Are You Really Trying to Write an Erotic Short Story?

[MrBates2]

For me, I don't do an outline, I have no idea where to take the story before I begin. I just write from an idea. ThenI revisit the story later to shape it into form.

I am not saying this is proper form, or the way to write a short story, god knows you cannot write a book like this, but what are you really trying to create?

I enjoy it, that is what counts. At some point, I will have something I consider worthy of uploading here at Lit.

 

[slyc_willie]

For every author on Lit, you'll find a different method for writing. Outlines work for some, but not others (I don't use them). Some take the writing seriously, others don't. For the most part, we're all here just because we like writing dirty little stories . . . or, at least, stories with some dirty elements.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't outline either I get my idea and let it rip.

I disagree a novel cannot be written without an outline I've done it more than once including a series of 8 e-books totaling about 900k. If that's your method and how you write comfortably then length won't matter.

Although writing shorter pieces first help with the confidence to do bigger pieces.

 

[JulieArt]

I usually start with a basic idea. I start typing the first paragraph or two. Then, while I'm typing the start, as new ideas come to me, I type them in below the current section. Then I move on and expand on these new ideas. I suppose the "new ideas" are a form of outline, but not nearly as rigorously developed as a true outline. Maybe this is just my way of allowing my typing to catch up with my brain. It seems to work for me. And I don't become anxious that I will forget about something I wanted to include in the story.

Hopefully, you will find my stories are more readable than that paragraph above.

 

[HeyAll]

I either start with a premise, or a specific conclusion that I worked towards.

In both cases, I don't outline. I just think of simple plot points and then write it out.

 

[MrBates2]

I don't outline either I get my idea and let it rip.

I disagree a novel cannot be written without an outline I've done it more than once including a series of 8 e-books totaling about 900k. If that's your method and how you write comfortably then length won't matter.

Although writing shorter pieces first help with the confidence to do bigger pieces.

No offense, but you can't write a good novel without an outline. If you got in your car and drove to Memphis (or any other new city), would you not take a map? Any published writer will tell you that their outlines are sometimes as thick as the book. Each character is defined, and the story has to flow.

 

[lovecraft68]

No offense, but you can't write a good novel without an outline. If you got in your car and drove to Memphis (or any other new city), would you not take a map? Any published writer will tell you that their outlines are sometimes as thick as the book. Each character is defined, and the story has to flow.

No offense, but key word is you can't (or maybe you could if you wanted to try) but others can. Everyone is different.

There's a few people here who have read it. I think they could disagree with you.

 

[MrBates2]

No offense, but key word is you can't (or maybe you could if you wanted to try) but others can. Everyone is different.

There's a few people here who have read it. I think they could disagree with you.

No, the key word here is "good". No way can one write a good book that doesn't have a well thought out storyline.

 

[oggbashan]

No offense, but key word is you can't (or maybe you could if you wanted to try) but others can. Everyone is different.

There's a few people here who have read it. I think they could disagree with you.

I agree. Perhaps the OP can't do without an outline, but many people can.

They can write short stories. They can write longer stories. They can write novels. They can write blockbusting novels.

Using an outline is a technique some see as essential, and some do not need.

The outline might be in their head, or might emerge as the story is gradually written, or might change drastically as the characters develop, or might never exist at all until the final edit.

We are all different and use differing techniques. What some see as essential others might see as a useless distraction.

 

[patientlee]

No offense, but you can't write a good novel without an outline. If you got in your car and drove to Memphis (or any other new city), would you not take a map? Any published writer will tell you that their outlines are sometimes as thick as the book. Each character is defined, and the story has to flow.

No offense, but there's no one right way to do anything. I know people who just start to drive and find themselves in the right place. I turn on my gps to drive around the block. Everyone is different.

 

[lovecraft68]

No, the key word here is "good". No way can one write a good book that doesn't have a well thought out storyline.

Oh, ouch, the feelings! I....never mind I don't really have any.

I agree you need a well thought out storyline.

But why does all those thoughts have to be written down in an outline? Some people's minds work differently than others. I'm able to keep it all lined up in my head. So I guess I do have an outline, but its a mental one.

 

[oggbashan]

No, the key word here is "good". No way can one write a good book that doesn't have a well thought out storyline.

When it is finished, perhaps.

But how did that storyline get there?

What about Ulysses? What about Tristram Shandy?

Both are 'good' books. Neither has a well thought out storyline.

 

[StrangeLife]

I only write from my own experiences.


Hey! I was just kidding! Please don't call the police...



Seriously - no I don't use an outline, but I usually have an idea in my head as to where I want the story to go. How it gets there is up to my characters.

 

[MrBates2]

No offense, but there's no one right way to do anything. I know people who just start to drive and find themselves in the right place. I turn on my gps to drive around the block. Everyone is different.

I agree, there is no "right way" to write a novel. But I wouldn't start out on any destination without at least, some kind of plan.

 

[oggbashan]

I agree, there is no "right way" to write a novel. But I wouldn't start out on any destination without at least, some kind of plan.

You wouldn't.

You ought to accept that others can do without the plan.

You are insulting not just many of us on Literotica, but many classic authors as well, by insisting that your way is the only way to be good.

 

[MrFoxwood]

I've come to the conclusion that the problem with the novel I'm writing is that it has an outline. I write best when I just put pen to paper and go.

With regards to what I put up on here, it's short and the intention is for it to be erotic but less and less I worry about it being a story. All I have to worry about is if I enjoyed writing it and if a couple of people will enjoy reading it.

 

[lovecraft68]

No offense, but there's no one right way to do anything. I know people who just start to drive and find themselves in the right place. I turn on my gps to drive around the block. Everyone is different.

I don't even have a GPS

I have slave driving muse and an OCD driven mind.

 

[_Lynn_]

No, the key word here is "good". No way can one write a good book that doesn't have a well thought out storyline.

Your definition of good is the one everyone must follow, then?

 

[patientlee]

I agree, there is no "right way" to write a novel. But I wouldn't start out on any destination without at least, some kind of plan.

I'm a planner. I would too.

 

[MrBates2]

When it is finished, perhaps.

But how did that storyline get there?

What about Ulysses? What about Tristram Shandy?

Both are 'good' books. Neither has a well thought out storyline.

James Joyce? how do you know he didn't have an outline for the novel?

 

[oggbashan]

I'm a planner. I would too.

But you don't insist that everyone has to do it your way or be 'bad', do you?

 

[oggbashan]

James Joyce? how do you know he didn't have an outline for the novel?

How do you know he did?

 

[patientlee]

I don't even have a GPS

I have slave driving muse and an OCD driven mind.

Maybe your muse could drive me around. I can't find my way out of a paper bag.

 

[_Lynn_]

But you don't insist that everyone has to do it your way or be 'bad', do you?

But Og, bad can be so much fun.

 

[MrBates2]

Your definition of good is the one everyone must follow, then?

Yes, that's correct.