How does anyone write erotic fiction?

[AllWalker]

Seriously, I find it at least twice as hard as writing normal fiction, which makes it for me nearly impossible. Even after I learned to type one handed at a normal pace, I still find myself writing at probably half the speed. I find it hard to concentrate on what I am writing, as when I think about the next paragraph or scene and I get... distracted. Even if I do get something written, it is usually a string of key scenes - I can't focus on building character, or establishing the atmosphere, for this type of writing I only hold the patience for the key scenes.

I read erotic fiction online, and some of it is just so intricate and detailed that I wonder how it is even possible for them to write. Even if I, shall we say, release some tension beforehand, it isn't enough. Hell, any amount of tension release isn't enough - I still can't concentrate long enough to get anything finished. Sometimes even started.

I guess my question applies to erotic scenes in fiction too, but right now my focus is on stories dedicated to erotica. How, how, how can you ignore the tension in order to get anything written?

[ulfhjorr]

I think the easiest way is to have an understanding partner who is willing to give you head the entire time you're writing.

Other than that, I actually find it somewhat easier, actually, than writing other fiction. There's a certain amount of the characters' needs and desires that is rather obvious in a lot of erotica, so part of that work is done for you. That's not to say, of course, that it has to be that straight forward (or, y'know, other-than-straight forward), but a good deal of it is there, otherwise you're not writing erotica, but a story with sex in it.

After that, you pretty much have to deal with the characterization and such the same as with any other work, with the exception that some (a good deal?) doesn't even go any further than that.

[Paul in Qatar]

I never write about my own fantasies.

[Savannah]

How, how, how can you ignore the tension in order to get anything written?

That's a good question. I really enjoy writing erotica, but what tends to distract me is not feeling, er, moved, by the story/subject, but that my mind keeps questioning and searching for answers as to how and why the characters are doing what they're doing.

(Now if only I could extend that quest for motivation and character enough to actually finish a novel, erotic or not, I'd be happy.)

I use the tension to add layers of detail to the sex scene, and to make it as, um, fulfilling as possible. I find it's much easier to write smut when I'm in a sexy mood, as that is inspiring more than distracting for me.

If it's a really good bit of writing (good to me, anyway) then sure, I'll take a break and, you know. Find my husband, or something.

It is easier for me to write smut in a sexy mood. If I'm not in a sexy mood, I'll work on other parts of the story, or polish/edit it, or write a poem or spend way too much time surfing the web instead of writing. I find the sexy feelings help me write smut more than hinder it. Then it's fun to act on the feelings the writing provokes. You can always go back to the story later.

Some stories take a lot of drafts.

[iampunha]

How, how, how can you ignore the tension in order to get anything written?

My best writing comes when I am tense from having stuff to get out.

Words, mind.

The tension comes from the material inside me. (This all looks so dirty.) Then I get it out and I can relax again.

However that relaxation comes.

[Zuul]

I've opened this thread to reply several times now, and just haven't been able to make what I was typing make sense. Let me try one more time, though.

Writing sex scenes for non-erotica is deeply uncomfortable for me. It makes me feel like a pervert. Like I'm discussing my fantasies with my mother or something.

Writing for erotica? Far, far easier. Because I can relax and make it sexy and explore it and approach it from the mindset of, okay, what do these two characters want to do? What do they want to make the other do? Where's the emotional tension between them? If I find it erotic while I'm writing it, then I'm probably doing it right.

I've never had the problem of becoming distracted by my own arousal while writing it, though, so I'm no real help there, I'm afraid. The writing itself is all the sex act involved. Any desire I might feel is simply sublimated into the writing.

[jarbabyj]

My husband's job demands that he leave me alone for sometimes weeks at a time. I put my daughter to bed and I'm alone until I go to bed. But honestly, I have no problem writing erotica, and what's funny to me is that I write it anywhere, on the train on the way to work, at lunch in the foodcourt, in the library while watching baseball...

Perhaps it's much easier for women who react more to the settings, the dialogue and characters of erotica, the STORY of erotica, rather than the "her garbanzos were like melons and we did it for hours" type of stuff.

Whenever I have writer's block i write erotica because it comes so easily to me. i have a couple things on Literotica, and I used to have a whole website of a long, serialized fiction that was primarily erotica.

[pepperlandgirl]

I only have this problem once in a great while--like if I'm writing something that smashes my kink button. And when I do "get tense" I find that the writing is better--more charged. But ultimately, writing erotica is my job. It's business as usual. It's no different from writing a really intense/intricate action scene or a fight scene.

[phouka]

You know, I really haven't found it so har- *ahem* difficult.

I tend to watch my story in my head like replaying a favorite movie. The sex scenes just get watched . . . more closely, as it were. Yes, sometimes there's a certain amount of tension. I find that's a good thing. It's a motivator. Sometimes it's a little awkward when I've been writing at work (I used to work on a call desk. If I wasn't on a call, I could write, read, cruise the Internet). I tend to mirror the emotions of what I'm writing in my facial expressions, which got me a couple of curious looks. Also, getting yanked from the logistical details of a reverse cowgirl coupling to resetting someone's password kind of interrupted the flow of things.

[maggenpye]

Hey, I've just opened The Blue Book erotica thread.

Please feel free to post anything in there, examples, scenes, whole stories.

[TV time]

Back when I was trying to make a living writing fiction, I was writing anything. I took pride in it. This was 30 years ago when there were magazines for every taste. I wrote Westerns, spy stories, mysteries, Romances, kid stories, adventure stories, etc. You name it. I wrote it, and I had pen names for each.

I wrote one stroke story (what we called porn into those days). For your average writer porn paid better than just about anything else, too. I had exactly the problem you are talking about. As I remember, it took me three to four time longer to finish that one story than anything else I was writing, and it affected everything else I was writing. The publisher loved my story, offered me a better rate, but I had to tell him no more. Emotionally, you might say I wasn't up to the job.