What does "Write how you want" mean to you?

[Jinraider]

I came up with this in relation to another question: "Is it wrong to write erotica if you don't like to write sex scenes?", but I soon realised that this can be answered using the question in the topic.

Except, that just answers a question with another question; one arguably less defined than the former. But, I suppose it's a rite of passage for new writers to doubt themselves and their abilities, so I thought I'd cast out the question to see what others think.

For me, "writing how I want" is basically just that; I sit down, and write what comes to mind, and sort of avoid the things I don't want to put effort into. Sometimes, commenters on my chapters will throw out an idea that I think is neat, and I'll integrate it somewhere if I can.

I'm not so arrogant as to suggest that this is 100% successful; writing this way has lead to some criticisms in regards to my characters being cliche, and my sex scenes being short and not particularly good. These are completely valid, but I feel that if I pushed myself to improve in these areas so much, I'd have enjoyed the experience of writing far less.

So what does "write how you want" mean to you, and when should/should not you employ it?

 

[TheLowKing]

Unless someone is paying you to write or you're trying to get someone to pay you to write, I think you should always write what you enjoy. If you're not getting paid, it's a hobby, and hobbies should be fun. Writing is hard enough at the best of times, because it takes such an ungodly amount of time. The enjoyment of your readers is secondary.

That doesn't necessarily mean your stories need to be page after page of unadulterated wish fulfillment (though that can certainly work out very well, see for example the early chapters of Blowjob Universe), but you should always be excited about where you're taking your story next. If you find yourself in a slog, take a good hard look at your plot and plans, and think seriously about whether you might be better off taking the story in a more enjoyable direction.

 

[Dissonant Soundtrack]

I take it to mean write in the style that you want. If you prefer to tell your stories in the form of long purple prose descriptions, do it. If you prefer hyper-detailed Tom Clancy-esque psuedorealism, do it. If you like to have Kevin Smith style "People sit around for hours just talking" stories, then do that. It's not always going to land, but it will be much more distinctively yours.

 

[Iam_DickMan]

So I dislike how overused incest is. Which is why I like to set all of my stories in the office. The problem for a lot of stories is who’s nearby that the protagonist can interact with and I understand that the people who live with the protagonist are easy. But sooooo many stories go straight to the step mom or sister. So, what to do? Where do people spend a lot of time outside of their houses? Boom, office setting. I think it’s relatable and I do all my smut writing at work anyways.