Important question about under-age characters. NOT INVOLVED IN SEX. WHATSOEVER!

[Sai_dias_29]

First: I read the "Simple answer to queries about Lit's under 18 rule?" thread and have no problems with it at all. I understand and accept.

Second: This is a weird question, because I feel this shouldn't be a problem, but also feel that it's going to be a problem. I'm in the process of rewriting/revising two stories, my "Family Secrets: Nights" and "Sneha."

I have been struggling with "Family Secrets: Nights" since the day it was posted, so that's not going anywhere anytime soon. However, I have a solid plotline for "Sneha" and know what direction to take the story in. There's a lot of sequence in the new version of the story centered around the main characters' children, both of whom are five years old. It is important to note that the children are NOT involved in anything remotely sexual, nor are they exposed to any form of sexual activity throughout the story.

The plot of the story revolves around a divorcee and widower with children, who fall in love. The first half of the story is mostly about their dates, personal life, and how their relationship would affect their kids. There's a lot of sex involved in story as it progresses, BUT NEVER AROUND, NEAR, OR KNOWN PRESENCE OF THEIR KIDS.

And my question is, would this be a problem for posting on Literotica. The kids are important to story, so its not really avoidable.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I have used children as characters many times with no problems. You might want to include a note with your submission affirming that they are not in anyway sexualized in your story.

 

[Sai_dias_29]

I have used children as characters many times with no problems. You might want to include a note with your submission affirming that they are not in anyway sexualized in your story.

Okay. But my worry is if the interactions between the children and their parent would be mistaken as sexual. There's a scene towards the middle of the story where the kids fall asleep on top of their parents. Which in real life, is completely normal, but within an erotica I don't know if that's a good idea.

 

[KeithD]

If you're confident there is no sexual element to the presence of children (not watching--that's voyeur), you might as well go ahead and submit it and see how it goes. If rejected and you're confident a sexual element isn't there, resubmit it with that noted in the Notes box (if you haven't already put a note to that effect there) and ask that the offending reference(s) be pointed out. That's always worked with me on any rejection without the need to rewrite anything.

If, though, nonsexual family dynamics is the key element of your story, you might reconsider whether a porn story site is good place to post it at all.

 

[Sai_dias_29]

If, though, nonsexual family dynamics is the key element of your story, you might reconsider whether a porn story site is good place to post it at all.

Well, the main story is a porn story. There's a lot of graphic sex, swinging, threesomes, incest (NOT WITH THE KIDS) and what not as the story progresses. BUT NONE OF IT IN FRONT, NEAR OR AROUND THE KIDS. The parents go to extra lengths to make sure the kids are out of sight and out of mind during any sexual activity.

 

[KeithD]

*Sigh* We just keep on dancing around this bush. Whatever.

I suggested what you should do if you're confident there's no sex element for the children, and you seem not convinced yourself. That's enough dancing around the bush for me.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

First: I read the "Simple answer to queries about Lit's under 18 rule?" thread and have no problems with it at all. I understand and accept.

Second: This is a weird question, because I feel this shouldn't be a problem, but also feel that it's going to be a problem. I'm in the process of rewriting/revising two stories, my "Family Secrets: Nights" and "Sneha."

I have been struggling with "Family Secrets: Nights" since the day it was posted, so that's not going anywhere anytime soon. However, I have a solid plotline for "Sneha" and know what direction to take the story in. There's a lot of sequence in the new version of the story centered around the main characters' children, both of whom are five years old. It is important to note that the children are NOT involved in anything remotely sexual, nor are they exposed to any form of sexual activity throughout the story.

The plot of the story revolves around a divorcee and widower with children, who fall in love. The first half of the story is mostly about their dates, personal life, and how their relationship would affect their kids. There's a lot of sex involved in story as it progresses, BUT NEVER AROUND, NEAR, OR KNOWN PRESENCE OF THEIR KIDS.

And my question is, would this be a problem for posting on Literotica. The kids are important to story, so its not really avoidable.

My story 'That Little Spark' featured two five year old boys. I made sure they were never around when the couple were engaged in any type of activity that they wouldn't be appropriate for them to see.
The story came in third place in the 2022 Valentine's Day contest, so obviously there was no problem with there being two impressionable youngsters in the story.

 

[alohadave]

And my question is, would this be a problem for posting on Literotica.

No they won't. Plenty of stories have children in them, just like you describe.

If you want to be sure, put a note in the Admin Field stating that there are children in the story and that they aren't near any sexual situations or discussions.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Well, the main story is a porn story. There's a lot of graphic sex, swinging, threesomes, incest (NOT WITH THE KIDS) and what not as the story progresses. BUT NONE OF IT IN FRONT, NEAR OR AROUND THE KIDS. The parents go to extra lengths to make sure the kids are out of sight and out of mind during any sexual activity.

My rule of thumb with sex and children Is to keep the scenes at least five hundred words apart, and ideally with the kids out of the house. Always add a note to Laurel saying there are kids in the story, and explain the context. I've never had a problem.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

It's not a problem. Put a note if you like mentioning there are children hugging their parents etc.

I've got a 4yo seeing his uncle-figure kissing a new partner and yelling "Dad! They're kissing!" "Grown-ups do that sometimes." Conversation ensues loudly, while the couple downstairs die of embarrassment and the mum laughs at them.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

My rule of thumb with sex and children Is to keep the scenes at least five hundred words apart, and ideally with the kids out of the house. Always add a note to Laurel saying there are kids in the story, and explain the context. I've never had a problem.

I must say that I've been equally paranoid in my story that had a relatively important underage character
I would also say that when it comes to underage, there are things that some writers can get away with, while some other, especially new authors, need to be very careful.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I think you have made your case quite clearly and under the conditions you state, there should be no problems. Good luck.