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

[celestlyn.livejournal.com]

"I am sort of a less is more person. A few well-placed, well-delivered lines--with the appropriate reaction from the other person, as others have said--works so much better for me than endless dialogue."

YES! This! Less is more for me, as well. I don't mind some, of course. Even when I have sex, I find a lot of dirty talk to be distracting. I want to say, "Shut up and stop talking about it! Just DO it!" That said, I adore the sort of incoherent babbling that comes with being so damned turned on that you can't think straight, and if you don't come right the fuck now you're going to die! I also love it when one is pretty restrained and gets pushed to the edge and just loses it completely.

For example, I picture Harry as being pretty unrestrained and uninhibited. Being a Gryffindor, he's never been restrained and I can't imagine him being inhibited in bed, either. I see Draco as pretty controlled and restrained. I find it amazingly sexy when Harry can get Draco to completely lose it, inspite of trying his best to not embarrass himself. That's where the incoherent babbling would be awesome! A well-placed "FUCK!" here and there, or a few other expletives are hot as hell.


"I like humiliation and degradation as a kink so I'm very happy to see that sort of dirty talk in a fic, but it also depends on the characters and the circumstances. I also love cross-dressing and playing with fetishes, so talk about male characters looking pretty somehow really hits my kink buttons, whereas I know that's a real back-button for others."

That would get a back-button from me. It is so far from sexy to me that it would completely leave me cold. Humiliation and degradation are not my thing at all and the furthest thing from sexy. Slut-shaming and that stuff does nothing for me. I really hate power-play in most situations. That said, there are times when I might find it a turn on and I can't even explain when or how that happens. Some situations call for a bit of power-play or near dub-con. I have to be in the right mood for that, for sure.

"I mean, if spanking is a kink for you, then "I'm going to smack that ass so hard" could be effective dirty talk, but if it's not, then it'll leave you cold."

Holy crap! Then there's that! It never fails to turn me on, big time! Not the whipping and beating bloody thing, but just a damned sexy spanking. GUH! That might call for some dirty talk!

I guess, like others have said, it's going to vary greatly from person to person. It would be impossible to write a fic that would hit the right note for everyone. I do know that when someone tries to force elements of a sex scene it can lose it's intended purpose. When it becomes forced it can feel fake and then it will have all the sexiness of a cardboard box. The same applies to dirty talk. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

[birdsofshore]

I find it amazingly sexy when Harry can get Draco to completely lose it, inspite of trying his best to not embarrass himself.

Yes, this seems to be a popular trope! I think that's part of what inhibits me when I am trying to write dirty talk. The feeling of embarrassment for the characters, I have to force myself to get over that vulnerable feeling!