How mandatory is a decent plot to you when writing erotica?...

[estragon]

Right On

I have to have a readable story for it to be enjoyable at all. Good writing is a must; glaring errors, typos, misspellings, and bad grammar are huge killers for me. If I'm not interested in the characters and why they're doing what they're doing, I can't stay focused.

Lizzy, you got it right. I want to read a story. I don't, however, mind a wank-facilitator, if it has some slight element of class rather than just a fuck-a-thon from the get-go. The author has to have some part of themselves in the story beyond just a cock or a cunt or an ass. And most importantly, the author has to care enough to write it right--spelling errors, typos, really poor grammar and too much (or too little) vocabulary really put me off. Don't let me notice your writing, let me concentrate on your story. If I notice your writing before I've finished your story, something didn't work.

 

[ILienBagby]

May I suggest:

Any piece of good writing will enhance whatever message or story the author is attempting to tell. If an author would like to tell a joke, the author would offer a set up and then a punch line, hopefully both clear and quickly understood; That is a joke. So it is in erotica: If an author wishes to waken a reader's libido, the good author would not write: "He fucked her hard. she came. He came." A good author has the fucking occur in a situation that seems amenable, a comfortable bed or a cheap motel or in a back alley, whichever setting would seem to be appropriate for the effect desired. The better the setting is described (sometimes as easily as giving it a name and describing a rusty old car in the parking lot), the more the reader will be drawn into the scene and be helped to believe it. The characters should also be described (isn't the size of a cock or a breast always described in a
Literotica story? How about the attitude of a character, the why he/she acts in a certain way. Grammar ignored...a wrong word ('its' for 'it's', for instance) distracts from the content of the story. Finally, writing includes attention to rhythms and good usage, because those things make a difference in how a story communicates: "She opened her legs quickly," communicates an entirely different feeling than, "Quickly, she opened her smooth, toned legs." Ignoring any of the foregoing, means, to this commenter at least, that the author doesn't care enough to do his/her best...perhaps merely wants to win the SURVIVOR contest I could go on.......

 

[1sickbastard]

plot is mandatory to erotica, not so much for porn

 

[ClassyGirl]

I'm never going to write a story that doesn't have a good amount of build up, semi-decently constructed characters and a plot that's at least somewhat original. I just don't like to read stories that jump straight into the sex with no context. The plot and the build up make the sex scenes sooo much better.

 

[smallncute]

I'm never going to write a story that doesn't have a good amount of build up, semi-decently constructed characters and a plot that's at least somewhat original. I just don't like to read stories that jump straight into the sex with no context. The plot and the build up make the sex scenes sooo much better.

Indeed

For me the arousal isn't the sex but rather how they ended up being intimate!

This requires a plot, character development and situations in which the two become lovers.



Miranda

 

[ClassyGirl]

Indeed

For me the arousal isn't the sex but rather how they ended up being intimate!

This requires a plot, character development and situations in which the two become lovers.



Miranda

I definitely agree.

 

[DarianBlack]

...or is direct, to-the-point, arousingly constructed detail more important to you much of the time?

Personally when I search for erotica, I'm looking for something to get myself off to (surprise surprise), and often when I find myself in this mood, any boring pre-erotic plot annoys me - I want to get straight to the juicy bits; not necessarily hard sex, but simply sexually arousing situations that you know may lead on to something more.

I suppose I'm curious as to how many others are like this? Sorry it's a slightly vague question.



x

Well... Which is sexier?

Guy A fucks Girl B really good!

Or

An intense physical, mental, and spiritual attraction that is constantly being almost met over an extended period of time, only to finally and explosively climax in an explosion of unrequited lust, passion, and love?


I think the more we can get into the character's heads, the more we can "get off."

That's just my honest opinion.

 

[mynameisben]

Life itself is optional.

 

[JT_Stone]

I need at least semi-plausibility and it is the hardest part to write. I always struggle to get a decent opening. To make it believable, non-porn star characters, sexually charged with true tension, original, and leading to sex quickly, that's tough but that's what makes it hot. I want to feel that sexual buzz quickly but have it last awhile.

I find that starting with a hot sex scene quickly that doesn't deal directly sets it up well and helps make the story last.

I'm curious if others feel this way. If it's a cuckold story but begins with a non-cuckold scene, does this make the reader skim past the first scene to get to the meat, or can they enjoy a sexy scene along the way. Selena does this well in Babysitting the Baumgartens (sp?), albeit not in the cuckold genre.

 

[roomfor1more]

When I read a story there has to be a logical sequence and there must be consistency throughout the story. Essentially this means two things must be present. The first means the story has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning includes where the characters are introduced, how they, know each other, information about them, and any other relevant information for the reader is introduced. Middle part of the story includes the action part where the story happens and it usually makes up about 75% - 80% of the story. Ending is how the story resolves itself. Typically the ending should not be no more than about 5% - 10% of the total story.

Second part is consistency. This means for example that after the characters are introduced they do not go under some metamorphic change without the author explaining it. In addition it means the author does not begin introducing random things into the story and the reader does not know why it has happened. For example if the a character name is John and all of a sudden Jim comes along without explaining what happens to John then I feel some consistency in the story has been lost. Likewise, for example, if Yvonne is 36 years old with size 36B breasts and then all of sudden she becomes 25 with 40 DD without explaining why the change then I feel some consistency has been lost. Final example is keeping the same person perspective and not changing. Typically I will read stories that switch from second person to either 1st or 3rd person. This makes the story very difficult to read and very boring too. Consistency can be said to have a component that is part grammatical and a part editing that contributes to the overall readability of the story.

For me, if a read a story that is heavy on details and is without some structure I generally find these stories to be poorly written. The one exception to this is if it is an account of an event that happened and it is a part of an ongoing discussion, such as a forum discussion.

 

[autoplot]

I can't really get interested in stories that have no characterization or plot. I don't need anything Oscar-winningly complex and nuanced, but empty descriptions of fucking don't do anything for me at all. It's especially boring when the characters have no personalities at all and just spend the entire time yelling profanity. I like dirty talk and all, but come on.

 

[roomfor1more]

My feeling, a story needs more than a scene in order to get someone off in order to hold their attention. A lot of stories on this site I will read the first few paragraphs and after reading the first few I can tell if it is worth my time reading. What makes a story readable for me is one that goes beyond predictability and goes beyond reading like thousands of other stories you read. There is a limited number of times you can read the guy with the super sized penis fucks a perfect 10 model in variety of locations and different scenes before reading them gets boring due to its predictability. For me, it has to have characters that you can imagine and a story-line, plot. Without it the story becomes a story that I over look after a few paragraphs.

 

[Kurokami]

Yeah, I've been thinking this for a while, but... When it comes to the proper act of sex, there's really only a limited number of variations. Tab A can go into slots A, B and C... You get the drift. The only way a writer is really going to distinguish themselves is through context; the wheres, whats and whyfores of a given scenario. Without them, you're basically writing the same six scenes over and over again.

Personally, I can't write a story without a plot. Moreover, I don't stop thinking about the damn thing until it's in a respectable shape that I'd like to write about. Often, these thoughts come at inopportune times (during a boring university lecture, for example) but when they're there, they're there to stay.

Finally, why wouldn't you aim for a good plot when you're writing? Is there anyone out there who actually aims for mediocrity? I mean, even if they don't have the ability to pull it off, I can't imagine there's a writer out there who doesn't think that their work is good when they post it... But maybe that's just my inner optimist believing in something stupid again.

 

[Dylan_English]

I start with characters, usually just two, and once I get to know them a little I finally put them in a situation and let the story do its thing.

To me, plot is important, but it's still secondary to character.

Basically, I think if my characters are good, the plot that they develop will be good and then the sex will be even better.

 

[Kurokami]

I start with characters, usually just two, and once I get to know them a little I finally put them in a situation and let the story do its thing.

To me, plot is important, but it's still secondary to character.

Basically, I think if my characters are good, the plot that they develop will be good and then the sex will be even better.

Exactly! I've sometimes been completely surprised by the direction that one of my stories has gone. But that's an awesome feeling, like the characters have been evolving and growing as the series progresses, and the plot has developed into something way more interesting and fun to write because of that.

Maybe it's because I've come to develop the characters more internally during the writing process, but it's still really cool

 

[Alaric2]

Plot

I love porn, but I like to see the tension build into a sexual situation. If I open a story and immediately read about precise measurements, a swinging couple out for another swing, I leave. The tension should build slowly and that builds the plot as far as I'm concerned. I especially enjoy the doubt factor like should I be doing this or do I dare do that. And, there is conversation and dialogue. That can be incredible and if its done right one won't have to get to the sex to enjoy a release.

 

[redrose_nikki]

I feel that plot and character development is equally important as hot sex. For me.
When I stumble upon a story that has those elements (and a couple of my personal fetishes lol) I'm happy.

 

[RownaIrishNalio]

Total Agreement

Exactly! I've sometimes been completely surprised by the direction that one of my stories has gone. But that's an awesome feeling, like the characters have been evolving and growing as the series progresses, and the plot has developed into something way more interesting and fun to write because of that.

Maybe it's because I've come to develop the characters more internally during the writing process, but it's still really cool

I totally agree with you there. Many times when I write a story, the same thing occurs. I intend for the characters to get to point A after going through points B, C, and D. But along they way, it's like the decide to go to point J instead- no where near where I wanted them to go. But the story ends p alright, maybe even better that once intended.

 

[ADirtyRottenScoundrel]

Too Much Plot?

I am new to writing and I sometimes find myself getting lost in plot. I feel as though plot is vital to the story. The stories that I have written so far include a few of the same characters as they find themselves in different situations at different points in time. I feel as though my readers (if I have any, and I hope I will) will enjoy getting to know the players in my stories and may relate to them, their personalities, their habits and the relationships and boundaries that exists within their world. I feel as though the depth of that plot is what really brings to life, the events that unfold in each story. I sometimes need to cut myself off from plot and get to the point sometimes though as it is erotica that I’m trying to write and I don’t want readers to get sick of the story before it gets to the exciting part.
It has been mentioned earlier that erotica needs plot while porn does not. I happen to disagree. I feel as though porn needs to have more plot and the characters need to be developed more. I’m not saying porn doesn’t work well the way it is, I just feel as though porn would be more satisfying to its viewers if they related more to the people getting fucked. If the plot gets you more invested in the characters being portrayed, like in dramas and romantic comedies, you would be more invested in the sex and more satisfied with it, the same way you feel good when the under-dog wins or the couple emerges at the end or a movie.

 

[FriskyForest]

Timely Thread

I am so glad to have found this thought-provoking topic. I've been writing a story with someone, and while I'm enjoying my descriptive writing, it came to me that we don't have a plot. I was thinking about this just yesterday. I want to approach my writing partner and start some kind of plot. I love detective fiction, so perhaps we can solve a crime together.

Since I read my first Anais Nin story several years ago, I have loved erotic literature. I find reading and writing about the sex act (I'm too much of a prude to write "fuck." Oh! I just did, didn't I. Ok, then, in that case, I find reading and writing about the art of fuckery) beautiful. I love descriptive scenes - ...she threw her head back, closed her eyes, and her hips pushed up as she gasped, "Oh God! Oh God!" as opposed to "He dumped his load in her and she screamed."

Now I want something more than writing about people having sex. I need a plot. I want people to read a story.

Thanks for reading!

 

[CorruptedInnocence]

Mmm, It depends on the plotline, Some of them really upset me, Some make the story that little bit better, I think its essential to a certain degree if you have a multiple part story, But i dont think you need for a short one -shrugs-

 

[Joshua_silver]

Mmm, It depends on the plotline, Some of them really upset me, Some make the story that little bit better, I think its essential to a certain degree if you have a multiple part story, But i dont think you need for a short one -shrugs-

for short stories.... it's mostly going to be about sex and less about plot. A good example is a low grade porno.

They wear costumes and have crappy scripted lines, but in the end they drop the act and just fuck each other...

If i want erotica and a plot line i start off by telling a real story and slowly add sex. Either it's all about sex, or sex is just a bonus side plot. Thats how i see it anyways.

 

[SweetestThing]

As a reader there needs to be story and character for me to enjoy it. Maybe it's just me but the kinds of stories that I'm interested are going to by necessity have some background to them as "Man meets woman, man fucks woman" stories are going to not work for me. I've had sex. I know what it feels like. The best writer in the world writing a no-context sex scene isn't going to make much of an impression on me. 10,000 words describing a scene like that would be just as good for me as saying "they had sex".

As a writer I just have no interest in writing something without characterization and plot. I don't mean to sound pretentious but I've never really considered the "porn vs. erotica" debate. I write stories where the characters have sex. I'd hope that they're judged similarly to stories where characters don't have sex.

 

[Dazzle1]

I think the plot is important, you want the reader to have an interest in the character's motivations.

 

[Lynn_MXX]

Absolutely essential. If it's a poor story line, I move on to something else