How do you write this stuff?

[Black13]

I have an awesome idea for a story/fantasy, and I have absolutely no idea how to write it. I've written sexual fantasies out in excruciating detail before, but this one has to be more than that. I want it to be a deep exploration of the psyches of the two people involved. How do you write something that's as disturbing as it is sexual when you're not in the slightest bit French?

 

[Thefamiliar]

Try approaching it from the characters with the sexual parts added in.

When creating characters with a deeper story line sex is not the plot, its an event that happens within the plot.

It would be closer to a romance novel than an erotica novel. Its just the matter of changing the main focus.

Your famtasies are about the sex. The story you wish to write is about the characters.

 

[loquere]

Close your eyes and type!

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

That's so funny

"When you're not the slightest bit French."

You've obviously got enough turn of phrase and social observation skills there to handle the thing! Can't wait to see the results. Like the others said - just go for it.

Also, watch a few youtube clips of the modern French social philosopher Bernard Henri Levy... He has (it is said, not that I would really know having been to only a few 'parties' with these types) VERY VERY active and DEEP partners not to mention anyone's name. And he is happy speaking of same. In context of deep psychology and philosophy.

 

[CarlusMagnus]

"When you're not the slightest bit French."

You've obviously got enough turn of phrase and social observation skills there to handle the thing! Can't wait to see the results. Like the others said - just go for it.

To which I'll add: Take your time. Write. Set it aside for at least a month. Reread. Elaborate. Rewrite. Reread. Trim ruthlessly. Rewrite. Repeat until you're sick and tired of it, and then do it some more.

Writing well ain't for wimps.

 

[DonScorpio]

Adding to Carlus' tip, I'd say don't worry too much about the first draft. There will be rewrites, but only if you actually finish the story. Don't be someone who's always writing but never finishing. It's easy to get caught up in the idea of the story, but when the writing becomes work you need to be able to push to the end.

Not worrying if everything is "just so" the first time around makes the second and third times smoother.

 

[simpletimes]

Best advice is just write it out, let your word or what ever program guide you in error repair. Let your imagination run free and take your time, don't rush your writing. Lit may accept first draft or recommend fixes.
It is actually a fun way to open ones mind.

 

[BonnevilleFlats]

Basically there are two types of stories, novels, movies, etc...: those that are plot driven and those that are character driven. It does not matter what the genre is, all fiction basically comes down to these two categories.

A plot driven story is one where the characters are not necessarily fleshed out. The characters serve the plot. A good example is James Bond. There are many twists and turns in the action but by the end of the movie we really don't know much more about Bond than we did at the beginning. We just know he is debonaire, never raises a sweat and seduces many women. Bond's role is to lead the viewer or reader through the twists and turns of a diabolical plot. How will he thwart their evil plans?

Character driven stories are the ones that usually win National Book Awards, Oscars and the like. Over the course of the story the character -- and by extension, the reader -- learns something about him or herself. The plot functions to serve the character development. A good example of a character driven drama is The Graduate. In the end, Mrs. Robinson is revealed to be a bitter, controlling woman. Benjamin realizes that by following everyone else's goals and expectations he has fallen into a depressing rut. Mrs. Robinson and Benjamin's hot sex cools off and both realize they are just using the affair as a salve for their loneliness and depression. Unless he does something about it both he and Elaine Robinson will repeat their parent's empty lives.

On this site there are great examples of both approaches. Decide what type of story you wish to write, read the better examples of each, write everyday and develop your craft.

 

[eastsidegent]

I agree. I write the sex parts last, and I find the sexual scenes the easiest of all things to write. Make me like, or care, about your characters and the sex becomes 10X hotter

 

[Black13]

Thanks guys! I haven't been on lit in a while, but I appreciate the pointers. This is definitely a more character-driven one. The plot twists only to open up an aspect of the characters that wouldn't otherwise be demonstrated. Basically, it's about a guy who tackles his mid-life crisis by having sex with his shrink and her male acquaintance but it turns out that she's twisting his mind cause she gets off on watching people destroy themselves.

 

[BonnevilleFlats]

The story sounds interesting. The Freudian dynamics of transference and counter transference are definately there.

Sometimes the choice of the point of view is what makes a good story a great story. Will it be told from the pov of the man, the shrink or the male acquantance. Perhaps it could be done in three parts with each person narrorating part of the story.

 

[PayDay]

Thanks guys! I haven't been on lit in a while, but I appreciate the pointers. This is definitely a more character-driven one. The plot twists only to open up an aspect of the characters that wouldn't otherwise be demonstrated. Basically, it's about a guy who tackles his mid-life crisis by having sex with his shrink and her male acquaintance but it turns out that she's twisting his mind cause she gets off on watching people destroy themselves.

Ok, ignore the 'two types of stories' bubkiss, but otherwise, sound advice.

Here's the deal: You can write what a character thinks, but if your reader does not think the same way as said character, you are going to lose them.

You have to illustrate motivation. A reader will feel for a character if they understand the choices that character makes in relation to the plot as a whole. This includes a character they do not like (jerkoffs/bitches/douchebags) or a character they are not supposed to like (bad guys/girls/hermaphros/whatever).

Using the above idea, you can lose things like backstory, conversation, and explainations, allowing the reader to make up their own mind.

Invest primarily in foreshadows and a killer ending since you're already choosing plot twists. That French joke shows you'll be fine, just remember that the reader does not, for sure, know what you know, unless you tell them.

 

[bumblegrum]

If you want a good example of how the best erotica is written, try "Laura's Vineyard" by ronde. You'll find it in the Mature category; it's been up for a good long time and has a rating of 4.83. IMHO, it's one of the best stories on Lit; the erotica is there, but the story is so much more than that. A great read.

 

[littlebirdstory]

Figure out what perspective you would like to write in and what would lend itself best to your story. From what I see you are trying to accomplish I would recommend a little exercise. It may involve a little more writing but try writing the whole thing from one of the character's perspective and then start from the beginning in another character. When you have both toy around with which side you would like to tell and when. Both from first person perspective.