Does it have to have sex to be erotic?

[Softouch911]

Does writing have to describe someone having sex to be erotic?

I just got this interesting, if semi-literate response to a story. The writer said:

"It's not very erotic because there's not enough sex in it."

(That would certainly be true of my life.)

The sentiment and opinion is fine with me, but I'm curious if anyone else sometimes finds eroticism goes beyond the sluttish thrusting of body parts.




Softouch

 

[tolyk]

There are many things that are erotic without being sexual, or thrusting body parts as you so aptly put.

Some people use the words interchangably, which is wrong. Hell, if it was all about sex, most of the Erotic Poetry would have to be moved out of the category too.

 

[Alex De Kok]

Probably not, in fact almost definitely not, but I'm not a good enough writer to carry it off!

Alex

 

[Guest]

To me, the really erotic elements in a story are in the build up, and not in the actual penetrative sex.

The glances, the light touching, the sexual tension between the two (especially if they are in a public place), the words spoken between two lovers who know they've both got the same thing in mind, the kissing, the undressing...

So, yeah, I think you're right.

 

[Guest]

Define sex.

I have seen dances that were incredibly erotic, without a dancer ever touching anyone including herself in a sexual manner. Lots of things are erotic but don't involve actual sex.

 

[tolyk]

Erotic: of sexual love, or sexual desire.

At least, that's what my ancient dictionary says.

Sexual desire, to increase sexual desire, is a definition of erotic, thus any story that gets someone aroused, is erotic to them. It is just the ones who can't finish stroking to it that complain.

 

[NoJo]

Not only is your commenter talking utter arse, the converse is also patently true; that sex itself can be pretty unerotic on occasion.

 

[LadyTemptress]

I think a story can be very erotic without having to describe everything in graphic detail. I don't know for others but back in the day when I consumed a romance novel a week I always skimmed over the graphic sex to get back to the tension and romance. I loved the build-up and the afterglow but really didn't care much for stuff in the middle.

Even with my own writing I am happiest until I have to actually get down to the nitty gritty and describe the sex scenes.

 

[tolyk]

Not only is your commenter talking utter arse, the converse is also patently true; that sex itself can be pretty unerotic on occasion.

Hell yeah

 

[Softouch911]

Not only is your commenter talking utter arse, the converse is also patently true; that sex itself can be pretty unerotic on occasion.

Exactly. This is what I was festering. It ain't necessarily the sex that makes the eroticism.


Softouch

 

[mlady_france]

Exactly. This is what I was festering. It ain't necessarily the sex that makes the eroticism.


Softouch

It's the build up that often gets me. But I'm also a sucker for a poet. There really doesn't have to be any mention of sex for me to find a great piece of writing erotic.

 

[NoJo]

Hell yeah

Get your ass to the US, quick, before you turn so green and Jaded they they think you're a fucking martian.

 

[oggbashan]

The sexual act can be implied.

It can be off-stage.

The story can lead up to the point at which sex becomes inevitable.

The sex does not have to be explicit nor does it have to be described in squelchy detail.

I have done all of those. That might explain my low ratings.

Og

 

[tolyk]

Get your ass to the US, quick, before you turn so green and Jaded they they think you're a fucking martian.

I'm not going to the states Joe She's coming to Canada.

Martian? No.. Illegal Alien.. they already think that.

 

[Softouch911]

I'm not going to the states Joe She's coming to Canada.

Martian? No.. Illegal Alien.. they already think that.

You, illegal? Nah. Toxic, maybe.



Softouch (Hey, Tol!)

 

[Quiet_Cool]

No.

Q_C

 

[impressive]

Hell, even some of the sex here isn't erotic.

 

[Softouch911]

Hell, even some of the sex here isn't erotic.

LMAO.


Whaddya mean "even"





Softouch

 

[kendo1]

No
Watched Catwoman for the first time yesterday
No sex in that

 

[Goldie Munro]

Simple answer? NO!

Give me flirting. anticipation, sexual tension - whew!!!!

 

[Softouch911]

Simple answer? NO!

Give me flirting. anticipation, sexual tension - whew!!!!

Yeah, it seems all of us are thinking the same thing. That's why I wondered when I got the comment -- I know lots of folk prefer pure "stroke" whatever that is, and I guess he doesn't distinguish between sex and erotic. I do.




Softouch

 

[DrFreud]

Does writing have to describe someone having sex to be erotic?

I just got this interesting, if semi-literate response to a story. The writer said:

"It's not very erotic because there's not enough sex in it."

(That would certainly be true of my life.)

The sentiment and opinion is fine with me, but I'm curious if anyone else sometimes finds eroticism goes beyond the sluttish thrusting of body parts.




Softouch

I'd say that the person posting the comment doesn't have the same handle on words that authors do. Mainly he was saying there wasn't enough stroke but felt like posting something semi-literate as you said. Just shrug...

Not only is your commenter talking utter arse, the converse is also patently true;

When I read up to that point, I thought the sentence meant either:
a) that conversly Softouch was patently talking utter arse too.
b) that arses could make comments too.

Does it show I'm tired?

DrF

 

[Kassiana]

Does it have to have sex to be erotic?

No. It can help, though.

 

[NoJo]

I'm not going to the states Joe She's coming to Canada.

Martian? No.. Illegal Alien.. they already think that.

Oh yes. I forgot. It's a lot better, surely? Canada's far more civilized, more British.

 

[Softouch911]

Oh yes. I forgot. It's a lot better, surely? Canada's far more civilized, more British.

And this explains what about Tolyk?







Softouch