Predictability in stories...

[BossySon21a]

To some degree, I figure it's natural erotica would be predictable, or at least follow patterns, they embody fantasies, after all. But did you ever notice how predictable a lot of them are? To the point that you can almost predict the words? Not all of them, of course, but a lot of them.

 

[Cold_Eyes]

Think of how formulaic most sit-com scripts are. Not every script can be original and unpredictable. Now think of the number of scripts that the TV industry has to crank out to fill air-time. Just the amount of writing that's necessary for each network (not even counting cable) to maintain an evening line-up over the last 70-odd years stations have been broadcasting is mind-boggling. One new script a week for 25 weeks for one show, four shows to write for between the 8:00-11:00 primetime hours, over 70+ years. There's going to be a lot of repetition. With erotica, just imagine how many stories have been written over just the last two centuries, especially with the recent advent of the internet. Thousands of stories get posted to Lit alone in a year. With those kinds of numbers, Sturgeon's Law is going to apply. This is true in any media, really, produced in mass quantities.

 

[PerilEyes]

Agreed with ColdEyes. The mechanics, the form, the patterns of erotic literature doesn't change too much. Without them, it wouldn't be erotica. Plus, people reuse the same cliches because they know they work. Readers know what's going on instead of having to sift through obscure descriptions.

 

[sirhugs]

I have found that my stories with the most surprising twists get lower scores and more negative reaction. Not always, but mostly.

To some extent it might depend upon category. I've only done two T&C stories, but my sense is that audience is looking for something fresh more than say Loving Wives or Incest.

 

[AmatorialWriter]

I have found that my stories with the most surprising twists get lower scores and more negative reaction. Not always, but mostly.

To some extent it might depend upon category. I've only done two T&C stories, but my sense is that audience is looking for something fresh more than say Loving Wives or Incest.

I agree but the nature of the audience varies. There will always be a demand for certain genres.

Another consideration is viewers' and readers' age and demographics. Older ones tend to be less surprised, more demanding and more critical because they have more experience.

 

[grey228]

You look at a story -- what's there to retain your interest?

If there's nothing special, then there's nothing special!

 

[bronzeage]

The only way to distinguish one erotic story from another is to use something called plot.

Plot irritates a lot of readers, so authors learn to avoid it.

 

[jeninflorida]

What is the average attention span for the guy’s here on literotica? I’m guessing that most do not want to read a story more than 4,000 words…

To some degree, I figure it's natural erotica would be predictable, or at least follow patterns, they embody fantasies, after all. But did you ever notice how predictable a lot of them are? To the point that you can almost predict the words? Not all of them, of course, but a lot of them.

 

[Auden James]

If you go beyond 4k words, you ought to hold something in your hands to justify such lengths: a predictable fuck-line instead of an original plot-line won't help you a bit.

Too many stories on Lit go like this: overall length of 2 Lit pages, with an expository 1/2 page then a short bridge to the 'action' and finally the rest is simply sex -- and too often unoriginal play-by-play sex. Cut this formula and trim your text down to one Lit page if you don't have anything more substantial to narrate than sex itself, thus you keep your story's tension and you prevent your sex scene from running out of steam (well, at least it's much more likely for you to accomplish this way).

 

[jeninflorida]

correct...but here i think a lot of men will stop reading after 4,000 words if there is no sex

If you go beyond 4k words, you ought to hold something in your hands to justify such lengths: a predictable fuck-line instead of an original plot-line won't help you a bit.

Too many stories on Lit go like this: overall length of 2 Lit pages, with an expository 1/2 page then a short bridge to the 'action' and finally the rest is simply sex -- and too often unoriginal play-by-play sex.

 

[Auden James]

Well, I think iff those 4k words contain n o t h i n g if only vaguely (proto-)sexual, then the author simply missed what erotica is all about: eroticism.

Ideally everything within your story is premised on this eroticism, which not necessarily needs to mean 'hardcore action' but starts off with our reference to sexuality.

 

[grey228]

Haha - if I want wank material, there's much better alternatives to Lit or a porn story.

Reading text = mental imagery; few writers can do that. If the synopsis /book jacket /"spoylar-page" cannot grab my attention, I skip it.

 

[jeninflorida]

Haha - if I want wank material, there's much better alternatives to Lit or a porn story.

Reading text = mental imagery; few writers can do that. If the synopsis /book jacket /"spoylar-page" cannot grab my attention, I skip it.

that is true, didn't think about that....and not that men can be lumped into one group. I'm sure that a lot of guys watch porn...and some guys enjoy erotica. I tend to watch how many reads a story gets and with the feed back add little details into stories.

I've gone back and re read some of my older stories....and ouch, I have a lot of work to do.

I have 2 new stories that are almost read to be posted here and they are 6,000 words. hopefully these will do well.

I am missing the rush and ego boost from posting a new story....i love the emails

 

[grey228]

I am missing the rush and ego boost from posting a new story....i love the emails

Everyone loves to have their ego (and sensitive parts) tickled, but when writing is personal, one should write to one's own satisfaction -- not for an audience.

 

[shewantsmore]

you read a story because you want to,not just because its there.

 

[AmatorialWriter]

you read a story because you want to,not just because its there.

True. Otherwise it takes the fun out of it.

 

[Anwar80]

The only way to distinguish one erotic story from another is to use something called plot.

Plot irritates a lot of readers, so authors learn to avoid it.

I'd go for a story that has a good or decent plot that buildup the tension & the story.

I dislike stories that jump into sex immediately & then give me more sex scene with no story whatsoever

 

[pervipete]

I'd go for a story that has a good or decent plot that buildup the tension & the story.

I dislike stories that jump into sex immediately & then give me more sex scene with no story whatsoever

I have to echo this sentiment, the stories that have had me coming back, or should that be cumming back, have a good plotline, even if it is far fetched.

As for the sex scenes, there seem to work better when spread across the story or plotline, preferably wiith each one building upon the previous.