How important is motivation of characters?

[NomDeClavier]

The motives and underlying emotions of the characters are more important than the "action." The "action" is only important because it affects the characters' emotions and serves their motives. Getting off is a function of brain chemistry, after all, right?

 

[AmandaBa6969]

The motives and underlying emotions of the characters are more important than the "action." The "action" is only important because it affects the characters' emotions and serves their motives. Getting off is a function of brain chemistry, after all, right?

I agree...even for something as casual as a 'one night stand' there are internal or external motivators that drives those two (or more lol) partners to having sex

 

[Dragonlipz]

The bikini barista at the expresso stand

is studying chemistry and biology at the local university. That, and the polka-dot bikini, qualify her as an expert in those fields if only because she has to pay attention during class. Her professor doesn't give extra credit. Her explanation: "He's gay and neither bikini's nor polka-dots have any affect on him". I'm not going to argue. She maintains that chemistry is fundamental. Her polka-dot clad fundament is amazing and if she says that chemistry is to blame, who am I to challenge that?

 

[XXplorher]

It’s not important at all.

You should spend no time at all in investigating your characters. They’ll do whatever you want them to. Don’t let the story decide. Come here and ask us instead…

Or you could be fully idiotic and ask yourself why you’re writing the story, what types of characters might need to be involved to drive such a story, and whether any of that might interest you or not. Once that’s complete, you can question whether your initial idea has any story at all.

I recommend you forget every reason you thought you might be an artist and just do what people tell you.

Thanks for asking.

 

[Keroin]

Bump

(tired of seeing my name)

 

[Leto Degeneres]

Wow. Sometimes coming here is more educational than going to school. ...

Amen!

 

[shadysymphony]

LOL, oh thats so true about the SM in stories and chat.

What do you do about it?

I want to channel some discussion here, based on the AH thread that amber started .

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=583774

IMO, this is the achilles heel of most porn/erotica. the only obvious motive is lust, to get off.

i'm reminded of the old saw, "women require a reason for sex; men simply require a place." and since most porn is for men, perhaps that explains the lack of attention to motivation.

in case anyone has a "special interest", i think the problem arises also in SM stories. we do see,

"Master I want to submit.. ooooo" and

"Little One, you will do what i say," said John, sensing his power over her.

but beyond 'need to submit' or 'desire for the rush of power' the motives are usually poorly limned.

===
PS. I don't intend in any way to downplay the importance of Khukuri's thread on motivation.

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=540191

I don't see much overlap with this thread as intended. That thread seems to be specifically focussed on brainstorming for motives in the particular story K is writing.

 

[BlackSnake]

I think giving the characters a little more depth than a cup size is the best thing that could happen to a story. Everyone wants something, that is what motivates them. Why do they want it? We also have to remember that most stories here are short stories, and there is a great rush to get the fighters fighting. I think stories written in the third person have the greatest chance of showing the motivation of the characters as they engage in sex.

 

[andy_charles]

In my opinion, motivation is such an important ingredient in good erotica that it should really be as much common sense as re-reading and re-writing your work. Even if it is a one night stand scene there should at least be something, some reasons as to why the one night stand is taking place.

The way I write erotica, and I'm talking about the longer pieces that I have attempted and not my short stories, is as I am a fan of soft-core I write them as if they were a soft-core film. Now admittedly some of these - hell, most of these - have paper thin plots and acting so wooden there's no need to even think of a guy's erection. But - and this is the important factor - it at least tries to have some kind of plot, which makes it far more entertaining for me to enagae in and also so much more of a turn on then watching a coupel go at it. Therefore it is the same with written erotica.