Slow build setting the scene

[t_challa]

Hello everyone. I am in the middle of writing my first story for submission to the site and I'm worried about the beginning part of the story. Obviously I do not want to jump straight into the sex, but I'm worried that in an attempt to build some anticipation the opening parts just drag.

My question is this, is it better to have a long, drawn-out slow build to a story, or should I just do enough to set the scene and the jump into the sex scenes?

 

[Vanadorn]

It depends on what you want as the writer. You will get flak from either camp on this. I prefer longer build up, others prefer quicker.

Best advice is write what YOU want and you'll be the happiest.

-V

 

[PennLady]

Vanadorn is right, and it depends on the kind of story you're writing. If you are just writing a stroke story, getting right to the sex is probably the point, although "foreplay" can be arousing too.

But if you're writing something more, where sex is part of the story but not the whole story, then more explanation or description or whatever is probably necessary.

There is a huge audience of readers here, and there's no one thing that "A" reader or even "most" readers want. Write your story and you will likely find an audience.

 

[Serafina1210]

Vanadorn is right, and it depends on the kind of story you're writing. If you are just writing a stroke story, getting right to the sex is probably the point, although "foreplay" can be arousing too.

But if you're writing something more, where sex is part of the story but not the whole story, then more explanation or description or whatever is probably necessary.

There is a huge audience of readers here, and there's no one thing that "A" reader or even "most" readers want. Write your story and you will likely find an audience.

Seems to me that most readers are pretty patient with a slow build-up if it's interesting in itself and it promises the kind of action they want later.

 

[Hypoxia]

My recent PRICKLY PAIRS (linked below) garnered comments both praising the build-up and steadiness of the story, and criticizing its 'slow' first 1.5 pages - where all the hot sex occurs! No, can't please everyone...

Some very successful stories here have immensely long build-ups with only a smattering of sex. Some successful stories start with a bang, then switch to the backstory / buildup, then go back to the action. Some only hint at events throughout. Are many possible approaches.

 

[Sonatatre]

Having 5 000 or even up to 7 500 words as build up seem to be okay most of the time. What it often seem to come down to is that the build up needs to be good if it is long and the sex scenes need to be worth the wait. If the build up is long and weak many will abandon the story and if the sex is bad in the end then it will probably make some upset and might give some bad reviews or rating.

There are some that can make build ups that are much longer than that it often takes very good writing or very juicy sex.

You can never please everyone but I guess my advice would be that as long as you deliver high quality stuff you will leave most people happy and get some good reviews, rating and fan mails.

 

[allamagione]

I enjoy both!

I probably favor the slow burn, but only if there's tension from the very beginning and each scene ratchets up that tension a little more. I'm not a fan of "here's 4 pages of story and 1 page of sex."

On the flip side, I'm also a firm believer that a sex scene itself can be a story in deft hands.

 

[Handley_Page]

I enjoy both!

I probably favor the slow burn, but only if there's tension from the very beginning and each scene ratchets up that tension a little more.
I'm not a fan of "here's 4 pages of story and 1 page of sex." [1]

On the flip side, I'm also a firm believer that a sex scene itself can be a story in deft hands. [2]

[1] I am. There should b a decent story even if you take out the sex, IMO
[2] There's a bit of a problem there. It's not everyone who IS a deft author.

 

[Weird Harold]

... but I'm worried that in an attempt to build some anticipation the opening parts just drag.

Listen to your instincts. If the opening parts "just drag," you're not building anticipation and need to figure out what isn't working and why.

My question is this, is it better to have a long, drawn-out slow build to a story, or should I just do enough to set the scene and the jump into the sex scenes?

The length and speed of the intro is completely separate from whether it drags or not. Long and Slow or minimal build-up is a matter of style and what the story demands. An action/adventure requires one style of build-up while a regency romance requires another -- either can be long or short.

There is no "right answer" because every author and every story are unique and you can only judge openings accordingly.

 

[oggbashan]

Slow build up is OK if you have sufficient interest to hold the reader.

You probably need a 'hook' - something quirky or unusual in the first few paragraphs so that the reader continues reading to find out about it.

An example from the beginning of George Orwell's 1984:

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen";

 

[Hypoxia]

"Hell is other people." --JP Sartre

If only all readers thought the same! Some crave wanted-poster character intros. Some want fuck-fuck-fuck with no words wasted on anything as mundane as 'story' or 'plot'. Some aren't satisfied that the narrator has fucked his mother, aunts, sisters, and daughters -- he must anal-ize and impregnate them all too, whilst they consume creampies after raping him. Some want the slightest malefaction punished on a biblical scale. And many want just the opposite of all these. Can't please everybody, bugger-all!

 

[lovecraft68]

Plenty of fans of both styles. I prefer to write a slow burn. I have stories that go 5 or more pages with no sex and have had no issues.

 

[t_challa]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I'm probably just over thinking it as it's my first attempt at writing a story to be featured on the site. I'm very happy to announce its has just been approved. Below is the link (which I'm hoping will work). If not, you can find it in the non-consenual/reluctance category.

http://www.literotica.com/s/confessions-of-a-dirty-dj-ch-01

 

[robertreams]

Give us character we love or hate, make them interact with lots of sexual tension and drama, be brave, let your character have their own lives and be sure they always act "in character" except for a very good sexy reason. Write what you know (emotions, smells, tastes, ideas, sounds, etc.) And HAVE FUN. Last, get an editor!

 

[lovecraft68]

By the way.....your lit handle....you're not the King of Wakanda by any chance are you?

Sorry, geek comic book reference.

 

[t_challa]

By the way.....your lit handle....you're not the King of Wakanda by any chance are you?

Sorry, geek comic book reference.

No need to apologise for the comic book reference.

And all is at peace in the country of Wakanda, so I thought I'd try my hand at erotic fiction

 

[t_challa]

Give us character we love or hate, make them interact with lots of sexual tension and drama, be brave, let your character have their own lives and be sure they always act "in character" except for a very good sexy reason. Write what you know (emotions, smells, tastes, ideas, sounds, etc.) And HAVE FUN. Last, get an editor!

After my first attempt was rejected i did get an editor who was immensely helpful with her creative input and suggestions. Thanks to her guidance I rewrote my original draft and am pleased to announce that my story has been accepted.

 

[t_challa]

10 votes so far with a rating of 4.50. There's also a little red h in a box next yo my story, but there is no key explaining hat it means of signifies. Can anyone enlighten me please?

 

[Vanadorn]

It means it's considered a hot or well received story - sort of like a gold star. Popular and liked.

Don't sweat it if it appears and disappears a few times - it will - especially after the day matures and the worker-trolls show up and start one-bombing the tale for goofy reasons. "It's in Toronto and I don't like Canada - 1 *" or "You used Pauletta and I don't like that name - 1 *" or "No one would ever do that - you must be a cuck-douche-twit-man hater - 1*."

Just write WHAT you like and enjoy it while you do it. That's all the reward you need.

-V

 

[t_challa]

It means it's considered a hot or well received story - sort of like a gold star. Popular and liked.

Don't sweat it if it appears and disappears a few times - it will - especially after the day matures and the worker-trolls show up and start one-bombing the tale for goofy reasons. "It's in Toronto and I don't like Canada - 1 *" or "You used Pauletta and I don't like that name - 1 *" or "No one would ever do that - you must be a cuck-douche-twit-man hater - 1*."

Just write WHAT you like and enjoy it while you do it. That's all the reward you need.

-V

Thanks for that. I assumed that was what it was for, but wasn't sure. And as I'm based in the UK I'm sure some people will vote it down because I use "university" instead of "college". But I am already working on a second chapter, so won't let any negativity stop the creative juices from flowing.

 

[sr71plt]

And as I'm based in the UK I'm sure some people will vote it down because I use "university" instead of "college". But I am already working on a second chapter, so won't let any negativity stop the creative juices from flowing.

Perhaps they will for other word uses, but probably not for this. There are more universities in the States now than colleges.

 

[lovecraft68]

No need to apologise for the comic book reference.

And all is at peace in the country of Wakanda, so I thought I'd try my hand at erotic fiction

Good to hear, guess the Vibranium business is doing well.

Good luck here with your stories.

 

[DarkestLore]

It's your creation

I am new to the writing scene too, at least for erotica. Like others have said, there are some that like slow stories, and some that like quickies. It is your creation so do with it as you please, but I would say that if you do go for length, then you need to be confident that you can hook the reader with your writing. Some stories are so good that when I get to the bottom of the page I am hoping to see multiple pages at the bottom, while some stories drag on needlessly or just have such bad style I cannot be bothered to keep going. Just keep confidence in your work, and good luck!

 

[RoyceConnors]

Here's my take on build ups. From what everyone has said it's pretty well up to you to do as you like with it, but I look at doing it from another perspective than writing it.
As a storyteller, write it as you would relate it verbally. Imagine yourself telling someone all about this thing that happened and how you describe things to make things clear and understood so they know all the good stuff about it. Your writing will come across the same way if you do it that way and readers will wait for the juicy bits to come. Think of good storytellers and how you enjoy their presentation of it.

That's my take on how to do a build up in the story to get and keep a reader's attention, so it's worth a look at it that way. It seems to work quite well for many, including myself.

 

[lovecraft68]

10 votes so far with a rating of 4.50. There's also a little red h in a box next yo my story, but there is no key explaining hat it means of signifies. Can anyone enlighten me please?

Whatever you do, don't get caught up in the H or the score. Its nice to have a good score, but more important that you're happy with your effort and will continue to write.

Sometimes scores can be distracting so always focus on the story first.