Pink Orchid: Story Event for Women-Centric Erotica - Official Support Thread

[MelissaBaby]

I think it’s really interesting that so many male authors processed the idea of female centered stories as meaning stories about female empowerment. I think it speaks well of them that their thoughts went in that direction. It seems like a recognition on their part of the realities of gender imbalance that we still live with.

 

[NotWise]

I think it’s really interesting that so many male authors processed the idea of female centered stories as meaning stories about female empowerment. I think it speaks well of them that their thoughts went in that direction. It seems like a recognition on their part of the realities of gender imbalance that we still live with.

Don't give us too much credit. "Female empowerment" is listed as a theme in the event announcement.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Don't give us too much credit. "Female empowerment" is listed as a theme in the event announcement.

Yeah, but if you ran with ball, you deserve props.

 

[J_beezy]

Venus and Mars

I'm about 11k into my story when I thought...wait a minute. Was the POV woman-centric or was I writing a strong woman from the viewpoint of a man.

I spent years in a dojo and women trained alongside. LOL, it's still a hoot that you can get turned on by headguards, booties, gloves and mouthguard all on a heavily sweating woman. Strong to me was the ability to fight. Take a punch and not whine! Real womanly stuff...NOT! Or is it something to celebrate?

And I realize that's what I was writing in my story. And it was starting to permeate it.

I'm getting to the point that I don't think it fits the spirit of the event. I can gut it but...!

Thoughts ladies?

I'd say go for it. After all, Women are people too - and some people are like that!

 

[J_beezy]

Not even that!

Let me quote my event announcement:

This helps. Many thanks, I've got quite a few ideas now!

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I’ve made a little headway on two stories that might work for this event, but I can’t get out of my own head enough to know if I’m self-mansplaining about the theme. I think what I’ve been writing all along are stories with female characters who are in charge of their lives and make their own decisions about sex. I’d like people other than me to tell me if that’s true.

If you’re willing to put in a little reading time, please send me a PM and I’ll give you links to two of my published stories. In each one, the central notion is that a woman is doing something new and different. They’re 8700 words and 9100 words. One is mostly fun (nothing too dire at stake), the other a bit darker (but still fully consensual). I’m not putting the links here because I’m not that pathetic about seeking validation.

My guess is that the best stories in this event will be ones in which women start in unfavorable situations, become aware of that, and progress to empowering themselves. Yes, I’m overthinking, but I believe that the theme warrants that. And the sex scenes can be just as hot with everyone involved working together to maximize the whoopee.

 

[NotWise]

My guess is that the best stories in this event will be ones in which women start in unfavorable situations, become aware of that, and progress to empowering themselves. Yes, I’m overthinking, but I believe that the theme warrants that. And the sex scenes can be just as hot with everyone involved working together to maximize the whoopee.

I think there's room for a lot of variation. My story's arc is quite different from that. The woman is independent and self-sufficient at the beginning, faces a challenge to her choices, and overcomes it. HFN, good time had by all (except Steve. He's an oozing ass hole).

 

[HeyAll]

I'll add 1 or 2 stories to this. The ones that wouldn't necessarily fit into the Valentine's contest.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I spent years in a dojo and women trained alongside. LOL, it's still a hoot that you can get turned on by headguards, booties, gloves and mouthguard all on a heavily sweating woman. Strong to me was the ability to fight. Take a punch and not whine! Real womanly stuff...NOT! Or is it something to celebrate?

One of my early stories was written around this very idea, except we don't use the protective gear in the dojo. It would fit neatly into this event. Unfortunately, I'm sitting out as I'm trying to complete my "Tale of Leinyere" story.

 

[Athalia]

Gee, just about every story I've ever written has been about female empowerment, in one form or another. The woman discovers that her sexual satisfaction doesn't depend on men. Or she dumps a disrespectful boyfriend for a respectful one. Or she builds a business from her earnings as a porn star and uses it to give women a proper perspective on sexuality. Or she abandons everything she's learned about proper sexual relationships to engage in polyamory. Or she agrees to a second marriage, once she's convinced that it would be a real partnership, with no spouse dominating.

But I haven't written a story about the specific moment that a woman finds an identity of her own so powerful that the strictures of society no longer apply. I'll have to think about that. There may be a story there.

 

[NotWise]

But I haven't written a story about the specific moment that a woman finds an identity of her own so powerful that the strictures of society no longer apply. I'll have to think about that. There may be a story there.

Woman goes rogue? Is that something from the Marvel realm?

 

[stickygirl]

Gee, just about every story I've ever written has been about female empowerment, in one form or another. The woman discovers that her sexual satisfaction doesn't depend on men. Or she dumps a disrespectful boyfriend for a respectful one. Or she builds a business from her earnings as a porn star and uses it to give women a proper perspective on sexuality. Or she abandons everything she's learned about proper sexual relationships to engage in polyamory. Or she agrees to a second marriage, once she's convinced that it would be a real partnership, with no spouse dominating.

But I haven't written a story about the specific moment that a woman finds an identity of her own so powerful that the strictures of society no longer apply. I'll have to think about that. There may be a story there.

I'll join you at that table - I can't imagine writing a story where a woman wasn't the winner or at least on equal footing with the other person. Maybe that's why I've been scratching my head over this exercise because trying to write something overtly pro-woman would feel false. Of course writing anything at all is the first step!!

 

[MelissaBaby]

I'll join you at that table - I can't imagine writing a story where a woman wasn't the winner or at least on equal footing with the other person. Maybe that's why I've been scratching my head over this exercise because trying to write something overtly pro-woman would feel false. Of course writing anything at all is the first step!!

Honestly, the story I will submit for this event will be exactly the same story I'd be submitting without it. Nonetheless, I think it's a great idea and I am looking forward to reading the submissions.

 

[stickygirl]

Honestly, the story I will submit for this event will be exactly the same story I'd be submitting without it. Nonetheless, I think it's a great idea and I am looking forward to reading the submissions.

I love your strong women

 

[MelissaBaby]

I love your strong women

Aw, thanks. I like to think I write normal women, and normal women are strong.

 

[brok]

me too

Reading this thread, it strikes me that the story I have just finished writing would fit into this category. No, it is not one of the series about Arky the astronaut, popular as it seems to be with some readers. Wait till February and you'll find out.

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

I was about to publish a story in the next few days, but since it seems to fit nicely into this event, I'll hold off, polish it up a bit more and add it to the mix at the appropriate time.

I wasn't sure at first, but re-reading it just now there are passages in there that definitely resonate with the theme of empowerment of women. The main protagonist even says she feels empowered and I wrote that bit about six months ago!

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I'm working on a story which includes the main character realising she likes sex more than may be socially acceptable, and starting to embrace it. It's turned into a much longer work, more a set of linked stories than chapters, so I may start posting soon rather than wait for this event.

Given I actually am a woman I'll be amused if readers complain the characters are unrealistic/not empowered. I think all my stories would qualify, except perhaps one 750-word one.

 

[Omenainen]

Finished the first draft of my story! Bumping this to celebrate.

Now it's polishing and editing and then I'll be all set. Kind of a relief. I think it would've been embarrassing if I didn't have a story for my own event

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

Finished the first draft of my story! Bumping this to celebrate.

Now it's polishing and editing and then I'll be all set. Kind of a relief. I think it would've been embarrassing if I didn't have a story for my own event

I’ve made some headway on one story, and I like how the characters are developing. Buuuut...until I finish a draft that carries through to a resolution for them, I’ll be iffy about thinking this is something worth submitting.

There’s another story possibility, so far pretty lightweight, much less developed. But I have plenty of time.

I won’t have the complication of also getting the stories into the Valentine’s Day contest, they just wouldn’t work there. Or would they? If I don’t know, at this moment, how the stories are going to resolve, how can I be sure they won’t end with hearts and flowers?

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=5116173&page=submissions

 

[Athalia]

I'm working on a story which includes the main character realising she likes sex more than may be socially acceptable, and starting to embrace it.

That's pretty much the plot of my story "The Dorm Mother," which was about a woman who used her position at a college dormitory to ball about a hundred young men a year. It seemed to her to be a perfectly natural thing for her to do, and she made no apologies for it.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Thank you for your interest and support! You're welcome to join in, if you want. Stories don't need to be from the female POV, but of course they can be.

I have to say, I'm also waiting to see the results of this ....

It will be interesting to see the results.

What is "Female Empowerment"?

Is it mostly from a female POV? Is it when the 'Gods of Power' bestow upon a female the power to command others to bow before her? Is it when a female commands others to obey her? Is it when a female makes her own choices for her own pleasure and control? Are these to be women-on-women erotic stories? Women-on-men? Does the mention of a man in the story detract from her empowerment? Or does she project power, regardless of the actions of the men around her?

What IS 'empowerment'? Being given authority? Being given respect? Or taking control?

I observed in life: those who claim to GIVE you power can as easily take it away, and never really gave you anything. 'Authority' may be bestowed by higher authority. But power is TAKEN by those who take control.

There are so many variations, even within each author's mind.

 

[NotWise]

It will be interesting to see the results.

What is "Female Empowerment"?

Is it mostly from a female POV? Is it when the 'Gods of Power' bestow upon a female the power to command others to bow before her? Is it when a female commands others to obey her? Is it when a female makes her own choices for her own pleasure and control? Are these to be women-on-women erotic stories? Women-on-men? Does the mention of a man in the story detract from her empowerment? Or does she project power, regardless of the actions of the men around her?

What IS 'empowerment'? Being given authority? Being given respect? Or taking control?

I observed in life: those who claim to GIVE you power can as easily take it away, and never really gave you anything. 'Authority' may be bestowed by higher authority. But power is TAKEN by those who take control.

There are so many variations, even within each author's mind.

You're making this way too complicated. "Female empowerment" was only one of the themes listed in the opening post on this thread. If "female empowerment" isn't clear for you, then concentrate on the others.

 

[rescatooor]

I think you could just make the story pass the Bechdel test. Make female friendships integral part of the story.

I don't usually see much value to such test but I do think it might be a good alternative here, especially if the female discussion doesn't feel slapped on.

 

[NotWise]

I think you could just make the story pass the Bechdel test. Make female friendships integral part of the story.

I don't usually see much value to such test but I do think it might be a good alternative here, especially if the female discussion doesn't feel slapped on.

The Bechdel test comes up here now and then. Personally, I don't think it applies very well to heterosexual erotica. Per the Wikipedia article, there are three parts to the rule (rephrasing for written stories): there must be at least two women in the story, they must talk to each other, and their topic has to be something other than a man.

It isn't hard to meet the first two criteria, but in a story that only requires one man and one woman, it seems like a superfluous requirement. Meeting the third requirement is more difficult; it requires a diversion away from erotic subject matter.