Emotional Attachment & Smutty Fic

[ithildin]

We discussed this on IM last night, and thought it was worth throwing out for conversation.  My musing is such: I've bought and read some of those 'erotica anthologies', and for the most part, they bore me to tears. So I've been wondering if there's a component of having an attachment to a character that adds to the enjoyment of such fic. As in: I find I enjoy 'adult' fanfic with a character I know and care about more than the 'professional' sorts of stories found in published anthologies. With many of those, it's virtually nameless and faceless and I just don't care enough about the participants for the story to be satisfying on any level.  Obviously, there are exceptions. but generally speaking that seems to be the pattern.

Thoughts?

And here's hoping the other participants of last night's conversation share their thoughts.

Comments

[mischief5.livejournal.com]

Part one: Yes, that's it exactly.

Part two: That statement only applies to good writing. As I said, if you have text, subtext, context and substance, you have the basics of good writing. If any of that is lacking, you'll leave your readers dissatisfied and/or bored. Tab A + Slot B = WTF? Lazy writing is lazy writing whether it's "nameless and faceless erotica" or "The DaVinci Code".

[beccadg.livejournal.com]

Part one: Yes, that's it exactly.

Hmm, I wonder then if the "hollowness" of the the sex in the later books is a matter not only of a complete lack of substance, I'd say they have no substance, but also a matter of the context being "damaged." *Ponders.*

That statement only applies to good writing.

My point was that "good writing" is in the eye of the beholder. The professional erotica that doesn't satisfy Ith sells so someone is enjoying it. And, the DaVinci Code, I haven't read it but the fact that it isn't "good writing" to some hasn't kept it from being great writing to others.