What are the elements of a great erotic story?

[Hugh_Janard]

I'm just wondering what authors on this site consider to be the most important elements of a satisfying, high quality erotic story. No doubt there are any number of ways to define the essential building blocks of any sort of story, but here are the ones I personally find to be most germane in the context of erotic writing:

1. Sex scenes that are exciting and titillating
2. Solid character development
3. Interesting and imaginative plot
4. Descriptive and evocative writing
5. Originality, the ability to put an unexpected spin on a story that makes it seem fresh and unique

If I was to assign percentages based on my own preferences, #1 would definitely be the highest, maybe 50 or 60%, but I'm not sure how exactly I'd distribute the other 40 or 50. So anyway, would love to hear from other writers regarding what they might add to or subtract from this list, as well as which aspects or components of a story they consider most important. Perhaps I'm looking for some direction or motivation... I've published two stories on this site which were both reasonably well received, but since then I've made a start on quite a few additional, but somehow haven't felt motivated to see them through to the end. I just thought it would be interesting and instructive to get some feedback from others on what aspects of a story they prioritize, which might inspire me to at least somewhat modify my modus operandi. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[YmaOHyd]

In order: 2, 1/4, 3, 5. I think people who can do 4 can do 1, and generally vice-versa. The story needs both.

I think erotic fiction is a mode of storytelling, and each piece of erotic fiction needs to satisfy the requirements of writing good fiction writ large. Those are going to differ based on form. Sex is an alternative form of action rather than an end in and of itself. But I do make a distinction between erotic fiction and written pornography, where the end goal is arousal rather than storytelling. I'm not making a value judgement there; I don't think one is better than the other. They're just different (or perhaps one is a subset of the other).

 

[IWroteThis]

It depends on the type of erotic story you are going for.

If it's a simple stroke story, you really only need #1. You could include #4, but the important parts of it are already included in #1 or it wouldn't actually be #1.

On the other hand, if it's a warm-up for some couple's time, you might not actually want any #1. You're actually going to want #6, which is Teaser scenes that are exciting and titillating. It should leave you wanting #1, but also leave you to FTDS in the bedroom. Once again, parts of #4 are already included.

#2, 3, 4, and 5 are good for a slow simmer, working yourself up to an enjoyable level without any immediate plans to finish. Depending on how long you have to wait and/or how much you want to edge yourself while you wait, varying amounts of #1 and/or 6 can be added in.

 

[caleb35]

I'm just wondering what authors on this site consider to be the most important elements of a satisfying, high quality erotic story. No doubt there are any number of ways to define the essential building blocks of any sort of story, but here are the ones I personally find to be most germane in the context of erotic writing:

1. Sex scenes that are exciting and titillating
2. Solid character development
3. Interesting and imaginative plot
4. Descriptive and evocative writing
5. Originality, the ability to put an unexpected spin on a story that makes it seem fresh and unique

If I was to assign percentages based on my own preferences, #1 would definitely be the highest, maybe 50 or 60%, but I'm not sure how exactly I'd distribute the other 40 or 50. So anyway, would love to hear from other writers regarding what they might add to or subtract from this list, as well as which aspects or components of a story they consider most important. Perhaps I'm looking for some direction or motivation... I've published two stories on this site which were both reasonably well received, but since then I've made a start on quite a few additional, but somehow haven't felt motivated to see them through to the end. I just thought it would be interesting and instructive to get some feedback from others on what aspects of a story they prioritize, which might inspire me to at least somewhat modify my modus operandi. Thanks in advance for any responses.

What are the elements of a great erotic story? Greatness.

... I'll see myself out.

For a serious answer though, I think a great story needs all of the five elements that you listed more or less equally. It doesn't necessarily have to have all of them provided that it has at least most. The only element you list that I don't think is as important is the fifth one; a fresh spin is nice but not absolutely necessary and if all the other elements are at the top of their game, then no one will mind if it's retreading old ground.

 

[JennaMom2022]

Realism. Plausibility.

 

[caleb35]

Realism. Plausibility.

I mostly agree, but for the sake of discussion, how far should realism and plausibility go? Because I feel like those are two legs of the tripod but the third leg is fantasy itself. So you have the fantasy but it's grounded in realism so as to be plausible to the reader (so as to aid their immersion in the story). One can argue that a great story has all three elements or legs in equal measure. Your thoughts?

 

[EmilyMiller]

Realism. Plausibility.

That’s for a certain type of story, surely.

 

[THBGato]

1. Sex scenes that are exciting and titillating
2. Solid character development
3. Interesting and imaginative plot
4. Descriptive and evocative writing
5. Originality, the ability to put an unexpected spin on a story that makes it seem fresh and unique

In order:

2 is vital. Without it, forget it.

3 is extremely desirable BUT it only needs the first part - "interesting". Friends-to-lovers is interesting, because most readers have fantasised about it/lived it. Ditto rescue stories, first time stories, etc. None need to be "imaginative" to hook us in, we just need to be able to relate to the characters. Hence why 2 is so important.

1. Well, yeah. Though perhaps less important than you think.

4. Mmmm. Can be good. Sometimed though you just get purple prose.

5. Readers don't want originality. Not on a site like this. They aren't coming for twists, they are coming for tropes. Speaking personally, my most original stories are my least viewed and least voted on, and that's a pattern I've seen replicated across the 2,000+ stories I've reade here. There are exceptions of course, but those are by exceptional writers. Not saying you shouldn't go for it if you have an original idea, but you can write an extremely well-received story here without one.