[Mark Newman]

"I am relieved that I don’t live in a world like THAT!"

Me too. Being a man in a Marknew story isn’t a good life-choice.

But for some reason, I do like to watch what happens.

[alex]

Well, I think my opinion of the story is pretty clear, and the Marylin since was a great idea. It even made a non-writer like me get off my lazy butt and write! This pendant story is a little more realistic then some of your other stories, in the way you’re treating the characters and their response to the changes. As it was said, it does remind us a little of the Superfemm universe, which is definately not a bad thing. I’m anxious for more.

ps: I would also like to thank everyone for their enthusiastic replies to my thread. 😉

[osquip]

This entry got me thinking-

How much of this fantasy involves readers imagining themselves in the role of the characters they read about versus being observers of what they are reading. I know that part of the fantasy is reading about characters that have personal flaws or make silly choices that move the muscle-growth plot forward (women who become obsessive about exercising, males who adhere to strongly sexist attitudes, characters who recklessly drink mysterious liquids, etc)

But, if given the chance, would you choose to be a character in one of these stories, or would you prefer to be an unobtrusive observer? (in a Marknew story or otherwise) When you read stories, how often do you imagine yourself in the role of the characters?

"I am relieved that I don’t live in a world like THAT!"

Me too. Being a man in a Marknew story isn’t a good life-choice.

But for some reason, I do like to watch what happens.

[JimmyDimples]

Well, it’s no secret… I’m not in this for the erotica. I find myself going, "Ecch. Bla bla bla, where’s the plot?" and scrolling on down the story.

I’m in this one for the socialogical changes.

But I seem to suffer from Slasher Movie Syndrome. I keep reading a work, and thinking, "I wouldn’t have done anything that stupid or butt-headed." In fact, that’s how I’d been thinking when I wrote Power Play. A scene or two were inspired on how Monty would’ve run the table if he’d been in a similar deal in Transfer Student.

Another thing… I hate it when the good guys get abused with the bad and get nothing to turn it around when the story’s over. I want to see the good guys come out ahead, or at least the baddies put on their shelf. That often isn’t the norm in this genre AFAIK. 🙁

And I guess I like an observer who gets pushed into making a move to affect the story. That’s what happened when I came up with Jimmy Templeton, Patrick O’Brien, Arielle Sharper, and Bennett Maple.

Four characters for the price of one. Wow. That story must’ve REALLY done something.

[Mark Newman]

But, if given the chance, would you choose to be a character in one of these stories, or would you prefer to be an unobtrusive observer? (in a Marknew story or otherwise) When you read stories, how often do you imagine yourself in the role of the characters?

I should clarify my remark. As a writer, I AM ALL of the characters in my stories, in one way or another, and I would love to have the chance to actively participate in my own stories. But not without the ability to call out "Exit Program". There’s no way I would want to give up, in real life, the role I play and the body I have. I do try to make at least some of my characters make realistic choices, like the ones you and I would make. To me, the realistic parts of the story give the FMG situations more vitality.

Another thing… I hate it when the good guys get abused with the bad and get nothing to turn it around when the story’s over. I want to see the good guys come out ahead, or at least the baddies put on their shelf. That often isn’t the norm in this genre AFAIK.

I’ve always thought there was too much "just desserts" in FMG fiction. Rapists lose their strength. Men who abuse their girlfriends get abused back again. Etc. And although I would want to hold the "reset button" if I were living in one of my fantasies, I prefer reading stories in which the end is not pre-ordained and anything can happen, where sometimes the just prevail and sometimes the baddies do. If I am successful, what happens happens because of the inner dynamic of the stories and characters.

That’s why I write my own. And why Jimmy writes his (which I DO enjoy reading).

[AlexG]

Just a thought . . . but when asking questions such as this you might want to have included using the Polling Feature as part of setting up the topic. That way you’ll get feedback from those unwilling to turn off their Lurker Cloaking Device, but are interested in continuing to read your story from anonymity of the shadows.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[Mark Newman]

I could … but I’m more interested in what my readers have to say than in tabulating the percentages.

I should keep that in mind, though, if I have a simple question. I’ve never run a poll.

Added: April 23.

Well, now I have. Great idea!

[Dave Damast]

I think thesimplest problem is the amount of time that has elapsed between the first chapters you wrote and the last few. While some people were waiting with baited breath, others might have moved on.

People have short attention sp- ooh, look, shiny!

[Rudi]

Well, what can I say… You write great fantasy..

Not like Tolkien… But more enjoyable kind of fantasy.. 😛

I don’t think that people who likes this genre would stop reading your stories. I think it’s more likely that people see a new chapter is there, and then read the previous chapters to get the entire story with them, without loosing the transition from one story to the next. 🙂

[Kitsunekun]

I was not reading but by reading the comments I will start right now

…eeeh, where are the stories?

[Author]

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