What do you look for in erotic stories?

[maddie]

As a budding author, I often wonder what sorts of things other authors look for when they read stories. Presumably, we ought to be a bit more discerning than the average reader.

Do you like to see more character development? Or, like the average reader, do you just want to get right to the action?

[Tojo]

These days I just can't seem to get into erotic fiction- reading or writing it. Maybe something to do with my intensive online chatting each day, or maybe I've just read too many stories....

I like the unexpected twist- something different in a story is always good. Yeah I love character development.

The first thing I've really read this year are Aussiegirl's stories- they're a kind of breath of fresh air. Light, & imaginative with a good mix of kinky & non- kinky bits. I'm not biased in any way, I might add....

I love the way lisa writes too- one thing that attracted me to her in the first place were her stories.

Maybe due to a feeling of 'seen it all' bondage fiction wise, I look for a story that's not too long, or too heavy.

On the other hand I read 'The Box' by Thundrshark, & thought it was really hot- it's hard to put your finger on what it is in a story.


Tojo

[Ruby]

Hi Maddie,

Character development can make an okay story much better. The action can start right away, and the characters can be developed along with the story. Some of the best stories I've read, don't really get into the history of the characters until later chapters, they let the actions of the characters speak for themselves.

Now, if you're talking about writing something for Penthouse or other magazines, in their letters section, there is a set format to follow. :-)

Since I'm picky, I also care about:
* pacing,
* spelling,
* grammar,
* point of view/perspective,
* story layout
* consistency of actions
* and a good plot if one is required.

For example, if a story starts in an "first perspective" point of view, then pops into third person in the fourth paragraph, I'll probably stop reading.

Consistency isn't only about the actions or the characters, it can also be about spelling. Did the author start with an American English spell check then switch to UK English? There's a pet peeve for me.

Because writing and editing is so very important to my day job, when I read a story I want to get lost in it. I want the story to take me away from everything and just be something I can enjoy.

[Spank-Master1]

The #1 thing that turns ME off from a BDSM story is how some authors will continue 2 use&reuse many times over&throughout the story the same supposedly inticing abuse scenes;W'the intent O'creating "THe LONGEST Piece O'Porn Possible"-I mean after the main charactors have been savagely bloodied mercessly(2 the point O'death),if the same scenario comes up again in the story plot,it's almost totally boring&just a waste O'words!!!More words does not,in this case in particular make 4 a better story read I'm sad 2 say!!!-Thank YOU 4 allowing ME 2 have MY say!!!
S-M1;-):-!!!

[ElectricBadger]

I like a technically proficient story, certainly...grammar and spelling, point of view, overall professionalism -- but those are basics to me; they don't make a story, but they'll break it.

What I look for: TENSION. Conflict. A plot. It doesn't have to be complex, there's no need for a grandiose story arc, but there needs to be some sort of development.

For instance, a woman giving a guy a blowjob, meh. A woman giving a guy a blow behind some racks in a store, hoping they won't be caught, better. The same, and hoping they won't be caught by her husband shopping in the next aisle, excellent. Tension elevates writing from a description to literature.

[Clevernick]

This is just me personally, not a general comment on right or wrong.

In addition to good english, plot, and character development, I can't enjoy a bdsm story with a victim, unless the victim did something to deserve the punishment.

I didn't come in with this as a set attitude, it crept up on me. When I read excellent stories of sadism, I lose interest. Make the exact same things happen, but make it a revenge story, and I can read it through happily. Hating myself at some points, perhaps, but still enjoying the story.

This eliminates a surprising number of domination stories for me. Innocent victim = not interested.

[ElectricBadger]

Yeah, the moral qualms get in the way of many stories for me too. Though I'm not quite so concerned with guilt/lack of, the victim has to -- in the end -- enjoy it; the whole thing I love about domming is forcing pleasure.

[Mad Lews]

This is just me personally, not a general comment on right or wrong.

In addition to good english, plot, and character development, I can't enjoy a bdsm story with a victim, unless the victim did something to deserve the punishment.

I didn't come in with this as a set attitude, it crept up on me. When I read excellent stories of sadism, I lose interest. Make the exact same things happen, but make it a revenge story, and I can read it through happily. Hating myself at some points, perhaps, but still enjoying the story.

This eliminates a surprising number of domination stories for me. Innocent victim = not interested.

Clever One,

Well we already knew of your penchant for good English, plot and character development, But to limit yourself to deserving victims is a bit of a surprise.
I admit there is a certain satisfaction to seeing a conniving little subby getting her just due, but a story of the virtuous damsel in distress overcoming adversity could be equally rewarding especially if the gods smile and justice is served in the end.

You might be surprised how many library readers take the opposite tack, finding both such scenerios distasteful opting instead for those stories where the innocent are tormented. It's all a matter of taste I suppose.

Yours
truely Mad
Lews

[Rhabbi]

As far as stories go, these are fantasies that would be impossible in real life. To me the thought of blackmailing someone who trulu deserves punishment is enticing, but I truly get off on the stories where innocent vistims suffer a cruel fate. this does not mean torture, as what excites me is sex. Torture can be a pat of thet, but without sex the story lacks a certain panache.

[TomOfSweden]

I like stories that are offensive and give me a hard on. Stories that cause me to be repulsed by the fact that I love it. Stories that make me feel more.

[ElectricBadger]

Stories that cause me to be repulsed by the fact that I love it.

Well said, Tom.

[TheVariableX]

I enjoy good characters, people with at least a little complexity.

Building tension is good, so is consequences. Tension and consequence are probably the foundation of a good blackmail story.

I don't have a problem with needing the victim to deserve their punishment. I very much enjoyed reading Allie and Nicole and much of that enjoyment was probably derived by the fact poor little Allie didn't deserve her fate. Group XS was another great story filled with poor unfortunates suffering for no karmic reason.

I have read some stories that sickened me when I realised I enjoyed them. Stuff by Llabmik certainly springs immediatly to mind, but there are plenty of authors around here who are responsible for perverting me. And I thank them.

I remember one of the first stories I wrote for my own enjoyment I eventually deleted when it evolved to a point where what I had created disturbed me. These days I just accept that if I write something it's coming from within anyway and there is no point in censoring it.

[Playfulsub]

In addition to all the obvious items mentioned above (grammar, plot, character development), I want to see some poetic metaphors. And, as much as I like the words cunt and cock, I do like to see some creative descriptions of anatomical parts. I also think erotic is more arousing when written in the 1st person.

[Ozme52]

In addition to all the obvious items mentioned above (grammar, plot, character development), I want to see some poetic metaphors. And, as much as I like the words cunt and cock, I do like to see some creative descriptions of anatomical parts. I also think erotic is more arousing when written in the 1st person.

I've had some success at jarring the reader using 2nd person... as if I'm talking directly to you.

"He bound you to the sawhorse and selected the whip he would use on you first."

Or 1st person talking about 2nd person instead of 3rd person.

The difference between:

"I stroked her silky-soft thigh." and "I stroked your silky-soft thigh."

[Playfulsub]

I've had some success at jarring the reader using 2nd person... as if I'm talking directly to you.

"He bound you to the sawhorse and selected the whip he would use on you first."

Or 1st person talking about 2nd person instead of 3rd person.

The difference between:

"I stroked her silky-soft thigh." and "I stroked your silky-soft thigh."

I agree, Oz. Using 1st to 2nd works well for erotica!

[RiverOtter]

I agree somewhat with Clevernick in that I don't want the victim to be both purely innocent and completely brutalized, but I think I would allow more leeway. There's a careful balancing act for me, because I enjoy scenes that are non-consensual, just not sadistically so.

I think the key is that at some point, there has to be a relationship between the dom/me and sub, even the sub is treated harshly and would rather leave. I've written stories where the bondage is non-consensual but the dom/me is somewhat caring and the sub tries to make the best of their situation; that allows for them to communicate and develop a repoire with one another. That's just my preference.

For some reason, stories on the 2nd person seempretentious to me and turn me off more often than not. Maybe just because it's hard to do effectively. You never know who exactly your reader wants to identify with.

I also like reading about scenes that are just a bit fantastic--things that would probably never happen in real life. A good story that makes me think, "Oh, I hadn't thought of *that* before..."

[Faibhar]

Many are correct. Character development is crucial, as is story development. Grammar/syntax, whatever are to be expected. If the former are lacking, it shows much disrespect to potential readers. That said, this is hardly a forum for those authors portending to be professionals.