Favourite themes

[Miranda Forbes]

What are your favourite themes for erotic stories - spanking seems to be very popular but what else do you like to read about? Does girl on girl stuff turn you on even if your straight? Please spill the beans as we aim to please!

[Arthur Chappell]

I try to avoid limiting myself in writing and in reading to set themes, fetishes and / or genres. A lot of my writing output has nothing to do with erotica and in fact it was only three years ago I tried my hand at erotic writing and now it has become one of my more prolific and modestly successful areas of creative expression.

Within the genre my approach tends to be experimental – I like to have strong characters and though the sex is intense I don’t usually forget that they like each other – I often push through the sex and out the other side to have a couple rediscover romance. I find novels that focus too much on one sexual fetish theme get quite tedious – an example is Pauline Reage’s The Story Of O, a classic that I personally hate – the pace never changes, there is little respite from the variations of the same experiences, and the characters, except for the pitiful victim, O are intensely unlikable. BDSM stories often show the cruelty of the punishment but rarely capture its attraction.

Themed sex anthologies of short stories work much better – as instead of the POV showing the same characters, with Sadie being smacked by Bill – Bill leaves, Bob comes in, Sadie bends over again, etc for twenty chapters, there are fresh voices, new beginnings, middles, endings, and with short stories, you can leave the book alone between tales, and read something else before returning to read another story - While you feel the need to read a novel to completion. In longer work, I would go for diversity and strong story rather than a ‘variations on a theme approach to sex, i.e., moving from smacking consenting Sadie with bare hand through school ruler to cat-o-nine-tails and bullwhip.

I have dared to write about sex beyond and outside my personal desires. I have written M/M and F/F scenes though I’m neither gay nor female. The main thing I like is a story that surprises me. I like spontaneity in relationships, rather than repetition. I also like the characters in fiction to be people I’d like to meet in life – not just for being attractive. In fact, the ‘beautiful people’ comfort zone is one I like to bust – I often have characters that are not fashion or glamour icons.

I also like setting sex stories in other genre contexts – science fiction, horror, historic, etc. I am also a fan of flash fiction – the story that is less than a thousand words – and I have written a collection of erotica that has 50 stories fewer than 100 words. I have a steadily growing collection of such stories by authors from many genres. The Flasher is literatures least appreciated medium of expression at present, though the internet has generated a partial revival.

For me, spontaneity, diversity, sensitive, likable characters, not necessarily having happy endings or finishing with the best orgasm ever, etc. Having mentioned Reage as an author I hate. I should recommend a favourite – Anais Nin – in Delta Of Venus, characters meet unpredictable fates and while always highly erotic, the stories can be quite dark and grim, only to be followed by a happier quite beautiful one. Characters should drive a story – not how many ways you can describe the swish of a riding crop through the air on route to bare buttock, but then again….. mmm, that gives me an idea….. Arthur Chappell.

[Miranda Forbes]

Hi - many thanks to your responses here and please keep them coming! It really helps me as we shape and develop the Xcite range to know what people like to read as well as write. Thanks Mx

[Alex belojica]

As a straight guy, I do find 'girl/girl' action very erotic. Equally a threesome with two women and one man. Overall, i think though that variety of theme and action are crucial. Everything can become routine after a while. I try in my writing to often explore the delicate balance of power between the sexes. Sometimes a man is dominant, sometimes a woman. I like to focus on this shift of power and play around with it. BDSM can be fun!

As I mentioned in anothwer context on tihs site, I try to get inside the psyche of a woman and explore what turns her on.The more I write, the more If feel I get closer to doing that

Alex

[Don Juan Quixote]

Since I am working on a comprehensive survey of all of the most common themes in female sexuality, I am forced to write about certain themes. If the theme does not tickle my fancy, it's somewhat difficult to write about.

I agree that spanking is very popular. Mainly because a playful light spanking appeals to the more conservative set, and a harsh spanking with a stiff brush also appeals to the less conventional person. So, when you say the word spanking, it can mean a lot of different things and covers a great deal of ground. Spanking is in the eye of the beholder...

Being a bi-curious girl is in vogue among younger females right now, so that is quite popular as well. And, as a straight guy, I can tell you that it is a huge turn on. However, if you were to talk about two males in the same way, I would likely be sick...

I guess I am a bit surprised at the amount of people who are interested in some of the more taboo, or "dirty" themes...Like sex slavery, incest, and bestiality. I thought that these themes were the domain of an extreme minority, but particularly with the younger generation (20 something), sexual slavery seems to be all the rage...

[T. Elle Harrison]

I have to say, I do love to read and write girl on girl themes and I am straight. I like bondage themes but not serious hardcore bondage. I like FMF bisexual scenes. I rarely ever find these for some reason.

And Mark, I think the appeal of Brokeback Mountain was more the desperation and urgency that the characters felt. Not so much that they were to straight guys on the down low.

[Alex belojica]

T. Elle Harrison said:

I have to say, I do love to read and write girl on girl themes and I am straight. I like bondage themes but not serious hardcore bondage. I like FMF bisexual scenes. I rarely ever find these for some reason.

And Mark, I think the appeal of Brokeback Mountain was more the desperation and urgency that the characters felt. Not so much that they were to straight guys on the down low.

[Alex belojica]

Hi Elle! As a straight man, I have to say that wrting and reading girl/girl action is a real turn on. FMF is erotic for me too. Like you, light bondage is fine but nothing too extreme for me. I love to explore the delicate balance of power between the sexes, wh's in charge, who's the boss, etc. I think for me the idea of a woman being in control, of manoeuvring me to where she wants me is exciting and some of my stories have explored this theme. The more imaginative the better really.If a woman is sexy enough, the idea of being her property, of being there to please her is a turn on!
Alex

T. Elle Harrison said:

I have to say, I do love to read and write girl on girl themes and I am straight. I like bondage themes but not serious hardcore bondage. I like FMF bisexual scenes. I rarely ever find these for some reason.

And Mark, I think the appeal of Brokeback Mountain was more the desperation and urgency that the characters felt. Not so much that they were to straight guys on the down low.

[Sandrine Lopez]

I'm not keen on spanking or male/male fiction but recently got the inspiration for both as these seem to be rising genres and I was curious if I could write something erotic that I don't quite get. While I'm not into the pain thing (though quite a few of my stories involve emotional pain when mixed with erotic themes) I got a bit into the spanking idea (not quite literally, I hasten to add!) and surprised myself by liking it and exploring its appeal, even if in a slightly odd way.

Now trying to flesh out my guy/guy story... I have the idea, vaguely how it goes... just a matter of making it work and seem plausible...