Ok so I have become rather interested in the art and soul of Erotica lately. I've found it is an interesting and powerful art form that has, in some ways, become neglected in favor of all out empty Porn. And just as a primer, the difference between Erotica and Porn is while Porn is strictly just raw sex with no real purpose beyond the depiction of the act, Erotica tends to show more depth through sexuality; it tends to evoke more emotions than just raw meaningless sex. Though it can be argued that the definition of Porn and Erotica can be in the eye of the beholder (and I suppose thats true to a degree), many cite Erotica has having higher art aspirations to go along with the sexual stuff.

So I am generally wondering who here enjoys Erotica, who writes it and what do you like to get out of it? For any who may be experienced in the writing side of it, what constitues good writing for Erotica in your eyes? And just as a heads up, I spoke with the Powers that Be here at Goth.net and they were kind enough to give me the ok for this thread, but please keep these rules they handed down to me in mind:

1. It's a discussion about erotica writings, NOT a place for you to post your own erotica in the thread.
2. Posting LINKS to your erotic stories is OK, as long as they are marked as NSFW, and how graphic they are.

I only like certain erotica, and it has to be very well written and have a good story, otherwise it's just porn.

The only series that I have really enjoyed and read over and over again have been the Sleeping Beauty series by Ann Rice. I have several compilation erotica books with short stories in them, but for the most part the writing in those really isn't all that great (again, they verge on plain old porn).

Unfortunately, it's not like Books A Million has a huge erotica section to choose from, and I hate purchasing books that I can't peruse a bit beforehand so I don't buy them online. And I honestly can't stand going to "adult bookstores".

~spidey

Yeah I agree on the story needing meat to it. I also can't think of it as Erotica if it just seems like the story is tacked on as an excuse to write dirty sex. I've read some crap like that and it felt like I was reading a porn. I think there needs to be strong characterization in the first place for it to work out, plus obviously a story purpose beyond the sex.

I haven't checked out Rices Sleeping Beauty series but it's on my list, though finding it seems to be getting increasingly harder. Oh and I hear you about Adult Bookstores. Waaaaay too seedy, at least the ones I have been in so far.

My current novel is Erotica, which is weird because I'm a horror/dark fantasy writer primarily. The novel does have those horroresque elements to it at times, though subtlely. The tricky part is I am a male writing what is essentially Lesbian Erotica, and that can be tough to write properly since I am unable to know what it's like to experience such a thing firsthand. But still, I love a challenge, and I'm crazy about my main character (even though she kind of disgusts me at times).

I'm partial to this book since I own it. I'm not keen on the second part of the book since its focus is werewolves and semi/full-on beastiality.

*barf*

Not concrete rules, but these are *my* definitions:

Porn ~ Someone coming up behind you and grabbing your ____

Erotica ~ The wind stirs your nightgown against your body and it feels like a gentle caress

I think one of the most erotic books ever written was Venus In Furs.

I like erotica.

Granted the main type of erotic that i read are from romance novels (NOT THE SAME to most, i know), but i think a good bit of it is actually pretty good- it just depends on the author because- if not careful- it can seem like meaningless sex in the mist of a plot.

I also write romance novels in my spare time and, as in any romance novel, there will be erotic scenes.

I see erotica as an artform. There is a certain way to go about it. For me it must focus more on the emotional part of the act just as much as the physical aspect. The characters must be defined, i want to know why it is they are doing what they are foing. I want to feel as if i know that person and all the emotions that person feels.
To me if it is lacking in emotion or character, it is dry, useless, an just not very interesting to read. After all, if i wanted to know the process of love-making, i would go to plannedparenthood.com (which is actually pretty interesting, by the way. but it does take out all of the 'magic' so to speak).

I recently posted an article about my erotic story entitled "'The time has come,' the Walrus said, to talk of many things.'" I didn't post the whole story because I wasn't sure of the content, but thanks to the mods my question was cleared up.

Honestly, the only good erotica I've ever read is by Anais Nin. That girl wrote about EVERYTHING, but in such flowery verse. It's kinky and beautiful at the same time.

I have read one erotica nove. Like Spiderlimbs I have read Sleeping Beauty by Ann Rice, the first novel in the series. I agree with Samhain Mist's view point. Erotica is an art form. It's much more tastefull then pornography and and draws actual emotion out of the readers instead of just a sexual high, therefore, it is more meaningful.

I have never watched porn and I may become curious and check one out but, my hopes are not that high on any possible artistic aesthetic of whatever I end up watching.

Great replies all! Seems good Erotica is hard to find though and that Rices is the only thing that continuously pops up. I almost wonder if Erotica is now a dead (or dying) art form with the advent of its more explicit cousin (Porn)?

I myself just finished writing my very first inimate scene two nights ago and since it is Lesbian based, I fear it may not sound as authentic coming from a males mind. I do avoid using any 'four letter words' or slang terms for anatomy, which I think makes it sound classier despite it's rather kinky nature. Also the point and purpose of the sexual act, while not in a romantic setting at this moment, is actually very philisophical in itself, which is something I had pointed out and explained from the beginning. Still, the thing needs a whole lot of work already and it's only at about 17000 words.

Oh and another name to bring up is De Sade, whos work is largely considered Erotica. His stuff sounds rather smutty though, even for me, plus I don't care much for the anti-religious themes inherent in his stories.




I'm going to have to check her out! 'Kinky but beautiful' is kinda what I'm going for myself.

I had almost forgotten the Marquis! I have read a bit of Justine. It was strange. There were long moments of religious contemplation then an orgy, more religious contemplation, then another orgy. They were very complicated orgies too, I didn't understand half of what was going on.

I read quite bit of peoples thoughts on de Sade and many feel he is horribly overrated and nothing special in modern times, but his work has important historical signifigance and this ends up being the primary reason to read him. Still, I'm looking for something a bit more on the classy side, even though I also want it to be 'gracefully smutty', if that makes any sense. But since I'm a lover of erotica, I may be going out later to see if I kind find a cheap book by him, most likley Justine since I'm more familiar with that works synopsis. I'm really hoping to find something by Anais Nin since I looked into her work and she sounds more like what I want to read.

Also I just put up a rough draft of a chapter from my novel. Since the mods asked me to, I will state that it does tend to get somewhat explicit, and some may find certain things innapropriate. So here is an NSFW warning that it contains explicit sexual acts.

So anyhoo, here is the link: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse ... =529030766

(PS: Mods, I hope I posted that correctly. If I didn't, I greatly apoligize and will take the link down.)

To my mind, the difference between erotica and porn is actually quite easy to define in our terms - erotica is reminiscent of older horror movies, relying on expressionism and suggestion for effect, but nonetheless capable of arousing the sensations; porn, on the other hand, is reminiscent of splatter.

Is erotica dying? That's an interesting question. Given the overwhelming availability of pornography, you'd expect the answer to be "yes". However, not everybody wants quick cheap thrills, and just as I prefer Gothic terror to modern horror, I for one, prefer the effect of a slow, powerful seduction.

Nicely done, Samhain_Mist! Although I did have a little difficulty reading the black text over gray background, it was a titillating read.

Regarding your OP, I think mention could also be made here of character-inspired slash fanfic, which can encompass both erotica and porn. I admit to having read and enjoyed both the erotica and porn forms of slash, when well-crafted.

However, I shudder to imagine what Twilight slash might be like.

-- Nephele

Probably like any other slash, but with barely-verbal, breathless dialogue. And a lot of severe blinking when it comes to being emotionally challenged.

Nephele, you are the very first person to actually read my stuff and give me feedback so don't take it the wrong way when I say I FRICKIN LOVE YOU! It's been up for days and not one of my friends has read it yet. Kinda makes me want to cry.

Yeah I have heard of Slash fiction, though I know very little about it. I don't think I'd want to read anything to do with Twilight myself, lol. Just the thought of all that cheap teen stuff makes me cringe.

Oh and I'm gonna go change the colors and stuff on my blog so it's easier to read. I did notice, though that it makes less sense without having read the first few chapters, plus I am doing some extensive editing later on so it will turn out a bit different.

I do like Erotica that is, like what I'm doing, very borderline smutty, but also has a tendancy to be graceful and breathtakingly beautiful, even if the characters (key word here) are doing some rather raunchy things. And speaking of characters, one reason why Porn rarely has much appeal to me is that it doesn't often evoke real living breathing characters but just faceless nobodies having meaningless sex. But just as in real life, the true sexier people are the ones who are far more inclined to have a good amount of depth to their being. It's all the more invigorating when they indulge in that sweetest of acts since we feel more for them and not just their genitals. Plus, Erotica focuses on the insanely sexy arts of seduction and sensuality, which unlike most other guys I simply love.

Aw, I'm sure your friends will get around to reading it. Unless erotica makes them uncomfortable, or something.

I see you've changed the colors already -- much easier on the eyes! Also, could you make the font size a bit larger? That first paragraph is fine, but then your font gets smaller for some reason.

Those names you chose for your characters -- Satira and Taleia -- have a nice sensuous sound to them.

Sorry that I didn't give you very much feedback, but I'll read more, now that it's easier on the eyes.

-- Nephele