A reminder

[NotWise]

I have to remind myself now and then that, unlike most erotica, written erotic isn't about the visual. I found this on Bluesky, attributed to Author Krishna Prasanth Guttikonda. I don't know them from Adam, but I appreciate the meme:

 

[TheLobster]

Okay, yes, but have you considered a nice pair of large and perky boobs?

 

[NotWise]

Okay, yes, but have you considered a nice pair of large and perky boobs?

On what? A sidewalk? Usually, they need to be connected to someone appealing to make an erotic story.

 

[Britva415]

written erotic isn't about the visual

I don't know, there are plenty of authors who describe their characters as if they're directing a police sketch artist for the purpose of making the most accurate visual representation possible.

Oh - did you mean, that's what it's about for the reader?

 

[BeechLeaf]

In reality, we're attracted to a mix of looks, intelligence, sense of humour, honesty, courage and all sorts of things. All of those can be depicted in writing: that's what good writing does. Written depiction of looks is not like pictorial depiction, but if it's needed, or if it helps, or if it's distinctive, it can be done. We don't have the looks constantly and primarily in front of us, but they can still be part of the appeal.

 

[TheLobster]

On what? A sidewalk?

Come on now, that’s just a tripping hazard.

Ahem, more to the point though…

I don't know, there are plenty of authors who describe their characters as if they're directing a police sketch artist for the purpose of making the most accurate visual representation possible.

That is obviously silly, and worthy of trope-induced cringe. But the flip side of it is that a detailed characters appearance can be a perfectly good piece of narration if it includes (or better yet, focuses on) the impression on the PoV character to the eye candy they’re seeing.

Which is to say, a description of character’s exterior can serve more than one purpose.

 

[WittyUserName]

I have to remind myself now and then that, unlike most erotica, written erotic isn't about the visual. I found this on Bluesky, attributed to Author Krishna Prasanth Guttikonda. I don't know them from Adam, but I appreciate the meme:

View attachment 2651813

A good reminder, thank you!

 

[Britva415]

a description of character’s exterior can serve more than one purpose

In the author's mind, sure. Whether they achieve it (them) or not is another matter, and if they don't, then, sometimes the sketch-artist impression is all we're left with.

I wasn't saying that describing characters is bad, I was saying characters can be badly described.

 

[NotWise]

In the author's mind, sure. Whether they achieve it (them) or not is another matter, and if they don't, then, sometimes the sketch-artist impression is all we're left with.

I wasn't saying that describing characters is bad, I was saying characters can be badly described.

And I think what the meme says is that a lot of time spent on physical description is not time well-spent. You're better off using the same effort to describe their needs, ideas, beliefs, and all those other things that go into making them a person.

 

[Britva415]

And I think what the meme says is that a lot of time spent on physical description not time well-spent.

Right. When composing an actual police sketch, there is a real requirement for the time and effort. You need an accurate physical representation so that the person can be recognized when they are seen. The process can take hours and often involves a lot of backpedaling, re-expressing and revision of the words the witness chose - but it's all part of the process. It couldn't have happened without the unrevised original words being part of it.

A character in a fictional story? That level of "recognition" isn't needed and that level of effort isn't called for. An author might feel motivated to create a recognizable photo-realistic image in the reader's mind, but it's a mistake to believe that the story requires it or that the reader even has any chance whatsoever of matching what's in the author's mind's-eye.

You're better of using the same effort to describe their needs, ideas, beliefs, and all those other things that go into making them a person.

Even more to the point - the things that go into making the story a story. Authors can go just as overboard with the needs, ideas, beliefs and other elements of characterization too, and with just as little call for it in terms of story requirement and just as little success in terms of the reader forming the identical same impression of the character.

 

[Stanfield2025]

While I agree with this, I will say there was an erotica I wrote off this site, and when I scaled back the physical descriptions someone reached out to me and asked me to bring the physical descriptions back. Some readers do appreciate physical descriptions.

 

[Britva415]

someone reached out to me and asked me to bring the physical descriptions back

You must have done it well instead of clumsily.

 

[Britva415]

What? I meant that to be congratulatory.

 

[Stanfield2025]

I meant that to be congratulatory.

I understand that. Thank you. I'm just surprised it's an unusual thing for readers to want physical descriptions.

 

[Djmac1031]

I have to remind myself now and then that, unlike most erotica, written erotic isn't about the visual. I found this on Bluesky, attributed to Author Krishna Prasanth Guttikonda. I don't know them from Adam, but I appreciate the meme:

View attachment 2651813

One of the best comments I ever received on a story was about how the reader fell in love with my characters who were, quote: "Such beautiful people."

Meanwhile I barely used any physical descriptions for either of them. But apparently I used just enough to let the reader paint his own picture of them.

 

[NotWise]

I understand that. Thank you. I'm just surprised it's an unusual thing for readers to want physical descriptions.

KeithD was a long-time AHer now passed, and a professional writer and editor. He always insisted that description was important to some readers, and that included cock length and bra size. Personally, I don't see much evidence for that, but I'll keep the idea out there.

My most successful Lit story starts with a scene that includes a fairly detailed description of the female protagonist (she's a ballet dancer). My WIP dwells a little on the gothic presentation of one of the women. What those cases have in common is that some physical characteristics are important to understanding the character, but when it comes to loving the character (or lusting after them) I think what they say and do ultimately outweighs what they look like.

No-one's going to love Sybil because she's goth. A few people might lust after some stereotype they have in mind. More people are going to wonder why she's a goth, and then fall in love with her for her struggle, her growth, and her goals.

 

[ColtonWrites]

I wrote a 20k novella and I didnt describe either main character's physical appearance *once* except for a plot-relevant description of some scars.

I generally have to remind myself to go back and add details about what my characters look like.

So apparently its not visual, for me.

 

[Dancefactory]

Wow. This is the happy thought I have been missing in my writing. Thank you @NotWise

 

[KittyOfSteele]

I know Triss Merigold is a bitch, but I still like her, toxicity included. Don't kink shame me.