Creating erotic stories but staying down to earth

[JerseyGirlDownUnder]

Be careful you don't inadvertently prejudice yourself against men who can write women well, just saying.

To answer the OP, yes, there is a place for challenging, realistic erotica, and as everyone here has noted, write it, and readers will come. Write it really well, they'll come twice and ask for more.

This one of mine illustrates what kind of a reader response you can get, when you write outside the norm:

https://www.literotica.com/s/rope-and-veil

Aarrggh damnit, now I'm reading two of yours simultaneously.

 

[JasonClearwater]

HOUSEPLANTS OF GOR by “Elle”

The spider plant cringed as its owner brought forth the watering can. "I am a spider plant!" it cried indignantly. "How dare you water me before my time! Guards!" it called. "Guards!"

Borin, its owner, placed the watering can on the table and looked at it. "You will be watered," he said.

"You do not dare to water me!" laughed the plant.

"You will be watered," said Borin.

"Do not water me!" wept the plant.

"You will be watered," said Borin.

I watched this exchange. Truly, I believed the plant would be watered. It was plant, and on Gor it had no rights. Perhaps on Earth, in its permissive society, which distorts the true roles of all beings, which forces both plant and waterer to go unh appy and constrained, which forbids the fulfillment of owner and houseplant, such might not happen. Perhaps there, it would not be watered. But it was on Gor now, and would undoubtedly feel its true place, that of houseplant. It was plant. It would be watered at will. Such is the way with plants.

Borin picked up the watering can, and muchly watered the plant. The plant cried out. "No, Master! Do not water me!" The master continued to water the plant. "Please, Master," begged the plant, "do not water me!" The master continued to water the plant. It was plant. It could be watered at will.

The plant sobbed muchly as Borin laid down the watering can. It was not pleased. Too, it was wet. But this did not matter. It was plant.

"You have been well watered," said Borin.

"Yes," said the plant, "I have been well watered." Of course, it could be watered by its master at will.

"I have watered you well," said Borin.

"Yes, master," said the plant. "You have watered your plant well. I am plant, and as such I should be watered by my master."

The cactus plant next to the spider plant shuddered. It attempted to cover its small form with its small arms and small needles. "I am plant," it said wonderingly. "I am of Earth, but for the first time, I feel myself truly plantlike. On Earth, I w as able to control my watering. I often scorned those who would water me. But they were weak, and did not see my scorn for what it was, the weak attempt of a small plant to protect itself. Not one of the weak Earth waterers would dare to water a plant if it did not wish it. But on Gor," it shuddered, "on Gor it is different. Here, those who wish to water will water their plants as they wish. But strangely, I feel myself most plantlike when I am at the mercy of a strong Gorean master, who may water m e as he pleases."

"I will now water you," said Borin, the cactus's Gorean master.

The cactus did not resist being watered. Perhaps it was realizing that such watering was its master's to control. Too, perhaps it knew that this master was far superior to those of Earth, who would not water it if it did not wish to be watered.

The cactus's watering had been finished. The spider plant looked at it.

"I have been well watered," it said.

"I, too, have been well watered," said the cactus.

"My master has watered me well," said the spider plant.

"My master, too, has watered me well," said the cactus.

"I am to be placed in a hanging basket on the porch," said the spider plant.

"I, too, am to be placed in a hnaging basket on the porch," said the cactus.

"I wish you well," said the spider plant.

"I, too, wish you well," said the cactus.

"Tal," said the spider plant.

"Tal, too," said the cactus.

I did not think that the spider plant would object to being watered by its master again. For it realized that it was plant, and that here, unlike on Earth, it was likely to be owned and watered by many masters.

This is the most disturbing plant-watering scene I've ever read in my life.

 

[psiberzerker]

I've written a bunch of things from the female POV and I do what I can, but I'd be surprised if anyone really bought it was a woman writing it.

Just swing it past a woman. That's it, peer review. If you write a story about a fireman, run it up the pole, and ask a fireman. About an exotic dancer, run it up the pole and ask one. This is how you write more realism into a story: Find someone who knows more about the subject, and ask them.

However, there is also a place for absolute Fantasy. Want to write a story about someone with super powers? Let's just say the power to hypnotise women with their eyes, and turn into a mist to fly up a chimney. Just write that, you're never going to meet Dracula anyway, but thaose are Super powers. Super human.

If you want to write a story about a man who can maintain an erection constantly (Without permanent damage) then it's more believable, if not Realistic, if you point out that this is superhuman. No Man can actually do that. So, this is a super man, which is a common enough fantasy, and you will get readers.

Also, what's a PWD? I read a story recently about PWD. I don't know what that is, so for the readers if you have anything they might not know what it stands for, t least explain that. It only takes 1 line, and makes enjoying the story a lot easier.

Rule #1 of my Writer's Bible is: "Ask, don't Assume."

 

[MelissaBaby]

And, just based on that, I'm going to check it out! (Well, that, and a female writer. When male writers say "realistic," and "natural." Iiiiii'm just going to say that I have been disappointed before. or, sometimes it just means "I have never touched a willing woman.")

Thank you. I don't set out to write "porn". My aim is to write engaging stories about believable characters, and real people fuck.

 

[psiberzerker]

Thank you. I don't set out to write "porn". My aim is to write engaging stories about believable characters, and real people fuck.

Well, here's my new one: https://www.literotica.com/s/head-of-the-class-mff-coed-class

I'm not going to say "Realistic." I think it's believable. That's what I strive for, and while some readers may be snapped out of the narrative, their suspension of disbelief by something that doesn't sound right. The goal is to avoid that. IDK how successful I was in achieving that. I don't have any feedback.

I'm working on your series. They're long, so it will take a while to make it through, and from an opinion of the whole. (I will say that I find it difficult to maintain consistency over such a long series.) I'll let you know when I do in PMs. If you'd like.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Well, here's my new one: https://www.literotica.com/s/head-of-the-class-mff-coed-class

I'm not going to say "Realistic." I think it's believable. That's what I strive for, and while some readers may be snapped out of the narrative, their suspension of disbelief by something that doesn't sound right. The goal is to avoid that. IDK how successful I was in achieving that. I don't have any feedback.

I'm working on your series. They're long, so it will take a while to make it through, and from an opinion of the whole. (I will say that I find it difficult to maintain consistency over such a long series.) I'll let you know when I do in PMs. If you'd like.

I would like that. Thank you.

 

[NoJo]

I recently published my first attempt at an erotic story titled I, Blackmail.

"I',Blackmail" has a great premise! It's SF of course. From the intervening posts I assumed the topic was more about realism of a different kind. Anyway I don't need to tell you how wide the gamut of SF is. Well, the same is true of the stories published here, which range from puerile to serious and challenging.

My stuff aims to be off the spectrum (either end of it).

 

[Emirus]

I of course want to write stories that people enjoy while sticking with my own style, but I could make some concessions in my writing to add more erotic content if it would get better reviews.

I may be wrong but I would think that 99% of writers write stories about subjects that they have an interest in for whatever reason and with which they feel comfortable. You are fortunate in having an imagination that enables you to write stories in a category that has so many different sub categories.

Sci-Fi is not a category that I read often but one of my most favourite stories is a series by NoraBarnacle called Like Blood For Coffee. A different style to yours but I would say to her exactly what I say to you about “I could make some concessions” and that is to take on board constructive advice but not to change your style of writing. If you do I’m sure that your stories would suffer because you wouldn’t be happy.

I haven’t read I, Blackmail (but I will have a go in the near future) because it’s got 13 chapters and I haven’t got the time at the moment but I have just read your latest offering The Invention Of Domina Ch.01.

Apart from my lack of interest in Sci-Fi I couldn’t write a plot with the complexities that you have done.

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t understand it because I did which I think is a credit to your writing ability. However from the introduction of M003 and F003 I found it impossible to stop reading. I’m assuming you wrote it as seriously as the rest of the story but I thought the description of their response to the helmets and their sexual antics was hilarious. It doesn’t matter if others read it seriously my point being that it was as entertaining and well written as the rest of the story. You say that it’s a prequel to I, Blackmail so I assume that anyone who enjoyed that story will enjoy your latest offering and vice versa.


https://www.literotica.com/s/the-invention-of-domina-ch-01

 

[Kantarii]

I try to write realistic stories, and keep the sex scenes as natural as possible. My readership is not huge, but it is loyal and I get very high ratings. It's a trade off I am willing to make.

So true

I’m right there with you on keeping stories realistic and the sex scenes as natural as possible. The formula works for me as well. I might not have really high ratings, but the loyalty among my readers is definitely there as well.
Kant

 

[DigitalAge]

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t understand it because I did which I think is a credit to your writing ability. However from the introduction of M003 and F003 I found it impossible to stop reading. I’m assuming you wrote it as seriously as the rest of the story but I thought the description of their response to the helmets and their sexual antics was hilarious. It doesn’t matter if others read it seriously my point being that it was as entertaining and well written as the rest of the story. You say that it’s a prequel to I, Blackmail so I assume that anyone who enjoyed that story will enjoy your latest offering and vice versa.


https://www.literotica.com/s/the-invention-of-domina-ch-01

Oh my goodness, that is hilarious! Until you mentioned it I hadn't realized how funny that scene can actually be interpreted to be. I really meant for it to be realistic, but I guess even with them acting in a realistic and desperate way it can look pretty funny from an outsider's perspective. lol, now I'll never be able to read that part the same way again!

I'd say that there is a pretty decent difference between I, Blackmail and Invention of Domina. With I, Blackmail, I really put my heart into the entirety of it and didn't compromise especially because I didn't know what people would think of my writing. After getting to see the responses I wrote Invention of Domina in a way that I is geared a bit more towards what I think the audience here likes. Heh, except for how I ended the story. I'm kind of expecting low scores when chapter 3 comes out. That's kind of what made me want to post here and get people's opinions on writing styles. I had a certain intention for how chapter 3 would end but when it came down to it, I knew my characters wouldn't act the way that I wanted them to. So, I chose to take a chance and now I'm anxiously awaiting people's reviews. I personally find the ending to be the best part of the story which is what makes me all the more nervous that people won't like because if they don't then it is really going to be a reflection on my writing style. Hopefully all goes well though

 

[DigitalAge]

Wow, thanks to everyone who replied! This is an incredibly active community to offer this much of a response! I definitely feel encouraged to stick to my style of writing and see where it gets me. Someone mentioned that "H" that everyone likes, and I certainly am aspiring to get more of those. It's a great goal at least, but I really like psiberzerker's point that I can't disappoint myself either.

I'll have to check out the stories you guys referenced. Thanks again all!

haha, I loved that plant watering story BTW

 

[psiberzerker]

My stuff aims to be off the spectrum (either end of it).

This is one of those "Point of View" things. I tend to see the Uncanny Valley between the 2 extremes. Any 2, sometimes mix, and match with added axes to up the complexity (Though this is usually a group scene.)

So, which ends? Pick 2, M/F? Okay, well I'm trans, which isn't usually off either end (Though the exceptions tend to be more Intersex.) D/S? Okay, well what about just flipping those 2 lines, so you have Femdom. That distances your story from probably about 90+% of the published works of erotica and romance out there. From didney princesses to 50 Shades of WTF?

In D/S another variation not often explored is Switch. Just to remove the Gender axis here, the FAQ for Lesbians is "Which one's the guy?"

2 girls, uhm. No? They take turns. Sure, there may be a Dominant partner, and a Submissive one, but are you circumcised? How do you like it up the ass, are we getting a little too personal, man? (Strawman. Sorry.) So, Switch is a thing, most BDSM have a Dominant, at least one Sub, and the Dominant stays dominant. The Sub stays Submissive. Throughout the story. (Bo-ring!)

For a while there (Sexualities change, and Trans is a prefix that means Change) I was a Dominant Masochist. I got off on making people hurt me, and I still can. (I just don't need to, to get turned on in the first place.)

Just for examples, and inspiration. I'm not telling you how to think, but how long have you been thinking about off Either end of 1 Axis? What could you think of, that you haven't before, by considering a different perspective?

Here to help.

 

[Bramblethorn]

For a while there (Sexualities change, and Trans is a suffix that means Change)

nitpick: it's a prefix (goes before the word it modifies), and although in the context of "transgender" it obviously has connotations of change, its literal meaning is more like "opposite side" than "change".

For instance, "translunar" means "on the other side of the moon", and "cislunar" is "on this side of the moon". For ancient Romans, Gallia Transalpina was the part of Gaul on the far side of the Alps, and Gallia Cisalpina was the near part.

 

[psiberzerker]

nitpick: it's a prefix (goes before the word it modifies), and although in the context of "transgender" it obviously has connotations of change, its literal meaning is more like "opposite side" than "change".

For instance, "translunar" means "on the other side of the moon", and "cislunar" is "on this side of the moon". For ancient Romans, Gallia Transalpina was the part of Gaul on the far side of the Alps, and Gallia Cisalpina was the near part.

Sorry, prefix. You're right on it's use in the opposite in some uses. however, in the trans; community (Which I know a little bit about) this dichotomy of opposition is basically a tool of the Opposition. To us, "Pick a side,' and a false dichotomy of sexism. So, while you can think of it as that, we don't have an opposite sex. We can't really be straight, and the opposition tends to use prefixes like Hetero and Homo differently than they actually mean.

So, take my word for it, when i say Trans, I mean Across, and Change. Not opposite, because i don't have an Opposite. nor a fantasy of having a perfect opposite that completes me. That's a different story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zU3U7E1Odc

 

[ElectricBlue]

Also, what's a PWD? I read a story recently about PWD. I don't know what that is, so for the readers if you have anything they might not know what it stands for, t least explain that. It only takes 1 line, and makes enjoying the story a lot easier.

Rule #1 of my Writer's Bible is: "Ask, don't Assume."

PWD = Person With a Disability, the acronym used by folk from that community. I had to look it up, too, but assumed my target audience would self identity (they did). I take your point, somewhat, but fiction with footnotes doesn't quite work, either.

Also, how can any writer know what a reader doesn't know? Rule No. something from my writer's bible is credit the reader with intelligence, don't explain everything .

 

[psiberzerker]

PWD = Person With a Disability

Thank you.

Also, how can any writer know what a reader doesn't know?

Rule #1. I asked, because I didn't know. So, I got my answer. See how that works?

"Credit the reader with intelligence."

That's great, if you only have one reader. If you want more than that, don't Assume that every one of them knows everything about anything. The odds don't favor that conclusion. The more readers you have, the less likely that is to be true.

I'm sorry. That was a pretty good story, and the inclusion of a wheelchair bound character was different. Applaudable. You succeeded there, I just had to point out that an able-bodied person might not know that abbreviation. Other than that, a successful story.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

"Credit the reader with intelligence.".

I've learned the hard way that this is not always a good idea. Sometimes, my writing subjects, even here on Lit, can stray into the esoteric, and I've received untold numbers off comments, reviews and tantrum PMs about talking over my audience's head. I use too many other languages, I need to stop talking about quantum mechanics and time travel, etc.

'Writing for yourself' sounds great, as long as you don't have an audience to piss off.

*shrug* I'm just gonna keep writing what I like. The Smut-Zulus are a distant second in my estimation. My Muses love me long time wht I listen to them and don't worry about what everyone else thinks.

 

[psiberzerker]

'Writing for yourself'...

First. If you want an audience, you have to consider them too, but you have to be passionat about it, or that won't come through on the page. That's the reasoning behind that priority.

 

[ThatsTheGuy]

There's more than enough readers here that the inverse of Rule#34 applies: "Someone out there is probably into it." In more niche sites, you have more niche readership, but I write some really weird stories. Not like Hentai weird, but sex stories involving asexual people having sex. (I'm an asexual sex worker.)

I guess what I'm saying is Write, then see how it's received. You got some positive reviews, now it's up to you to decide what you want. Write for you, yeah think about the readers and their desires too, but ultimately, you can't really write for them. You can try, but some people can't be pleased, while others will surprise you with their tolerance for mother/daughter toddler snuff stories. (True story! I tried for months, finally burned out before I admitting I couldn't satisfy her.)

We're not getting payed for this, and we like to write. As an artist, the last person you want to disappoint is yourself.

True. Well said.

 

[psiberzerker]

True. Well said.

Thank you.

 

[JasonClearwater]

I've learned the hard way that this is not always a good idea. Sometimes, my writing subjects, even here on Lit, can stray into the esoteric, and I've received untold numbers off comments, reviews and tantrum PMs about talking over my audience's head. I use too many other languages, I need to stop talking about quantum mechanics and time travel, etc.

NEVER stop talking about quantum mechanics. School the fuckers. No one else is going to do it.

 

[psiberzerker]

Time Travel gets a little old after a while pretty quick, though.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Sorry, prefix. You're right on it's use in the opposite in some uses. however, in the trans; community (Which I know a little bit about)

You and me both

this dichotomy of opposition is basically a tool of the Opposition. To us, "Pick a side,' and a false dichotomy of sexism. So, while you can think of it as that, we don't have an opposite sex. We can't really be straight, and the opposition tends to use prefixes like Hetero and Homo differently than they actually mean.

This probably works better as an "I" statement than a "we" statement for trans people en masse. I'm not a big fan of binaries, and my personal position is fairly close to yours, but there are plenty of trans people who do self-describe as "straight" and I am not about to tell them that they're Doing It Wrong.

I'm sorry. That was a pretty good story, and the inclusion of a wheelchair bound character was different. Applaudable. You succeeded there, I just had to point out that an able-bodied person might not know that abbreviation. Other than that, a successful story.

Side note: if you use "wheelchair bound" in a story, people who use wheelchairs may get cranky at you. For those who use them, a wheelchair is the opposite of a bond - it's a vehicle that gives new freedoms, like a bike or an airplane.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

Time Travel gets a little old after a while pretty quick, though.

Hopefully not, since I have an entire storyline about it in Humour/Satire. :/

 

[ThatsTheGuy]

Thank you.

Your welcome. It's the better side of us all.