How to writer erotica without saying pussy and other silly words

[sara_adrift]

Have you guys read 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman?

It has a totally hot sex scene, but he uses completely clinical terms to describe the naughty parts. I really liked it.

~sara

 

[txstanford]

Doesn't it depend on the narrative PoV?

First person recounting; third person reportage.

If it's the former, then whatever the narrator's verbal style, then that style must speak to and of the narrator.

What he / she says is what he / she is.

If it's the latter, then language can and should be as disparate as the characters and the context -- though with the proviso that the authorial voice needs to be consistent.

Most of the stuff I see nowadays -- whatever kind of fiction it happens to be -- demonstrates only that the writer has not the slightest understanding of his / her craft.

Though perfectly capable of dredging up from the imagination scenarios within which the characters are to dance, there's no ability at all to make them sing.

And because they don't, neither does the story, nor the book.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... Most of the stuff I see nowadays -- whatever kind of fiction it happens to be -- demonstrates only that the writer has not the slightest understanding of his / her craft. ...

This is very true, and especially so of books that win literary prizes yet are unreadable.

 

[txstanford]

This is very true, and especially so of books that win literary prizes yet are unreadable.

Oh hell, snooper. . . don't get me started on that.



Tyler

 

[littleblackdress50]

Actually the question isn't can one write erotica that does not includes words like "cock" and "pussy"... but can YOU write erotica that DOES.

Erotica is writing that sexually inflames the brain. Porn is writing that excites other body parts without involving the brain or emotions other than lust.

Some of the most erotic writing does not graphically describe the sex act itself, but instead implies it and leaves the reader's mind to fill in the blank.

This is not to say that it can't be erotic if you do go into great detail describing a sex act which might be difficult without using those words.

Porn has it's place and is not offensive to me, but if you want to write true erotica you have to work to make the reader feel the same emotions as the characters. If you can do that, regardless of the depth of description of the sexual connection of the characters, then you write erotica. Otherwise......

 

[txstanford]

Erotica is writing that sexually inflames the brain. Porn is writing that excites other body parts without involving the brain or emotions other than lust.

Some of the most erotic writing does not graphically describe the sex act itself, but instead implies it and leaves the reader's mind to fill in the blank.

This is not to say that it can't be erotic if you do go into great detail describing a sex act which might be difficult without using those words.

Porn has it's place and is not offensive to me, but if you want to write true erotica you have to work to make the reader feel the same emotions as the characters. If you can do that, regardless of the depth of description of the sexual connection of the characters, then you write erotica. Otherwise......

Porn certainly doesn't offend me, either; quite the opposite, in fact.

But a story that (to misquote a Heineken lager commercial) starts at my parts but leaves my brain out of reach is no more than a narrative exercise in premature ejaculation.

It certainly brings gratification to the author. But it leaves me wondering just why I bothered.

Great post, littleblackdress. A primer as concise and constructive as that ought to be pinned on this forum.

Tyler

 

[Eroscribe67]

Actually the question isn't can one write erotica that does not includes words like "cock" and "pussy"... but can YOU write erotica that DOES.

Erotica is writing that sexually inflames the brain. Porn is writing that excites other body parts without involving the brain or emotions other than lust.

Some of the most erotic writing does not graphically describe the sex act itself, but instead implies it and leaves the reader's mind to fill in the blank.

This is not to say that it can't be erotic if you do go into great detail describing a sex act which might be difficult without using those words.

Porn has it's place and is not offensive to me, but if you want to write true erotica you have to work to make the reader feel the same emotions as the characters. If you can do that, regardless of the depth of description of the sexual connection of the characters, then you write erotica. Otherwise......

Thoughtful and interesting response, littleblackdress. I think it is a matter of taste, to each individual writer/reader. I often describe my written porn as graphic but tastefully done. I prefer to use the words cock and pussy, but sometimes those can be overused and not have the desired effect.... Describing something using another word can work and often does...but again, it depends on how that person--the reader--feels about it. I rarely use the word cunt or shaft...but sometimes it fits. To me it is all about setting a tone, mood, and building the sexy little story from there.

 

[txstanford]

Thoughtful and interesting response, littleblackdress. I think it is a matter of taste, to each individual writer/reader. I often describe my written porn as graphic but tastefully done. I prefer to use the words cock and pussy, but sometimes those can be overused and not have the desired effect.... Describing something using another word can work and often does...but again, it depends on how that person--the reader--feels about it. I rarely use the word cunt or shaft...but sometimes it fits. To me it is all about setting a tone, mood, and building the sexy little story from there.

Funny, how different words play with different people.

OH and I are cat lovers, so perhaps because of that I equate "pussy" with Chunky Chicken in Jelly.

And that link plays havoc when I read anything where the pussy in question isn't of the feline kind. . . unless, of course, the writer is similarly wary of "cock" and has instead equipped the male character with a Chunky Chicken.

(Nice to see someone else appreciates littleblackdress's post.)

 

[littleblackdress50]

Actually I believe the topic has diverged....

Can you write a pure porn story without using the words “cock” or “pussy”? Last time I checked there were so many pseudonyms for either word that you could write a novel and use a different word for male and female genitals in each and every sentence without ever using either of those aforementioned words.

You can wear out any word in any story as well. “The shiny wallpaper had little shiny flecks of shiny golden material imbedded in its shiny surface.” Not an erotic sentence. Not an erotic word. Just as worn out in that sentence as “cock” and “pussy” in some stories I've read.

The second issue is can you write an erotic story without using any words for anyone's genitals. I believe that a story can be erotic without ever describing a single sex act.

The third issue is can you write a story that engages the emotions (ie. IS erotic) and excites BOTH the brain and the genitals while writing an explicit description of a sex act. When you can do that, you have exhibited the true craft of writing erotica.

 

[sr71plt]

Oh, I think "cock" is the best term to use in erotica/porn. "Pussy" makes me laugh, though. But that's just me.

 

[txstanford]

Can you write a pure porn story without using the words “cock” or “pussy”?
>
>

The second issue is can you write an erotic story without using any words for anyone's genitals. I believe that a story can be erotic without ever describing a single sex act.

The third issue is can you write a story that engages the emotions (ie. IS erotic) and excites BOTH the brain and the genitals while writing an explicit description of a sex act. When you can do that, you have exhibited the true craft of writing erotica.

Mmm. Interesting. But I'm not sure about the distinction between "a pure porn story" and "writing erotica".

Is "erotica" a twee version of "porn"? Is "porn" a prosaic version of "erotica"?

And into what category does a story fall which dances with images, and plays with words, but also slams in the explicit to jolt and arouse -- because the narrative is at the point when such a jolting of the reader, and such a hoped-for arousal of the reader, is justified?

This above isn't rhetorical. I'd love to find a reasoned answer, somewhere.

 

[txstanford]

Oh, I think "cock" is the best term to use in erotica/porn. "Pussy" makes me laugh, though. But that's just me.

Please be assured, sr7plt. . . It isn't just you.

Coincidentally, while we're on the subject of words-to-get-off-on, I've been drawn to another forum thread elsewhere.

There's a word I've used in a 200-word "story" I've just posted there which may, or then again may possibly not, also be on your list.

(I won't re-post here. The thread's at:

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?p=33354767#post33354767

post #66.)

 

[littleblackdress50]

Mmm. Interesting. But I'm not sure about the distinction between "a pure porn story" and "writing erotica".

Is "erotica" a twee version of "porn"? Is "porn" a prosaic version of "erotica"?

And into what category does a story fall which dances with images, and plays with words, but also slams in the explicit to jolt and arouse -- because the narrative is at the point when such a jolting of the reader, and such a hoped-for arousal of the reader, is justified?

This above isn't rhetorical. I'd love to find a reasoned answer, somewhere.

Actually, the distinction is made by the reader.

Unfortunately there are people for whom even the most clinical description of genitilia (outside perhaps of a medical textbook) causes a violent angry reaction. For them even some of what the world has ruled high literature is "pure porn". It is porn because it illicits an erotic reaction and any erotic reaction is "bad". Is it possible that all children of fundamentalist ministers were concieved by immaculate conception?

There are other people that only react emotionally to the crudest of writing. For them only the most explict and in depth descriptions are mildly erotic and there is no porn.

The line is therefore blurred.

 

[sr71plt]

I just write stories I hope are arousing and let the reader decide what it is.

Amusingly, more than once I've had a reviewer criticize a book of mine for being porn "for those who like that sort of stuff"--and it's immediately boosted the sales of that book.

 

[MichaelWest]

As a reader I often find difficulty in taking a story seriously where the language is either overly flowery or terribly crude.

As a writer I gravitate towards the more midland terminology, i.e. loins, sex, fleece, etc., because that seems to be how the narrator thinks, more formal if you will. But I use vernacular words, i.e. pussy, cock, etc., for dialouge or the protaganist's thoughts because these are the terms they use, more informal if you will. But I struggle to use these later words without causing myself to find them too humorous. Thus, I find it imformative to listen to others and hopefully craft more than mere porn (a description of the event) and capture more the erotic (the feelings).

 

[txstanford]

>
Unfortunately there are people for whom even the most clinical description of genitilia (outside perhaps of a medical textbook) causes a violent angry reaction. For them even some of what the world has ruled high literature is "pure porn". It is porn because it illicits an erotic reaction and any erotic reaction is "bad". Is it possible that all children of fundamentalist ministers were concieved by immaculate conception?

There are other people that only react emotionally to the crudest of writing. For them only the most explict and in depth descriptions are mildly erotic and there is no porn.

The line is therefore blurred.

Fair enough.

As to the latter point (and without wishing to get too serious here) I've always found the story of Jonah and the Whale particularly interesting from a woman's point of view.

It speaks to times, and men, and an emotional repression one would hope had long gone.

However: the world seems still full of Jonahs, drawn into that open maw and terrified it will consume them.

Though there are, of course, different interpretations.

 

[LusciousLoralie]

For example if a woman came up to me and said "I want you to drive your hardness deep inside the silk walls of my pussy" my response would be "Well you're friendly, aint ya?"

I would never say that or have any of my characters say that. "I want you to fuck me" works just fine for conversation. Although I would use that in a narrative description. Something roughly along the lines of "She wanted to feel him driving his hardness inside the silk walls of her pussy." You get the point.

 

[Mrtouf]

For example if a woman came up to me and said; "I want you to drive your hardness deep inside the silk walls of my pussy," my response would be; "Well your friendly aint ya."

On the other hand, if she said: " I want your long hard key to open my love box," my response would be: "hmmm."

I am not an expert on fiction writing, and being a straight guy I am probably so far from being the classic "romantic," that most women would probably laugh themselves to death if I was even to attempt it. I mean sure, I have done the little things like candles, notes on the bed, and have even contacted a lady or two in the middle of the day, when she is unsuspecting, but yet found the gesture to be appealing.

There are times when you need to whip out the thesaurus and ruffle through the pages. But word choice is not nearly as important as how you use those words.

The reason why 'pussy' gets a laugh so often is because it's overused, usually with little or no adjective support. So don't use it like a frayed and tired old placeholder, use it like you mean it. Then even if it still gets a laugh from the reader it might also get a "damn I need to jerk off now."

You could also get away with "I want you to drive your hardness deep inside the silk walls of my pussy" in the situation above if the story starts with the premise that the characters live in a Bizarro world where it is socially acceptable to speak plainly what's on their minds but not so to disguise it with metaphor.

You don't need to be romantic to write. You can imagine what life would be like if you were more romantic, if that helps. I would rate as important the ability to visualise, empathise with the characters, and write good dialogue for them, because your story will stand or fall depending on how well you do with those.

 

[txstanford]

I think, where Lit's concerned, that of all the words which get agonised over, there's one that rarely registers (if at all) with many writers.

The word is 'honesty'.

It just doesn't figure in all those tediously self-gratifying discourses: no honesty of character, no honesty of dialog, no honesty of, well, anything.

I can take my written sex floral or visceral but what I can't stomach is stuff ostensibly penned for a reader that actually has only its author in mind.

Isn't a reader's time worth more than a writer's quick relief?

Honestly speaking.




Tyler

 

[infinity706]

Steer clear of his throbbing sceptre and her glistening honeypot, and you'll be fine. There's being figurative and there's being unsexy.

I've used plenty of descriptions like that when I'm writing something silly or the character is drunk. There's even a place for "massive hunk of man meat" if you use it in the right context.

 

[driphoney]

Oh, I think "cock" is the best term to use in erotica/porn. "Pussy" makes me laugh, though. But that's just me.

And what is your preferred female genitalia word? I consider the words pretty balanced, but I do find it interesting how many have certain words they won't use or certain words they will only use. I know a writer who hates the word "cock", but finds "dick" erotic. Many must like the way she forms her sex because she's a Top List writer. "Dick" to me feels childish, and yet, the aforementioned writer is so good, I enjoy her work "dick" or no "dick"

And, personally, I love any scene with honey in it!

 

[driphoney]

I think, where Lit's concerned, that of all the words which get agonised over, there's one that rarely registers (if at all) with many writers.

The word is 'honesty'.

It just doesn't figure in all those tediously self-gratifying discourses: no honesty of character, no honesty of dialog, no honesty of, well, anything.

I can take my written sex floral or visceral but what I can't stomach is stuff ostensibly penned for a reader that actually has only its author in mind.

Isn't a reader's time worth more than a writer's quick relief?

Honestly speaking.




Tyler

You're probably right, but I thought pretty much all writers, whether beginners or experienced, good or bad, write for themselves.

 

[sr71plt]

And what is your preferred female genitalia word?

left knee cap?

(actually, cunt is the least grinding for me.)

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

And, personally, I love any scene with honey in it!

But phoney scenes leave you dry?

I can take my written sex floral or visceral but what I can't stomach is stuff ostensibly penned for a reader that actually has only its author in mind.

You're probably right, but I thought pretty much all writers, whether beginners or experienced, good or bad, write for themselves.

Er ... you may be right, but in my experience most writers care passionately what readers think of their work. In evidence whereof, look at the arguments which rage on many sites about voting, and about nasty anonymous comments.

 

[driphoney]

left knee cap?

(actually, cunt is the least grinding for me.)

Ahh.

But phoney scenes leave you dry?

Er ... you may be right, but in my experience most writers care passionately what readers think of their work. In evidence whereof, look at the arguments which rage on many sites about voting, and about nasty anonymous comments.

Phoney? .............. .............

Er ... um .... you have a good point, but when writing (* tries to remember what that is*) it seems to work best for me to write for myself, thinking too hard about what others might think has shut me down. I've heard others say that ultimately you write for yourself. Whether they actually do that or not is impossible to say, so you do make a good argument.

But this is all at the novice/hobby level. With professional/paid writing, all bets are off, I'm sure, as the writer attempts to produce what a publisher and paying public demands.

Haven't talked in a while Snoop, hope all is well with you.