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Author Topic: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~  (Read 105298 times)

Offline m1090y

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #15 on: 27. May 2020, 15:17:33 PM »
Howdy howdy! I was chatting with another member about the stories and thought I'd post part of one of my replies here, seeings how I think it could be real constructive. ;D  I'd love to discuss this kinda jazz with anybody who's willing to chat about it!
(Also please note that I'm not looking to offend or hurt anyone's feelings, as I know this stuff is a genuine outlet of creativity and REALLY isn't easy, but I think the criticism can be super helpful because the folks writing on the forum are worth it and deserve to be held to a high standard because of how good they are. <3  )

(Was discussing my story "Managing a Metal Mouth")
While I've seen the scam plot done in other stories, I'd much rather keep things pretty positive ( and even Wholesome) overall. Cynthia's character is designed to be a genuinely caring one who just happens to be a huge nerd for orthodontics. I wanted to introduce more of her family at some point, but present them as likeable, even bigger nerds than Cynthia, but never sinister. I had the same opinion about the disillusioned plot. I feel like "Person gets braces and hates them" is a little too common of a trope. While I tried to be semi-realistic with Gregory's initial reactions to them, if I were to continue this story, Cynthia would play a massive role in Greg developing a genuine liking for his braces and all that they represent. I considered giving some development to Dr. Collins and even involve Sarah in some orthodontic work of her own  ;D There's certainly plenty I can do but I definitely don't want to do a few things:
My only criticism with the "Never been kissed" story is that I felt like it should've ended a while ago. There's a grace to be found in knowing when to end your story, so I'm definitely trying to be careful about letting my story go on for TOO long, ya know? While it was interesting to see the changes in perspective, it almost got too caught up in the sub-plots and lost the charm of what made me like the first few chapters. (Also I'm aware that the writer for these stories knows English as a second language, which makes the story even more impressive, but I want to maintain the same criticism, because I think they deserve to be held to the same standard, because they (and their story) really are that good.)

 An even more common thing I see is folks putting out a REALLY GOOD start, but leaving it at just a start. The "Fine Print", "Short term pain for long term gain", and "Fixed Braces" stories all had this in common. I loved the beginning, but they never got past their beginnings, so I made sure to at least go somewhere with "Managing a Metal Mouth". If I do continue it, it might come in the form of a "Book 2" and I'll label the start as "Book 1" just to make sure that if I continue the story, you can read the individual sections one at a time, making them more digestible and easier to keep up with. I'm sure if the writer of "Never Been Kissed" did this it would help a ton to keep up with it.

I truly enjoyed writing the story, and even letting it write itself at some points. Experimenting with elements of foreshadowing even from the beginning was something I had a real good time with lol
I do have one technique I often use and it results in a story being longer than it was supposed to be.  Let's suppose I come up with an idea that I want to experiment with.  It's not a plot idea but just a scene or event.  Rather than start from scratch and create characters and a setting, I just work it into the current story.  It saves creating new characters and a setting.  It's just a lazy habit I have.  If you read "Research Subjects Wanted" (https://www.bracesforum.net/braces-stories-braces-special-(english)/research-subjects-wanted/), for example, then you see I just kept using the same story to explore various ideas.  The story wandered and wandered.
In thinking about your post, I can see that perhaps I would have preferred if the result was several smaller stories.

Offline duncombec

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #16 on: 27. May 2020, 16:20:59 PM »

I totally agree and I don't feel like keeping up with it.

The fact is that in the end I was fed up with the story, well, not exactly with the story, but part of it. While writing I found out that I don't like one of the characters (at all), so as soon as I had the closure I felt like I needed, I quit, but I also think it went too far.

After a while, I read the whole story and I didn't like part of the ending but it's still a story I liked writing, while it still talked to me... until it didn't.
It's just my second story and I intend to keep writing (I'm not sure if I want to post it regularly, as I did with this one though) so there's still room for improvement, I guess. Regarding the language barrier, I know I did my best, I know I sound too formal/informal sometimes (or it's just weird and amiss) but I might say it was easier than writing in my native language.

And, as I said, criticism is always helpful.
Be sure that when I come up with a new story I'll take it into consideration.

Thank you for your feedback. ;)

I'm intrigued to know which character you didn't like in the end and why you fell out of love with them.

Sometimes, that does happen. You get all excited, and then over time your excitement over a particular character or plot point wanes... it happened a lot to me in the early days.

That said, don't feel afraid of trying more things. To an extent, there is nothing to stop you leaving the story for a few months then coming back to it and re-writing it, improving it, adjusting it. Also don't be afraid to write collaboratively, or just a small scene. Personally, I'd rather you write something, and pause it part way through, not be happy with it, etc., than write nothing at all.

Offline pi314phi18

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #17 on: 06. June 2020, 17:30:02 PM »
I had written to polo and Marty and they dont anwser me

Offline Braceface2015

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #18 on: 06. June 2020, 18:13:57 PM »
Have patience. It can take them a while to reply. Keep trying and eventually you will get in.

Offline elio23145

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #19 on: 20. July 2020, 23:11:44 PM »
how can I read the stories here? I wish I could!!

Offline TimeandBrace

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #20 on: 25. October 2020, 11:22:56 AM »
Do posts that are compliments count towards the 30 post requirement?

If for example, i posted "Good story, keep on going" on a story in the general section, would that count?

Offline Braceface2015

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #21 on: 25. October 2020, 17:28:25 PM »
Generally, if a post is made that has some meaningful content to it, it is considered as working to the 30 post requirement. I think that the phrase used was "meaningful content" in one of the posts that was made regarding how to get access to the stories section.

In my opinion, writing a story, even if it is just short parts, is a good way to get to the 30 posts, and it shows that the person is willing to make an effort to contribute to the whole group. Other ways are to find pictures or articles about braces, or things related to braces that are of interest.  Everybody has to find their own way to contribute.

I enjoy writing, and not everything that I write can be posted here. All of my stories are in my collection, as well as many stories from other writers, some who have sent me the original files.

Offline duncombec

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #22 on: 25. October 2020, 20:28:41 PM »
Do posts that are compliments count towards the 30 post requirement?

If for example, i posted "Good story, keep on going" on a story in the general section, would that count?

Yes, it certainly should do! I think the "meaningful" requirement was just to stop people getting their 30 posts by posting non-related stuff, or a string of smileys, as you see on some message boards.

Offline TimeandBrace

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #23 on: 27. October 2020, 04:03:52 AM »
Yes, it certainly should do! I think the "meaningful" requirement was just to stop people getting their 30 posts by posting non-related stuff, or a string of smileys, as you see on some message boards.

Oh, of course, i'd make sure my posts were valid feedback, at the least. Ah, Thank you for the answer!  :D

Offline hercimur

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #24 on: 15. November 2020, 01:47:45 AM »
While I understand and respect the guidelines and the idea of meaningful content, I have another concern.  I would really like access to the story section/archive but I don't want to be a nuisance in getting in 30 posts.  I'm tempted to post as much as I can right now, but I don't want to be an annoying spammer type.

Offline Braceface2015

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #25 on: 18. November 2020, 08:11:52 AM »
It's nice to see so many people writing stories now. It is an excellent way to get the required number of posts and shows that they are willing to contribute to the group here.

I really appreciate all the effort that goes into writing a story, even when it is only a short chapter. There are a few people who don't speak English normally and they are writing stories too. Keep up the good work and I know that you will get into the stories section in no time.

Offline hercimur

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #26 on: 19. November 2020, 00:13:23 AM »
Yes, it is nice to see more stories being written as of late.  As a long time follower (but only a member for the past week) I noticed a bit of a "drought" for a while.  Hopefully it continues.  Any chance I could get access to the stories section?  It does help a bit for inspiration and to see that your not inadvertently copying someone else's ideas.

Offline xxxforce

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #27 on: 19. November 2020, 16:49:40 PM »
hmm why is the stepmom storry closed? i dont't see any broken rules?

Offline hercimur

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #28 on: 19. November 2020, 23:16:21 PM »
Maybe it got moved to the archive.  Seems to happen with the good stories  ???

Anyway, it seems that keeping stories "cool for school" (i.e. PG at worst?) is a bit of a challenge.  Judging from the warnings/suggestions I see on occasion, there's a substantial effort to tone things down a bit.   I'm trying to be mindful of that.  With a site where many people openly admit that their interest in the subject could be described as fetish, I can see where things get a bit problematic. 

I wonder if the rules are the same when a story is added to the archive.  Maybe the rules to keep things "clean" or "appropriate" are there to prevent problems as this is essentially an open, public forum that any teen/adolescent could stumble across.   With a more restricted access, maybe that isn't as much of a concern.

Offline Marty

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Re: ~*~ BracesStorys ~*~
« Reply #29 on: 20. November 2020, 00:40:02 AM »
hmm why is the stepmom storry closed? i dont't see any broken rules?

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8. A story must not contain any form of violence or coercion. The free will of all persons concerned must be given and clearly stated at any point in time. As all stories will concern adults (confer stories rule 3), it is logically impossible, for example, for parents to agree to any treatment, while the person concerned does not agree. The only exception to this rule is fake coercion in a context like role-play amongst adults, where all persons concerned have agreed to type and extent of the activity.