An Introduction to the Community

"Erotica isn't defined merely by the words that encompass a sex act, but by the words that embrace all forms of intimacy between partners. Erotica is humanity in its rawest form." ~Me earlier today.

Hi, I'm Liz, as the unofficial overlord... err... co-admin of the Erotically Inclined community, I thought I should give new visitors an introduction on us and what to expect before, or after, joining. So, the following statement is purely my opinion on Erotica, our mission as a community, and whatever else I went on and on about.

The Erotically Inclined community is a space where adults gather to discuss daily life, hobbies, and fears about the world around us. First and foremost, we welcome all members of the writing community who would like to explore all levels of spice.

While we initially formed as a place to discuss opportunities for our writing, we've since evolved to an online support group for people who are often ostracized for their choice of hobby. We, as authors, are often banned or excluded from critique groups, and are shunned from many spaces on improving our creative writing skills. Most of that vitriol is based on a misunderstanding of what erotic writing actually is. So many people see the word erotica and immediately clutch pearls. SMUT!

Filth!

Vile and disgusting acts of depravity!

And, I mean, that's some of it, sure, but just like not all horror is full of graphic gore and not all romances are healthy representations of relationships, it exists on a scale. Erotica is, to me at least, the written account of human connections. It's sensuality and comfort heaped on us as we read. Or it's pain and grief laid bare. It is writing that arouses something within you as you read. And, yes, that arousal can be purely sexual, it can also be intellectual, or spiritual, or emotional.

Many stories are expressions of moments that are packed with intense physical connection between two (or more) people. But if that's all that you expect out of erotica, you're really missing out because you're overlooking a whole section of the genre that is written by and geared towards asexual individuals. These stories are deeply emotional and sensual in a way where sex is either not featured at all or is presented in the abstract.

As an introduction to our community, I'd like to highlight a member who has shaped a lot of our decisions and has been a vocal supporter of our efforts. She has been a rock to myself and my co-admin, Sigh. Our community would be lesser without her involvement and I will forever be grateful for the inspiration and support she has given us since she joined.

Butterfly Weed by Rambling Chantrix

Butterfly Weed is a four part series that follows a married couple who find themselves in a situation that risks absolute destruction of not only their relationship, but of themselves.

To put it more thoroughly by the author herself:

Charles's marriage buckles as Portia struggles to be born. Can she be honest with her wife? Can she be honest with herself? Everything collapses in the blink of an eye. Repair is never so quick, but comfort in the unknown makes all things possible. ~RC, author of Sad Porn about the End of the World

Each part of the series is a moment in a life of the affected characters, features very little sex outside of the abstract, but is incredibly sensual and arousing, particularly if you've ever been married and hit a rough patch within it. This series is what I think of when I think of beautiful expressions of humanity within fiction. This is erotica just as much as a vignette of pure sex is. This is what's being vilified in our society because a word has been denounced as immoral filth. Our community is full of people who are used to fighting for their right to be alive and to exist in the world today. Many of us have overcome so much trauma and illness in our lives that the fact that we are here is practically miraculous. And many of us channel that pain and experience into our art. We express and process it through stories that feature genuine connections and a variance of sensual interactions.

This is one of the prime and most adept examples of the writing styles within our community, but she isn't the only one writing emotional connection and physical release at this level. Don't let the term of our chosen genre make you miss out on some absolutely beautiful pieces of prose and humanity.

I think we'd all be in a better place if we could allow ourselves to enjoy such connections for the deep release it can offer the reader as much as the writers.

Please, join us and see what wonders we can offer you. There's a little something for everyone here and we embrace everyone as a friend first.