Story categories.

[cahab]

I'm having trouble with my categories. I've seen the doctor about it and he sent me here.

I've posted a few stories on Lit, if you want to you can read them here. I write the Lit stories quickly, both to preserve my fantasy intact and stop myself peaking too soon. I write other stuff elsewhere more seriously taking, frankly, too much time over it. Since people have expressed an interest in helping with story construction, and having browsed around realising there are actually some decent writers amongst you, I'd like to write a 'proper' piece, especially for feedback purposes.

However, here's the problem. The story I have in mind doesn't fit into any one category, and I'm not sure where to post it. It's a problem I had with other stories as well.

The story is SF-ish, involving telepathy and an attempted rape. There is sex in the story, but it is not intentionally erotic. The would-be rapist is then killed.

Cheery, huh? It is a story that i have had in my head for some time, but would probably be unable to get published elsewhere, at least for a while. Literotica seems like a natural home.

But where in Literotica? Do I put it somewhere with a warning, or what?

Help!

 

[DurtGurl]

stop myself peaking too soon.

Dear Cahab,
Yes, I always hate it when that happens.

As for the categoary, you can always just submitt the storey and let the Lit elfs put it in it's proper place. There good at that.

Helpfuly,
DG

Ps. Does you're storey have sheep in?

 

[KillerMuffin]

Mind control unless there is a solid undertone of fear, then put it in Erotic Horror.

Pick the primary theme of the story--there's always just one--and that's the category you go with. Unless it has non-consent, mind control, BDSM, fetish, and/or incest. Then you pick the category that you're least likely to offend your reader wtih. A good way to get hit by a one demon is to put incest in any other category. Non-consent is next after that. Then BDSM, then fetish, then mind-control. Or so I've noticed.

 

[cahab]

Then you pick the category that you're least likely to offend your reader wtih.

What I'm most worried about offending the reader with is the sex but not erotic sex thing. Either I risk pissing off those who've (quite legitimately) just come to get their rocks off, which is basically who my stories so far have been for, so anyone cross-checking will get mighty confused, or just offending those browsing none erotic stuff by having someone get their dick out. See what I mean?

I had considered setting up another account, but I wanted the people who gave me feedback to know it was the same person. Discuss.

 

[Madame Manga]

I feel your confusion. This is one of Lit's major drawbacks--the limited yet ironclad categories and the reader expectations that go along with them. KM's suggested strategy is about the only way to go.

However, this story sounds like an excellent candidate for an Author's Note at the beginning of the story. Don't apologize for anything; just briefly explain your intentions.

MM

 

[MathGirl]

I This is one of Lit's major drawbacks--the limited yet ironclad categories and the reader expectations that go along with them.

There really should be a, "Fuck 'Em If They Can't Take a Joke" category.
MG

 

[Weird Harold]

However, here's the problem. The story I have in mind doesn't fit into any one category, and I'm not sure where to post it. It's a problem I had with other stories as well.

The story is SF-ish, involving telepathy and an attempted rape. There is sex in the story, but it is not intentionally erotic. The would-be rapist is then killed.

This sounds like a candidate for one of the "non-category categories" -- Non-Erotic or Novel/Novella. An author's note at the beginning in either of those categories is almost required because the stories range over all possibilities of offending people. (However, the fans of these categories are the least likely to be offended at unexpected content as well.)

If your intent is to tell a non-erotic story then either of these two categories would fit, depending on the length of the finished story.

 

[MathGirl]

Re: Re: Story categories.

An author's note at the beginning in either of those categories is almost required because the stories range over all possibilities of offending people.

Dear Mr Harold,
An author's note is always a good idea. A member of the DG Group is writing an essay called "Pulling a Train." She has thoughtfully included the following:

[NOTE: Model railroading enthusiasts who have read the title and expect a hobby piece would be well advised to look elsewhere. You hadn't oughta be here in the first place, sonny.
Mom Jukes]

MG

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Re: Story categories.

Dear Mr Harold,
An author's note is always a good idea. A member of the DG Group is writing an essay called "Pulling a Train." She has thoughtfully included the following:
.
.
.

_____

*Leaning in closer to listen...*


Did MG say something about pulling our chain?