Resources
We hope to slowly build up a good list of helpful links to sites, books and other resources for writers in general and erotica writers in particular.
General Writing Links
Ten rules for writing fiction
Get an accountant, abstain from sex and similes, cut, rewrite, then cut and rewrite again – if all else fails, pray. Inspired by Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing, we asked authors for their personal dos and don’ts. (The Guardian site)
About.com guide on writing fiction
Ginny Wiehardt offers some very good articles for beginners on how to write fiction. Her articles on plotting are particularly helpful.
Basic Writing: Process and Practice
A very basic, easy to follow writing textbook written by the graduate students in Theory of Basic Writing at Missouri State University.
Creative Writing: Fiction Technique
Fiction technique is a set of rules for writers who want to write quality fiction for novels, novellas, or short stories. They were developed through trial and error by fiction writers throughout history, including authors from ancient Greece. Some rules are rigid, whereas others are flexible. It is the astute writer who endeavors to master fiction writing that will know which rules to adhere and which to break.
The Keables Guide: Creative Writing
It is harder to state absolute rules for creative writing, but this chapter makes general suggestions that are often true. The chapter has one section on fiction and drama, and another on poetry, but it starts with rules that apply to all forms of creative writing.
Fiction Factor
I really can’t say enough good things about this site. It really does have the most extensive list of articles on almost every aspect of fiction writing, with readable, informed writers as the advice givers.
Writerly Advice
Useful advice by Phillipa Ballantine.
Writing Mechanics
University of Ottowa’s Online Writing Centre: Hypergrammar
This is an amazing – fucking amazing – reference site that covers pretty well every aspect of grammar from sentence structure to punctuation. I use it constantly.
Strengthen Your Writing: Vary Sentence Structure
Strangely enough, I found this link because I was doing research on the Victorian era. God know’s why a site on Victoriana contains this, but it’s a great set of links on some very practical ways to make your writing stronger and punchier.
Effective Writing Practices Tutorial – Sentence Structure
One of the things that ruins fluid readable writing more than any other is repetitive sentence structure. This is a very easy to do tutorial that will teach you all the different ways you can structure a sentence to avoid repetition.
Quick and Dirty Tips: Active Voice versus Passive Voice
In erotica, especially in D/s and BDSM, there are reasons why you might CHOOSE to use a passive voice, but usually it just sucks the life and vibrancy out of your writing. The Grammar Girl has a great page on what it is and how to avoid it.
Adjectives and Adverbs
This is a very good guide to avoiding some common mistakes when using adverbs and adjectives. It will stop you from looking like a newbie writer. The same site has an excellent page on ‘effective writing‘ with some very good tips on making your writing strong and vivid.
The Curse of Too Many Adverbs in Novel Writing
Using too many adverbs when writing a novel could leave the reader feeling as though they are wading through mud. Paring adverbs could improve the story. This is good advice for any kind of writing. See my “Killing Adverbs” post on this subject also.
Use Metaphors Correctly
When used correctly, metaphors are effective fiction writing tools. They are one way to vary language and liven up prose. Also, like shorthand, they can convey a picture or a meaning instantly, with few words…
Characterization
Building Fictional Characters
Charlotte Dillon has a good quick article on this as well as a very helpful character building chart.
Building Your Characters’ Backgrounds
We all have our own favourite fictional character whose exploits have enthralled us and whose use of the English language have made us laugh, cry or hold our breath as details unfold. But how do you – as a writer – create characters that are believable, engaging and capable of helping plots unfold?
Fiction Factor: Character Creation
This is a large list of links to very good articles on different aspects of character creation.
Point of View
I think point of view is so important to writing erotica, it deserves its own section. Lots of people have different takes on this subject, but if you’re serious about writing, choosing the right point of view can make the difference between a good and a great story.
What’s your Point of View
A truly excellent article, from Men with Pens, that goes through each of the points of view and discusses their pros, cons and applications.
Fiction: Point of View
An Explanation of Point of ViewLessons and tips for working on specific aspects of your writing.
Using First or Third Person
“Is it better to write in first or third person?” is the query of many creative authors novice and seasoned alike. (Second person, rarely used in fictional literature, will be overlooked for the purposes of this article).
Novel Writing
How to Write a Novel: The Snowflake Method
Randy Ingersol’s site with a guide to using his Snowflake method. Not my approach, but some find it very helpful.
How to Write a Novel: One Word At A Time
Very complete and extensive site on learning to write and then writing a novel.
Erotica Specific Resources
Erotica Readers & Writers Association – Authors Resources
ERWA is not just a great writing group to join to post and crit stories, but it has a huge and exceptionally knowledgeable group of people who write on the subject of writing erotica. An invaluable resource for any erotica writer. Of special interest for beginners is the Writers Room.
Dark Erotica
Another excellent source of information on writing erotica is Morgan Hawke’s Dark Erotica site. Don’t let the title mislead you, whether you’re writing sci-fi, romance or uber-gritty realism, this woman has good advice for you. Don’t let the dungeons and dragons design fool you. The content of her articles is outstanding.
Packing Heat: Erotica Writing Tips & Techniques
Do your sex scenes sizzle? Are your readers on the edge of their seats wondering what your characters are gonna do next? Is the biggest complaint you get that you need to write more stories?
Gabrielle Luthy
has an excellent link list on many aspects of writing erotica. I haven’t checked them all out, but it’s huge and worth a look.
