having forgotten most of what I know about writing fic...

[alliecat8]

...the explanation for this post is that I've been up all night, and it's storming like a son of a bitch outside now, at 8 a.m., so my brain has vacated the premises and the muse is in control. She seems to think it's high time I posted more chapters of my yet-untitled luau novel at lostsquee, so, that's gonna happen sometime today, but first I have a question.

What, exactly, is PWP? I know it means "plot, what plot?" or, sometimes, "porn without plot." But what do YOU consider to be a good PWP? (And yes, Virginia, there IS such a thing, otherwise we addicted PWP-readers wouldn't be, well, addicted to it.)

and now one of my new friends is gonna guess I'm working on HER story. *waves, giggles, and runs*

Edit: Okay, I'm gonna rephrase my question -- can you call it a PWP if it's ABOUT something (besides just the porn?) Am I overthinking this?

And whoooo, I finally get to use the "examinate" mood theme thing, but I had to look "examinate" up in the dictionary first. *feels suddenly smart*

Comments

[eponine119.livejournal.com]

I think the "without plot" is the key. PWP can have a theme, a point, a message, characterization...but if it has a PLOT then it's not really PWP anymore. Now, what's a plot? Heck if I know.

The only thing I really came up with when I was examining PWPs to try to figure out what made them work, is that while it seems like it's about the "who put what where" it's the emotionality and everything behind it that makes it hot.

[alliecat8.livejournal.com]

Wow, you put that really well. I've always been confused about PWP -- can I write ANYTHING in it besides just the act itself, and if not, how can I make it more than one-dimensional> The answer I always came back to was, "I can't."

So yes, I'm RELIEVED to know I can give it a few layers, because I don't think I can write without them!

[zelda-zee.livejournal.com]

I absolutely agree with Megan. PWP can be 'about' something - as in a mood or an emotion - or emotions - or a relationship. But it can't have an actual plot. It has to be porny, but I agree that emo!porn is what will make a PWP truly hot.

[alliecat8.livejournal.com]

I absolutely agree with her too, now that she's said it and I have a better grip on what PWP IS. And yes, it's the EMO that makes the fic. I think it's the fact that you and Megan both believe that that makes you two of my very favorite writers. (That's not just flattery, either, it's nothing but the plain truth!)

[gottalovev.livejournal.com]

it really has to focus on the sex. and I maybe wrote one today that is without emo, because the 2 guys don't know each other (yet), and it's waaayyyy harder to make work.

good luck!

[alliecat8.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, you wrote one? I haven't gotten to my flist-reading yet, but I'll definitely check it out. It sounds like it IS harder to write a PWP than it is to write other types of fic, which almost sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? "Porn Without Plot" *should* be easier! But it's tricky as hell, isn't it? I don't know if I can pull it off, but if anybody can, it's you!

[invisiblelove.livejournal.com]

PWP can have a theme, a point, a message, characterization...but if it has a PLOT then it's not really PWP anymore. Now, what's a plot? Heck if I know.

I think she hit it right on the head. I think there can be all kinds of character analysis, or possibly even development, or musings on a theme, in a PWP...there just isn't much furthering of the plot and there's a whole mess of smexin' going down ;)

LOL hope that was helpful.

[alliecat8.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think Megan should add her analysis of PWP to the porn-writing rule-book! She explained it SO WELL. And I like what you said, too:

I think there can be all kinds of character analysis, or possibly even development, or musings on a theme, in a PWP...there just isn't much furthering of the plot and there's a whole mess of smexin' going down ;)

I love that advice! Thank you, darlin'! :D