Why Not?

by Daddy X

When I finally worked up the gumption to tell a particular friend what I wrote, his first comment was something to the effect of: “Why would you do that?”

I don’t remember quite what I told him, but over the years I’ve picked up a few things about this genre called Erotica. Yes, capitalized. Capital E. What I now wish I had told him then perhaps could have gone like this:

Why not?

IMO, (not so humble after all) Erotica can be the most psychological of genres.

Sure, horror can frighten, mystery can involve and intrigue and sci-fi can stimulate the imagination, but what is any one of those in comparison to all the above?

Plus an erection. Actual physical changes just from reading. Stimulating one’s imagination (among other things).

I wish I’d said that Erotica is bound by the same set of grammatical rules and enjoys as many varied stylistic paths as any. And because Erotica goes so deep (at least if done right) that within the genre there should be something of interest to everyone. Now here’s where it gets sticky. Who’s to say what’s hot and what’s not? My squicks could easily be your turn-ons.

This is what offers Erotica writers the breadth of opportunity to make some hay. We can come at a story in a modern setting-- a contemporary novel. Or during the American Revolution as historical fiction. Zombies. Or in a future world of our own determination. In a church. In a whorehouse. Bent over the hood of a car. In a school, a forest, a bedroom or spread-eagled across the fifty-yard line of some high school football field. Writers of any genre could conceivably branch out into Erotica.

As a matter of fact, I don’t read much Erotica when I read for myself. Guess I get enough of that sort of thing in my involvement with ERWA. I tend to read — Well— I guess you’d say the ‘better’ entries on the Times Best Seller lists, past and future. (I see Franzen has a new one out: “Purity”) I don’t read much genre. But when I read mainstream literary fiction, I do want a somewhat representative view of life. I can’t imagine a life devoid of sex.  IMHO, of course.

Sex can be a common motivating factor among human beings, albeit in varying and often contradictory ways within any individual or group way of being. Sex lends complexity to our lives, and by way of association, any fiction that aspires to reality. Otherwise something seems missing

I guess what I’m saying is that sex is common to all human beings, whether or not they want to admit it. In fact, if they won’t admit it, they could be the ones most affected, perhaps with what I would consider a negative taint.

Sex fits in everywhere, doesn’t it? See? Even that sounds dirty.

Some people! Tsk, tsk tsk.

Or is it only those of us who become inordinately distracted?

Carry on. Talk among yourselves. :>)