So as You may have seen in some of my previous posts I'm working on my first erotica story.
Using only my first chapter for talks sake I'm wondering what a good sex - story line ratio would be, for example in chapter one I have...
2,139 words, of which 816 make up the sexual scene. For those of you who might have difficulty grasping word count (I know I do) That works out at 38.15% of the chapter being sex and the other 61.85% being dedicated to, character development and story line. ( If my math is correct, been a while, I could be wrong )
Is there a rule of thumb in the genre on how much sex should go into a story and how much should be actual plot?? As The transition from 'regular fiction' to adult fiction is proving harder than I first thought. Although I'm enjoying this much more and the story develops in my mind much easier with this genre. I think I might make the change in writers style permanent!
Thanks in advance!!!
No rule of thumb, actually. i have read some amazing stories in which there is a lot of build up, but the actual sex is a small percentage - i've also read some that are pure sex that are brilliant - mostly, it depends on the author. lol - i don't usually share this in public, just with some of the writers that i am close to, but when i write erotica, i usually write the story with little notes in it: Sex scene here - anal - and then, when i have the story done, i wait until i'm in the proper mood and write the sex scene in. to me, the story is the important part - yes, i want hot sex, but i want it woven into a compelling story. mostly, it's personal preference, Saphira.
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
To add on to Sprite's methodology ... sometimes I'll make a little note in there about a specific thing, like public teasing, or a flash. Same thing goes there, as well. Different moods can lend an altogether different feel to a scene. I try and write those scenes, in that mood. So the same can go for the entire story, not just the sex.
"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon." -E.L. Doctorow
There is no set formula. In fact going by a formula will probably be self-destructive to the story. Some stories, written just right, have a long character building, drama setting build-up – a long tease. Then the sex could either be just a tease in itself or a great long climatic sex scene at the end. Any scenario can work if the writer does it right.
Also, the story could jump right into the sex and be nearly all sex and work to perfection.
Don't go by a formula. Work on developing your writing skill, on how to develop great plots whether they be complex or simple, long or short.
I usually write my stories in one stroke (pun intended). As others have said, there are no real rules. However, in my humble opinion, a well-written story flows naturally and builds momentum, whether sexual or not. This is not something that can be achieved by applying a formula but rather comes from experience. The technique I use most is to tease the reader several times before getting to the actual sex scene. This can be done by dropping hints of what might come, or by telling little side stories about the character, for example. Having said all that, I sometimes get the complaint that there wasn't enough sex (i.e. I ran out of steam and hurried the sex, lol), but I've never had anyone complain that there was too much sex. Go figure!
I don't think you can use ratios to kit together a great erotic story. Stories are art. The story should move the plot forward. Some of the best erotic stories I have ever read have had teasing and half measures for the first 80% before the sex at the end. Some have little bits of sex sprinkled throughout. If you are looking for a rules you can tack up on the wall to improve your story every time, and I mean EVERY time, I would say there are a few: 1) Worry about grammar when you re-write your story 2) Re-write your story - print it out and make corrections/notes with ink. You'll notice so many neat improvements doing that. 3) When you re-write your story, see where you can shorten things and do it. I read Stephen King's book "On Writing". So many great tips. One thing he said that stuck with me is something like "kill your little dearies" meaning just because you wrote it, don't be afraid to cut it down to a size that still makes sense. You'll really make it less boring.
:D :D
