What kind of (Lit) stories do you like to read?

[AwkwardlySet]

We often discuss various aspects of our stories, and we generally respect the fact that we have different tastes. But here, I want you to say what kind of Lit stories appeal to you. And I don't mean the category or even some specific kink; I mostly mean the way the story is crafted.
Do you like strokers or stories that focus on plot? Do you prefer short stories, those that try to capture one moment, one scene, one encounter, or do you like really long ones with many chapters, where there is gradual development of characters and plot. Do you like them told in first or third person, do you like multiple or single POVs?
Also, don't shy away from telling what you dislike in a story, and once again, I am not talking about kinks. What kind of story-telling is a big no for you, what kind of pacing makes you abandon the story, etc.

Keep in mind that it goes without saying that we all respect that people have different tastes and that dissing a certain type of story doesn't mean you are insulting anyone. Basically, I wouldn't want people to worry if they are stepping on anyone's toes by criticizing a certain type of story. These are all tastes and personal preferences.

 

[lovecraft68]

I generally prefer slow burn over stroke
I enjoy stories that take a somewhat darker turn or a dysfunctional character(s)
Stories where the woman, if not the aggressor, is equal partners in the sex. Outright submissive, or being forced to do something, or just the swooning woman who melts for the guy makes me roll my eyes.

 

[StillStunned]

I like characters to act like people, and not like an author avatar. I like the sex to be intrinsic to the story, not tagged on. I like characters who enjoy sex for the sake of sex, and can enjoy it without hang-ups.

 

[Voboy]

Nine times out of ten, I want to read work that is similar to what I write: slow-ish buildup, strong characters that I want to care about, snappy dialogue. I VERY often find good stories by looking at the Favorites list of the readers who have Favorited me.

The tenth time? I find myself gravitating toward stories that are the polar opposite of what I write.

 

[Devinter]

I like when the world and the characters within it feels alive and vibrant, and when it's truly hard to predict what's going to happen next. And I don't mean exclusively when there's a good twist; I mean when the whole story is just full of unexpected turns and each page is unpredictable. The more creative, the better. It makes you feel like you're experiencing some sort of adventure alongside the characters, and it makes it truly hard for me to put the story down. That kind of feeling is rare in erotic stories, but certainly not non-existent. Bonus points if there's bits and pieces that tug at the heartstrings as well.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I can enjoy a well-crafted short story but it will always leave me wanting more. So my type of story is a long one, usually 30k+ words, but more than that, it's the story where there is a gradual and believable progression of a relationship, where characters evolve and develop over time. And in that sense, it doesn't even matter if the story is plot-heavy or not (even though I prefer interesting plot and world-building). I can happily read strokers with such believable development.

For example, I like reading femdom, but nothing makes me groan more than a story that begins with: One day, my wife and I decided that she is going to be my mistress and I her slave.

For me, it's all about the journey. Show me the inception of that idea, how you slowly went from a silly game to a serious D/s. I want to see the slow seduction and progress with that kink. Show me what that did to your marriage, how did it change your character, your relationship with other people, etc.
For me, the sexual appeal comes in good part from the characters themselves. If you take the personalities and their quirks out of the equation, then sex is just about putting stuff in one hole or the other... and that is why I dislike short strokers. With rare exceptions, characters in such stories are rarely anything more than a person A or person B.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I VERY often find good stories by looking at the Favorites list of the readers who have Favorited me.

I do the same and it fucking works. I found my favorite stories that way.

 

[CarmineBlancheJr]

I look for and enjoy reading things that are not... "Usual".

I am a bit of a kink nut, so while I might write things that are bordering on romantic and slow, I like things that are a little on the unusual and wild side. Unusual pairings, strange sex, etc...

 

[SimonDoom]

I like a broad range of stories. I can enjoy almost any subject matter if it's well-written. I enjoy good prose and good storytelling. If the author can turn a phrase and make me notice, I'm a long way toward enjoying the story.

I tend to enjoy stories that fall between "short strokers" and long stories. I like a bit of buildup and character development, which if done right greatly enhances the eroticism for me, but I usually want a story I can finish in a single not-overly-long reading. 3-6 Lit pages (8000 to 20,000 words) is the usual sweet spot for me. In my opinion, most 8-page stories are too long and could easily be cut.

I'm somewhat picky about spelling, grammar, and mechanics. I can get thrown out of a story quickly if it's sloppy on these issues. The quickest giveaway is badly handled dialogue, when it becomes clear right away that the author has no idea how to handle tags and commas. I give up when I see that.

I'm not very picky about believability. I can suspend disbelief about almost anything once. But don't make me do it too often.

I like positive stories more than negative ones. I like stories with sex-positive, kink-positive messages.

I enjoy the theme of trying something for the first time: overcoming internal and external resistance to explore an undiscovered aspect of one's sexuality. This is something I like both as a reader and as a writer. From this view I get my general story-writing maxim "First time is best."

One of the biggest mistakes authors make is the expository beginning. I prefer to jump into the story and to see exposition woven into the story. The info-dump beginning is a big turnoff for me.

I like a story that ends. Better to end too soon than too late. I rarely tell an author: "You need to continue this story!" As an author, if I feel I've nailed the ending I want to move on to the next barn rather than to continue milking the cow. I'm the same way as a reader.

 

[Gamblnluck]

Nine times out of ten, I want to read work that is similar to what I write: slow-ish buildup, strong characters that I want to care about, snappy dialogue. I VERY often find good stories by looking at the Favorites list of the readers who have Favorited me.

Actually I do the same. I value plot and character development over a stroke story. I expect the characters to respond appropriately to the given circumstances and the circumstances should be defined.
I hate a story where a character is walking down the street, suddenly a person jumps out and assaults them (kidnap or just a beat down) and the victim says 'Oooh I love it! Beat me more. I'll sign over my life and all I own to you because I have neither a brain or willpower left."
I tend to write a 'fall down the rabbit hole' story because it explains why a person might act irrationally after a while.
I like relatable characters. That does not mean I have to fit it. It means I can see what they see and it makes sense. Think of an alien watching a group of humans going about their life. Can he make sense of why they are reacting? Does it make sense? Consistent? It is the author's duty to make it work.

 

[Erozetta]

Stories that focus on emotions and psychological connections between characters rather than purely physical.

There are a few that get the physical side done fairly well, but it's when the connection goes beyond that, into understanding each other's failures and traumas that I enjoy it.

There's also and element within submission that I like. Specifically when, outside of sex, the woman holds more power than the man and willingly let's that role get reversed within the physical connections. Particularly when the exchange of power happens slowly and with some reluctance/fear around giving up that power as it requires a level of trust someone who typically holds power doesn't extend to others.

Also, spanking and blowjob stories that don't focus on one side of the equation. Blowjobs that involve a blend of inner thoughts and pleasure from the giving aspect and focusing on that instead of the physical reactions and motions. Spankings... I just tend to really enjoy reading about. Particularly bare handed with exertion of control over the spankee's positioning.

 

[Euphony]

World is bereft of base decency much of the time so I gravitate towards seeing more examples of that. Fantasy romance can be fun but the more narrow path of people just genuinely getting along with one another, communicating, connecting without the deus ex machina of soulmates, meant for each other, fated, or just beautiful people getting together b/c that's the natural evolutionary order of things.

Paradoxically, everyday putting in the work unpretty love isn't represented as much as it exists in the real world. But this is fantasy for many so I get it, escapism, hope, stuff in that area is a much larger draw.

I appreciate authors that find a way to make the everyday negotiation of relationships as much or more compelling that the usual expressions of "romance" (and recognize there's still magic to be mined there if you have the chops.) Relationship minutia can be pretty fucking awesome done well.

 

[lovecraft68]

World is bereft of base decency much of the time

This mentality-that I share due to learning it at a young age-is what drives a lot of my stories, especially the occasional LW piece. People behave in selfish and strange ways, and decency isn't a word factored into their behavior, so I tend to lean that way.

My few exceptions have been bigger hits stat and comment wise which to me further enforces how some people like yourself are seeking something more wholesome so to speak.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

World is bereft of base decency much of the time so I gravitate towards seeing more examples of that.

It's why I like reading and writing fantasy so much. It lets me write about worlds where people actually try to be better, and where evil comes in the form of individuals and/or supernatural beings rather than the average human - who is just a selfish and indifferent being. That's why I rarely like grimdark stuff. It resembles the real world too much

 

[KeithD]

The few times I read stories here I'm looking for what would be a good read in the mainstream but that smoothly folds steamy sex in it.

 

[StillStunned]

The few times I read stories here I'm looking for what would be a good read in the mainstream but that smoothly folds steamy sex in it.

I agree. I like it when a story reads like mainstream literature would if there weren't any hang-ups about explicit sex.

 

[THBGato]

Nine times out of ten, I want to read work that is similar to what I write: slow-ish buildup, strong characters that I want to care about, snappy dialogue. I VERY often find good stories by looking at the Favorites list of the readers who have Favorited me.

This, completely, except for me it's more 49 times out of 50.

Speaking of Favourites lists, mine come in a variety of flavours: https://www.literotica.com/authors/THBGato/lists

 

[onehitwanda]

Slow-burn romance.

 

[StillStunned]

Slow-burn romance.

If your romance is giving you a slow burn, you should get your partner checked out.

All together now! "Inflammation of the foreskin reminds me of your smile..."

 

[onehitwanda]

If your romance is giving you a slow burn, you should get your partner checked out.

All together now! "Inflammation of the foreskin reminds me of your smile..."

https://storage.googleapis.com/sticker-prod/2Ku4DyTt3pig7WImZPoU/16.thumb256.png

 

[lovecraft68]

If your romance is giving you a slow burn, you should get your partner checked out.

All together now! "Inflammation of the foreskin reminds me of your smile..."

 

[TheLobster]

a variety of flavours

*looks inside*

Ahem... Ma'am, 'tis as varied as Henry Ford's gamut of car colors!

 

[StillStunned]

https://storage.googleapis.com/sticker-prod/2Ku4DyTt3pig7WImZPoU/16.thumb256.png

It's Saturday night, the redhead is out and I'm running out of creativity with my "demon under my bed" story. So I'll just have to take it out on you, haha!

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Slow-burn romance.

I thought that the generals of the ULA were more eloquent than that... They are supposed to have... nimble tongues, after all.

 

[onehitwanda]

I thought that the generals of the ULA were more eloquent than that... They are supposed to have... nimble tongues, after all.

We have no generals. Generals are ghastly, overbearing people in awful, garish red uniforms. We outlawed them at the second Clitoric Convocation of Antioch.

We have admirals. Because we do a lot, and I do mean a lot, of admiring.