Erotica Harem

Hi all. It is really great to be in a place where we can exchange reviews of erotic writing and treat the subject with dignity and respect, without embarrassment or rude snickering at the material. Thanks!

I have a theory, and I invite comments. I suspect that in general (except for homosexual situations), a reader will respond most pleasantly to erotic writing when the POV character is of the same gender as the reader. My reasoning is that the reader is most easily able to identify with the POV character if that character is the reader's gender. For example, if a woman POV character starts describing the amazing attributes of the guy who is fixing her with an inviting stare, I as a very hetero guy am not going to be the least bit interested.

This is an important issue for the following reason. Suppose it is true (which it may not be... I'm open to contrary opinions). Then should the author:

1) Try to change the writing style in a way that will make it reasonably erotic to BOTH genders, but perhaps weaken its power in the 'same as the POV' gender?

OR

2) Don't try at all to appeal to both genders. Just go full tilt toward being erotic for the POV gender, and let the other gender fall where it may, probably by the roadside.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Oh, just to be clear, I am not at all worried about people of one gender being able to provide quality reviews of the work in the opposite POV gender. Quality writing is quality writing, and rubbish is rubbish, regardless of the gender of the reader or the POV character. My question here has to do with the single very narrow issue of eroticism.

TimM