Need advice: Reverse Harem Romance

[Ph03n1x028]

Hi Literotica world,

I'm busy working on a reverse harem romance story but would like to get some feedback on a couple topics. I've done some research but just not getting the answers I'm looking for. Your help would be appreciated.

1. Is there a set rule on how many characters that is acceptable in this category?
2. I guess this might be up to me, but I noticed that most of the sex scenes are over very quickly, is it taboo to maybe explore or describe the sex scenes in greater detail?
3. A common theme across some of the novels I've read has the FMC as a virgin, is this a key component to a good story or pulling readership?


Again, your help or feedback would be appreciated.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

I think the same answer applies to all your questions: These are things you can decide and implement as the author. There are no set rules, but I’d give a few general tips:

(1) Don’t overwhelm the reader with characters. With a 'harem' I’d personally give each character one defining physical feature that helps readers distinguish.

(2) Personally, I write sex scenes that are around 1000 words or more. Be careful that the detail you add isn’t merely explaining the physical mechanics of the action. If you want to write longer sex scenes, focus on emotion and feeling.

(3) Don’t worry too much about pleasing readers. You should brace yourself for people who might not like everything (or even anything) that you write. The topic you’re tackling will itself not jive well with some male readers, but that’s okay! You can’t please everybody. As for readership numbers, you should keep your expectations reasonable. Romance is not the most read category and your sub-genre (if that’s the right word) may be a little niche.

 

[NotWise]

Hi Literotica world,

I'm busy working on a reverse harem romance story but would like to get some feedback on a couple topics. I've done some research but just not getting the answers I'm looking for. Your help would be appreciated.

1. Is there a set rule on how many characters that is acceptable in this category?
2. I guess this might be up to me, but I noticed that most of the sex scenes are over very quickly, is it taboo to maybe explore or describe the sex scenes in greater detail?
3. A common theme across some of the novels I've read has the FMC as a virgin, is this a key component to a good story or pulling readership?


Again, your help or feedback would be appreciated.

If by "this category" you mean Romance, then the story should be one man and one woman.

I don't think there's anything taboo about exploring sex in a Romance story, but the stories are usually more about relationships than about sex.

If you mean in Romance then no, there's no reason for the FMC to be a virgin. Many popular Romances have a FMC with a backstory.

Just in general, "reverse harem" and "romance" don't seem to fit together very well.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

Just in general, "reverse harem" and "romance" don't seem to fit together very well.

Yeah, this is very true.

Genre conventions, and the conventions in Lit’s own category system, make it hard to match 'harem' and 'romance.' Your story can still be 'romantic', but maybe you should read this article about categorising stories from Lit’s 'How To' category.

 

[SimonDoom]

By reverse harem I take it you mean a harem where one woman is the master and she has a bunch of men in her harem who serve her.

I think you can have as many people in the harem or the story as you like, but it's usually a better story if you focus on one or a few characters, and that's essential of the story is to be a romance.

It's not clear from your description and questions what the angle of the story is. Think of a basic plot idea involving this concept, and think about from whose point of view you want to tell the story. Then I think you will get more meaningful input.

I can't imagine the woman in a reverse harem being a virgin. That doesn't make any sense.

There is no limit on how long sex scenes can be. Some stories feature very, very long sex scenes, and they are quite successful.

 

[R. Richard]

In a few matriarchal societies in Africa, the Queen was married to all of the men. Np, the Queen did not have sex with all of the men.
In general, each man had a wife/wives.
The Queen decided who got to farm what land, hunt what area, and so forth.
It was not about sex.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Without criticism, I think you’ll do well to have some solid explanation for a polyandrous system. It’s not at all common and I fear a story centred on it might be seen as unrealistic by many readers, leading them to down-rate or simply leave. A backstory or at least explanation might be wise.

 

[Deleted member 5521640]

Are you referring to the literal meaning of "harem", where as others have noted you have one woman who has a harem that consists of several men serving her every whim?

Or (this is what I'm thinking, correct me if I'm wrong) are you defining it as just one woman who has multiple men interested in her at the same time?

I wouldn't include too many characters as I think that would overwhelm the reader as someone noted. The members of the "harem" should be distinct from one another with their own personalities. Just having say a half dozen guys with hardons looking to pork the female lead would bore me and I probably wouldn't finish the story. Explain why they're interested in her (other than her 44DD boobs and her nickname of "Kneepad Princess!). Write as many characters as you're comfortable handling without having any fall into the background and getting lost in the story.

If you're writing a romance, personally I'd only have the female lead have sex with one of the men, the guy she ends up with, at the end of the story. And write it as long as you feel you need to. Some may disagree with my thought on just having one sexual liaison, but I prefer my romances that way. Unless you're planning on writing it as a bodice ripper, then she needs to bang all of the men. Several times LOL

Unless you have a really good explanation for the female lead to be a virgin, I wouldn't include it. I think it's more appealing to make her someone who's experienced sexually. She knows what she wants, and demands it from her man.

I am looking forward to hearing more details on your story.