The Temptation of Realism

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Luc, if you're going to be a shit, just put me on ignore... nobody's stopping you and you've got nothing to say to me.

I actually didn't mean anything bad that time. You were just an example of the type of people who wouldn't appreciate ultra realism. You stated you were the type who use it as a porn device and as such expect the body type most common to such.

My point was that while you'll lose the people using the story as porn, you'll gain the respect of people using it as fantasy or general story.

I was actually making an innocent remark that time. I apologize though for it and will refrain from using you in such examples in the future.

 

[gauchecritic]

I can't say as I've ever used perfect bodies in stories, actually they bore me, in the same way that all the 'beautiful' people I know bore me.

When my main character stops by the mirror to assess her glowing good health (not that she ever has or ever will) she sees wrinkles around her eyes, that really irritating dimple in her left shoulder and just a little bit too much fat at the top of her thighs.

Actually, I know very, very few women who dare look at themselves naked in a full length mirror. Even the 'beautiful' ones.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I can't say as I've ever used perfect bodies in stories, actually they bore me, in the same way that all the 'beautiful' people I know bore me.

When my main character stops by the mirror to assess her glowing good health (not that she ever has or ever will) she sees wrinkles around her eyes, that really irritating dimple in her left shoulder and just a little bit too much fat at the top of her thighs.

Actually, I know very, very few women who dare look at themselves naked in a full length mirror. Even the 'beautiful' ones.

Thank God. There is no convention I hate worse than that damned friggin' mirror scene with its inevitable references to working out and staying in perfect shape.

For what? So you can stay at home and gaze lovingly at yourself in the mirror? Who wants to get inventive with someone staring into a glass with all the wit and self-possession of a parakeet?

Sorry, sore point.

Shanglan

(And apologies, Gauche - I would have used "budgerigar" in your honor, except that I clearly can't spell it and "budgie" just sounds too cute.)

 

[rgraham666]

Go for it Q_C.

I've never used a 'perfect' person in any of my stories.

And I've never used a measurement either. I'm writing porn, not a scientific thesis.

However, I did use a 'mirror' scene' in my just submitted story. I'm so ashamed.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

If you're writing pornography - that is, literature whose sole purpose is to sexually excite the reader - then why would you want anyone less than ideal? Pornography is sexual propaganda. You want your people to be as sexually stimulating and attractive as possible.

If you're writing erotica, which explores the realities of human sexuality, then you'd make it more real by sticking with what's realistic. Seems obvious to me.

Like Joe says: it's the difference between porn and lit.

---dr.M.

P.S. If you put in man-boobs on the guys and hairy moles on the women, it's going to bomb no matter how hot it you think it is.

P.P.S. Now that I think of it, I rarely describe my characters at all, unless something about their appearance is germane to the plot. I think you want them to act out their appearance, not describe it.

 

[cantdog]

that's the ticket. They could be anyone at all, unless they need to be a particular way for the purposes of the story.

Most of the time, no one has a clue what they look like. It helps people identify. I fervently hope.

 

[rgraham666]

I generally do describe my characters well. Not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm such a visually oriented person.

But, I hope, the emotions I try to communicate are common to just about everyone.

 

[BlackShanglan]

P.P.S. Now that I think of it, I rarely describe my characters at all, unless something about their appearance is germane to the plot. I think you want them to act out their appearance, not describe it.

With you. I'm not very visually oriented. But I do understand that some people prefer this sort of detail. It's just not for me.

Sorry rgraham. Didn't mean to denigrate. Some day I really must learn to keep my mouth shut

Shanglan

 

[nushu2]

Aye

With one exception. Seeing through the character's eyes is more revealing of the one seeing than the one being seen.