Is Writing Erotica (Erotic Fiction) a Form of Cheating?

Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
I had a discussion with a few people about this and would like to see what you all thought as well.

If you're in a relationship and think about writing erotic fiction to make a few extra bucks and your significant other/spouse doesn't ... more
How in the world would that be considered cheating?
08/25/2012
Contributor: joolie joolie
It's not cheating. If my husband was uncomfortable with the idea of me writing erotica, then I respect his feelings, and wouldn't do it.
08/27/2012
Contributor: anonkitty anonkitty
I don't see how that can ever be construed as cheating. Unless it's actually a fantasy about someone else, which still makes it a weak argument for "emotional cheating" at best.
08/27/2012
Contributor: Supervixen Supervixen
Quote:
Originally posted by ViVix
How in the world would that be considered cheating?
Exactly--it's like...not even in the same ball park. You're writing stories, not having sex or a romantic bond with another person. I get the feeling that some people expect their partner's sexuality to be about them and only about them, which I think is controlling and smacks of insecurity and lack of trust. Don't have fantasies, don't watch porn, don't develop harmless crushes on someone (you think Johnny Depp is hot?! Adultress!), don't masturbate, don't have toys, and now, don't write erotica--all of these things I've heard from people who are insecure about their partner's sexuality, and I think it's rigid and unrealistic.

If I wanted to write erotica and my partner was uncomfortable with it, I'm sorry, but I'd say, too bad; if I want to write it, then I am going to. And then we'd have a nice, long discussion about trust and being self differentiated, independent and that boundaries will be respected, as long as they are reasonable.
08/30/2012
Contributor: thelittlepretty1 thelittlepretty1
No way. Although, I have never shared any of the stories I've written for my husband. I feel it's a great way to get across the things you like when talking to your partner may be difficult. Perhaps your readers will feel the same. Look at is more of helping other couples.
09/01/2012
Contributor: Hallmar82 Hallmar82
No, as long as you're not sending pictures of yourself to someone in particular.
09/01/2012
Contributor: sasshole sasshole
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
I had a discussion with a few people about this and would like to see what you all thought as well.

If you're in a relationship and think about writing erotic fiction to make a few extra bucks and your significant other/spouse doesn't ... more
idunno people have different ideas as to what cheating is, i don't think it is at all but maybe your partner might.
09/04/2012
Contributor: So Long Ya Doofuses! So Long Ya Doofuses!
As a writer myself, I feel that the work does not always define the person.
My partner is just gonna have to deal with my little erotic stories, because that is how I express and learn more about myself and my sexuality.
As for doing it for profit, if he truly doesn't approve, there are always pseudonyms!
09/07/2012
Contributor: So Long Ya Doofuses! So Long Ya Doofuses!
As a writer myself, I feel that the work does not always define the person.
My partner is just gonna have to deal with my little erotic stories, because that is how I express and learn more about myself and my sexuality.
As for doing it for profit, if he truly doesn't approve, there are always pseudonyms!
09/07/2012
Contributor: hem hem
It all depends on the arrangement in the relationship, but I actually find it somewhat surprising that writing erotica could be considered cheating.
09/07/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
Your scenario actually presents 2 questions, so I'll answer each of them.

Do I consider writing erotic fiction (where the author is not involved in the story) a form of cheating? - No, I do not.

Would I go ahead and write erotic ... more
This is basically what I was going to say too.

I personally don't see it as a form of cheating. Very interesting topic, as I've never even thought of this. But I could see a person having the right to be a little uncomfortable if their lovie is writing about a past experience. No way I'd do that, it'd be upsetting to a partner. But if you're making things up, I could see it going over better with most people.

Either way, if my partner was upset or uncomfy about it, no I would not do it. Instead, I'd just write the erotica based on OUR adventures. That'd make him feel including and probably less... hurt. A guy might even be pretty down with it if that's the route you take.

I mean as long as it's no fantasy you have with another person other than your partner, I don't think it's cheating. If I were to write erotica though, it be based off our own sex adventures and that's not a bad idea! Hey, if a partner's upset about it you could always decide to *try* out new fantasies with them of course, and then write your erotica based off that. I think that's a nicer and more fun way to go and would be less likely to cause hard feelings.

And as Iniglo said, there ARE other ways of making money. Plenty if you get creative enough. I am a writer myself and I find I do most of my work for VERY little to nothing. Writing is *not* the job you go into when you're tight on cash. Not in my opinion since it takes soooo much and so long to finally get paid for your work. Often most magazines and article-publishing site won't pay, but give your byline. That's fine with me, but I'm going to school for it and plan to actually work to make a career out of it since writing is my passion, not just something I'm going to do just to make extra $. But yes, if you're doing E-books and such, you'll be earning something, but I think if you're only doing it for extra $ and not for true passion, it's a bad idea. Writing isn't usually something you are extremely successful with unless you've got that passion for it and the patience, dear heavens, the patience! Why not try yardselling or selling some baked goods or something? That's the kind of things you do for extra $.
09/07/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
These are all very interesting answers, it seems that the consensuses so far is that if it hurts someone, don't do it as it could be considered cheating by someone, yet everyone voted no, it's not cheating. Interesting.

I forgot to add ... more
I agree. That does seem strange in my opinion. To me, a writer myself, just not an erotica writer, I don't see it as cheating if you're not writing about yourself with other people. However, writing it is not the same thing as using it to get off or to replace him such as what porn essentially does for most. In our opinion, porn is cheating. You're watching naked people screw and pretending/wishing or getting turned on by THEM and then taking your urges out on your partner unless you're going solo, which would be a form of "replacement" to most people. In our opnion, there is some huge differences in erotica and pornography. Erotica does not effect the brain the way pornography does.
09/07/2012
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Sounded like your husband's feeling a little insecure about the relationship.
09/07/2012
Contributor: Trysexual Trysexual
Far from cheating. No
09/07/2012
Contributor: Istanbull Istanbull
I'll answer the two questions arrised here.

1. Is writing erotic fiction cheeting?

Not in any form. It doesn't even come close to any reasonable definition of cheeting.

2. If you told your partner about it and they tell you they do not want you to do it because they don't like it, should you?

Yes, after you leave your partner. Because anyone who has an issue with their partner for wanting to take a safe, healthy and profitable means of expressing sexual fantasies that have little to no impact in a realistic relationship obviously has personal sexual issues they need to deal with instead of dragging down a perfectly good lover who would be better off spending their companionship with someone who will share it with them instead of inhibiting it.
09/09/2012
Contributor: table38792 table38792
No I don't think it is.

I think claiming ownership of each other's bodies (no physical sex/verbal flirting with others) is pretty common and fair when you agree on it but I think claiming ownership of someone's thoughts is too far. They should be free to get off to porn, text, and thoughts of others without being accused of cheating.

My 2 cents.
09/09/2012
Contributor: konicaguy konicaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
I had a discussion with a few people about this and would like to see what you all thought as well.

If you're in a relationship and think about writing erotic fiction to make a few extra bucks and your significant other/spouse doesn't ... more
No... I think it's just an outlet for our inner fantasies that we may never get to play out in our real lives.
09/10/2012
Contributor: roskat roskat
Not even close to cheating.
09/11/2012
Contributor: Alyxx Alyxx
I definitely don't think it could be considered cheating.
09/25/2012
Contributor: travelnurse travelnurse
Writing about a fantasy is not acting it out!!
09/25/2012
Contributor: melissa1973 melissa1973
No, it's not cheating, however the proof reading could be considered foreplay if the s/o was around.
09/25/2012
Contributor: MJ7 MJ7
Being a writer, I think I can safely say, no way is that cheating
09/26/2012
Contributor: plaidvulva plaidvulva
No, it's not cheating. However, if it bothered my lover, I'd either stop or try my best to make them somewhat comfortable with it if I had to continue writing for some reason.

Luckily, this is the type of thing my love would encourage.
09/26/2012
Contributor: glasskitten glasskitten
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
These are all very interesting answers, it seems that the consensuses so far is that if it hurts someone, don't do it as it could be considered cheating by someone, yet everyone voted no, it's not cheating. Interesting.

I forgot to add ... more
Not making much sense to me either!
09/26/2012
Contributor: ID42 ID42
I have been writing erotic fiction and non-fiction since I was in high school but, I tend to write my stories in the first person from a woman's perspective, so it ALWAYS seems personal. I try to fit the person reading into the position in which I choose to write from. I want them to BE that person. Whether I am writing as a dominant or as a submissive.

Past that, it is kind of hard to consider that cheating. I am not emotionally involved or physically involved with anyone who reads my work (unless I let my partner or my girlfriends read it) so there is no question about cheating for me.

I would have to say that if it causes a partner or spouse that much agony, then my partner or spouse and I would have to have a serious conversation about our relationship as a whole to see if we could move past this or if it were to be a deal breaker. I am not one for trying to conform to another persons "morals."
10/15/2012
Contributor: richsam richsam
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
I had a discussion with a few people about this and would like to see what you all thought as well.

If you're in a relationship and think about writing erotic fiction to make a few extra bucks and your significant other/spouse doesn't ... more
its not cheating.
10/18/2012
Contributor: zz1aag zz1aag
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
I had a discussion with a few people about this and would like to see what you all thought as well.

If you're in a relationship and think about writing erotic fiction to make a few extra bucks and your significant other/spouse doesn't ... more
it really depends to enterpretation
10/22/2012
Contributor: Katzer Katzer
No, it's not cheating and I would actually think he's kind crazy to find so.
10/23/2012
Contributor: Katzer Katzer
No, it's not cheating and I would actually think he's kind crazy to find so.
10/23/2012
Contributor: Martiniman Martiniman
I read erotica and I'm also in the process of writing my first story. I'm also an idea man for several authors, one who just finished our story. I do not consider it even close to cheating, but I will say this, if my wife was honestly disturbed by it and didn't want me to write erotica, I'd have to stop, as she is more important to me.

However, and I won't get to deep, I think in a case like this, a serious discussion should take place as there might be an underlying problem that's more harmful than erotica and erotica was the easy lightning rod.
11/04/2012