Getting in the mood ...

thmilin · Apr 3, 2008

Do you have to get yourself "in the mood" to write erotica?

Do you have to start with writing something else and work up to it, or do you plunge right in?

Do you have to be completely, utterly alone with no one else in the vicinity, or do you not care if your kids are bawling two feet away or your mother in law is in the same room watching tv?

Do you need special music, a special blanket, candles, all the lights out?

What rituals do you have (or not have) to help you get those writerly juices flowing? (yes, that was cheesy, tuff!)

Mumut · Apr 3, 2008

I don't know about getting in the mood. I'd like to learn about the research you'd have to do. And it would be all in the line of your work.

Ken · Apr 3, 2008

well according to a friend of a friend of mine who occasional writes erotic stories

it doesn't really matter what mood they're in at the outset,
as they quickly get so absorbed in the sheer process of jotting down their torrid tale that the world sort of fades away, same as when they're cranking out mainstream fiction.

WriteKnight · Apr 3, 2008

I don't think I start with being in a mood. I think I start with a need to write... to express myself. So I guess the 'mood' is a need to be creative.

Creativity is the strongest drive we have. PROcreation and RECcreation are two expressions of the drive to create.

So, in the sense that writing erotica might come from a need to be creative, expressed more or less through a process that (can) yield to procreation -I think there's a definite connection there.

It doesnt start with any kind of 'sexy' feeling particularly. But AS I write, certainly there is a connection to the drive - depending on the story theme and plot line. I have to feel 'connected' to the energy in order to infuse the emotions - that's true of anything I write, and pretty much any emotion. Like acting on stage or on camera - you have to tap those emotions without actually being overwhelmed by them.

I find it hard to write anything when someone else is in the room. This is because they inevitably fail to see that I am involved in a 'conversation'. Most people wouldn't dream of interrupting an intimate conversation between two people - but fail to see the conversation that is going on between me and my thoughts - expressed through the keyboard. SO they tend to interrupt. Not good for the flow of energy.

For the same reason, if possible - I'll write with headphones and music on.

Sonneillon · Apr 3, 2008

When I get to erotic scenes, to paint them correctly, I do have to be in the mood. Otherwise I'm severely tempted to drop some hints and then gloss over them. However, getting into the mood is easy... I have a collection of YAOI for just that reason. ^_^

thmilin · Apr 3, 2008

i love yaoi! and hentai and futanari and good ol' porn. heh. however, i don't watch any of that or read anything titillating to get started.

i can't write with a person in the room because i'm too aware of them. i have to shut down all outside interaction. however, i can't listen to music while writing because my brain gets caught up in the music and loses track with the writing.

low light is good. noise and people or animals or cars, i can't deal with. i generally need to be lying on my stomach on a big sumptuous bed. as i keep writing i end up getting very uh, soft all over. so this is why the bed is important, so i can remain that way and keep writing up a storm.

i've also found that i write my best erotica when i'm travelling somewhere soothing and exotic, generally tropical with a beach and balmy air and a sunkissed glow all over everything. it relaxes my body to the utmost and therefore relaxes my mind enough to let everything flow.

so i definitely have a ritual or a mood i have to be in. unfortunately i find it hard to just sit down and dive into it in my own home, i start getting distracted with editing what came before versus producing new content, or impatient and bored and distracted by things like video games and chores.

WriteKnight · Apr 3, 2008

I don't listen to vocal music , too distracting. But some light jazz or classical - down low in the headphones. And I guess I don't 'listen' to it, any more than I listen to a soundbed in a soundtrack - it's almost like 'white noise'. Just helps keep my mind between my ears and not out in the room.

Sitting comfortably is very important. If I'm writing on my laptop - I've got a favorite chair and footstool.

Ken · Apr 3, 2008

...the friend of a friend of mine sometimes gets stuck writing on the bus and train, due to shortage of time, and draws amusement when somebody seated next to them looks down at what they're writing and then quickly turns away -- in horror!

veinglory · Apr 3, 2008

I write erotica most of the time, and whereever I am--home, airport, wherever. I don;t have to 'go there' to write there.

thmilin · Apr 3, 2008

anis said:
...the friend of a friend of mine sometimes gets stuck writing on the bus and train, due to shortage of time, and draws amusement when somebody seated next to them looks down at what they're writing and then quickly turns away -- in horror!

so, what does the neighboring passenger actually SEE on the screen? it's just words, right, do they sit there staring long enough to read what's being written? or is your friend of a friend's font really big?

kristie911 · Apr 3, 2008

I'm like Veinglory. I can crank it out anywhere...definitely don't have to be in the mood. I used to write at work a lot (not so much now because I hate packing up my laptop every night) and when my partner found out WHAT I was writing, he told me he was totally creeped out. The look on his face was priceless! :tongue

Lady Cat · Apr 3, 2008

I don't have to be in any kind of a mood to write erotic scenes, but I do have to be alone in the house. Even if someone is upstairs sleeping, I just can't bring myself to write anything erotic.

Yes, I know I'm weird.

ZannaPerry · Apr 3, 2008

I'd have to read a piece or two from another erotica novel to get in the mood. And I most certainly have to be alone. I can't go writing erotica when my parents are sitting in the same room, not even my mom. I have to be completely and utterly alone and totally in the mood.

It doesn't have to be dark, either. I wrote an erotica piece once in broad daylight with the spring air blowing through my open windows. Fresh air always allows me to write sex better.

GeorgieB · Apr 4, 2008

I'm a morning creature, writing almost every day from about 6:00 to 9:00. That's when my creative juices flow. I write alone, always. I get the heebies whenever our mod at the writing group says, "Okay, here's a 5-minute exercise, write something about chocolate syrup," or some such subject.

The story I'm writing also makes a difference. In a mystery/suspense WIP, I was writing calmly along with my MC and FMC eating dinner together and I suddenly had them hand-in-hand heading up the stairs. That was not a planned excursion, you understand, but it turned into an erotic encounter. There are very few other sexual references in the story so I'm not sure the erotic adventure will remain after edit. It just might be out of character for the characters.

When I do get an idea for an erotic novel (another WIP..."Imagination") I am totally in that frame of mind, absorbed so to speak.

And, I don't share the partials with my partner. She can read the whole thing once completed.

My writing space is a balcony above the living room, just off the master bedroom. Very private...no one can look over my shoulder. I don't write well with company.

Ken · Apr 4, 2008

in way of explanation

thmilin said:
so, what does the neighboring passenger actually SEE on the screen? it's just words, right, do they sit there staring long enough to read what's being written? or is your friend of a friend's font really big?

the friend of a friend writes on a note pad with a #2 pencil in all caps.
The thing about people on buses and trains is that they will read anything you're looking at or jotting down if they happen to be sitting next to you. The friend wouldn't think of ever bringing a laptop on public transportation. In the crime riddled city they live in it would get stolen in the blink of an eye

Hildegarde · Apr 4, 2008

I'm with White Knight - writing is writing. I'm sitting in the same place if I'm writing a sex scene or describing the grass growing. The soft lights, candles, etc, all very nice for daydreaming up the scene, maybe, but none of it will help me one bit once my fingers are on the keyboard. At that point I have to tune it all out anyway and make words happen.

No, I can't write with others in the room, either. Did I mention tuning everything out? My "writing" usually starts with a long period of staring at the blank screen willing something to magically appear. If someone else is in the room, they invariably interrupt me and then I have to start over. (Or, more likely, I use them as an excuse to interrupt myself).

Maryn · Apr 5, 2008

I need relative quiet--no music with lyrics, nobody trying to talk to me or otherwise get my attention--but I don't have to have an erotic mood going to write erotica. Rereading the last paragraph or two where I left off is usually enough to pick up the reins and ride.

That said, if the eroticism of what I'm writing becomes too strong, I may, ah, 'self-distract' for a time.

Maryn, hoping that was genteel enough

petronella63 · May 1, 2008

I think I'm the only person so far who doesn't need quiet to write. I have no choice about that since my computer is in the living room where the TV is usually going and people might be talking. I live in a very small house with my old parents, a younger sister, and a brother.

I can write my erotica in front of my parents. For one thing, they can't read off the screen so well, and for another they'd have no idea what I'm writing about. Ditto for my sister, who is mentally challenged.

The only person I don't write erotic things in front of is my brother. He's a big prude. Now I don't know if he knows the language of erotica but I'm assuming he might. Sometimes it frustrates me when I can't write when he's around. I could write non-erotic material, but the problem is I can never tell when my characters are going to get frisky.

Am enjoying this erotica forum.

soleary · May 1, 2008

I'm afraid I would probably write humorous erotica if I was ever to attempt it. (I have a strange feeling there wouldn't be much of an audience for that.) I do know of people who have written and posted at an erotica site called literotica.com. Maybe you could find some advisement there.

Good luck, and don't forget -- practice makes perfect!

Maryn · May 1, 2008

petronella, don't forget that you can change your font size to crazy-small, so your brother would have to be as close as you are to the screen to read what you're writing.

Both our kids can do anything amid chaos, including write. I'm just spoiled, I guess.

soleary, I'm not so sure there's no room in the world for humorous erotica. I can certainly imagine an anthology which includes humor.

Maryn, not great at writing humorous anything

JanDarby · May 1, 2008

I would probably write humorous erotica if I was ever to attempt it.

There's definitely a market for that, as long as it's meant to be humorous, and it's not just funny because it's really bad (in the way that campy movies are funny, not intentionally, but because they're so bad).

My short stories (at Ruthie's Club) tend to be kinda' silly, but, then again, sex itself has a myriad of aspects, many of which are silly.

JD

SherryC · May 5, 2008

Tomorrow I have planned to write my first sex scene. Not sure how it will go but I am figuring it will be an empty house with a music station and lots of little breaks for distraction. I'm a bit nervous actually. I would work on it tonight but I have just passed the 2200 word mark for the day and the screen is starting to blur. Maybe I'll dream about the scene tonight and have no problem getting it out tomorrow!
I can hope at least.
Sherry

slcboston · May 5, 2008

I find that when the story I'm working on takes a turn in *that* direction, I do somehow feel the need for more privacy than usual. I like having space to myself anyway to write, but if it's going to be something erotic I get very tempted to lock the doors.

petronella63 · May 6, 2008

Maryn said:
petronella, don't forget that you can change your font size to crazy-small, so your brother would have to be as close as you are to the screen to read what you're writing.

Maryn, I have my font set to a medium size. I think Times Roman size 12. Any smaller and I can't see what I'm writing. My eyes aren't that great any more now I'm getting older. I think I'd look awful funny typing with my nose pressed to the screen :-D

And I always have the not so erotic stuff to work on for those times I can't get into the sexy material.

An aside: I've got a few stories up at Literotica.

slcboston · May 6, 2008

thmilin said:
so, what does the neighboring passenger actually SEE on the screen? it's just words, right, do they sit there staring long enough to read what's being written? or is your friend of a friend's font really big?

I was thinking of a choice comment about the size of your font not making too much difference... but I think it's better left alone.

Getting in the mood ...

thmilin

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

Ken

WriteKnight

Arranger Of Disorder

Sonneillon

Autophobic Misanthrope

thmilin

WriteKnight

Arranger Of Disorder

Ken

veinglory

volitare nequeo

thmilin

kristie911

Happy to be here

Lady Cat

ZannaPerry

^ Just Me & a Sharpie

GeorgieB

Almost a wannabe writer

Ken

Hildegarde

A newb in the fog

Maryn

I Tried

petronella63

soleary

Maryn

I Tried

JanDarby

SherryC

slcboston

Pasture-ized

petronella63

slcboston

Pasture-ized