On submitting your own story
If you are an experienced writer and have already
published something on Ulysses' site, you don't need to read this. Otherwise,
read on.
Ulysses will only accept stories that do not lower the quality standard
of the site. I turn down roughly five stories for every one I put online.
I receive roughly one story per week and unfortunately don't have the time
anymore to respond to every author individually. Here are the major reasons
why I may reject your story. If I do turn you down, I may refer you
to this page with a brief indication of which of the below apply.
(1) bad spelling
(2) bad grammar or interpunctuation
(3) changing tenses or perspectives confusing the reader
(4) incorrect, unimaginative or lazy diction
(5) lack of character development
(6) predictable or conventional plot, the like of which has been seen numerous
times before your story
(7) lack of suspense
(8) fluffy or bulky text with superfluous parts that slow down the story
and weaken reader's interest
(9) story turns and developments that are too far-fetched, unmotivated
or unprepared by earlier developments and diminish the overall credibility
of the story, thereby annoying or distracting the reader
(10) wrong website for your kind of story
Often I ask novice authors to revise their stories to correct such problems
and often I receive responses like "I don't have time for that", "feel free
to make those changes yourself", "other websites put it up without complaints",
"some stories on your site are stupid and not as good as mine" etc. If you
are in any danger of giving me any response like that, please note: if you
want to become a good writer you will have to work hard and revise, review
and edit ad nauseam, until you finally get it right. Like any other
kind of skill, creative writing takes practice before becoming proficient
in it. Not even the greatest writers ever get it right the first time. In
fact they are known to get all worked up over single pages, even single
phrases in their stories and spend days fixing them. It's OK not to do that
if you are writing for yourself, but if you want others to read and enjoy
your stuff, you better make the same effort.
If you feel that you don't master the trade yet, or if I have referred
you to this page, please check out the section in my shop on story-writing.
There are some recommendations for you there that may guide you in the right
direction.
Also, to get a sense of what I'll accept, I suggest you take a look at
the following few benchmark stories on my site. If you think you're on par,
submit your story. If not, work on it.
Long ones: Courtney, The Breaking of Dan Newman, Humiliated By Mommy,
Johnny's Punishment, Being Nadia's Husband, Tiny Tim
Short ones: Bad Boy, My Big Sister, Gym Teacher, Mom Conquers Son,
Sister's Dominating Ways