Erotica writing workshop?

[sophia jane]

So, I've been asked to teach an erotica writing workshop at a local sex toy shop eek: I feel like a fraud since I'm not all that prolific. Or talented. But whatever). I have several ideas of things I want to do at the workshop, including an ice breaker/brainstorming of sex and genitalia words. But I'm curious what you would include if you were teaching such a workshop. It's for all writing levels, so I have to be pretty broad in my approach.

Incidentally, the following week is an adult story hour for people to read their work. I'm super stoked about both events.

 

[cloudy]

Please, please cover the numbers thing (inches and bra size).

 

[Safe_Bet]

Please, please cover the numbers thing (inches and bra size).

A big Yeah on that one.

You also might want to point out that not every woman swoons just because the guy pulls his dick out.

 

[gauchecritic]

I think I'd concentrate on the writing and (with permission) use a few examples of how erotica comes about whilst writing and not as an aim in itself, because that's when size and cuuummmmmiiinnnggg come into play.

Feel free to use any of my stuff as long as I get credit.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Talk about the OTHER erogenous zones, the nape of the neck, the hollow of the elbow, the back of the knee, the small of the back, the pulse on the wrist. Characters should take time to explore bodies the same way lovers should. Unless its a quickie, then just go straight for the fucking.

and BTW CONGRATS! I am so proud and jealous!

 

[sami22]

break the ice!!

You might give them a sexy pic and ask some to describe it.... then you give them a paper in which you describe the pic in a very sexy way...... this way you show them how to see the hidden aspects of the pic and also how to write artistically of any pic...

more ideas?

welcome

just write back

samsharf@ yahoo. com

 

[Safe_Bet]

...nape of the neck, the hollow of the elbow, the back of the knee, the small of the back, the pulse on the wrist...

Dammit, Sal! Now I'm horny!!!

 

[sr71plt]

If you haven't already done so, you might scan the "How To" category here for ideas. There are quite a few essays on writing erotica here.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Dammit, Sal! Now I'm horny!!!

Just tell yourself "he's a guy, he's a guy, he's a guy"

 

[tickledkitty]

They should avoid "I'm cummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmming!!!!!" and "Ohhhhaaaauuuggghhhhhh oh, oh, ah ahhhhhhh."

 

[TheeGoatPig]

A big Yeah on that one.

You also might want to point out that not every woman swoons just because the guy pulls his dick out.

Indeed. Some women like to do that themselves

__

Have a mention about how spelling and grammar really do matter in erotic writing, and not just in more popular medias.

And sometimes the struggle to get to the sexual parts are what make the sex so much better. Two people that really shouldn't be hooking up, and their feelings on the buildup to the actual sex.

 

[TheEarl]

The best advice I can give on talking to people about writing erotiva is probably actually the best advice that I have given previously in my How Tos: The Ten Commandments and Writing Quality Sex Scenes.

Well done on doing this. I'm very impressed; you're now officially a porn lecturer.

The Earl

 

[TE999]

Congrats, Sophia. It sounds like fun.

You may want to discuss the various potential subjects in the erotica genre'...the Lit story cats would be a good summarization. Help the students avoid the most common story cliches'; to think beyond writing stroke pieces and create an actual story with character development and a plot.

 

[Katyusha]

They should avoid "I'm cummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmming!!!!!" and "Ohhhhaaaauuuggghhhhhh oh, oh, ah ahhhhhhh."

Amen amen amen...I have NO idea why people write that. And I also agree with the numbers (inches and bra size) thing, and I would expand that to include things like height and weight...it's better to describe how one character looks to another (or to the narrator) than it is to list numbers in those arenas too.

Ask them this question: "What can *you* relate to in a story you're reading? What is it that an author does that makes it easy for you to put yourself in their main characters' places?" This question, as it relates to erotica, pertains to physical appearance; a lot more people than we generally realize enjoy erotic stories where the characters seem "real" in terms of their appearances; it's hard for a lot of people to relate to characters who look perfect when so many of us magnify our physical flaws in our own minds. Too, not every man dreams of a woman with huge breasts just as not every woman dreams of a man with a six-pack (etc.). IMO, unless the story's set in a strip club or in some similar setting, or the characters have jobs where they *must* look like supermodels, describe them in a way that people can relate to. In my experience, more often than not people get off better on *written* erotica when they can relate to the characters.

Last thing: the mirror. It's okay to use the mirror under certain circumstances because it can reveal something about a character's personality. A shy guy who can't understand what she's attracted to, a woman who thinks she's god's gift to men...things like that can be told very easily using the mirror. But having a character admire themselves in the mirror as just a way to get a physical description in is right up there (down there?) with measurements and "I'm cuuuuummmmmmiiinnnnnnngggggg!!!"

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Here's what I would do: I'd make the workshop more about erotica, not about porn. Make it about sexual tension and sensuality, story and sexual situation. That way you could deal with a bunch of strangers without having to dive right into to all that potentially embarrassing dripping pussy and throbbing cock business.

Because erotica takes in the whole story whereas porn just stresses the actual sexual act, you can have them work on things like sensual descriptions, concrete sensual imagery, sexual tension between characters, stuff like that. I'd even print some handouts containing paragraphs from stories that you could analyze for imagery and language the first class.

First class would also be a good place to go over voice and point-of-view, finding inspiration, some mechanics (dialog, paragraphing, how to write an opening, showing/telling, stuff like that). Give them an assignment to write their own story and you're set. Classes after that can be used to critique their stories.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Why are you teaching something you know nothing about?

 

[sophia jane]

Here's what I would do: I'd make the workshop more about erotica, not about porn.

This is one of the things I definitely plan to make clear- that erotica isn't just about fucking. And I loved the earlier idea of bringing in a sensual picture and having the class describe the picture. And I do plan to bring in a few samples. I was toying with using a Penthouse letter for the bad example.


Thanks for the ideas everyone. And Jamesbjohnson- I have no idea how to respond to that.

 

[TheEarl]

Why are you teaching something you know nothing about?

Amusing.

The Earl

 

[jomar]

Tell them to stay away from the second person narrative.

 

[impressive]

I'd emphasize the senses. Erotica is incomplete, IMO, if all the senses are not engaged.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Hey EARL?

I suggest SOPHIA advise her class to insert rat-tail files up their asses for a truly unique erotica experience. Its likely the pupils will.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Tell them to stay away from the second person narrative.

That and writing in the present tense.