My wip is turning dirty

Nakhlasmoke · Oct 14, 2007

Well, not really It just has way more sex in than I usually (or ever) write.

I should have realised this was going to happen when I set about writing a book about male temple prostitutes with empath-like powers who absolve guilt by draining it from the other party during sex. *sigh*

What I really want to know is when does a novel tip from being a story with a touch more smexing than average, to full-blown erotica?

I'm the type of writer that stops at the door usually, if you know what I mean, but with my story being what it is I haven't really been able to get away with it here.

Knowing little to nothing about the erotic market, I'd love to hear your take on it.

kristie911 · Oct 14, 2007

I'd say go with it. Write what the story requires. If you're not "stopping at the door" then it's because the story needs you to go inside the room. I'm guessing it would suffer if you stopped too soon. If you end up with an erotic piece on your hands when you finish, well, there's plenty of places to shop it.

Though there are a lot of books that aren't labeled as erotic that are pretty darn close, so just because it has a lot of sex in it doesn't mean you have to shop it as strictly erotic.

Good luck!

takkunelwood · Oct 14, 2007

Great thread. I have a WIP that's far more sexual than anything else I've written (outside of that one fanfic, but that's a whole other fish

), because the two characters have a very sexual relationship. But it's about the mystical arc in the end, and all the sexxing is just a very nice bonus.

Nakhlasmoke · Oct 14, 2007

Well, I didn't set out to write something erotic. I suppose if anything it's a romance of sorts. Although probably not of the HEA type. Thanks Kristie, I'll have to do a lot more research into markets as I've only written fantasy before.

Ah well, no point worrying about markets until it's done anyway. I'm just going to have fun with the smexing and see how it turns out.

Wow. Writing sex is hard. I'm trying to stay away from Insert Tab Into Slot type writing, and that's not too difficult because of the nature of the story, but there's still some physical description and I'm sort of floundering about here.

MargueriteMing · Oct 14, 2007

Nakhlasmoke said:
Well, not really It just has way more sex in than I usually (or ever) write.

I should have realised this was going to happen when I set about writing a book about male temple prostitutes with empath-like powers who absolve guilt by draining it from the other party during sex. *sigh*

What I really want to know is when does a novel tip from being a story with a touch more smexing than average, to full-blown erotica?

I think you probably hit that point with the male temple prostitutes.

takkunelwood · Oct 14, 2007

There's a great LJ community called weepingcock, full of examples of how NOT to write sex. It's a fun read, especially if you're having doubts about your own scenes. You can look at the sporkings and go "Okay, wow, I know I'm not that bad."

Nakhlasmoke · Oct 14, 2007

AHAHAH that link name!

I started reading the first post and I'm in hysterics. Thank you.

takkunelwood · Oct 14, 2007

No prob

Drasheny · Oct 14, 2007

I can relate. I was writing a fantasy novel also. It seemed to require more and more sex scenes. I jumped ahead to write them, and they seemed to need to be more and more graphic. (For reasons completely necessary to the plot, of course.)

For me, I think it was a "Don't shop for groceries when you're hungry" sort of thing. So, I was going to write some erotica on the side and get it out of my system. Instead the erotica has become my primary focus.

Sunkissed27f · Oct 14, 2007

takkunelwood said:
There's a great LJ community called weepingcock, full of examples of how NOT to write sex. It's a fun read, especially if you're having doubts about your own scenes. You can look at the sporkings and go "Okay, wow, I know I'm not that bad."

Okay....this has been the funniest thing I have read on erotic in a llllloooonnnngggg time.
Sometimes I read erotic books, and come very close to bursting with peals of laughter!!
Theses people think this stuff is sexy?
I mean an @zz belch? Puuuulllleeeaaassseee!!
I have said this a tons of times to just as many people. Read Susan Johnson. She is a romance author. She uses strong words, and many of her 'love' scenes are very strong.

gingerwoman · Oct 14, 2007

I had a look at a Nexus book that had one in it in the Prologue @zz belch so maybe men like that kind of thing.

ZannaPerry · Oct 14, 2007

I always look for those books at the stores that have the warning label on the back....caution...this book is extremely sexy! I tend to laugh, and then buy it.

Soccer Mom · Oct 15, 2007

Yup. I didn't set out to write a novel with a lot of hot sex, but it was a NaNo project and I needed to entertain myself. I'm just keeping the scenes for now and I'll worry about how much to keep on the second draft.

If you've never tried to NaNo erotic content....well...50K has never been so much fun to write.

Voyager · Oct 15, 2007

I always stop short of Insert Tab A in Slot B. I just can't say things like moist folds and turgid member with a straight face.

kristie911 · Oct 15, 2007

Voyager said:
I just can't say things like moist folds and turgid member with a straight face.

OMG, who could? :roll:

I use far more blunt words, it's easier and less embarassing.

Nakhlasmoke · Oct 16, 2007

You guys have been keeping me laughing. I definitely have no turgid members or moist folds in my WiP (I'll admit to one instance of slick thighs, but hey, this is first draft).

I'm guessing that I'm not writing erotica because the scenes aren't written to arouse. Do I have that definition wrong? I mean, people in love shag, and people who are not in love shag, that's life, just writing about it doesn't push it into erotica...or does it?

Voyager · Oct 16, 2007

Just because you're not writing to arouse, doesn't mean it won't, lol. My best advice is just to make you sure you spellcheck, there's nothing worse than a smut scene with typos. My favorite all time ever, still being, "She moaned as he moved his fingers to gently strike her clot."

Nakhlasmoke · Oct 16, 2007

Voyager said:
... My favorite all time ever, still being, "She moaned as he moved his fingers to gently strike her clot."

*wipes coffee off the monitor*

Thank you, Voyager. I shall call that image, Image Of The Day, and he shall be my very own image to console me when I'm feeling image-needy.

As for the scene being arousing despite my best efforts

, that was something I hadn't even thought of. Hmmm...I don't know, pretty boys in showers isn't hot..oh no wait...

Curses!

Voyager · Oct 16, 2007

Glad I could help out, Nak.

Damn you purrdy boyz in the showerz. And just when I was about to begin my nightly prayers.

Azraelsbane · Oct 16, 2007

Voyager said:
Glad I could help out, Nak.

Damn you purrdy boyz in the showerz. And just when I was about to begin my nightly prayers.

Don't forget to think about Azazel and Semy while you're praying.

Voyager · Oct 16, 2007

Azraelsbane said:
Don't forget to think about Azazel and Semy while you're praying.

Pffft! Good thing I didn't read that last night.

Soccer Mom · Oct 16, 2007

Well, I DID write mine to arouse. I figured that a mystery is all about entertaining the reader. I sure have entertained myself.

And my husband.

veinglory · Oct 21, 2007

As long as arousal is not the *primary* goal, IMHO it is not erotica.

WittyandorIronic · Oct 21, 2007

I have to say, that is the best link ever. Thank you so much. I feel so much better about my writing now that I read some of their excerpts. lmao.

Nakhlasmoke · Oct 21, 2007

veinglory said:
As long as arousal is not the *primary* goal, IMHO it is not erotica.

That makes perfect sense. Thanks.

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