Hi!
My apologies if this has been addressed before...I haven't come across it yet.
Question for you all: What are your preferences and thoughts when it comes to the length of the lead-in to a story? If the primary sexual encounter of the story is the "climax" (punned!), how much is too much when it comes to the non-sexual setting of the stage? I ask because whenever I write something new, I worry that somebody reading it is sitting there going "get to the good stuff already!"
My opinion is that I prefer enough lead-in to provide context and detail that makes the "good stuff" seem at least a little bit plausible, and I try to work that into my stories. I feel like providing that kind of content makes the sexual parts hotter.
Should I:
A) Keep doing as I'm doing
B) Keep the lead-in as short as possible
C) Stop worrying about it and just write the damn story
Thanks in advance for your input!
To me this all depends on the story and how it's written. If you can captivate the reader and draw them in, you can write several thousand words before the erotic elements heat up. However, it it drags and the urge to skip ahead kicks in, then your readers will lose interest. Read back what you've written. If you become bored with it, you can be certain your readers will.
As a writer as well as a reader, I like a bit of buildup to the story before the clothes come off and the action starts. I like to see well-developed, believable characters, and a descriptive scene unfolding.
Unlike the typical porn movie (which we all know are not made for the plots) I like the buildup to the action. And anyone who has read My own work knows that teasing is My favorite thing! I am not really hung up on details and their accuracy, so long as it is plausible. But yes, the writer who can help Me visualize and puts me "into" the story will have My attention throughout.
It all depends on my mood; this is as a writer and a reader. Sometimes when I'm writing I feel the need to just write just about the sex with a little buildup. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a longer one.
If I’m inspired or my fingers are like “Hey! Let’s keep writing!” and I just don’t stop. It’s just more of a how you feel about it. Some people don’t like reading longer stories on Lush. Some people actually like reading the longer ones.
I’ve personally only read a few that were really long. That’s mostly because it’s hard to stare at a screen for so long reading, and since we can’t save our spot or anything it just doesn’t make sense to read them. Sometimes, of course, it’s worth it!
It depends. I'm one for fairly long, non-sexual intros, with character development. At other times, I'm straight into the action.
As a reader, I like a little context; something to make me feel that I'm reading about two human being having sex instead of two preprogrammed sex machines going through the motions. One can take this too far, of course, and end up with a mainstream story that happens to have a bit of sex. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not what I come to Lush for.
As a writer, I try to put that context in but the degree varies. In some stories, I start with backstory and development leading into the "action". In others, I get to the action sooner and salt the backstory throughout, dropping hints and facts as the characters interact. Both can work as long as you avoid having "backstory" turn into "infodumps" - long expository passages that really don't advance the story much.
it's called Lush Stories, not Lush Porn. it's a site for erotic stories. that word is important to me. stories. not scenes, not porn. stories. that's, obviously, just me, but yeah, i like plot, i like character, i like tales. it's hard for me to get into something, no matter how hot, if i don't have a good feel for the characters involved.
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.
Its best to start with some build up. Let the audience get to know your characters before they get all hot and sweaty. However, some really talented and experienced writers can pull off a sexual sprint at the beginning. But as Louis Armstrong once said about jazzing up a song, that he would first play it straight a thousand times before he started jazzing it up. So figure out what you are doing, develop it and get really good at and then start exploring.
Opening Hook & Back story length should really be about 3 paragraphs six-eight lines long. You don't want to bore the reader for too long because they just want to get to the point.
There is not a formula. Sometimes a longer back story/lead in is necessary and other times it will work better to have a shorter lead in. You do need a back story/lead in, but use your own judgement. If you feel its dragging on too long then it probably is. If you've gotten to the sexy part and then feel you need some more background, go back and add it.
Remember though, not every reader will see it the same. No matter how successful, well scored or how much serious acclaim it receives, there will always be someone who doesn't like it. Don't worry about them. You will never please everyone. Do your best to create an interesting and entertaining high quality erotic story. Once you feel you've done that then post it. You will get feedback and the more your write, the better you should get.
As a writer and reader, I love the build up. Even in my 'stroke story' ("Shelby's Surprise") I have a lead-in. It's a sexy one, but still a lead-in.
I find myself enjoying a heated scene if I've got some kind of connection with one or both characters. Especially if there's been some leading tension that I can ride. Immediate sex doesn't have the same response, not all the time. I'll agree completely with Alan (DirtyMartini) on that one. In fact, the first two chapters of my trilogy are no-sex, just backstory and foreplay.
And I'm all in with what Sprite said: we're an EROTICA site, not a porn site. Also as Alan said, (in my own words, of course) if I just wanted a one-off, I'd go look at some porn or something and skip this reading stuff!
"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
My best suggestion is to go with what you like to write. If you're really interested in high scores and votes then you need to play to your audience a little, but barring that, write a story that you enjoy. It's pretty much guaranteed that some of the 204,000 member of lush will also enjoy it.
I don't have to put a sexual situation in every single chapter I write if I don't want to - my tag lines will note if it's not there, that's the only bone I'll throw (pun intended). . . I still noted he went on to read the 2nd chapter - and that was a sign that I still wrote a good story. He could have quit reading 1/2 way through the first if it was a major put-off. So that at least showed me I created intrigue.
