Sex in a story or story about sex?

[Thenaughtypen]

I have asked a couple of questions and the answers have been very useful.

On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?

I know that is a massive generalisation and will vary reader to reader and category to category.

I ask because is the complete absence of sex in one part of a multi part story a killer to a story or is that what people might expect?

thanks in advance for any views!

 

[AlinaX]

I've always liked the approach of Set the scene / Define the characters / Jump into the sex. If I'm reading and it's taking forever to get to the sex, I often lose interest. However, people do value the scene and characters, so it's a balancing act.

That said, I've written many stories where the sex itself is almost incidental to the story.

A lot of people add a content warning to say there will be little or no sex in the chapter, which I think is nice.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Both.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

I have asked a couple of questions and the answers have been very useful.

On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?

I know that is a massive generalisation and will vary reader to reader and category to category.

I ask because is the complete absence of sex in one part of a multi part story a killer to a story or is that what people might expect?

thanks in advance for any views!

As to the first part of your question, there is no right answer because there are readers that strongly prefer one, strongly prefer the other, or like some of each. One person commented recently that if sex isn't on the first page of the story, nobody wants to read it. That astounded me. I know that it's not accurate, but it at least represents his view. If he has that view, other people probably do, too. I think that's probably one extreme. Another extreme is where I've read through a ten-page story and discovered by the end of it that there was no erotic content at all. It was fine for me, because it was sci-fi, and I read sci-fi stories for the story and not for the sex. If there's good sex in it, that's a plus. A lot of the sci-fi here is better than can be found on non-erotic sites. I can understand why someone reading that story for the sex would be let down.

If you jump into your sex scene right away, many readers will be turned off because they have no emotional attachment to the characters. If you want to get to the sex quickly, and want to make your story more than a written version of internet porn, you'll need to find a way to jump into the emotional content immediately as well.

The second question has an easy, objective answer. There are lots of well-rated stories on here without sex in some of the chapters. Some are on top lists. I do think it matters where the sexless chapter is in the series. If there are preceding chapters with sexual content, readers of series are pretty patient about a chapter without it. Readers of series are reading for the story and for the sex. If you do a good job with one, they will wait for the other. I suspect that no sex in the first chapter of a series is likely to lose you readers. That's tough, because the first chapter in a series can be the hardest place to work in the sex. I think established authors get away with it more easily because there's a large readership who know their work and know the story's building to something.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

A lot of people add a content warning to say there will be little or no sex in the chapter, which I think is nice.

I agree. I think there's a reasonable expectation of sex, so it's polite to give readers an alert to the fact that they won't find it there. That way they don't feel taken in or cheated.

 

[UsuallyPresent]

On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?

Yes.

All the above, and more beyond it.


Lit has an intriguingly long tail in its graph of readers along most any axis you care to mention, short of underage or the upper ends of violence.

 

[kissedcherry]

Filth?

In the OP the following question was raised: "On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?"

If you really do view sex as "filth" then why would you write it? Why are jokes about sex called, "dirty jokes?" The answer is that human society has been brainwashed into viewing sex as filth.

Every time people speak of sex in such negative terms they fuel the brainwashing machine.

Sex it wonderful. Natural. Clean. Sexual problems are all spawned because of this negative tone regarding sex. Cut it out.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

If you really do view sex as "filth" then why would you write it? Why are jokes about sex called, "dirty jokes?" The answer is that human society has been brainwashed into viewing sex as filth.

Every time people speak of sex in such negative terms they fuel the brainwashing machine.

Sex it wonderful. Natural. Clean. Sexual problems are all spawned because of this negative tone regarding sex. Cut it out.

Sex is wonderful. It's also filthy. As Woody Allen answered when asked 'is sex dirty?', 'only if you're doing it right!'

Stains on the sheets, jizz soaking your hair, smears of period blood on a cock, scent involving lots of sweat and a bit of piss... Clean? Hardly.

I notice that Brits are more likely to call sex filthy and Americans use the word 'nasty' which I struggle not to interpret as 'unpleasant'. 'Dirty' seems popular everywhere.

 

[Thenaughtypen]

Sex is wonderful. It's also filthy. As Woody Allen answered when asked 'is sex dirty?', 'only if you're doing it right!'

Stains on the sheets, jizz soaking your hair, smears of period blood on a cock, scent involving lots of sweat and a bit of piss... Clean? Hardly.

I notice that Brits are more likely to call sex filthy and Americans use the word 'nasty' which I struggle not to interpret as 'unpleasant'. 'Dirty' seems popular everywhere.

Thank you.

I am a brit and yes, filthy means good, to me. I have been described as filthy, and it was said with a smile. I have described others as filthy and mean it as a compliment. As good. No stigma here, folks.

In another context you may also hear a pundit talking about someone having filthy skills at football.

Sex is good clean dirty fun.

As for anyone getting annoyed at the choice of words that others use, that is them applying a lens of judgement that is personal to them. Often without any context.

Thank you for responding!

 

[dontcallme82]

I think there is a wide range of readers here which gives freedom for writers rite as they please.

Some want pure titillation, others a build up and a story.

I am writing a story with relatively short chapters so each chapter has some build up and at least one sex scene.

I don't want my story to become too formulaic and I have an idea for one chapter to be almost purely the sex acts.

 

[SimonDoom]

My thoughts:

1. It is impossible to generalize about what all readers want. Some readers want longer stories with a lot of character development and buildup. Others are looking for short stroke stories and want you to get to the sex right away.

2. That said, I think a story of almost any length can be made better, and more erotic, by paying at least some attention to character development and setting the scene. It can be done well in few words. Don't just describe a sex scene between two characters; make your readers WANT them to have sex before they do.

3. Some authors will tell you they have gotten away with having a chapter in a multi-chapter series with no sex, but in general if you do this you will lose readers, because the readers of whatever category you publish the story in will be disappointed that the chapter is missing what they are looking for. I think it's better to deal with this by submitting longer chapters, taking care it has at least some of what readers are looking for, or publishing the story as a standalone story.

 

[MelissaBaby]

As to the first part of your question, there is no right answer because there are readers that strongly prefer one, strongly prefer the other, or like some of each. One person commented recently that if sex isn't on the first page of the story, nobody wants to read it. That astounded me. I know that it's not accurate, but it at least represents his view. If he has that view, other people probably do, too. I think that's probably one extreme. Another extreme is where I've read through a ten-page story and discovered by the end of it that there was no erotic content at all. It was fine for me, because it was sci-fi, and I read sci-fi stories for the story and not for the sex. If there's good sex in it, that's a plus. A lot of the sci-fi here is better than can be found on non-erotic sites. I can understand why someone reading that story for the sex would be let down.

If you jump into your sex scene right away, many readers will be turned off because they have no emotional attachment to the characters. If you want to get to the sex quickly, and want to make your story more than a written version of internet porn, you'll need to find a way to jump into the emotional content immediately as well.

The second question has an easy, objective answer. There are lots of well-rated stories on here without sex in some of the chapters. Some are on top lists. I do think it matters where the sexless chapter is in the series. If there are preceding chapters with sexual content, readers of series are pretty patient about a chapter without it. Readers of series are reading for the story and for the sex. If you do a good job with one, they will wait for the other. I suspect that no sex in the first chapter of a series is likely to lose you readers. That's tough, because the first chapter in a series can be the hardest place to work in the sex. I think established authors get away with it more easily because there's a large readership who know their work and know the story's building to something.

One of the advantages to writing series is that you get more leeway in handling the sex. Once the characters and the overall shape of the narrative have been established, you can have chapters with no explicit sex. You can front load a sex scene at the beginning of the story. You can present the sex in a light hearted manner in one chapter and with emotional intensity in the next.

But to the larger point, I guess my idea of what constitutes sexual content may be different from that of many others. For me, the sexual tension of "will they-wont they" IS sex. Obsessive desire IS sex. The warm afterglow IS sex.

Does your vacation start when you arrive at your destination, or is the trip part of the vacation?

 

[WoodmanStark]

I have asked a couple of questions and the answers have been very useful.

On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?

When I wrote my first story here it was intended as a pure stroker. No development of the male lead - he doesn't even have a name. The "plot" is just what it says on the label: "Magical woman bestows her favors on a lucky guy."
I published the first four chapters as a single unit because chapter 1 has the main character masturbating as the sex goddess appears, and chapter 2 contains no sex, serving to lay out what the powers of the goddess are. Chapters 3 and 4 are nothing but sex, and any more chapters added will be more of the same as the MC enacts more fantasies with his visitor.
It took a turn toward romance in the epilogue, when I thought about what he would do when his session with the goddess was over. Then I created Jennifer, his best-friend-with-benefits, and gave them a backstory. There's a bit of narrative in that segment before the sex scene happens, and more dialogue after.
Then I wrote a prequel to fill in that backstory. The first version is published but I'm rewriting it with a bit of guidance from another Lit author. My current draft goes over 3000 words before getting near the sex scene.
So I guess I write both kinds, even though I set out to just write strokers. I came here to read stroke stories too, but i've found the stories with actual story more entertaining.

 

[AlinaX]

No development of the male lead - he doesn't even have a name.

I quite often have stories where characters go nameless, but I guess that's more natural in first person.

 

[yowser]

Sexual tension

I think the key to any of the good stories here is in the sexual tension created. This can be done quickly but the character(s) will need to be 3-D enough to draw in the reader.

Most stories on Lit, with many important exceptions, would be better pared down, but only if it leaves the character with appeal (or at least interest.)

 

[WoodmanStark]

I quite often have stories where characters go nameless, but I guess that's more natural in first person.

I'm always writing in 3rd-person. He had a name when I started the story but since he's the only man I decided he didn't need a name.
Now writing about his first meeting with Jennifer I decided he will have a name, though it will only appear as they're introducing themselves.

 

[jehoram]

I think the key to any of the good stories here is in the sexual tension created. This can be done quickly but the character(s) will need to be 3-D enough to draw in the reader.

I'd agree with that. We're here to write erotica, so there's going to be sex. And it's like when you go into a coffee shop, you're smelling the coffee before you even order one. A reader likes to be assured right at the top that it's about sex, even thought the story doesn't start with a sex scene.

My job as a writer, then, is to make the characters real as people, so that the reader can identify with them when they're having sex.

In some of my stories, the characters don't fuck until the second chapter, even though there's plenty of nudity and flirting in the first chapter to let the reader know where it's going to lead. But if the reader likes the characters, she or he will buy into the story enough to keep reading.

 

[KeithD]

I have asked a couple of questions and the answers have been very useful.

On here, do readers prefer

Stopped reading here. This is a humongous site. There are readers preferring every possible contrasting perception and fetish here. Write what you want; you'll have readers for it. Your question, as posed, misses the point of submitting to this Web site.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

It really depends on the reader. As a reader (and now a writer) I want at least some character development before the clothes fly off.

I think you can get to the sex quicker and maintain character development easier in an already established relationship, though. You could even start off with sex but weave in the relationship as you go.

Sex. Sex. Sex. X does Y because she knows it's what Y likes. Learned that trick on the 3rd date. Blah blah blah. Sex sex sex. (Erotic Coupling or Loving Wives would lend themselves to this sort of thing.)

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

It really depends on the reader. As a reader (and now a writer) I want at least some character development before the clothes fly off.

I think you can get to the sex quicker and maintain character development easier in an already established relationship, though. You could even start off with sex but weave in the relationship as you go.

Sex. Sex. Sex. X does Y because she knows it's what Y likes. Learned that trick on the 3rd date. Blah blah blah. Sex sex sex. (Erotic Coupling or Loving Wives would lend themselves to this sort of thing.)

Why not read more of the stories here to see how it's approached?

 

[yukonnights]

I have asked a couple of questions and the answers have been very useful.

On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?

I know that is a massive generalisation and will vary reader to reader and category to category.

I ask because is the complete absence of sex in one part of a multi part story a killer to a story or is that what people might expect?

thanks in advance for any views!

You didn't say anything about your reason for the chapter break. is it truly necessary, or could you combine it with the next one? I checked your story file and the one multi-part story has one at 3 pages and one at 2 pages.

If this is part 3 of that story, it may be worth considering combining Part 3 with part 4 if it would make sense to do so. That said, based on the ratings of the fist two and the 25 or so followers you've earned, I don't think a no-sex chapter would slow down your momentum on the story. It will help if there is something in there to entice the readers to be patient; a foreshadowing or hint of something — a doubt that things might change, etc.

PS: Congratulations on your success so far

 

[vanmyers86]

Some writers are scientific in their approach to including sex scenes, with some even making sure they have one per Lit page. I applaud their energy, but that's not for me.

My highest-rated story has no explicit sex at all. My next highest-rated story has two explicit sex scenes, and a few masturbation scenes. Go figure.

My best advice is to write a good, compelling yarn, have fun, and don't worry about it.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

But to the larger point, I guess my idea of what constitutes sexual content may be different from that of many others. For me, the sexual tension of "will they-wont they" IS sex. Obsessive desire IS sex. The warm afterglow IS sex.

Does your vacation start when you arrive at your destination, or is the trip part of the vacation?

I agree. Not just the act, but the why and the ramifications.

 

[Thenaughtypen]

One of the advantages to writing series is that you get more leeway in handling the sex. Once the characters and the overall shape of the narrative have been established, you can have chapters with no explicit sex. You can front load a sex scene at the beginning of the story. You can present the sex in a light hearted manner in one chapter and with emotional intensity in the next.

But to the larger point, I guess my idea of what constitutes sexual content may be different from that of many others. For me, the sexual tension of "will they-wont they" IS sex. Obsessive desire IS sex. The warm afterglow IS sex.

Does your vacation start when you arrive at your destination, or is the trip part of the vacation?

My holidays are generally road trips, so the destination is an airport and a flight home! The journey is ALL the fun. I like the analogy.

Thank you...!

 

[Thenaughtypen]

I have asked a couple of questions and the answers have been very useful.

On here, do readers prefer stories where the sex is just more explicit than normal, or do the readers generally want just outline characters and then down to the filth?

I know that is a massive generalisation and will vary reader to reader and category to category.

I ask because is the complete absence of sex in one part of a multi part story a killer to a story or is that what people might expect?

thanks in advance for any views!

Is it ok to answer my own question? I will anyway.


Lots of great and helpful comments here. My query comes from being new to this genre, but the reality is it's pretty much the same as other writing.

Write what you like, and if other people like it, then that's pretty fucking cool. If not, write something else, or somewhere else. Authenticity is always king, queen, or dom. Turns out, I like writing about relationships and sex, so all good. A nice break from my more conventional stuff. Yeah, people there have sex and relationships, but unless description advances the story, a couple of lines hits the spot. Here it seems to me, sex may not be the story, but sex always advances the story.

For me, writing is 100% about emotions. I feel when I write. I feel sad for characters I like, and I feel happy when they do well. What more powerful emotion is there than sexual arousal, or sexual tension, or lust? I get a massive buzz when the reader feels as well. I guess erotic literature gives the writer a real and immediate feel that you have created a strong physical reaction in your reader. Makes sense.

That's how I see it. It's properly good fun too.

Thanks all for comments and thoughts.