Last summer I blogged about women (and men) and forceful submission fantasies. (Here)  In the two studies I cited, women and men were given snippets of erotic literature to read, then questioned as to the appeal of the fantasy.  A significant number of men and women both felt that the portrayed fantasy of submission to a dominant partner had appeal.  In the second study, the erotic story changed.  This snippet was longer, had more romantic imagery and sensual tone.  Although slightly more men preferred the second story, women overwhelmingly preferred it.  So here they are:

Vignette in Study #1

There is a guy in your class. You don’t know him well, but you have locked eyes before. How can you not notice him? He has sized you up on more than one occasion.  On this night he catches your eye at a party. You could feel him staring at you from across the room. Slightly aroused, you decide now is a good time to step out for some air.  You were unaware that he followed you, until you felt his hand on your waist. He murmurs lustily, ‘‘You’re so hot tonight. You make me want you.’’ Your breathing quickens as you attempt to draw away, but he grasps your arm like a vice and it sends a shudder through your body. He pins you against the wall and presses his mouth firmly against yours. As your resistance fades, it becomes clear to you that this is only going one way . . . .

Hot?  I think so, but if I were a beta reader or an editor, and this were a submission, I’d ask for revision.  The action moves in fast.  I’m not clear how the woman is truly feeling about this encounter, what is attracting her to this man.  It’s sexy, but I’m just not drawn in.  I need more.

Vignette in Study #2

He held her hand and led her into the bedroom. She strolled in surveying it as she went, and tried not to betray her curiosity. With the sound of the door’s closing, her eyes met his. She cautiously asked what he wanted, though she suspected. His only answer was to slink across the room towards her. He captured her in his hypnotic gaze, his eyes sensual and disarming.  ‘‘I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of you all night,’’ he murmured lustily. Her heart started to pound uncontrollably. Could he hear it? Her breathing quickened as she attempted to draw away, but he grasped her arm like a vice. She tried to pull back, but it was too late. He would consume her. His mouth advanced firmly to claim hers. She stammered in protest at his wantonness, but he pushed her onto the bed.  She stared up at him as his hand moved slowly to his zipper. Before she could say anything, he loomed over her. He captured her with his animalistic passion. She writhed under him. ‘‘W-what are you doing?’’ she stammered. ‘‘What am I doing?’’ he whispered huskily. ‘‘I’m taking what I’ve wanted all night.’’ Smiling, he towered over her, his hands pinning hers to the bed. He held her fast. ‘‘Please,’’ she whispered, but could find no other words. He gave her one final chance. ‘‘Tell me to stop,’’ he growled, ‘‘and I will.’’ As much as she thought she wanted him to stop, she found her resolve weakening. She froze in anticipation and couldn’t answer. With knowing hands he lifted her skirt, felt her warmth, and purred triumphantly. In one swift movement, he took her with a powerful stroke.  She gulped air, trying to find her breath. She felt his full weight upon her as he, too, fought for his breath and control. In and out, in and out, their breaths were the only things moving between them, like waves flowing together. His chest rose and fell against hers. She started to relax. A murmur of approval rolled from his lips. His strong, skilled hands dropped to her sides and brushed over her hipbones and thighs. Simultaneously, the edges of his teeth grazed her neck. With her hair tightly clenched in his hand, he continued to hold her fast. She shivered, but not from fear. He had merely piqued her interest in what was to come . .

Hooboy!  Now that’s more like it!  The scene is drawn out, the language and imagery are sensual.  Even if we delete the last dozen sentences, ending the vignettes in the same spot, the second story is the more appealing one to me.  I’ve been devouring quite a bit of smut this year, and have begun to form some definite opinions about what sets me on fire and what leaves me cold.  I’ve read some well written short stories that just don’t do it for me, and some where the writing is less polished but turn me into a quivering mess.

It has long been said that men prefer explicit imagery in erotic scenes, but don’t necessarily want or need the romantic elements.  Women, research shows, find romantic and sensual imagery adds to the sensuality of the scene.  That doesn’t mean that women all want the same thing, and certainly men also are readers of erotic literature.  Later this week, I’ll discuss some differences in style between authors of erotic fiction.  Because what is one person’s eh is another person’s turn-on.

Again – citing the study from above, available from Taylor & Francis: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224490902878985

Patricia H. Hawley & William A. Hensley IV (2009): Social Dominance and Forceful Submission Fantasies: Feminine Pathology or Power?, Journal of Sex Research, 46:6, 568-585