Explicit language vs tab A into slot B

[AG31]

I'm wondering how to describe the difference between "tab A into slot B" writing and "explicit" writing which happens not to be "tab A into slot B." The two word clouds below give a clue, but I'm unable to put what I'm seeing into words. They're both based on stories that I call "simple erotica," and which many might call "stroker stories." That is, "-all heat, nothing included that doesn't serve the sexual heat." (thanks to @KeithD)

The first is described by its author as "blatant in its use of slot A tab B language." The author of the second, very explicit story, agrees with that, but thinks the second is not tab A into slot B.

Can you articulate the difference? If you agree that there's a difference?

 

[samhasstories]

I'm not sure I'm following the difference, or what the word clouds represent. But "tab A into slot B" suggests to me less a level of explicitness than unimaginative/non-descriptive language. I wouldn't worry too much about specific words. It's more about how you combine words to evoke images/feelings/erections/etc. than a list of good words vs. bad ones. I use a lot of the words shown in the first cloud, but I would take issue with calling my writing "tab A into slot B." I try to use those words to construct good sentences (better than this one, ideally).

 

[ronde]

I'm wondering how to describe the difference between "tab A into slot B" writing and "explicit" writing which happens not to be "tab A into slot B." The two word clouds below give a clue, but I'm unable to put what I'm seeing into words. They're both based on stories that I call "simple erotica," and which many might call "stroker stories." That is, "-all heat, nothing included that doesn't serve the sexual heat." (thanks to @KeithD)

The first is described by its author as "blatant in its use of slot A tab B language." The author of the second, very explicit story, agrees with that, but thinks the second is not tab A into slot B.

Can you articulate the difference? If you agree that there's a difference?

I'm also not sure of the answer for which you're looking.

What I can say is that any noun, verb, adjective, or adverb is just a string of letters that represent a mental picture or, and that those ideas are interpreted in the context of the other words that surround them to make up a statement. It really doesn't matter what the word is so much as the context in which it's used. For instance, in the first word cloud you have the word "pussy". Is that a cat, the appearance of an infected wound, an effeminate man, or the female genitalia? All are accepted definitions of the word "pussy", but the meaning depends upon the context in which used.

I think the real difference between the types of writing you describe has more to do with the type of story and the personality and voice or thoughts of the speaker than the words used. Any speaker in a story about early England might say "cunt" because it was in common use then as a less clinical description of a woman's genitalia. A little later, "pussy" was used by a man as a term of endearment for a woman. In today's world, not many women would talk about their cunt, but they might refer to a particularly disagreeable man or a woman as a cunt. Women used the word "prick" in the same manner then, but today, a "prick" can be a penis, or a less than likeable man.

 

[Djmac1031]

When I think "Tab A into Slot B," I think of a passage featuring a basic breakdown of typical sex acts but without much passion or emotion behind it.

"She went down on him and sucked his cock, then he ate her pussy til she came, then bent her over and fucked her doggie style."

Basically a checklist.

When I think "Explicit language," I think of the author going for the crudest or most shocking or exaggerated words he / she can come up with.

Nothing wrong with either, per say. But both can kill a story if misused or overused.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I recently posted in another thread that I have heard agents and publishers describe erotic writing as either "graphic" or "speculative".

While I can, and have written both, I prefer the challenge of writing speculative erotica because IMO, it empowers the readers' imaginations more than graphic erotica does. The following is as "explicit" as I typically get in my novels:

JR was about to respond that it had only been a couple of hours when she lowered quickly, fully wrapping him in her tight sleeve. He closed his eyes, arched forward, and stifled a moan as pleasure surged through his body. When Rockie was fully seated, JR opened his eyes to her lustful expression. She watched his face, and JR hers, as she began to move her hips. The pleasure was intense, he had never known such complete and total desire.

JR reached up, pushing her hair behind her neck, and pulled her lips back to his. They fit so well together. They shared the same air as she shifted to grinding her pelvis into his. Their eyes were only inches away from each other. The heavenly sensations began to build, their breathing becoming stronger.

"Wait for me," Rockie said.

 

[Altissimus]

fully wrapping him in her tight sleeve

Very nice of her, especially given how cold it is at the moment.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

When I think "Tab A into Slot B," I think of a passage featuring a basic breakdown of typical sex acts but without much passion or emotion behind it.

"She went down on him and sucked his cock, then he ate her pussy til she came, then bent her over and fucked her doggie style."

Basically a checklist.

When I think "Explicit language," I think of the author going for the crudest or most shocking or exaggerated words he / she can come up with.

Nothing wrong with either, per say. But both can kill a story if misused or overused.

I agree that your "checklist" example is what I would consider "Tab A Into Slot B" writing. I recall several years ago an author in the Hangout asking why his "true" orgy story didn't do well. He claimed that he typically wrote thousands of words a day as part of his job and that he was considered a good writer, professionally. I read it. The story, while technically and grammatically flawless, lacked any kind of "heat". It read like an after-action report. He could have opened it with "The following is a true account of the events in the order in which they transpired." Blah. So yeah, the checklist example above is that kind of writing.

I think there are possibilities beyond "crudest or most shocking or exaggerated", however. Language can be used to make the scene emotional or passionate or titillating or dangerous or fresh. It all comes down to word choice.

Looking at the word clouds above, in the bottom cloud I see lots of nouns that are almost clinical. Erection. Thighs. Fingers. Buttocks. Penis.

In the top word cloud I see more adjectives. Sweet. Wide. Hot. Deep. I also see Djmac1031's "crude" language. Fuck. Cock. Pussy. Cunt. And there are words that evoke emotion. Moans. Oh. Yes. Heart.

So to articulate the difference between the two word clouds, I would say the bottom describes the act of sex technically, while the upper describes it viscerally or emotionally.

 

[AG31]

When I think "Explicit language," I think of the author going for the crudest or most shocking or exaggerated words he / she can come up with.

Huh, interesting. For me "explicit" doesn't have those connotations. It just means clearly describing whatever is going on, not necessarily (or at all) in shocking or exaggerated terms.

What do the rest of you think?

 

[OverconfidentSarcasm]

Huh, interesting. For me "explicit" doesn't have those connotations. It just means clearly describing whatever is going on, not necessarily (or at all) in shocking or exaggerated terms.

What do the rest of you think?

Really? Ever seen a warning about explicit language on the back of a DVD case? Or in front of a song on Spotify?
It doesn't warn you about sexual content. It warns you about... well.... explicit language. Like the F-Word.

 

[Altissimus]

Huh, interesting. For me "explicit" doesn't have those connotations. It just means clearly describing whatever is going on, not necessarily (or at all) in shocking or exaggerated terms.

What do the rest of you think?

I guess for me, 'explicit' means visceral, emotional, raw, intense; 'tab A into slot B' means clinical, dry (ouch), unemotive, cold, detached, sterile.

I like how @LoquiSordidaAdMe put it.

 

[AG31]

Really? Ever seen a warning about explicit language on the back of a DVD case? Or in front of a song on Spotify?
It doesn't warn you about sexual content. It warns you about... well.... explicit language. Like the F-Word.

I think it is exactly warning you about sexual content that is described directly, not by implication.

 

[SimonDoom]

The best thing I've read in this forum about writing a sex scene is to think of it as a conversation. I think it was Bramblethorn who said that, but others have probably said something similar.

In a conversation, two people (or maybe more) come together. They both have something to say. They both have something to listen to and to learn. There's a starting point and a destination.

If you think of it that way, everything else will fall into place. You can have a down and dirty conversation/sex scene. You can have a gentle and romantic conversation/sex scene. The words will work depending upon how attuned they are to the kind of conversation it is.

 

[AchtungNight]

You’ve dissed my writing as “tab an into slot b”, AG31. Looking over my stories… sorry, but it’s never been different. Unless you count the joke metaphorical stuff about a certain character’s interests in some of the older fanfics like an Aussie chick diving into pussy like it were an opal mine or a character into alternative religions enjoying sapphic triangles. Might want to actually tell us what gets you hot. I’ll try to accommodate again, I know I’ve pleased you before. I like to describe clinical sex and let the readers get more imaginative if they are interested. Oh well. Can’t please everyone.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I think it is exactly warning you about sexual content that is described directly, not by implication.

But more often than not, the stickered warnings @OverconfidentSarcasm mentioned aren't for any actual description of sex. They're for lines like "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me".

"Explicit" did carry that meaning of a direct description, but the modern usage has drifted from that. In particular, calling somebody a "motherfucker" is almost never a literal accusation of Oedipal incest, but it's very likely to get an "explicit language" warning.

You’ve dissed my writing as “tab an into slot b”, AG31. Looking over my stories… sorry, but it’s never been different. Unless you count the joke metaphorical stuff about a certain character’s interests in some of the older fanfics like an Aussie chick diving into pussy like it were an opal mine or a character into alternative religions enjoying sapphic triangles. Might want to actually tell us what gets you hot.

She already did: https://forum.literotica.com/threads/making-a-case-for-the-use-of-the-term-pure-erotica.1598463/

 

[AchtungNight]

But more often than not, the stickered warnings @OverconfidentSarcasm mentioned aren't for any actual description of sex. They're for lines like "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me".

"Explicit" did carry that meaning of a direct description, but the modern usage has drifted from that. In particular, calling somebody a "motherfucker" is almost never a literal accusation of Oedipal incest, but it's very likely to get an "explicit language" warning.



She already did: https://forum.literotica.com/threads/making-a-case-for-the-use-of-the-term-pure-erotica.1598463/

Right, bad memory. Thx.

 

[AG31]

You’ve dissed my writing as “tab a into slot b”, AG31. Looking over my stories… sorry, but it’s never been different. Unless you count the joke metaphorical stuff about a certain character’s interests in some of the older fanfics like an Aussie chick diving into pussy like it were an opal mine or a character into alternative religions enjoying sapphic triangles. Might want to actually tell us what gets you hot. I’ll try to accommodate again, I know I’ve pleased you before. I like to describe clinical sex and let the readers get more imaginative if they are interested. Oh well. Can’t please everyone.

Could you remind me which story? I'll revisit and elaborate. I like a lot of "tab a into slot b" stories, but I might not call them by that name.

I think I stay away from your stories mostly because they are too far away from what I'm now calling "simple erotica." That is they aren't "-all heat, nothing included that doesn't serve the sexual heat." (@KeithD). Instead, if I'm remembering correctly, they're loaded with plot and character. But I will get back to you if you remind me of which story.

 

[AchtungNight]

Could you remind me which story? I'll revisit and elaborate. I like a lot of "tab a into slot b" stories, but I might not call them by that name.

I think I stay away from your stories mostly because they are too far away from what I'm now calling "simple erotica." That is they aren't "-all heat, nothing included that doesn't serve the sexual heat." (@KeithD). Instead, if I'm remembering correctly, they're loaded with plot and character. But I will get back to you if you remind me of which story.

It’s alright. I prefer plot and character over simple erotica and I don’t remember the story either. You read what you want, I have other fans.

 

[Mr_Neb]

Great question. By far the majority of the stories here are as you described. Very mechanical. It is all about the "WHAT" happened. Tab A into Slot B. I think that the first reaction of a writer that wants to avoid that is to avoid the graphic. Turn it into softporn and avoid the graphic detail. I know I though that at one point.

I think the best way around that is to not downplay the graphic events in the story but to heighten the sexiness, the erotic nature of the story. Get into WHY it happened. Build up the tension, suspense, and arousal in your characters before they get into tab and slot games and that will built the excitement in the reader. Include how they are FEELING about said insertion process. How it feels to have their respective tabs and slots inserted. Add the TOUCH sensation of the processes. Include what is going through their minds throughout the whole process. Was this expected or a surprise? A new experience or something familiar.

Don't leave out the other senses either. What do your characters say to each other before, during, and after all this slot and tab business. As we know. repeated insertions can (if done properly ) generate glorious sounds. If tabs and slots are being pleased orally, that's a great time to dwell on smell and taste.

 

[AG31]

Great question. By far the majority of the stories here are as you described. Very mechanical. It is all about the "WHAT" happened. Tab A into Slot B. I think that the first reaction of a writer that wants to avoid that is to avoid the graphic. Turn it into softporn and avoid the graphic detail. I know I though that at one point.

I think the best way around that is to not downplay the graphic events in the story but to heighten the sexiness, the erotic nature of the story. Get into WHY it happened. Build up the tension, suspense, and arousal in your characters before they get into tab and slot games and that will built the excitement in the reader. Include how they are FEELING about said insertion process. How it feels to have their respective tabs and slots inserted. Add the TOUCH sensation of the processes. Include what is going through their minds throughout the whole process. Was this expected or a surprise? A new experience or something familiar.

Don't leave out the other senses either. What do your characters say to each other before, during, and after all this slot and tab business. As we know. repeated insertions can (if done properly ) generate glorious sounds. If tabs and slots are being pleased orally, that's a great time to dwell on smell and taste.

Thanks! Especially for this:

I think that the first reaction of a writer that wants to avoid that is to avoid the graphic. Turn it into softporn and avoid the graphic detail.

I do think your suggestions for keeping the graphic while avoiding the mechanical are spot on.