Circumisising Your Characters

[Rollinbones]

I was once told to describe a character like a stick figure and to let readers fill in their own picture unless a specific attribute is integral to the story or personality of a character. Readers identify with your characters when they can dress their own mental barbie dolls.

I've never written a story on here where the circumcision of a mans penis was integral to a story.

 

[LAHomedog]

I was once told to describe a character like a stick figure and to let readers fill in their own picture unless a specific attribute is integral to the story or personality of a character.

That is a school of thought and it is true for some writers and some readers.

The thing to remember is in writing, like in all art, there are no absolutes. Some readers want stick figures. Some want more meat. And some want the Full Monty.

For example, as a reader, I can't stand that style. I want descriptions of everything. So as a writer, I do the same.

Writing like life isn't simply black and white. I happens in the gray. Apples and oranges.

 

[Emirus]

Is it that important for the story?

To me that’s the only question to be asked. If, for whatever reason, you consider it is an essential detail which, by putting it in, would enhance the story or, by leaving it out, would possibly detract from the reader’s enjoyment then do whatever you think is necessary.

I doubt that in 99.99% of stories it would matter to the reader. Over the years I’ve read my fair share of stories and I’ve never come across one mentioning circumcision. Perhaps in the handful of categories I read writers don’t think it’s necessary or don’t think about it at all. It’s certainly never entered my head to raise it.

My characters have sex. They enjoy it. The man enjoys his orgasm and the woman enjoys hers. I think that’s the same in real life.

I was circumcised before I reached my teens. I went into hospital for an operation, down there, and came away circumcised as a bonus. I assume they asked my parents “while he’s in here” but it never occurred to me to ask them why. It’s never been detrimental to my life and none of the ladies I’ve seen has ever brought it up.

But if you think, by bringing it up in a particular story, it will be of interest to the reader then do it.

 

[JuanaSalsa]

Personally, I go either way, depending on my mood. Some stories I hardly describe the people's bodies at all - just what they do with them. Other stories, I go into more detail.

A handjob or a blowjob on a circumcised guy works differently than on a guy with foreskin. If the character loves to suck foreskin before dipping a tongue inside to lick the head, why not write that? It's erotic imagery.

 

[AlexBailey]

Some superfluous detail can be nice. I'd personally say that it can add titillation where fetish is involved even without overseasoning.

I've read stories where the only broaching of the issue was to mention that a cock was 'hefty and intact'. My mind fills in all of the details quite readily.

 

[MillieDynamite]

The question is, knifes or scissors? Which way is best to snip a character.

 

[AlexBailey]

The question is, knifes or scissors? Which way is best to snip a character.

In a fetishistic erotic sort of way? With a straight razor.

 

[RetroFan]

The only time its come into play into one of my stories was a story narrated by a Jewish girl who sleeps with a handsome uncircumcised black man, and who notes that she never thought she would see an uncircumcised penis in person. Otherwise I don't really pay that mention it that much.

 

[SaucyMasquerade]

In my Kindle novel of crossdressing, I have included both circumsised and uncircumcised characters.
I am circumsised and find the whole idea of sliding foreskins back and forth incredibly arousing.
As a consequence of this, I have included the emotional, as well as visual excitement, on being able to play with foreskin for the first time, much the delight of its owner!

In summary, I have included it as there is huge potential for more eroticism.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/co...each/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Interesting map of circumcision rates across the world, for anyone wondering whether their character should or shouldn't be. Some fascinating variation around the world.

 

[MillieDynamite]

My father tells about meeting a girl at a grunion run on a trip to California. he talked about catching the fish, you know, picking them up after wave goes recedes. Rushing to put them in the stash to cook and eat them on the beach. So, anyway, this German girl and he hit it off and romance followed. He was like 19 or 20 at the time, and when things got interesting, she looks at his part, "Umm are you a Jew?"

Not knowing if that would be a good thing or bad thing, he told the truth, "No, I'm not. We just do that a lot over here."

She said, "Too bad, it would piss my ex off if I told him I fucked a Jew."

"So, pretend I am, and then tell tell him you did."

 

[gordo12]

The question is, knifes or scissors? Which way is best to snip a character.

Pinking shears! Frilly Dilly

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Zackenschere.jpg/1200px-Zackenschere.jpg

Interesting question. My generation had a circumcision done at birth automatically, along with tonsils out @ 6 years old. Truth is, I never gave it any thought growing up. The unclean thing was always something we were told, and I felt sorry for those who weren't snipped. That their parents had been remiss!

I can't imagine a woman wanting to stick a cock in her mouth and find it covered in smegma. Ugh.

As far as writing goes, I've never gotten into the subject and don't plan to.

 

[Dakota_North]

Hasn't been something that's come up in my stories...but then again, not something that's come up for me in real life either. Maybe I'm missing out?

 

[Paul_Chance]

I wouldn't mention it in a story unless it was relevant. As mentioned, there is an audience of cut/uncut fetish related stories, otherwise it might be a detail mentioned as a visualization aid in a more descriptive story.

 

[JuanaSalsa]

I can't imagine a woman wanting to stick a cock in her mouth and find it covered in smegma. Ugh.

It's not hard to keep an uncircumcised dick free of smegma - a normal amount of cleaning will do.

 

[gordo12]

It's not hard to keep an uncircumcised dick free of smegma - a normal amount of cleaning will do.

Assuming motivation. I'm thinking more about a woman having to check all the time before going along with any sexual activity. It seems to me it would kill the moment.

And of course, there's the first story I can remember in LW today. This line:

"She hadn't seen a circumcised cock since a Jewish boy at college had her."

 

[ElectricBlue]

I can't imagine a woman wanting to stick a cock in her mouth and find it covered in smegma. Ugh.

Jesus wept.

Haven't you guys heard about soap and basic hygiene? That's the dumbest comment I've seen for a long time, Gordo.

"Ayup, thems civilised folk in that there town. They got runnin' water and stuff they call soap. An' wipe their ass with paper. All I got is this fuckin' stick."

 

[gordo12]

Jesus wept.

Haven't you guys heard about soap and basic hygiene? That's the dumbest comment I've seen for a long time, Gordo.

Stick around, I got more!

"Ayup, thems civilised folk in that there town. They got runnin' water and stuff they call soap. An' wipe their ass with paper. All I got is this fuckin' stick."

I wasn't arguing about how to clean it if they do. I was wondering how women handle the issue. Do they just assume it's clean, or feel the need to check?

There are plenty of guys around whose cleanliness is suspect.

This is what I actually said:

I'm thinking more about a woman having to check all the time before going along with any sexual activity

 

[JuanaSalsa]

I wasn't arguing about how to clean it if they do. I was wondering how women handle the issue. Do they just assume it's clean, or feel the need to check?

There are plenty of guys around whose cleanliness is suspect.

Way back when I was single, I checked every new cock thoroughly, circumcised or not. Not just for cleanliness, but for signs of STDs.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I wasn't arguing about how to clean it if they do. I was wondering how women handle the issue. Do they just assume it's clean, or feel the need to check?

There are plenty of guys around whose cleanliness is suspect.

I'd agree that. I suspect, in the company you're hypothetically keeping, that's going to be a two way hygiene check, know what I'm sayin'?

Fish don't go with cheese .

 

[gordo12]

I'd agree that. I suspect, in the company you're hypothetically keeping, that's going to be a two way hygiene check, know what I'm sayin'?

Fish don't go with cheese .

LOL, the company I'm keeping? I've been married for so long I've forgotten what the original goal was.

 

[SimonDoom]

Assuming motivation. I'm thinking more about a woman having to check all the time before going along with any sexual activity. It seems to me it would kill the moment.

Well, just speaking for myself, but I've never found either the giving or receiving of a close inspection of genitalia to put me out of the mood. Inspect away, I say. Motives be damned.

 

[Abbafan]

This is one of those things that could go either way, but I'm curious about the cultural aspect.

Circumcision is far more common in the US, compared to other countries. In the States it's around 70% whereas the global average is 38%. In English-speaking countries Australia and the UK, it's about 25% or lower. (Source)

Personally, I'm uncut and would like to specifically write characters that experience sex the same way I do. However, I know that to an American audience, at least, there is perhaps a view that uncircumcised = unclean. Well, it's a view I've seen in 'publications' like Cosmopolitan, which is perhaps not the best source...

On the hand, maybe its an element that shouldn't even be mentioned in a story — in the same way its better to leave size, shape and whatever else open to interpretation. On the other, I feel there's a distinct difference between the two states (one of which I cannot relate to personally).

Obviously, I'll end up doing what I 'want to do' at the end of the day, but I'm curious about community views on the topic. Is there a chance it alienates American readers in a way that's simply not worth the 'benefits' of having a slightly more authentic story?

It is an interesting question. It probably makes a difference, right? It never comes up in the stories I've read, though. I can't think of one where the foreskin really gets much attention.

Maybe it should, though. You'd think it would have come up in a story involving Americans and Europeans, but I haven't come across it.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I wouldn't mention it in a story unless it was relevant. As mentioned, there is an audience of cut/uncut fetish related stories, otherwise it might be a detail mentioned as a visualization aid in a more descriptive story.

Same, never had a reason to bring up the type of dick a guy has. I am thinking about an uncut story, now, though.