Plot: How much is too much?

[Tatewaki]

When I write erotica for Lit I like to write fully realized plots, and stories in the 10-15,000 word range. For me this is a natural length and allows me to get deep inside the motivations of my characters.

Perhaps that’s why my stories aren't all that popular on Lit.

Many of those that are wildly successful seem to run 3,000 words and less, are one scene vignettes, and offer little if any character or plot development at all. Even so, there's no denying that many of them are extremely hot, and are exceptionally well written.

Writing quality and subject matter being disregarded, do you guys prefer reading intricate stories or shorter pieces? I'm not strictly talking word count as much as I am questioning story complexity. Is a fairly linear storyline more interesting than a intricate one, or less so?

-T

 

[Chicklet]

Personally...

Personally I love to read the long stories. I like to KNOW the characters, and I'm always sad when they're gone. If I come across a short story I like to check to see if it has other parts, and if it doesn't, many times I won't read it. I'm just like that. But, on the other hand, my boyfriend doesn't like reading the long stories. He likes the short, to the point ones. What may be happening with your longer stories is that people might not be finishing them, and don't vote on them because they don't finish them...is that possible? Maybe if you broke your stories up into shorter parts which someone could read, say, between classes or before work, they might do better. You could still develop plot and characters, but someone in a hurry would be able to read a part and be satisfied. I will always like the long complex plots, and others will never like them, but go on writing what you feel is good for you.

Chicklet

 

[Tatewaki]

Re: Personally...

Maybe if you broke your stories up into shorter parts which someone could read, say, between classes or before work, they might do better. You could still develop plot and characters, but someone in a hurry would be able to read a part and be satisfied. I will always like the long complex plots, and others will never like them, but go on writing what you feel is good for you.

Chicklet

I've often thought of doing that, but the problem is that I write each story or serial episode as a single unit. If I arbitrarily sliced it up (let's say at two Lit-formatted pages or so) the 'stories' wouldn't make sense read out of order. Right now, you could read any one of my Ember and Ashe tales without reading its predecessor. I introduce the characters in each one, and develop them in each story. I do build upon past characteristics and events, but the reader won't miss them if he doesn't have access to my previous work. Each story stands alone.

This wouldn't be the case with a rough cut story merely subdivided into smaller units.

I can write smaller stories, but I find them so one dimensional and uninteresting I almost always nd up padding them.

-T

 

[MsLinnet]

short storys

by definition a short story is what it says but i have found that by writing a long story then splitting it allows the dept you want and will not get boring but you have i think them to stand alone at the same time

 

[Sateema Lunasi]

I love thick plots. I don't like the wham bam stories usually. I like stories that read more like mainstream fiction or films that just happen to have sex in them.

 

[julian 1]

Tate,
One of the best erotic stories around is Aftermath. By definition
it is complex.
Lovemaking with two or more folks is a complex situation as is
an involved story. A short one, on the other hand (pun intended),
is like masturbating -ok but lacking something.

 

[SexyChele]

I think it depends on the reader and what they are reading the story for. Most readers who are simply looking to "get off" would probably prefer a shorter story where the action is almost immediate. For those readers who are looking for more of a story, the ones with good plot development is what works.

I would say stick with what you are comfortable with. If you try to write to satisfy some one else, your writing will suffer. There are those who appreciate the longer story. I know if I get "wrapped up" in a longer story and don't have much time at the moment, I'll print it out to read later. If I really enjoyed the story, I'll go back and vote on it and give some feedback to the writer.

You might also want to consider trying to vary the length of your stories. Just a suggestion, here. Continue to write as you do, but vary one or two stories with a shorter version. Try to pack in just as much plot and character development, but using less words. I do this sometimes as a challenge to myself, to see if I can do something differently.

Write because you like to write. Don't worry if you are "popular" or not. You probably have a base of fans and don't even realize it.

 

[Chicklet]

Nicely said, Chele

 

[Guest]

First of all, anything shorter than a standard novel is a story. (I've written stories that were 35-40 MS Word 10pt. font pages long before.) I've never seen anything at Lit that stated the stories here were SHORT stories.

When I write, I write detail. (I've taken role play ideas that I have been in and have started "full length" stories out of them that were 2-4 pages in with no "real" sex to it yet.) I love to build tension. Be it sexual tension or not. I love to develop my characters.

Before I write a story, I write up a detailed character sketch for each character I wish to use. And then I take the time in my stories to describe my characters in a NON obvious way. (I hate that "My wife was very hot for a 36 y/o woman with her 42DDD tits and tight ass" kind of description.)

 

[Reshbod]

It depends on the story and setting, in my opinion. I have a few stories partly written, though unfortunately non are post worthy. I like to show the people as real, not plastic cutouts, so they tend to be a little longer because I want to establish mood, setting and characterization so that the story seems like it is or could really happen. Generally, the sex parts are the easiest, so I do that first, then fill in the rest of the story. Often the story will sort of go "off on its own" and will be as long as it needs to be. Finally, if I tried to write for what someone else wanted rather than for me, my stories probably would be worse than they aleady are.

Anyway thats my 2 cents, I am sure it is worth every penny.

 

[Chicklet]

I think that there is an audience out there for everything so people ought to make their stories their own, however short or long that is. No ammount of plot is going to be "too much" and any short stories are going to be read as well...I think, at least.

Chicklet

 

[Tatewaki]

Tate,
One of the best erotic stories around is Aftermath. By definition
it is complex.
Lovemaking with two or more folks is a complex situation as is
an involved story. A short one, on the other hand (pun intended),
is like masturbating -ok but lacking something.

Are you referring to a story posted here on Lit? The one I saw here was a single Lit-formatted page.

-T

 

[Tatewaki]

Write because you like to write. Don't worry if you are "popular" or not. You probably have a base of fans and don't even realize it.

I write because I love to do so. But that doesn't mean that I wish to discount the opinions of others, either. If I wished to write solely for my own gratification I could just as easily jet everything out as an unedited first draft, marvel at my own brilliance, then pitch the lot into the nearest dustbin.

For me it isn't enough to write it. Ideally, I want it to be read and enjoyed by others. There is no sense posting it here if I didn't think that someone out there would like it.

Chances are that I won't change the topics I write about or how I write, but if tinkering with scene complexity and/or length makes my work more appealing to a wider range of readers, I'd be foolish to not even entertain the notion.

I hope you are right about the secret fanbase ... sometimes when I write these things I question why it is I bother. These things take a lot out of me! But once I read the finished product it always is worth the hassle. That feeling of accomplishment is like no other.

Thanks for writing, SexyChele. You raised many good points. I shall think some more upon them.

Warmest,

-T

 

[MsLinnet]

write for yourself first and about enough for me is 9 inches by 3inchs

 

[Tatewaki]

write for yourself first and about enough for me is 9 inches by 3inchs

To yourself be true, eh?

-T

 

[julian 1]

Tate,
I think Aftermath was on storiesonline.net

 

[Tatewaki]

Tate,
I think Aftermath was on storiesonline.net

Thanks for the info!

-T

 

[MsLinnet]

To yourself be true, eh?

-T

you been watching BABE

 

[Tatewaki]

you been watching BABE

What's Babe?

-T

 

[MsLinnet]

What's Babe?

-T

the film with the pig that rounds the sheep up its part of a quote in the film
lol

 

[Tatewaki]

the film with the pig that rounds the sheep up its part of a quote in the film
lol

Great ... now I'm using pig quotes! Can aman sink any lower than that?

-T

 

[MrFrost]

i like your storys.. im into the long ones though still as i have said meny time before im more or less a fantasy person

 

[Chicklet]

What's Babe?

-T

dear lord!

 

[Chicklet]

What's Babe?

-T

dear lord!

 

[Chicklet]

Okay, maybe I should cut down on the crack...