How to Write an Erotic Short Story

Writing an erotic short story is about expanding your comfort zone. Its quality is determined by many things, not the least of which is the physical response it arouses in the reader

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper, pen or pencil.

1. Figure out what the story is that you want to tell. Is it fiction based on real life or someone else's story? Is it pure fantasy?

2. Whose voice is telling the story? Is it one of the characters or is it someone removed? Write a brief description of the narrator -- what do they do for money, where do they live, are they funny, serious, creepy?

3. Erotic fiction is about physical pleasure. What words arose physical pleasure in you personally? Write them down. Are they words everyone uses? What less common words give you physical pleasure?

4. If you feel stuck, write down the first sentence that comes to you, like this one of mine: "So Creamy asks me, 'You gonna finish that torta, Gloria?" Just sit with that sentence. Who is Creamy? Who is Gloria? Why are they talking? Where are they? What do they really want? Start writing, see where it goes.

5. You will censor yourself as you write. This is very common. But, remind yourself that the physical act of drawing words on a piece of paper is not the same thing as doing what you are talking about. Where you feel least comfortable is precisely the boundary to explore in erotic fiction. Your agony will likely arouse the reader. Share it.

6. Give your story "multiple orgasms." Not ejaculations necessarily, but orgasms. Build up to something erotic early on, cool down, then start up again. Seduce the reader into wanting to go further.
   
   Or, if you're up for it, follow the typical pornography narrative arc: give the reader something to enjoy, and if they keep reading, make the characters suffer some setback which requires them to keep at it, taking things further than before.

Tips & Warnings

• Never lose a sense of humor. Avoid using dumb words to describe intimacy and sexuality, unless that's part of a character's image or the narrator's voice.
• Assume responsibility for safe sex. If any of your characters were HIV-positive, for example, would that change your story? Ask yourself why or why not. If you're writing a "realistic" story, then write it. But remember, be responsible for the realism you create.

[thejudge2009]

on 9/13/2009 This inspires me to begin an idea in my head. Thank You.

[madambutterfly]

on 12/6/2008 This is a great article. I'm writing my first erotic fiction novel and can put some of the tips in place. Thank you.