I've just finished (and submitted) my first piece of erotic fiction. Delighted with this, I then sent a copy of it to a friend of mine (warning him in advance of it's nature) for a quick opinion.
His response was a little surprising - and I paraphrase...
That was hardcore, and not traditional "erotica" at all! Don't misunderstand me, it was nicely done, but it was much too gratuitous to be classified under the terms "erotica". Applause and a cookie, but mind your genre.
This concerned me a little, so, wondering about exactly what tone I should be aiming for (my writing process involved coming up with a scenario and writing about it with no-holds barred), I read more of the stories available in the section I submitted to (anal). It seems that, perhaps, I may have been a little too graphic; too candid in my narrative. While I have read some very graphic descriptions of sexual encounter in the site, it seems that, generally, the tone is far more subdued than the one I used.
This prompts me to ask for advice. On a site that features sections for even the most wayward of sexual entertainments, can there exist such a thing as a tone that is "too hardcore", given the intention of erotica and the overall content of the site?
To abbreviate, can there be such a thing as "too far"?
Of course, I could be happy to formward my manuscript to anyone wishing to view it before reaching a conclusion specific to my writing style. I also now understand the process of inviting editors to view and comment ahead of submission. In my defence, I had just signed up to the Survivor series and was rearing to go, and I am new to this genre and hadn't questioned whether there would be limits in how far to push the envelope when describing carnal pleasures.
I thank you in advance for putting up with this newbie who has probably made a classic mistake!
Xy x
His response was a little surprising - and I paraphrase...
That was hardcore, and not traditional "erotica" at all! Don't misunderstand me, it was nicely done, but it was much too gratuitous to be classified under the terms "erotica". Applause and a cookie, but mind your genre.
This concerned me a little, so, wondering about exactly what tone I should be aiming for (my writing process involved coming up with a scenario and writing about it with no-holds barred), I read more of the stories available in the section I submitted to (anal). It seems that, perhaps, I may have been a little too graphic; too candid in my narrative. While I have read some very graphic descriptions of sexual encounter in the site, it seems that, generally, the tone is far more subdued than the one I used.
This prompts me to ask for advice. On a site that features sections for even the most wayward of sexual entertainments, can there exist such a thing as a tone that is "too hardcore", given the intention of erotica and the overall content of the site?
To abbreviate, can there be such a thing as "too far"?
Of course, I could be happy to formward my manuscript to anyone wishing to view it before reaching a conclusion specific to my writing style. I also now understand the process of inviting editors to view and comment ahead of submission. In my defence, I had just signed up to the Survivor series and was rearing to go, and I am new to this genre and hadn't questioned whether there would be limits in how far to push the envelope when describing carnal pleasures.
I thank you in advance for putting up with this newbie who has probably made a classic mistake!
Xy x
I describe my stories as being the dirtiest ones on the site, and I believe that to be so, at least in terms of pleasurable sex involving consenting adults. 
