Literotica Interview with HeyAll

In 2017, I did an interview with the great Bob_Aganoush. You can find that interview in his profile along with his stories.

As of August 2020, I've updated my answers because I felt I could give more clarity on things. So, here you go, dear readers.

Is there anything about you and your background, beyond what is in your Literotica profile, that you would like your readers to know about you?

I'm a normal, everyday person. I didn't take any special writing classes, I don't claim to be a genius, and I've never read any instructional books on how to write stories.

There's a saying which I think is true; that if you want to know how to write, read and write a lot. So that's what I did. I thought about my favorite aspects of my favorite erotic stories. And I also thought about what I liked or disliked about my own writing. Over the years I was able to improve doing those things.

Also, I'm in the legal profession. Nothing exciting as of this moment.

Writing erotica is my favorite hobby. No one knows. Outside of that, my interests are extremely normal; tv shows, movies, lots of music, books (though I wish I read more), long walks, going to the shopping mall, and I enjoy running outside in my neighborhood daily.

Do you remember when you first discovered that you liked reading erotic literature? How did this come about?

Growing up, I enjoyed reading science fiction and comic books.

When I was about 18 or 19, I discovered online erotica websites. Eventually that led me to Literotica.

What shocked me the most was how arousing erotica could be. It's a totally different thing than porn images because the storytelling and context are limitless. It pushes buttons in a different way.

When did you first begin writing your own erotic literature? What prompted you to write your own?

In 2008, I created the account "HeyAll" so I could view the images on the Literotica forum. The name is totally random and doesn't mean anything at all. It was just a quick name that came to mind.

Years later, in 2012, I had a few ideas of my own and thought about writing my own stuff. I remembered that I had the account "HeyAll" and I checked the password and it worked. From there I started writing with the intent of posting it to this site. It was awkward at first, sitting down to write about sex. But the more I did it, the easier it became.

I submitted my first story and I remember being shocked by how many views/votes it got. And that only motivated me to write more. As of this moment, I have 251 stories and became the 3rd most popular author on this website. I guess that speaks to my passion for writing.

The way I see it, there are many pleasures in writing; which range from coming up with ideas, actually writing it, that feeling of completing something, and then seeing it posted for people to hopefully enjoy.

If people didn't read, I wouldn't bother writing.

With my newer stories, I always try to push the envelope and create new storylines, new ideas, new themes. I always enjoy when a reader says my story is unique.

Your stories cut across many different categories, from (alphabetically) Anal to Toys & Masturbation. How do you decide in what category to write the story each time? What are your inspirations for your stories?

I try to write different genres because it reaches different readers. For instance, someone who reads Incest may not read BDSM. Someone who reads Lesbian may not read Group Sex. And so forth... So the more I branch out the more readers I'll find. But I write the categories that interest me. Every so often I'll get a comment that someone read a different category because I wrote it, which is the goal.

Nowadays, I mostly write Incest, Lesbian, Group Sex, and Anal because those are the categories where I have the most success in terms of getting readers. And those are the topics that motivate me and are the most fun to write.

As for inspiration, it all depends. I'm always looking for something exciting. Movies and tv shows are always a great source for erotica plots; putting an erotic spin on mainstream scenarios. I read the news a lot in hopes of finding something that would make great erotica. I look for what's relevant. I look for new perspectives too with different social articles that people write for publications.

For example, there are recent articles about colleges staying closed because of the virus and how campuses may have financial troubles. Reading that spurred some new ideas and I'm currently working on a story about a female professor who feels compelled to use her naked body to entice students to return to campus (in a safe/tested way) to prevent any faculty layoffs or anything of that nature.

I also think about topics that I enjoy writing about. For instance, if I feel like writing a lesbian teacher/student story, the fun is thinking about how it comes about. I'll keep thinking throughout the day about different scenarios until finally something clicks, something that's at least believable within the realm of erotica.

I try to figure out different things first; What's the vibe of the story (fun, sexy, sensual)? What kind of personalities do they have (shy, outgoing, strong, etc...)? What brings them together and how?

Using that example, I recently wrote a story where the teacher is approached by a student for help regarding an art project. I already knew the ending would feature secret vibrator stuff while they take pictures of each other (sounds tacky, but it turned out great in my opinion). So I worked around that premise and constantly thought about how they got to that point.

I've always said that I think of writing erotica like watching a movie or a tv show. It goes scene by scene, and I try to imagine how they'd react. How they'd talk.

None of your stories published on Lit are multiple chapters, though you have some stories that have similar titles and follow a theme (such as your Red Lipstick and Pressed Together stories). How do you decide between standalone stories versus those that are linked?

The excitement of an erotic story is in the build-up. Once the barriers are broken, it becomes repetitive.

As for similarly themed stories like "Pressed Together," or "Held Together," it's fun taking the same premise and exploring it in different ways. That's why those stories are similarly titled. And honestly, certain titles draw more readers because people like those sorts of Incest themes where the participants are compelled to do something sexual.

For "Red Lipstick," it was a fun premise that started in "High Heels, Red Lipstick." I loved the name and what it was about, and I thought that particular premise could be used to introduce different characters to other characters they wouldn't ordinarily meet, and do things they wouldn't ordinarily do, which is one of the great things about reading erotica. It worked and those stories are fairly popular.

I recently made a "PTA" series (meaning Parent Teacher Association) under the guidance of a real life female Principal, who gave me insight on how the PTA and schools interact. It was fun putting a naughty lesbian theme to that.

Detective stories are fairly popular in the Group Sex category and I really, really enjoy writing a mixture of crime and erotica. So I'm continuing those.

There were other stories I've made that I thought could have been continued, like "Girls of..." or "Lustful Hearts," but they weren't as popular so I left them alone, sadly.

Basically, the readers decide, depending on how many votes/favorites a story gets, if a story theme is worthy enough to keep being explored. But no outright sequels though.

What is your typical writing style - do you work in shorter bursts, writing a section of a story and then putting it aside and returning to it? Or do you sit down and write a story from beginning to end?

It all starts with finding ideas that get my imagination going. Something that feels like a light bulb switching on. A good idea is one that suddenly gives you energy and spurs an avalanche of new ideas. If I don't have a clear vision, I don't write. I never sit in front of a blank computer screen and write whatever comes to mind. I don't freestyle write.

I actually have a folder that has tons of ideas and story titles, but it's all about what's the most exciting at the moment and what has the clearest path of ideas to be written.

As for writing style, my newer stories are more elaborate, so coming up with good plot points for each scene takes longer. I write at a casual pace, again, depending on ideas. The build-up and setting things up takes the longest. The sex scenes go quicker.

Some mainstream writers suggest writing a terrible first draft, as quickly as possible, then going back and fixing it afterwards through several drafts.

I don't feel good doing that. I like to write whatever I think will be the final version, but knowing I'll probably make changes after. Some stories go through tons and tons and tons of changes. Others get minor changes to tighten up the quality of writing, avoid repetition, and remove unnecessary sentences.

I write in order. Beginning to middle to end. But sometimes I'll put quotes or paragraphs of the middle or the ending if they come to mind early. Ideas come randomly and it's always good to write them down before they're forgotten.

Many readers have commented that my stories are so descriptive.

I kind of disagree. I don't think I have the skill to be that descriptive.

My style, I think, is to give the reader just enough information so that they can imagine the small details themselves. I think of writing as explaining one's thoughts so that others can imagine it. I think of erotica like a movie or a tv show. Scene by scene. And I tell the reader what the most relevant points are, whether it be visually or what the characters are thinking/doing.

As far as the time it takes to write a story, put it this way; I want to write a lot everyday. And I have a lot of time. But it doesn't always work out.

Even if I have a lot of free time, there are days where I'll only end up with one new pitiful sentence. At night, turning off my laptop, I'll think, "Well damn, that was a waste of time."

Other days I'll feel prolific and end up with over a thousand words, maybe two thousand words. On a few occasions, I've completed entire short stories (3-4 thousand words) in a day or two, that had gone on to become big hits! ("Bus Ride with Sister" was written and edited in 1 day and became a massive success)

It all ebbs and flows.

You are quite prolific, with a large number of stories (compared to most Literotica authors) published, and most are multiple pages. How do you find the time to write among the other things in your life?

I actually have a lot of time on my hands. That's why I write a lot. Most of my stories were written while in law school, and in my free time afterward. If I had had to work a full-time 9 to 5 job, then my output would be slow.

On a side note, I've always told myself that writing erotica helps me with legal writing because it's training myself to write fast and explain things. Is that true? I don't know. Maybe. But it makes me feel better about my hobby.

I treat erotica as a job because it's what I love. My mentality is that I need a certain amount of stories within certain periods of time. This really pushes me to get more work done.

Most readers read erotica in order to be aroused, and many (hopefully!) are also looking for a good plot. How do you balance the need for plot in your stories with the "hotness" factor necessary to get attention on Literotica?

One thing I've learned in all my years of writing erotica, is that the main character needs to have a goal.

If I'm working on a story and I don't like it that much, I realize it's because I've strayed away from this philosophy. The main character needs a goal because it keeps the character focused on something important, it keeps the story tight and moving along quickly, and it gives a fundamental reason for the sex to happen.

For example, someone needing to land a job. The person shows up to the job interview only to find that the managers are urgently trying to find a woman who will provide sexual service to demanding, wealthy clients. Or an actress needing to land a role, only to find out that sex is required. Or a detective needing to stay undercover and must do whatever it takes to maintain that cover.

If it's two people randomly having sex, where's the fun in that?

But I do like to keep a good balance. I try to keep my stories at 2 Literotica pages, which is roughly under 6,500 words. That's my sweet spot.

When you're not busy writing your own stories, what are your favorite kinds of stories to read on Literotica, and why?

I read the genres that I write; incest, lesbian, group, anal, bdsm. I also love non-consent/reluctant, which is one of the first things I started reading with erotica. Why? Those areas tend to have a strong element of taboo which pulls me in.

Outside of Literotica, I enjoy reading crime thrillers. My favorite author is Simon Kernick. Do yourself a favor and read "The Payback" and "Deadline" by that author.

Many readers wonder about the sex lives of the authors they like reading. We all know that most stories on Literotica are fantasy, but is there a window into your own sexual being that you'd like to share with our readers?

Put it this way, I never want to experience any of the stuff I write about.

To me, good erotica is several notches above what a normal person does in real life. For example, group sex in the office. Legal and ethical reasons aside, most people would be too timid and/or scared to do it. So would I. But it makes for amazing erotica to read if done right.

I view good erotica like watching an action movie. You love watching it, but you never want to do it.

I've never been uptight about sex though. I've always been curious about it and what the average person likes behind closed doors. I like pushing people's imaginations as well.

Outside of your erotica, do you do other types of writing, either for work or pleasure?

Some legal writing here and there. Nothing exciting.

For pleasure, I only write erotica. Much of the pleasure of writing erotica is knowing that many people will read it. If no one reads it, there'd be no pleasure in it.

I have an interest in writing straight crime stories (detectives, criminals, etc...) but I wouldn't know where to put it online that it would get the same amount of readers I get from erotica.

So I channel those interests in crime stories to my erotica sometimes, where the main character in my sex story is a detective or a mafia woman.

What's the key to a good sex scene?

In my opinion, there are four critical things for a good sex scene:

1) Descriptions- This is the most obvious. What's happening? I like to describe it outright using simple language. Nothing fancy. Just say what's going on. I also try to avoid analogies because it can look pretty ridiculous.

So I'll just say, "She took the cock in her mouth."

2) Emotions- This is also straightforward. How does the character feel? This can either be answered by explanation or physical action.

So now it becomes, "She took the cock inside her mouth. The sexual act caused her mind to race and her heart to pound faster."

3) Context- What I mean by this is, erotica is special because it plays upon taboo. A husband and wife having sex is boring, because they've done it a million times before. But if it's boss/employee or teacher/student, now you have something interesting. Remind readers of that. Show the readers where the "line" is and straddle it.

The final product might look like, "She took the cock inside her mouth. The sexual act caused her mind to race and her heart to pound faster. As she sucked, all she could think about was how her reputation would be ruined if anyone ever found out. She had only been working here for three weeks and already she was sucking off the boss."

4) Dialogue- People love reading dialogue during sex scene. So do I. Maybe there's a bit of teasing, explanation, orders, domination, while the sexy stuff is happening. And of course, the cries and begging before an orgasm are always stimulating.

That's my guiding principle for writing sex scenes, based on years of writing and reading. Those are the elements that have always worked for me.

Anything else about you that you would like your readers to know?

I appreciate you.

And always support your local bookstores, restaurants, and other businesses.