How to Write Lesbian Erotica

Lesbian erotica titles constitute a major portion of the print erotica sales. Erotic lesbian stories, once relegated to the back pages of seedier men's magazines, now appear prominently in books released by feminist, romance and mainstream publishers. The tone and explicitness of stories vary, but the best ones emphasize characterization and plot in addition to steamy sex scenes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Learn the basic structure of good erotica to write it well. Devise a good plot that will keep readers interested above and beyond the sex scenes. Experiment with science fiction, thriller, horror, soap opera or contemporary plot lines to see which one works best for your characters and writing style.

2. Observe members of the lesbian community. Even if you're not a part of the Sapphic scene, you can create complex and identifiable characters by talking to lesbians and bisexual women. Find out about their habits, their likes and dislikes and what turns them on.

3. Handle erotic scenes with class but keep them explicit. Lesbian erotica emphasizes the female form, so if you're familiar with it, as most people are, the descriptions should come naturally when you write them. Like heterosexual sex acts, lesbian scenes can be "vanilla," like fondling in a bubble bath, or "explicit," like a threesome in a leather club. Know the audience you want to write for, and gear your scenes to their tastes.

4. Use the sex scenes to further the plot and the relationship between the characters. Merely stringing one sex scene after another will eventually bore the horniest reader. That's true for all erotica stories, gay or straight.

5. Familiarize yourself with good lesbian erotica. Read anthologizes like "Best Lesbian Erotica" published yearly by Cleis Press. Enjoy the sensuous works of writers like Rachel Kramer Bussel, Jolie du Pre, Tristan Taormino and Jean Roberta.

[kidkrazz]

on 11/26/2009 Thanks for the advice, Very helpful!