What makes for good dirty talk? (~in fic)

[birdsofshore]

I had an idea for a story and it would probably involve a lot of dirty talking and general filthiness. Then I realised that this is something I really struggle with.

What, in your opinion, makes dirty talking hot in fic? Are there things that just don't work for you when you're reading it? What is your favourite kind to read? Have you got a favourite story that involves dirty talk? And, if you're a writer, can you give me any tips? Because I sort of stink at it. I do try, because I know it's great when it works, but I usually fail and have to be bailed out by a beta. I got several compliments on a filthy line in a recent fic and it was actually raitala's doing, LOL.

I even feel awkward READING dirty talk, often, because I'm not always sure how I feel about people calling each other slut and so on, and I'm not fond of porny descriptions of dripping holes. So I basically need a Dirty Talk primer. Can you help? Thank you!

Comments

[tamlane.livejournal.com]

What makes dirty talk hot to me is the name-calling and slut-shaming and general degradation and menace and threats of making it so one's partner can't sit down for a week without feeling the ghost of their cock, so... I don't think my advice would be much help here. XD

Instead I'll just point to snegurochka_lee's (Ninth Rehearsal for) The Main Event as a fine example of dirty talk done well.

[birdsofshore]

You see, when you put it like that, it sounds really quite pleasant ;)

I do always enjoy the dirty talk in your fics, actually, including the degradation, so I need to think carefully about why I feel uncomfortable about it at other times, I suppose.

That fic of lee's is about my favourite thing in the world. I'm going to have to go and read it again now you've left that evil little link there.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hannelore/]

What?! I think your advice here is *gulp* lovely. ;) I agree though that there's a whole spectrum of dirty talk, from humiliation/degration to "just the right words" for that particular person that give themselves over to pleasure.

[tamlane.livejournal.com]

Nnnnnnnngh, I love threats! :D

But you're right, there are probably as many different ways to talk dirty as there are to have sex. And I think that's what makes it tricky. One can't really point and say "that's what makes good dirty talk" because it's largely a matter of tone and context, not to mention personal preference.

[birdsofshore]

I think it's been very useful, because people have pointed out things like sometimes the best dirty talk just arises naturally from the situation, and that it's often the reaction of the other person that makes it hot. I agree the content and tone is going to vary from person to person, but the nuts and bolts may be quite similar, maybe?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hannelore/]

I totally agree with both of you. I think it's good that there's a variety in the conversation about dirty talk in that no one's doing it "wrong," it's tone, context and certainly personal preference. I do find it more exciting when the talk rises from the situation, like you said, and the other person (and the person who is talking!) gets aroused by that. I like this conversation especially too because hopefully it will get more people believing that they CAN write dirty talk (and maybe they already have been and didn't think it was 'dirty' enough)! What's not to like about more dirty talk? :)


(and yay for hot, sexy threats!)

[nearlyconscious.livejournal.com]

Tam, I... I love you okay. I think I've read that fic years ago and re-reading it was just as good as reading it for the first time *heavy sigh*
Also, threats that one's partner can't sit down for a week without feeling sore >>>>>