When I first started writing, I tried anything that came to mind. I wrote science fiction, fantasy, business stories. They were erotic stories, mostly just so I could be a part of that online community, but anything with a penis in it always ended up with one main character that was just like me. Eventually I decided that this wouldn't stop until I gave up and wrote a story about
me.
Of course, I used my middle names for the main character. He lived in an apartment building just like mine, and was a student at the same university.
I uploaded the first two chapters and got a good response even though I stopped before anyone got naked. Apparently they loved the deep characters and realistic scenery. Of course, his love interest was based on a girl I used to have as a best friend, so the 'deep characters' were both
real
characters.
The best comment was from someone who thought she 'recognized the neighbourhood, it was so vivid.' The one thing that no one liked was that I hadn't described the main character, and they needed to know what he looked like before any sex.
I was stumped. I actually called an ex-girlfriend to describe me, physically. I made him just like me, faults and all. Dark blond hair, six feet tall, and just a little underweight. He still chewed his pinky fingernails, and got obsessed with random knowledge in a way that many friends found frustrating. At this point I was getting an exhibitionist thrill by making this copy of myself get naked and have sex. I figured it was safe. Who would know?
When I finished the next chapter it was hot and steamy. The sex went on for hours and she went home happy. They made a date for the weekend so they would 'have more time'. I thought it was brilliant, and was trying to work up the courage to have something bad happen in my little fantasy world. I figured I could go for crazy romp any time; this realistic character would explore the sexual world in a realistic way, which meant life couldn't be
perfect
. I posted an author's note that I would be exploring other female characters, so not to get too attached to 'Hannah.'
My feedback this time was less positive. Apparently they didn't like my sex. It was too mental and not very vivid. They also didn't like the unrealistic abilities of my star, but doesn't everyone last for hours in their own fantasy? Even the girl from before agreed. She thought I should practice my descriptive imagery by having my character go for a walk and meet someone interesting.
That sounded perfect! Only one problem; I walked fairly regularly, but never paid attention to things I could describe. I'd have to go for a walk.
It was a fine spring day, so I skipped the jacket and the elevator on my way to the doors. I left the building and turned right.
I listened to the sound of the gravel, still not swept up from when the snow melted. I smelled the fresh breezes that must be coming north off the lake. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. But mostly, I tried to find adequate descriptions for all the things my character could see. There were grass and dandelion trying to squeeze past each other, and the beginning of flowers poking through the empty soil in their gardens. There were kids playing in the parkette, sometimes sweating from the activity, and sometimes pink-cheeked from the chill.
I think my favourite was the big oak tree in the park between my apartment and the subway station. I had mentioned it already in the story, but would have to describe it again now that all of the tiny twigs on the branches were growing their own little buds. I stared at it for a moment and thought 'even if I never finish this story, it was worth it just now.'
"Hi. Do I know you?"
I looked down from the tree. There stood the cutest girl I have ever met. Not 'I would date her' cute. The kind of girl who you just know would kill you for calling her cute, because she has heard it every day of her life from people who did
not
mean sexy. Like her family, female friends and elders. She had a button nose, tiny ears and dimples. You heard me,
dimples.
She wasn't fat, in fact she looked a little like a dancer, other than her chest. They don't let girls dance if they're big
anywhere
. It's kind of like how tall guys can't be astronauts. She was also a little short, and was wearing the most ridiculous tuque I've ever seen, with an actual cheerleader-type pom pom on top.
"Hello?" she asked again.
Oops.
"Hi! I don't think so."
"Are you sure? I walk down here fairly regularly, especially this week."
"Oh, that must be it. Any reason you're around this week?" I had no idea why this girl was talking to
me
but I wasn't going to let her walk away without
trying
to start a conversation.
"Oh yeah. My cousin has a house right near here, and she has been begging for someone to borrow her kid for a few hours. I volunteered to help out this week so I'm practically living in this park."
I laughed. Someone had done that to a friend of mine last year. It appears that spending years in a row with no real break from your parenting duties can be a bit tiring. The parent in question spent the entire 'vacation' acting like a sixteen year old home alone.
"I guess I'll let you go though. I can't let the little guy escape. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I'll see you around!"
I was so happy with that brief conversation that I almost forgot to collect more imagery on my way home. I was able to write the story
really
quickly, because I just altered the events of that afternoon. My character needed an excuse to go out, so I decided that his doctor told him to get as much skin as possible in the sun every day at about noon to get Vitamin D. I also wanted the cute girl not to have to leave so I erased the kid and had her just going for a walk.
This time, with the character I named Kelly, the conversation turned to afternoon plans, lunch at a nearby cafe, and an offer to show her his antique piano. It looked a little imperfect with some broken or mismatched keys, but he wasn't about to use fresh ivory, nor destroy the remaining intact keys. Luckily she didn't care, and trying to fix something loose inside the piano turned in to a back massage which turned in to a make out session then turned in to sex on the couch.
I thought it was masterful. I described my imagining of her soft breasts, her strong legs, and her hungry pussy. I described the sensation of that first penetration to the very finest detail of my memory. I described the sensations in their muscles, the feel of her breasts pressing in to his chest, and the smooth slip of his skin against hers.
Let's just say some people like a new direction, and others don't. It turns out that a few people really liked my inside-the-mind storytelling from the first chapter. Too late now. I was hooked on this new method.
That same girl commented again. She said she really liked the new female character. Could they meet again and maybe get to know her friends?
There was no doubt; I was hooked on reality-based storytelling. It was so much easier, so long as no one could know who I was. I knew that girl would probably be at that same park today. All I had to do was go down there and ask her to go to lunch. If it worked, I had the best story in the world (or at least the best one
I
could write.) If not, well, I could either make it up or find a new girl.
I went to the park more directly than my last walk. I felt almost like my character was me, so I would easily get this date because he did. When I showed up, she was sitting on a bench under the tree.
"Hallo the bench!" I called from a few metres away.
"Hallo the sidewalk! Permission to approach!" she called back.
I smiled that she had played along and walked up.
"Hi. I was wondering, would you like to go for lunch some time? After your babysitting duties are complete, of course."
"Actually, I'm just about done now. Want to walk with me to drop off the little demon?"
I was shocked. And happy. This meant I could maybe write the next chapter tonight! "Sure, gladly."
We picked up her charge -- a five year old bundle of energy that made me want my youth back, and I was only twenty five -- and headed two blocks over to her cousin's.
While we were there the two had a brief eye/facial language conversation. I found it very entertaining, and I'm sure I was mentioned at least once by the glances. Amanda noticed me noticing and decided it was time to head to our lunch.
The first thing I learned was her name, Amanda. I had never asked a girl out without knowing her name before. She was also a student, and had been living in the city near her cousin ever since her parents died. She liked to laugh, and somehow understood my humour. I'm not sure
I
get my humour.
Other than her life story it was eerie how much the date mirrored the one in the story. We went to the same places in the same order by the same routes. We even both had the exact same meal, though she had no milk in hers. "Allergies," she explained. The reason we were going back to my place? She had asked what instruments I played and wanted to see my piano.
She acted a little bit strange as we went to my apartment. She touched the number on my door, and looked at all the little details on the trip and once we arrived. Our conversation once the door closed was almost scripted it was so smooth. I guess I'm not that bright, because it wasn't until she told me she needed to take a look inside the piano that I started to get worried.