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Why erotica?

Thread starter veinglory
Start date Apr 8, 2005

veinglory

volitare nequeo

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Apr 8, 2005

#1

To those of you who write erotica, what was the main reason?

In my case I was wiritng non-fiction, fantasy and romance. The spicier the romance, the better it sold -- so I sort of drifted.

Last edited: Apr 8, 2005

Celeste

Banned

Apr 8, 2005

#2

Well, it all started from an experience I had, which I like to call "my adventure". Lol...After it was all said and done, I started thinking "I can turn this into a pretty cool story..." And so I did. I'm currently looking for a market for it. I have a couple in mind. But I'm undecided whether I want to just submit it as a short story or turn it into a novella. I guess, I can do both.

Anyway...I enjoyed writing this story. And I think it turned out pretty well. I started doing some reading -- erotica. I then just started brainstorming and thought of all these experiences I've had in my life that I'd like to write about. With a fictionalized twist to it, of course. I've found that I like writing erotica. In the past, I've read some here and there, but they were some really cheesy stories. And that turned me right off to it. But once I started writing the story I mention about "my adventure", I started doing more research and reading and I took a great interest in it. I've always written nonfiction articles, columns, etc. So, this was a surprise that I quickly took such an interest in it.

But I enjoy it. I'm happy I discovered 'erotica'. :banana:

:banana:

celeste

Maryn

I Tried

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Apr 8, 2005

#3

My interest started when I wanted to read good erotica and just couldn't find much of quality. I lacked (okay, present-tense lack) confidence in my ability as a fiction writer, but I knew I could do better than 90% of the erotica that was out there at the time.

Since then, the Internet has blossomed with really dreadful erotica--but it's also drawn some good writers into its fold, nearly all in erotic romance, as it's become respectable.

Maryn

pepperlandgirl

American Aquarium Drinker

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Apr 8, 2005

#4

I was involved in the Buffy fandom since about 2001. I guess in 2002 (or 2003...I have a hard time keeping track of time) I was writing fanfic and had a small number of readers. Enough to keep me happy. Then one day, for kicks and giggles, I wrote a straight porn-without-plot, and oh my! Apparently that's what people wanted to read. Of course, in fanfic, the only currency is reviews and recommendations, and I got a great deal. The more porn I wrote, the more attention I got. I also got pretty damn good at writing erotica.

It's not my only, or even main, genre of interest, but it's fun to write and it does garner a great response.

Sheryl Nantus

Holding out for a Superhero...

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Apr 8, 2005

#5

pepperlandgirl said:
I was involved in the Buffy fandom since about 2001. I guess in 2002 (or 2003...I have a hard time keeping track of time) I was writing fanfic and had a small number of readers. Enough to keep me happy. Then one day, for kicks and giggles, I wrote a straight porn-without-plot, and oh my! Apparently that's what people wanted to read. Of course, in fanfic, the only currency is reviews and recommendations, and I got a great deal. The more porn I wrote, the more attention I got. I also got pretty damn good at writing erotica.

It's not my only, or even main, genre of interest, but it's fun to write and it does garner a great response.

I hear you loud and clear - used to write X-Files and Stargate fanfiction and man... did my smut get the best feedback!

*chuckles*

smut sells...

unfortunately, I couldn't get into doing slash - that got RAVE reviews and comments as well as requests for me...

*sighs*

although I know me hubby loves them and haunts the BtVS slash sites... he's a big Willow fan.

:LilLove:

:LilLove:

arrowqueen

RIP, our sarky besom

Requiescat In Pace

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Apr 8, 2005

#6

Husband needed a new van and erotica was the only literary market expanding at the time.

Like all good strumpets, I did it for the money!

aq

S.Anders

Registered

Apr 10, 2005

#7

I read romances for over 25 years and always wanted them to go further! It became an obsession toward the end. Then, like Maryn, I tried to find some like I would want to read and what little I did find I thought I could do better. I guess it just came down to I had to write what I wanted to read, lol.

Plus, sex sells (grins)

S.Anders

veinglory

volitare nequeo

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Apr 11, 2005

#8

Boy does it--even within a publisher the higher the rating the more copies sell...

Giles English

Eroticist for hire

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Apr 11, 2005

#9

For kicks, mainly! When I write things down, it makes them easier to visualise.

RhiannonKelley

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May 4, 2005

#10

I find sex extremely fascinating, maybe that seems childish, but I think that's why I write it.

LieselGarmach

Super Member

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May 4, 2005

#11

It started back in high school, over 25 years ago, when my first boyfriend asked me if I could write something like what he read in Penthouse Forum. I figured it really couldn't be that difficult, so I did. He asked for more. I wrote it. For over 6 months he got 1-2 1000 word stories per day from me (oh what I'd do to have them now!).

I've dabbled in other things, but always return "home". It's the easiest thing for me to write, other than letters, so I gave up fighting it and am now most comfortable thinking of kinky stuff for people to do together and to each other.

I've never been published. I've thought about submitting. For a long time I didn't because my kids went to a religious school and they'd have been expelled. Now that they're both in high school and nearly grown, it would be much easier to explain to them.

Lisamer

Super Member

Registered

May 14, 2005

#12

I became ridiculously attracted to a friend of mine. In a feable attempt to avoid doing anything about it, I used my fantasies as a source of fiction. This was written only as catharsis. ..Then my husband found the piece and the real drama began.

S.Anders

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May 16, 2005

#13

Lisamer said:
Then my husband found the piece and the real drama began.

Yikes, I hope it all worked out.

I love written drama, not real!

Senta

Registered

May 20, 2005

#14

because it expresses my life experience -
and because I hope that other people will start to write the kind of erotica I want to read

Lisamer

Super Member

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May 21, 2005

#15

S.Anders said:
Yikes, I hope it all worked out.

I love written drama, not real!

LOL! It was tough going for awhile. Then, my husband was in a play with the man in question. They got to know each other, and he realized that nothing had actually happened.

I, of course had to deal with the humiliation of having this guy know that I had he had inspired me to write an erotic piece, but I suppose that's better than wearing a scarlett letter A across my chest!

The outcome: My husband is now working on a piece that takes place in the "same universe," as is the girlfriend of the guy in question.

You can't make this stuff up!

Solatium

Super Member

Registered

May 23, 2005

#16

Because I find it easy and fun to write (funny, since IRL I'm not that interested in sex) and I expect it will be easy to sell -- a way to make some money while I'm honing my craft.

cattywampus

Super Member

Registered

May 23, 2005

#17

I find this very interesting, but maybe some of you could clear up some confusions I have about this market.

What's the difference between "good" erotica and "dreadful" erotica? I once wrote and submitted a story I thought was pretty erotic, but it was rejected as not being "dirty" enough. How dirty do markets want?

Is it true that women and men want 2 different kinds of erotica? I know many men who like explicate sex talk - lots of dirty words - but women, I think, like a little romance mixed with theirs - a little love - is that right?

How do I find these markets without typing "sex" into the SE which brings TONS of porn spam? And how much does it pay?

Thanks for any help.

Catty :kiss:

:kiss:

gogoshire

Super Member

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May 23, 2005

#18

cattywampus said:
Is it true that women and men want 2 different kinds of erotica? I know many men who like explicate sex talk - lots of dirty words - but women, I think, like a little romance mixed with theirs - a little love - is that right?

I think so. Here's a gross generalization:

I think most women want more of a story (plot contruction, character development, etc), whereas most men prefer action.

veinglory

volitare nequeo

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May 23, 2005

#19

I depends entirely on your market. Start with the ERWA link in the sticky at the top of the forum. Some markets appeal to men and women and some lean more to one than the other but their are always exceptions. Women readers have a lot to do with the upsurge in erotic romance.

BonnieD

Registered

Jun 1, 2005

#20

Pepperlandgirl, I remember you from the Buffyverse! I got my start there too at around the same time. I found those years of writing fan fiction were like an ongoing writing class. I recently started sending out articles to magazines and other publications but my erotic pieces were what sold. I guess it's what I'm best at.
Now am working on getting a couple of erotic-romance novellas e-published and, along with a partner, have written a full leng novel we're trying to sell by traditional routes.
Why erotica? Because I can.

pepperlandgirl

American Aquarium Drinker

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Jun 1, 2005

#21

Really BonnieD? Small old world! Were (Are) you on LJ?

Deanna Lee

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Jun 3, 2005

#22

What got me started

Let's see... I had this blog on Xanga and I used it as this sounding board to discuss with myself and several hundred virtual strangers what sex was and was not to me.

I don't know where the readers came from- I never advertised and rarely posted on the blogs of others. But I Xanga'd and they did come.... apparently in several ways.

So, as I'm hammering out my opinions on sex and then eventually baring my sexual experiences before this mysterious audience I realized that one of the reasons I'd become so dissatisfied with the romance that I was writing-- it just didn't feel real or honest.

And then I started telling my Xanga audience stories--- with really spicy detailed sex scenes and I realized quickly that my writing felt fresher and I fell in love with my words and the honest I was allowed to explore there.

Then I met up with this pushy rowdy girl from Mississippi who shoved me toward the publishing world with good ole country girl strength. lol.

Then all of a sudden-- I was there with 5 books published and two more on a way--- and then an agent came knocking on the door of my muse.. I can't say I've been the same since!

veinglory

volitare nequeo

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Jun 3, 2005

#23

I think that the erotic romance publishers like Loose Id have given a whole new lease of life to romance, although not without some backlash!

Writer2011

Super Member

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Jun 13, 2005

#24

I've tried writing erotica, but for some reason I can't get the description just right... Although I would like to read a few examples and at least attempt to try writing some..

What I guess i'm trying to say is that erotica to me is something I would like to perfect and eventually make a living at. I have been fascinated by it and would like some advice.

*B*

veinglory

volitare nequeo

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Jun 14, 2005

#25

My, perhaps dubious, advice would be to start writing the things you really like and find sexy. Then look around for audiences that share that interest. You may be able to go straight in at the professional level--or get some help from free-display sites where fans can give you suggestions for getting things just right. For general erotica writing the online workshop at desdmona.com is a great help--the best market lists are at ERWA (see sticky thread).

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