How many words before sex...

[K155]

I'm currently writing a story, a real niche vibe and I'm super excited about it. I think it has the potential to be a bit of a series so I'm really trying to set the scene. Problem is there is a lot of exposition needed to get the feeling and motivation of my MC across, and I'm currently sitting on 2700 words and no sex. I'm only building up to the first erotic scenes now and I wonder if this is gonna put people off.

 

[Djmac1031]

The simple answer is:

As many words as are needed.

I'm 3700 words in on my newest and not even a mention of cock or pussy yet.

 

[KeithD]

There's no universal "people" to please or not. There's no universal success formula to writing a story. Sometimes I start with a sex act. Sometimes I build up to it. There's no universal success formula to writing a story. There's no universal "people" or "reader" to please or not.

 

[alohadave]

I'm currently writing a story, a real niche vibe and I'm super excited about it. I think it has the potential to be a bit of a series so I'm really trying to set the scene. Problem is there is a lot of exposition needed to get the feeling and motivation of my MC across, and I'm currently sitting on 2700 words and no sex. I'm only building up to the first erotic scenes now and I wonder if this is gonna put people off.

If you don't initiate sex within 1270 words, statistics show that 56% of readers will abandon the story and move along to humpier pastures.

Seriously though, don't write to word counts, or formulae. Write your story that way you see it. If they like the story, they will read it, and 2700 words is well under one Lit page in length. You'll be fine.

 

[alohadave]

The simple answer is:

As many words as are needed.

I'm 3700 words in on my newest and not even a mention of cock or pussy yet.

What about steel or carbon fiber?

 

[AlinaX]

Her graphene-coated pussy needed no extra lubricant, and had the advantage of being a high-temperature superconductor.

 

[PrincessArianrhod]

Last story was 37k words and there's one kiss and two mildly sensual dreams until about halfway through.

I don't have the highest vote or comment count though, so I guess it depends how you balance the value of ratings vs writing the story you want.

 

[MrPixel]

As many words as are needed.

Exactly! If the objective is to create a universe where the sex becomes possible, then concentrate on the story and the sex will blossom when the time comes. My favorite LitE stories have typically been at least two pages before the deed is done.

 

[NotWise]

Tell a good story and readers will stick with you as long as it takes.

Does your opening exposition tell a story?

 

[lovecraft68]

I have 8 lit page stories with no sex until page 7

 

[Smuttyandfun]

A lot of readers enjoy a slow burn. The ones I've written, there is often no sex, though lots of teasing, till half way through the story, that can be as long as 30k words. Most of mine have done pretty well too.

I don't think you should feel pressured to get the couple in bed, because often it's the build up that makes the story fun.

 

[K155]

Thank you all for the insight!

The jist of the story is a young woman (late 20s) has never really been into sex, never had good sex and has closed the door on that life. After talking with a friend they realise that her insecurities are stopping her from enjoying sex and her own body and her friend offers her a way she can explore her body, and experiment... the ultimate goal is she learns how to love herself, be confident in her own skin and be able to let go and enjoy her sexuality.

I think the exposition is vital in order to get all that across. So I'm gonna just run with it and let the story lead me.

Thanks again xxxx

 

[mirafrida]

I have one 30k+ word story that doesn't have much 'action' until the second half. I don't think the score or the tenor of the comments suffered. However, it has received many fewer comments/ratings/favs per 1000 views than usual, indicating a significant fraction of readers bailing when they didn't get the quick hit. On the other hand, it also generated a couple of heartfelt notes saying that it was exactly the kind of story they were looking for and rarely found on Lit.

Anecdotally, I suspect you can retain readers more if you are willing to structure it so that there is some racy 'flash-forward' at the beginning to whet readers' interest, before jumping back to the slow burn. But that may undermine the very effect you are going for.

No doubt all of this will also vary depending on category, genre, etc. In the end, you have to write a story you are happy with.

 

[Carnevil9]

......

Anecdotally, I suspect you can retain readers more if you are willing to structure it so that there is some racy 'flash-forward' at the beginning to whet readers' interest, before jumping back to the slow burn. But that may undermine the very effect you are going for......

That's exactly what I usually do: start off in the middle of a sexual situation, but only a little bit, then flash back to the beginning of the story. "In Medias Res" as the old Latins used to call it. I do it more for myself than to attract readers.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

It seems that fans of certain categories have varying expectations about how soon into a story their hands should be sticky.

I have several stories in Novels and Novellas over 30 Lit pages and nothing more than teasing erotica being mentioned, if that.

I also have several in Celebrities/Fan Fiction where the tissues don't come out until the third of fourth page. Even my few incest stories delay the sexual contents for a few pages.

None of these stories have suffered with readers as a result of delayed gratification.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I'm currently writing a story, a real niche vibe and I'm super excited about it. I think it has the potential to be a bit of a series so I'm really trying to set the scene. Problem is there is a lot of exposition needed to get the feeling and motivation of my MC across, and I'm currently sitting on 2700 words and no sex. I'm only building up to the first erotic scenes now and I wonder if this is gonna put people off.

I’ve made it to 6k words. But in a longer story.

Em

 

[ronde]

A sex scene belongs where it belongs, not some number of words after the start or so many words before the end. If you try to force it like that, it'll come off as contrived and probably not believable. I have stories that start with a sex scene, stories with a sex scene somewhere in the middle, some with a sex scene at the very end, and a few with no sex whatsoever because it didn't fit the story I was telling.

 

[yukonnights]

As others have mentioned, a single Literotica story page is approximately 3750 words. In most of my stories that's just the beginning of setting the scene and introducing the characters. My personal preference for erotic stories is a longer story with enough detail (pages/words) to pull me into the setting and the characters. I place a lot of emphasis on the characters inner thoughts/feelings/doubts, etc.

But, that said — I'm sure there are readers for shorter tales too. Just not my thing.

 

[Euphony]

 

[Rob_Royale]

If I know it's going to be a big lead in to the first sex scene I've introduced characters in the aftermath of sex. Naked, sweaty, enjoying the post-coital bliss. This gives the reader the confidence that there will be sex eventually and if they hang in there I won't disappoint.

 

[joy_of_cooking]

View attachment 2261056

sex in 42 words! You people move fast!

 

[Djmac1031]

sex in 42 words! You people move fast!

Sounds like the next Authors Challenge: Sex In 42 Words.

 

[Jmanchu]

I'm currently writing a story, a real niche vibe and I'm super excited about it. I think it has the potential to be a bit of a series so I'm really trying to set the scene. Problem is there is a lot of exposition needed to get the feeling and motivation of my MC across, and I'm currently sitting on 2700 words and no sex. I'm only building up to the first erotic scenes now and I wonder if this is gonna put people off.

I have stories that haven't reached anything directly sexual 10000 words in. As long as the story is good, it's fine. If it's done well, it creates anticipation and adds to the setting and feel of the sex scene since we know the characters a little more intimately.

One thing I'd point out though, I haven't read your story obviously but do be careful about too much exposition. Getting into your character's head and showing a little something about their thoughts and feelings is one thing, go for it, but exposition about shit relating to their past or anything that isn't directly about what's going on in the moment of the scene is best done sparingly.

 

[Voboy]

Whatever's right for the story is what's right for the story. Plenty of mine have 10k words before the two MCs even meet each other.

 

[Euphony]

sex in 42 words! You people move fast!

Best sex has fewer words yet far more communication.