Do you write about what you like? Or what you find interesting? Or something else?

[EvelynEden]

Ok, I've probably used up my quota with my numerous questions on here, but I am new on the forums and my curiosity is pretty much unparalleled. I also don't get a chance to talk to other writers outside of here, so forgive me if I am overdoing it- I will try to make this my last question for now.

My question: Why do you write the particular themes you do?
Is it because it is a theme/category/situation that you yourself like?
Or is there another reason? Maybe you write a certain category because that's what you know, maybe you write it in an effort to understand, maybe even to challenge yourself into writing about something you have no interest in?

It's a pretty personal question so I'll add my own answer, just so there's a little give and take here.

I have a few reasons, as I have a few categories.
There's the categories I write because that's what I like, there are the stories I write because I know other people will like them, and there's the few I write, not because I myself fancy them, but because I want to see if I can conquer that space with that disadvantage. Simply, just for the challenge.

I'm curious to see (if anyone is game to answer, I completely understand if not) if you have similar reasons, or even something completely different.

Thanks again for putting up with me

 

[yukonnights]

My question: Why do you write the particular themes you do?
Is it because it is a theme/category/situation that you yourself like?
Or is there another reason? Maybe you write a certain category because that's what you know, maybe you write it in an effort to understand, maybe even to challenge yourself into writing about something you have no interest in?

I'll bite that hook and try to say something worth hearing. (warning: I'm more wordy than you )

I do tend to write themes that leave me feeling good. I struggle with writing true quality fiction because I hate to bring the antagonist and the crisis into the picture. I do it because I know it has to be...but evil can never win. I sometimes think I should change my screen-name to happyeverafter. (believe it or not, there seems to be quite a few readers with the same affliction.)

I mostly like to explore emotions through my characters. A common theme might be breaking down some barrier to love. There are a lot of options to choose from in that. The physical descriptions are just a hook to keep the reader satisfied enough to let me pluck on their heartstrings a little longer. If I'm into the right mood when I write, it comes quite easy to become those characters — we become parts of one another?

Categories I write in need to fit such stories. So it's pretty wide open. If two people (or more) can somehow meet, grow closer, fight off the villan and finally find love in the category, then the category is an option. There's a few that I'll admit are over my pay grade — SciFi and complex world-building are quite impressive to me — but I don't see myself doing that. I am partial to LGBTQ stories, and I suppose my intent is to try to normalize such love when I can. But I have also had some success in hetero stories. I'm paid in full when someone comments and thanks me for understanding them.

I can't recall writing to a theme or category I'm trying to challenge myself to understand. I'm lazy perhaps, but I write first for my own edification. If more readers like the end result than hate it, I'm happy. If I'm pleasantly absorbed in my hours of storytelling, I'm happy. I view this all as a hobby for rainy days and cold nights. (thus my small number of published stories after so many years of messing around with them.) However, I do take it as a serious hobby that takes learning and digging deeper to hone the craft...just like any serious hobby.

See, I told you I'm "wordy"

 

[ElectricBlue]

I write what interests and/or arouses me, so on that basis there are some categories that are of zero interest (non-con and reluctance, mind control, LW) some of minimal interest (I&T, fetish, bdsm, GM) - although I've wandered into those categories once or twice. I tend to get by with erotic couplings, mature, romance, and sci-fi and fantasy. They're broad enough categories for my "urban erotica" - and sci-fi and fantasy (and the occasional erotic horror) is handy for my stranger worlds.

I personally can't see the point of writing in a category or area that doesn't interest me. Someone tried to engage me once to write humiliation stories for her - I couldn't identify with the kink in any way, so it was a complete non-starter. The fantasy has to be meaningful for me, otherwise there's nothing to go "click".

I'm a bit like Yukon in a way, in that I generally write positive, affirming content where equality and consent are key themes - although I think I go darker than he does, on occasion. One of my favourite bits of feedback was from a woman who said my worlds were a "safe haven" for her - I liked the idea of that, providing a place for her to escape to, helping her find some sexual pleasure in what I guessed was quite a troubled life.

 

[Blind_Justice]

I mainly write Sci-Fi and Fantasy. On the surface, my stories are rather standard tales of high adventure with sex mixed in. But over the years I have noticed that some other things have crept in. Many of my characters are outsiders or outcasts, some due to race, some due to other factors like disabilities. Maybe my way of trying to cope with my own handicap (blindness) and the challenges that entails. I try not to be preachy about it.

Another recurring theme is greed, wishes and the corruption of said wishes. No idea where that comes from. If I had to guess, maybe from seeing too many friendships and relationships around me get destroyed by ambition or lack thereof.

As for the sex... it's a storytelling tool more than anything. I have tried several times to write quick strokers, but failed miserably. For a good example, check "Tear's Desire". The idea was for a steamy lesbian number, but it ended up a cautionary tale about wish fulfilment and hot futa on girl sex. As a palette cleanser after almost two months slaving away at "Mud & Magic" chapters 9 through 11, I decided to whip up a steamy threesome involving a gambler, a half-dragon and a beautiful dealer - and I'm scraping the 30,000 word mark.

Anyway, the story usually dictates the sex. If two guys get it on, I'll happily write a GM scene. Or demon on mortal. Or girl/girl. In the end, it's a kind of roleplay and by now I'm quite good at it. Sometimes I'm disturbed at how well things are received - like the "More Than Video Games" incest story. I have Fantasy stories with more autobiographical content than that thing And still I get PMs asking me how my aunt is doing these days.

 

[SimonDoom]

In writing erotica, I do not limit myself to topics that arouse me. I'm interested in pretty much everything, either because it arouses me or stimulates my intellectual curiosity, and I have no squicks, except poop, so the range of things I might write about is pretty much limitless.

For instance, the majority of my stories have been in the incest category, mostly mom-son incest, but, despite what some (my Ozzie friend EB66, among others) may think, I actually do not fantasize about my mom. I enjoy writing stories in which characters push against taboos and social mores, and incest stories are fertile ground for that. Besides, I freely admit that I write incest stories in part because they are popular, and by writing them I have greatly expanded the size of my readership, not just for my incest stories but for the others as well, and that's one of my goals in publishing here.

I find it an interesting challenge to write an erotic story on a subject in which I have no personal erotic interest or experience. For instance, I've never had a homosexual encounter, and don't wish to, but I DO want to write about having one. So I'm working on a story about a man who's always thought of himself as straight having such an encounter while out of town at a business convention. I try to imagine what it would be like, and how the story can be made believable (or, reasonably so).

A theme that runs through most of my stories is self-discovery and self-affirmation. My stories generally are sex-postiive and kink-positive, sometimes to the point of stretching the boundaries of what's believable. In the real world, for instance, someone who engages in extreme acts of exhibitionism stands a good chance of getting arrested, or shunned, or fired. But in my world, things usually turn out OK in the end. My general outlook on life and art is one of dark comedy, or morbid optimism -- that is, life is full of shit and darkness and greed and perversion and weirdness, but things often get better, and there's always the chance for redemption. My stories reflect this outlook, most of the time. One of my latest stories, Ogg Comes to the Hangout, which I submitted for the recent event honoring the author Oggbashan, is meant as an allegory for this perspective.

 

[Bramblethorn]

My question: Why do you write the particular themes you do?
Is it because it is a theme/category/situation that you yourself like?
Or is there another reason? Maybe you write a certain category because that's what you know, maybe you write it in an effort to understand, maybe even to challenge yourself into writing about something you have no interest in?

I often draw on stuff I know, because it saves research effort and because the stuff I know is more likely to suggest story ideas.

Sometimes I'll challenge myself, e.g. pastiche in a particular style or rhyming verse.

Sometimes I write about something that I want to explore. My current series is about a relationship between two autistic people, with a large wealth differential, because both of those have been big factors in my life and sometimes it's easier to process that via fiction.

 

[ElectricBlue]

For instance, the majority of my stories have been in the incest category, mostly mom-son incest, but, despite what some (my Ozzie friend EB66, among others) may think, I actually do not fantasize about my mom.

That's not what your mom told me .

 

[jsmiam]

Ok, I've probably used up my quota with my numerous questions on here, but I am...

An unethical psychologist or something? A writer, but writing about erotica authors, not writing stories? You sound insincere. Sorry. Gotta say it. (Put me in your chapter on paranoia?)

 

[UsuallyPresent]

First question - Where's this alleged quota? You're doing fine, asking interesting questions and getting feedback from the community.


Second - What do I write? I write things I think someone out there will enjoy, will challenge them, will make them think, and/or titilate their tempestuous torid temptations. Sometimes all at once, when I get REALLY lucky.


Things I've written here aren't all THAT lucky. Yet. I'm always hopeful for tomorrow.


Do I know everything about the topics I cover? Oh HELL no. That's part of the challenge, and the fun for me - learning and combining and making something sorta sensible from all the bumf and furor.

 

[SimonDoom]

That's not what your mom told me .

The two of you must be hooking up on a cruise ship somewhere, since you live on opposite sides of the Earth. I'll have to have a talk with her about that.

You did say you like "mature."

 

[Polyacrylate]

When I let my mind wander, it often returns with various plot bunnies for fiction. I've never been very prolific (especially lately!), but when I do write, whether it's erotica or other fictional material, I tend to write about the ones that I find moving.

I'll also say I'm a believer in 'write what you know,' but will add that if I'm going to invest the time to write about something, then I'm going to invest the time to research it, too. I may not really know about a particular topic when I start writing, but by God, I will by the time I'm done.

 

[KeithD]

To the OP question: Yes.

 

[EvelynEden]

An unethical psychologist or something? A writer, but writing about erotica authors, not writing stories? You sound insincere. Sorry. Gotta say it. (Put me in your chapter on paranoia?)

Oh dear, I didn't intend to come off as insincere. I suppose you could just call it a war of personalities? I'm a bit of a curious soul, but I also have this pathetic fear of annoying people. The two don't really go hand in hand. I apologise if that upset you (sincerely, of course)

 

[EvelynEden]

I'll bite that hook and try to say something worth hearing. (warning: I'm more wordy than you )

I do tend to write themes that leave me feeling good. I struggle with writing true quality fiction because I hate to bring the antagonist and the crisis into the picture. I do it because I know it has to be...but evil can never win. I sometimes think I should change my screen-name to happyeverafter. (believe it or not, there seems to be quite a few readers with the same affliction.)

I mostly like to explore emotions through my characters. A common theme might be breaking down some barrier to love. There are a lot of options to choose from in that. The physical descriptions are just a hook to keep the reader satisfied enough to let me pluck on their heartstrings a little longer. If I'm into the right mood when I write, it comes quite easy to become those characters — we become parts of one another?

Categories I write in need to fit such stories. So it's pretty wide open. If two people (or more) can somehow meet, grow closer, fight off the villan and finally find love in the category, then the category is an option. There's a few that I'll admit are over my pay grade — SciFi and complex world-building are quite impressive to me — but I don't see myself doing that. I am partial to LGBTQ stories, and I suppose my intent is to try to normalize such love when I can. But I have also had some success in hetero stories. I'm paid in full when someone comments and thanks me for understanding them.

I can't recall writing to a theme or category I'm trying to challenge myself to understand. I'm lazy perhaps, but I write first for my own edification. If more readers like the end result than hate it, I'm happy. If I'm pleasantly absorbed in my hours of storytelling, I'm happy. I view this all as a hobby for rainy days and cold nights. (thus my small number of published stories after so many years of messing around with them.) However, I do take it as a serious hobby that takes learning and digging deeper to hone the craft...just like any serious hobby.

See, I told you I'm "wordy"

Aww, I really love that though! I think we need those kinds of stories! Mine are a wee bit on the dark side sometimes, and I don't think the world really benefits much from that lol

Thanks for the interesting insight

 

[EvelynEden]

I write what interests and/or arouses me, so on that basis there are some categories that are of zero interest (non-con and reluctance, mind control, LW) some of minimal interest (I&T, fetish, bdsm, GM) - although I've wandered into those categories once or twice. I tend to get by with erotic couplings, mature, romance, and sci-fi and fantasy. They're broad enough categories for my "urban erotica" - and sci-fi and fantasy (and the occasional erotic horror) is handy for my stranger worlds.

I personally can't see the point of writing in a category or area that doesn't interest me. Someone tried to engage me once to write humiliation stories for her - I couldn't identify with the kink in any way, so it was a complete non-starter. The fantasy has to be meaningful for me, otherwise there's nothing to go "click".

I'm a bit like Yukon in a way, in that I generally write positive, affirming content where equality and consent are key themes - although I think I go darker than he does, on occasion. One of my favourite bits of feedback was from a woman who said my worlds were a "safe haven" for her - I liked the idea of that, providing a place for her to escape to, helping her find some sexual pleasure in what I guessed was quite a troubled life.

Yeah, I think that's fair enough on the point that you don't write in a category that doesn't interest you. Sometimes it's a real bitch when you realise halfway through that you are really not having a good time with a piece of writing. Not really a fun way to spend your day, that's for sure.

Oh, but I love that bit about the woman calling your worlds a safe haven, that's beautiful! Gotta get chills when you read comments like that

 

[EvelynEden]

I mainly write Sci-Fi and Fantasy. On the surface, my stories are rather standard tales of high adventure with sex mixed in. But over the years I have noticed that some other things have crept in. Many of my characters are outsiders or outcasts, some due to race, some due to other factors like disabilities. Maybe my way of trying to cope with my own handicap (blindness) and the challenges that entails. I try not to be preachy about it.

Another recurring theme is greed, wishes and the corruption of said wishes. No idea where that comes from. If I had to guess, maybe from seeing too many friendships and relationships around me get destroyed by ambition or lack thereof.

As for the sex... it's a storytelling tool more than anything. I have tried several times to write quick strokers, but failed miserably. For a good example, check "Tear's Desire". The idea was for a steamy lesbian number, but it ended up a cautionary tale about wish fulfilment and hot futa on girl sex. As a palette cleanser after almost two months slaving away at "Mud & Magic" chapters 9 through 11, I decided to whip up a steamy threesome involving a gambler, a half-dragon and a beautiful dealer - and I'm scraping the 30,000 word mark.

Anyway, the story usually dictates the sex. If two guys get it on, I'll happily write a GM scene. Or demon on mortal. Or girl/girl. In the end, it's a kind of roleplay and by now I'm quite good at it. Sometimes I'm disturbed at how well things are received - like the "More Than Video Games" incest story. I have Fantasy stories with more autobiographical content than that thing And still I get PMs asking me how my aunt is doing these days.

That's fantastic! I am always in awe of Fantasy/Sci-fi writers, takes a special kind of brain to build those types of worlds. I also love the fact that you don't stick to m/f pairings. There's not enough LGBTQ+ content out there that isn't just used as a tool.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.

 

[EvelynEden]

In writing erotica, I do not limit myself to topics that arouse me. I'm interested in pretty much everything, either because it arouses me or stimulates my intellectual curiosity, and I have no squicks, except poop, so the range of things I might write about is pretty much limitless.

For instance, the majority of my stories have been in the incest category, mostly mom-son incest, but, despite what some (my Ozzie friend EB66, among others) may think, I actually do not fantasize about my mom. I enjoy writing stories in which characters push against taboos and social mores, and incest stories are fertile ground for that. Besides, I freely admit that I write incest stories in part because they are popular, and by writing them I have greatly expanded the size of my readership, not just for my incest stories but for the others as well, and that's one of my goals in publishing here.

I find it an interesting challenge to write an erotic story on a subject in which I have no personal erotic interest or experience. For instance, I've never had a homosexual encounter, and don't wish to, but I DO want to write about having one. So I'm working on a story about a man who's always thought of himself as straight having such an encounter while out of town at a business convention. I try to imagine what it would be like, and how the story can be made believable (or, reasonably so).

A theme that runs through most of my stories is self-discovery and self-affirmation. My stories generally are sex-postiive and kink-positive, sometimes to the point of stretching the boundaries of what's believable. In the real world, for instance, someone who engages in extreme acts of exhibitionism stands a good chance of getting arrested, or shunned, or fired. But in my world, things usually turn out OK in the end. My general outlook on life and art is one of dark comedy, or morbid optimism -- that is, life is full of shit and darkness and greed and perversion and weirdness, but things often get better, and there's always the chance for redemption. My stories reflect this outlook, most of the time. One of my latest stories, Ogg Comes to the Hangout, which I submitted for the recent event honoring the author Oggbashan, is meant as an allegory for this perspective.

I relate to a lot of what you're saying, on this post and the last. I definitely like to sink my teeth into new things (which does not mean I'm generally very good at it, but it's all in the adventure I suppose). I love that you write things that are kink/sex-positive- it's definitely needed. I think you've got a great outlook on life, good to see your opinion! I'm glad you commented

 

[EvelynEden]

I often draw on stuff I know, because it saves research effort and because the stuff I know is more likely to suggest story ideas.

Sometimes I'll challenge myself, e.g. pastiche in a particular style or rhyming verse.

Sometimes I write about something that I want to explore. My current series is about a relationship between two autistic people, with a large wealth differential, because both of those have been big factors in my life and sometimes it's easier to process that via fiction.

That's so interesting to hear actually, your series sounds wonderful! I love the fact that you challenge yourself with certain factors, especially rhyming verse! What a great idea! I'll have to try that one day

 

[EvelynEden]

First question - Where's this alleged quota? You're doing fine, asking interesting questions and getting feedback from the community.


Second - What do I write? I write things I think someone out there will enjoy, will challenge them, will make them think, and/or titilate their tempestuous torid temptations. Sometimes all at once, when I get REALLY lucky.


Things I've written here aren't all THAT lucky. Yet. I'm always hopeful for tomorrow.


Do I know everything about the topics I cover? Oh HELL no. That's part of the challenge, and the fun for me - learning and combining and making something sorta sensible from all the bumf and furor.

Aww, thank you, you are a sweetheart!
Oh that's a great way to look at it- I like that you said you like to challenge the reader, what a fantastic point of view! On my next piece, I should write with that in mind- it could produce some really interesting results

 

[EvelynEden]

When I let my mind wander, it often returns with various plot bunnies for fiction. I've never been very prolific (especially lately!), but when I do write, whether it's erotica or other fictional material, I tend to write about the ones that I find moving.

I'll also say I'm a believer in 'write what you know,' but will add that if I'm going to invest the time to write about something, then I'm going to invest the time to research it, too. I may not really know about a particular topic when I start writing, but by God, I will by the time I'm done.

Totally agree on your point of not only writing what you know, but also investing time to research as well as investing time to write! Never a phrase spoken lol
Oh, I am curious though, if you had to pick one topic out of all those you researched for a story (one that you didn't know much about, to begin with)- which one did you find most interesting and/or worthwhile in learning?

 

[EvelynEden]

To the OP question: Yes.

Thank you

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Personally, I write what I would like to read. I also write some others because I know that people like those things.

I write mainly in Loving Wives, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and Incest/Taboo. Although, I have dabbled in other categories.

I do use my extensive life experience to write what people would do in certain situations. I have no real experience in any of the categories I write in. I just try to tell a story that I would like to read and hope others will like to read the also. It's worked out okay so far.

 

[Polyacrylate]

Totally agree on your point of not only writing what you know, but also investing time to research as well as investing time to write! Never a phrase spoken lol
Oh, I am curious though, if you had to pick one topic out of all those you researched for a story (one that you didn't know much about, to begin with)- which one did you find most interesting and/or worthwhile in learning?

About five years ago, I set out to write a story that became an attempted and eventually abandoned novel. It was a fantasy, grimdark Pirates of the Caribbean kind of thing. I was taking a swing for the fences with a story about religion, redemption, memory, and freedom. Unfortunately, the themes became super muddled, and ultimately the story tangled itself into a project that I lost interest in. About a year or so after I stopped working on it, George RR Martin released a preview chapter of his next ASOIAF novel, which was titled "The Forsaken." It was frustrating, as Martin's chapter of cosmic horror on the high seas felt like a very efficient take on many of the same concepts that I had been working on, and served as a nail in the coffin for my interest in finishing the project.

But in writing that, I realized there was a lot I didn't know about. So I researched many things. Piracy, 18th century mercantilism, extinct tribal religions, actions of mostly European explorers making contact with isolated tribes, and boats, boats, boats. Most important? The various wretched slave trades, their lingering after effects and how persons of supposed moral standing justified their acceptance of these practices. I knew a little about it, but taking a deep dive into its horrors was a worthwhile and important endeavor all the same.

 

[HeyAll]

I write the themes I like, but also I write for readers.

For instance, I enjoy reading incest stories and it's the most popular category. But if there were little readers there, I wouldn't write it as much.

On the flip side, I love writing BDSM stories, but sadly there aren't many readers there anymore, so I write less there.

 

[LexxRuthless]

Much of what I have written in the past year has been either collaborative or in response to reader requests. Often, I will get an e-mail with a brief request like, "Hey, Lexx, could you write a Librarian-themed story?" or "I would love to see you try your hand at a daddy-daughter story. Maybe she's a lifeguard?"

I enjoy including them in the process. I will mull their request and send back a response, including a couple of paragraphs describing how I would approach such a story. If they like it, I keep rolling and send updates as I go. Often their feedback helps me write a story I would never have contemplated writing otherwise.

Everything I write and post on Literotica is done with an eye toward giving the readers of that category a story I think they will enjoy.