A category question

[gunhilltrain]

Yes, another one of those. The story consists of a single scene in which a young woman is being interviewed for a dominatrix job. BDSM acts are discussed but none are depicted. She talks about earlier work she has done in this area. So should this go in BSDM or Non-Erotic? I'm guessing that the BDSM talked about is towards the vanilla end - light bondage, no leather bodysuits, etc.

By the way, I've noticed that stories about break-ups (which, let's face it, are where many relationships wind up) do better in Non-Erotic than in Romance. ("There's no romance in this! Put it in Non-Erotic.")

 

[KeithD]

I wouldn't put it in nonerotic from the description given. Talking about BDSM is eroticism (unless it's very light and meant to be just funny).

 

[gunhilltrain]

I wouldn't put it in nonerotic from the description given. Talking about BDSM is eroticism (unless it's very light and meant to be just funny).

I guess it's light by the standards of some things I've seen online - no one is suspended from the ceiling and whipped and there are heavier scenes than that out there. It's also more than just funny. The two women are discussing what the dominatrix candidate has actually done before, plus some things she won't do if she gets the job.

 

[ElectricBlue]

What's the rest of the story about? I wouldn't base a category choice on a single scene.

What's the overall erotic connection? It sounds like there isn't one, in which case I wouldn't put it in BDSM.

 

[NotWise]

The challenge in a story like this might be to write the women's exchange so that their conversation alone arouses readers. To me, that sounds like a tall task. If you can do it, then it's an erotic story.

 

[SimonDoom]

What's the point of the story? A job interview as a story? I can see making an interview of a story, but you haven't said what the story is. What is the "mmmph" behind the story? What is its appeal for a reader? That will determine where it should go.

If the talk about BDSM is titillating, and that's the point, then it should go in BDSM.

I don't think you can get good advice unless people know where you are going with this.

 

[lovecraft68]

If its mostly conversation, then maybe letters and transcripts?

Two women discussing BDSM, and nothing happening will get it killed in BDSM

Just picture that in any category. Husband and wife talk about a threesome, but don't have one...and put it in group sex.

 

[gunhilltrain]

What's the point of the story? A job interview as a story? I can see making an interview of a story, but you haven't said what the story is. What is the "mmmph" behind the story? What is its appeal for a reader? That will determine where it should go.

If the talk about BDSM is titillating, and that's the point, then it should go in BDSM.

I don't think you can get good advice unless people know where you are going with this.

Well, it's going to be part of a series that describes this woman's life through her college years, 1973-1977. She worked as a part-time, ad hoc hooker at her campus for ten months as a freshman. Then as a senior, she's recruited by another student who works for a professional dominatrix service. She eventually takes the job because the money is so good, although she intends to leave after she graduates.

 

[gunhilltrain]

The challenge in a story like this might be to write the women's exchange so that their conversation alone arouses readers. To me, that sounds like a tall task. If you can do it, then it's an erotic story.

As I mentioned above, it's part of a series.

 

[Rustyoznail]

As I mentioned above, it's part of a series.

That makes a difference. General opinion seems to be that all parts should be in the same category.

 

[Agiel]

Two stories

It sounds to me you have two stories. The first being her becoming a hooker and the second about her being interviewed for a job as a dominatrix and then doing that until she graduates.

I can’t see the point in writing about her interview and then writing separately about her doing the work.

 

[gunhilltrain]

That makes a difference. General opinion seems to be that all parts should be in the same category.

Good in theory, but I've never been able to get them all into the same category.

 

[gunhilltrain]

It sounds to me you have two stories. The first being her becoming a hooker and the second about her being interviewed for a job as a dominatrix and then doing that until she graduates.

I can’t see the point in writing about her interview and then writing separately about her doing the work.

Well, I think it would be too long to have everything in one story. The previous part of her life (her earlier months as a freshman) is divided into about ten parts. Her year as a senior - not sure yet how long that will be.