[spoiler]
There's a fine line between writing a sex scene into a story, and writing storyline into a sex scene; both have a time and place. Neither are comparable to the failure of having no story at all. That is what we call cybering, and while you are free to do this, claiming your writing isn't just that is something only storyline can provide. If there is no plot, there is no story.
There are five commonly used steps for plot in fiction:
1----Introduction or Exposition - setting, characters, main conflicts are introduced to the reader; this is the beginning of a novel or story and may be short or long, but is always flat (little action or emotion).
2----Rising Action - the round characters are developed, the conflicts are increased and acted out in many ways, motives are introduced, things happen; generally, the major part of a novel or story.
3-----Climax - the "high point" of a story in which the major conflicts erupt in some kind of final showdown (fight, argument, violent or physical action, very tense emotional moment...); at the end of the climax, the "winner" will be clear (there is not always a winner!).
4------Falling Action - what events immediately follow the climax; a kind of "cleaning up."
5-------Resolution - where everything ends; the reader may have some sense of "closure" or may be asked to think about what might come next; in fairy tales, the Happy Ending; in some novels, you will read about the characters many years later.
Even when you write about a sexual encounter, there should be a plot line with the following points. Laziness is what brings a scene to a 'they met, fucked, and the scene ended'* mentality, and it discourages readers from wanting to continue reading your work.
*In role plays, this is especially disappointing because scenes often require ALL parties to produce an equal amount of plot, and the weakest link reflects on the quality of the overall thread.
- Beyond the steps being skipped in terms of plot, bad writing often shows itself in the form of the writer not allowing their reader any chance to discover plot pieces along the way.
-Spoiling the surprise too soon will leave a bad taste in the mouth of your readers.
- While this is harder to do in a role play, divulging every small tidbit of information in regards to your character the moment you post with them will likely bore your audience.
- Avoid over detailing the basics of your character, like appearance, unless it's your introduction post, and even then, try not to be too long winded.
- Reflection on the history of the character is good filler for posts, and it stands as a way for your audience to get to know the character in question, but don't make that the only thing your character has going for it.
- Use your 'five senses' when it comes down to description, but be careful of supersaturating your writing with an abundance of adjectives and adverbs. Mary Sue doesn't need to 'sexily sit down' or 'sensually eat a sandwich'.
- Understand that your characters are not all knowing and all seeing, therefore they can experience shock and surprise. Things are not always going to work out for them. They will be blind-sided, and possibly hurt.
- Showing too much of the scenery and setting can become just as boring as disclosing too much information on the character's appearance. Describing snow is fine, but describing snow for ten pages is not fine.
- Write for your audience. If you want your readers to understand what you're saying, keep in mind their level of diction - otherwise, they won't get the gist of the story unless they have a dictionary on hand. No one enjoys constantly word checking.
- Don't write with bad information. While a character can be an expert in things the author isn't an expert in, it's the writer's job to have a vague understanding of what they are talking about. Don't make things that already exist up!
- Don't mix metaphors, or use them in inappropriate ways. Use one good metaphor and leave it be, otherwise you're drowning the reader.
- Spice up your words. Repeatedly using the same words per page, or post, makes for a dull read.
EX:
'She quietly sat in the quiet room. Looking to the door, the hall was also quiet and empty. She frowned, disliking the quiet.'
Trust me on this.
- Don't insert dialogue that doesn't matter in a scene with more going on than small talk. Character development through dialogue is important, but there is more to life (yours and your characters) than shooting the shit for no reason.
- Don't tell your reader how every character feels. A focal character is your main point of interest, not the other characters involved in the scene. They aren't important and their expressions/mannerisms/actions/dialogue will let readers know for you.
- Don't tell your readers what every character says with a feeling and an action. It isn't needed every single time there is dialogue.
EX:
"I didn't think you'd believe me." He said, his right hand tapping the counter impatiently.
"Of course you did. You always know..." She said with a sigh in between, downtrodden by the words.
NOW CHANGE IT TO:
"I didn't think you'd believe me."
"Of course you did." She sighed. "You always know..."
- Know how to write a beginning, middle, and end to your story. If you have to pretend there is resolution to your story, you never reached the end. [/spoiler]
Telling a Story - How to do This Without Ruining it
There's a fine line between writing a sex scene into a story, and writing storyline into a sex scene; both have a time and place. Neither are comparable to the failure of having no story at all. That is what we call cybering, and while you are free to do this, claiming your writing isn't just that is something only storyline can provide. If there is no plot, there is no story.
There are five commonly used steps for plot in fiction:
1----Introduction or Exposition - setting, characters, main conflicts are introduced to the reader; this is the beginning of a novel or story and may be short or long, but is always flat (little action or emotion).
2----Rising Action - the round characters are developed, the conflicts are increased and acted out in many ways, motives are introduced, things happen; generally, the major part of a novel or story.
3-----Climax - the "high point" of a story in which the major conflicts erupt in some kind of final showdown (fight, argument, violent or physical action, very tense emotional moment...); at the end of the climax, the "winner" will be clear (there is not always a winner!).
4------Falling Action - what events immediately follow the climax; a kind of "cleaning up."
5-------Resolution - where everything ends; the reader may have some sense of "closure" or may be asked to think about what might come next; in fairy tales, the Happy Ending; in some novels, you will read about the characters many years later.
Even when you write about a sexual encounter, there should be a plot line with the following points. Laziness is what brings a scene to a 'they met, fucked, and the scene ended'* mentality, and it discourages readers from wanting to continue reading your work.
*In role plays, this is especially disappointing because scenes often require ALL parties to produce an equal amount of plot, and the weakest link reflects on the quality of the overall thread.
- Beyond the steps being skipped in terms of plot, bad writing often shows itself in the form of the writer not allowing their reader any chance to discover plot pieces along the way.
-Spoiling the surprise too soon will leave a bad taste in the mouth of your readers.
- While this is harder to do in a role play, divulging every small tidbit of information in regards to your character the moment you post with them will likely bore your audience.
- Avoid over detailing the basics of your character, like appearance, unless it's your introduction post, and even then, try not to be too long winded.
- Reflection on the history of the character is good filler for posts, and it stands as a way for your audience to get to know the character in question, but don't make that the only thing your character has going for it.
- Use your 'five senses' when it comes down to description, but be careful of supersaturating your writing with an abundance of adjectives and adverbs. Mary Sue doesn't need to 'sexily sit down' or 'sensually eat a sandwich'.
- Understand that your characters are not all knowing and all seeing, therefore they can experience shock and surprise. Things are not always going to work out for them. They will be blind-sided, and possibly hurt.
- Showing too much of the scenery and setting can become just as boring as disclosing too much information on the character's appearance. Describing snow is fine, but describing snow for ten pages is not fine.
- Write for your audience. If you want your readers to understand what you're saying, keep in mind their level of diction - otherwise, they won't get the gist of the story unless they have a dictionary on hand. No one enjoys constantly word checking.
- Don't write with bad information. While a character can be an expert in things the author isn't an expert in, it's the writer's job to have a vague understanding of what they are talking about. Don't make things that already exist up!
- Don't mix metaphors, or use them in inappropriate ways. Use one good metaphor and leave it be, otherwise you're drowning the reader.
- Spice up your words. Repeatedly using the same words per page, or post, makes for a dull read.
EX:
'She quietly sat in the quiet room. Looking to the door, the hall was also quiet and empty. She frowned, disliking the quiet.'
Trust me on this.
- Don't insert dialogue that doesn't matter in a scene with more going on than small talk. Character development through dialogue is important, but there is more to life (yours and your characters) than shooting the shit for no reason.
- Don't tell your reader how every character feels. A focal character is your main point of interest, not the other characters involved in the scene. They aren't important and their expressions/mannerisms/actions/dialogue will let readers know for you.
- Don't tell your readers what every character says with a feeling and an action. It isn't needed every single time there is dialogue.
EX:
"I didn't think you'd believe me." He said, his right hand tapping the counter impatiently.
"Of course you did. You always know..." She said with a sigh in between, downtrodden by the words.
NOW CHANGE IT TO:
"I didn't think you'd believe me."
"Of course you did." She sighed. "You always know..."
- Know how to write a beginning, middle, and end to your story. If you have to pretend there is resolution to your story, you never reached the end. [/spoiler]
BDRP Admin. Writer. Villain. Personal Blog.
I tried running from the memory and the mourning.
I tried running from the memory and the mourning.