What's unique or different about your style?

[SimonDoom]

I have a good erotic imagination that takes me to many unusual places. My stories sometimes have far-fetched, unusual premises, like Penis Fish or Teddy Bear or Bikini with a Mind of its Own. I'm eclectic when it comes to subject matter and category, although I have written more incest and exhibitionist stories than any other type.

Being a middle-aged man, I'm into writing about middle-aged women.

My stories like to play up the sense of the taboo and forbidden. I'm much less likely to write a story about a long-time nudist than I am about someone getting naked in public for the first time and who is nervous about it.

My stories tend to be light rather than dark, sometimes a bit whimsical. My stories tend to be sex- and kink-positive. Characters do crazy things and it turns out to be a positive experience most of the time. Most stories have good endings.

I think I'm a decent stylist, with a good command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, but my editing and proofing could be tighter and more careful.

I'm not especially constrained by reality, realism, or real-world moralism. I think it's perfectly OK to construct a fantasy world unbound by the moral or physical dictates of this one.

 

[AchtungNight]

Oh one more thing. I’m willing to get very elaborate in my plots, especially when it comes to unraveling bad guys’ schemes and defeating them.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

People comment on how 'real' my characters are, which is nice given I aim to write realistic stories - some actually happened, most could have happened. Mostly-pleasant characters care about each other, often as friends.

There's quite a few disabled characters, many polyamorous ones, mentions of queerness even in heterosexual pairings, and people from all the variety of backgrounds you'd expect in London. And detailed thinking about filthy sex, often resulting in snarky dialogue. Readers like the dialogue.

 

[HeyAll]

In terms of writing style, nothing specific. I try to make it as clear as possible. No heavy prose.

But i've had many comments over the years with people liking that my stories get right to the point. Though many times people say the story is too short, but i disgree.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

What is it about your style that sets you apart from others? The bit that makes your followers come back for more, and recognise you in each new story?

Well I have no followers and no one recognizes me at all. I'm sure that that will change over time. I'll probably collect at least a small group of fans.

As for my style, I like to mix longer immersive descriptions with shorter blunt statements. I find that things flow best this way and read easily and comfortably. I'm quite conscious of pace. Some scenes need to stop and smell the roses and some need to just go bang. Imagery is important in my work but I'm careful not to lay it thick everywhere and bog things down. I try to pick the right moments.

Plotwise, there is always some sort of tension. I may write something lighter or humorous but there is usually some sort of grit. Someone at some point will be making a decision that may or may not have consequences. I never write fluff. I refuse to write unicorns. I strive for an immersive believability, even in a fantasy or otherworldly setting, with motive driven plot. Sex and 'splosions will never happen just for the sake of the spectacle. There may very well be a spectacle, but there will be a plot reason for that spectacle.

 

[RainyDayPen]

I generally try to write about likeable characters with a lot of kindness - even though my kinks are all in the sadomasochism realm. A few perceptive people have caught on to this and have commented about it. I think this may be a turnoff for some people as well, which is fine and expected. Everyone has their own things.

I've gotten so much wonderful feedback in many areas, but my readers seem to enjoy the kindness and sweet main characters the most.

 

[EroticCupcake]

I generally try to write about likeable characters with a lot of kindness - even though my kinks are all in the sadomasochism realm. A few perceptive people have caught on to this and have commented about it. I think this may be a turnoff for some people as well, which is fine and expected. Everyone has their own things.

I've gotten so much wonderful feedback in many areas, but my readers seem to enjoy the kindness and sweet main characters the most.

I think about a version of this. I want writing that can be incredibly dark, but is not mean spirited. I want to believe there is a way to write with kindness, even if individual actions and characters are cruel.

 

[YDB95]

I've been told I'm especially good at writing dialogue. People do also tell me I have a very distinctive style, but I can't really see it myself.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Now that I think about it, I've had a few comments on my fan fics about how wrote the characters and they seem practically like their canon selves, but that's rare. I don't really get commente here, and I get more on those sites, which isn't saying much. I've never really thought about this question and as far as here, I guess from what I've read, my characters seem to have a bit more emotion outside of sex- deep feelings. I've written a lot of angst hurt/comfort type stuff. I make an effort with the suspension of belief thing, and don't write too much, if any outrageous things, at least not on the Uncle Grandpa level of it just is kinda stuff. Maybe that's it?

 

[TheRedChamber]

I doubt I'm unique in any one specific element, but my general characteristics...

1) Never telling the same story twice. I'd avoid the word 'experimental' because that sounds pretentious and that's not it, but I'm always 'trying something new'
2) Generally have a humerous take on the story - people are ridiculous, people having sex are ridiculous, and people in love are the most ridiculous of all. For example, I like to put my domme in the position of being unable to open the brand butt-plug packaging in the middle of a session (seriously, modern packing is tough...)
3) I like plots that are just on the wrong side of unlikely. I do like to keep an efficient and fast paced structure.
4) I lean nerdy and that comes across in my writing (both for the guys and increasingly the girls)

 

[RainyDayPen]

I think about a version of this. I want writing that can be incredibly dark, but is not mean spirited. I want to believe there is a way to write with kindness, even if individual actions and characters are cruel.

Maybe if the narrator is third person omniscient and a kind observer of cruel things. It reminds me a little of Vonnegut honestly. I thought there was a lot of kindness in his book that was largely about the worst parts of war.

 

[Rollinbones]

I discovered a recipe. All I had to do was stop writing for competitions and votes and just enjoy writing even if I did it wrong according to anon.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Well first off, the word "style" and my name should never be used together in a sentence. I've never really had any, I'm just me.

As for my writing, if likable characters in loving, fun sexual escapades is a style then maybe I finally do have one.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

My writing style is lush. I’ve been cited for flowery prose, and most people love that. I do as well, as a reader, but it’s not often I find that in erotica so when I do I get so happy.

I use descriptive text and moderate dialogue, vivid scene setting, intricate interwoven plot-lines and love creating complex characters; this is my go-to writing preference. The style of erotica I write is intended to very much be an interesting story first and foremost, and erotica second. I think even my “strokers” hit this criteria… but a common consensus of my following is that they jump in somewhere random, then go back and read the entire long ass series. I’ve done exactly what I wanted then, as far as I’m concerned.

That said, I can also chameleon like a motherfucker. I’m pretty confident with enough desire I could mimic a lot of writing styles, from sparse to bare bones, even eclectic, or poetic.

 

[yowser]

I live in my head a lot (the old saying about imagination being a blessing and a curse) and my stories go all over the map. Most of my characters, male and female, are overeducated, overthink continuously, are puzzled by how things 'happen' to them, and often have a hard time letting go. I work hard on the craft bit.

But this is a two part question, and I don't actually know why people come back to my stories or seek them out (maybe many of us aren't sure either.)

Here's a couple comments, one of the few concrete gauges of reader reactions:

Nobody does esoteric academia quite like you, yowser.

Very beautifully written in a style not often found today. On this site, my interest in the stories doesn't usually last until the final paragraph, but I couldn't stop reading this. Sensual, poetic, and classic. Unforgettable.

 

[TruthwithaTwist]

I think it's the fact that I write based on true events (with some exaggeration). It lets me call back to real people, characteristics and details. I'm also finding that my stories that are more based in "truth" than "twist" do better.

The other thing I've found is readers don't like conflict! My stories that have a bit of conflict in them don't do as well or get comments like "He should have dumped the b*tch!" Yeah....ok.....but anyone who's been in a relationship knows there are occasionally some rocky patches. I guess people just don't want to read about them!

 

[pink_silk_glove]

The other thing I've found is readers don't like conflict!

Totally true. It's a generalization of course, readers come in all kinds, but overall the bulk of the audience at lit (and in erotica in general) aren't looking for stories so much as a fantasy, and their fantasies are usually completely devoid of all tension or guilt, or even reality. They don't want deep characters who develop throughout the plot that they are not the least bit interested in. They want insert tab A into slot B and they want it now and they want a flawless unicorn to leap out from nowhere and insert it for them, and sometimes even in the precise way that they demand it.

Sure, you will get comments praising your plot and your characters. There are readers out there who truly want this. They are the deep minority.

Sure you will get a majority of comments sometimes who are into your actual prose. This is not an accurate cross section of the whole. You're hearing mostly from that minority who are probably so excited that they've actually found some plot, nuance and real emotion that they are moved to comment.

The vast anonymous of lit wants to stroke. Now.

 

[lovecraft68]

Totally true. It's a generalization of course, readers come in all kinds, but overall the bulk of the audience at lit (and in erotica in general) aren't looking for stories so much as a fantasy, and their fantasies are usually completely devoid of all tension or guilt, or even reality. They don't want deep characters who develop throughout the plot that they are not the least bit interested in. They want insert tab A into slot B and they want it now and they want a flawless unicorn to leap out from nowhere and insert it for them, and sometimes even in the precise way that they demand it.

Sure, you will get comments praising your plot and your characters. There are readers out there who truly want this. They are the deep minority.

Sure you will get a majority of comments sometimes who are into your actual prose. This is not an accurate cross section of the whole. You're hearing mostly from that minority who are probably so excited that they've actually found some plot, nuance and real emotion that they are moved to comment.

The vast anonymous of lit wants to stroke. Now.

I'm writing as story about an escort. Now the thing is in reality escorts use condoms. Some might give oral without one, but they all use protection for sex. Rule of thumb is if you run into a provider who is willing to do full service bareback then that means they've already caught something and just don't care anymore and looking to cash in men who either also have the gift that keeps on giving, or are crazy enough to ride the tiger they're not catching anything.

Knowing that I found myself leaning back in the chair and thinking about reality vs reader expectation because I'm into the first encounter and had her removing a condom from under the pillow and getting ready to put it on.

My conflicting thoughts were, as stated above, this is how it works and its for both parties benefit(especially if you're married, good luck explaining how you suddenly came home with herpes) and that's where I was leaning.

Then I stopped and caught myself with...this is a fantasy, and condoms are an annoying reality. Anyone remember years ago during the HIV scare that some studios were requiring condoms in movies? Those movies sold like shit, people were just going back and watching pre safe sex vids, and the idea did not last long. So where I am now if she barebacked the client in the opening scene.

Now, she also has an Only fans and makes her own videos so in that case the excuse for the guys not needing a condom is they're professionals who are tested weekly.

Which leads me to something that validates my decision. I wrote a story a few years ago about a woman joining the adult film industry. I bring up her worrying her initial blood test might come back positive because she'd been screwing around a lot and never using anything. In another part, the woman who runs the production company chews her out when she finds out she's still hunting down young guys and banging them bareback and she tells her it would only take once for her new career to be over and to be smarter.

I received multiple feedbacks along the lines of "do we need that in a fictional sex story? I read these things so I don't have to worry about STD's etc.."

Now of course I am sure this piece will get a couple of "She barebacked that guy? Are they crazy?" especially from the self righteous men of LW who will squeal about her being a disease spreading whore trying to ruin an innocent man

 

[EroticCupcake]

Totally true. It's a generalization of course, readers come in all kinds, but overall the bulk of the audience at lit (and in erotica in general) aren't looking for stories so much as a fantasy, and their fantasies are usually completely devoid of all tension or guilt, or even reality. They don't want deep characters who develop throughout the plot that they are not the least bit interested in. They want insert tab A into slot B and they want it now and they want a flawless unicorn to leap out from nowhere and insert it for them, and sometimes even in the precise way that they demand it.

Sure, you will get comments praising your plot and your characters. There are readers out there who truly want this. They are the deep minority.

Sure you will get a majority of comments sometimes who are into your actual prose. This is not an accurate cross section of the whole. You're hearing mostly from that minority who are probably so excited that they've actually found some plot, nuance and real emotion that they are moved to comment.

The vast anonymous of lit wants to stroke. Now.

I'm not so sure you are correct, but I consider this possibility as I write. It seems my reoccurring themes are tension, guilt, and emotional complexity. I'm doing my very best to write something great (I'll get there eventually?) and using sex to get an audience. I'm a relatively new writer (about 20 stories), but it's going pretty good.

You write with supreme confidence, and I often agree with you... But you haven't published much (at least on Literotica.) You may be correct, but I'm curious where this cynical observation comes from.

 

[MillieDynamite]

At one point, early on in my writing, I tried to have deep meanings buried in the story. I discovered I don't do that on a conscious level well at all. However, often, I get a comment, an IM, or an email message that someone picked up on this or that in my writing. They are welcome to perceive whatever they do from my work. But I don't intentionally hide messages in my stories.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

You write with supreme confidence, and I often agree with you... But you haven't published much (at least on Literotica.) You may be correct, but I'm curious where this cynical observation comes from.

Not cynical. Realistic.

There are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of Red H stories, even 4.8s and 4.9s, with no plot and totally flawless unicorn characters out there - and often badly written too with weak vocabulary poor sentence structure and awkward flow. I don't need feedback on my own work to know that they are popular because they are simply guilt-free easy perfect fantasies far more than they are actual stories.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I have no problems with that in itself, however it does disappoint me that this reality does have the knock-on effect of making it very difficult to actually find a good story to read on lit.

If all a writer wants is high scores, just give the fappers a get lucky unicorn fantasy. Go for it. Don't bother writing a plot. If you want to write a good story however, ignore the scores. So how do we tell if we're connecting if the score is meaningless? Well, comments obviously (even the trolls usually), and votes to hits ratio (regardless of the vote). If you have 1000 views and 10 votes, that's one percent. If your older story has 5000 views and 100 votes, that's 2%. It's doing better. It's getting a reaction from twice as many people. Now this could be because of the category it's in or maybe because it's in a contest, but generally speaking, it's getting a better reaction. Always remember, if someone says "I didn't like it" that is far better than getting ignored. If someone doesn't like it, it's because the story made them feel something[/i] at least.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

I received multiple feedbacks along the lines of "do we need that in a fictional sex story? I read these things so I don't have to worry about STD's etc.."

Now of course I am sure this piece will get a couple of "She barebacked that guy? Are they crazy?" especially from the self righteous men of LW who will squeal about her being a disease spreading whore trying to ruin an innocent man

And I believe every word in your post.

Hey, people come here to read fantasies - not all but most. There is nothing wrong with that.

Some authors here write pure fantasies. There is nothing wrong with that either.

The mistake that many of us make is, we write a story from our heart that we believe in, then it doesn't score as well as we want and we start believing that we must not be that good of a writer. People score for thousands of different factors, of which (with the exception of novels/novellas) quality writing is probably the least factored!

Don't take the scores to heart, be them high or low.

 

[SimonDoom]

Totally true. It's a generalization of course, readers come in all kinds, but overall the bulk of the audience at lit (and in erotica in general) aren't looking for stories so much as a fantasy, and their fantasies are usually completely devoid of all tension or guilt, or even reality. They don't want deep characters who develop throughout the plot that they are not the least bit interested in. They want insert tab A into slot B and they want it now and they want a flawless unicorn to leap out from nowhere and insert it for them, and sometimes even in the precise way that they demand it.

I don't believe this one bit. Not even one bit. I think conflict and tension are EXTREMELY important parts of erotica that make it more erotically satisfying.

This isn't true of everyone, because nothing is true of everyone, but many, maybe most, like erotica because it's . . . naughty.

What makes a story naughty? Conflict! Tension! The conflict comes in multiple forms that relate to the sexual activity being indulged. Conflict between person and society. Conflict between person and person. Conflict inside a person, between their desires and their scruples.

A story about two happily married people having sex on a pleasant sunny morning might be erotic. But it's probably dull.

But a story about a married man having sex with the wife of his best friend? Or a story about a mom and son? Or son spying on mom through a window? Or a woman having an affair with her boss? These ideas generally are more erotic because they involve conflict: the sexual act is at odds with something--societal expectations, laws, the rules of the company, one's own internal morals. These conflicts make sex stories richer, more interesting, and sexier, for many.

I look to insert conflict in my stories, even though they are not that long, and I think they are better off for it, and my readers seem to agree as well. I see no evidence that the bulk of readers are looking for sex stories without conflict. I think they like the idea of getting naughty, and naughty requires conflict. That's my writing theory, and it's worked well for me.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

I don't believe this one bit. Not even one bit. I think conflict and tension are EXTREMELY important parts of erotica that make it more erotically satisfying.

I do to.

But the vast plague of plotless fap fantasy on lit with Red Hs proves my point in general that the masses don't.

A good score doesn't necessarily mean a bad story at all, but the score means nothing. I've admitted it before and I'll say it again. I don't read too much on lit, and the reason that I don't is on the occasions that I have gone looking, I had to waste so much time stepping through shit to find something worth reading that it's just not practical. Now, there's nothing wrong with these stories, it's just that cardboard characters with hot measurements and libido of the richter for no real reason, does not appeal to me. It also doesn't help that many are also centered around some specific kink that bores my mostly vanilla tastes. That's purely my problem, not anyone else's. But in what I have read, outside of N/N, not one single piece that I've read and enjoyed had a Red H.

I could bang off a piece this afternoon. Probably first person, a bubbly blonde that due to the hot weather happened to be wearing skimpy clothes and no bra on her ample chest. She just happened to have a friend who runs a pizza place and she earns extra cash delivering for him on weekends sometimes. She just happens to deliver to an older man with silver hair who answers the door naked and when she sees his huge wang she just can't help dropping to her knees and sucking. It goes on from there into all forms of slutty depravity. Guaranteed Red H. I wouldn't even have to put in much description nor detail. There are probably 100k of these on lit.

Would it be good? No! Would it score well? Fuck yeah!

Am I going to waste my time writing something that bores me? Hell no. I'm going to spend several weeks on 5 or 10 or 20 or 50k words and get my standard 3.75 with something that came from my heart and I know is good. Now of course I'm eager to hear feedback and discern how well and in what ways my work connected to the reader, but the last thing I'm going to do is wait around on the fapping masses to pat me on the head with 5s so I can brag to you all (and to myself) that a Red H somehow proves that I'm legit, because it doesn't.

 

[KeithD]

I guess, from comments I get, it's my storytelling of unusual plots and settings.