Our first foray into non-fiction writing is LIVE on Smashwords. Here is the link: SEXY EXERCISES AND KEYS TO WRITING EROTIC FICTION. It is a short craft guide, but jam-packed with useful and practical exercises for those who wish to deepen their power of writing good erotic fiction. Give it a shot. You won't be disappointed. 

Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays from Private Pocket Originals. We sincerely thank you for your support this year. We've only been off the ground for a few months, but things have been wonderful. Thank you and we hope you find something interesting and passionate to read. We have many wonderful things in store for you.

Cracked wrote an article some time back called "5 Steps to Writing Erotic Fiction." The five steps they outlined are:

1. Be Original
2. Wish Fulfillment
3. Details
4. Dialogue
5. When in Doubt Just Write About Two Bodies Fucking

The article is very informative, funny, and showcases many common problems erotic fiction writers have, which is, namely, how to write compellingly about sexual situations. Their first step, "Be Original" is probably the best (and most difficult step) as erotica trends are hard to predict. Who knew that monsterotic would take off in such a way that it did? Who could have predicted that Fifty Shades would trump literary erotica? Now, I'm not saying that you should write about any and every odd fantasy that pops into your head ("plant sex, anyone?"), but I do believe strongly in that first tenant. Originality is key when it comes to erotica. Even mundane topics can become interesting when filtered in the right way, but it's that "right way" that's hard to create.

The second step, "Wish Fulfillment" is beautiful. I have to agree that when writing erotica or reading erotica, I yearn to escape into a world where sublime sexual fantasies can become realized. I think that is the purpose for most if not all of us. We want to feel our away through the writer's imagination as that writer skillfully weaves a world that, in our mind, fulfills a fantasy that we may have. It is the ultimate drug.

"Details" and "dialogue" go hand-in-hand for me. Too much dialogue bogs a story down and too many details are annoying to have to wade through. Sure, it might be nice to tell us the shirt color of a particular character, but we don't need to know the depths of the fabric or the shape of the neckline, unless it adds something compelling to the story. The same goes for dialogue. Dialogue should feel real, but not abide by real principles. We want folks who talk in a way that is heightened and trimmed. Real life conversation doesn't sound good on the page.

The final step is funny, but hey, at the end of the day, you might entertain a few readers by simply moving into the sex scene and letting your imagination go wild from there. Some of my best experiences as a writer have been those times when my fingers danced across the keys and I fell into a trance. In those moments, you can almost taste the characters, can feel their passion and it's a beautiful thing.

Thank you, Cracked

Hello everyone and happy holidays.

Today's post opens up the idea of "writing good erotica." I believe that erotica is a very subjective genre. Like horror, we know it when we feel it. Erotica that you write should not only stimulate you and your desires, but should, more importantly, be an absolute joy for your readers. Without your readers, you are nothing and your story is forgotten. So, the first rule of writing good erotica is to please yourself, but make sure that you are pleasing your readers.

I admit that I don't read much erotica. Don't get me wrong. I've read my fair share. I've felt myself enter into many sexy scenes and have been blown away by imaginative sexual situations that felt like I was there, experiencing them. This is the goal of a good erotic scene. Make sure that your scenes are logistically feasible, that is, imaginative in the mind of your reader. If you have someone as a "test reader" that is able to read your material before you publish it, all the better. Use the thoughts of your "test readers" to get insight into what is working on the page. Parts of your sex scene that you think are steamy and effective, may pass right by other people. You are not other people. You are probably too attached to your own material.

That said, spend some time reading other people's work. See how they aim to please and try to figure out the parts that you would write differently. Did they linger in one scene too long or to such a degree that you lost interest? Did the characters feel flat and two-dimensional? If so, maybe you can learn from their mistakes. I believe that erotica should function as a community. One should be able to critique a sex scene and speak to writers about what works and what doesn't. We all want our readers to "feel" the scene. We want readers to get sexually aroused by our writings, don't we? Isn't that the end goal? So, please remember your readers and try to place yourself in their shoes. They are spending their money on your product just like you spend money on their product. Aim to satisfy their desires and your writing will probably end up getting better and better.

Along these lines, if you have any tips on "pleasing the reader," feel free to pass them along and stay tuned for an original Private Pocket eBook about writing quality erotica!

Thank you!

Beatrix