Advice on navigating the noncon/reluctance category requirements

[switchrye]

I'm reaching out for some advice about a multi-chapter noncon story I've been working on. The second chapter was rejected by the admins because the victim of the story does not derive any sort of "thrill or enjoyment from the acts." In my opinion, the fact that the victim does not enjoy the act is kind of the point of the scene and is kind of important to the trajectory the story will take. The relationship between the main characters starts out nonconsensual, gradually phases into reluctance (with lots of pleasure for all participants), and eventually evolves into a consensual dark romance. The victim does not enjoy anything in chapters 2 and 3, but begins to enjoy it in all subsequent chapters.

The easy solution would be to edit the story so the victim enjoys what's happening. However, I feel like that would be out of character for the victim. It would also lessen the impact of future developments, including the aggressor's "redemption arc." I could edit the scene so that there's a so-called "fade to black" before the sexual act commences. Technically, that wouldn't actually solve the issue because the victim still wouldn't enjoy the act; the only thing it does is shield our eyes from what's happened.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this situation? Have any of you run into this issue and figured out a way to make it work?

 

[KeithD]

In my opinion, the fact that the victim does not enjoy the act is kind of the point of the scene and is kind of important to the trajectory the story will take.

That's the sticking point with this site's selection criteria. That won't fly here. That's a site quirk. So, if you want to have it published here, you've got to get rid of that. If it spoils the story, you'll have to find someplace else to submit it. Bottom line.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this situation? Have any of you run into this issue and figured out a way to make it work?

How long are your chapters? Consolidate into one submission, maybe, because there's no dodging the fundamental non-con rule that the victim must find satisfaction - not eventually, but in the chapter you're in.

 

[jaF0]

In my opinion, the fact that the victim does not enjoy the act is kind of the point of the scene and is kind of important to the trajectory the story will take.

The victim does not enjoy anything in chapters 2 and 3, but begins to enjoy it in all subsequent chapters.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this situation? Have any of you run into this issue and figured out a way to make it work?

The only thing I could suggest is some sort of pre-quel or prologue that states what you did there.


Yes, that would be a give-away of bits to come, but it is what it is.

 

[SimonDoom]

The solution to your dilemma is to publish it as one long story, so you don't have a chapter where she doesn't enjoy it. As long as she enjoys it at some point in the story you'll probably clear the Site's bar.

If you've already started publishing chapters, then the solution is for chapter 2 to be really long and to include the part of the story where she starts to enjoy it.

Problem solved.

I know it seems kind of crazy, but that's what the Site's rule is.

 

[RejectReality]

Even if you do publish it as a single submission, there's a chance the early build-up may just be too much for things to balance.

You can give it a shot, but I would suggest being prepared to accept that this one simply isn't going to fly at Lit, and will need another venue.

 

[NotWise]

The first chapter isn't even a full Lit page -- only 2K words. You could string together several chapters of similar length without bothering your readers at all.

I only have one story in noncon. I split it into two parts so each part would be easily readable in one sitting, but I made sure the woman admitted to getting something out of the acts before the end of the first part. Second part was mostly rough sex that was mutually enjoyed.

The two parts together were about 19K words -- so about nine of your one chapter.

You might be able to take the first part down, then publish the whole thing in one or two parts -- or just use your first chapter as an intro and publish the rest in one or two parts.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I have learned to adapt to the rule. However, a person’s body may react to a rape in a way that indicates they enjoy the treatment, but what happens inside them, in their head, their emotions, isn’t a positive thing. I write rapes for her under their rules, even though, I know from personal experience, it’s a fucking lie.

While I write inside the rules, I write another version which I post elsewhere, with the point of view corrected to the reality of how devastating rape actually is. My original writings were part of my therapy. They still are. I just can’t publish those versions (or the elaborate over-the-top acts of revenge that some of my victims perpetrate) here.

I did read a rather graphic story of revenge. Of course, it was a husband having his wife punished for her betrayal. It seems not all rules are applied equally on some things.

The stories in Loving Wife or LW dealing with revenge on women are the most popular, no matter how illiterate the writer is. Most of the postings are not of anon type but attributed to the poster who applauds the physical and mental anguish handed out to the offending wife. They are complete with intricate details of how the husband gets away with his crime, only they don’t view these acts of revenge as crimes.

 

[LAHomedog]

I sometimes write a "cold opening" to open a Non-Con story where I open with a portion of the ending, then go back to the start, tell the story that leads to it, re-include the cold opening and then button the story to an end. The cold open has the pleasure/fulfillment aspect in in.

Even though some on here might disagree, you might also try an author's intro where you summarize the story and state that by the end so-and-so will turn around into becoming a willing participant.

 

[HordHolm]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this situation? Have any of you run into this issue and figured out a way to make it work?

Perhaps one way around this would involve some internalised thinking on her part, a sense she's actually enjoying something she shouldn't and only manifests itself after-action. Though, of course, I realise that this might be something you are factoring in later anyway.

 

[gordo12]

I'm reaching out for some advice about a multi-chapter noncon story I've been working on. The second chapter was rejected by the admins because the victim of the story does not derive any sort of "thrill or enjoyment from the acts." In my opinion, the fact that the victim does not enjoy the act is kind of the point of the scene and is kind of important to the trajectory the story will take. The relationship between the main characters starts out nonconsensual, gradually phases into reluctance (with lots of pleasure for all participants), and eventually evolves into a consensual dark romance. The victim does not enjoy anything in chapters 2 and 3, but begins to enjoy it in all subsequent chapters.

The easy solution would be to edit the story so the victim enjoys what's happening. However, I feel like that would be out of character for the victim. It would also lessen the impact of future developments, including the aggressor's "redemption arc." I could edit the scene so that there's a so-called "fade to black" before the sexual act commences. Technically, that wouldn't actually solve the issue because the victim still wouldn't enjoy the act; the only thing it does is shield our eyes from what's happened.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this situation? Have any of you run into this issue and figured out a way to make it work?

I like the rule Laurel has about the subject. Reality is harsh; fantasy can be made much kinder! I prefer kinder. Think of it as her discovering a hidden kink.

I've written harsh realistic stories. I don't like them. None of them would pass muster here.

You've had some good suggestions. If you want to keep the story intact, post it elsewhere. Or, as I do, keep them in your file.

 

[LAHomedog]

I was thinking about your problem and re-read your first story that is published. Based of of its style and that it is a homage, if you will, to a period style of story telling, why not a prologue?

I was thinking a young adult woman telling a story about their land, and the royals, and maybe their family to a young child. You know, passing on verbal history like the start of 1,001 Nights. And the story teller is telling the tale of the happy rulers and their offspring.

At the end, in the epilogue, we learn the story teller is the offspring of the rape, and she is telling the story to the grandchild.

That way we know it is a happy tale with rewards, the victim receives pleasure -- and more, a kingdom! -- and you set it up without giving your story away.

A style tweak that could give you all the marbles.

Think about it.

 

[switchrye]

I have learned to adapt to the rule. However, a person’s body may react to a rape in a way that indicates they enjoy the treatment, but what happens inside them, in their head, their emotions, isn’t a positive thing. I write rapes for her under their rules, even though, I know from personal experience, it’s a fucking lie.

While I write inside the rules, I write another version which I post elsewhere, with the point of view corrected to the reality of how devastating rape actually is.

Thank you. That's an excellent point and something I've been considering. I originally wanted to include her physical reaction in chapter 3. After reading your response and some of the others on here, I may decide to consolidate chapters 2 and 3 and include some detail about her body reacting with pleasure even though she still isn't consenting. We'll see if that works.

I like the rule Laurel has about the subject. Reality is harsh; fantasy can be made much kinder! I prefer kinder.

I both agree and disagree. Sure, fantasy can be made kinder. But if something kinder is what readers are after, then just don't click on the less kind stuff. It seems counterintuitive to me to have a "nonconsent/reluctance" category if actual noncon scenes aren't allowed.

At any rate, I think I'll just see what I can do to "sanitize" the story without changing too much, and then post an unaltered version elsewhere.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[merrySM]

That's the sticking point with this site's selection criteria. That won't fly here. That's a site quirk. So, if you want to have it published here, you've got to get rid of that. If it spoils the story, you'll have to find someplace else to submit it. Bottom line.

So the owner/moderator, (Lauren is it?) has essentially censored, banished, "book burned" non-con is what you are explaining. I can understand tone down the gratuitous super mean, cruel, violent noncon, to not promote that type of behavior by people that cannot distinguish between reality and fiction.
The happy endings 100% spoil the story.

 

[ElectricBlue]

So the owner/moderator, (Lauren is it?) has essentially censored, banished, "book burned" non-con is what you are explaining. I can understand tone down the gratuitous super mean, cruel, violent noncon, to not promote that type of behavior by people that cannot distinguish between reality and fiction.
The happy endings 100% spoil the story.

Sadly, you're trying to have a four year old conversation with a guy who died last year.

Also, KeithD was merely explaining a fundamental Lit policy rule regarding Non-con stories. You might not like it, but that's the policy line Laurel has drawn.

 

[merrySM]

Thanks for your reply. Sorry keithD has passed.

I'm all for the woman enjoyjng the sex, but she has to have the mental conflict. She believes she should not be enjoying it because "it" is wrong. Taboo, the male is an authoritarian figure, or hes taken advantage of her vulnerability and she must comply.
I personally cannot stand the violent r@pe stories. But any noncon here, they have turned them into sappy love stories part at the end.

If this site is about free speech, why is that genre being banned?

 

[ElectricBlue]

If this site is about free speech, why is that genre being banned?

Non-con isn't banned, but it still has the nuance, the victim must ultimately enjoy it. That's Lit policy with regards to the content they will publish. Freedom of speech doesn't come into the equation - Lit is a privately run site, free to determine its own content policies.