Returning To Writing

[CarmenGetmie]

Hello all. Just came by to get a little advice if I may. I am an existing Lit member but have not submitted any stories yet, I post under another name but until I have my stories finished for submission I will be using this name..and may even keep it as my pen name. I have never written erotica but have read enough in my time to fill several libraries. This does not qualify me to be a decent erotica pen woman which is why I am here asking for advice. I have written short stories and articles for trade magazines in the past but that is the extent of my writing skills. I am reading all the help here too but wanted to come by and see if anyone could give me some invaluable tips.
Also, what would you consider a decent word count for an erotic short story. I'm afraid I do get a little carried away but don't want my stories to be too long.
Look forward to chatting with you all.

Carmen x

 

[Guest]

I have never written erotica but have read enough in my time to fill several libraries. This does not qualify me to be a decent erotica pen woman which is why I am here asking for advice.

Not by itself, but it does ensure that you know what you like to read, and why you like to read it--which might be a good starting place for your own writing.

I have written short stories and articles for trade magazines in the past but that is the extent of my writing skills.

Which means that, unless you were totally dependent on an editor and/or proofreader, you already have superior grammar and punctuation skills.

I am reading all the help here too but wanted to come by and see if anyone could give me some invaluable tips.

Invaluable tips? Uh-huh. You mean, my opinions?

Depends what you want to write. Magazine and trade journal articles probably won't prepare you for extensive character development and close plotting. If you're looking to write short "stroke" stories, neither of those will matter nearly as much.

Develop an ear for dialogue. If it doesn't sound right when read aloud, it won't read right, either.

"Write at leisure--edit like a fiend." Then put it away, come back later, and edit it again. After that, find a good editor.

After you post a story, post a link to your story on the board and ask for feedback. I think it works best if you ask for specific feedback; instead of "Please tell me whether you liked my story," ask about your character development, or descriptive abilities, or pacing, and so on. However, I've seen some good, considered responses to "Please tell me whether you liked my story," so go figure.

Read the feedback provided for other authors. As Yogi Berra noted, "You can observe a lot just by watching."

Unless the feedback you receive is from the ubiquitous "Anonymous," respond graciously to everyone who cares enough to take the time to comment.

End of "Invaluable Tips" section.

(Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited by law. Mail before midnight tonight, and we get it faster. The management is not responsible--at all.)

Also, what would you consider a decent word count for an erotic short story. I'm afraid I do get a little carried away but don't want my stories to be too long.

In general, take as long as is required to tell the story well (see editing, above). With that said, one Lit page works out to about 3500 words, give or take. If a story or chapter is too long (as determined by the reader), he or she may not read past the first page. Of course, many wildly successful stories are quite long--usually because they're really good. For what it's worth, consider 10,000 words or less per story or story chapter.

I'm sure other folks will disagree with what I've written, so this will wind up being multiple choice.

Good luck!