Erotica vs Porn? Is there a difference?

Today one of the groups I'm on has been debating the differences between erotica and porn. For me there is a definite difference between the two.

It all started with an excerpt someone posted of a new book release. The excerpt was rather graphic and while some thought it was hot others called it porn and asked to be removed from the list if things like 'that' were going to be posted regularly.

That got the discussion started of what constitues porn and what is erotica. Some said graphic sexual content automatically makes a story porn. I disagree and i want to find out what everyone else thinks. It's an age old debate and one that often pops up when a group of smut writers get together. Some of my fellow erotica authors are fine with what they write being called porn. I'm not one of them.

For me porn, whether written or visual is very easy to spot. It's just sex for the sake of sex. No reason behind the action. The dialogue, if there is any, is cheesy at best and charcater development is nonexistent. It's graphic sexual description strictly used to get the reader off. One handed reading.

Erotica, if it's well written shoudl turn the reader on. Hell it should turn the writer on too if they are doing it right, but there is also a purpose behind the intimacy. A reason for the characters to fall into bed, or on the kitchen table, or into the backseat of a Chevy or wherever else they decide to get naked and naughty. There should be realistic action, backstory, character development, dialogue. (I love well written dialogue, especially as part of the foreplay)For me  It doesn;t all have to be serious either. A little humor is great. Lord knows real sex isn;t always pretty or neat. It's messy and emotional and sometimes downright funny. For me this marks a huge difference between porn and erotica. What's your opinion?

Beth
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