Why do people read erotica?

[CyberKitten221]

I ask this because I know that I read it for enjoyment and because it excites me. When I read a story I am not in the editing mind and I don't pick a story apart just because the writer may not spell very well. I have a few stories on here and I know sometimes my writing isn't professional but guess what... I'm not a professional writer. I write for my own enjoyment and if when others read it they enjoy it then that's great.

This is coming from a few comments I've received about my writing and though I think everyone is entitled to their opinions I find it rude when someone is going to basically trash my writing and not even have the guts to put their name to it. The stories I put on here are for enjoyment only and I never post a story until a couple of days after I've written them so it's not like I'm "rushing to get one done" for this site.

I can take constructive critism so it's not that I'm being a baby. I just think if you have something negative to say you should be willing to have your name on the message and give me the opportunity to answer you.

I know this doesn't matter to 99% of the members here but I had to post this because it was really bugging me. I do apologize if I've offended anyone.

Kitten

 

[Typo Fu Master]

I read it mainly for the reasons you mentioned. I have a couple of stories I'm working on, myself, but I don't know if I'll try to submit them or not due to anonymous reactions like you have had. More than likely I will, because I'm interested in what other people think of my work. If I end up with some jerk who has too much time on his hands and not enough courage to tell me to my face what he thinks of my story then so be it.

The opinions of such people really aren't worth agonizing over. Just concentrate on the ones who are willing to give you an honest opinion without being mean.

Just my two cents.

 

[Guest]

Most people read erotica for stroke and/or fantasy purposes.

However:

*if your story differs in any way from whatever sordid direction the reader had hoped it would go,

*if your characters differ in any way from how they imagined they would look

*if the sex doesn't contain certain key elements they need

*if it is in the Loving Wives category (grin)

*and if it ends sooner or later than their stroke speed

They will be very, very angry. And it must be the writer's fault.



(Attacking content shows they wanted a different fantasy. If they attack grammatical or technical aspects perhaps there is something in which to spend some time fixing.)

Hang in there.


Edited to add - It is always best to ignore anyone who is too cowardly to sign their name to a comment. Anonymous posters can be major jerks.

 

[JamesSD]

Most people read erotica for stroke and/or fantasy purposes.

However:

*if your story differs in any way from whatever sordid direction the reader had hoped it would go,

*if your characters differ in any way from how they imagined they would look

*if the sex doesn't contain certain key elements they need

*if it is in the Loving Wives category (grin)

*and if it ends sooner or later than their stroke speed

They will be very, very angry. And it must be the writer's fault.



(Attacking content shows they wanted a different fantasy. If they attack grammatical or technical aspects perhaps there is something in which to spend some time fixing.)

Hang in there.


Edited to add - It is always best to ignore anyone who is too cowardly to sign their name to a comment. Anonymous posters can be major jerks.

Your answer was so good you ended up being a thread killer

 

[Guest]

Your answer was so good you ended up being a thread killer

Oh, I love to be a thread killer.



(Thanks, James )

 

[athena_by_night]

Hi Kitten~

Hello. To answer your original question, I read what I feel like reading and try to comment, there's always positives in what people write. And as far as I am concerned, I think it takes courage to share your thoughts.

Second, I write for myself and hope you do as well. You feel what you write and that's what comes forth in your stories.

As for 'Anonymous' feedback, in theory it probably was a good measure to enact. However those individuals who write negative comments, and not constructive feedback have a way of being irksome. What happened to you, happened to a friend of mine. If people don't like your material, they should bypass it. Particularly if they are attacking your character. How is that constructive?

Keep it up. It takes talent to write a story. It doesn't take any talent to post something negative.

 

[secretagentx5]

why do people read erotica?!

boredom anyone?

as for harsh (cruel) critics...i would say toughen up a bit
sad fact: people are assholes, and will always continue to be assholes for no better reason than to depress others. there is really nothing to be done about it...though anonymous user feedback is apparently something that can be turned off?

doesnt matter, it is just as easy for these flamers to create a dummy account from which to rant and rave.

EDIT: BTW, it is possible to turn off public comments for your stories, as some over-sensitive and immature authors are now doing. for myself, i think that is ridiculous and against the nature of this site
controlling voting is just fine, but comments? that is a step int he wrong direction, if you ask me.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I think most people who read stories on Lit. do so for sexual arousal. Either they want to wank or frig themselves or they read with their SO as a prelude to sex. I know the latter is true because I have had quite a bit of feedback from readers telling me that's what they like to do.

Others read interesting, free stories and find them enjoyable and the sex is not important. In other words they read just like they read a book they have borrowed from the library. I don't think anybody deliberately reads my stories on that basis; at least I certainly hope not. I want people to read my stories to help them masturbate or fuck or out loud as a form of phone sex.

As for typos or misspellings, if a story is good, I can ignore a few such errors but if the story is full of them, it gets to be too distracting and I stop reading. If I vote on such a story, I never give a good vote, but I would not vote a one either, unless the story also sucked.

If I get these three comments:
Hey, Box. I read X and it was great! My cock was stiff by the end of the third paragraph and I started wanking and got off just as you did at the end. Keep it up.

Hey Box. I read X and it was great! My pussy was wet by the end of the third paragraph and I had my hand in my pants before I was half through. I went and got my vibe and came at the same time as the woman did. Keep it up.

Dear Mr. Boxlicker: I found the story of x to be highly unappealing. I am a professor of Literature at Podunk University and here at PU, we stress plot and characterization. In this story there was no plot; the woman came to your house and you started eating her pussy and then you fucked her in her ass. Her motivation in doing so was never explained, nor was yours. Her character was never developed, nor was that of the narrator. At PU, we also place emphasis on a story having tension and conflict but your story had none. You both liked each other; you both had a lot of fun and you both climaxed. I am frankly surprised that it was even accepted by the webmaster. I am not going to nominate you for the Nobel Prize.

I would feel very good about the first two because that is what I am trying to write. I would laugh about the third because I would actually rather he didn't read my stories if that's the basis on which he rreads them. Even though it could probably be called "constructive criticism" and the prof. might be sincere, I write for the first two people and for myself, not in hopes of winning the Nobel Prize.

 

[GEKKEN_]

because they are too dumb to find pictures.

 

[Captain Nympho]

Because Gekken likes reading while jerking his gherkin.

 

[Boxlicker101]

because they are too dumb to find pictures.

Actually, those who are looking for pictures can come to Lit. too. At the home page, where you click on "Stories and Photos" you can, instead, click on one of the websites to the right. These sites can lead you to millions of free pics and video clips. I mean that literally. Although I have never counted them, I believe there must actually be millions available. They vary from the softest core porn to the hardest, except I'm sure kiddy porn is not allowed. I don't know about animals; I have never seen them but I have also never looked for them.

 

[The Fantasizer]

I think alot of people vote badly on their competition's stories. These same people will post outlandishly bad reviews about another's stories hoping it will cause frther negative feedback and voting.

This causes other author's scores to be lower. I have gotten negative feedback where it was obvious that the individual either didn't read the story or they have serious reading comprehension disabilities.

Accept the negative criticism because it will make you a better author. Digest them, delete them, and move forward.

 

[mack_the_knife]

What I wish for is a "completed" indicator. That is, a way of knowing if the readers read the entire story (would work pretty well for multi-page stories, as they would have to click each one to trigger the completed).

It's one thing to know how many people opened it, another to see if they enjoyed it enough to finish it. I know I open quite a few that I can't finish.

Just something I would like to see, but don't expect.

So far as voting and feedback, the tiny portion of the readership who votes, much less writes feedback (either by email or public feedback) really doesn't say too much about your story's worth, but it is the ONLY indicator you really get, I guess. One story 4,524 reads, 30 votes, 3 comments. That's like only .66 percent even clicking the radio buttons, and .07 percent commenting. I understand that many don't vote because they're being nice, actually (they want to vote a 4 or less but don't want to screw your average up).

 

[cloudy]

I ask this because I know that I read it for enjoyment and because it excites me. When I read a story I am not in the editing mind and I don't pick a story apart just because the writer may not spell very well. I have a few stories on here and I know sometimes my writing isn't professional but guess what... I'm not a professional writer. I write for my own enjoyment and if when others read it they enjoy it then that's great.

This is coming from a few comments I've received about my writing and though I think everyone is entitled to their opinions I find it rude when someone is going to basically trash my writing and not even have the guts to put their name to it. The stories I put on here are for enjoyment only and I never post a story until a couple of days after I've written them so it's not like I'm "rushing to get one done" for this site.

I can take constructive critism so it's not that I'm being a baby. I just think if you have something negative to say you should be willing to have your name on the message and give me the opportunity to answer you.

I know this doesn't matter to 99% of the members here but I had to post this because it was really bugging me. I do apologize if I've offended anyone.

Kitten

If Anonymous is personally attacking you, i.e. calling you names, or whatever, then the best thing to do is just shrug your shoulders, and blow it off. There are some that seem to get a perverse satisfaction out of being an asshole. Feel sorry for them - how pathetic their lives must be for that to be the only way they can get their jollies.

On the other hand, if someone leaves a comment with some honest suggestions, maybe you should consider what they've said, whether they've left it as anonymous or not.

I know we all say that we write for ourselves, and to some extent, I'm sure that's true. However, if that were the only reason that we were writing, I don't think we would be putting our efforts out there for public consumption here on Lit.

If someone suggests you use an editor, then maybe it would help to have someone look it over for you before you submit it. You don't have to have any type of formal arrangement with an editor, just have a friend who's judgement you trust read it and see if there's any continuity errors, etc. Most of the time, we are way too close to our work to spot the little nitpicky things.

One thing for you to consider: I know for a fact that there are some authors on the site that will leave constructive criticism on a story, but leave it anonymously. The reason for that is simply because not everyone accepts an honest critique in the spirit in which it has been given, and will bomb every one of the commenter's stories with 1's in retaliation. I've seen it happen, I promise. Criticism that is given gently, but honestly, is always a good thing.

The only other thing you can do is learn not to let it bother you so much, and a little judicious use of the 'delete' button goes a very long way.

 

[windstormy]

I think alot of people vote badly on their competition's stories. These same people will post outlandishly bad reviews about another's stories hoping it will cause frther negative feedback and voting.

This causes other author's scores to be lower. I have gotten negative feedback where it was obvious that the individual either didn't read the story or they have serious reading comprehension disabilities.

Accept the negative criticism because it will make you a better author. Digest them, delete them, and move forward.

See...Now, I had wondered that myself. And if this is true, those types are such puerile people. That sort of thing should end at Elementary School Graduation.

It happened to me, yes. I'm sure it's happened to us all. And I did learn from it. I'm actually glad for the experience. And I hope the best for you and your stories. I sincerely mean that.

 

[windstormy]

What I wish for is a "completed" indicator. That is, a way of knowing if the readers read the entire story (would work pretty well for multi-page stories, as they would have to click each one to trigger the completed).

It's one thing to know how many people opened it, another to see if they enjoyed it enough to finish it. I know I open quite a few that I can't finish.

Just something I would like to see, but don't expect.

So far as voting and feedback, the tiny portion of the readership who votes, much less writes feedback (either by email or public feedback) really doesn't say too much about your story's worth, but it is the ONLY indicator you really get, I guess. One story 4,524 reads, 30 votes, 3 comments. That's like only .66 percent even clicking the radio buttons, and .07 percent commenting. I understand that many don't vote because they're being nice, actually (they want to vote a 4 or less but don't want to screw your average up).

Have you suggested it? I think there is somewhere you can make such suggestions. Now I'll have to go look. I know I saw that somewhere.

 

[windstormy]

What I wish for is a "completed" indicator. That is, a way of knowing if the readers read the entire story (would work pretty well for multi-page stories, as they would have to click each one to trigger the completed).

It's one thing to know how many people opened it, another to see if they enjoyed it enough to finish it. I know I open quite a few that I can't finish.

Just something I would like to see, but don't expect.

So far as voting and feedback, the tiny portion of the readership who votes, much less writes feedback (either by email or public feedback) really doesn't say too much about your story's worth, but it is the ONLY indicator you really get, I guess. One story 4,524 reads, 30 votes, 3 comments. That's like only .66 percent even clicking the radio buttons, and .07 percent commenting. I understand that many don't vote because they're being nice, actually (they want to vote a 4 or less but don't want to screw your average up).

Lookie what I found...lol

Contact Us

 

[mack_the_knife]

I write erotica...it's what I do.

 

[mack_the_knife]

Lookie what I found...lol

Contact Us

I have made my suggestion for Literotica and was soundly told to 'Shut the hell up - that's the way everyone does it!' by 80% of respondants. Future suggestions will have to come from people who want to bother, no offence. I don't bother beating my head on a brick wall for more than 4-5 minutes before deciding to take aspirin and go write more trash.

 

[windstormy]

I have made my suggestion for Literotica and was soundly told to 'Shut the hell up - that's the way everyone does it!' by 80% of respondants. Future suggestions will have to come from people who want to bother, no offence. I don't bother beating my head on a brick wall for more than 4-5 minutes before deciding to take aspirin and go write more trash.

Well, hell....... That wasn't nice at all. Why would they do that if they have a form of contact? It makes no sense to me. But then, not much does these days.

 

[athena_by_night]

My guess as to the response Mack got....

Because it would require someone to go in and either write more program language to be able to configure the site or something else computerese that I don't understand.

At the same time, people like things to be idiot proof. So, my suggestion would be a 'Literotica for Dummies' manual.... oh wait...that may not help... I think it was a good suggestion Mack.

 

[Guest]

I write erotica...it's what I do.

I write smut.

 

[mack_the_knife]

I write smut.

Erotica=smut with big words.

 

[Guest]

Erotica=smut with big words.

The term "erotica" sounds cleaner, somehow. Like a coffee table book of stories you could keep around your house. Like something you could ask for at Barnes & Noble without getting that look.

Something you could perhaps even discuss with your grandmother.

Maybe.



Smut, on the other hand . . .



Everybody knows that's for fucking.

 

[Typo Fu Master]

The term "erotica" sounds cleaner, somehow. Like a coffee table book of stories you could keep around your house. Like something you could ask for at Barnes & Noble without getting that look.

Something you could perhaps even discuss with your grandmother.

Maybe.



Smut, on the other hand . . .



Everybody knows that's for fucking.

More often than not, I think I'm into erotica. I've noticed that I prefer reading about sexual exploits when they're a part of, rather than the focus of, a story.

I seriously doubt this applies, but right now I'm reading John Varley's Gaea Trilogy (Titan, Wizard, Demon). He doesn't really focus on the sexual lives of his characters, but it's there. I may be misunderstanding what erotica really is, but to me, his work is an example of it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.