Do you use a plot?

[EdgySubMic]

It depends. Sometimes I start with a couple of random paragraphs and no idea how they will fit together. But then I will either retro-plot them, or park the bits and pieces for later reuse in another story. However, as much of what I write is based on either real events or at least real fantasies, most of the time the plot is a given from the start and typically is already fleshed out in my head much more than "beginning-middle-end" before I start writing the first words.

I really hate reading stories that wander about aimlessly forever with no other goal than to pile sex scene upon sex scene upon unbelievable sex scene. In fact, before I start reading something for real, I often make a quick assessment based on story length and reading a few sample paragraphs. Most stuff I end up not reading at all, or only partly.

 

[SteelPoint]

One of my stories was recently criticized for not having a plot. The accusation was completely true.

Then it was not a story.

And if that is all you do - offer descriptions of fucking - then you are not a story writer.

 

[StillStunned]

Then it was not a story.

And if that is all you do - offer descriptions of fucking - then you are not a story writer.

That seems unnecessarily harsh. There are plenty of acclaimed works that don't have a plot. It's not the be all and end all of writing. It's just one element, alongside things like mood, character and setting. Plenty of stories - particularly in the short story genre - are one-scene pieces that focus on a character's reaction to an unusual situation, for instance. It's also a feature of theatre ("Waiting for Godot") and movies ("The Breakfast Club").

 

[rob_bicurious]

In reading other threads, it has been said there is a correlation between length of story and better ratings. It may be that the extras length is plotting to create some extra depth for the characters, or conflict/resolution, which also adds a dimension. While some folks may want to get to the fucking as soon as possible, others may feel the building of tension makes the pay off sweeter.

I haven't really yet spent a lot of time building up complex characters or situations. However, I do find defining a situation does provide a background or motivation for the eventual explosion of lusty action.

 

[Chloe_Harper]

I like to write a plot and hash out characters and develop a story where the erotic acts are an important part to my story-telling. However, when it comes to erotic short stories, I don't see how you focusing on the sexual acts is any different from how people find the porn they want to watch.

You never promised a plot, so don't feel bad for not delivering one. Write a good sucking and/or fucking, and you'll have the audience that appreciates what you provide I'm sure.

Meanwhile, I get told to go to hell or that I'm a monster or clearly not really a woman for some of the plots and characters I create. (Idk how my writing somehow proves I'm not a woman when my vagina, tits and pronouns say otherwise, but hey, apparently only men can be deviant perverts). So, there's haters either way.

 

[SmokingFap]

I like to write a plot and hash out characters and develop a story where the erotic acts are an important part to my story-telling. However, when it comes to erotic short stories, I don't see how you focusing on the sexual acts is any different from how people find the porn they want to watch.

You never promised a plot, so don't feel bad for not delivering one. Write a good sucking and/or fucking, and you'll have the audience that appreciates what you provide I'm sure.

Meanwhile, I get told to go to hell or that I'm a monster or clearly not really a woman for some of the plots and characters I create. (Idk how my writing somehow proves I'm not a woman when my vagina, tits and pronouns say otherwise, but hey, apparently only men can be deviant perverts). So, there's haters either way.

Fuck the haters, sweetheart. Or rather, don't fuck them. That's why they're so pathetic and bitter.

 

[SimonDoom]

Then it was not a story.

And if that is all you do - offer descriptions of fucking - then you are not a story writer.

I don't agree with that. I don't believe there are any hard and fast rules of this sort. A story about two people fucking can be a story even if it doesn't have much or any plot. Its purpose could be just to capture a moment in time, to paint a picture, to describe an orgasm realistically, or to induce erections. It's still a story, albeit a story that some, such as you (and others, perhaps), may not want to read.

 

[FiveInch033]

Setup - or lack thereof - can make or break erotica for me. Maybe I'm way too desensitized at this point, but just reading about people doing it isn't doing it for me, no matter how exotic or debauched it is. The kick comes when the sparks are flying, emotion is involved.

Well, and I love to write stories first, porn second. Thus word counts in the tens of thousands. Short stories are an alien concept to me.

I have intended to write a "short" story....uh...ten pages later...

 

[Chloe_Harper]

I have intended to write a "short" story....uh...ten pages later...

When I have a story that quickly becomes much longer than intended, I find a way to break it up, make them into a shareable short series instead. There's certain points where it isn't feasible, but others have turned into really fun ways for me to explore certain characters and deeper plot while still posting 3k-5k words at a time.

 

[Wifetheif]

There are all kinds of plots some are just more extensive than others A meets B A and B are horny A and B bang is certainly a plot. A predictable one, sure but if that is what your readers are looking for it is an effective one. Danielle Steele has made her whole career out of this trope with a lot of add ons. I prefer more involved plots because that is what I like to write and I think readers want to be more invested in my characters than they are reading Hot A and Hot B bang. It's like movies. Sometimes you want to watch a highly emotional drama that will have you in tears or anger afterwards. Sometimes you want a comedy. Other times you just want to turn your brain off and watch naked barbarian babes swing fake swords at each other. ALL those choices are equally valid.

 

[Kasumi_Lee]

Not always, but I do try to offer a plot. I don't really feel satisfied with just writing an extended sex scene. I feel the need to include some kind of setup followed by a proper ending, or at a minimum a logical conclusion. If I don't include at least the bare bones of a plot, I end up feeling like it isn't a "real" story.

 

[intim8]

I always have a plot. It's fairly thin in a couple of mine, here, but the pure porn stuff gets old fast for me, and far more so when I am writing it.

I'm trying to do some serious-ish writing here, so, stories with sex rather than sex with maybe a story.

But criticizing a story here for not having one seems silly.

 

[SteelPoint]

I don't agree with that. I don't believe there are any hard and fast rules of this sort. A story about two people fucking can be a story even if it doesn't have much or any plot. Its purpose could be just to capture a moment in time, to paint a picture, to describe an orgasm realistically, or to induce erections. It's still a story, albeit a story that some, such as you (and others, perhaps), may not want to read.

This isn't for debate. This is a matter of factual observation. "Story" is a contraction of "history" in its etymology. Indeed, both in German (Geschichte) and French (histoire) for example the word is one and the same. No doubt in other languages also.

We are talking therefore of a series of events unfolding.

A simple description of a single action therefore, be it wallpaper drying, rain beating against a pane... or fucking... is by definition NOT a story, no matter how talented (yes... right...) the description.

 

[StillStunned]

This isn't for debate. This is a matter of factual observation. "Story" is a contraction of "history" in its etymology. Indeed, both in German (Geschichte) and French (histoire) for example the word is one and the same. No doubt in other languages also.

We are talking therefore of a series of events unfolding.

A simple description of a single action therefore, be it wallpaper drying, rain beating against a pane... or fucking... is by definition NOT a story, no matter how talented (yes... right...) the description.

A. A word's etymology doesn't define its meaning.
B. If you reject A, then learn the etymology. "Story" goes back to Greek "historeia" (Latinified spelling), meaning "inquiry, narrative, account". That covers the description of an action.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

No. Usually, I just dig a shallow grave out back in the woods to get rid of the bodies.

Oh, you mean for a story ...

 

[SteelPoint]

A. A word's etymology doesn't define its meaning.
B. If you reject A, then learn the etymology. "Story" goes back to Greek "historeia" (Latinified spelling), meaning "inquiry, narrative, account". That covers the description of an action.

A. Yes, it does. The historical derivation of words is the whole basis of semantic loading.

B. No, it doesn't. All of the words you propose speak to an evolving sequence, not the description of a single action.

Oh and by the way, the word is "latinised", not this somewhat interesting "latinified"...

 

[Chloe_Harper]

This isn't for debate. This is a matter of factual observation. "Story" is a contraction of "history" in its etymology. Indeed, both in German (Geschichte) and French (histoire) for example the word is one and the same. No doubt in other languages also.

We are talking therefore of a series of events unfolding.

A simple description of a single action therefore, be it wallpaper drying, rain beating against a pane... or fucking... is by definition NOT a story, no matter how talented (yes... right...) the description.

A. A word's etymology doesn't define its meaning.
B. If you reject A, then learn the etymology. "Story" goes back to Greek "historeia" (Latinified spelling), meaning "inquiry, narrative, account". That covers the description of an action.

This subset of debate is one of the more interesting facets of this thread.

I think plot is important for story, but not necessary for writing a singular sex scene if that's what get people going, which I think was the point of where this began.

However, as sassy as Steel gets in their arguing, I think their point is the correct one in a more generalized sense. That's not to say that StillStunned doesn't make some good points that get us thinking as well.

But, a proper story definitely needs an intro, then some kind of conflict, a climax and resolution, then conclusion of some sort. That's a pretty basic breakdown, but not necessary to be erotic entertainment for everyone.

I'm done now, just talking in circles now.

 

[SamBomb]

For the first time I am trying to write a story that is just one scene, so not so plot heavy. It's so much more difficult for me.

 

[Escierto]

One of my stories was recently criticized for not having a plot. The accusation was completely true.

I make no apologies. My stories are pure porn; fuck stories with no point other than people doing anything they can to achieve orgasms. There is a premise behind all of the stories (which is not the same as a plot). There is a set-up for the sex. Even still, the sex is gratuitous and serves little purpose other than to titillate.

I realize that many authors take a more classic approach; they work hard to craft their stories and have them be as fluent as possible with a plot and, sometimes, one or two subplots. These kinds of stories are truly fine and certainly have their reader base.

Please forgive my rant, but when someone complains that I have never offered a plot, I can't help but think, "I never promised you one."

I feel better now,

I hear you. None of my 14 stories has a plot and no one has complained. Plots? We don't need no stinkin' plots!

 

[SimonDoom]

This isn't for debate. This is a matter of factual observation. "Story" is a contraction of "history" in its etymology. Indeed, both in German (Geschichte) and French (histoire) for example the word is one and the same. No doubt in other languages also.

We are talking therefore of a series of events unfolding.

A simple description of a single action therefore, be it wallpaper drying, rain beating against a pane... or fucking... is by definition NOT a story, no matter how talented (yes... right...) the description.

We disagree about the importance of using dictionaries and relying on etymology to define or limit what a category of art like a "story" is. I think it's totally unhelpful. I prefer inclusive rather than limiting definitions, and I think the inclusive approach does a better job of encompassing the full range of what people do. If a "story" isn't a "story" because it has no "plot," then what is it? What's the word for it? It's something, so what do we call it? It seems to me that the word "story" does just fine in describing it.

Even if one wants to go the dictionary route, it still meets the definition. The number 1 definition of the word "story" in online Merriam-Webster is "an account of incidents or events." A short account of two people fucking satisfies that definition.

I maintain a general principle that debates over definitions are never meaningful debates. I think that applies here. If you disagree, it's fine with me, but that's my view.

 

[GeTee]

I recently published my first story and it has a plot. I based it off the kinds of stories I like to read. I prefer something to be story primary and sex secondary. I need to have the story to understand the dynamic, it makes the sex more arousing to know what the issues are, what the tension is from, and what repercussions there could be.

 

[bestkeptsecret678]

For the first time I am trying to write a story that is just one scene, so not so plot heavy. It's so much more difficult for me.

Ditto.

I have a hard time staying interested in the process if I'm dealing with an insufficient plot. It keeps me coming back to the keyboard. I was working a story a while back that stalled out completely. Then a few months later an improved plotline came to me and i was all over it again. While I give readers a glimpse early on of the smut that's coming, I also tend to make 'em wait.

I read an author's note on a story here that indicated that the sex was a burden to try to include, that they forced something in just to make it "erotica". Not so for me... the smut is the goal, and the plot is there to make it interesting.

 

[Britva415]

A simple description of a single action […] fucking

Show me an example of a non-story where “fucking” is accomplished with a single action and not a series of actions

 

[Britva415]

This isn't for debate

*holds AH’s beers*

 

[gunhilltrain]

No, my life mostly glides from one pointless event to the other.

The human condition, I'm afraid. If you life has any point (maybe), it's only because you seek one. Yeah, writing here is something.