Who Here likes to write, read or...ummm, ok no or, Goth Erotica?

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Working on a new book (yes I finally got past that scene I was stuck on in the last one ) and I'm looking for advice. First time trying my hand at gothic and although I'm spending a lot of time researching the genre I figured I'd take a stab here and see what I could get.

Before anyone accuses me of being too vague what I'm looking for is the best time period, settings or just anything that people do or don't like seeing in gothic writing. I'm thinking of mixing in a lot of horror and creepy stuff, leaving out torture and making my leading female a true damsel in distress. Not used to writing meek woman but I think the challenge of making her interesting will be fun.

Anyway thanks in advance (feels like I've said that before )

 

[glynndah]

Meek?

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Meek?

Yep. I'm gonna try anyway.

 

[glynndah]

Yep. I'm gonna try anyway.

Most of the heroines may be young, inexperienced or misled, but I'm not sure I'd characterize them as "meek".

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Most of the heroines may be young, inexperienced or misled, but I'm not sure I'd characterize them as "meek".

I plan to have her start off that way. It's why she end up in the situation, being too mild mannered to protest what is happening to her. Most of my heroines have a lot of attitude and won't back down. This character never stands her ground.

Might not work, IDK, but I want to try.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Can't help you. Gotta have happy endings, me.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Can't help you. Gotta have happy endings, me.

The best I usually manage is happy endings for now. This one probably won't even have that

 

[lance gt]

If your lead is a meek and unassuming girl, it would help to make a realistic scenario as to why she's messing with goths. The culture isn't hard to characterize, there's lots of pics and vids out that portray them. If you can find a way of introducing her to that culture, whether it's a mistake she made, like wrong place at the wrong time, or hooking up with the wrong person, it could work. Of course, you have to provide a scenario where running away isn't possible and it looks like a NC/R story forming. Good luck Hon. Pm me if you think I can help you anymore with it.

 

[Stella_Omega]

"gothic" is a literary genre besides being a fashion statement. I have the feeling that Miss Bianca is thinking of vampires, or opera-going ghosts, decaying mansions in reeking bayous or some such.

You certainly could write a Gothic horror with modern-day goths though-- and it would serve them right.

 

[Isis56]

"gothic" is a literary genre besides being a fashion statement. I have the feeling that Miss Bianca is thinking of vampires, or opera-going ghosts, decaying mansions in reeking bayous or some such.

You certainly could write a Gothic horror with modern-day goths though-- and it would serve them right.

That was first thing on my mind, Stella. Mary Shelley gothic or Marilyn Manson gothic?

 

[Liar]

That was first thing on my mind, Stella. Mary Shelley gothic or Marilyn Manson gothic?

Or even more old school historic gothic? 14th century Dark Ages grit?

 

[Handley_Page]

And why shouldn't our meek girl develop her talents as the story progresses?
And why not a happy ending ?

 

[Tonguemeister]

And why shouldn't our meek girl develop her talents as the story progresses?
And why not a happy ending ?

developing talents ... certainly
happy ending ... no way, gotta have a different ending thus allowing for future development / increasingly dark tales

I guess it depends on the scripted story plan and known elements of the characters makeups ...

any way up, glad to help if required ... always happy to respond to a PM

 

[Isis56]

And why shouldn't our meek girl develop her talents as the story progresses?
And why not a happy ending ?

Ooh, now I want to know if your definition of gothic means never a happy ending. Which would rule out Dickens gothic, and other gothics that I know nothing about, because I'm not that well versed in the subject.

Also, I find the subject of an extremely meek girl quite interesting. "The meek shall inherit the earth," ne? If she is truly unable to get herself out of a mess, how would she react to being rescued? Would she appreciate it, or resent that she couldn't overcome on her own?

 

[Tonguemeister]

Ooh, now I want to know if your definition of gothic means never a happy ending. Which would rule out Dickens gothic, and other gothics that I know nothing about, because I'm not that well versed in the subject.

Also, I find the subject of an extremely meek girl quite interesting. "The meek shall inherit the earth," ne? If she is truly unable to get herself out of a mess, how would she react to being rescued? Would she appreciate it, or resent that she couldn't overcome on her own?

in My humble opinion the happy ending is not prevented ... just that in starting out with a new character it leaves the option of continuing in other stories, or dumping them ...

as for resent / appreciate ... that's got top be a judgement call that affects the way the story runs, surely ... ?

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Nothing modern day. Stella was right, I'm using the genre, not the fashion movement. I'm still fishing around for the right era. Anything from the 14th to the 18th century.

The girl is the daughter of a lord and after his death she faces a series of life changing events that she has no control over. I want the readers to feel her lack of control as much as possible, to understand why she feels helpless even though others with a stronger personality might find their own way out.

She is saved, but it only makes her situation worse. The romance in the story is going to be dark and twisted. The girl doesn't really develop talents, more she becomes...useful, valuable and learns to adapt. I'm thinking of making it a trilogy and the closest thing to a happy ending will be in the last book.

I'm looking for examples from Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Bronte sisters. Anne Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho caught my attention as well and I'm trying to look for a copy. I want to let the writing influence the idea without making my writing too heavy. After all it's still erotica and if I overdo it I might scare off my audience

 

[Tonguemeister]

It sounds like a wonderful premise ... the parameters you have set out seem fine ...

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

It sounds like a wonderful premise ... the parameters you have set out seem fine ...

Thank you Tonguemeister. I'm excited about the idea...but I think new ideas do that to most writers. The only thing I'm worried about is making it too much horror and not enough goth. From what I've researched it can be a very fine line.

 

[Tonguemeister]

Thank you Tonguemeister. I'm excited about the idea...but I think new ideas do that to most writers. The only thing I'm worried about is making it too much horror and not enough goth. From what I've researched it can be a very fine line.

please feel free to bounce any ideas or questions off Me ... if I can help I'll be glad to.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

please feel free to bounce any ideas or questions off Me ... if I can help I'll be glad to.

TY. I'll PM you a bit later when I figure out all the creepy bits and do some research on setting. I think the hardest thing will be pinpointing an exact time period.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I write horror stories. The crux of it is knowing the time you write about. But the time you write of is usually so bizarre, in terms of 2009, that modern readers cant relate to the real thing, just as they cant drive a Model T with its transmission bands and strange ignition system.

I like to insert modern people into old times or insert the past into the present.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

I write horror stories. The crux of it is knowing the time you write about. But the time you write of is usually so bizarre, in terms of 2009, that modern readers cant relate to the real thing, just as they cant drive a Model T with its transmission bands and strange ignition system.

I like to insert modern people into old times or insert the past into the present.

This story will work better if the time and people are consistant. Not everyone will be able to relate to a girl that has been raised to be obedient and submissive (and by that I don't mean BDSM). What I'm hoping is to make sure the story flows well enough that even though the readers might not agree they will begin to understand.

As for relating, well, emotions are restricted to time. Even if they can't envision the era (which means my descriptions are lacking) they will understand the sadness, the joy, the fear.

All I can do is give it my best shot, take a look at the finished product and work my ass off to make it better.

 

[lance gt]

This story will work better if the time and people are consistant. Not everyone will be able to relate to a girl that has been raised to be obedient and submissive (and by that I don't mean BDSM). What I'm hoping is to make sure the story flows well enough that even though the readers might not agree they will begin to understand.

As for relating, well, emotions are restricted to time. Even if they can't envision the era (which means my descriptions are lacking) they will understand the sadness, the joy, the fear.

All I can do is give it my best shot, take a look at the finished product and work my ass off to make it better.

Try to make sure the period you settle on, is described enough for readers to relate to it. Unless your audience are history buffs, the period you want to use will be too foreign to them. The mentality and demeanor of women then, should be outlined and allow it to set up the story plot. I agree on the fine line issue, so make sure you stay clear of the line when writing so it isn't misconstrued as horror. Describing the characters in their setting and introducing your heroine to it will be the challenge.