Just a quick question for the readers of lush. Does anyone like stories with slow beginnings? Do you even read them? I have published two such stories in which the first chapter had no sex. These stories were lumped into the seduction cadegory and have not even been read. I love writing stories and my first two were received very well. I want to make sure my stories are enjoyable to more people on here so your feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you very much
While I am no literary expert, I do know what I like and why I read stories here. I don't mind some detail and background IF it adds something to the story. But I'm not looking to read a Harlequin romance novel either. if it isn't crucial to the story and doesn't stimulate or excite, I don't need to read it. Just my take.
There's nothing wrong with a slow beginning if the purpose of it is to build intrigue. If all you're doing is padding it out before the inevitable action starts then your stories are going to be about as exciting as waiting for a bus.
There's a huge choice of stories on here and people have limited time - you're in a buyers' market. Successful authors on here know this and they write their stories accordingly
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Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber I really dislike slow beginnings and/or drawn out stories. Like Luvupskirt and OMKN, I don't need to know everything about each person, or where they live or what the rest of the teams names are. I dont' care what colour her hair or shoes are.
I skim over it, or I give up reading entirely. I know some people prefer the longer drawn out stories however it's not for me.
Better short than long, for two main reasons.
Driving breaks at work are only short.
My wife's jaw starts to hurt if the story is too long.
Of all our inventions for mass communication,
pictures still speak the most universally understood language.
Walt Disney There are many kinds of erotic stories. Some require some buildup, a slow crescendo to the fortissimo of the climax. Some work better as a good quick pop song that hits its climax fast and hard. I try writing and reading both, though I have tendency to spend more time on character than some due to how I tend to write. I'll start with a "quickie" sex story but find myself getting interested in the people and situation, leading to more backstory and buildup being added in.
For me, the experiences of writing on here are about developing my skills (such as they are) as a writer, not just about the sex but about the journey. I like to set the scene, try and draw the reader in to the story.
There are categories for quickies and flash erotica, so those people that don't want to read longer stories can filter their requirements.
There is no right or wrong, it's an individual choice.
I'm writing a story that I wish had happened. Not every chapter has non-stop sex. I want to develop the characters and make the readers care about them.
That said, the story I'm currently telling is a coming of age tale. Without first establishing the lead character's background - naive, a virgin, no experience at all with sex - the development of the character into one who is deeply in love with his girlfriend, as well as his roommate, is just boy meets girl boy fucks girl boy meets another girl they fuck etc. There's a place for that in erotic fiction, but it does not interest me.
Some of the chapters in my story are intended as fun asides to the erotica. After having one such story rejected for lack of a sex scene, I went back and inserted some gratuitous sex. Does nothing for the story, but it did get the chapter accepted.
A slow start that promises more is fine. In chapter one the main character is seen by his girlfriend's friends in his underwear and is embarrassed. In chapter two he is seen naked by a girl and freaks out, only to discover that this will be the norm in his new environment - and that sex there is a daily, and often public, occurrence. In chapter three he meets his first gay person, and we explore his attitude toward sexuality. By chapter four he's having sex, and it accelerates from there.
I'm just learning this craft but I agree with Mazza, et al about character building. I want to know the "Whys" when things are done. I've written a couple hundred papers about computers and engineering but this is worlds away from that. I screw up the tense a lot.
If I don't like the characters I won't read the story. Detail helps me like them.
I love a slow build up if it's well written. As Maz says, a story can be a journey that just draws you in and leads you to a wonderful ending.
It wouldn't be much of a seduction or muci reluctance if the knickers came off in the first paragraph.
The important thing for me is that the second part came soon after the first one. I'd be inclined to wait and read one after the other.
