Calrification By Seasoned Editors Appreciated

[AsylumSeeker]

I have been editing for some time, but have recently found myself in the unenviable position of standing on 'unstable ground'.

I am fully aware of Lit's stand on sex with minors, and appreciate that. However, I remain unclear about what 'pushes the envelope'. Is an adult allowed to 'think back' to earlier times where underage sex is inferred? Can there be any thoughts of childhood, even where sex is not inferred?

I don't want to overreact and advise writers to remove passages merely because they refer to childhood when those passages would otherwise be acceptable. Yet I don't want to avoid mentioning it and later discover the story was rejected because of something I allowed to pass by.

I'm just trying to be a good editor and mentor, but am finding it difficult in this particular situation.

 

[LadyCibelle]

I have been editing for some time, but have recently found myself in the unenviable position of standing on 'unstable ground'.

I am fully aware of Lit's stand on sex with minors, and appreciate that. However, I remain unclear about what 'pushes the envelope'. Is an adult allowed to 'think back' to earlier times where underage sex is inferred? Can there be any thoughts of childhood, even where sex is not inferred?

I don't want to overreact and advise writers to remove passages merely because they refer to childhood when those passages would otherwise be acceptable. Yet I don't want to avoid mentioning it and later discover the story was rejected because of something I allowed to pass by.

I'm just trying to be a good editor and mentor, but am finding it difficult in this particular situation.

Underage sex can be mentionned in passing (ex: I lost my cherry when I was 16) but there should be NO description of how it happened. Mentionning childhood is not a crime....there can even be children in your story. Just as long as aforementionned children don't act, view, participate or think about anything that is sexually graphic.

 

[snooper]

I have been editing for some time, but have recently found myself in the unenviable position of standing on 'unstable ground'.

I am fully aware of Lit's stand on sex with minors, and appreciate that. However, I remain unclear about what 'pushes the envelope'. ...

We all feel like that. It springs from the different instances of Laurel having different views.

... Is an adult allowed to 'think back' to earlier times where underage sex is inferred? ...

Sometimes, and sometimes (but not often) it can be more explicit (eg "His penis was not as big as the one which took my virginity ten years ago" said by a 21 year old).

... Can there be any thoughts of childhood, even where sex is not inferred? ...

Usually, but not always.

... I'm just trying to be a good editor and mentor, but am finding it difficult in this particular situation.

That's pretty good - I find it impossible.