Forums » RP Discussion » Why do people RP x rated scenes?

I'm someone who's written smut before, but I think I'd feel super awkward writing it with someone else. How do people handle it? Why do some people prefer it over fade to black, when there's another real person on the other end? To me that would be like actually doing the act with the other RPer. And it would make me feel uncomfortable if my character was being used as...porn...by someone else.

I remember reading an article about smut in literature that pretty much said, if it's there just to be steamy and no important character development happens, then it's best omitted. Doesn't stop me from writing smutty oneshots separate from my story, but that's the thing. How much of the smut here is actually important to the stories? That's probably impossible to answer, but an estimate?

I RP smut pretty easily with people. I like writing it in short stories, but I find it interesting to see other people's takes on it as well. I've learned a lot about how different smut can be, and it's fun to explore all sorts of subjects that I generally hadn't thought of myself.

Regarding writing smut with others, it does take a certain mindset and being okay with the fact that other people read it. I don't consider it the same as doing the act with the other person, as I see my character as a separate entity from myself at all times, so I'm good at drawing that line and keeping that border in place. I do always insist that people keep their thoughts to themselves and just focus on the writing all the way through. We're all human, but you don't have to be creepy about it. (If someone is creepy about it despite my clear warnings, it's an instant block, RP over.)

Sexuality is also part of most people's lives, and it is for characters too. Working it into the RP can contribute to their relationships and personalities. It plays a big theme in one of my characters because of her history, so exploring that area is adding massively to her development.

Whether it should be omitted or not is up to how you see and value your stories. If the purpose is to write just a couple of scenes of smut and that's it, end of story, that is just as valid as writing a whole trilogy without ever once mentioning it. All that matters is that you and your RP partner have fun writing it and are doing so after discussing it and finding the middle ground that works for the both of you.

(I also always, always confirm they're 18+ irl because of the legal complications involved regarding RPing smut with minors. No joke, that stuff is scary.)

People do so because they enjoy it! Even if you don't! I see it being similar to this - I don't really enjoy RPs set in modern times, but I don't think it's crazy for other people to enjoy doing so!

The suggestion that all writing must be relevant to the plot sounds like good advice at a glance but I can't say I agree with it. When it comes to RP you should write what you enjoy. If both you and your partner enjoy writing smut, who says you shouldn't! The writing isn't going to be published. It's not for other people to read. It's for the enjoyment of the participants.

I suspect that advice was aimed at people who write fiction alone for public consumption - but even then there's an enormous market for plotless smut!

Hmm. Well most people who RP smut and mature scenes actually tend to see it as part of the daily lives of an adult character. Also, most people usually separate OOC and IC anyway so it doesn't get too personal. Some people do kinda get off on it (which is fine as long as it doesn't get disturbing or extend to me as a person), but more often than not it's written with the same sort of professionalism as people who write gory or horror scenes. Separating character from self is usually key with these kinds of things.

It all comes down to a matter of preference. Some people (like me) like the added depth of life it gives to a character. Basically everything that Sanne and Claine just said. As an added note, I actually kinda find it somewhat flattering (in a weird way) if someone made porn or smut of my characters; in my eyes, that means they enjoy my characters and works enough to go that route, which is fine to me. Other authors and people who write may not approve of the same, but that's the joy and drama of free will: you can't quite predict how people like to enjoy your works.

Oh god, this is the truest thing ever.

I never thought of it in that way, that it's part of an adult character's life and whatever. Good insight. And yes, if someone starts to get creepy it should be an instant nope.

It's not that I don't like it mentioned. I think innuendo is hilarious unless it's constantly there(looking at you, The Hangover), and like I said I have written smut before. Sometimes though, people get downright nasty.

Sexuality is part of the human experience. I think the drive to write x-rated scenes comes from multiple places. Some people do use it as a sort of pornography replacement, but a lot of the time it is also an exploration of how two characters relate to each other in a much deeper way than other types of scenes could convey. Almost every form of face to face interaction is inseparable from our bodies.

Smut scenes, written properly (imho), cannot help but contain character development.

As someone that enjoys engaging in x-rated RP with my fiancé, I can safely say that it's because I personally enjoy it. There's also a lot of practise within writing it -- uncomfortable as it may be at times. And I don't mean that to say that I'm wanting to quit because it squicks me out. I say that in the manner that it is super awkward at times, and that sometimes your character experiences something you never did or are comfortable doing yourself -- which, like Ben said, can contain quite a bit of character development. Though more behind closed doors, I believe. I suppose there can be some things that can be kept casual, or used as blackmail in the RP-verse.

On a more personal note, I cannot say that I enjoy RPing smut or x-rated things with random strangers. I value tons of character development and relationships when my characters meet others -- and the same can be said about me as a person. I enjoy getting to know my RP partners, especially those that plan on RPing with me long term. I dislike being treated as if I'm just there for entertainment. So... that said, I will not do smut or x-rated scenes with people that push and push for it. I would rather have a friendship and a sense of familiarity with someone before we do those kinds of RPs.

I have done smut before as well. As long my muses are at the proper age and that I am and my RP partner is as well. Smut often gets frowned down upon in allot of RP communities, due to allot of young'uns or rookie RPers who do the same exact thing.

I seen way too many public smut Rpers on my Dashboard on Tumblr and 98% are terribly executed.

On one side note, in agreement with the other Jay, as well as just a general observation...

RPing X-rated scenes can be useful in character development, but also useful in personal development as well. I have, in the past, RPed scenes with a IRL romantic partner specifically for us to get a little bit of excitement from it. It also allowed use to see what the other likes, and what interest, and limits, that we both had.

I can honestly also say that, without RP, I would be unsure of my own sexuality as a whole. Seeing what I preferred, the types of characters that I engaged with, and what "got me off" were big clues that I was at least partially mistaken as to what I thought I was.

On the flip side, not RPing smut can inform you what certain people are going through. I played an asexual character for a while. Fighting off the constant advances, the disappointments, and the way that people and characters treated the character different when you told them, ICly, that you don't "do the do" I like to think gave me the tiniest smidgen of a crumb of understanding of what it's like to be Ace.

I have taken part in a fairly large amount of smut myself, but that isn't to say it has any reign on the amount of RPing I've done that isn't smut.

I have a very clear hold on the idea that my characters are fiction, and so I'm not bashful in the least when it comes to it, and I've learned not to care what the other person reads if it helps them have more insight into my character and helps them respond to my character better.

On a side not, I do not enjoy smuts on a sexual level. They are fun, yes, but I've never been able to cross that bridge like others. And so, when I do smut, it's for a deeper understanding of characters, and because I find it a really interesting way to RP.

As well as a fade to black would annoy me. I have a hard time doing time skips as it is, even if it's necessary.

I'd rather actually have my characters in an intimate interaction than I would just assume they've done the do.

So that's why I have.

Personally, I'm not really comfortable with fully writing out sex scenes, at least not as long as it becomes really graphic and detailed. I've only ever done FTB in previous RP's, as I don't think my previous partners were up for it as well. I think I might be able to do write sexual contents to some extend, but I'm not completely sure where my limit is.

I do, however, find it very frustrating that a lot of the forums on the LFRP Adults says that they only want you as a partner if you agree to write detailed sexual contents, because that's where I personally feel that it's slowly stepping into the porn section. I enjoy a good story as much as the next person, and I agree that sex is very natural in stories, especially if they contain romance, but it makes me sad to see when people are only interesting in the sexual part. But then again, it's probably because it rules me out as a partner, so it's just a personal thing.

This is pretty much me.

I agree with FreeJay, where I'd want to know the other RPer well before I write smut with them, to make sure they're not just using it for their own...pleasure and stuff.

I'm personally not into the sexual parts to be honest, but the only reason I prefer things to be graphic or explicit is that... I suck at summarizing. Summarizing and cutting things short have never been my strong suit when it comes to writing. I don't mind people who can summarize things (In fact I see them as much better writers than my overly wordy crap) but that's my weakness. So for some people it's not that they want porn (for that, there's you know... porn), some people may have other reasons for doing so. I can always RP with people who want to summarize things in intimate scenes, but I'd have to ask for patience while I try and match what's written so I don't mess up anything or get too graphic.

On a playful side note, may I ask what brought this up in the first place? I get the feeling my massive forum faux pas yesterday may have been the start of the cause of it, but I could be wrong. Just out of curiosity.

Interesting!
Of course I am well aware that people have other reasons for RP graphic sexual content - like the reasons Sanne, Ben etc. posted. I just some times get the porn vibe from certain posts(although not yours, don't worry!), and I'm also aware that it's a personal thing for me, because I easily become a little uncomfortable with sex descriptions.

I do admit, and I hope you won't take offense in any way, that I considering joining that RP you posted on the LFRP Adult section, but I was thrown off because you had written that you wanted some one able to write out sexual content and I knew that I wouldn't be able to live up to it. The only reason I'm even bothered by the whole demand for sexual content is, that I'm sorry to miss out on cool characters, like your character.

Aw, no! I'm not offended at all; in fact, I'm flattered as can be! I'm always willing to do a non-sexual RP with other people! I actually wanted to revise that one to invite more general RP because Maxwell's more multipurpose anyway.

Oh well, feel free to hit me up if you're interested, then

Now, let the discussion resume.

Yeah, I decided to make the topic because of that, but I'd been wondering for a while.

I see, then I really must apologize then for starting up such a topic for you; I usually don't tend to post in the wrong forum... Other than that, the insights here have proven to be very interesting so far.

If someone tries to cleave my character's head from his shoulders with a broadsword, my response isn't going to just be a fade-to-black scenario. There will be engrossing contextual platforms that need to be addressed, so that the actions of my writing partner are acknowledged resoundingly, reciprocated with due diligence, and exonerated from the confusion of variable conclusion - to instead be given structured purpose equal to their fervor.

If my aim ever falls short of continuing the fluidity of time and substance (made readily available through vigorous situations for the sake of inspiration and conscription of metaphor), the subject being addressed holds no substance, and is as worthless as the darkness with which I'm alluding to in order to avoid the experience. The action leading and following the event may as well be chalk on a school board when the bell has already been rung.

This of course, is simply my opinion. If another differs from me in it, then I do not engage in writing with them and hope they find whatever it is they are hoping to to gain from the roleplaying they most prefer. At the end of the day, my reasons for lewdly going where any given plot might lead has absolutely nothing to do with the difference between writing X-Rated scenes, avoiding them, detesting them, or being impartial.

To me, people worth writing with are those who create with demand what entices a desired response, and extends the boundaries of what we consider comfortable, normal, and/or taboo. The predicate nature of the scene matters to me about as much as lint in my pocket; if the sole purpose of the story I'm involved in is smut-worthy, then that is what it is and I will endow myself to conquering every viable means of illuminating the moments which give it substance. And there is substance in the carnal nature of the mind; it is wicked and unsightly at times, true, but so is a bitter romance, a blade to the throat, a bullet to the spleen, or the betrayal of a friend - and I would be so honored that someone deems a character of mine noteworthy enough to see every facet of those onslaughts to their fullest fruition.

Mind, I'm aware of the squimish and otherwise despicable nature of seeing an entire area devolve into any one outlet - again, no matter its nature - but to ignore the delights or turn a blind eye to what they might offer me simply because I am uncomfortable with the dialog entailed is not the type of writer I ever aspire to be. That is not a matter of right or wrong, better or lesser, but of personal ambition and (admittedly) nearly seething need.

I would invite you to bear in mind that the simplistic act of fornication is only as such when done simplistically. There is great challenge in repetition, pacing, metaphor, simile, and awareness of sensation when lacking the physical means to draw on the source material readily without the use of means best left unspoken. Gratification comes in many forms, and like the art of cooking a delicate cuisine, you may find that a recipe for disaster is always in the instructions listed if you apply careless disdain or lack of respect for the craft.

That all said...? I do it because I'm a writer. I write. I don't make distinctions I can replace with talk about bubblegum or switchblades; I chew and I cut, because in my hands, that's what those things are good for.

Plus, I really like using the word, "succulent." Just feels right.

Reading that was definitely interesting, but the conclusion is what summed up my enjoyment. It made me chuckle, and for that, I give you a well meant thumbs up.