How Slow is Slow?

I recently received a review that mentioned the story could have used a "slow" code added (the fact that the story has no codes at all as yet is a frustrating problem, hopefully fixed on my fourth attempt). I don't particularly consider my writing slow. I know the tendency in the genre is to have very fast-paced stories that jump from action scene to action scene, more often than not any characterisation is added as a way to get the characters back into an action scene. These kinds of stories leave me really unfulfilled, so I have tried to just write in a natural flow, getting to the action when it is appropriate.

The comment in the review got me to thinking about "action" - what it means to people - and how a story is categorised as "slow".

I see most everything that happens in a story as action, even some conversations are extremely erotic, more so than ten paragraphs describing a long whipping scene. What does everyone else consider the actual "action". Is it just whipping and spanking and apparatus? Sex?

The second part is what do people feel is "slow"? Is it that the plot is not developing quickly enough? Is it that there aren't constant BDSM 'scenes' in each paragraph? Is it that the story is long (around 60,000 words and only four chapters so far)?

I am interested in everyone's thoughts because when I do manage to get some story codes added to this story I would like to know whether I should add a slow code as well.

Oh and what is the general feeling towards this code? Is it a turnoff? I mean who actually searches for stories that are slow? The word has negative connotations for me and I was wondering if this was the case for others as well.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Garmonbozia

Is it just whipping and spanking and apparatus? Sex?

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Nope. I'd prefer good and well written conversation over a sex scene any day. The key words here are 'good' and 'well written', though. I.e., the characters need to be characters and the convo needs to be original, not just a plump gearing up to the next fuck.
It would be even better if there was humor and wit in it, but I hardly ever come across a BDSM-story with humor.

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Originally Posted by Garmonbozia

The second part is what do people feel is "slow"? Is it that the plot is not developing quickly enough? Is it that there aren't constant BDSM 'scenes' in each paragraph? Is it that the story is long (around 60,000 words and only four chapters so far)?

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To me, there are different kinds of 'slow'. A turn off kind of 'slow' is when there's a lot of unnecessary description. Like when boy and girl enter a room for a sex scene, all heated up and ready to tear their clothes off each other and then I have to read seven paragraphs on how the room is furnished and that its windows are overlooking a well tended, expansive garden with neatly trimmed bushes and a 'Wasserspiel' in the foreground.
That's yawn, skip, next book please.

Slow as in there are four chapters of character development, telling us who that boy and girl are, why they are here entering this room, how she does feel about having her hands tied in a reverse prayer for the first time ever, that's not slow at all. Provided those four chapters manage to bring them actually into life and provided I can relate (to the chick).

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Originally Posted by Garmonbozia

Oh and what is the general feeling towards this code? Is it a turnoff? I mean who actually searches for stories that are slow? The word has negative connotations for me and I was wondering if this was the case for others as well.

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No, it's not necessarily a turnoff for me. However, as I have stated above, 'slow' isn't just 'slow'. Unlike the tags 'rape' or 'nc', with which you pretty much now what to expect, 'slow' doesn't tell the reader much.
And yeah, I guess for a lot of persons it would be a turnoff.

I'm aware that for some readers "slow" has a negative connotation, nonetheless I used that code on some of my stories (these are not in the "free" Library, if someone wonders) -- for a simple reason: they are slow-paced. There is action, that kind of action Garmonbozia has described, but things are still developing, still moving towards the first keystone of the narration. Yet there are already some naughty lines and kinky motifs.

On the other hand, this code has the ability to protect your work from comments calling it "boring" or "pointless". I reckon a reader who choose a "slow" story is more willing to immerse themselves into the author's work and world.

It should be "chooses"...

I think code "slow" development should be replaced with "foreplay" or "for women"

If I read porn story i am not interested in long descriptions how story protagonist is discussing his business plans.
Also i am not much interested in which how mater brings his slave to the expensive restaurant where he spends 2 chapters of story, then they go to buy some dress what again takes 2 chapters of detailed descriptions.

That kind of stuff is typically interesting for women but for men it is turn off.
It is not necessary bad thing, it just needs to find appropriate audience.

Another kind of "slow" could be slow progression from soft to extreme content.
we may have lots of action but it gradually gets more and more extreme
that should be correct use of this term.

Hey, I'm a woman and I'm not so interested in the long build up either. I'd rather just read a couple pages of action. :)

I've got a few comments on my story which suggest that the build up was too slow. I've tried to change this in the new stories I'm working on but I find that I am dissatisfied with the story when it does not have an adequate build up. I suppose I am one of those writers/readers who likes how the action unfolds almost as much as, if not more than, the action itself. I considered adding the slow tag myself but I felt it may serve as a turn off to some readers and the action scenes are fairly fast paced. I have to say I'm still unsure of whether this tag applies to me or not after reading the comments here.

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Originally Posted by Omega22

I think code "slow" development should be replaced with "foreplay" or "for women"

If I read porn story i am not interested in long descriptions how story protagonist is discussing his business plans.
Also i am not much interested in which how mater brings his slave to the expensive restaurant where he spends 2 chapters of story, then they go to buy some dress what again takes 2 chapters of detailed descriptions.

That kind of stuff is typically interesting for women but for men it is turn off.
It is not necessary bad thing, it just needs to find appropriate audience.

Another kind of "slow" could be slow progression from soft to extreme content.
we may have lots of action but it gradually gets more and more extreme
that should be correct use of this term.

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You have to keep in mind that not all stories here are porn -- some are erotic narrations. And "erotic" does not mean "romantic" or "softcore". I can name several with the whole fun-code armada "nc/torture/extreme/..." which embed their scenes in an actual storyline.

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Originally Posted by Venom

You have to keep in mind that not all stories here are porn -- some are erotic narrations. And "erotic" does not mean "romantic" or "softcore". I can name several with the whole fun-code armada "nc/torture/extreme/..." which embed their scenes in an actual storyline.

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I wonder what do you mean by "erotic narration".
in my understanding erotic is when something else is spiced with porn.

However, for some people it also can be description of desirable characters.
Like, when story talks about perfect man or ideal woman.

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Originally Posted by ksst

Hey, I'm a woman and I'm not so interested in the long build up either. I'd rather just read a couple pages of action. :)

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You are living dream of stereotypical man.

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Originally Posted by himannv

I've got a few comments on my story which suggest that the build up was too slow. I've tried to change this in the new stories I'm working on but I find that I am dissatisfied with the story when it does not have an adequate build up. I suppose I am one of those writers/readers who likes how the action unfolds almost as much as, if not more than, the action itself. I considered adding the slow tag myself but I felt it may serve as a turn off to some readers and the action scenes are fairly fast paced. I have to say I'm still unsure of whether this tag applies to me or not after reading the comments here.

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If that's the sort of story you like to write and to read, don't change because it doesn't suit some people. As you've gathered, some people like a good thorough buildup, so write for them, not for the ones in a hurry.

One of the best things about a free self-publishing site is that you never have to trim your style to what some editor believes will sell.

The best piece of writing advice I know comes from Herman Hesse: "Write the book you want to read." Not the book you think someone else might want to read, who might have quite different tastes from yours.

Slow always means "it lost my attention" and I can't think of a better general description. My slow may not be your slow... but a story is slow if it lost your attention.

So one must ask, "how could I better keep my readers' attention?" Well, first, you have to define who you want as your readers. Because as old Abe Lincoln more or less once said, you can't keep everyone happy all of the time. If your iintent is porn, get to it. If it's a stoy with a plot and hot sex when appropriate, the set-up to the plot has to kick. Don't spend eons developing characters. They'll find themselves. But if you want to do a character study (with sex of course,) don't waste a lot of time describing what they're wearing and what the room looks like. I can make that stuff up for you, in my head. Just enough to get me started. Just those things you need if it's going to be important later... like the stereotypic redheaded temper. (And contrary to the current fad at some sites, of including a link to a photo array, no pictures please. Your hot clothed female isn't likely to match my definition of hot.)

In other words, slow is often too much stuff. I want enough to spark the imagination, then move on. I don't even need much in the way of "Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhh" when he cums... or "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooo" when she realizes she's about to be defiled.

P.S. Be your own grammar and spelling nazi. Despite the claim by some that it doesn't matter, they're not the ones reading your stories. They're saying that because they're writing their own stories and are lazy. It matters.

No "His ayes wer pail stealy blew." If they R, U just lost me. Get it? ;)

(That's to everyone in general.)

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You are living dream of stereotypical man.

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I'm sure I'm not either a living a dream or a stereotypical man:)

I'm just a woman who doesn't like to wade through a lot of boring stuff to get the fun parts.

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Originally Posted by leo9

The best piece of writing advice I know comes from Herman Hesse: "Write the book you want to read." Not the book you think someone else might want to read, who might have quite different tastes from yours.

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Thanks leo9, that quote made my day. I guess I started the thread because I was trying to write something that felt right to me and didn't understand how it would be labelled "slow" or "lacking action". I'm happy with my style and my base of readers so I shan't change the way I write but that quote really summed up how I feel.

Still, I won't ever use the 'slow' story code because I still feel it has negative connotations and I personally don't feel what I write is slow.