My little niche on the boad, the Story of Oliver Bell, has laid out a fine line for me to walk. I'm referring to its adult themes. In creating the character, I thought it would be interesting to make Oliver a pervert, which coincides with his list of Aquarian attributes. My original intent had been to hint at his socially unnacceptable nature with such telling details as a box of pornography.
It didn't take me long to get into the character's head. Anyone who has read parts of this story must have noticed multiple instances of sexual innuendo, along with a couple of outright sex acts. I've tried to fill my subject lines with warnings ("This post contains adult language and situations") where applicable. And until recently it didn't bother me much, because my story wasn't accessible by the public. I feel that we are a mature community, and if a member doesn't want to read, he or she won't (in fact, I insist).
Now, however, the Story of Oliver Bell is visible for all to read. Take heart: I don't plan on whipping out Long Duck Dongs and other parts of the human anatomy, but I don't plan on toning it down either. Because my macro-plot is sexual by nature, and foul language rises to the surface whenever I feel it's warranted, what should I do? Are my subject line warnings enough? Should I put them in the body of the post? Or should I exile Oliver to the adult forum?
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What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
I would appreciate opinions. I think this question belongs here in the FAQ because it will set a precedence for future LABNers.
What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
I found nothing hardcore about the forced impregnation nor the demon jack fantasy, but I'm not the arbiter. We're in an increasingly puritanical America. (I mean, really, everyone was shocked to see Janet's boob -- which, by the way everyone has seen 90% of in this video and that, pushed together, up and over -- but no one has ever seen her LEGS. Think about it. For God's sake, where are Janet's LEGS! Now that would have been news.)
You and I know that one man's pervy is another man's normal since everyone's freaky for something, but does the general public? I know when to stop engaging in something that's beyond my acceptance, but does everyone? Will kids who may have interest in the site stop at a warning? Do all parents do their job and police their kids' interests? I worry about kids. If only that were the consideration, I'd vote for hiding it.
But then I don't want to relegate Oliver's story to a place where no one but us can read it either. It's such good writing, in my opinion, that it should be accessible to those other than members who lurk about.
Hmmm. I'll just sit on the fence until someone decides.
What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
I don't think that the presence of pornography in Oliver's possession, nor the occasional "adult" reference constitutes anything obscene or unacceptable. In fact, there hasn't been anything I can think of in any of Oliver Bell's story that couldn't or wouldn't appear in a TV program...properly edited. And that is what Oliver Bell's story is...properly edited. It is presented as "matter of fact" not the point of the story.
That really is where I have had issues with sexual content in LABN is where it becomes the point of the narrative to tittilate or to express some nature of the writer rather than the characters. When Delancre was revelling in his sadistic torture, it got close, but it was clearly to illustrate his heinous nature not to excite our readership...but rather the opposite - to offend them.
The same applies to every bit of stuff that has been written so far. Our general rule of "PG-13" gets stretched a bit at times but it never truly strays into "R" or "NC-17" territory because we edit it well. It isn't every the act or the presence of adult activity that offends...it is the treatment of it.
Allude, suggest and imply all you want about the sexual nature or violent nature of the characters, just don't lose track of our audience being to a certain extent, less than adult and at the same time don't insult them by pretending that this sort of thing doesn't happen or isn't there.
I have been and will continue to be an arbiter of "too much" and while I won't ever get offended by anything anyone has written (well unless you start being personal about it). I might make simple suggestions to obfuscate somthing that is too graphic or explicit, I'll never excise it. These characters are yours, not mine. The universe is ours, not mine. What they do - they do...all I ever exercise control over is how openly it is told.
But it will be told. Always.
So...Sid, you are fine. Kris, you and I talked about Delancre's torture scenes and I okayed them. Heather and Robin, the Onyx/Tash stuff was borderline but it worked okay. Nobody complained and hopefully it'll stay that way.
Is that clear enough?
Oh, and the adult forum...that is for the over the top stuff. If you want to tittilate or gross out or even explore aspects of your own psyche? ("Can I write this stuff?")Do it. It can be enlightening. But that is why we hold that stuff close to our chest. No need to get people up in arms over "porn on the intternet" or more specifically "Porn on the server that we get to use for free."
(This is going to become a sermon I can feel it...)
I am not afraid of one person show comes across LABN looking for pictures of Johnny Depp and finds our storylines about Valerian and reads a story about him being all broody and mean to Samantha. Or even if he is toruring his daughter mentally. That really isn't my concern.
I am afraid of the weirdos that run search engines, MSN and Friedbaloney who might take offense at our stories being available to the public. I worry that if they find something that is totally unacceptable that they may blacklist, ban, or otherwise prevent us from making art. Things are a lot more tolorant of text than it is of pictures. Aparently text isn't as threatening to people as pictures are.
But if it is wrapped in a popular genre (like Buffy or Angel) then someone might get it in their head to complain about it to the wrong people. I know there are lots of sites more graphic than ours (so called "Slash" sites...I saw one devoted to Spike/Wesley gay lovers stories once...ew!) but that is my fear. All it takes is the "accusation" of wrongdoing to ruin it for everyone.
So I play it safe. Probably too safe, but better safe than sorry. I also beleive that limits push us to find ways around those limits while still dhereing to the "spirit" if not the "letter" which is why the rules as explained above are vague and nebulous.
Not sure? write it two different ways and run them past someone. The exercise is good for you.
Well I've rambld on enough. Again, I hope it makes sense and if it doesn't let me know and i will use examples from LABN to illustrate my point.
What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
Heh. Only you, Dave. You get "obfuscate" but miss "something." And I wasn't going to be the one to point out that an H (like in Hate) belonged in apartheid. Don't. Ever. Change.
What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
Makes total sense. My mind is at finally on Easy Street. Thanks Sherlyn and Dave.
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That's a difficult one, the one about "playing it safe." I urge no one to play it safe, if he or she can help it, when writing. I think writing should push boundaries--and I'm not talking about being shocking for the sake of being shocking. I'm angling this topic toward more than sex: all aspects of storytelling.
One thing I LOVE about this site is I feel free here. I'm not worrying about an editor (except for Heather, maybe :wink:) poring over my writing; therefore, I'm not censoring myself. In our Buffyversion, I feel I can stretch my wings, and if perchance I write a "stupid" post, so be it. I never worry about getting knocked for faulty writing (although thoughtful criticisms might apply).
Writing should be risk. If I'm not worried about how my words will be received, maybe I'm not writing at all. Same with gaming: if I am too comfortable with my character, maybe I'm putting my gamemaster to sleep.
At LABN, my inner critic is beside himself with muteness. Frak him! He has no place here.
But too often in the writing world, penises and the F-word are what contitute risk. I never use them without forethought. I think sex, foul language, and, for that matter, exclamation points should cost a day's pay every time you use them. Use them only when you're willing to make the sacrifice. Use them when it hurts not to go for broke.
I remember how often I used to hold back with Sam Aubrey. My mind said the F-Word, but I had to keep it from sliding off of Sam's tongue. It wasn't in his character to swear. Only when he was faced with something truly shocking did he say "fuck." I think he only said it once or twice in all.
What bothers me now is I can't remember which instance or instances he actually said it. Maybe my subconscious is telling me that I never should have had Sam swear. Maybe I'd never written any truly monumental scenes that warranted stripping him of his composure.
Ah well, lessons learned. Everything I write is a rough draft.
NOTE: I edited this per Sid's quote
What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
Censorship is bad. I remember a time when my parents closed all windows to listen to the music of their choice; dangerous music, it was. You could end up in jail just for listening to it.
On the other hand, there gotta be limits. I have kids and i share Sherlynn concerns, even for parents that do supervise their kids' whereabouts in the net, it's impossible to avoid all. I'd hate to think that LAbn is a site that'd prove not suitable for kids. There's a lot here that'd be 'good' for them, imaginative writing is always good for people in general.
I think that we can say that even if we are borderline sometimes, we've never crossed the border. Everybody is pretty careful about that, since i guess that we all share Dave's concerns too.
However... what i really wanted to say was:
Censorship is bad. School Authorities, and i dont mean 'my' school, but the highest ones who regule all schools here, have decided to put some crappy filter in school computers... AND IT DOESNT LET ME ACCESS LABN FROM THERE!!!
Can you believe it? The problem is the 'playing with yourself' bit in the 'When you are tired of...' part. Damn them, i already sent an email explaining the site, but i dont know if they'll allow me to access anyway. :evil:
What constitues "acceptable" content for a story?
Which is really bad since i spend a lot of hours in that school computers. MSN is not working properly either. :x