creative writing school
Module 5: Pleasure & Desire
Welcome to our online creative writing course, where we delve into the captivating world of er.o.tic literature. From the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Greece to the modern era, er.o.tic writing has fascinated and enticed readers across cultures and centuries. In this course, we explore the rich history, diverse themes, and expressive techniques of er.o.tic literature, inviting you to embark on a journey of exploration, creativity, and self-expression. Whether you're a seasoned writer or new to the genre, join us as we unlock the power of language to evoke passion, desire, and sensuality on the page.
theory
Er.o.tic literature has a long and varied history, dating back to ancient civilizations such as those of Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. Here's a brief overview:
1. Ancient Civilizations: Er.o.tic writings can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, where clay tablets dating to around 2000 BCE contain er.o.tic poetry and stories. In ancient Greece, works like "The Song of Songs" in the Hebrew Bible and the poetry of Sappho explore themes of love and desire. Similarly, ancient Roman literature, including the poetry of Catullus and the erotic novel "The Satyricon" by Petronius, depicts explicit se.x.ual content.
2. Middle Ages: During the Middle Ages, er.o.tic literature often took the form of courtly love poetry, such as the troubadour poetry of Provence. While some works were more romantic in nature, others contained explicit se.x.ual imagery.
3. Renaissance and Enlightenment: The Renaissance saw a resurgence of interest in classical literature, including er.o.tic themes. Works like "The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio and "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer contain bawdy and humorous stories with se.x.ual content. During the Enlightenment, writers began to explore er.o.tic themes more openly, often using satire and parody to critique social norms and conventions.
4. Victorian Era: The Victorian era was characterized by strict moral codes and censorship, leading to a proliferation of er.o.tic literature circulated clandestinely. Notable examples include the anonymously published "My Secret Life" and the er.o.tic novels of the Marquis de Sade.
5. Modern Era: In the 20th and 21st centuries, er.o.tic literature has become increasingly diverse and accessible. From the se.x.ually explicit works of Anaïs Nin to the mainstream success of "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James, er.o.tic literature continues to push boundaries and challenge societal taboos surrounding se.x.uality.
Throughout history, er.o.tic literature has served various purposes, including entertainment, exploration of desire, and social commentary. Despite censorship and stigma, it remains a vibrant and enduring literary genre.
1. Ancient Civilizations: Er.o.tic writings can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, where clay tablets dating to around 2000 BCE contain er.o.tic poetry and stories. In ancient Greece, works like "The Song of Songs" in the Hebrew Bible and the poetry of Sappho explore themes of love and desire. Similarly, ancient Roman literature, including the poetry of Catullus and the erotic novel "The Satyricon" by Petronius, depicts explicit se.x.ual content.
2. Middle Ages: During the Middle Ages, er.o.tic literature often took the form of courtly love poetry, such as the troubadour poetry of Provence. While some works were more romantic in nature, others contained explicit se.x.ual imagery.
3. Renaissance and Enlightenment: The Renaissance saw a resurgence of interest in classical literature, including er.o.tic themes. Works like "The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio and "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer contain bawdy and humorous stories with se.x.ual content. During the Enlightenment, writers began to explore er.o.tic themes more openly, often using satire and parody to critique social norms and conventions.
4. Victorian Era: The Victorian era was characterized by strict moral codes and censorship, leading to a proliferation of er.o.tic literature circulated clandestinely. Notable examples include the anonymously published "My Secret Life" and the er.o.tic novels of the Marquis de Sade.
5. Modern Era: In the 20th and 21st centuries, er.o.tic literature has become increasingly diverse and accessible. From the se.x.ually explicit works of Anaïs Nin to the mainstream success of "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James, er.o.tic literature continues to push boundaries and challenge societal taboos surrounding se.x.uality.
Throughout history, er.o.tic literature has served various purposes, including entertainment, exploration of desire, and social commentary. Despite censorship and stigma, it remains a vibrant and enduring literary genre.
inspirations
"Trembling of the summer breeze Barely lying down, the young girl dozes off The comb, from her hair, has slipped The red bra has come undone No dew on the two hills of the Fairyland The peach blossom spring has not yet gushed forth The virtuous man, hesitating, cannot tear his gaze away Leaving is painful for him, but staying is inappropriate."
"The young girl dozing off in broad daylight"
Hồ Xuân Hương, also known as Hồ Xuân Hương or Hồ Xuân Hương, was a Vietnamese poet from the 18th century known for her bold and often humorous poetry that challenged societal norms and explored themes of love, desire, and se.x.uality. While her work may not fit into contemporary definitions of er.o.tic writing, many of her poems contain playful and suggestive language that alludes to sensual experiences and romantic encounters.
Hồ Xuân Hương's poetry often used clever wordplay, metaphor, and innuendo to convey themes of desire and intimacy, making her a significant figure in Vietnamese literature and a precursor to modern er.o.tic writing. Her poems celebrated the human body, desire, and the joys of physical intimacy, challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
Despite the conservative social context in which she lived, Hồ Xuân Hương's poetry expressed a bold and unapologetic celebration of love and desire, making her an important figure in the history of er.o.tic literature in Vietnam. Her work continues to be studied and celebrated for its wit, creativity, and subversive approach to themes of se.x.uality and desire.
Hồ Xuân Hương's poetry often used clever wordplay, metaphor, and innuendo to convey themes of desire and intimacy, making her a significant figure in Vietnamese literature and a precursor to modern er.o.tic writing. Her poems celebrated the human body, desire, and the joys of physical intimacy, challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
Despite the conservative social context in which she lived, Hồ Xuân Hương's poetry expressed a bold and unapologetic celebration of love and desire, making her an important figure in the history of er.o.tic literature in Vietnam. Her work continues to be studied and celebrated for its wit, creativity, and subversive approach to themes of se.x.uality and desire.
A Tale from the Decameron (1916) by John William Waterhouse
"In this pleasurable fashion, one hour after another passed, and the sun's radiance drew the day to a close, leaving the sky awash in hues of pink and gold. As the evening approached, so too did the warmth between them, and their playful banter soon gave way to more intimate exchanges. With whispered words and tender caresses, they reveled in the delight of each other's company, finding solace and passion in the embrace of the fading light."
Giovanni Boccaccio, "The Decameron", 1348-1353
"The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio is considered er.o.tic primarily due to its frank and explicit portrayal of se.x.ual themes and experiences. Set against the backdrop of the Black Death in 14th-century Florence, the work features a collection of 100 tales told by ten young people who have fled the city to escape the plague. These tales often explore the complexities of love, desire, and se.x.uality in a variety of contexts, ranging from romantic and sensual encounters to bawdy and comedic situations. Boccaccio's vivid descriptions and uninhibited storytelling style contribute to the er.o.tic nature of the work, making it a landmark in the history of er.o.tic literature.
Kathy Acker
"In that room she spoke so that her words took on the qualities of sculpture or drawings. She loved the sounds and forms of words. She'd learned this love from reading when she was a child. But she'd never spoken until she was with him. Her voice, when she spoke to him, became her body. It was in her body that she lived. She'd never been so alive."
"Blood and Guts in High School", 1984
Kathy Acker, American experimental novelist, playwright, essayist, and postmodernist writer, was known for her provocative and boundary-pushing approach to literature, often exploring themes of se.x.uality, desire, and power dynamics in her work. Her writing often contained explicit scenes of s.e.x and violence, challenging conventional notions of gender and identity. Acker's use of language was unconventional, blending elements of punk, postmodernism, and er.o.tica to create a unique and confrontational style.
In her novels, such as "Blood and Guts in High School" and "Empire of the Senseless," Acker delved into the complexities of er.o.tic desire, often blurring the lines between pleasure and pain, dominance and submission. She used her writing to challenge societal norms and question the power dynamics inherent in se.x.ual relationships.
Overall, Acker's work can be seen as a form of er.o.tic writing that seeks to subvert traditional narratives of se.x.uality and explore the darker, more taboo aspects of human desire. Her fearless approach to se.x.uality and her willingness to push boundaries have cemented her reputation as a pioneering figure in the realm of er.o.tic literature.
In her novels, such as "Blood and Guts in High School" and "Empire of the Senseless," Acker delved into the complexities of er.o.tic desire, often blurring the lines between pleasure and pain, dominance and submission. She used her writing to challenge societal norms and question the power dynamics inherent in se.x.ual relationships.
Overall, Acker's work can be seen as a form of er.o.tic writing that seeks to subvert traditional narratives of se.x.uality and explore the darker, more taboo aspects of human desire. Her fearless approach to se.x.uality and her willingness to push boundaries have cemented her reputation as a pioneering figure in the realm of er.o.tic literature.
Elodie Petit
"We inhabit what we can: the earthenware, the bathtub, the apartment building, the sidewalk, we build a hut. From beginning to end, we use love as collective survival."
"Fiévreuse plébeienne", 2022
French performance artist and poet, Elodie Petit's work often explores themes of sensuality, intimacy, and desire, which can create a compelling connection to er.o.tic writing. Through her artistic practice, she delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, inviting viewers to engage with the subtle nuances of intimacy and desire. Petit's use of visual language, symbolism, and evocative imagery evokes a sense of intimacy and er.o.ticism, drawing viewers into immersive experiences that resonate on a deeply personal level. In this way, her work shares common ground with the rich tradition of er.o.tic writing, which similarly seeks to evoke sensual experiences and explore the depths of human desire. By intertwining elements of visual art and storytelling, Petit creates a multidimensional narrative that celebrates the beauty and complexity of er.o.tic expression.
creative exercise
Step 1:
Begin by immersing yourself in the insightful "I like, I don't like" extract from Roland Barthes, which delves into the intricacies of personal preferences and the intimate relationship between desire and aversion.
Begin by immersing yourself in the insightful "I like, I don't like" extract from Roland Barthes, which delves into the intricacies of personal preferences and the intimate relationship between desire and aversion.
"I like:
salad, cinnamon, cheese, chili peppers, marzipan, the smell of freshly cut hay (I wish a 'nose' would make such a perfume), roses, peonies, lavender, champagne, light political positions, Glenn Gould, excessively cold beer, flat pillows, toast, Havana cigars, Handel, leisurely walks, pears, white or vineyard peaches, cherries, colors, watches, pens, writing feathers, desserts, raw salt, realistic novels, piano, coffee, Pollock, Twombly, all romantic music, Sartre, Brecht, Verne, Fourier, Eisenstein, trains, Médoc, Bouzy, having change, Bouvard and Pécuchet, walking in sandals in the evening on the small roads of the Southwest, the bend of the Adour seen from Dr. L.'s house, the Marx Brothers, serrano at seven in the morning coming out of Salamanca, etc.
I don't like:
white wolves, women in trousers, geraniums, strawberries, the harpsichord, Miro, tautologies, cartoons, Arthur Rubinstein, villas, afternoons, Satie, Bartok, Vivaldi, making phone calls, children's choirs, Chopin's concertos, Burgundy branles, Renaissance dances, the organ, M. A. Charpentier, his trumpets and timpani, the political-sexual, scenes, initiatives, fidelity, spontaneity, evenings with people I don't know, etc.
I like, I don't like: this has no importance for anyone; this, apparently, makes no sense. And yet all this means: my body is not the same as yours. Thus, in this anarchic froth of likes and dislikes, a kind of distracted hatching, the figure of a bodily enigma gradually takes shape, calling for complicity or irritation. Here begins the intimidation of the body, which obliges the other to support me generously, to remain silent and courteous in the face of pleasures or refusals that he does not share.
(A fly annoys me, I kill it: you kill what annoys you. If I had not killed the fly, it would have been out of pure liberalism: I am liberal so as not to be an assassin.)"
Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes, 1975
Step 2:
Drawing inspiration from Barthes' reflections and the provided theoretical input, take a reflective journey into your own er.o.tic world. Craft your own list of "I like" and "I don't like" statements that resonate with your unique intimate experiences and desires. Feel free to explore as deeply and honestly as you wish, capturing the nuances of your personal preferences and boundaries. Allow yourself the freedom to express your thoughts and feelings authentically, knowing that this exercise is a safe space for self-exploration and creative expression.
Drawing inspiration from Barthes' reflections and the provided theoretical input, take a reflective journey into your own er.o.tic world. Craft your own list of "I like" and "I don't like" statements that resonate with your unique intimate experiences and desires. Feel free to explore as deeply and honestly as you wish, capturing the nuances of your personal preferences and boundaries. Allow yourself the freedom to express your thoughts and feelings authentically, knowing that this exercise is a safe space for self-exploration and creative expression.
stay motivated!
In the realm of art, judgments and tastes are intertwined with societal constructs, norms, and cultural influences, shaping our perceptions of what is deemed "good" or "bad." This notion is further complicated by the concept of cultural capital, where certain forms of art are elevated based on their alignment with dominant cultural values and power structures. Unfortunately, intellectual and conceptual art often create distances rather than fostering genuine connection, emphasizing elitism and exclusivity. However, in the world of creative expression, particularly in forms like er.o.tic writing, there exists a profound act of resistance. Embracing the personal and the intimate is a courageous defiance against the superficiality of marketing and image-centric culture. It's an assertion of authenticity in a world where vulnerability is often viewed as weakness. So, bravo to you for your courage in exploring the depths of your creativity through er.o.tic writing. May your journey be marked by authenticity, resilience, and a continued commitment to resistance. Good luck on your creative endeavors, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Photo: Fortepan / Pálfi Balázs