Is it off-putting to write condoms in sex scenes?

[PennameWombat]

To agree with others, no one can tell you what readers here want. Because… each wants what they want however they want it.

For me, it depends on what sense of ‘realism’ I have in a story. A few do have discussions of contraception and safe sex, others don’t. In neither case has anyone complained about what I’d chosen for that story. They may have complained about other things but not that.

 

[AchtungNight]

I once had an editor who encouraged safe sex and I agreed with her. She also considered the inclusion of condoms as a good way to pace the story when necessary, slow down and prolong the activities that demand condoms. It worked, or so I like to think.

 

[JohnSm123]

In my last story, I had a female character consistently demand the use of condoms, despite being on birth control, for no other reason than to make absolutely sure she would not get pregnant (was still in college, didn't want to risk anything. I just thought it made sense for this character based on how I had written her until then).

In 137 comments, nobody gave a shit. Not one reader had an issue with it. Nobody commented on it.
But I also didn't make a big deal out of it, so... no idea what you're planning.

Link?

 

[jehoram]

I've used them in many stories. It can be a positive thing, allowing the MC to last longer by deadening sensation, so that he isn't over-stimulated. Good for the guy, good for the gal.

 

[KeithD]

I have a 408-page anthology in the marketplace, Trojan Magnum, in which condoms are central to each story--and it's been selling OK.

 

[JohnSm123]

I have a 408-page anthology in the marketplace, Trojan Magnum, in which condoms are central to each story--and it's been selling OK.

What marketplace?

 

[KeithD]

What marketplace?

Several online distributors, including Amazon and Smashwords. The stories eventually will be posted here for free, though. They are GM. What I was noting is that there is a market for condom use focus in stories.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JWiOGeL5L.jpg

 

[MillieDynamite]

If you are writing about prostitutes, most should require the john to use one. Unless she's a crackhead, that is. Or, he is willing to pay extra for the unsheathed experience. It isn't sexy to have her insist he put the raincoat on, but barring a death wish on her part, she should do just that. However, it really isn't something that is very erotic in a scene. And we don't write reality. We write erotica.

 

[Bramblethorn]

If you are writing about prostitutes, most should require the john to use one. Unless she's a crackhead, that is. Or, he is willing to pay extra for the unsheathed experience. It isn't sexy to have her insist he put the raincoat on, but barring a death wish on her part, she should do just that. However, it really isn't something that is very erotic in a scene. And we don't write reality. We write erotica.

Sometimes we write both, though. Zipless-fuck escapism is a popular and legit form of erotica, but not the only one.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I have a 408-page anthology in the marketplace, Trojan Magnum, in which condoms are central to each story--and it's been selling OK.

My impression (very much a generalisation, with significant exceptions) is that gay men are particularly likely to be accepting of condoms in erotica, for reasons that will be evident to anybody who remembers the 1980s.

 

[JohnSm123]

Several online distributors, including Amazon and Smashwords. The stories eventually will be posted here for free, though.

Are all those stories gay-themed?

Speaking of which, how do you market them? Am I allowed to have a link to my self-published works in my signature?

 

[KeithD]

Are all those stories gay-themed?

Speaking of which, how do you market them? Am I allowed to have a link to my self-published works in my signature?

Yes, as noted in post #32 (and on the book cover), the stories are Gay Male.

I don't market them. I have a publisher who does some marketing of them, but otherwise they just exist in distributor lists for buyers to find. Works OK with me. I enjoy writing, not trying to squeeze money out of them. I have more than 200 in the marketplace, and that's how the money shows as worthwhile.

I think you can put a link to your market works in your signature and your profile. There also is a thread here where Lit. authors (folks who have stories posted to Literotica) and announce their market books:

https://forum.literotica.com/thread...eir-books-for-literotica-authors-only.569279/

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I definitely do not mention them in my lesbian sex stories...
Which brings up another issue: What about oral/dental dams in lesbian stories? Does anyone mention them?

I never have, for the simple reason I've never known anyone to use them in real life beyond a one-off experiment. Maybe one friend who had a girlfriend with herpes, but given I wasn't sleeping with either of them I didn't ask too many questions.

My impression (very much a generalisation, with significant exceptions) is that gay men are particularly likely to be accepting of condoms in erotica, for reasons that will be evident to anybody who remembers the 1980s.

I came of age in the late 80s - 'the Tombstone ad generation', for Brits, when condoms were the default for everyone. I knew six people dead from HIV/AIDS by the time I was 18.

In my stories (gay and het) I generally do mention them in passing, like 'in no time, he's rubbered up and is going at me like...' because the stories generally include that level of physical detail.

No Lit readers have ever commented one way or the other.

 

[Voboy]

If using a condom seems right for your characters given the situation in which they find themselves? Of course. Use one.

If not? Then don't.

My characters don't ordinarily use them, but then they make a lot of other poor and irresponsible decisions too. Some of my characters do, and condoms even form a major plot point in my upcoming Halloween story.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Most of my stories have been one on one - more or less. I've mentioned them, but I'm writing a group sex story where, as Millie mentioned, condoms must be used.

 

[stickygirl]

There used to be a writer here who asked to repost stories to provide young people with good example of erotic literature. She'd always insist on condoms being included. If she's reading this please wave back and I'm sorry I've forgotten your name.
I've referred to condoms a few times, but not directly. I think one protagonist dashed to find her bag in the next room and threw a foil packet to him with the words 'charging elephants and all that'. Personally I feel we should include them in our writing because it normalises their use. Too many daughters feel pressured into staying mute if their bf whines that 'it doesn't feel the same' or 'I'm allergic to latex'. Wankers then

 

[OffNSFW]

If you find condoms sexy (I do!), by all means, write them. Your genuine love of the subject matter will come through to the reader.

 

[MillieDynamite]

There used to be a writer here who asked to repost stories to provide young people with good example of erotic literature. She'd always insist on condoms being included. If she's reading this please wave back and I'm sorry I've forgotten your name.
I've referred to condoms a few times, but not directly. I think one protagonist dashed to find her bag in the next room and threw a foil packet to him with the words 'charging elephants and all that'. Personally I feel we should include them in our writing because it normalises their use. Too many daughters feel pressured into staying mute if their bf whines that 'it doesn't feel the same' or 'I'm allergic to latex'. Wankers then

I think you can get some good humor from using condoms too. My sister, the angel of that is good in the world, was a missionary for about 5 years. Mostly, she went to places where disasters were going on. Africa, during one of the forever wars. Thailand, after the tsunami. In one of her six to eight-month stays, she was tasked with explaining the use of condoms to a group of young girls. It wasn't that the group she worked with was progressive; it was just the acceptance of what teen girls and boys do. But Sis is very shy and embarrassed easily, so Sis showed the group of teen girls how to roll the condom over the handle of a mop. Six months later, one of the girls came in, obliviously pregnant, broom in hand, condom over the top of the handle, and told Sis, "It didn't work."

 

[JohnSm123]

Yes, as noted in post #32 (and on the book cover), the stories are Gay Male.

I don't market them. I have a publisher who does some marketing of them, but otherwise they just exist in distributor lists for buyers to find. Works OK with me. I enjoy writing, not trying to squeeze money out of them. I have more than 200 in the marketplace, and that's how the money shows as worthwhile.

I think you can put a link to your market works in your signature and your profile. There also is a thread here where Lit. authors (folks who have stories posted to Literotica) and announce their market books:

https://forum.literotica.com/thread...eir-books-for-literotica-authors-only.569279/

How do you decide which stories to self publish and which ones to post for free here?

 

[JohnSm123]

I think you can get some good humor from using condoms too. My sister, the angel of that is good in the world, was a missionary for about 5 years. Mostly, she went to places where disasters were going on. Africa, during one of the forever wars. Thailand, after the tsunami. In one of her six to eight-month stays, she was tasked with explaining the use of condoms to a group of young girls. It wasn't that the group she worked with was progressive; it was just the acceptance of what teen girls and boys do. But Sis is very shy and embarrassed easily, so Sis showed the group of teen girls how to roll the condom over the handle of a mop. Six months later, one of the girls came in, obliviously pregnant, broom in hand, condom over the top of the handle, and told Sis, "It didn't work."

True story?

 

[Bramblethorn]

There used to be a writer here who asked to repost stories to provide young people with good example of erotic literature. She'd always insist on condoms being included. If she's reading this please wave back and I'm sorry I've forgotten your name.

That was @NaokoSmith.

 

[KeithD]

How do you decide which stories to self publish and which ones to post for free here?

I don't self-publish anything. If a publisher who's going to cover all of the costs doesn't take it, it doesn't get published. After it's been in the marketplace for three years, I'm free to put it on websites like Literotica for a free read, and that's what I do. I'm not telling anyone here to go buy my marketplace books. I tell them to have patience if they see something of mine they'd like to read and eventually they should be able to do so for free.

 

[Athalia]

I've used them in stories to expand the whole tactile component of sex play. There's something about rolling a condom onto an erect cock that turns me on. And IRL, I definitely enjoy the fact that I'm not going to get knocked up, which may be a hot button for many female readers. (Not all, though... the phrase "zipless fuck" was invented by Erica Jong to describe a fuck without any logical impediments.)

 

[Rollinbones]

Her dark eyes twinkled mischievously as she parted those ruby lips. Her bright pointy incisor sparkled as she delicately pressed it to the foil and scored the wrapper. I watched, cock pulsing in the cool air as she licked her lips and tore the packet open. “Here, put your own seasoning on your ramen.”

 

[AchtungNight]

One additional thing I will point out regarding my use of condoms in stories. The character passing out condoms in my biggest orgy story thus far (Beijing Streakers, Olympic athletes meet ancient Chinese heroes)? Zhou Tai. He was also the most sexually disciplined person at the orgy, the most attractive to the heroine, and the guy with the biggest sword. Take that as you will.