In a recent comment on the last chapter I’ve posted of The Joy of Looking, someone said: “I wish this would get updated!”
In a similar comment a few weeks earlier, another person said: “This is a wonderful story but it has been a month since the the last part was posted. Has the story ended or will there be more parts?”
As I said in my reply to the comment just above, I do intend to write and post more, and in fact I have the completion of the JoL epic pretty well planned out. That will probably consist of two or three additional chapters, possibly more; I won’t know until I actually sit down and write it.
Currently I’m spending most of my author time working on Secrets, but that story’s getting close to a finish now too. I’m presently in the middle of composing Chapter 21, though I’ve only posted five chapters at this point. As you know, I prefer to work fairly far ahead when creating extended length stories. That way I can easily revise earlier sections as new developments take place later on in the plot. At any rate, after I wrap up Secrets, I’ll likely tackle the last few chapters of The Joy of Looking.
Something occurred to me recently as I was thinking about why I’ve been putting off bringing JoL to a close. Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown so fond of the characters that I just can’t bear to let them go. I don’t want to have to say goodbye. After all, Julie and her family have been a big part of my life for something like eight years now. I’ve invested countless hours thinking about them and reporting on all their adventures.
I can’t actually remember when I began writing that story. The original version, then titled “Underage Voyeurs,” is lost in the fog of time (and on outdated, discarded computers), but I think I started it back around 2008 or possibly even earlier. I wrote the first three or four chapters, then put it down for a few years, not picking it up again until after I’d published my first story online at Lesbian Lolita and received so many wonderful, supportive comments. I was excited then to write more — and once I got going on the continuation of JoL, it seemed to take on a life of its own. Julie and her mom and the rest of her family and their friends had so many things to tell me and show me that I couldn’t wait to keep writing the next chapter, and the next chapter, and so on.
Over about seven months, from November 2012 to May 2013, I wrote and published more than 80 chapters. It was a whirlwind of erotic creativity, incredibly thrilling but also exhausting. By the end, I was ready to let go. When I finally posted Chapter 84 at Leslita (on Mother’s Day, hee-hee), I thought that really would be The End.
Except it wasn’t.
When JetBoy and Cheryl and I began making plans for Juicy Secrets, I was convinced by them that I should write at least a few more chapters to extend my opus and bring it to a suitable finale. I agreed, of course, but once again the story just took off. Now it’s up to 133 chapters — more than 496,000 words, almost half a million! — and still it’s not complete. Getting pretty close, though.
I know there are some who say they want this story never to end. I understand and I sympathize. As I said, I truly will hate to say farewell to these beloved characters. They feel like family to me.
Nevertheless, it can’t go on forever. I’m afraid that if I just kept churning out chapters, I would end up repeating myself. It would get stale, and I don’t want that to happen. I love this story too much.
So, look for the last few chapters (and this time, I swear, it really will be only a few) at some point in the fairly near future — not right away, mind you, but probably by the end of 2016.
When it’s all finally over, I will grieve. It won’t be easy. Yet there will be something to celebrate as well: the joyous conclusion of what is for me a major artistic accomplishment. Compared to legitimate authors, it’s maybe not such a big deal, but I’m quite proud of myself for having achieved this.
And oh, by the way, I’ve also enjoyed a whole lot of delicious orgasms along the way. And isn’t that what it’s really all about?
I’ve been faced with situations like this myself — saying goodbye or being asked to continue stories I intended as only one-offs. Sometimes I’ve kept my work open-ended, sometimes I’ve written sequels. Often, I’ve found writing a new series set in the same universe, with new characters or continuing the story, but set years later. Whatever you decide, congratulations on the accomplishment.
I’ve been a reader of a favourite novel who was dreading the finish as I turned the last pages. My sympathies are deep and warm.
Please do me a wee favour, Don’t call your work ‘dirty’ stories. Old moralising terms need to be killed off, by writers.
Your stories are the very best of erotica.
I’m saving the rereading of Joy … until you have finished. This ‘box set’ trend is becoming ubiquitous.
On the contrary. The *only* use for moralistic terms like that is ironically by skilled writers who know of course that what they’re writing is dirty, and are damn proud of it.
Of course that should be properly extended to writers *and* readers. 🙂
Hee-hee, yes, I love being dirty — it turns Mommy on! 😛
My comment was only written because of my love and admiration for that particular novel. If I caused any frustration or annoyance, I completely apologise! It wasn’t my intention to do so. xx
Homelovingguru, please don’t worry, I wasn’t bothered at all by what you wrote. Just the opposite, in fact. It’s flattering to hear that readers are eager for more of my work. 😀
I, too, have been avoiding JoL for a while now, unwilling to finally read that (shudder) final chapter. I have to say that this delicious story was a major turning point in helping me acknowledge and accept long suppressed desires when I first started reading it on Leslita so long ago. It was also the story that made me an avid Naughty Mommy devotee 🙂
I remember clearly my chagrin when NM didn’t post anymore on Leslita, my delight in finding her on the Story Friends board, my renewed chagrin when that disappeared, and renewed delight at the birth of Juicy Secrets 😀 Whew! What a ride! As JoL takes its well-earned place in erotica history, I am looking forward to all of the delightful novels to come, from NM and all the other wonderful writers 🙂
Thank you, Jen, Poppa, and DaughterLover — your enjoyment of my stories is what makes me want to write more!
Naughty Mommy,
Thank you for expressing so well how we feel about our “babies”! I always feel a tug from my characters upon finishing a story.
was just wondering if this was done also would love to see some offshoot/stand alones about the added characters at the sapphic retreat?
Hmmm, that’s a very interesting idea. I’m not sure I’ll ever get around to doing it, but you’ve given me something new to think about. Thanks!
is it done?
Are you asking whether the story, The Joy of Looking, is done? If that’s the question, my answer is no, it’s probably not done yet. I still hope and expect to write at least a few more chapters which would properly conclude the story, but unfortunately I can’t give you any timeline on that. We’ll just have to see how it goes.
yes and that cool ty