What do you expect from erotica?

[KillerMuffin]

What sorts of things do you expect erotica to do to you when you read it, specifically, or see erotic pictures? Not pornography, however you define the two, but erotica. What do you want from erotica? What do you expect it to give you? Do you often feel disappointed that it fails to deliver what you want?

 

[Laurel]

The same things I expect from any fiction: to be entertained. To be transported to another place and time. To come away with a fresh outlook or a new insight into the human condition.

Plus I'd like it to give me a woody. Figuratively speaking, of course.

 

[Never]

Dampness or at least the feel of blood pounding down there..
It's much easier for me to rate erotica than to rate other fiction.

 

[Siren]

Laurel gets a 'woodie'

 

[mars99]

fantasy

I expect fantasy, diversion, sensual stimulation, something that brings out the beautiful, intelligent qualities of sex rather than the primal, exploitative areas that porn does(which is good sometimes too). I think intelligence and a healthy respect for sex and its power are necessary to create good erotica. Taste, restraint and subtlety are other keys that I look for too.

KMuff, I must say, your stories deliver very well. Really.

 

[Ticklish Girl]

I expect erotica to turn me on, first of all. But I need more than a by-the-numbers description of sex. The stories that never fail to excite me are the ones that explore how the characters are feeling. This makes the characters seem more real. I like it when the writer appeals to my senses. Nothing irritates me more than one-dimensional stories that only describe the action and leave out the feelings. It's the old saying: Don't tell me, show me.

Another thing that I expect is writing skill. I get tired of reading about a guy's pulsing rod penetrating a girl's moist womanhood. In horror fiction or any other genre fiction, I like to see a writer break through the cliches and tired old plots and offer up something that's fresh and interesting. I feel the same way about erotic fiction. Trying to do something new (or trying to do something old in a new way) makes a sexy story even sexier.

 

[morninggirl5]

When I read any type of fiction, I want to be in the world created by the author. I want to know what the characters are thinking, feel what they're feeling, see what they're seeing. Unless they become real in my mind, I'm not satisfied.

The true mark of a great piece of writing for me is when I can't tell you why I like it. Good writing works so flawlessly that it just is, and that world exists somewhere for me. (And I usually want to know what happens next.)

 

[SteamyChik]

I come here for a break from real life.

I enjoy reading the stories, any kind, long or short, developed or wham bam.

Mostly, I like to write and post my stories. The feedback is great and makes me feel good.

 

[Laurel]

There's a series on Lit (I think it has a one-word title, can't seem to remember the name or the author, durn it) in the BDSM section about a man being dominated by his wife...That is not a theme that generally appeals to me, and the story does not turn me on in the least, but I found myself waiting for each chapter to arrive. I was sooo caught up in the characters, wondering if he would continue to submit or if he would turn the tables on her. Good writing can transcend any genre labeling. I'm going to post a story by Stardog Champion in the next day or two that has such a compelling premise that I had to sit there and read all three chapters before I could move on to other things. It had steamy sex, but I was less turned on than I was interested in what would happen next. I LOVE that. I do love steamy stuff as well, but plot-driven work with intriguing characters and lots of tension pulls me right in.