Wherefore art thou, Taboo-but-not-Incest?

[Erozetta]

Some readers are extremely picky. You can't do anything about them, and it makes no sense to cater one's story to them, because the chances are good that if you do you'll just piss off some other person with different picky tastes.

Most incest readers, I think, aren't too picky as long as the relationship is "close enough" and the incestuous angle is played up as a key part of the story. That's what they're looking for. If you write a story about first cousins and everything's hunky dory, it will disappoint, but if you write a story about first cousins and play up the taboo and tortured conscience angle it might do quite well.

It's the difference between:

Cousin 1: Hey cousin, let's have sex.
Cousin 2: Sounds great!

versus:

Cousin 1: I want to touch you.
Cousin 2: We really shouldn't do that. But I guess if you put your hand on my leg and don't move it it's OK.

Good news! I haven't yet cared how my stories are received, lol. I write what I write and just let them exist. If people like them, cool. If they hate them, also cool.


I did play up the incest angle in one, but not the other. The lactation fetish had an underlying question of "is her dad her dad, or is her stepfather her dad?". The other only had a brother/sister/brother's male best friend situation in a dream within the story. That one didn't get played up as it was ultimately a sister/brother's best friend story. It was also in the 4.7-something range. And the only complaints I got on that one involved the dream aspect (Slightly miffed at me for reminding them of Dallas, but they seemed to hate that they liked my story anyway,) and the age gap between sister and brother's friend. Oh, and that she had an orgy in her dream and her brother had male/male contact in her dream. (Brother and his best friend.)

 

[Bamagan]

You better quit, or you're going to enter SimonDoom-Bamagan levels of ridiculousness.

And just what level is that supposed to be?
I have yet to write that particular backseat scenario.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

But other kinds of "taboo," stories... doctor/patient, priest/parishioner, boss/employee... Those are interesting to me. But they're also awfully vanilla and tame in comparison to siblings or parents. Plenty of these dynamics just get published in whatever category, couplings or group or whatever combination of bodies/organs/orifices are in on the action in a given story.

^^^^ .... vvvv

I wonder if "taboo," divorced from incest, is almost too broad a category. Some of what makes a lot of the other categories of interest to its readers are their taboo elements: Exhibitionism/Voyeur, Loving Wives, Fetish, Group Sex -- I think at least of part of why these appeal are because they're in some way breaking the rules. You get to write and read about fantasies that would maybe push you outside of the comfortable in real life, but in fiction you do so without the uncomfortable consequences.

 

[Paul_Chance]

Earlier this year when Lit split the Transgender category off from Crossdressing (yay) they also tweaked some of the category titles, including changing Incest & Taboo to Taboo & Incest.

Ever since then, I've been pondering the possibilities that this brings. I have no interest in writing incest erotica... This is not a criticism of anyone that does, I fully understand that for some people it's a harmless and naughty fantasy. But for me personally, the real-world implications prevent me from finding it sexy in any way.

But other kinds of "taboo," stories... doctor/patient, priest/parishioner, boss/employee... Those are interesting to me. But they're also awfully vanilla and tame in comparison to siblings or parents. Plenty of these dynamics just get published in whatever category, couplings or group or whatever combination of bodies/organs/orifices are in on the action in a given story.

So my question is, could a non-incest taboo story actually find an appreciative audience in the T&I category?

Right now I'm working on a story with some established characters but a new dynamic, between new coworkers in committed relationships who start feeling some emotional heat.

Work Husband/Work Wife is a dynamic that I've personally experienced, in both positive and problematic ways, and I want to explore the erotic possibilities there... It could certainly go into a more vanilla category, and it will probably do fine there, but could it break into taboo?

A brief excerpt, still under construction...

I think it would potentially find a receptive audience in T&I, but, I think you would have to lean heavily into the taboo aspect. It's a very narrow band of relationships that are taboo in the workplace, and I think you'd have to be clear about that early in the story. (For example, for most of my career the only work relationships forbidden were manager/direct report, and then only if it wasn't disclosed. What happened when you disclosed it? One of you was removed from the relationship - not from the position, but simply from the ability to do performance reviews, work assignments, and pay decisions. In short, unless you hid it and lied, nothing happened.)

 

[Bamagan]

Earlier this year when Lit split the Transgender category off from Crossdressing (yay) they also tweaked some of the category titles, including changing Incest & Taboo to Taboo & Incest.

Ever since then, I've been pondering the possibilities that this brings. I have no interest in writing incest erotica... This is not a criticism of anyone that does, I fully understand that for some people it's a harmless and naughty fantasy. But for me personally, the real-world implications prevent me from finding it sexy in any way.

But other kinds of "taboo," stories... doctor/patient, priest/parishioner, boss/employee... Those are interesting to me. But they're also awfully vanilla and tame in comparison to siblings or parents. Plenty of these dynamics just get published in whatever category, couplings or group or whatever combination of bodies/organs/orifices are in on the action in a given story.

So my question is, could a non-incest taboo story actually find an appreciative audience in the T&I category?

Right now I'm working on a story with some established characters but a new dynamic, between new coworkers in committed relationships who start feeling some emotional heat.

Work Husband/Work Wife is a dynamic that I've personally experienced, in both positive and problematic ways, and I want to explore the erotic possibilities there... It could certainly go into a more vanilla category, and it will probably do fine there, but could it break into taboo?

A brief excerpt, still under construction...

I think I'll second two opinions expressed above.
If you manage to establish the relationship as being staunchly platonic and then twist it into eroticism, it might well scratch the same itch for many of the people looking for incest fantasies. It doesn't come built-in, although with characters established in other stories it might seem that way to your followers.
That being said, there is almost certainly a better category fit for any story about coworkers becoming more, and it will inevitably feel 'less taboo' than 'the real thing' would... something like the LaCroix water of the T/I category.

 

[PennyThompson]

something like the LaCroix water of the T/I category

You read a non-incest erotic story while someone in the other room shouts "cousin stuff!"

 

[Bamagan]

You read a non-incest erotic story while someone in the other room shouts "cousin stuff!"

"Story was briefly stored in a warehouse with an uncle who stares too long."

 

[NaughteeDragon]

Now I’m getting this itch to write something taboo that isn’t incest but will scratch the forbidden itch.
Director of HR has to have a meeting with the company slut about her inappropriate behavior towards her happily married boss. He spends the whole meeting talking about appropriate work place behavior, sexual harassment law, legal ramifications; all while trying not to look up her short skirt or down her scoop neck top. When the meeting is over she asks if this is a write up, and he said that depends on her behavior. She asks if a blowjob will keep it out her record, he replies, ‘only if you swallow,’

 

[dirk2024]

Perhaps if you introduce a new, secondary character. The office "Karen", who detects hints of the burgeoning relationship between your primary characters. She might gossip, or she might pull one of your primary's aside and point out the taboo nature of office trysts.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

NEVER use the 'K' word.

 

[ElectricBlue]

So my question is, could a non-incest taboo story actually find an appreciative audience in the T&I category?

Based on the reactions reported over the years, "That's not the right category," I wouldn't bother. As @SimonDoom notes, and as the category subtitle notes, it's all in the family, or it's not at all.

I reckon your story would run just fine in another category.

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

On a slightly tangential note, sometimes even incest stories don't make it into T/I.

I wrote a story about a supposed deleted scene from White Lotus (season 3) in which those siblings finally fuck each other - this was before they actually did kind of get it on in the actual show - and it was moved to Fan Fic/Celebrity. I get why. And obviously they're actors playing siblings but still...you'd think that would have been taboo enough.

 

[PennyThompson]

I really appreciate the thoughtful and nuanced feedback and suggestions, everybody

I think based on this conversation (and a couple of side convos) I won't try to force my work wife peg into a step-sister-shaped hole.

Although I plan on playing with the tricky and sometimes taboo experience of getting too attached to coworkers, I'll accept that it will probably find a more receptive audience in one of the more vanilla categories. And I will do my best not to break @THBGato 's heart!

 

[ElectricBlue]

On a slightly tangential note, sometimes even incest stories don't make it into T/I.

I wrote a story about a supposed deleted scene from White Lotus (season 3) in which those siblings finally fuck each other - this was before they actually did kind of get it on in the actual show - and it was moved to Fan Fic/Celebrity. I get why. And obviously they're actors playing siblings but still...you'd think that would have been taboo enough.

There's some folk who think incest in stories is a trump card, and the story will automatically be put into T&I. Not true.

I've got one story where I specifically asked Laurel not to put it into that category, because sibcest wasn't the primary theme. She agreed, put it into my category of choice, but did add an editor note at the top. I've also got a novel in Fantasy and Science Fiction where incest is a sub-theme. There's a de-facto border around the category these days.

 

[dirk2024]

I really appreciate the thoughtful and nuanced feedback and suggestions, everybody

I think based on this conversation (and a couple of side convos) I won't try to force my work wife peg into a step-sister-shaped hole.

Although I plan on playing with the tricky and sometimes taboo experience of getting too attached to coworkers, I'll accept that it will probably find a more receptive audience in one of the more vanilla categories. And I will do my best not to break @THBGato 's heart!

I'm sorry, I stopped reading after 'peg',

 

[Britva415]

NEVER use the 'K' word.

What's the preferred term for these people?

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

these people?

????

Really?

 

[Statius]

There's some folk who think incest in stories is a trump card, and the story will automatically be put into T&I. Not true.

I've got one story where I specifically asked Laurel not to put it into that category, because sibcest wasn't the primary theme. She agreed, put it into my category of choice, but did add an editor note at the top. I've also got a novel in Fantasy and Science Fiction where incest is a sub-theme. There's a de-facto border around the category these days.

One of my first stories is a mother/ daughter group sex, without incest. I put it in group, Lit put it in incest. No idea why.

 

[Statius]

????

Really?

I'm with @Britva415 on this

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I'm with people who don't use derogatory, demeaning or insulting terms for people we don't agree with.


Usually.

Sometimes I slip, but it's generally unintended.

 

[Statius]

I'm with people who don't use derogatory, demeaning or insulting terms for people we don't agree with.


Usually.

I get that, but I worked retail, customer service before and I get the 'Karen' term, not that I'm looking for an argument, I'm not.

Peace

 

[Actingup]

I really appreciate the thoughtful and nuanced feedback and suggestions, everybody

I think based on this conversation (and a couple of side convos) I won't try to force my work wife peg into a step-sister-shaped hole.

Although I plan on playing with the tricky and sometimes taboo experience of getting too attached to coworkers, I'll accept that it will probably find a more receptive audience in one of the more vanilla categories. And I will do my best not to break @THBGato 's heart!

I think that this is one of those situations where you can write your story, showing all the care and sensitivity that you would expect of yourself with these characters, and then decide where it best sits. My only request is that during the story, Jeremy helps convince the owners of a major erotic literature website that they need to invest more in ICT processes.

 

[Britva415]

????

Really?

Yes. These people. The ones we're all talking about.

The exact very ones you're saying not to call a certain way.

So how DO you talk about them? What DO you say?

 

[Britva415]

I'm with @Britva415 on this

How so? I haven't expressed any sort of position, other than not knowing how to be clear who it is we're talking about.

Really makes me wonder who she thought I was talking about. The reaction was... weird.

 

[Bazzle]

Earlier this year when Lit split the Transgender category off from Crossdressing (yay) they also tweaked some of the category titles, including changing Incest & Taboo to Taboo & Incest.

Ever since then, I've been pondering the possibilities that this brings. I have no interest in writing incest erotica... This is not a criticism of anyone that does, I fully understand that for some people it's a harmless and naughty fantasy. But for me personally, the real-world implications prevent me from finding it sexy in any way.

But other kinds of "taboo," stories... doctor/patient, priest/parishioner, boss/employee... Those are interesting to me. But they're also awfully vanilla and tame in comparison to siblings or parents. Plenty of these dynamics just get published in whatever category, couplings or group or whatever combination of bodies/organs/orifices are in on the action in a given story.

So my question is, could a non-incest taboo story actually find an appreciative audience in the T&I category?

Right now I'm working on a story with some established characters but a new dynamic, between new coworkers in committed relationships who start feeling some emotional heat.

Work Husband/Work Wife is a dynamic that I've personally experienced, in both positive and problematic ways, and I want to explore the erotic possibilities there... It could certainly go into a more vanilla category, and it will probably do fine there, but could it break into taboo?

A brief excerpt, still under construction...

Thing I question is when does Taboo become someone's fetish?