bodies.
This is a great example of these highly enjoyable kinds of stories. If I am going to make a critical remark, it would be that the setup for the story at the start is sketched in hurriedly, as if the author is trying to get that bit over with as fast as possible and get into the beautiful descriptions of flashing lights, swirling paints and women's bodies. As HalfAsleep's writing develops, that's an area to look to polish. Top marks, though, for realistic sexy descriptions of bodies and particularly of pussy. Also, nice handling of the tension between the protagonist being increasingly turned on and trying to remember to be professional. The underlying theme of gently pushing at the boundaries of consent is well drawn out here.
(BTW, the sex is a little bit risky, I don't recommend that as a safe sex method! but the poor girl was nude so no pocket to carry a condom - we'll let her off - wink.)
This second story stands in strong distinction. DGHear is a longstanding contributor to Literotica and in The Past Catches Up we have a piece which is based on story arc - a mystery woman with a secret which she hoped would never be told. This powerful romance explores issues like the double standards for men and women: Jerrod can sow his oats without judgement being made, but Beth fears recriminations for her past actions. I really cried at one point in this story. The exploration of how naive young women can get exploited when they first leave home to go to college is heart-rending. Discussion of the importance of safe sex is key to this story, in fact I am even grateful that DG included a bit of unsafe sex because otherwise people would probably suspect me of commissioning him to write this!
One issue with this story is that there is almost no description at all. DG has rushed hurriedly past that in order to get on with the plotlines, and I'm not even sure what the main characters look like. DG and HalfAsleep could get a lot out of looking at each other's stories and seeing what works in the other's one. The story is bumpy in places, although I don't go with the commentator who called it 'too wordy'. There is long exposition setting up the sex scenes, because this is a story. Some of that could be more tightly edited - such is the risk with a competition story because you do have to get it quickly sorted out and into the competition in time.
SamScribble also has slightly unfair critical comments on his The Feast of St. Cilla. Sam is a very polished writer, and we can all gain from reading his delicately constructed prose. The complaint was that his characters could be warmer, they don't express their emotions very well. LOL, they are quintessentially English. The English, especially upper class English, are so concerned with formal behaviour that their diffidence can easily appear to be coldness. Really they are just shy, and if given wine, women and an appropriate ritual occasion - such as a 'feast' demanding it, will joyously join in with inventive fun and games.
There is excellent balance in Sam's writing between setting up the story, which he does in a formal and gentle way, and the descriptions. A nice passage about estate agents shows how background can be provided in a delicately humourous way - engaging the reader while telling us detail about characters. I also like the realistic description of one woman's unequal sized boobs. (I know this is realistic because I myself went up a couple of cup sizes in one boob courtesy of an exceptionally large lump - no no, it's all fine. I had all the tests and it's just congealed cream cake or something.) Again, this is a proper nude story. The feast demands nudism, or the women say it should so the men go 'oh rightiho, dear' and join in with gusto.
I can see scope for a Part 2? I'm sure that the protagonist would be shy after the feast and need gentle encouragement from his inamorata to get into more activities with her. What's the next upcoming competition? Perhaps they could hot up some more in the summer time?
SandraMustard has a top dollar story in the competition. The writing in Handjob at the Beer Shack is expertly controlled and again, this is a proper nude story. When the protagonist and her husband set off for a nudist beach, they know what she is going to go after there - with his encouragement. Not only is this a lip-licking cougar tale, it also tells you how to do a fab role play for sexual fun. The protagonist's pretence at being a skincare nurse plays right into a couple of young men's fantasies - and she and they revel in it. This is a real winner of a tale for me: short, sharp and scorching hot. Scope for a follow-up on this tale too in the hotel room later?
Finally - some like it hot. My Body, My Self is a sly reference to 1980s femism and the Our Bodies Our Selves movement encouraging women to get back in tune with our bodies. Rather than curse the menopause, Kingswoman lies back and doesn't bother to think, while her brain is occupied with sensations of hotness.
Lie back and enjoy the fabulous nude fables in the competition! and don't forget to vote and comment.
1 comment:
St Cilla:
Short, sharp and beautifully told.
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