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.