Is this "real" writing?

[Kpet]

Hi, my first post here.
Just wondering how everyone here feels about their writing here... do you consider it "real?" Do you take as much pride in it and put as much care into it as you do with your other work?

I have been working on two books for a while now, and have written for publication in the past, but always non-fiction. I have stalled out on the work I was doing and I think my main problem is discipline.

I have had several erotic stories bouncing around in my head for quite a while now but never wrote them out because of guilty feelings - NOT guilt about the subject matter, but guilt that I would be wasting time not doing "real work."

I'm beginning to think that perhaps as a way of training myself to have the discipline to finish all of the mainstream works that I have envisioned that I should force myself to write something, ANYTHING, for an hour a day and that erotic stories would be as useful toward that goal as anything else.

I'm also not convinced that anyone would find my stories worthy of reading. I have told them in abbreviated form to a few people and got a positive response, but I have a definite lack of confidence about my ability to write fiction.

The thing I like in erotic fiction is the uniqueness of the scenario, combined with a well-conveyed picture of the character's emotions. That, unfortunately, is where my weakness in writing lies - with only an eighth grade education and having inherited my father's inability to express emotion, I tend to write stiffly and without poetics. Fine for non-fiction. Lousy for fiction.
As you can no doubt see, I also tend to be too verbose.

I'll shut up now.
Just looking for encouragement I guess.

 

[Coolville]

The creation of characters, situations, drama, plot development, tension, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat- et al.... erotic writing is the same as writing anything else except maybe shopping lists.

 

[Ms.M]

I am not sure how to answer your question. I believe any writing is "real" even a letter to your mother is writing.


Its been my experience, that the only way one can find out if they can do something or not is by trying, if you think it is crap...so what..you will live to write another day..





Ms.M

 

[Kpet]

The creation of characters, situations, drama, plot development, tension, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat- et al.... erotic writing is the same as writing anything else except maybe shopping lists.

LOL... well, the non-fiction I have written could be considered a sort of shopping list.
I have written mostly histories of manufacturers, with dates, etc.

 

[Diane Marie]

Kpet, it can’t hurt to try, the worse thing that can happen is no one likes your story. That really isn’t that big of a deal as long as you like it, and had fun writing it.

As far as discipline goes, I’m not a real disciplined writer, but writing is not my first love, I paint. My best works are spontaneous, although I’m learning to also be a disciplined artist, I have bills to pay.

My father was an author, he locked himself in his study for hours almost every day of his life. He did that for the love of writing, money was never a need. I do think that is necessary if you really want to make a career out of writing. Both the discipline and the love.

 

[BigTexan]

"Real" writing. What would be unreal about writing erotica? I may not have agonized over my single story here as I do over my Science Fiction / Fantasy stories, but they are just a real

About disipline: One famos writer (I forget which one at the moment) once wrote that an unfinished work is usually the result of lack of planning. I think this was probably true of him, but not of another writer.

We are all different and that should be applauded, but the one thing I think is a constant is our need to write. Every day. I don't write for 1 hour every day. I write as much as I can every day. I love to write. If society and family and physics allowed I would write sixteen hours a day and be blissfully happy. I don't think it matters a whole lot what you write, as long as you are writing from your soul.

Just my humble opinion.

BigTexan

 

[Pookie]

I consider my writing "real". I take pride in what I write or I won't post it. This is a hobby for me as school is my "full-time job". I make time to write when I want to. When I'm in the middle of a story, I may spend 10-12 hours a day working on it when I can. I enjoy working plots out in my mind, adding a twist here and there to keep the reader alittle off balanced. I enjoy making characters come to life. I enjoy creating suspense and/or mystery for the reader.

I would like to think that my stories would be interesting to read without the sex scenes ... I doubt that would be true though. However, I see the sex in the story as the icing on the cake.

The best "sex" stories I have ever read sometimes have very little actual sex in them.

 

[Sabledrake]

For me, I distinguish between "real" (and always with the quotes) writing as that which might someday possibly stand a chance of getting published ... and "other" writing like fanfiction, which never will.

But some projects are more "real" than others. Novels, short stories aimed at magazines or anthologies, etc., these are more "real" to me than something I'll write solely for my 'zine, for instance.

The process of writing, though, that's real and serious no matter what I'm working on.

Whoops, must dash!

Sabledrake

 

[medjay]

Hi, my first post here.
Just wondering how everyone here feels about their writing here... do you consider it "real?" Do you take as much pride in it and put as much care into it as you do with your other work?

I have been working on two books for a while now, and have written for publication in the past, but always non-fiction. I have stalled out on the work I was doing and I think my main problem is discipline.

I have had several erotic stories bouncing around in my head for quite a while now but never wrote them out because of guilty feelings - NOT guilt about the subject matter, but guilt that I would be wasting time not doing "real work."

I'm beginning to think that perhaps as a way of training myself to have the discipline to finish all of the mainstream works that I have envisioned that I should force myself to write something, ANYTHING, for an hour a day and that erotic stories would be as useful toward that goal as anything else.

I'm also not convinced that anyone would find my stories worthy of reading. I have told them in abbreviated form to a few people and got a positive response, but I have a definite lack of confidence about my ability to write fiction.

The thing I like in erotic fiction is the uniqueness of the scenario, combined with a well-conveyed picture of the character's emotions. That, unfortunately, is where my weakness in writing lies - with only an eighth grade education and having inherited my father's inability to express emotion, I tend to write stiffly and without poetics. Fine for non-fiction. Lousy for fiction.
As you can no doubt see, I also tend to be too verbose.

I'll shut up now.
Just looking for encouragement I guess.

First of all, you really need to get past the idea of fiction not being "real" writing. I dated a girl once who refused to read fiction because it wasn't "real" and had nothing to offer her in the way of making her a better person. Of course I argued with her but she never saw my point, which is sad. There's so much she will forever miss out on. I'll assume you read fiction and place some value on it (otherwise you wouldn't be here contemplating your own stories) so writing it ought to be no different.

Second, I challenge you to find any serious artist who doesn't consider his labor real work. Often, their projects are much more important and consuming to them than any "job" some Joe Average works to get a paycheck. Not to mention they often get paid very highly for their art. And, as far as I'm concerned, they probably deserve it way more than some 9 to 5 cubilce dweller.

And last, eight grade education or not, you've presented your ideas in writing much clearer than many college graduates so that's nothing to worry about. Shake the apprehensions and get writing. You'll thank yourself in the end.

 

[kristydoll]

Just wondering how everyone here feels about their writing here... do you consider it "real?" Do you take as much pride in it and put as much care into it as you do with your other work?

Speaking for myself - yes, I consider all writing "real". Writing good Erotica takes as much discipline and effort as writing any other genre.

I take pride in everything I write - even writings on Lit, because I learn something from them every time. If I didn't take the time to learn, work at it and care - I wouldn't be as far as I am and I sure would be a lot more hungrier *grins*

kristy

 

[wildsweetone]

good question Kpet,

thanks for helping me define my writing intentions.

The more I write, the more seriously real I become about writing.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I really use just one distinction of my own when talking about "real" writing and it's a personal one.

"Real" writing is writing that the writer intends for the self or others to take as important in some way. Not pompous important, but communication of ideas important.

"Other" writing is writing where the writer is just putting words down.

So, in my estimation, it's "real" writing if you think of it that way. Whether others do or not is only material if you're trying to sell them your writing.

 

[MaxSebastian]

I think there can be a difference between so-called "real" writing being that which you hope to actually develop into some kind of a career and that other type that isn't going to get you money and fame and riches and all that good stuff.

I'm writing a whole load of stuff that won't go on Literotica - since it's mostly non-erotic, longer pieces, and will hopefully eventually be printed. That could be seen as my "real" writing.

My literotica stories are written alongside this - no less "real" in terms of what they portray or the fact that they take real effort. But I find I can relax a lot more when I'm doing them for some reason, there's less pressure on me.

That said, there's still hard work going in there and the stories are by no means worthless. Hopefully they have value because Literotica readers often quite enjoy them, and they have real value for me as a writer because any writing is practise and practise in any craft is the only way to keep on top of the game.

The real trouble I find is when my non-Literotica stuff is going well and I find I have less and less time to write short stories for Lit - and then readers email me to write some stuff for Lit.

So none of my writing is less "real", but there is a difference between the stuff I put on here and the stuff I eventually hope to turn into a career.

 

[TheEarl]

I never used to consider this "real" writing. It was just something I did to pass the time when I wrote my first story. But I've got feedback and I've started altering my writing on other people's advice, doing research and actually creating characters, rather than just resurrecting cardboard cutouts. I've realised that if i was to write "real" writing now, it'd be a hell of a lot better than if I had written some before I got involved with Lit.

Your writing's only as serious as you're prepared to be with it. Or to quote Tom Lehrer - "Life is like a sewer. You only get out of it what you put into it."

The Earl

 

[jclancy3]

Work out your fantasies

I've always lusted after female colleagues, but never would act on those fantasies. So I write them out instead. Let me know what you think

 

[Eldridge]

I would definitely call this 'real' writing, I'm not sure if I would call it 'really important' writing.

This is something I do out of amusement, and in a way as training. Writing a good sexual story takes a lot of descriptive effort, and I think my other stories are benefitting from the things I learn (and am being taught by these great fellow authors) while writing sexual fiction.


And who knows, if you're good enough, some adult fiction publisher might just send you an email to talk about a book or something. I would think they DO read websites such as these, although I have no evidence to back that up.

Eldridge.

 

[Diane Marie]

But some projects are more "real" than others. Novels, short stories aimed at magazines or anthologies, etc., these are more "real" to me than something I'll write solely for my 'zine, for instance. Sabledrake

I can't say I really agree with you Sabledrake. What I write here may be the most real of anything I write. So much of what we do, of how we act, is hidden from those around us. Here we write what’s inside, isn’t that the real reality.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I consider all writing real. From my journals to my academic work to my fiction to my erotica it's all real because it all has meaning for me.

 

[Guest]

Kpet......

First and foremost...write for yourself.

In the beginning, I wrote stories hoping to please the readers more than I wrote trying to please myself. I think the difference from my early stories to those I am writing now, shows.

Not to say I don't please the readers who read my stories now, but now...I enjoy reading what I've written. I think I've come a long way since the beginning, enjoying the feedback even more when I get it from excited readers who've shared that excitement, the same passion and enthusiasm that I hopefully created the story with in the first place.

So...if you've got a story, or stories running around inside your mind, as well as your heart. Then put em down and share them with those of us who truly enjoy reading someone else's heartfelt imagination.

I remain,

 

[Kpet]

thanks

Well, thanks everyone for your feedback.
Now comes the issue of finding the TIME! ugh.

 

[TrulyTerrific]

The way I look at it, any writing that helps me grow as an author is real writing. It doesn't matter if its fact or fiction....just write!