I have a bit of a dilemma.

[BlinkenLights93]

I started my writing journey on Literotica a long time ago, but I've become increasingly more burned out with writing erotica, which my stories have never been completely about but they have always included erotic scenes. I am now at the point where I do not want to write erotic scenes unless I feel inspired to do so, but the stories I have wrote and the universe I'm building I really want to see through to its completion. I do not want to write erotic scenes just because it's expected of me.

I have grand plans for the material I'm writing, but I at this point do not want to include erotic scenes in anything unless I really feel it calls for it. Maybe I made a mistake as a horny teenager, making erotic stories so long ago. The truth be told, I just want to write supernatural horror stories with interconnected plotlines. Would that be allowed on this site, or should I edit all of my material on Literotica and release it somewhere else?

I have only created a first act for my story. There are 2 more major crossovers and about 8 more separate stories to be told and I shudder at the thought of including erotic scenes in every single one.

What are your thoughts? Should I release them without erotic scenes, should I take them somewhere else or should I force myself to write the scenes when I really don't think they have a place in the coming stories I plan on telling?

 

[AwkwardlySet]

There are categories that tolerate the absence of sex and erotic scenes. Non-erotic is one, obviously, but I think you can also do well in SciFi/Fantasy if your story fits it, or even Novels and Novellas, as long as you mention in the foreword that your story doesn't contain any sex. I am not sure about other categories.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

There's an entire Non-erotic category here. But from my experience low-erotic work isn't particularly shunned, I've gone nearly eight chapters (60K words or there about), before I put anything with a true erotica edge into a series classed in the supernatural horror genre... as long as your readers are invested in the plot and know what to expect of your work you shouldn't have any issues. I don't think forcing erotica just because this is an erotica publishing website is a good idea, you'll probably burn out quick if you're making yourself write something you don't really want to write... and honestly there isn't anything that says every story must contain sex.

My advice is write what works best for you and what you're comfortable with, be open in the fact that your stories/chapters don't contain erotica in a forward or author's note should someone be looking for that specifically, or venture out into Non-erotic or the Novels and Novellas categories. I'm sure your audience will find you.

 

[Euphony]

Fictional sex is like real world sex, it can feel perfunctory if those doing it aren't into it. If your drive for that (small portion of the whole) part of a narrative ain't there, best to not force it. *muse chemistry* is a thing.

It's been said in all manner of ways from the supportive ("Write what you are inspired to write, not for the readers") to the defiant ("Fu*k them readin' assholes. I'M THE CAPTAIN NOW.") so reshape the sentiment to however best you will receive it: Write for yourself.

The work suffers when you don't (and it can be tricky b/c your full authoral capabilities aren't known to the readers and only so much to even yourself) and THAT is the great loss, not some votes or comments but you soaking up rare free time serving outside masters when you could be pushing yourself, your craft, or even just your understanding of writing self, forward.

Rarely is it best practice to be beholden to anything: a readership, an idea, a universe you've created, work you've already done (sunk cost fallacy,) etc.

If, on final balance, it ain't fun, whatever writerly it is, don't futz with it.

Time is life and so a finite resource.

Spend yours enriching yourself however works best for you.

AH is well meaning and offers up plenty of experiences on what has worked for others but best to fold in those ideas into your own understanding of yourself. You are the final and the best arbiter. Trust in what you are telling yourself. (and even said so here.)

If you aren't inspired creatively to do something, do something else. If other creativities don't spring to mind, there are tools out there to help you kindle your creativity (or really just uncover it but that's its own discussion)

Creativity won't be forced. Maybe some better than I have non-con'd their muse into giving up the goods but I've never even come close to be on equal footing with her.

I still love her tho.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Some of the most popular stories, even in categories such as "Loving Wives" are devoid of any sexual or erotic content. A perfect case in point is this story by blackrand1958.

There is a chance that readers of some categories will be more likely to ding a story that doesn't make their fingers sticky, but there are enough other categories and educated readers here to provide a safe haven for the smut-free contributions.

 

[oneagainst]

Noncon is also a good category for this. I've got the red H on chapters with no sex in at all, or maybe just a single para. This category thrives more than most on sexual TENSION, rather than needing the actual act... if that's your thing.

 

[ruddygore]

Right now in FSS there is a story, "The Eighth Warden" that is a regularly updated serial running since June of 2019. I don't remember seeing a single explicit sex scene in any of the chapter, and they have the red H.

 

[BlinkenLights93]

Noncon is also a good category for this. I've got the red H on chapters with no sex in at all, or maybe just a single para. This category thrives more than most on sexual TENSION, rather than needing the actual act... if that's your thing.

Not really. My stories I want to tell are more of an antihero story that turns into a hero arc at the end. Currently the characters are fighting for their own interests and will eventually fight for the fate of the world but the story I have planned out is very complex and I don't want to deal with sex scenes on top of it, unless I feel it deserves it which I do have some planned. But, the overwhelming majority of them I don't have a plan for.

 

[BlinkenLights93]

There's an entire Non-erotic category here. But from my experience low-erotic work isn't particularly shunned, I've gone nearly eight chapters (60K words or there about), before I put anything with a true erotica edge into a series classed in the supernatural horror genre... as long as your readers are invested in the plot and know what to expect of your work you shouldn't have any issues. I don't think forcing erotica just because this is an erotica publishing website is a good idea, you'll probably burn out quick if you're making yourself write something you don't really want to write... and honestly there isn't anything that says every story must contain sex.

My advice is write what works best for you and what you're comfortable with, be open in the fact that your stories/chapters don't contain erotica in a forward or author's note should someone be looking for that specifically, or venture out into Non-erotic or the Novels and Novellas categories. I'm sure your audience will find you.

Non erotic won't really be the best outlet although on paper it is. My stories are full of horror, gore, dismemberment and monsters and I don't feel like a simple non-erotic category is the correct one although like I said, on paper it is.

I feel my stories will be too graphic for casual readers unless they are already invested in the story.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

Non erotic won't really be the best outlet although on paper it is. My stories are full of horror, gore, dismemberment and monsters and I don't feel like a simple non-erotic category is the correct one although like I said, on paper it is.

I feel my stories will be too graphic for casual readers unless they are already invested in the story.

I’d say publishing in Nonhuman or Sci-Fi/Fantasy might go over better for action heavy or violent work. Just keep in mind the more graphic things are the more scrutiny they’ll be under by the Admin who vet the stories… Since you’re not intending on making things erotic it shouldn’t be that serious of an issue for you, but I have heard of some stories being rejected for expressively violent content.

 

[Seadog777]

They are YOUR GOD DAMN STORIES!!!

It's YOUR GOD DAMN UNIVERSE!!!

You write and publish it the way YOU FUCKING WANT!!!

You write for yourself, not for anyone else.

FYI.....I'm not really yelling at you or cutting a promo on you.

 

[lovecraft68]

Noncon is also a good category for this. I've got the red H on chapters with no sex in at all, or maybe just a single para. This category thrives more than most on sexual TENSION, rather than needing the actual act... if that's your thing.

Non Con thrives on....non con. Its like saying group sex thrives on monogamy. Any category aimed at a specific kink isn't going to appreciate a story that doesn't deliver said kink, let alone no sex as the OP is saying.

Non erotic, Novels novellas are the sure bets for what he's looking for.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I’d say publishing in Nonhuman or Sci-Fi/Fantasy might go over better for action heavy or violent work. Just keep in mind the more graphic things are the more scrutiny they’ll be under by the Admin who vet the stories… Since you’re not intending on making things erotic it shouldn’t be that serious of an issue for you, but I have heard of some stories being rejected for expressively violent content.

@BlinkenLights93

I reckon seraph is on the money with her recommendation. Your content would be better placed in either of those two categories, I think, than in Non-Erotic, with a "there's not much sex here" caveat at the top.

It's my belief that folk, when they come into the AH with a question like yours, "Do you think...?" were right in the first place and don't really need an answer. Trust your instincts.

If your story demands minimalist sex, there's your answer. Readers are going to feel the bits you really wanted to write, and they going to spot it when you just bolt a token fuck in just because you think you "should."

 

[Voboy]

I’d say publishing in Nonhuman or Sci-Fi/Fantasy might go over better for action heavy or violent work. Just keep in mind the more graphic things are the more scrutiny they’ll be under by the Admin who vet the stories… Since you’re not intending on making things erotic it shouldn’t be that serious of an issue for you, but I have heard of some stories being rejected for expressively violent content.

SF is very friendly to stories that involve minimal sex. I've never written a story there with NO sex at all (because it IS Literotica), but the SF category definitely attracts readers who value plot over orgasm quantity.

As for violence, I've included some doozies and never had any compunction nor backlash about doing so.

 

[Cagivagurl]

There are thousands of stories in Lit categories with no sex,,,
LW, is a classic example, of a category, that is littered with stories that ar in no way described as erotic...
No big deal. Post it as written in whatever category you feel comfortable.
You might get a couple of nasty comments. If you can live with that. Then just do it...

Cagivagurl

 

[ronde]

It happens, sometimes because you get tired of writing the same plug and chug words, and sometimes just because the sex doesn't seem to fit. Trying to write a sex scene that you don't want to write or that doesn't fit into the plot almost never works. It will read as contrived.

Just write what it feels like you should write. Most readers who like your work will still like the story.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Tell stories that interest you. If one or more scenes can be erotic, so much the better. If not, no BIGGIE. Just enjoy your journey. To me, that's what writing is, a journey.

 

[TheDok]

I started my writing journey on Literotica a long time ago, but I've become increasingly more burned out with writing erotica, which my stories have never been completely about but they have always included erotic scenes. I am now at the point where I do not want to write erotic scenes unless I feel inspired to do so, but the stories I have wrote and the universe I'm building I really want to see through to its completion. I do not want to write erotic scenes just because it's expected of me.

I have grand plans for the material I'm writing, but I at this point do not want to include erotic scenes in anything unless I really feel it calls for it. Maybe I made a mistake as a horny teenager, making erotic stories so long ago. The truth be told, I just want to write supernatural horror stories with interconnected plotlines. Would that be allowed on this site, or should I edit all of my material on Literotica and release it somewhere else?

I have only created a first act for my story. There are 2 more major crossovers and about 8 more separate stories to be told and I shudder at the thought of including erotic scenes in every single one.

What are your thoughts? Should I release them without erotic scenes, should I take them somewhere else or should I force myself to write the scenes when I really don't think they have a place in the coming stories I plan on telling?

If you do not want to include erotic scenes within your stories leave them out. There are plenty of good stories on this site without much in the way of graphic sex (depending on category) and a number of stories are ruined by too much of it. For me it's about context. I have a story, Prima Nocta, which I believe is one of my best stories and with no sex. it has had few reads but scores well. Most importantly I enjoyed writing it and am proud of it. Write what you want and not what you think most people want, Nobody is paying you for your work

 

[gunhilltrain]

There are categories that tolerate the absence of sex and erotic scenes. Non-erotic is one, obviously, but I think you can also do well in SciFi/Fantasy if your story fits it, or even Novels and Novellas, as long as you mention in the foreword that your story doesn't contain any sex. I am not sure about other categories.

First of all, Lit will accept the work even if there are no sex scenes. You've already implied that you have such submissions here; you are under no obligation to change them now.

So what AwkwardlySet mentioned above is pretty much what I would say too. It's a judgment call, but sometimes I put stories in Non-erotic if sex is discussed but not depicted. (Stories about break-ups are often such submissions.) I have switched to Non-erotic for certain chapters within a series because, let's face it, not every chapter can have its own sex scene. Also, Romance stories often don't have explicit sex. I know the Author's Hangout ideal is to have an entire series in one category, but in my experience that is very difficult to do.

It's often okay to mention at the top of the story or chapter that no sex is depicted. There are readers here who are expecting a "porn" experience, and that is friendly advice telling them not to expect one.

 

[AchtungNight]

What I do when I have a big story I want to finish but don’t have many erotic scenes to write is think about how best to break it up with one big sex scene per chapter. This satisfies readers into stroke and can advance the plot too. Ideas- Introduce a character by having them masturbate and explore their fantasies, reflect on past or recent successes. If two characters have a relationship, show it off with a detailed romp interspersed with plot development as they discuss plot or answer phone calls between climaxes. If you have a serial dater character, show off his or her hookups while advancing the plot. Their kinks too. Or think about how each sex scene can advance the overall plot. Show off characters’ relationships. If you have a seducer, pace out the plot by having the character seduce each character necessary to reach their character arc goal. Keep encounters different and spicy. Or if you have non-erotic plots, make them erotic somehow. Two characters meet in a restaurant. Play up the dinner with footsie and food appreciation. Then move things to the nearby hotel suite as the plot develops.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Sex scenes in a story, OMG, who'd do that?

What I do when I have a big story I want to finish but don’t have many erotic scenes to write is think about how best to break it up with one big sex scene per chapter. This satisfies readers into stroke and can advance the plot too. Ideas- Introduce a character by having them masturbate and explore their fantasies, reflect on past or recent successes. If two characters have a relationship, show it off with a detailed romp interspersed with plot development as they discuss plot or answer phone calls between climaxes. If you have a serial dater character, show off his or her hookups while advancing the plot. Their kinks too. Or think about how each sex scene can advance the overall plot. Show off characters’ relationships. If you have a seducer, pace out the plot by having the character seduce each character necessary to reach their character arc goal. Keep encounters different and spicy. Or if you have non-erotic plots, make them erotic somehow. Two characters meet in a restaurant. Play up the dinner with footsie and food appreciation. Then move things to the nearby hotel suite as the plot develops.

 

[Euphony]

Sex scenes in a story, OMG, who'd do that?

 

[AchtungNight]

God too, if the way writing sex scenes makes me feel is any indication. And the way I feel when I please my readers who give me good feedback. Satan is not the one I’m looking to please in life, so his interests can move elsewhere. I have ethics and other interests keeping him away too. As for helping other writers and readers be entertained, that’s what I’m here for. Not some vague supreme being whose interests don’t match mine.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I started my writing journey on Literotica a long time ago, but I've become increasingly more burned out with writing erotica, which my stories have never been completely about but they have always included erotic scenes. I am now at the point where I do not want to write erotic scenes unless I feel inspired to do so, but the stories I have wrote and the universe I'm building I really want to see through to its completion. I do not want to write erotic scenes just because it's expected of me.

I have grand plans for the material I'm writing, but I at this point do not want to include erotic scenes in anything unless I really feel it calls for it. Maybe I made a mistake as a horny teenager, making erotic stories so long ago. The truth be told, I just want to write supernatural horror stories with interconnected plotlines. Would that be allowed on this site, or should I edit all of my material on Literotica and release it somewhere else?

I have only created a first act for my story. There are 2 more major crossovers and about 8 more separate stories to be told and I shudder at the thought of including erotic scenes in every single one.

What are your thoughts? Should I release them without erotic scenes, should I take them somewhere else or should I force myself to write the scenes when I really don't think they have a place in the coming stories I plan on telling?

That's why I took a break from here four years ago and wrote fan fiction.