Lust - in the writing

[Brutal_One]

Because Lit is an erotic story site and arguably the main element that all stories have in common is the sexual content (aside from the specific categories of course).

The question is how do you right and convey Lust in your writing if indeed you ever do and how do you convey that type of burning desire in your writing. Part of it is the lead up to an encounter, the interactions if any.

Then how is it conveyed still when you write the scenes?

Brutal One

 

[Emilymcplugger]

I feel writing lust is easier in the first person because you’re instantly in someone else’s head.

Also the build-up should usually happen through natural progression, unless you’re walking in on someone, or some people.

In terms of conveying it, I can’t really say any more than that. Lust is about feeling an instant attraction, the colour of someone’s hair, the sparkle in their eyes, the shape of the body, the way they move.

Personally I just think of Hayley Atwell. The rest is easy.

 

[EarlyMorningLight]

Body language, heart rate, breathing, reactions to proximity or touch, pupil dilation, distraction… there are all kinds of physical or behavioral reactions that accompany arousal beyond “he got hard/she got wet”.

 

[HeyAll]

Conflict in the heart. Conflict in the mind.

 

[shakna]

How does one paint a painting?

The number of ways that you can convey lust, and the number of ways it can be expressed, are as endless as the writing form is.

Ideally, it's something you never have to explicitly spell out. Show, don't tell. But even that has exceptions to the rule. A scene where someone is pushed into half the furnishings for a kiss and feel before the clothes finally come off can be as hungry and lustful as the simply expressed, "I need you. Now."

 

[SimonDoom]

I would agree with HeyAll that for erotic story purposes it's about conflict. Internal conflict. Lust is such a powerful passion that it overcomes taboos, scruples, prudence, common sense, better judgment.

Random thoughts:

1. Don't skimp on portraying the lustful character's inner thoughts. Take plenty of time with that.

2. Bring all the senses into play. Describe how character A gets turned on by the scent of character B's hair, or perfume or cologne, or about the way some particular thing about them looks.

3. Describe the conflict between lust and other feelings and thoughts.

4. Have other characters in the story observe the person's lust and comment on it. Dialogue is always a good way to advance a story in a way that's interesting to the reader.

5. Plant the seed of lust near the beginning. There's something the main character wants, and that character's lust for character B in a way is spurred on by that want.

 

[StrangeLife]

Oh, the secret to excellence in writing erotica is liberal use of standard tropes of course.

Just insert a bunch of throbbing cupcakes and pulsing pinatas into your story, and you are already well on your way to perfection. Add a few explodng okapis followed by a gob of white and sticky softice to the mix, and you can't possibly go wrong. Your readers are practically guaranteed to be enticed.

You're welcome...

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Oh, the secret to excellence in writing erotica is liberal use of standard tropes of course.

Just insert a bunch of throbbing cupcakes and pulsing pinatas into your story, and you are already well on your way to perfection. Add a few explodng okapis followed by a gob of white and sticky softice to the mix, and you can't possibly go wrong. Your readers are practically guaranteed to be enticed.

You're welcome...

Well …that’s me finished.

 

[lovecraft68]

A question like this makes me realize just how much of an instinctive over technical writer I am. TBH I can't explain how I convey anything, it just seems to happen in the stream of consciousness let her rip style I have where I go in with a general story idea, get started and its a crapshoot of where it goes as I'm convinced the story is already buried somewhere in my mind and writes itself.

I say this because I wanted to reply, then couldn't seem to put the finger on the exact way. I could say some things that are common sense, but its now how I get to it mid flow.

 

[KeithD]

Yeah, I'll have to say I don't intellectualize or plan any of this. I just put myself in the moment and in the characters and let it rip. It works for me.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Body language, heart rate, breathing, reactions to proximity or touch, pupil dilation, distraction… there are all kinds of physical or behavioral reactions that accompany arousal beyond “he got hard/she got wet”.

I was going to mention these, and in particular I think they're often under-used in first person writing. First person gives me license to describe the protag's thoughts directly ("I wanted her so badly") and sometimes that's useful, but for strong emotion it's often more powerful to describe it in physical terms: the knot in the stomach, the racing heart, the stammering.

 

[EarlyMorningLight]

I was going to mention these, and in particular I think they're often under-used in first person writing. First person gives me license to describe the protag's thoughts directly ("I wanted her so badly") and sometimes that's useful, but for strong emotion it's often more powerful to describe it in physical terms: the knot in the stomach, the racing heart, the stammering.

Absolutely. In general, I think writers are missing opportunities when they aren’t actively trying to incorporate characters’ experiences through all of their senses, especially in erotic situations. Lust and sex are immersive, full body experiences. Use everything.