What's your take on EROTIC HORROR?

[Guest]

In the wake of the popularity of the Horror genre in print, movies, and television, the experiment on Lit, it seems to me, suggests we can merge a little sex into the mix, and voila!—a different kind of double-layered cake.

But out of the 31 stories posted so far, only 3 have “H’s,” and 2 have Laurel/Manu “E’s”.

Does this surprise you?

The questions I have are: Can EROTIC HORROR develop into a popular Lit Category given a little more time to develop with the blood of new authors or imaginative, established authors?; or are you ambivalent in this hyphenated marriage?; or do you think we’re really mad scientists, hoping that sewing disparate body parts together and elevating the corpse up to the belfry will animate dead flesh by a bolt of lightning?

Here’s Lit’s disclaimer that appears at the top of the Erotic Horror Index Page:

EROTIC HORROR DISCLAIMER:
The stories in Literotica's Erotic Horror category are meant to contain many of the same elements that horror movies contain. That means they may not be suitable for all tastes. Classic horror movies by legendary directors like Argento, Fulci, Romero, D'Amato, Hooper, Lenzi, etc., contain sometimes shocking scenes of cannibalism, violence, gore, zombies, death, and horror. Stories in this category might have some or all of those elements. If you are easily offended by horror movies, you may want to avoid this category altogether. If you are a fan of horror movies, by all means, read on.

Stories in this category contain scenes similar to those in horror movies.

 

[Alex756]

As a writer of one of the stories without the cute little H in the catagory.

I -love- the catagory, however, I think it gets hit rather hard in general with votes that aren't catagory specific in the first few days, since its small I've been watching it carefully (well as carefully as I've done anyhting in the past few weeks) and it seems the majority of stories will start low from their time on the 'new' list, then slowly, ever so slowly work their way up.

It isn't something that appeals to everyone, but also has a very small following so I think it just needs time to develope.

I've had a couple of story ideas floating around but they were very horror genre dirven. Not slah and kill but more an intelectual terror of things that are just not quite right barely unseen in the shadows.

Fear has alot of the same physical responses as sex, I think it just needs some time to grow.

~alex756~
http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=177120

 

[oggbashan]

Been there, left my mark

I wrote a couple of the early ones.

One was horror but not erotic, one was mildly erotic and not much horror. Both deservedly score low but at least I tried.

Having seen some more in this category I might try again because I think this category is worth exploring (as are the other categories).

Og

 

[jfinn]

Erotic horror's been around forever, so why not here.

Right now the stories in that category are all over the map, but that's just because everyone is still struggling to get a handle on what the content of this area should be. Pretty brave of them I think, so even when they fail a writer gets points in my book for trying. Eventually a style will develope for the area and when that happens it'll make it easier for new writers to figure out exactly what tone their stories should take.

I don't really have it in me to write this kind of story. Wish I did, it seems like it would be kind of fun. But I do read them so I hope the category does well and I wish those of you who are writing there all the best.

Jayne

 

[KillerMuffin]

I think the category could be really good as long as Laurel doesn't let it turn into an excuse for snuff. She said she was interested in more literary quality for that category rather than just people getting killed off. More like a good horror movie and less like a bad slasher flick.

I do believe she has subject criteria for content in this category.

If it she can keep it from being a snuff category, I think it'll be a great addition. For me, snuff is the eroticization of murder for no reason other than to get off on it. To be not-snuff, eroticized murder must have a purpose other than titillation. Something that develops plot or character. At least in my humble opinion.

As if I'm ever humble.

I had a dream last night that my arrogance would be my downfall. It probably will, but just not Stan Lee-esque.

 

[Guest]

Erotic horror's been around forever, so why not here.

Right now the stories in that category are all over the map, but that's just because everyone is still struggling to get a handle on what the content of this area should be. Pretty brave of them I think, so even when they fail a writer gets points in my book for trying. Eventually a style will develope for the area and when that happens it'll make it easier for new writers to figure out exactly what tone their stories should take.

I don't really have it in me to write this kind of story. Wish I did, it seems like it would be kind of fun. But I do read them so I hope the category does well and I wish those of you who are writing there all the best.

Jayne

_____

My overall thoughts are close to yours, jfinn. I think the genre has a future, especially after the dust in the category settles down so that maybe a cadre of authors is left standing to marshal us to some exemplary story models as inspirations for others. I think it is still early to write this category off, and we can only admire those brave souls that have cut their teeth on some difficult storylines in search for a winning formula. But that’s what it takes, I think, learning what works and what doesn’t, then going back and perfecting the product to satisfy a hungry readership.

The genre ... ahem ... scares me from dabbling in it, although I have been a fan of these kinds of stories ever since I forced myself to stifle a scream in a nightmare. In addition, some of the well-known authors, like Anne Rice, are so extraordinary with their package, it just makes it that much more intimidating (at least for me) to even attempt scribbling in it.

But best of luck that are thinking about writing. On this score, I may remain on the sidelines as an avid reader and a fan.

 

[MaxSebastian]

Well, I like it - it's got bags of potential. I wrote a vampire story especially for it, and otherwise such a piece would have had to go into 'non-human', I suppose, but really, that sounds too close to bestiality for me.

Erotic horror gives great scope for atmospheric, suspenseful, dark stories that you might not get otherwise. Long live the category!

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Erotic Horror will be what we make it. Interracial is right now mostly a bunch of racistic crap, with 12-inch-dicked sex monsters who seduce white women and turn them into sluts who want to "drink" cum. If more authors will write non-racistic interracial stories, that category will be a good one. If a lot of authors write sexy thrillers instead of sleasy snuff-stories, Erotic Horror will be a great category, too.

 

[Croctden]

But out of the 31 stories posted so far, only 3 have “H’s,” and 2 have Laurel/Manu “E’s”.

Does this surprise you?

If I was Mathgirl I might say something along the lines of nearly 10% of horror stories are averaging 4.5 or better [and maybe throw in a feces joke]. Isn't that pretty good, or do most categories do that well? I know it seems most people only vote for stories that get to end of (read "like"), but if you actually sift through the masses there are plenty of panned stories out there.

 

[Chicklet]

I think that the category is what we make it. There's crap and icky stuff in every category, but the bunch of us along with all of lit's other great author's can shape that category into whatever we want. I understand why it's scaring some readers, though.

3 out of 31 have hottie symbols? Is that above or below average? Do more or less than one out of every ten stories have an "H"?

 

[Master_Vassago]

I happen to also be one of the three with H's here. I loved writing in that category and plan on going back now that I have submitted in every category and having some fun. I think it has limitless possibilities and as long as it doesn't get snuffed like others here have said it should be fine.

Besides, each category here is what WE make of it.

Side note, KM i often think My own arrogance will be My downfall as well.

 

[bipolarbitch]

As a veteran erotic horror writer, allow me to contribute my opinion.

I think there is very often a big difference between the people attracted to erotic horror and those attracted to traditional erotica. Traditional erotica writers sense this and often take a superior attitude that ends up stifling the creativity of erotic horror writers in groups like this. I've been on many different writer's lists and forums, and I've seen it often. Usually we EH writers end up in our own little ghettos critiquing each other and publishing each other in webzines. That's how things usually work.

Traditional erotica is usually life-affirming and shows sex in a positive light. Quite a few webzines and publishers will cite the importance of being "sex-positive" in their writing guidelines. Erotic horror, on the other hand, is not always life affirming and often portrays sex in a negative light. In fact, I would say that the best erotic horror stories that I've read were sex-NEGATIVE. So it shouldn't be surprising that a culture clash could emerge that makes it hard for erotic horror to blossom in a place used to traditional erotica.

EH works best when it appeals to the subconscious, the source of unspoken fears and desires. The tension between these two things can create situations of great drama and suspense. Being the way I am, I get more turned on by drama and suspense than I do by stories about ice cubes and feathers. For me, the sexiest part of any date is sitting in the car and wondering what's going to happen next. Perhaps if I could develop the Zen art of living in the here and now I'd be better able to write traditional erotica! Om...

Now... about snuff...

I've been accused before of writing snuff stories. Um, ya know, it's kind of hard to write good EH without killing somebody or having some dead bodies in it somewhere! To me, the whole "is it snuff or horror" thing is just a way of saying, "is it good or is it crap?" If you're good enough, you can write ANYTHING: death, murder, incest, pedophila, whatever. If you're bad, then people just psychoanalyze you, the writer.

Traditional erotica writers tend to be less forgiving about death in erotica than most average readers are. The average person has been exposed to horror stories and know what the rules are. (Deep down, everybody knows that Dracula is about sex. Dracula was a Victorian metaphor for sex, useful at a time when writing porn was considered more depraved than writing about people drinking blood.)

So, after reading a lot of the anti-snuff discussions, on here, I don't particularly feel encouraged to get into the fray by submitting any of my stories. I'd rather stay out here and kibitz.

ennui
http://depravity.depressed.net/

 

[Alex756]

As a veteran erotic horror writer, allow me to contribute my opinion.

I've been accused before of writing snuff stories. Um, ya know, it's kind of hard to write good EH without killing somebody or having some dead bodies in it somewhere! To me, the whole "is it snuff or horror" thing is just a way of saying, "is it good or is it crap?" If you're good enough, you can write ANYTHING: death, murder, incest, pedophila, whatever. If you're bad, then people just psychoanalyze you, the writer.

So, after reading a lot of the anti-snuff discussions, on here, I don't particularly feel encouraged to get into the fray by submitting any of my stories. I'd rather stay out here and kibitz.

ennui
http://depravity.depressed.net/

I just had to comment on this ... not being an avid 'erotica' writer or reader in all honestly. I read and wrte as a hobby only this amazed me. Death being verboten had never occured to me ... but then I think think think and no one ever does seem to die in erotica.

Think of the great death scenes in literature?

"If I could close your wounds with words of love ....."

Ceasar, Shakespear, the Alamo *moment of quite for John Wayne*

I mean seriously, it never occured to me that death was not a thing for erotica. Then the comment someone made about one of my stories 'If he had died I bet it woulda been in extreme' came rushing back into my head.

Why does erotica have to be shiny happy everyone is nicely satisfied in the end? I mean sure if youre writing stuff to get people off, but ... isn't there more? So on with the dark!

~alex756~
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=92151

PS as soon as the newlywed bliss wears off me, I shall resume writing and dang it I promise not all fuzzy bunnies thumping at it.

 

[Guest]

Two different styles, and well-written stories, and for me, two very interesting reads:

Strain-V, by MaxSebastian
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=94719

and,

Dangerous Longings Ch. 03, by Master_Vassago
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=89751


It is obvious you both enjoyed writing them. Well-crafted storylines and imagery. Both stories got 5's from me, guys. Please, keep them coming.

 

[oggbashan]

Death being verboten had never occured to me ... but then I think think think and no one ever does seem to die in erotica.

I promise not all fuzzy bunnies thumping at it.

I have 3 EH stories posted. In 2 people die. In the third I kill off a rabbit. What taboo?

Og

 

[Alex756]

I have 3 EH stories posted. In 2 people die. In the third I kill off a rabbit. What taboo?

Og

I mean people don't seem to die in other catagories. Granted I haven't read everyhting on Lit or even a large chunk of it, but compared to the death toll in what I normally read it seems low. I think death in erotic horror is at least semi accepted, which might be why bipolarbitch was explaining the experience of the genre being marginalized (for lack of a better word) in her experience.

This was just a half baked realization on my part since it hadn't occured to me that people don't seem to die in erotica, or that there might be some unwritten taboo against it.

~alex756~
http://www.literotica.com:81/stories/memberpage.php?uid=177120

 

[silversword]

I must say that Horror and Erotica make up two of my favourite literary topics.

Despite having just started writing erotica on this site I have written a great deal in the horror genre.

My first combination of the two to be featured on the site in the process of being written and I hope to have it finished by the end of the month.

silver

 

[Sabledrake]

I love the category and was glad to see it added. Just posted a new tale to it myself -- see below!

Sabledrake