Does a story have to be realistic to be good?

[RelentlessOnanism]

Does a story need to be realistic to be good to you? My favorite story here has several elements that aren't particularly realistic, but I still find it incredibly erotic. Curious to see what others think

Every story I like features consensual incestuous relationships between people who are closely biologically related to each other. Whilst that is possible, it's not very realistic. Mostly, I like the stories I read (and the ones I write) to have a dash of plausibility in them, but it's not always possible.

 

[Kate6000]

I agree with maybe. Actually, I am more with the MST3k approach:

If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
And other science facts,
Just repeat to yourself "It's just a show,
I should really just relax​

 

[BeechLeaf]

The answer to the question is no, it can be as unrealistic as you like, if it works, and if you like it. But that might be tough.

Me, I like the realistic ones. The ones that read like true stories of ordinary people who might live next door to me. I never look at stuff about orcs or zombies or spaceships.

But as a writer... I'm planning something where the characters break the fourth wall. They know they're characters in a story posted to Literotica [WHY DOES the word 'Literotica' get a red squiggle? chee], and comment on it. But it'll be in character - they're still the same people, realistic, subtle, confused, that I want to portray them as. I know this will get downvotes, and in fact so do they, they'll comment on it. But it would be what these realistic people would actually say in this situation. It's still strongly realistic even though I introduce some absurdity.

So: absurdity (space colonies, giant cocks, fourth wall) is not inconsistent with careful attention to detail about what they would actually say, feel, and do.

 

[Areala-chan]

I think 'realistic, within reason' is a good goal to aim for. As long as you lay out the rules for how things work in your story, even the most absurd ideas can be 'realistic' if handled consistently.

 

[BlueZen]

But as a writer... I'm planning something where the characters break the fourth wall. They know they're characters in a story posted to Literotica [WHY DOES the word 'Literotica' get a red squiggle? chee], and comment on it. But it'll be in character - they're still the same people, realistic, subtle, confused, that I want to portray them as. I know this will get downvotes, and in fact so do they, they'll comment on it. But it would be what these realistic people would actually say in this situation. It's still strongly realistic even though I introduce some absurdity.

That sounds like so much fun!

 

[LittleTitLover]

I prefer realistic. Not every girl has DDD tits and not every man has a 12 inch dick. Obviously each writer writes to their own fantasies to a degree but please mix the body parts a little between stories.

 

[LucyAnneThorn]

But as a writer... I'm planning something where the characters break the fourth wall. They know they're characters in a story posted to Literotica [WHY DOES the word 'Literotica' get a red squiggle? chee], and comment on it. But it'll be in character - they're still the same people, realistic, subtle, confused, that I want to portray them as. I know this will get downvotes, and in fact so do they, they'll comment on it. But it would be what these realistic people would actually say in this situation. It's still strongly realistic even though I introduce some absurdity.

Oh no! Why did you omit the mandatory plot bunny breeding warning? Now I've got a whole bunch of pregnant ones hopping through my living room!

In regards to realism, I've found that I very much agree with a line I read ages ago: readers will excuse almost anything as long as they have the impression that the main character is doing their very best. Of course the mood and level of outrageous deviation from reality needs to be clear in the first few paragraphs so I don't slapped in the face, but a good mix of intriguing setting, believable motivation and an MC that makes an effort usually makes it easy for me to suspend my disbelief.

 

[SexyTrucker3]

Stories based on real events do the best for example look at the show law and order its been on for ever and its based on real stories at least they say so

 

[TheExperimentalist]

As many people have said, there's a difference between realism and believability. There's an overlap, for sure, and in the contexts where they overlap, the words can be interchangeable, but they aren't one and the same. I think beleivability is important, but realism not necessarily.

I have a WIP involving a species on another planet whose biology, sexual reproduction, gender, etc. are very very different from that of humans, and in fact, there are no humans or interplanetary travel or any other sci-fi elements anywhere in the story, other than that this is a different species with their own biology, planet, and culture. The biology has a few aspects that are scientifically plausible, but a lot of others that are something of a stretch. One could theorize about their evolution, but it's definitely not the most realistic. That's not the point, however. The point is to explore the culture, taboos, and attitudes that would arise on a world dominated by a species with that biology, and my goal is to make the culture, and the struggles of the main characters who are exploring those taboos, believable.

 

[DanDraper]

I like some level of realism, but it doesn't have to a completely realistic tale. More in the realm of possible than likely to actually happen seems to be a sweet spot

You make a good point. Having some level of realism can make the story more appealing, but it can't be completely realistic if you want the story to go the direction you want it to be.

 

[knowhergne]

You make a good point. Having some level of realism can make the story more appealing, but it can't be completely realistic if you want the story to go the direction you want it to be.

Yeah, small, unrealistic details can throw the whole thing off. Don't get me wrong, I've read some very enjoyable stories on here that just simply would not happen, but I still enjoy them. Lets face it, if somethings hot or arousing, it just is.

 

[Quimpossibility]

Does a story need to be realistic to be good to you? My favorite story here has several elements that aren't particularly realistic, but I still find it incredibly erotic. Curious to see what others think

Hell no!

 

[AwkwardlySet]

If we're talking about Literotica stories, I'd say that only a small percentage could be called truly realistic. And that's fine. I don't think anyone comes here to read pure realism.

What's more important is not that the story makes you believe that it's real. It's important that the story doesn't make you disbelieve, that it doesn't stretch your suspension of disbelief past a certain point. When that happens, a reader will roll their eyes regardless of how much they like what's going on in the story.

But again, plenty of stories are still read even if they stretch the suspension of disbelief way too much. On Lit, kinks trump everything for a good part of readership.

 

[annabellebrito]

Does a story need to be realistic to be good to you? My favorite story here has several elements that aren't particularly realistic, but I still find it incredibly erotic. Curious to see what others think

Short answer.... No.

 

[ZinJ]

I used to think they had to be "realistic" to be good but then I started letting my imagination take over a little when I started thinking about the concept of multiverse, thinking what if this and this is real in OUR reality, but not in another reality? Or even another planet in our reality? No, I'm not high.

 

[frame_builder]

Yeah, small, unrealistic details can throw the whole thing off. Don't get me wrong, I've read some very enjoyable stories on here that just simply would not happen, but I still enjoy them. Lets face it, if somethings hot or arousing, it just is.

I primarily read LW stories, and probably the #1 thing that throws me off a story is when the author gives enough detail about what a character does for a living, how they made their money, or how some business operates ... which tells me that the author doesn't have the slightest clue what they are attempting to describe with some detail, hoping nobody notices the bullshit and wild hand waving.

The example that comes to my mind (and seems common) is describing the MC's amazing financial success as a software developer or engineer. Having personally had a wide and varied career over decades in those areas, and deep experience on the development, business and legal sides of things, I find myself reading some passages and looking at them the same way you might watch some guy trying to pick up a girl by telling her he is an Airline Pilot when in reality the only job he ever had is Janitor.

That's not to say that authors can't successfuly write about a character and a profession they don't know much about, but they usually have to be careful and general with their descriptions of said.

My #2 thing to throw me off is the 28 yro male main character who is 6'4", ex Navy Seal with a doctorate, a commercial pilot's license, a quarter-meter shlong and has been running their own successful security services and import / export company for 6 years.

 

[OralAllOver]

No

Take "Batman'

Good story

But Bruce Wayne is OBVIOUSLY too busy fucking Robin to fight crime

 

[Mk732]

I've often pondered this question myself.

It is comforting to see so many positive responses to what I'll call "believable fiction".