To BDSM or not to BDSM a story...

[Nellymcboatface]

I have a 3 part story, the first 2 parts are written.

The story is about 2 women and their changing relationship.
The first part is where they meet as part of a BDSM act.
So simples that needs to be in the BDSM category...

However by the 2nd and 3rd parts no more BDSM...
As their relationship changes to more being lovers outside BDSM (except for a little tying up and playful roles, not full on BDSM... if that makes sense?)
So readers in the BDSM category will be disappointed..

But will it enrage Lesbian readers to pick up the 2nd & 3rd parts of a story that starts in a BDSM category ?
Or should I keep in the BDSM category and tag it lesbian / lover / romance..?

Cheers.
Nelly

 

[MsNatalie99]

However by the 2nd and 3rd parts no more BDSM...As their relationship changes to more being lovers outside BDSM (except for a little tying up and playful roles, not full on BDSM... if that makes sense?)

BDSM is actually a pretty broad spectrum of activities and kinks ranging from vanilla to sweet baby Jesus. It’s not all ropes, black widows, and testicular torture. The role and exchanges of power require a great deal of trust. I'm just saying that they can be in love and be freaks, freaks in love. So do what you want.

 

[davion2308]

This is accurate

BDSM is actually a pretty broad spectrum of activities and kinks ranging from vanilla to sweet baby Jesus. It’s not all ropes, black widows, and testicular torture. The role and exchanges of power require a great deal of trust. I'm just saying that they can be in love and be freaks, freaks in love. So do what you want.

BDSM, as a category, has its share of kink and "whips and chains" but the important part of that is the element of relationship between two people. I'm certain a BDSM story would score well if it were two men, two women, a man and a woman, as long as you're showcasing the relationship and how they interplay power and control and trust with each other.

You could have a man tie a woman up in bed and have 'vanilla' sex with her but if the two have a realistic discussion and you walk the reader through the emotions and exchange of feelings and communication while they're experiencing the event, you're going to do well.

It's subtle in that category. I would say having some light BDSM but focusing on them being lovers outside the the bedroom would still give joy and engagement to the readers there.

Of course, I could be wrong ...

 

[Kumquatqueen]

BDSM romance tends to be well received if at all realistic and not abuse in disguise.
My impression is Lesbian Sex likes BDSM up to no dance,.planking and some floggers or other implements, but beyond that you're better off in BDSM where lesbianism is fine.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Without knowing the details, is my uneducated guess that all of it would do well in Lesbian Sex. Those readers don't seem to mind some kinky stuff.

Seconded.

 

[SimonDoom]

Sounds like Lesbian Sex, to me.

How long is the story? How many words? Depending on how long it is it might do better if you submit it as a single standalone story. If it's under 30,000 words it's probably better off being published as just one story.

 

[Nellymcboatface]

Sounds like Lesbian Sex, to me.

How long is the story? How many words? Depending on how long it is it might do better if you submit it as a single standalone story. If it's under 30,000 words it's probably better off being published as just one story.

Good point - 9850 + 8000 + ??? for part 3...
So it could come in well under 30k words.
It's just having done 17k for Valentines I hoped to have a rest from long proof-reads... ha ha.

Parts, 1, 2 & 3 have cliff-hangers that act as reasonable breaks.

 

[Nellymcboatface]

Without knowing the details, is my uneducated guess that all of it would do well in Lesbian Sex. Those readers don't seem to mind some kinky stuff.

Thanks.
I had hoped that as Part 1 is a little tying up and toys but it sets up their relationship.
One is a dom due to traditional taboos & a disfigurement that only becomes apparent in Part 2... which has caused her to fail with normal relationships, hence using the BDSM route where she can hide it or obscure it from her sub...
The other is a sub, from the minute they meet but because of her relationship with her discovery of the disfigurement she grows and they share more and more becoming more an equal relationship not based solely on dom & sub ...
Although they return to the odd slap and tickle, tying up...to keep the relationship exciting...
Then Part 3 is where the glass slipper fits, the 'dom' overcomes stereotypes and taboos to whisk 'sub' to her fairytale castle etc.... (they both live happily ever after...).
I hoped it would fit in Lesbian overall better.. but that was why I asked...
Cheers, Nelly

 

[SimonDoom]

Good point - 9850 + 8000 + ??? for part 3...
So it could come in well under 30k words.
It's just having done 17k for Valentines I hoped to have a rest from long proof-reads... ha ha.

Parts, 1, 2 & 3 have cliff-hangers that act as reasonable breaks.

Makes sense. Those chapters are long enough that they should do just fine whether you publish as a standalone or in three chapters.