Is incest THAT popular?

[Djmac1031]

painfully boring.

And boring painfully

 

[FantasySharer1]

I see a lot of thoughts here about Incest being "taboo" and that is why it is popular.

I think for those of us (readers and writers alike) are who genuinely romantically or sexually attracted to a relative, the other part that should be considered is closeness.

It's the fact that this person is already one of the closest people in the entire WORLD to you but that there is a barrier preventing them from being EVEN closer. The idea of breaking that barrier so that you can enjoy a relationship at a level of emotional proximity that is cannot be found with any other human being: to know one's sister for example for 25 years and every good and bad thing about her, knowing her history, her embarrassments, her flaws, her annoying or horrible characteristics, and then to choose to get to know her sexually - to please her and be pleased be her - to know not only all those things but also know what she enjoys and how she likes to be pleased and to give that to her - it's a level of closeness one cannot find elsewhere.

As someone who was in love with his own sister for decades but never acted upon it - I didn't have those feelings and enjoy them because they were wrong, I had them because I wanted to be even closer to her than I already was in the most ultimate way.

 

[tenyari]

I'll hasten to add that while incest as a Literotica story category is extremely popular, I don't think you can infer anything from that fact about the psychology or experiences of Literotica authors or readers.

Incest also seems to be the topic of a massive volume of modern day porn...

The entire topic is a major 'squick' to me. Extremely gross. The appeal as a genre for erotica and porn baffles me. Are people out there actually sexually attracted to their siblings, children, parents, etc and just repressing it for the sake of social norms? Or... just how does this concept even work as something one could find more appealing that sex with dust mites?

 

[Zootonius]

Incest also seems to be the topic of a massive volume of modern day porn...

The entire topic is a major 'squick' to me. Extremely gross. The appeal as a genre for erotica and porn baffles me. Are people out there actually sexually attracted to their siblings, children, parents, etc and just repressing it for the sake of social norms? Or... just how does this concept even work as something one could find more appealing that sex with dust mites?

My own two cents, and as someone who's written incest stories, look at it as voyeurism. Watching people do what society says is taboo.

 

[Euphony]

My own two cents, and as someone who's written incest stories, look at it as voyeurism. Watching people do what society says is taboo.

Incest, despite the "outsider" cultural connotations is a bit of a catch all (and its popularity benefits from it)

Hetero normative base. (notice how gay/lesbian struggle in category)

Relatable. (if not exactly to a family member, many have been attracted to someone they shouldn't/can't be with.)

Poseur taboo. (plain jane P in V gains all sorts of "naughty cred" in many, otherwise dishwater dull readers minds.)

Emotional complexity. (it's a draw for those of us whose creativity driver is relationship communication, negotiations, power dynamics, individuals in the relationship acceptance of it vs. need for social/family/friend acceptance, etc., etc.)

Those who deride the entirety of readers of category as family obsessed perverts reduce the category down to a few specific, required elements (mainly, two fam members getting it on) and some sort of concrete proxy for desire of real world abuse. (which the real life situations are often known for)

What part of fantasy do so many struggle to understand?

I refuse to believe these same people have real desire to commit all the anti-social acts (non-sexual, violent, anti-social, etc.) their minds randomly serve up on a regular basis. Why is you daydreaming regularly of murdering every one who insignificantly wrongs you (gas station attendants, waitresses, CVS cashiers, fellow Lit posters) normal, "healthy" fantasy yet others exploration of their thoughts and emptions tangible depravity?

Very possible the people mocking others for their thoughts and "lack of self-control" are the least in control of their own thoughts.

 

[Rob_Royale]

After seeing the results of my first I/T story, I was reminded of this thread. I thought you might be interested in my findings. I knew incest was popular but I was unprepared for the scale.

I track my views. Call me vain, but I'm interested in seeing what sort of upticks happen when I release a new story or the list is posted on some writing event.

Without any new work, my stories still get what I consider to be fairly decent viewership, 25-50 views daily. When new work is posted I can see up to three times as much. And the new work gets as much attention as the category pulls in.

At 12:01 AM on 5/4/23, my first I/T story was posted. In 40 hours, it's pulled in nearly 14000 views. That's more than most of my stories have gotten in months. The uptick in views of my other work is five to six times the norm. I've gained 10 followers and it's been favorited 22 times. That is a very heady brew.

 

[djrip]

After seeing the results of my first I/T story, I was reminded of this thread. I thought you might be interested in my findings. I knew incest was popular but I was unprepared for the scale.

I track my views. Call me vain, but I'm interested in seeing what sort of upticks happen when I release a new story or the list is posted on some writing event.

Without any new work, my stories still get what I consider to be fairly decent viewership, 25-50 views daily. When new work is posted I can see up to three times as much. And the new work gets as much attention as the category pulls in.

At 12:01 AM on 5/4/23, my first I'T story was posted. In 40 hours, it's pulled in nearly 14000 views. That's more than most of my stories have gotten in months. The uptick in views of my other work is five to six times the norm. I've gained 10 followers and it's been favorited 22 times. That is a very heady brew.

My one incest story is my 3rd most viewed after a month, and the two beating it have been up for 8 years.

 

[tenyari]

look at it as voyeurism. Watching people do what society says is taboo.

I could make the exact same statement about vore, pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, violent assault, and more.

I don't get the appeal of those either.

I guess I need more to work with than "it's cool because it's taboo".

I see that it's amazingly popular - but I draw a zero on understanding why. I have all of absolutely no empathy on this matter.

/shrug

 

[SimonDoom]

I could make the exact same statement about vore, pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, violent assault, and more.

I don't get the appeal of those either.

I guess I need more to work with than "it's cool because it's taboo".

I see that it's amazingly popular - but I draw a zero on understanding why. I have all of absolutely no empathy on this matter.

/shrug

I think if you don't get it then it will be hard to explain.

What's erotic or arousing varies wildly from person to person. But to me it's completely obvious that there's a close link between the erotic and the transgressive. The idea of being bad or naughty is highly erotic to many people. It may not be that way to you.

In the case of incest it's a combination of the extremely taboo aspect plus familiarity. I think the reality is that many people have had incestuous thoughts or experiences with parents or siblings, and these stories draw upon that. Sophocles understood it over 2000 years ago.

 

[RetroFan]

If you are interested in writing Incest Taboo stories it is fulfilling as an author to write something so taboo, but note that the readers there are probably the hardest to please of all the categories. What about Loving Wives you ask? Yes, on face value the LW crew are hardest to please, but they differ because they actively want to read stories that they hate, whereas IT readers don't.

IT readers don't seem to respond positively to historical events, travel, fantasy/sci-fi/horror themes and especially not comedy in their stories. They describe these themes as 'boring', and extend the same description to character development and back-story, even though one might think that readers might want some insight into why related characters would jump into bed together. A lot don't go for fetish material within the stories, even something minor like feet, and complain that stories about step-family and in-laws aren't IT, even if clear from the title and description what the story is about. They also are quick to tell you what they don't like about stories, for example if a young man had a threesome with his sister and female cousin, they might complain that the cousin is un-necessary and it should only have been brother/sister, despite the fact that there are many brother/sister stories they could have read.

Of course, I have had some positive feedback for my IT stories and others may have had different experiences from writing in the category, but this is how I have found writing IT stories.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I could make the exact same statement about vore, pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, violent assault, and more.

I don't get the appeal of those either.

I guess I need more to work with than "it's cool because it's taboo".

I see that it's amazingly popular - but I draw a zero on understanding why. I have all of absolutely no empathy on this matter.

/shrug

I think it is always someone else's mothers, sisters and fathers that people have on their minds when they fantasize about incest. It is definitely not my kink, but I can understand how its forbidden nature can appeal to their erotic senses. I seriously doubt that many among the people who enjoy reading IT fantasize about their own family members...

 

[TheRedChamber]

If you are interested in writing Incest Taboo stories it is fulfilling as an author to write something so taboo, but note that the readers there are probably the hardest to please of all the categories. What about Loving Wives you ask? Yes, on face value the LW crew are hardest to please, but they differ because they actively want to read stories that they hate, whereas IT readers don't.

IT readers don't seem to respond positively to historical events, travel, fantasy/sci-fi/horror themes and especially not comedy in their stories. They describe these themes as 'boring', and extend the same description to character development and back-story, even though one might think that readers might want some insight into why related characters would jump into bed together. A lot don't go for fetish material within the stories, even something minor like feet, and complain that stories about step-family and in-laws aren't IT, even if clear from the title and description what the story is about. They also are quick to tell you what they don't like about stories, for example if a young man had a threesome with his sister and female cousin, they might complain that the cousin is un-necessary and it should only have been brother/sister, despite the fact that there are many brother/sister stories they could have read.

Of course, I have had some positive feedback for my IT stories and others may have had different experiences from writing in the category, but this is how I have found writing IT stories.

I'm not an expert in this category, but I'd agree with the basic premise from what I've seen of other stories posted - I/T readers want the pure 'wholesome' version of this type of story - (yes I'm aware of the irony of that word which is why it's in quotes) - with few extraneous elements.

I've had complaints in comments in the simple one I wrote about having the FMC being a sex worker or the sibling couple not being exclusive but even so both story still ultimately scored reasonably highly.

 

[Euphony]

I think it is always someone else's mothers, sisters and fathers that people have on their minds when they fantasize about incest.

Also, an idealized mother/father/sibling for those whose experience was having miserable human beings in those roles themselves.

There's limited research (of course) but other fantasy research has shown it is often a coping mechanism or taking back the power/ownership of a psychologically difficult experience.

Healing is such a powerful motivator, I'm of the belief it's a huge portion of the readership. Not necessarily healing from overwhelming typical incest traumas but more minor complicated/poor relationship stuff.

Similar to the pop culture trope "daddy issues."

 

[burgwad]

The implication that the level of attraction between two family members could be so strong and mind-altering as to override their natural aversion to each other does a lot of very quick legwork in bringing me to a certain horny state of mind and keeping me there until those characters fuck. Once the family members do start fucking, though, the taboo magic quickly starts wearing off, the sex starts to feel normal, and the author has to keep messing with the stakes to keep things flavorful.

Note, my favorite I/T stories tend to be those where the characters DO struggle internally, as opposed to those where two relatives have no misgivings about permanently deforming their bond. Keeping the weirdness and anxiety ever on the edge of the frame (if not front and center) so that each scene feels like a cool new variation on the incest theme is how I stay hypnotized.

But as a fledgling I/T author myself I can attest that it's extremely tricky to do this well, i.e., without it feeling taxing or distracting or forced.

 

[Athalia]

Healing is such a powerful motivator, I'm of the belief it's a huge portion of the readership. Not necessarily healing from overwhelming typical incest traumas but more minor complicated/poor relationship stuff.

Well, I can certainly count myself among those who had an "overwhelming incest trauma." But when I include incest in my stories, it's entirely positive and consensual, with both parties ending up happy that it happened. It's me writing the world as I wish it to be, knowing full well that it isn't the world that we actually live in.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Well, I can certainly count myself among those who had an "overwhelming incest trauma." But when I include incest in my stories, it's entirely positive and consensual, with both parties ending up happy that it happened. It's me writing the world as I wish it to be, knowing full well that it isn't the world that we actually live in.

Honestly, I find that rather amazing. In my experience, trauma victims will avoid any hint of what they experienced. Very impressive.

 

[Rollinbones]

Honestly, I find that rather amazing. In my experience, trauma victims will avoid any hint of what they experienced. Very impressive.

My writing only really came about as a result of trauma. I’m an ex cop who was medically discharged with acute bla bla bla. I’m also a survivor of childhood sexual assault and my stories purge a lot of what I’ve witnessed within what is allowed here and what people can withstand. I chastise myself for the recurring themes of brokenness and redemption in my stories but they are a mirror on reality. I asked a rape victim once to tell me in her own words what had happened. She said, “describe the last time you had sex in detail to me. Hard isn’t it. And it was probably nice.” But given a piece of paper and a pen she was able to tell it to a lifeless faint lined pad. So… spill your thoughts on this smooth white pillow. Let speak your quill it’s quiet rage.

 

[Athalia]

Honestly, I find that rather amazing. In my experience, trauma victims will avoid any hint of what they experienced. Very impressive.

I tried to avoid it for years. It didn't work. But therapy did, and so did writing. I wrote some very dark stuff at first, trying to figure out what buttons needed NOT to be pushed, and trying to de-sensitizing myself to them. (That was much like the experience of the rape victim in the last post.)

Then came the erotic stuff, which I wrote in order to create a world in my head where people acted toward each other in a loving and considerate way. And once I started writing that stuff, I found that place to be a very comfortable one, and I think that this is what attracts a lot of readers to that place. It's certainly been the subject of many of the comments made to me about my stories.