Erotic cliches

[Whispersecret]

Maybe it's just me, but so many stories seem alike here. Some settings and plots have been so over used that they've become cliche.

Here are some of the most obvious examples:

One character gets caught doing something naughty (usually masturbating or looking at porn in one of its many guises.) The other character threatens to expose them unless they (fill in the blank.)

A burglar has sex with his victim.

A cop mis-uses his power and fucks a woman that he pulled over.

A daughter lusts for her father and gives herself to him as a birthday present.

Got any others that you're tired of seeing?

 

[wildsweetone]

hmmm

to put a spanner in the works...

how about turning it around Whispersecret...?

how about suggestions for ideas which are different? yes i realise there is a story idea forum, sorry if i'm stepping on toes, but how about a little positive encouragement rather than negative leanings?

you know of course that i mean the above in the nicest way... no nasty intent.

you see i have this problem *she says, reclining back on the couch*... it begins when i read a sentence like 'A burglar has sex with his victim.'...

i find it reeeally hard to think up anything different when my brain begins twirling with thoughts and story ideas on what i've just read eh.

so, how about some ideas to toss around in here instead?

...was just a thought...

 

[Callia]

It's not so much what you say, but how you say it.

 

[its Leslie]

I think a lot of cliche stories could be amusing again if they were written in a significantly different style.

So much erotica is based on real people having real sex (well you know what I mean, the people are all actual human beings doing it in the predictably manner).

Perhaps, it would be more fun to try a story with comedy splashed all over it.

Or maybe write the exact same material, but make it from a cartoon characters perspective ie Petunia Pig gets pulled over by officer Elmer Fud.

 

[Chicklet]

Cliches...

The problem is that these really *are* so many people's fantasies.

I never read much erotica, and when I started writing it, it surprised me how many stories I wrote that had ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN. I'd never read a student/teacher story before, but suddenly I had one that even had the same TITLE *and* same character names as another story...

just something to think about.

Chicklet

 

[kristydoll]

I have to agree that there are too many stories that end up just being the same over and over again. I also tend to believe that this could, in part, be because they are very popular "fantasies".

The easiest remedy of this, is not necessarily go off into something totally original (though good if you can do it), but by adding a "twist" to the original format. This twist does not need to be a drastic change, sometimes just a small turn works great.

I did use this approach in my last story here (Tell Me About Your Wife) and although that was not the focus of that story, I did get favorable feedback for doing so. What could have been just another "bar pick-up story" took a turn in a new direction (which I may pursue in the future).

kristy

 

[ronde]

I think it's not so much the cliche storylines that become commonplace. It's the way in which the story is told that is too often the same.

If I may borrow one of your examples:

"The burglar has sex with his victim"

If the burglar simply breaks into the house, surprises the victim, and forces/coerces her into having sex with him, this story becomes very like many others. This storyline can be written into many different stories with a much different flavor.

Put the woman on a ship bound for somewhere and make the burglar a pirate.

Put the woman in a prison, and make the burglar another female inmate.

Put the man on a space station at the edge of the Rhytrine galaxy, and make the burglar a furred female from the planet Xrathros.

I grew up with western movies, and have seen the same storyline played out in several different westerns and a couple of trucker movies. They were then dressed up in space suits and became part of Star Trek and Babylon 5. It's not the storyline - it's how you tell the story.

 

[Callia]

That's the point I was also trying to make, ronde. But I don't think it's enough to dress the characters up in different costumes or change the location. It's the style of the language used to tell the story that makes the difference. In the final analysis, it's all been said for centuries now. The ancient Greeks said it all 2500 years ago: heterosexual and homosexual love, lust, rape, incest, group sex, you name it!

In any story, be it erotica or not, I like to see to see original turns of phrases, little details that you notice but have never thought to write, metaphors that make you see things with new eyes. I know I still need to do major weeding to get cliches out of my writing, but I get a real thrill when I read a story that doesn't rely on them, even if it's the commonest girl-meets-boy scenario.

Callia

 

[TheWriter]

I think I put a slight twist on a common theme by writing a rape story in which the woman being raped doesn't enjoy it.

Problem is, I don't get a lot of feedback and I also don't really have to patience to read a whole lot of stories here, so I don't know if it was a twist or if it has been done before.

I think the most valid point made so far is that these are common fantasies, and the only way to make them original is to try writing them a different way. Make them your version of that fantasy.

 

[Weird Harold]

In the final analysis, it's all been said for centuries now. The ancient Greeks said it all 2500 years ago: heterosexual and homosexual love, lust, rape, incest, group sex, you name it!

I don't recall any stories about joining the Mile High Club from the ancient greeks, but I might hav missed one. Technology does offer some new situations and stories -- Sex in micro-gravity, Free-fall skydiving hijinks, etc, -- but the basic premise that, "there are no new stories," is still essentially true.

I don't so much mind cliche stories as I do cardboard or plastic characters. Any hackneyed old plot will do if the characters are drawn well enough that I can care about how them as they participate in a cliche situation.

 

[Sabledrake]

I don't recall any stories about joining the Mile High Club from the ancient greeks, but I might hav missed one.

That's because Icarus and Phaeton didn't have girlfriends

Sabledrake

 

[Rainbow Skin]

I also think changing the setting isn't enough. You would still have space operas with dominant/submissive clichés, or 12-inch tentacles, or cops and robbers in pirate costume.

When I began writing I was so excited at the forbidden erotic power in incest, or lesbianism. The fact that they were doing it was the buzz. Then I filled out the plot with believable characters because I like believable characters, not Baywatch monsters.

But now when I revolve new ideas, it's not A licks clitoris of B that turns me on, and gets me generating possibilities, it's the impress of panties leaving corrugations in soft pale flesh, it's a brightening of the smile with a slow turning of the head, a quick touch of a hand on the other's thick sleeve, -- this builds up someone real; and to think of that real person getting charged up by subtle erotic contact is the ideal I'm aiming for.

Even if it's not sisters 69'ing, even if it's plain ol' boy meets girl, boy inserts nasty bits in girl, you can make them individuals.

 

[Callia]

That's because Icarus and Phaeton didn't have girlfriends

Touche Sabledrake!

I think there might be a story there! I mean, why was it that Icarus flew too close to the sun? Think maybe he was distracted by a certain air-borne nymph?

Callia

 

[Callia]

it's the impress of panties leaving corrugations in soft pale flesh, it's a brightening of the smile with a slow turning of the head, a quick touch of a hand on the other's thick sleeve, -- this builds up someone real; and to think of that real person getting charged up by subtle erotic contact is the ideal I'm aiming for.

And you achieve this very nicely in your stories, Rainbow!

Callia

 

[Weird Harold]

That's because Icarus and Phaeton didn't have girlfriends

Sabledrake

But there are no well known stories about the kinky goings-on in Apollo's fiery chariot either, and he had LOTs of girlfriends.

Of course, since the ancient greeks didn't use "miles" to measure things, there wouldn't have been a "Mile High" club anyway. I wonder what they would have called their equivalent -- if hey had one.

 

[Callia]

Probably The Ourania Club! (ourania= Greek for heavens)

Callia

 

[Pure]

I agree with some of the points made about plot. I think WS's point should include more than plot. Here are two plots that never die. 1) Boy meets girl. Though there are 'bumps' on the road, they 'get it on.' Or 2) through a fatal misunderstanding, they are forever parted after having just tasted of love and rapture. Aren't those cliches?

Of course there are technological 'wrinkles' How about a misunderstanding involving email. Some that doesn't get through, or an attachment that didn't attach? Defects on harddrive corrupt a text at a key passage, and one doesn't see that the other really loves.


It's really the telling, imo, that's interesting. Character, as stated, makes a lot of difference, though not all stories are 'character' driven.

The most off-putting cliches are in the wording, the style. Lush, ripe with over-ripe(i.e. putrid) adjectives of a thousand other porn stories, the rock hard cock, sopping wet pussy etc.

 

[Callia]

Amen, Pure!

 

[Sabledrake]

Callia > Ourania Club, I like it!

That'd be a fun story, Apollo taking some women he was trying to impress for a ride. Those horses were supposedly pretty hard to control ... I could just see Apollo making up the whole Phaeton story as a lie because it was really _him_ up there, distracted.

"Um ... it was ... my son! Yeah! I promised him anything and he wanted to drive the chariot. Tried to talk him out of it but you know how it is when you swear by the River Styx. His name? His name ... his name is ... Phaeton! Yeah. Phaeton. Blond kid, about yea high. A shame Zeus had to zap him with that thunderbolt. What? Blackened patch on my what? Oh ... that's nothing ... I, um, backed into the blazing chariot wheel of the sun."

Sabledrake

 

[Callia]

"You thought it was me? Gallavanting with those muses again? Oh no! How could all nine of them fit into this dinky little chariot anyway? You saw Thalia? Oh yeah, well she and I did fool around some and those Corybantes kids of ours are a reall wild bunch, dancing around like they're high on ecstacy or something, but er...no, it wasn't me up there, I tell ya. It was that Phaeton kid!"


I like it! I like it!

Callia

 

[Whispersecret]

Re: hmmm

to put a spanner in the works...

how about turning it around Whispersecret...?

how about suggestions for ideas which are different? yes i realise there is a story idea forum, sorry if i'm stepping on toes, but how about a little positive encouragement rather than negative leanings?

you know of course that i mean the above in the nicest way... no nasty intent.

you see i have this problem *she says, reclining back on the couch*... it begins when i read a sentence like 'A burglar has sex with his victim.'...

i find it reeeally hard to think up anything different when my brain begins twirling with thoughts and story ideas on what i've just read eh.

so, how about some ideas to toss around in here instead?

...was just a thought...

I wasn't trying to be negative, and forgive me if I splattered any of you with my judgmental paint-ball. I was thinking about writing an essay for lit writers in which I list some story ideas that have been done ad nauseum. But, on second thought, I think that the people who would need to read it are the people who will write their story without looking at the Writer's Resources area.

Gosh, wso, I'm sorry. I remember what that was like in school. The teacher would give her example, and all I would be able to think about was her example. Somehow since then I've developed the ability to jump outside the box. Sorry if I stifled your creativity.

 

[Weird Harold]

"You thought it was me? Gallavanting with those muses again? Oh no! How could all nine of them fit into this dinky little chariot anyway? You saw Thalia? ...

Sounds like a movie script written with Bill Clinton in mind for the part of Apollo, what with all the denials and quibbling going on.

 

[Whispersecret]

And the rest of yous guys! Of course, you're all right. My boredom has more to do with the writing styles, combined with common plotlines, than it does with the plotlines themselves.

I read a lot of romance, and one plotline that occurs OFTEN in medieval romances is the lady of the castle is alone and unmarried. The king gives the castle, etc. to some unwanted warrior knight/noble/whatever. She abhors that idea. Instant conflict. I've seen it done so many times, I'm sick of it. And yet, sometimes someone can do it and I'll enjoy it. It's all about style and plain old good storytelling.

And the point about them being people's fantasies? Of course. My first story was based loosely on a long-time fantasy. Isn't that the reason we see so many stories where the title is something like, "Lisa Licks the Teacher," and the author is Lickable Lisa?

I think the suggestion about putting a different spin on the reliable plotlines is a good one. Changing the setting can work. Writing about unique characters is always good. It's getting your brain to think along a different pathway--that's the trick, isn't it!

Still, some people do that--put a twist in--and it's the same twist that fifty other people put on it. (Oh! THe burglar is really the HUSBAND, who was only pretending because it's always been his wife's fantasy to be overpowered by a criminal.)

LOL. I guess it just goes to show you, to write something unique, besides having talent and creativity, you also have to read what's been done. Know your market, eh?

 

[wildsweetone]

Re: Re: hmmm

I wasn't trying to be negative, and forgive me if I splattered any of you with my judgmental paint-ball. I was thinking about writing an essay for lit writers in which I list some story ideas that have been done ad nauseum. But, on second thought, I think that the people who would need to read it are the people who will write their story without looking at the Writer's Resources area.

Gosh, wso, I'm sorry. I remember what that was like in school. The teacher would give her example, and all I would be able to think about was her example. Somehow since then I've developed the ability to jump outside the box. Sorry if I stifled your creativity.

Whispersecret,

No offense taken or meant dear

Actually, I think your essay is a great idea.

I think as writers we all move through phases in varying degrees.

Firstly, we feel the need to write out our fantasy;
secondly, variations;
thirdly, we branch out a little, we write something we don't know about;
fourthly, we move on and write non-erotic (maybe).

Your essay might not be read by new writers, however those of us who have written several stories won't come to any harm by being reminded of what we've already done. perhaps it's worth thinking about writing a second essay with regards to grabbing new ideas and running with them...

As for being unable to dream up new ideas... I apologise but to tell the truth, I'm smothered in story ideas. I have so much to write that at times i can't see the woods for the trees. Every way I turn, ideas just seem to fling themselves at me.

For example, i'm still thinking about the 'Burgler has sex with his victim'... You wouldn't believe the stuff swimming round in my head eh. (I so wish I hadn't looked twice at that lol)

Your comment 'Read what's been done' is an extremely pertinent one. That is the key to avoid writing the cliche storylines. Once you've read what another author has written, there is NO point to writing the same story.

Having said all that lot, aren't there 'x' amount of plots it's possible to write? There's only so many different ways one can have sex, right?

It's a great thread Whispersecret, thanks for starting it

 

[Star of Penumbra]

There are very few original ideas left. Even though I do my damnedest to keep my writing original, there are still stories out there that are similar.

As such, I've more or less given up on ever writing something entirely original. Instead, I've worked on refining my writing style to be uniquely my own. I'm sure somebody else out there has a similar style, but if they do, I haven't heard about it.

Don't get hung up on using or avoiding a cliche', because EVERYTHING is a cliche' anymore. Just write it your way, and try to get your own style to be more prominent than the actual plot.

Trust me; when you quit caring so much aobut using an old idea and focus on writing it in a new way, you'll be a lot more satisfied with your work. At least, that's what works for me.