Plot vs. Sex Scenes?

[genzsub]

Personally, I come to lit specifically for the plot that sets up the emotional engagement of the sex. If all I wanted was the sex scene, I could go to any one of a thousand porn sites and find a video for that. I might even be able to find some with plot elements, if I dig really hard, but it's rarely much character development.

 

[ruddygore]

All I can say is, the longer the story the more important plot becomes. On a little 1 or 2k short there's not much room to develop a plot. But you get into the multichapter serials there needs to be a decent plot to keep the reader's interest.

 

[AG31]

Personally, I come to lit specifically for the plot that sets up the emotional engagement of the sex. If all I wanted was the sex scene, I could go to any one of a thousand porn sites and find a video for that. I might even be able to find some with plot elements, if I dig really hard, but it's rarely much character development.

There's no equating visual porn with written erotica. Worlds apart in my opinion. Do you actually ever go to porn sites?

 

[StillStunned]

There's no equating visual porn with written erotica. Worlds apart in my opinion. Do you actually ever go to porn sites?

Don't take this the wrong way, because I know what you mean. It just comes across a bit like, "Do you even wank to porn, bro?"

 

[Zootonius]

Personally, I come to lit specifically for the plot that sets up the emotional engagement of the sex. If all I wanted was the sex scene, I could go to any one of a thousand porn sites and find a video for that. I might even be able to find some with plot elements, if I dig really hard, but it's rarely much character development.

This! Some of my stories try to do this. But I'm often concise - maybe too concise - in building the plot. I'm currently writing a silly romance and I love writing about their inner emotions, doubts, misunderstanding, and desires in, what, for me, will be a slow burner.

And I admire those writers that can keep a reader engaged until the action comes.

 

[Duleigh]

Here's the question, should the plot include sex scenes, or should the sex scenes drive the plot?

That is totally up to you.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

Yeah, I guess -- not really into words and stuff

Unga bumga boobies gunga.

 

[StillStunned]

Unga bumga boobies gunga.

De do do do, de da da da.

 

[MillieDynamite]

In the right corner, wearing a shocking pink jumpsuit is Sex, and in the left corner, wearing blood red and navy blue, we have Plot. May the better storymaker win!

 

[Escierto]

I am unable to answer your question about plot and character development because my stories have neither. They just have plenty of sucking and fucking.

 

[intim8]

should the plot include sex scenes, or should the sex scenes drive the plot?

Both. Assuming the story is ongoing, the resolution of one tension can itself be the seed of a new tension. It can be the culmination of a buildup while also developing their relationship. It can be the thing that marks a character's development of some kind while being the basis of the character discovering new directions of future growth.