Getting Started

Tasmin21 said:

Now, normally, I am a fantasy/urban fantasy writer. But, in the course of my writing career (even if I don't get paid, it can be called a career, right?) I have written a few things that went directly into the erotica realm. Normally, these were short stories for RP groups I belonged to, etc. My friends have always been very enthusiastic about my erotica, and I've always taken an odd sort of pride in being able to write it well. (for me, it's a satisfying challenge to convey all of that passion and sensation into words)

I do know that I need to read more of what's current in the genre before I feel "qualified" to write something that might be considered new or unique. And I already bookmarked the link above with all of the erotica publisher links. That was very helpful!

So, as a new person who is toying with the idea of doing erotic short stories in amongst plugging away at her other-genre novels, what other tips would you all have for me?

Click to expand...

The only tip I would think of right off the bat is to treat your Erotica stories the way you would any other story. Sure, Erotica has sex in it, but don't make the sex the only focus of the story. In my own short time writing this genre, I have noticed a lot of writers only write a sex scene, and don't give a story to surround that sex scene. There's no meaning to their stories except the sex. No reason for the sex, in some cases.

I'm still just starting out, with two shorts out in the submission stage right now. But one thing I've learned from other Erotica writers, is just having a sex scene as your entire story is not what most publishers are looking for. They want, in many cases, characters that they can relate to. Whether the characters are acting out a sexual fantasy or are living in the 'real' world, a lot of the publishers want realistic characters, ones that the average reader can understand.

I'm giving you this seemingly basic advice because, well, my first Erotica stories were nothing but a sex scene. Though critters told me my sex scenes were outstanding, they also told me I needed more story.

I think a mistake a lot of Erotica writers make when first starting out is they do what I did, and just write a sex scene and that's it. But remember, the story is just as important as the sex. Without the story, there's generally no reason for the sex, and then really, the story just is not a satisfying experience for the reader.

So be sure to write a story with the sex scene. You might very well be doing so already, but I've seen so many aspiring Erotica writers make the mistake I did, that I think giving this information is important anyway.

I hope this helps, and best wishes with your writing.

I can relate to both of the above posts so well it just isn't funny.

I've tended to regard my more serious writing as belonging in the literary genre, but have over a few years dabbled on and off with erotica. But I've never really developed the erotica to the point that I'd call them genuine complete works of fiction. I think they're reasonable in terms of what they are, but as in any other genre it ends up being one's ability to skillfully write a unique story that really sets a writer apart.

Lately I've been spending quite a bit of time analysing a whole lot of Nin short stories, and OK they're probably written over half a century ago, but some things never really change and the stand out of those stories is that every one has very unique characters and unusual, indeed often quite bizarre and unlikely story settings. And of course there is the obvious skill at creating the erotic element, which is in itself interesting in terms of technique. But the stories captivate my attention.

This doesn't really answer the original question, and I'm sure experienced writers here can answer some questions concerning current trends within this genre, but I was intrigued how both of you (Sean and Tasmin) seem to be at a point of your own writing that is so very nearly my own situation.

I feel as though I'm starting to write more from the literary end to some degree, because I'm sensing that my real challenge isn't "can I create erotic scenes", so much as "can I write a story that in itself becomes erotic by its very nature." I don't think that the challenges are actually very far removed from those of any other genre.

The story isn't as important as the sex in erotica, the story is the sex in erotica. But, just throwing in a sex scene isn't enough to make it erotica.

Sex should showcase who your characters are. Sex should showcase the conflict. A good story is structured more or less the same way as good sex. You've got the flirting, to attract the object of your affection, the tease to pique curiosity. You've got the foreplay that builds slowly to the climax, with several side trips along the way, and then you have the climax, and the cigarette after. Given the basic structure is more or less the same, there's no reason you couldn't tell an entire story with all the elements of any good story, with two characters in an erotic situation. Sex in erotica isn't about moving body parts. We all know the mechanics of sex, after all. It should be arousing, but it should be arousing because of the characters, and what they're experiencing. The emotions are key, and the emotions don't have to have anything to do with love. An erotic scene between two characters who hate each other might almost read like an all out fight, for example.

The worse erotic scenes I have ever read are the ones that don't bother with the emotion, with the motivations, with the character development. I don't even need build up to an erotic scene. You can have two characters clawing at each other five minutes after meeting for all I care. As long as, by the time I get to the end of their adventure together, I have some sense of who they are. and "People who like to fuck" is not actually compelling.

^ Thanks pepperlandgirl, I don't think that more experienced writers would realise sometimes how insightful some of their posts are, really helpful for those of us that are starting out.

I love your statement "Sex in erotica isn't about moving body parts. We all know the mechanics of sex, after all.". I wonder if it's not, generally speaking, where most of us err at some point in our early endeavours?

There's something I'd love to say from a male point of view, it's personal I guess, but when I look at some of the worst erotic scenes as I perceive them I don't think it's unique. I can't articulate it, will probably sound like a pratt, but I'll only say that it's to do with male-ego, putting it where it belongs, getting rid of the notion that it's about being a Don Juan and having to describe every technique that I might think is the best thing going (but which every one else has actually experienced fifty thousand times anyway), and getting on with the trickier task of writing.

That can be interpreted as one chooses, but I know exactly what I'm talking about and I'll say no more. Just from the "moments when I read some of my more ridiculous endeavours and learn to laugh at myself" archives, that's all.