All Comments on 'Elements of Literary Erotica'

You've answered so many of my questions in this valuable resource. Thanks for providing such an informative coverage of the literary branch of erotica.

Very well written article.

This is, I must say, right on. You tackled a subject I personally would balk at engaging with substantial grace and acumen.

Great job enumerating the elusive qualities that comprise literary writing- because what you've written can be applied to more than simply literary erotica- although I think it applies doubly here.

Although I agree with you that the real litmus of what is literary is closer to "I know it when I see it", and even closer to "I know when it's not."

Serious cheers for this.

This should be a mandatory primer for new writers here! I particularly love your statements on "human condition profundity" and the extent to which it rises the story's erotic tension.

Let me say that this is a good essay. It's definitely possible to elevate erotica to literature, and any author that takes the advice in the essay will be well on their way to writing some. I particularly like the emphasis on using difficult elements skilfully—if you can pull it off, it's fair game.

However, I feel that the author is missing the key element of what makes literature literature: a theme, or themes, present throughout the work and that provides a unifying force. The theme doesn't have to be stated explicitly and the idea doesn't even have to be coherent or sensible, so long as the reader is made to consider something above and beyond the straight-forward action of the story; if the author achieves that, then I would say that they have succeeded in writing literature.

The essay touches on this, but only tangentially, and I feel that it's ultimately misguided. It's not necessary for a story's theme to consider the human condition or evoke pathos—though many do, and for good reason—but I would be very disappointed in a 'literary' story that didn't have some kind of thematic unity.

God made us sexual beings, and He made sex and the expression of it great.

To be used wisely, and treasured in the process.

That's what makes us more than animals.

Big cocks, hefty balls, heavy loads of semen, big muscles, great tits, tiny waists, bubble butts... truly wondrous.

But, if "nobody's home"... it's pure trash and puerile nonsense.

Thanks, that's both helpful and interesting.

One comment I'd add that is ----- with such a high proportion of erotic fiction written in the first person, "voice" becomes particularly important. Of course much of "voice" sits within your writing style, and the way you project it.

What I also suggest is try helping your narrator be an INTERESTING person by giving them an unusual job, or background. (I've used narrators such as Mafia characters, sports star has-beens, artists, rich entrepreneurs). This helps you add interesting plot settings, and naturally allows the other sexual protagonists to be challenging, gripping people. (For example - How does the Mafia Don take to you bonking his entitled daughter?)

Just a thought....