Sometimes the most erotic tales are the ones that happen between the sheets... and not in the way you would think. Whether you call it smut, erotica, or sex stories, these have been shared by millions of people since the dawn of time. As long as sex has been around, people have loved sharing every lascivious detail through word - from the inception of the written word to the ever popular online mediums of today (blogging) - because the truth is, sometimes what you make up in your imagination is far more satisfying than the real thing. We know, hard to believe, right? That being said, where does one go about finding the cream of the crop when it comes to alluring anecdotes online? If you're looking for the best sex stories online, LonelyWifeHookups' Guide To The Best Online Sex Stories has everything you need! Our research experts have even taken the extra step to give you a comprehensive list of the types of sex stories out there on top of a complete directory listing of the best sex stories online! All you have to do is read on...

Sure, some stories may contain adult content but that doesn't necessarily a sex story make. Defined as any pieces of written work (short stories, novels, novellas, poetry, memoirs, manuals, etc.) with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing subject manner, the most obvious way to differentiate between sex stories and stories that simply err on the racy side is that sex stories are made for the sole purpose of stimulating the senses. More than just tales of passion, these stories aim to give you all the ammo you need to fill in the blanks with your imagination (although there should be enough detail that you don't really have to) to create an image that will send you over the edge. In essence, they seek to give a graphic depiction of sexual encounters. Make no mistake, these aren't just the scholarly version of porn - much like any story, these stories vary based on the author's writing style and can often be just as filthy, if not filthier than your average porn video.

Strictly speaking, there can really only be two forms of sex stories. That doesn't mean that either one is more interesting than the other, simply that, as a reader, you may be more inclined to read one genre over the other. The first type is fictional sex stories. A work of fiction is defined as "literature that describes imaginary events and/or people". So it stands to reason that fictional sex stories would involve situations that haven't actually happened between people that don't actually exist. These stories tend to involve more fantastical events and creatures typically only found in the wildest of our imaginations - think vampires, and unicorns, and fairies... oh my!

A non-fiction story is defined as "content whose creator, in good faith, assumes responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the events, people, or information presented". That means that when it comes to factual sex stories, you can be relatively certain that what you're reading is a true account of an actual sexual encounter (juicy, right?). These stories are usually true, first-hand accounts of the author's sexual encounters which, depending on the author, can be a real treat!

Sex stories can take many forms: novels, short stories, poetry, true-life memoirs, and even sex manuals. These stories typically seek to explore sexual fantasies, usually centering around themes of prostitution, orgies, homosexuality, BDSM, one night stands, and countless other sexual fetishes and taboos. It should go without saying that these can exist both on and offline. Speaking of which, the circulation of sex stories via print publications actually became subject to many legal restrictions after the invention of printing in the 15th century. Despite this, sex stories are still widely distributed amongst millions today and the world wide web only makes them more ubiquitous.

Believe it or not, online sex stories actually pre-date what we now know as the world wide web. The newsgroup rec.arts.erotica on Usenet (a discussion board system available on computers conceived in the '80s - basically, the precursor to online forums) was actually a moderated forum created specifically for the exchange of sex stories amongst its members.

Today, millions of people share sex stories on forums and blogs around the world. The main distinction between online sex stories and every other form of erotica is that the global accessibility and near-complete anonymity of the internet means that anyone can be the author of one such story. From professional writers to amateur hobbyists, if you have access to a computer, the world is your oyster - good news for those who love reading these stories, as they're more widely available than ever.

It might seem counter-intuitive to read something when you can just watch it in the flesh (pun intended) but you'd be surprised at how many people prefer the written word over your average porn movie (although, most would argue that neither comes even close to the real thing). For one, erotic stories tend to be a lot more unique in that you can read stories from millions of different authors, each with their own individual styles, tastes, and experiences.

Whereas the porn industry tends to focus on packing a fast a punch across a more or less set number of kinks and interests, sex stories tend to be a lot more about the journey than the destination and you're more likely to find something to rings your particular brand of bell - no matter how rare.

There's no other way to put it, some people simply prefer reading sex stories over watching porn. But why? Think about it: without the visuals being fed to you, you can place yourself directly at the center of every story you read. Whether you're the leading lady or man, the voyeur, or the narrator of the whole thing, the story truly becomes yours. Basically, reading sex stories is an infinitely more immersive way to arouse the senses than most porn movies you'll find (except, perhaps, POV-style videos).

Sex stories are also surprisingly easy to share with a partner. How many times have you sat and awkwardly watched a porno with a significant other, waiting for the juices to start flowing before you two can get it on? Reading a few chapters of a good sex story is a great way to get in the mood while keeping the focus on the two (or more!) most important people in the room - not the "amateur" porn stars on the television screen.

Finally, we all have parts of movies that we aren't the biggest fans of. Maybe it's a certain body type (or part), or specific language being used, the fact that the people engaged are obviously acting/being filmed, etc. Whatever the reason may be, all of that becomes a moot point once you start reading online sex stories. The scenery and ambiance is whatever you make it out to be in your head!

How many of us have spent countless nights in our youth trying to surreptitiously watch a video on our favorite porn site? Or, for those of us that are older and didn't have 24/7 access to a computer (let alone the internet), stayed up late trying to catch a glimpse of some skin on television, even if it meant the picture was horrifically warped because we didn't technically have that channel? The great thing about sex stories, especially those online is that you can take them anywhere and no one will necessarily know what you're reading. After all, it's just words on a screen, right (provided there are no images to go along with them)? And book jackets can always be changed (plus, who needs to be discreet when soccer moms are reading 50 Shades of Grey on subway trains?). The point is, online sex stories can be your little secret and are a fantastic alternative to having to hone your tab-closing reflexes or struggling not to get entangled in your earbuds while, err, "multi-tasking".