Ophelia Fey's Second Assignment

[Mad Lews]

I think the thing that bothers me the most is the idea that I have to cater to readers with attention spans of gnats. What if the pace and mood are not about quickly beating hearts and a lunchtime splooge (splurge?) under the desk?

I think you have missed the point. The pacing is yours to determine. Making the story readable, even easily readable is also your responsibility.
I’ve always thought writing is a social act. We (the editorial we) write to be read. Unless you want to be writing for yourself or to impress the masses with your word-smithing skills, it’s important to convey your thoughts actions and descriptions in a readable and entertaining fashion.

Should there be some sort of warning - this story is not paced or written for those in a hurry?

No it should be obvious within a paragraph or two. It is however a story code in the themes section of the story codes.

I'm not interested in punchy. Readers should do cardio if they want to increase their heart rates. I enjoy long, luscious sentences, stretched out like caramel; with a long finish, like a Pinot Noir full of black fruit.
I want to devour slow, intricate, detailed, mind fuck sex stories, and I aspire to write them as well.

Your interests are fine but should not limit your writing skills. Some stories need slow languid development. At times, contrast may become the best way to stress that. Beyond that point developing an ability to describe an event or action with an economy of words is often a blessing to both reader and writer. We (the editorial we) are here to learn a variety of writing skills, not just to reinforce our own preferences.

I'm certain that I'm not alone in seeking out stories that are detailed and require the reader to engage. If the expectation is to write to some common denominator, maybe this course isn't for me.

Again we return to the basics, writing is a social exercise. The academy (at this point) has a common denominator called English. You will be asked to stretch your style, given assignments you are not interested in, and taught skills you may never wish to use again. Whether you stay the course is entirely up to you.

Yours
Mad Lews