Erotica versus Porn?

[RuzieD]

After reading several things online, including this website, about Erotica writing, there seems to be a distinction between "porn" and "erotica."

I have my own ideas of what makes a difference between an Erotic Story and a Porn story. I am curious as to what people think the difference is though.

What is a good example of a "porn" story on Lit Erotica and a good example of "erotica" story on lit erotica?

 

[LaRascasse]

Porn is "oooh fuck me with your lightyear long cock" (Slight exaggeration)

Erotica is when you know more about the people fucking than their measurements and the sex is happening for a reason.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

EROTICA v PORN is LITs version of McRib sandwich.

"Ancient Greek distinguished four ways of love: erao "to be in love with, to desire passionately or sexually;" phileo "have affection for;" agapao "have regard for, be contented with;" and stergo, used especially of the love of parents and children or a ruler and his subjects."

The exact meaning of EROTICA is 'a book catalog category.'

 

[Bramblethorn]

After reading several things online, including this website, about Erotica writing, there seems to be a distinction between "porn" and "erotica."

I have my own ideas of what makes a difference between an Erotic Story and a Porn story. I am curious as to what people think the difference is though.

What is a good example of a "porn" story on Lit Erotica and a good example of "erotica" story on lit erotica?

As a very loose definition, erotica is porn that's not just about getting the reader off.

 

[oggbashan]

The difference is in the mind of the reader.

If they like it, it's erotica.

If they dislike it, it's porn.

 

[damppanties]

The difference is in the mind of the reader.

If they like it, it's erotica.

If they dislike it, it's porn.

But I like my porn well enough!

 

[DG Hear]

The difference is in the mind of the reader.

If they like it, it's erotica.

If they dislike it, it's porn.

I agree: If you're reading it, it's erotica.
If your wife catches you reading it, she considers it porn.

 

[drunkenphilosophy]

Maybe it's just me, but if it starts off rattling physical descriptions like it's a bimbo mugshot (34GG breasts with teeny tiny waist and spankable bubble ass, nipples the size of gummy bears or what not), then it's porn. Usually accompanied by surreal conversations with a lot of exclamation marks.

Erotica...erotica is just a fantasy on paper.

 

[R. Richard]

Plot, or the lack of.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Maybe it's just me, but if it starts off rattling physical descriptions like it's a bimbo mugshot (34GG breasts with teeny tiny waist and spankable bubble ass, nipples the size of gummy bears or what not), then it's porn. Usually accompanied by surreal conversations with a lot of exclamation marks.

Erotica...erotica is just a fantasy on paper.

No, son, erotica is a book category.

 

[drunkenphilosophy]

No, son, erotica is a book category.

Aren't you the Lord of Ladders of Abstraction? Oh wait, just a garden variety troll. Shoo now.

 

[drunkenphilosophy]

I think my final sentence could use some explaining - erotica isn't just a literary depiction of sex and the script that goes with it. It engages the reader's fantasies, defines and emotes the act itself. It's sensual, it's angry, it's loving, it's scary. It's the kind of sex you never even knew you wanted to have.

 

[Handley_Page]

To my mind, Erotica is a sexy story where the reader fills in the blanks; Porn is where the sex is (usually) over-done and in hideous detail.

 

[sr71plt]

If you're being tuned in to the emotions, I consider it erotica; if you're getting just the mechanicals, I consider it porn. Each has its purposes in what you're looking for at the time.

 

[RuzieD]

Yeah. I guess I've read a bunch of professional and semi- professional published erotica/porn over the last few months. I figure both have their place.

I like to tell a good story. People seem to love to get the pornish stuff straight to their kindles though.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

BUTTERFIELD 8 and some of John O'Hara's short stories are erotica.

 

[loquere]

wrong place sorry

wrong place

 

[SecondCircle]

If you're being tuned in to the emotions, I consider it erotica; if you're getting just the mechanicals, I consider it porn. Each has its purposes in what you're looking for at the time.

This. Simply watching or reading straightforward sexual acts, while they can arouse the hell out of you, doesn't reach deep enough into you. Doesn't tap into your emotions.

Porn is sorta like instant Mac-n-Cheese. Its pretty fucking awesome, but add the home cooking and TLC from a proper cook, and it becomes a dish worthy of a king. This, I think, is erotica.

 

[RoyceConnors]

My take on it is, Erotica talks of everything but the act of sex and porn talks of the act and not much else. Leaving the details out is erotic, as the reader has to imagine the act. Porn is just instant gratification. IMHO.

 

[RuzieD]

Okay...

So based on my stories, am I writing mostly porn or mostly Erotica?

I'm still a relatively new writer here. n So please help

 

[PennLady]

Okay...

So based on my stories, am I writing mostly porn or mostly Erotica?

I'm still a relatively new writer here. n So please help

I haven't read your stories, but have to ask -- does it matter? If you like what you are writing, keep writing it. If not, try to examine it and think what you'd like more or less of. There's no correct recipe here.

 

[SecondCircle]

Okay...

So based on my stories, am I writing mostly porn or mostly Erotica?

I'm still a relatively new writer here. n So please help

It could be considered both I guess. I mean, for anyone, not just you.

I think if you read back over your stories, then go watch your basic porn, gauge the way each made you feel. If it feels the same, it's probably porn. But it could feel a little fresh or different, like you've dug deeper. That's erotica.

Either way, you are writing stories.

 

[sr71plt]

My take on it is, Erotica talks of everything but the act of sex and porn talks of the act and not much else. Leaving the details out is erotic, as the reader has to imagine the act. Porn is just instant gratification. IMHO.

I don't believe that erotica excludes the sex act. It just requires more showing of the emotions than the simple mechanics of the sex act.

 

[Noor]

For me erotica can be interesting, porn is almost always dull.

Erotica is sensual while porn is visual and mechanical.

 

[RuzieD]

I haven't read your stories, but have to ask -- does it matter? If you like what you are writing, keep writing it. If not, try to examine it and think what you'd like more or less of. There's no correct recipe here.

It sort of does if I hope to submit anything to a magazine or publication some day.

It is not about being correct, but really trying to figure out how what I write is perceived by others.

It also seems that "porn" and "erotica" is about a subjective reaction than what a writer intends.