Timing is everything (including difficult)

[NemoAlia]

Until just recently, I confined my erotica-writing practices to the privacy of my own journal. However, I figured that with all my years of reading internet erotica, it was finally time to give something back. However, I'm still pretty much a newbie when it comes to writing for other people's enjoyment as opposed to just recording my own fantasies for later reference.

My question, for those are more experienced than myself, is this: How do you gauge the timing of climactic(!) scenes in your stories (in terms of frequency, augmentation, spacing) to appeal to the tastes of your audience?

 

[Guest]

Timing IS everything.........

Hey Nemo Alia....

(By the way...interesting name. You'll have to write and tell me what it means. I apologize if it's something I should recognize and don't).

Anyway.........

I am sure you'll hear from numerous writers with suggestions as to how "they" feel the timing of an intimate encounter should develop. For me, once I have led up to that particular moment, hopefully having spent a little bit of time developing the scene, I then usually place myself in the "role" of the character I am describing. I usually walk away then and light up a smoke and ponder that moment. As the character now, what would I do? What would I see or want to feel? How would I hope or expect my lover or partner to respond? Once I have a dialog in my mind, and a fairly reasonable expectation as to how the characters should be reacting to one another, I write it down as though I was "both" of them, and respond to myself accordingly. Ok...I know that sounds a little schitzo but for me it works....

And if an erotic moment suddenly doesn't seem to be flowing, I go back to where it was flowing...erase everything past that point...and get up, fix a drink, have another smoke, or get myself "excited" in someway. (Whatever works right?) And then back to where I was before all that...and the "flow" seems to start up all over again.

It's also important (I think) to to set the mood, the atmosphere, and the emotions. Include the part about her heart beating (fearfully, excitedly, erotically, lustfully, etc) before you throw in the part......."And then I thrust my tongue inside her cunt." I think it at least tells you how she was feeling BEFORE the tongue got there....and that to me, (and maybe others) is important. Perhaps even more so.

If you get a chance...check out a few of my stories and see what you think. (You be the judge). Some of them have done really well....and others (when I was in a hurry) didn't do as well.
And....I think you'll be able to tell the difference. Obviously others have been able to as well!

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=19199

Bottom line is....find something that works for "you" and then stick with it.

To sleep...........perchance to Dream - William Shakespear

 

[KillerMuffin]

The answer is... I don't know, it just sorta happens. I don't try to force a story too much, just let it go the way it ought to. I don't try to second guess my writing before the entire story is finished, otherwise I'd never get it done.

I write the whole thing out, and everything happens in the story when it happens. The characters seem to let me know when they're ready to move on from schmoozing to screwing. Sometimes I get bored and force it. Then I (usually) let the story sit a week or so before cracking it open again and re-reading it. This is where I rewrite what I don't like. This also gives me a bit fresher perspective on it.

You may want to try a volunteer editor. This is just one person to send your story to and you'll get invaluable feedback before the whole world sees it.

Timing, in my experience, takes care of itself.

 

[chatbug]

Premature climax

Some writers, especially those writing for their own enjoyment, have a trendency to rush to the climax of the story. Putting the story away for a couple of weeks, then doing some editing, usually reveals places where parts of the story just weren't written.

Thesandman4u's answer is pretty good. It just depends on the story you're trying to tell and what you characters are doing as to how much sex they're having or not having. How you discover this is up to you.

 

[Alex De Kok]

My question, for those are more experienced than myself, is this: How do you gauge the timing of climactic(!) scenes in your stories (in terms of frequency, augmentation, spacing) to appeal to the tastes of your audience?

When you find out, let me know!

I just write. Sometimes it works...

Alex

 

[Mickie]

There is no general set rule, which is why its important to balance writing for an audience with writing for yourself. Write what you like, and see what the feedback says. I've had one person say my sex scenes are too long. I've had others who like the slow build up. You can't please everyone, so please yourself first. There are other people who have similar tastes, so those kind of people would be your perfect audience.

Above all, have fun with writing. Don't let the thought of what the readers might like and dislike hinder your style overmuch. If you were working toward getting a paid publication, it might make more difference, because then you'd have to please a publisher. The public has many different tastes, so you'll find an audience that will appreciate your own unique style.

Mickie

 

[JUDO]

Write it, then fix it.

I don't try to second guess my writing before the entire story is finished, otherwise I'd never get it done.

Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

Nemo -

Like all creative endeavors, getting it right is impossible to put in a box. The subjective nature of everything involved makes it so.

Youwill know it's right when it's right for you. I believe that you (a) plan what you want to write,(b) write it, then (c) re-write it for pacing, the senses, humor, emotional level and mood.

The re-write or fix:

Length of sentences or communicated thought (not necessarily complete sentences) will influence pacing.

Exploring all the five or six senses will deeply involve the reader and personalize the expierience for them.

Watch for opportunities to expose humor when you can find it. It adds subtext to the emotional level.

Be certain to vary the emotional level during the story. Nothing is more boring than a constant "white knuckle" adventure.

And finally, really hurt yourself by making your brain find the exact set of words you want for setting the mood of the moment. Yes, it hurts, but it is soooooo worth it.

Even if you only do most of these things half-assed (like most of us), your writing will improve greatly. And the when, how and which you are searching for will improve along with it.

Best of luck.


- Judo

 

[SexyChele]

I would second Killer Muffin's idea of using the volunteer editors. And if you can, choose more than one. Some of the editors will tell you if they will look at your story and check its "readability" - how it comes off and whether improvements can be made. The ones that I have dealt with have been thorough, helpful, and encouraging.