Do you read what you write?

[PoliteSuccubus]

I'm trying to become more "erotica literate" and read more stories and poems on the site and other places, but I am finding a lot of it leaves me cold....Is this just me?

So far I've only found a handfull of stores and poems that "do it" for me and leave me wanting more. So I am wondering, do other writers only like what they write? Only like the same type of stuff they write? Etc....

Your thoughts?

 

[MathGirl]

So I am wondering, do other writers only like what they write? Only like the same type of stuff they write? Etc....Your thoughts?

Confession: I hardly ever read erotica. I love the people on here, and I enjoy writing, but reading the stuff just doesn't do anything for me. Even my own stories. Especially my own stories.

That's why I never volunteer to criticize anyone's work or act as some sort of judge.

 

[NorthwestRain]

There's nothing better than finding a writer who really does it for you! I've found a few on here, some of the talent is phenominal, and I sit there thinking "Fuck, this writing is good!" Other times I feel the urge to just whip it out and give it a good flogging.
You've just gotta love porn!

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

To me porn and erotica are two different things.

Porn is glossed over advertiseing for impossiable dreams, and primarily for men. Erotica is is more about what is really sexy to the writer and/or reader, and thusly more initmate.

It's a thought for another thread tho, I think I'll go post it....

 

[MathGirl]

Respect

There's nothing better than finding a writer who really does it for you! I've found a few on here, some of the talent is phenominal, and I sit there thinking "Fuck, this writing is good!" Other times I feel the urge to just whip it out and give it a good flogging.
You've just gotta love porn!

You've just gotta love someone who isn't afraid to express his true feelings about something! (see above)

 

[kiwiwolf]

To me porn and erotica are two different things.

Porn is glossed over advertiseing for impossiable dreams, and primarily for men. Erotica is is more about what is really sexy to the writer and/or reader, and thusly more initmate.

It's a thought for another thread tho, I think I'll go post it....

Amen... this has to be the best definition I have come across so far. Now all I have to do is figure out if I am a writer of Porn or Erotica.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Oh, Kiwi, your making me blush over here!

When I'm not busy I'll go check out your stuff and tell you which I think it is in Feedback...

 

[SlickTony]

Yes, I enjoy reading the stories here. That includes my stories. I have, however, become a lot pickier since I've first started reading Erotica stories. I found that it was impossible to read each and every one of them.

 

[curious2c]

This is going to sound a bit strange I think...but, When I started out writing I thought I was writing erotica. Since then I have begun to believe that I write porn. my stories tend to be a bit...direct or perhaps graphic with an edge I suppose. I read my stories and see where I could have made it 'erotic' instead of graphic, but while I was writing it seemed to 'flow' better the way I was going.

Yes I read what I write, and others stuff too. Now I just need to find out if I am an erotic writer or a porn writer.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Kiwi, your stuff, to me, is erotica.

C2C, I think your confuseing "romance" with "erotica" from the way you made your statement. I dislike romance as much as I dislike porn. They both are selling something unrealistic.

If your stuff has flow then I'm betting it's erotica. In fact, for myself, flow is what I look for in any story, but esp erotica.

 

[medjay]

I don't read any of the stories here. And after I post one of my own I never look at it again. I think the real reason for this is that I just don't like sitting in front of the computer screen reading a story. I'd rather be laying on the couch or in the bed, nice and comfy.

The only reason I post stories here is because it's good writing excercise and I like getting feedback and constructive criticism. The problem is, since most everyone likes my stories I never really get any criticism so I've lost the urge to write erotic stories at all.

 

[Dirt Man]

do other writers only like what they write? Only like the same type of stuff they wri

PoliteSuccubus:

To me porn and erotica are two different things.

Porn is glossed over advertiseing for impossiable dreams, and primarily for men. Erotica is is more about what is really sexy to the writer and/or reader, and thusly more initmate.

It's a thought for another thread tho, I think I'll go post it....

As to the first, and last of your quote, I believe I've answered that on your other thread already. If porn is glossed over advertising for impossible dreams primarily for men, then by your thought proccess, erotica is primarily for women. Yet you say that erotica is more about what is really sexy to the writer, and/or reader, and thusly more intimate. Intimate in what way? In both porn, and erotica the ultimate intimacy physically is when a vagina is entered by a penis. If you mean mentally, by that I mean the thought process between those making love, then you must mean the joining of their thoughts, not their bodies. But if you mean mentally by this I mean the connection the reader makes with the author's thoughts and words put to paper, then that too is an opinion of what is erotic, and what is porn, and is subject to many outside influences, and therefore null, and void as a precept for defining erotica VS porn. If you are saying that the use of flowery images, and words makes something erotic verses the gut wrenching graphic detail of the old in, and out perversely labeld STROKE STORY then that too is an opinion as many stories considered erotic even here use words like cunt, cock, dick, twat, prick, pussy, etc.

If I wanted to read about two lovers smooching in the park on a bench I wouldn't bother coming here. Is their smooching erotic? Some would even say pornographic, because they are doing it out in the open like that, but I don't think it's either one unless I know the situation, and the characters involved. IMHO At least not until they do something more than just smooch.(Kiss) And if I'm in the story watching as a reader when they do anything else, then I'm a voyeur, and that makes the story erotic/porn IMHO. Agrandizing one way of writing erotica against another is sheer snobbery. And we do that by calling it pornographic, or stroker material. But the truth of it is, what we are talking about here is different styles of writing. Granted, by saying something is erotic instead of pornographic we make it sound much better. But the truth is that if there is no defining intimacy of a physical nature involved, then what's so erotic about it? And if there is then it's pornographic? Puleeese! Get off of the pedistal ladies.

C2C, I think your confuseing "romance" with "erotica" from the way you made your statement. I dislike romance as much as I dislike porn.

You say you dislike romance as much as porn, so to your way of thinking erotica is somewhere inbetween the two, Right? In any case this too is an opinion.

Now as to your initial question. I read a lot, here and elsewhere, and I write a lot here and elsewhere. Yes, I do read my own stuff, but then I have to to edit it before posting it. I connect with the author who does the same thing, and who keeps me enthralled throughout the entire story.

As Always
I Am the
Dirt Man

 

[Pookie]

Erotica by definition is a type of pornography. It just seems that a number of people get hung up on the connotations that come with the word "pornography".

By the time I have finished writing one of my stories, I have read it so many times that I could recite it probably. But I do enjoy reading other authors. I enjoy getting lost in a good story. Sometimes I want to "get off" as well. There are some wonderful stories posted here at lit and other places. Usually my time is very limited for reading because of studying, writing, fiancee, friends, etc.

Pookie

 

[SlickTony]

Romance ain't what it used to be. It's a long, long, long, long way from Phyllis Whitney to Jude Deveraux and Jennifer Crusie.

 

[Couture]

I read other writer's stories. I have just a few that I keep an eye out for. When I see a new posting, I can't wait to read it.

I rarely go back and read my own writing. By the time I submit it, I have visualized most every aspect of the fantasy, read it, re-read it, and re-read it again in the editing process. Shit, by the time you read it, I'm thoroughly sick of it.

Maybe one day, I'll have forgotten the story. Then I can read it again and get the same enjoyment out of it.

 

[jfinn]

I don't read my own work except in the context of rereading something as I'm working on it. Why should I? It holds no surprises and really does nothing for me, at least in the same way that someone elses story might. I'm also not a "one-handed" writer. In other words, my own writing is not in the least erotic to me. In fact, it always amazes me when someone writes and tells me they think I wrote something hot since I've always thought the sex scenes I concoct are pretty lame.

As for what I do read, well it's a lot. I'll read just about anything as long as it's well written. I do lean towards longer stories though and usually I find those in sites other than Lit. I also like slash as long as it's original. I'm not much for fan/fic or celebrity pieces. About the only things I won't read are scat and snuff and works where the story codes are longer than the piece themselves. I figure if they have that much sex in them then they aren't going to be too original. I'm also not a big fan of ff stories, but that's more because I don't find the "equipment" interesting rather than an actual criticism of that type of writing.

Jayne

 

[sweetnpetite]

This is going to sound a bit strange I think...but, When I started out writing I thought I was writing erotica. Since then I have begun to believe that I write porn. my stories tend to be a bit...direct or perhaps graphic with an edge I suppose. I read my stories and see where I could have made it 'erotic' instead of graphic, but while I was writing it seemed to 'flow' better the way I was going.

Yes I read what I write, and others stuff too. Now I just need to find out if I am an erotic writer or a porn writer.

PROUD TO BE PORN

that's me anyway. I went into more detail on the other thread.

 

[English Lady]

After my story is posted i don't read it, as pookie said I am sick of it by the time its gotten itself submitted!

I do read alot here, maybe it helps that my computer is by my bed*ewg* but i tend to flick through the new story titles at least 2 or 3 times a week.

I have a couple of authors i look out for, but mostly i just mooch around and see what takes my fancy!

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

I have read my own work from time to time, mostly to get me in the mood to write a new one. Seduction Of A Repairman I've read several times, only because I am planning to eventually make it into a series, if I ever get back to that frame of mind again.
One Night Of Passion , Pleasures of the Flesh and My First Taste Of A Woman I've read because they are based somewhat on real life experiences and I like to go back and relive those events.
Now, as far as erotica and porn being the same, I'd say it depends on who you ask. My mom and sister think it's porn, while my in-laws think it's erotic. Myself, I think I write both. Some of my stories are very erotic while others are down right nasty, dirty porn. It's just like sex, sometimes you want to make love, slow, soft and sensual, and other times you just want to fuck like beasts, hot, dirty and sweaty. There's nothing wrong with porn IMO, so it's just who you ask I'd say.


Wicked

 

[Sabledrake]

I go back every so often to read what I've written. Not exactly for pleasure. More to see how my style may have changed. It's kind of embarrassing in a weird way to re-read my own stuff. Like listening to one's own voice on tape, or watching oneself on home video. Disconcerting.

As for reading others' work, I am often too busy to even see what's out there. When I do have a moment to peruse Literotica, I usually check the Top Lists or go with authors whose work I have enjoyed in the past -- the people I trust to deliver a good tale.

Sabledrake

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

I'm too sleepy to really respond fully to the depth that this thread deserves, but I am glad I asked the question and have gotten such a wide range of answers.

But to answer a couple of points:

No, I don't think that by extention that erotica is for women. I think romances are for women. I think erotica is for everyone. It's a wonderfully grey area between "hearts and flowers" and "Hi, my turn ons are chocolate and world peace, fuck me." with a wonderful varitiy of dark and light for every writer and reader to explore.

I find it quite odd tho that romance is a billion dollar industry, porn is a billion dollar industry, but erotica is something just now coming out of the closet.

You say you dislike romance as much as porn, so to your way of thinking erotica is somewhere inbetween the two, Right? In any case this too is an opinion.

Which is why I said "I DISLIKE" ...coz it's my opnion. I've been very carefully using "I" statements a lot because

1.) I've been stateing my opinion

AND

2.) I'd like everyone elses.

How can I learn and grow if I don't ask other people about what they think about stuff?

 

[SlickTony]

Another reason I like to go back and read my own stuff is that I have a long, long, traumatic history of not being able to finish any literary product I start, and I'm still flushed with the thrill of achievement that I've not only been able to finish something, I've been able to finish seven somethings.

 

[Whispersecret]

I browse the stories once in a while. Most of the writing here isn't very good. Only rarely will I come across something that makes me sit up and send feedback. I'd say, perhaps five times in the past year has that happened to me.

Occasionally I'll go and read over my own stuff. Like SlickTony, I get some satisfaction over what I have finished. I helps motivate me to write more because I think "Gee, that was pretty good. Maybe I should finish that pirate story, or the one with the duke and his sons..." 'Course, those stories are still unfinished. My "legitmate" writing is taking precedence at the moment.

 

[openthighs_sarah]

I browse occasionally, but mostly I only read (other than my own stuff) things that have been recommended to me, or things that people ask me to read to give them feedback. I love feedback myself so I try to help out, and occasionally I find something diverting...

I posted a set of "suggested guidelines" in one of the forums (can't remember which one) as a self-serving way of encouraging people to write stories that I would like, and that's resulted in a number of people sending me PMs with their stories, to see what I think. Mostly it's the less experienced writers who are looking for constructive criticism, though. I don't mind that, but it's not the same as reading something that really flows well in addition to being a promising idea...

I have enough fantasies to last me several lifetimes, though. Maybe I should post them in the "Story Ideas" forum and hope that a bunch of people decide to tackle them... At least I'd enjoy the plots, and it would be interesting to see how different writers approached it. (That's probably also a good way to find stories with particular themes or details, since other authors will hopefully check it out and respond if they've already written something similar.)

~sarah

Sarah, On Her Knees

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Do I re-read my work? Now and again, for different reasons, such as say...I want to write a story that is either a sequel or a spin-off of sorts, and want to make sure my facts are down before I begin/submit it. Now and again I go back and read them just to make sure I truly finished them, to keep my mind headed in a more confident forward direction than it might have already been in, either in terms of my own writing abilities or my ability and past successes in just finishing projects.
As far as reading others work? Sometimes, though I'm more often disappointed than not. It isn't that I think I'm better than any of the writers here, it's just that I don't feel that most of the submissions are written by actual writers, but people who have it in thier heads that what is read in the Penthouse Forum is actual fiction. WHen they have no real talent in terms of writing, no real skill, and no interest in re-writing or at least editing, I don't consider it fiction, and I don't like to read it. When I find a good story, it usually pays off, though. Mostly, I check the first few lines, then click the Back button and keep searching.
As far as the type of story I read, I write what I like, what interests me (though not necessarily what I do, or would ever actually go through with), and I read the same things here. So the answer is yes in that respect.