Erotica - An Overview

An overview for writers and artists exploring erotica as a genre. Published on or by All Poetry, S.A.A., Virtual Artists, and Writers Forum (Wiltshire).

There is no denying it, sex sells. Even advertisements on the TV use sensuality and sexuality to sell products, including ones totally unrelated to sex. The growth of the sex industries is also at an all time high; therefore the demand for erotica is also high.

With the advent of the internet there as also been an opening up of sexual awareness and more people are willing to share what it is that turns them on, be it fantasy or reality. For the artists/writers of erotica this is a real chance to get inside your reader’s mind with a little research.

That is indeed the key to erotica, or any other genre - recognising what it is your viewer/reader wants. What makes their blood run hot with desire, or what leaves them cold.

What is Erotica?

The general answer is that erotica is an art that uses the imagination of the viewer/reader to titillate, seduce, tease and sate the senses of sexuality. The mind is absolutely the most sensuous part of the human body and erotica uses that fact to the maximum. Erotic writing and imagery is an act of intimacy between artist/writer and viewer/reader.

What is actually erotic varies from individual to individual. On conducting a short opinion poll involving over 300 people known to be interested in erotica very little could be concluded as answers ranged from soft and sensual to rampant sex with no frills and everything in between. Again a reminder we have to identify with who we are engaging with. We are not judging morality here, what works for a person is their own.

There are those who enjoy sensual erotica that uses figurative language and imagery to awaken and arouse the mind and desire. Sensual erotica needs to be gentle and persuasive coaxing the mind of the reader to engage with you. It can also be used as a type of mental foreplay in the more intense and explicit erotica. Rarely in sensual is there a need to use overt wording or imagery. Stories of love such as found in the Silhouette Desire range are basically sensual erotica in its softest form.

Then we come to soft-core erotica, like sensual is gentle and uses figurative imagery. It is however more overt and likely to be dealing with topics of a more intense nature. There is no mistaking the intent of sex in soft-core but it is again done inertly without using overt language or imagery. Again can be used as part of a build up to more blatant imagery. There is scope for more heated interchanges but the imagery should still be kept inert double entendre and intent can be used quite effectively.

Hardcore erotica is overtly sexual. There is certainly very little hidden in the mental images one is portraying. The language and imagery can be more abrasive and by some would be considered offensive. The topics tend to be more taboo than that of the previous two. Fetishism, homosexuality, and multi partner situations often come into the arena. Interchanges between characters are intense and more often lust driven rather than love. Figurative imagery is still in play but to a lesser level, being replaced by often quite frank portrayals.

Finally there is pornography. This is sex pure and simple, it is also erotic for those who enjoy it so we have covered it here. There is no real emphasis on senses and feelings, it is raw and intense. It is more like voyerism as the viewer/reader can often feel they are watching the action so to speak. Images and words are as is with little beautification as that is what is wanted. Often there is no storyline as this is engaging the viewer at the most basic level, that of the oldest urges known to mankind, the act of procreation.

That is just 4 types of erotica and there is room for many more in between. It does however identify the need for the artist/ writer to know who they are writing for. If you are writing a BDSM story it’s unlikely to meet with the needs of a reader looking for soft and sensual love and vice versa. So know your market.

Erotic Language

The language used in writing erotica varies with the style of story. It really depends on the market you are writing for. The basic rule of thumb is to stay in your comfort zone if as a writer  you have concerns with using street language or proper names for genitalia and acts of sex. Using figurative language is another option. There is no wrong or right way of writing or style it is as individual as the perception of erotica.

Sensual erotica teaming with hints of sex within figuratively written scenes are popular in modern romantic fiction. The best item you can have on your desk is a thesaurus, to interchange words and meaning. Make your own with words that you have used and for what. It saves getting caught up in the trap of over-using a phrase, after all there are more ways to describe an erect penis than ‘a rampant love lance’ as one particular author was over fond of using. Obviously you want your reader to know what you are on about, but give them credit of some imagination if a set of words reflects an image to you it is going to reflect a similar one to them.

A series of exercises we have had to endure with much amusement is writing a list of phrases describing the same thing. Apart from anything else it is a good way of kicking the erotic muse into action. You start of with for example, oral sex. Describe it figuratively, blatantly, use street language, everything you can think of. You’ll be surprised how many different ways you come up with for describing that one act.  We both do a list a day as part of our morning start up routine.

If you are using explicit language then use it, there is nothing worse than a letter and a series of asterisks, that will however guarantee you lose your reader. Explicit language has to be fitting and in context just as any other language has to be. It may seem to be restricted to the more hardcore erotic writing but even in sensual it can be used to indicate an abrasive or aggressive situation. The rule is really that it has to be in context and in the right place at the right time.

Accuracy

Knowledge of where things are on the human body is vital. Your reader/viewer does know where the clitoris is even the male ones despite the wisecracks saying they need a map.

Draw on your own experiences as to how things feel and keep it real. Yes, erotica is delving into the realms of fantasy sex but at the same time making a situation or action sound beyond belief will put off your viewer/reader.

In graphic art nudity is treated respectfully, there is a lot to be said for allowing the mind to do most of the work but lead it there. A drape of silk across your subject is actually more revealing than having them spread eagled as the viewer sees way beyond the image. Allowing them to mentally remove that silk is far more tantilizing.

In written erotica it is again about leading the mind of the reader as in art. Yes your lead female can perform a striptease to seduce her lover, or vice versa, but how you describe it will set the tone of the scene. Ripping clothes off and removing them slowly are totally different though they may end up in the same place.

Research

How do you research sex? Well do it is one, of course. There is nothing like real experience and it is fun. Read and view erotica that is already available. Yes the market is competitive but there is always room for quality. Watching and reading pornography objectively is a valuable form of research too, seriously this is not an excuse to watch the latest sex flick. We have both pulled situations from magazines and made our own work from it.

If you are using a fetish research it. The internet has opened up access to many activities such as BDSM, leather set, sex aids and plenty of other things. If you can and people are willing talk to those involved. Get the real story as it were.

Finally our hottest tip if it makes you hot it’s likely to make someone else hot so go with it. Erotica should be a good experience for both the person making it and the person receiving it.

Good luck and keep it hot

Sash and Jem

The Authors:

Sash - Erotic Novelist and Magazine Writer
Jem -  Sapphic/Erotic Artist, Illustrator and Photographer.

We both work professionally in the sex/erotica industry and have been working together as writer and illustrator for the last 5 years. In that time we have seen it explode into something truly wonderful. Good luck!

Thank you to all those wonderful people who helped us by answering our sometimes invasive questions. We will be working on future more in depth articles about the arts of erotica, so be warned we will be back with more nosy questions.

Please leave us your comments, neither of us are journalists and this is just our not so humble opinion.