The Instant Turn-Offs Thread

[KyraSaden]

I thought it might be helpful (both for informative and venting purposes) to develop a thread on instant turn-offs/writing pet peeves that might make otherwise compelling erotic stories lose your interest. And because I just spent an hour looking for something to read and ran into a number of my own "instant turn-offs," I will start...

(1) Stories that never, ever, ever use commas, especially in the context of dialogue. You guys, I just can't.

(2) Stories wherein the female characters are only ever described as "the sultry redhead" or "the stunning blonde." Don't your characters have names? Personality traits? Other physical features, perhaps?

(3) Stories written from the first person perspective that begin with the MC looking into a mirror, just so that they can describe themselves to the readers in excessive detail and it seem "natural." (Hint: It does not.)

(4) Stories with any female character whose only personality trait is to "giggle" everything they say.

(5) Stories that involve someone "ordinary" traveling to another world and/or time, yet they are not even a little bit freaked out by it and just immediately start fucking everything.

(6) Stories that give detailed bra measurements of all the main female characters as if bra sizes are just inherently sexy.

(7) Stories in the sci-fi and/or fantasy genre that begin with a massive info dump on the world's history (i.e. telling instead of showing).

(8) Overuse of the word "amazing" to describe how people look naked.

(9) Lesbian sex scenes that seem to happen just because two chicks like the same guy, without there ever being any time spent on the ladies' relationship.

(10) Sex scenes from a woman's pov that for some reason are 100% focused on dick, even though most ladies like things other than just dick. (Hint: We also like butts, chests, forearms, etc.)

Okay, thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Whew.

 

[Tigersman]

You left out stories that the spelling is terrible.

 

[DryLips]

Nice list. A bunch of my turn offs are on it.

Add: Stating someone edited your story but there are still misspellings, wrong words used, words skipped (we all do that, but proof readers and editors will pick up on the mistake on the first read through).

Add: Repeating what the character looks like, especially bra and dick sizes.

 

[SeabornFare]

Authors who use every word BUT said as a dialogue tag.

Disclaimers at the start of a story.

Stories where the author over explains their story before it even begins.

Overuse of adverbs and ellipses.

The word Suddenly.

The word pimples.

 

[KyraSaden]

Authors who use every word BUT said as a dialogue tag.

Disclaimers at the start of a story.

Stories where the author over explains their story before it even begins.

Overuse of adverbs and ellipses.

The word Suddenly.

I feel personally attacked by, like, almost all of these things, LMAO.

The word pimples.

Is this a common problem you run across?

Seriously though, thanks for taking the time to comment! I already knew I had a problem with a number of these and am working on it, but until you said something, I didn't realize that I use the word "suddenly" way, way too often. I am for sure going to be taking your advice into account as I work on future content, which is kind of the whole point of this thread.

 

[BrokenSpokes]

My instant *click-close*

Stories that have in the first paragraph: "xxxx was a 25 year old with 34G tits"

 

[astuffedshirt_perv]

... a thread on instant turn-offs that might make otherwise compelling erotic stories lose your interest.

1) the use of alcohol/drugs as a sexual accelerant. We all know wasted strangers boink on occasion, that stuff ain't sexy at all.

2) the inclusion of body excretions other than cum or spit. Next!

 

[KeithD]

People who push their own personal preferences off on others as if they are or should be universal are an instant turn off for me.

 

[Tabithablack]

People who critique material people are providing to them for free.

 

[KyraSaden]

People who push their own personal preferences off on others as if they are or should be universal are an instant turn off for me.

I wouldn't say that anyone's personal preferences ought to be considered universal, but every genre is plagued by its own unique set of common pitfalls that should probably be avoided. The key word there is still "probably," though.

People who critique material people are providing to them for free.

Maybe I am alone in this, but I never really got the whole "If it's free, then you can't say it's bad!" thing. If you put your work out there publicly, people are allowed to talk about it and they aren't obligated to say only nice things.

That being said, I'm not going to be posting comments on individual stories telling the authors that they suck and why they suck unless the writer specifically asks for that kind of feedback. But here in the forums (and specifically the "Story Feedback" subsection of the forums), I don't see anything wrong with discussing common writing pitfalls that tend to turn readers off. Presumably, most of the writers frequenting this part of the forums want to get better at writing, including myself.

 

[KeithD]

I wouldn't say that anyone's personal preferences ought to be considered universal, but every genre is plagued by its own unique set of common pitfalls that should probably be avoided. The key word there is still "probably," though.

Sorry, your original post instantly turned me off--for the reason given. You asked what turns other off, and I responded.

 

[Tabithablack]

I wouldn't say that anyone's personal preferences ought to be considered universal, but every genre is plagued by its own unique set of common pitfalls that should probably be avoided. The key word there is still "probably," though.



Maybe I am alone in this, but I never really got the whole "If it's free, then you can't say it's bad!" thing. If you put your work out there publicly, people are allowed to talk about it and they aren't obligated to say only nice things.

That being said, I'm not going to be posting comments on individual stories telling the authors that they suck and why they suck unless the writer specifically asks for that kind of feedback. But here in the forums (and specifically the "Story Feedback" subsection of the forums), I don't see anything wrong with discussing common writing pitfalls that tend to turn readers off. Presumably, most of the writers frequenting this part of the forums want to get better at writing, including myself.

You're free to your opinion, which is what the comment section of the stories are for, but coming to a forum with a list of grievances is a put off to me.

This is a free site, and you're going to find some great stuff here and some not so great stuff. But what good or not so good(all subjective to the reader) authors have in common is they work hard on their stuff, are giving it away for free to entertain people.

BTW the irony here, I feel I'll have to explain it, is you're airing your list of dislikes, but aren't fond of someone expressing their dislike of your post.

How's that feel?

See what I mean?

 

[vanmyers86]

Poor grammar and spelling; flabby writing; prolonged dullness; characters who are automatons or otherwise lifeless.

I have my personal preferences regarding genres, like everyone, but these are all universal turn-offs for me. If a story on Lit is compellingly and competently told, I will read it even if I don't find it arousing. I just like a good yarn.

 

[KyraSaden]

You're free to your opinion, which is what the comment section of the stories are for, but coming to a forum with a list of grievances is a put off to me.

This is a free site, and you're going to find some great stuff here and some not so great stuff. But what good or not so good (all subjective to the reader) authors have in common is they work hard on their stuff, are giving it away for free to entertain people.

I think that's a very fair perspective. I don't think "free" content should necessarily be immune to criticism, but I absolutely agree that the hard work people put in to sharing themselves through their work ought to be acknowledged. I also think you can enjoy and appreciate a work while still criticizing some of its elements.

BTW the irony here, I feel I'll have to explain it, is you're airing your list of dislikes, but aren't fond of someone expressing their dislike of your post.

How's that feel?

See what I mean?

Eh, I wanted to have some silly conversations about silly erotica tropes and perhaps be encouraged to root out some of the common pitfalls plaguing my own writing. To me, that all sounds like a great time! I do, admittedly, feel a little bad that what was intended as a silly, lighthearted poking at the genre and some of its more ridiculous tropes has been interpreted as a hate thread, but I also understand where you and the others are coming from. Thank you for sharing your perspective.

 

[SeabornFare]

(3) Stories written from the first person perspective that begin with the MC looking into a mirror, just so that they can describe themselves to the readers in excessive detail and it seem "natural." (Hint: It does not.)

(Hint: It does.)

(4) Stories with any female character whose only personality trait is to "giggle" everything they say.

I've met women like this, they were shy or drinking, but I've met people like this.

(5) Stories that involve someone "ordinary" traveling to another world and/or time, yet they are not even a little bit freaked out by it and just immediately start fucking everything.

How freaked out do you want them to be? So freaked out that the story doesn't move forward? (If this was a modern day science fiction fan, I doubt it would have them crapping their pants.)

(7) Stories in the sci-fi and/or fantasy genre that begin with a massive info dump on the world's history (i.e. telling instead of showing).

If you want to get to the sex, skip ahead. (By the way, your own writing is mostly tell, with a little bit of show.)

(9) Lesbian sex scenes that seem to happen just because two chicks like the same guy, without there ever being any time spent on the ladies' relationship.

I can say this does happen in real life.

(10) Sex scenes from a woman's pov that for some reason are 100% focused on dick, even though most ladies like things other than just dick. (Hint: We also like butts, chests, forearms, etc.)

(Hint: There are times when a woman is all about that dick.)

I feel personally attacked by, like, almost all of these things, LMAO.

I went through your story and found most of the things that turned me off that could be easily listed.

Is this a common problem you run across?

Goose pimples (from your story). Believe it or not, this was the first time I can recall reading "pimples" in an erotic story. I didn't think of goose bumps, I thought of nasty, red-bodied, white-headed, burst when you pop them, acne.

which is kind of the whole point of this thread.

The point of this thread was to talk shit.

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm reading this thread with mixed parts amusement and bemusement because I can recall, three years ago, having just published my first two stories and eagerly joining this forum, starting a thread with a very similar title and question. I got blowback very similar to what I'm seeing here.

I think it's a perfectly legitimate question. I don't think Kyra is trying to lay down universal rules all must follow. I think the question is posed out of curiosity about what others think. We all have things we are turned on by and turned off by.

As for me, I have very few "substantive" turn-offs. There are some things that turn me on more than others, but if the subject matter is skillfully handled I can usually put myself in the shoes of the author and enjoy his/her fantasies even if they're not normally mine.

My turn-offs are technical. The following are things I often encounter in stories at Literotica that make it difficult for me to enjoy the story:

1. Careless tense-shifting. I'm amazed at how common this is. Careless and unconscious shifting between past and present tense drives me bonkers. I just can't stand it. I think I'm unusual in this respect because it's extremely common and it often doesn't seem to affect the grade the story receives.

2. Careless shifting between first person POV and third person POV. Not as common as tense-shifting, but just as annoying.

3. Mishandled dialogue. Poor use of dialogue tags, misplaced or absent commas or other punctuation, burying quotes inside long paragraphs of narrative, etc.

4. Poor comma use. The most common mistake is the use of comma splices. They're OK once in a while in certain situations, but otherwise they look bad.

5. Poor spelling. Some of this is OK, and may simply be a matter of a missed typo. But too much of it makes it hard to enjoy the story.

 

[KeithD]

I'm continually amused as well that there are folks here who perpetually can't mind their own business and leave readers and writers alone to do their own thing unless they directly ask for help. But, there you go, there are always folks who feel they are in a position to tell others what they should do whether asked or not. I guess it makes them feel superior in ability in whatever they are pushing at other folks.

 

[SimonDoom]

I guess it makes them feel superior in ability in whatever they are pushing at other folks.

That's the ungenerous, but also completely wrong, interpretation of this thread and those contributing to it, I think.

What motivates me in posing questions like this, and in contributing to threads that pose questions like this, is curiosity, in part, and also a belief that sharing opinions on topics like this can be educational and beneficial to people's writing, including, ultimately, my own. I enjoy debate. You can't have a debate unless you are willing to venture your opinion and to let others venture theirs. I don't understand your "mind your own business" attitude. The whole point of being in a forum like this is to share your business with others, and to invite others to share theirs. If I wanted to mind my own business I wouldn't bother participating in this forum.

 

[ElectricBlue]

2. Carless shifting between first person POV and third person POV. Not as common as tense-shifting, but just as annoying.

5. Poor spelling. Some of this is OK, and may simply be a matter of a missed typo. But too much of it makes it hard to enjoy the story.

Oops. Poor spelling or poor proof-reading...

"Just the one, though," said Suzie.

"Yep, just the one." EB smiled. "Better than tense shifting, eh?"

"You ever go back and fix that one?"

"No. I've left it as a permanent reminder to myself."

 

[KyraSaden]

That's the ungenerous, but also completely wrong, interpretation of this thread and those contributing to it, I think. What motivates me in posing questions like this, and in contributing to threads that pose questions like this, is curiosity, in part, and also a belief that sharing opinions on topics like this can be educational and beneficial to people's writing, including, ultimately, my own.

Thank you! I had to go back a couple times and double check that I was asking people about their writing pet peeves rather than something like, IDK, kitten murder? In fact, this is probably the first time I've been on a writing forum and had so many people reply to a thread with, "Hey! Can we maybe NOT talk about writing, please? Can't we all just all write and not ever talk about it?!?!"

I mean, I get that threads where we all get to gush about our favorite stories, and what motivates us, and why we are all so awesome are fun, but I mostly enjoy talking to other writers because they seem the best equipped to help me improve my craft. Discussions of common writing pitfalls and/or pet peeves is pretty standard fare in writing groups/workshops, so I was more than a little surprised by the negative response. Then again, every writing community has its own "vibe" and maybe this kind of thing just doesn't fly here. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As for me, I have very few "substantive" turn-offs. There are some things that turn me on more than others, but if the subject matter is skillfully handled I can usually put myself in the shoes of the author and enjoy his/her fantasies even if they're not normally mine.

My turn-offs are technical. The following are things I often encounter in stories at Literotica that make it difficult for me to enjoy the story:

1. Careless tense-shifting. I'm amazed at how common this is. Careless and unconscious shifting between past and present tense drives me bonkers. I just can't stand it. I think I'm unusual in this respect because it's extremely common and it often doesn't seem to affect the grade the story receives.

2. Carless shifting between first person POV and third person POV. Not as common as tense-shifting, but just as annoying.

3. Mishandled dialogue. Poor use of dialogue tags, misplaced or absent commas or other punctuation, burying quotes inside long paragraphs of narrative, etc.

4. Poor comma use. The most common mistake is the use of comma splices. They're OK once in a while in certain situations, but otherwise they look bad.

5. Poor spelling. Some of this is OK, and may simply be a matter of a missed typo. But too much of it makes it hard to enjoy the story.

I'm very similar in that my greatest pet peeves are technical in nature. It doesn't matter how good the overall concept behind a story is if it's executed poorly, especially in the punctuation department. Reading poorly punctuated anything is like trying to race through a parking lot filled with speed bumps. It's jolting and unpleasant. Careless shifting between first and third person POV is also a major dealbreaker for me. Dialogue tags I am less picky about, but probably because I am not so great with those myself. Using "said" every two seconds drives me nuts, but using fancy dialogue tags drives everyone else nuts and I'm still trying to find a happy medium.

 

[KeithD]

That's the ungenerous, but also completely wrong, interpretation of this thread and those contributing to it, I think.

And I think otherwise. *shrug* You and the OP gave your "I'm shoving how you should write at you whether you are interested or not" opinions on the thread and I disagreed with doing this. No, most writers to Literotica are not here to develop their writing skills, by committee advice from other strangers. Most writers are here to share their sexual arousal thoughts in writing and to find connection with other like-minded folks. This thread and others like it misconstrue why most people writing to Literotica are doing so as well as to their personal responsibility to tell others what and how to write. I'm of the Mind Your Own Business unless directly asked for help school of Literotica user. It's my opinion and I'll give it when "let me tell you how to write" posts are slapped on the board--especially if it's by those who haven't established a track record of Pulitzer-level writing here themselves.

 

[KyraSaden]

Stories that have in the first paragraph: "xxxx was a 25 year old with 34G tits"

Yeah, that's another major dealbreaker for me.

In general, I can't stand stories with characters who exist merely as props to further the plot and/or sex. I get that in the context of erotica, a very large proportion of the readership may not care if there's a personality behind the tits and/or dick, but I just don't find body parts without personality hot. The reason I read porn instead of watch porn is so that the sex has a context since, for me at least, sex without context just seems kind of bland and boring.

I feel this is an especially big issue when it comes to female characters written for the sole purpose of male "wish fulfillment." Which, again, I get, since the point of porn is to presumably get you off at some point. But as a female reader/writer, if my only chance at a self-insert is a giggling, big-titted 18-year-old with no real personality outside of being shy about anal, I'm gonna have to pass. Not everyone cares about catering to a broad readership, but if you do, then you absolutely have to flesh out your female characters just as well as you flesh out your male characters. I think a large proportion of erotica readers (especially those who enjoy multi-part stories) do so for purposes of escapism and it's no fun as a woman escaping into a world where you're only ever referred to as your bust size or hair color.

 

[SeabornFare]

Thank you! I had to go back a couple times and double check that I was asking people about their writing pet peeves rather than something like, IDK, kitten murder?

You've created a let's laugh at others thread because they don't write to our expectations thread.

Your presumption that writers need to do anything is obnoxious and narrow minded, and I don't think you're going to learn anything by asking people what ideas or methods they don't want to see.

Finding out what not to do doesn't shed any light on what you could do.

This is a passive aggressive thread that is already taking away from your intended topic and creating a new argument. Think on that, and then start a new thread will collect the information that you desire.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I think a large proportion of erotica readers (especially those who enjoy multi-part stories) do so for purposes of escapism and it's no fun as a woman escaping into a world where you're only ever referred to as your bust size or hair color.

So back out of those stories quickly and go find something else.

There's always something else, and (gasp) even stories that treat their characters with respect.

You'll be pleased to know that all my female characters have names. They also have hair (I will confess to a recent thing for red-heads, but I've written blondes and brunettes, and girls with dark hair, even girls with no hair); and many wear bras, but I assure you, I've not got a single mention of cup size.

You must be reading the wrong stories .

 

[SimonDoom]

Oops. Poor spelling or poor proof-reading...

"Just the one, though," said Suzie.

"Yep, just the one." EB smiled. "Better than tense shifting, eh?"

"You ever go back and fix that one?"

"No. I've left it as a permanent reminder to myself."

Touche. I corrected it. I type quickly and not always accurately. Usually, I give my posts here a quick once over before posting, but I make many proof-reading mistakes. That's one reason that occasional misspellings don't bother me much in stories. I realize they're probably just proofing errors.