Story Advice

[fieryjen]

I've been writing on something random, inspired over the last few days (I tend to start one thing, then, when my inspiration runs out, work on something else and get back to it later). It was supposed to be a story for the "Mature" category, with quite a few issues and reluctance on both sides because of the age difference of the characters.

But the thing is, the two of them just don't want to do it with each other. It just doesn't fit. They're still at the innocently kissing stage, and I can't force them to sleep with each other because it would screw up the characters, and therefore the story.

- Should I leave this, give it a nice ending and put it into non-erotic?

- Should I take my time with the story, maybe write it in two parts one taking place at a later time than the first so the characters have gotten used to each other in the meantime?

- ???

Any advice?

I'm unhappy, because this story means a lot to me. I think it's actually pretty good so far. Please post even if you don't have a recipe for success, because I may find a solution just by talking about it and maybe you'll get me to consider some things I haven't so far. Thanks.

 

[CopyCarver]

I've been writing on something random, inspired over the last few days (I tend to start one thing, then, when my inspiration runs out, work on something else and get back to it later). It was supposed to be a story for the "Mature" category, with quite a few issues and reluctance on both sides because of the age difference of the characters.

But the thing is, the two of them just don't want to do it with each other. It just doesn't fit. They're still at the innocently kissing stage, and I can't force them to sleep with each other because it would screw up the characters, and therefore the story.

- Should I leave this, give it a nice ending and put it into non-erotic?

- Should I take my time with the story, maybe write it in two parts one taking place at a later time than the first so the characters have gotten used to each other in the meantime?

- ???

Any advice?

I'm unhappy, because this story means a lot to me. I think it's actually pretty good so far. Please post even if you don't have a recipe for success, because I may find a solution just by talking about it and maybe you'll get me to consider some things I haven't so far. Thanks.

Maybe if you let the story "cool" for a day or two until it becomes a bit less frustrating and then go back to it with a fresh eye and more fluid preconceptions?

That general type of problem is the one that always slowed me down back when I was still writing fiction, and I never found a good solution--probably when I switched to nonfiction almost exclusively.Whoever said that writers are the only morally-justified dictators obviously never tried to give orders to fictional characters.

 

[fieryjen]

Maybe if you let the story "cool" for a day or two until it becomes a bit less frustrating and then go back to it with a fresh eye and more fluid preconceptions?

That general type of problem is the one that always slowed me down back when I was still writing fiction, and I never found a good solution--probably when I switched to nonfiction almost exclusively.Whoever said that writers are the only morally-justified dictators obviously never tried to give orders to fictional characters.

thank you. I'll follow that advice.

 

[RogueLurker]

thank you. I'll follow that advice.

A time out is probably a good thing. It sounds like you are writing as it comes, based on how the characters develop; rather than writing to a strictly outlined plot. If that's the case, forcing the characters to do something that they "don't want or wouldn't do" will probably stand out in the finished story as something that just didn't fit.

But what do I know ... I am *not* a writer.

 

[kbate]

Innocently kissing, written in a good way can be quite erotic. you can put the same emotion and lust into a simple kiss and held hand as you do into hot sex on the kitchen floor. It only takes a little thought and effort.

 

[john-the-author]

Fictional characters

It just doesn't work to try and get the little characters on the page to do what you actually want them to do. They'll get up and walk off if they don't like where things are going. I knew this intellectually from a number of friends (social circle includes a lot of fiction authors; go figure), but I never experienced it myself until I started writing my own fiction. The characters will simply fuck off if you try and take them somewhere other than they're intersted in going. Or they sulk and don't say anything, which is worse.

 

[noxiousblonde]

Innocently kissing, written in a good way can be quite erotic. you can put the same emotion and lust into a simple kiss and held hand as you do into hot sex on the kitchen floor. It only takes a little thought and effort.

I agree 100% with kbate on this one. Kissing can often be more erotic and more arousing then sex at times. If it feels right to end with the kiss, left your characters at that. As other people have said, pushing your characters into sex when you see them as not ready for it is like pushing real live people into something they don't want.

Take your time away from it, then write your kiss and see how it turns out. I'm betting it will be amazing and much better than a shag.

Good luck

 

[J.Q. Hack]

I've definitely run into the same problem you have had and I know how frustrating it can be when the characters don't want to cooperate with you.

As others have suggested give the story a few days to cool off and perhaps some other ideas or ways around the problems may present themselves. What to do with the physical stories themselves is up to you. If you want to send the story off to Lit you could publish the part with just the kissing in one of the categories with a note explaining that more is to follow and write a second chapter or if you can wait write a second part and expand it by adding the kissing scene on. Just a few suggestions.

J.Q.