FAWC 5: Line, Please!

[PennLady]

No offense to any who use them, but I despise those damn things. "Warning: This story was not specifically formulated with you in mind. You may find passages that appear, at certain points, to be from a different point of view than your own, and may therefore be unsettling when compared to your homogenous view of the world. Do not read further if you don't wish to question your own omnipotence."

Actually I think that'd be an excellent author's note. Slightly aggressive, perhaps, but I like it.

I still think EC is the best fit, given the categories Lit has. You're right that horror doesn't fit, and that it's a bit short for novels/novellas. You know, you can just leave it where it is. Nothing wrong with that, either. Switch it to your username and keep it in chain stories.

 

[Swilly]

I think EC is a good catchall for stories that may not fit elsewhere or cover multiple possible categories.

 

[AMoveableBeast]

Actually I think that'd be an excellent author's note. Slightly aggressive, perhaps, but I like it.

I still think EC is the best fit, given the categories Lit has. You're right that horror doesn't fit, and that it's a bit short for novels/novellas. You know, you can just leave it where it is. Nothing wrong with that, either. Switch it to your username and keep it in chain stories.

You might be right with EC. I always seem to do this to myself. Nothing of mine ever fits. Sigh.

Even if it isn't a good fit, I think I'd rather try it in a slightly ill-fitting category that gets views than leave it here on the off-chance that some drunken BDSM fan with poor reading skills wanders in here thinking it's the chainplay section.

 

[PennLady]

You might be right with EC. I always seem to do this to myself. Nothing of mine ever fits. Sigh.

Even if it isn't a good fit, I think I'd rather try it in a slightly ill-fitting category that gets views than leave it here on the off-chance that some drunken BDSM fan with poor reading skills wanders in here thinking it's the chainplay section.

Well, then they should read the author's note.

 

[patientlee]

You might be right with EC. I always seem to do this to myself. Nothing of mine ever fits. Sigh.

Even if it isn't a good fit, I think I'd rather try it in a slightly ill-fitting category that gets views than leave it here on the off-chance that some drunken BDSM fan with poor reading skills wanders in here thinking it's the chainplay section.

Is there enough knife play to put it in fetish?

 

[JagFarlane]

Is there enough knife play to put it in fetish?

I would think so, as the knife play was certainly "Boots" fetish.

 

[AMoveableBeast]

Do we really want people getting off to what Boots does? That was one of my big questions in writing this. I know I can't control how you read the story, but I really agonized over that.

 

[allamagione]

Do we really want people getting off to what Boots does? That was one of my big questions in writing this. I know I can't control how you read the story, but I really agonized over that.

This comment just convinced me to go read this story.

 

[AMoveableBeast]

This comment just convinced me to go read this story.

Oh dear...

I hope you like it.

 

[sr71plt]

Have folks really stopped reading and voting the FAWC 5 stories, or have the stats been frozen?

 

[FAWCker]

Have folks really stopped reading and voting the FAWC 5 stories, or have the stats been frozen?

There have been a few votes here and there, no more than one or two on any given story within the last day and a half. Readership has definitely dropped.

 

[FAWCker]

I think EC is a good catchall for stories that may not fit elsewhere or cover multiple possible categories.

I've put quite a few stories in EC. I, too, see it as a catch-all category. The readership isn't as high as other cats, but I'm usually guaranteed several thousand reads and upwards of 50 votes or so within the first few days of a new story posting.

 

[Seanathon]

While handing out congratulations yesterday, there was one I forgot. Congratulations to slyc_willie on running another successful FAWC! It was the first I was involved in, but it was a great experience and I'm looking forward to the next one. Thanks again for taking the time to organize and run it!

I'll be having a Fat Tug tonight in your honor (that's a beer, btw).

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

You might be right with EC. I always seem to do this to myself. Nothing of mine ever fits. Sigh.

Even if it isn't a good fit, I think I'd rather try it in a slightly ill-fitting category that gets views than leave it here on the off-chance that some drunken BDSM fan with poor reading skills wanders in here thinking it's the chainplay section.

Honestly, I think this belongs in non-erotic. It's not about the brutal sex, it's not about the romance fantasy. It's about a life going to waste, and the pain and suffering of bad choices, and the last escape.

Unfortunately, non-erotic doesn't get many views either. But at least the readership will be somewhat prepared for the story. One caveat - there are those who believe there should be no sex in non-erotic. Damned if I can figure that one out.

Just left my critique. Powerful writing. Agonizing.

 

[_Lynn_]

The story I ended up with was nothing like what I planned in the beginning. As noted, problems existed, but something in one of the comments made me chuckle.

Tx Tall Tales, what you read is a first draft, not an edited copy. I didn't even go through it a second time. And I don't consider your critique harsh. The story sucked.

 

[Aynmair]

Actually, speaking of what to do with a story, I'd love some advice on what category to put mine in, as I have no freaking idea.

I wonder if it might fit in non-consent/reluctance. I see Tx's point and agree with it. And because she is a prostitute, the non-con might seem an odd choice - BUT she is reluctant because she is worried as hell about the KIND of sex it's going to be.

I am less experienced than most of the people who've given their opinions before me, but to me, it fits. At least you won't get the "don't encourage rape" types of comments that I got on my F4 story...

 

[AMoveableBeast]

TTT, I tend to agree with you. My original goal in this story was to take myself into deep, uncomfortable waters and drown myself, not to arouse. Trouble is, the whole damn story is a sex scene, pretty much. But the sex isn't erotic; it's gut-wrenching.

Aynmair, it certainly qualifies as Non-Con/reluctance. Trouble is, some part of me fears that putting there will draw an audience that likes Boots. I don't want people to like Boots. He is a rat in big shoes. He is pathetic. I hate him. I love non-con. I haven't the squeamishness with it that many do, but that scene isn't sex, in my mind--it's attempted murder by repeated stabbing with a blunt object.

 

[Aynmair]

But the sex isn't erotic; it's gut-wrenching.

...but that scene isn't sex, in my mind--it's attempted murder by repeated stabbing with a blunt object.

Yes, agreed. Your story made me squirm in a big way, yet I still liked the hell out of it, it was so effective at what it portrayed.

And that's why I thought non-con: I don't associate non-erotic with squirming in that way. Pilot put a Christmas story of his in there, for example. But that's just my own newbie's $0.02.

Good luck with it. It doesn't matter what it scores - it's a FAWCing great story.

 

[slyc_willie]

TTT, I tend to agree with you. My original goal in this story was to take myself into deep, uncomfortable waters and drown myself, not to arouse. Trouble is, the whole damn story is a sex scene, pretty much. But the sex isn't erotic; it's gut-wrenching.

Aynmair, it certainly qualifies as Non-Con/reluctance. Trouble is, some part of me fears that putting there will draw an audience that likes Boots. I don't want people to like Boots. He is a rat in big shoes. He is pathetic. I hate him. I love non-con. I haven't the squeamishness with it that many do, but that scene isn't sex, in my mind--it's attempted murder by repeated stabbing with a blunt object.

You may be overthinking it. Boots is certainly despicable, but that's the way you wrote him. No matter what category you put the story in, there are going to be readers who identify with him. You can't help that.

I wrote a story quite a while back in which the main character is a complete prick. I did that on purpose. He seduces his babysitter and treats her like a fuck toy, then abandons his wife and kids and moves to Europe. I've received tons of comments both in favor of, and against, that character. Do I care whether readers like him? Honestly, not really. Am I afraid readers will want to be like him? Again, not really. He's just a character in a story. If I worried I might somehow inspire readers to act like my characters, I'd never have written TnT, Shock Radio, or any number of other stories I have.

We're not in the business of dictating behavior. We're in the business of writing stories. We don't always write what others might consider "comfortable." If the readers like it, great. If not, that's okay, too. In the semi-immortal words of Wayne Campbell (Michael Myers):

"Led Zeppelin didn't write tunes everybody liked. They left that to the Bee Gees."

Don't let your conscience dictate your writing.

(BTW: The story of mine I mentioned above, The Babysitter's Prize, is soon to be deleted, along with a few others. But that's for different reasons than anything related to this post.)

 

[stlgoddessfreya]

Is there enough knife play to put it in fetish?

I always thought of edge play as being more of a BDSM activity than a separate fetish. While that section of the story is certainly emotionally intense, it's also not the whole story. Someone reading for fetish content is either going to be turned off by the reluctance out of the gate or hit a hard wall when she goes inside herself to sweet memories of first love. I think an author's note about the FAWC challenge that also includes something about the intensity of the first two pages not being the whole story mightitigate some people quitting before they get through this worthy, challenging read. Some are going to bail on the first page. Hell, some are going to bail as soon as they see the page count.

AMB, you are a problem child.

 

[AMoveableBeast]

I always thought of edge play as being more of a BDSM activity than a separate fetish. While that section of the story is certainly emotionally intense, it's also not the whole story. Someone reading for fetish content is either going to be turned off by the reluctance out of the gate or hit a hard wall when she goes inside herself to sweet memories of first love. I think an author's note about the FAWC challenge that also includes something about the intensity of the first two pages not being the whole story mightitigate some people quitting before they get through this worthy, challenging read. Some are going to bail on the first page. Hell, some are going to bail as soon as they see the page count.

AMB, you are a problem child.

I know. And I am taking up too much board space with my whining. Enough about me. Let's talk Bout what you think of me.

 

[SecondCircle]

I guess I'd vote Non Erotic or Erotic Couplings for "A Mile". It fits non erotic better? somehow even though it's not really without erotic content. But I see it working in erotic couplings because in my experience the readers there don't really get hung up on technicalities as much as elsewhere.

It had a bit of a noncon or, really, Relectance element to it. I thought it tread that line perfectly, but that cat is such a here or there mess that I just wouldn't bother.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

FREYA inspired me to write an authentic Civil War romance. All the relevant facts are the real deal tho they come from sundry sources, including Joel Chandler Harris' recollections of the war.

A Southern widow lives alone in an isolated valley near Maryville Tennessee. During the winter Federal 'bummers' discover her farm and try to rob and rape her. One of the men shoots and kills his companions, and hangs out with the woman thru the snowy season. In the spring rebel partisans scout the valleys and coves for Federal deserters, and suspect one is hid on the farm. She is now pregnant, but her lover must flee. Later, he returns under cover of night, she challenges what she hears out in the dark, he makes no reply, and she shoots his jaw off his face.

 

[stlgoddessfreya]

FREYA inspired me to write an authentic Civil War romance. All the relevant facts are the real deal tho they come from sundry sources, including Joel Chandler Harris' recollections of the war.

A Southern widow lives alone in an isolated valley near Maryville Tennessee. During the winter Federal 'bummers' discover her farm and try to rob and rape her. One of the men shoots and kills his companions, and hangs out with the woman thru the snowy season. In the spring rebel partisans scout the valleys and coves for Federal deserters, and suspect one is hid on the farm. She is now pregnant, but her lover must flee. Later, he returns under cover of night, she challenges what she hears out in the dark, he makes no reply, and she shoots his jaw off his face.

Would you send me a link when it posts? I'd like to read it. Sounds like a great plot, and "Account for A Bullet" turned out sweeter than I normally write or read.

 

[sr71plt]

Would you send me a link when it posts? I'd like to read it. Sounds like a great plot, and "Account for A Bullet" turned out sweeter than I normally write or read.

When it posts? It has posted already. When JBJ whips up a story of less than 750 words (which is often), he posts them to the forum and envisions them having a red H (or green E--which explains something) appended to them. It's part of the easy button guru style.