Does anyone publish different versions of their stories on different sites? At some point my story will have some story arcs that will deal with some rather intense issues. While I deem them to be important to the overal large picture of the story, I am also sensitive to my readers, and would like to offer a toned down version on one site, an uncut version on another. Wondering what other writer's thoughts are. Also I am still trying to get a grasp on the audiences on BCTS, FM and TG Storytime.
Megan
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We did that with one of our
We did that with one of our Robinverse stories, it wasn't easy for me to pull off, but I did, there are minor differances in the story, but there are some.
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Yup... did that
Although the plots remained 100% unchanged, I did alter some of the language when I took my stories from here and posted them on fictionmania. In a couple of places over there, I used language that was a little more raw, and in other spots I replaced some of the more cerebral metaphors to make my point easier to grasp. After spending years at both BCTS and fictionmania, it's clear to me that this is the thinking girl's side of the fence. A quick glance at what kind of story is more popular and what falls flat on each site will lend credence to that.
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The girl in me. She can do "rough around the edges",
but she prefers the more genteel atmosphere here at BCTS.
Strictly my opinion here, but
your story is high enough in quality that minor things like some offensive language and rougher situations will not detract from the story. Yes, Top Shelf tends to be a bit more cerebral and considerably less in terms of, let's say, sensitive issues of abuse of women and children as opposed to the policy at FM, certain things have to be included in any quality story to lend credence to the plot and characterizations within it.
I'd say that you need not worry overmuch about "protecting" the audience here if it will detract from what you need to say and do within your story. Remember, FM does not worry about content. As long as it involves TG content of some kind, FM will post it. Yes, we here at Top Shelf are writing and reading TG fiction, it tends to be a bit more on the gentler side, although it cam be terribly graphic at times.
Erin and the other admins do keep a close eye on overly violent or graphic sexual content, but are not, by any stretch, censors. Erin has NEVER banned a story for content and likely never will. Still the readers here do tend to be a bit less into the graphic description of certain things, and more in favor of the "kinder and gentler" side of storytelling.
In the end, if it alters the meaning or context of your story, I'd say leave it in. We're not shrinking violets here... just a slightly more sensitive breed of flower than what grows at FM. Not better... just different.
Your present story is great. Don't lessen it to spare some queasiness in the readers.
huggles and love,
Catherine Linda Michel
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.
I feel there is something ...
... to be said for staying true to your vision. For me, what I write should always reflect what I wanted to create when I decided to write it — the spark that made me write it in the first place. Tweaking my creation based on what different audiences might like or accept seems like an odd choice to make. It's MY work. I wrote it to tell my story my way, and changing it to make it more accessible to people who might not like it if I didn't ... feels wrong.
IMHO, of course. *hug*
Randalynn
That reminds me...
...of the comment I got on another website. "It really sounds like you're trying to exorcise your demons. This isn't erotic at all!" Silly me; I thought the disclaimer out front on the homepage talked about stories of a neurotic nature. It's almost like the scene in Fahrenheit 451 where the characters on the television turn to Julie Christie and ask her what they should do next.
The one time I thought to 'tailor' a story to suit the commentary, I ended up just highlighting the text and hitting backspace. It might have been going the way someone wanted it to, but it wasn't what I felt the story was saying. Just not for me, I suppose.
Love, Andrea Lena
Megan, what changes
would you make? Can you make the changes without changing the story's message?
May Your Light Forever Shine
So long as you use the right lables and pehaps a warning intro
for the more *intense* chapters I don't see a problem. IE give the readers fair warning and you have done your duty.
As to what you should or shouldn't change, I agree with Randalynn.
Go with YOUR vision.
I usually do knowing that some will not like what I do. So be it. Not that I am being arrogant, far from it. Just that it is my story and if I don't tell it my way then who's story is it? Same for you. Your story(s) are yours to tell.
Plus pandering too much TO your audience leads to those awful sequels written by a committee so common in Hollywood and on TV.
I DO however listen to reader feedback, both the favorable and the upsetting. And I will change things when I find I have confused the readers. They are your finale *proof readers* after all.
BTW VERY GOOD start to the Russian chapters.
Exciting stuff yet with a message. IE how do we adapt to great change. How and when to hide a secret and when not to. How good people do bad things and good acts lead to unforeseen outcomes. And the emerging hints as to her sexuality in Kaaren's alien body are both funny and thought provoking. A fresh look at nature vs nurture.
Nice stuff.
John in Wauwatosa
P.S. Hahah! I defeated the evil center text code somebody turned on but not off a few comments before .
Muhaw ha ha ! Fear my terrible editorial powers!!!
Darn it ! Or not as the case may be
John in Wauwatosa
Well my Friends,
I think I asked the right group of people. Thank you all for your feedback and it is clear, that I should stay true to the direction I have planned for the story. Life is not always fair, and none of us gets to choose a easier path through the most wicked times we encounter during our short time on Earth. It would be forever regrettable if I were to rob myself, and my loyal readers of the story I have prepared.
Many of my key plots leading until the "Series" finale have been written, and the one in question is still a little ways off in season three, but everytime I revisit it, it causes a deep emotional response. My comfort comes from knowing the whole picture and the good that come out of it. By then I am confident that my followers will know I that everything in my story serves a purpose, and nothing has been done for shock value, or cheap thrills.
Yes, fair warnings will be suffice, and if anyone would rather miss out on the story than continue, contact me, and let me know, I will hold your hand and we can carry each other through.
Mega Hugs,
Megan
People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."