What makes a story erotic or not for you?

[Barbaria1]

I’m better at biology than chemistry!

Good choice. It’s more interesting too. But I know what you really meant

 

[LittleSiss]

Good choice. It’s more interesting too. But I know what you really meant

I love anatomy! What can I say?

 

[Barbaria1]

I love anatomy! What can I say?

Goodnight Gracie?

 

[LittleSiss]

Goodnight Gracie?

 

[messaline]

Boobs are bigger, hair is fuller and I have a daring face!

But could you be interested (and happy) to pose for the Philadelphie Eagles calendar ?

I’m better at biology than chemistry!

Oh, no doubt !

 

[StarbuckSlut]

Fantastic thread, i think its hard to put a reason to what turns you on to a point of singular focus.

World building matters, writing quality matters. Charecter building matters.

I love twists as well......

Humiliation, innocents being punished, guilty people going free.

Cruel and unusual as well usually gets me going.

As well as public things...being out on view is always a rush

 

[Marcius]

There has been some discussion of this at times on various story threads and in PM threads, but I thought perhaps it deserved a public thread of its own. I'm not looking so much for "Anything with a naked girl on a cross" or "Anything BUT a naked girl on a cross" but rather how elements of plot, character and style affect the eroticism. Though people can comment on anything they like, I am particularly interested on your thoughts on the following:
1. How does a complex plot and/or realistic character development affect the erotic appeal? Increase it? Decrease it? Makes no difference?

A story starting in medias res can be very erotic, but I myself prefer something with a plot -- the girl has to get to the cross or the whipping-post somehow. The woman and her abusers have to have some depth to them, too. However, if one is writing from her point of view, I doubt that she really cares about the change the characters of her crucifiers or floggers might be undergoing. It's CF, no one is going to throw the hammer or the whip aside and let her go just like that!

2. Does historical accuracy/realism of setting matter?

Very much so for me. Stories set in on Earth as it was -- or is -- seem hotter somehow.

3. Do you have a strong preference for a level of severity and consensual vs non-consensual or is the quality of the writing more important?

The latter. My 'severity preferences' encompass everything from light spanking to the crucifixion -- I tend to draw the line at the girl losing body parts and surviving incredible abuse that would be lethal to anyone. I do generally prefer non-consensual violence, but it's very nice when the story has fully consensual smut thrown in. It's only fair for the woman to get her sexual kicks before the real fun begins!

 

[old slave]

A story starting in medias res can be very erotic,

I've managed to get through life without ever meeting in medias res before, one more uselessful snippet from the CF emporium. Now I know, I realised that it is how I like my stories to start, both writing and reading. If my attention is not grabbed in the first paragraph or so, at the least in the first post on a forum like this, the writing would have to be exceptionally good to keep my interest.

Then let the backstory out in small doses, so that I understand the character(s) and situation. Very detailed descriptions sometimes add depth, but often just clutter the narrative; as an example, in Baracus's ENSLAVED..... we know the slaves are northern European, the guards are Roman, the destination is a quarry near Padua----------the exact date, the exact route, would add very little to the detailed description of their fear and suffering. And the opening word----"STRIP"-------what else is needed to get the average pervs attention?

 

[windar]

I've managed to get through life without ever meeting in medias res before, one more uselessful snippet from the CF emporium. Now I know, I realised that it is how I like my stories to start, both writing and reading. If my attention is not grabbed in the first paragraph or so, at the least in the first post on a forum like this, the writing would have to be exceptionally good to keep my interest.

Then let the backstory out in small doses, so that I understand the character(s) and situation. Very detailed descriptions sometimes add depth, but often just clutter the narrative; as an example, in Baracus's ENSLAVED..... we know the slaves are northern European, the guards are Roman, the destination is a quarry near Padua----------the exact date, the exact route, would add very little to the detailed description of their fear and suffering. And the opening word----"STRIP"-------what else is needed to get the average pervs attention?

So you're not enjoying my current story, seeing Tara and Delia slowly being drawn into a life of slavery?

To me, the context matters greatly. There are as noted an awful lot of stories here, all of which (or almost all) describe one or another form of suffering. Some describe the suffering better than others, but I find them all a bit unsatisfying when all is said and done unless I care about the victim (and their suffering alone is not enough to truly care). So I prefer seeing them in their ordinary lives first, then seeing them descend into the pit.

Alfred Hitchcock once said, more or less, if a man is sitting at a table and a bomb goes off, that's surprise, but if you watch the bomber making the device and planting it in the cafe and the timer slowly ticking down, that's suspense...

Now, I guess I should post the next chapter

 

[old slave]

so you're not enjoying my current story, seeing Tara and Delia slowly being drawn into a life of slavery?

My get out clause for this situation:

the writing would have to be exceptionally good to keep my interest.

and interest there certainly is; I'm a sucker for private island stories, so much potential.

 

[KageKamen]

1. How does a complex plot and/or realistic character development affect the erotic appeal? Increase it? Decrease it? Makes no difference?

Always up for intricate detail. Don't go too long without any appeal points, though.

2. Does historical accuracy/realism of setting matter?

Consistency more than history - I'm up for fantasy settings too, but I like them to feel real.

3. Do you have a strong preference for a level of severity and consensual vs non-consensual or is the quality of the writing more important?

Quality is key, of course. But I do tend towards greater severity and little or no consensuality. The idea of someone wanting to be crucified confounds me.

 

[bripuk]

The setting has to be right. Slave plantations, Bridewells, institutes of Correction. Prisons. Only the women's bottom should be beaten and preferred implements include the paddle, prison strap, or the cane. Detailed description of the apprehension felt by the victim knowing what she is going to suffer. A medical examination with emphasis on manipulation of her bottom cheeks and their ability to withstand the punishment. The state of buttocks as they are beaten and her reaction to the strokes. Nudity not important.
Aftercare to include stinging salves applied to the beaten part. Preferably no sex.

An interesting twist could be when she is sentenced she believes that she is going to be whipped on her back only to find that later the punishment is going to be a strap administered to her bottom. Her reaction to that would be fun.

 

[twonines]

Historical settings are good, because, realistically, corporal punishment is in context, a modern setting is fine when the writing is good enough to allow us to suspend disbelief(we are fortunate to enjoy several authors who do this.)
Prison whippings, plantation punishments, interrogations and persuasion to indulge in sex can all be thrilling.
A pleasing factor is an arrogant selfish heroine been taken down a peg or two. Paddle, strap or cane on the bare buttocks is favourite, especially when there is total exposure and humiliation involved.
A lady becoming the plaything of a rival is always exciting.
Severity is a matter of degree, Judicial Corporal Punishment, by definition, should always be severe but , in reality, multiple strokes with a penal grade cane would result in scarring, so perhaps the strap or paddle can be used there. Ultimately though we must remember that we are only indulging in fantasy.

 

[Barbaria1]

A pleasing factor is an arrogant selfish heroine been taken down a peg or two.

Well, I suppose …. but can’t possibly imagine who you have in mind.

 

[twonines]

Well, I suppose …. but can’t possibly imagine who you have in mind.

Strangely, I don`t see you like that, but certain authors, including yourself, see fit to portray you in that way and I always enjoy the inevitable consequences!

 

[windar]

Strangely, I don`t see you like that, but certain authors, including yourself, see fit to portray you in that way and I always enjoy the inevitable consequences!

I'm trying to think of a story where Barb was portrayed as arrogant and selfish and it's not coming to me. Naïve, certainly, impulsive, no doubt, but not selfish and arrogant.

 

[KageKamen]

Severity is a matter of degree, Judicial Corporal Punishment, by definition, should always be severe but , in reality, multiple strokes with a penal grade cane would result in scarring, so perhaps the strap or paddle can be used there.

Surely any consequnces the lawbreaker suffers are her own problem?

 

[Aslin nee 8ball]

Just to throw this out there. I prefer a story that comes from the perspective of the victim. It’s a lot easier to put yourself into the character when it’s in the first person. I like historical backgrounds. A well developed story… who, why, when. A slow build up to to the climax ( did I really say that) a full description of the punishment from the victims perspective. Sometimes from another perspective also: maybe another victim waiting for their turn, mane from the person who sentenced the victim, or from the person actually doing the punishing. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Barbaria1]

Just to throw this out there. I prefer a story that comes from the perspective of the victim. It’s a lot easier to put yourself into the character when it’s in the first person. I like historical backgrounds. A well developed story… who, why, when. A slow build up to to the climax ( did I really say that) a full description of the punishment from the victims perspective. Sometimes from another perspective also: maybe another victim waiting for their turn, mane from the person who sentenced the victim, or from the person actually doing the punishing. Any thoughts on this?

I agree these are important elements and they appear in many stories written here on CF. Certainly in my own, as well as those by @Praefectus Praetorio @windar , @Fossy , and @Eulalia … just to name a few.

 

[old slave]

Just to throw this out there. I prefer a story that comes from the perspective of the victim. It’s a lot easier to put yourself into the character when it’s in the first person. I like historical backgrounds. A well developed story… who, why, when. A slow build up to to the climax ( did I really say that) a full description of the punishment from the victims perspective. Sometimes from another perspective also: maybe another victim waiting for their turn, mane from the person who sentenced the victim, or from the person actually doing the punishing. Any thoughts on this?

I have tried both a story from the victim's perspective The Fish Pond

and from the POV of someone who stumbles upon an execution "it"

I found it more difficult to imagine the suffering of the victim, since I have never seriously suffered anything, with the onlooker I felt more comfortable.