I would suggest that the site guidelines be better written.
As they currently read, they are very clear and understandable if you are writing a quick wank story with no drawn-out characters, involved plots, or complex story details. Otherwise, they aren't very clear.
For instance, the guidelines say no stories may feature characters under 16. Obviously, the intent of the guideline is to prevent authors from writing about children under 16 in sexual situations. However, developed characters do have childhoods and non-sexual things happen during those childhoods. And sometimes, adult characters produce children as a result of their depicted sexual activity. Without clarity, some verifiers might be inclined to reject a story which mentions that the main adult character, as a child, played sports, simply because the words "child" or "13" or "grade school" are used in the description. Other verifiers might let it pass.
Also, the site guidelines prohibit "death, suicide, dangerous sex, drugging" without clearly defining them. Can we write a story in which main characters pass away? This was explained another thread, but not covered in the guidelines. Can we write about characters smoking weed after sex? This is legal in many states. "Dangerous sex" can include just about anything having to do with S&M. Does this mean we can't write stories featuring paddling (which can cause bruises and welts) or fisting?
Just saying that some definition and clarity would be a good thing.
this isn't clear enough?
Children — No one under age 16 may be depicted in a sexual situation or in a sexual manner. This means participating in sexual activity (including body exploration and masturbation), witnessing it, making mention of it, hearing references to it, or being referred to in any sexual way whatsoever. No sexual arousal, inadvertent or otherwise, or sexual activity of any sort (groping, covert touching, sly attempts at it, etc.) is allowed while children are present. Any risk that children might witness sexual activity must be excluded. Children may be included as characters in a story only if all the above stipulations are met. (See Age entry for further clarification.)
Age — Characters must be at least 16 years old at the time the sexual situation occurs, including in flashbacks. This means that any "for as long as I can remember..." type of statements are prohibited, since most of us can remember far earlier than age 16. All stories that contain references to minors — including the author / narrator of a story told in flashback — will be removed.
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
a clarification on drugging: what we DON'T allow is for a character to drug another character in order to have sex with him/her. we do allow recreational drug use as long as it doesn't debilitate their ability to consent to sexual relationships.
for example, it's ok to get stoned before, during, or after sex, and longs as you don't pass out and someone was sex with you while out cold - it's NOT ok for someone to slip drugs into your drink and then take advantage of you while you're high.
dangerous sex means that nothing that could lead to major harmful injury or death is allowed - paddling is unlikely to lead to death. autoaphyxiation, however, can be deadly.
death: death is allowed as long as it's not graphic and it's not during a sexual act. dying of old age is fine. a murder that is part of the plot is fine. shooting someone in the head while you're having sex with them is a no-no.
hope that helps a little?
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
I was just required to gut a story twice where a person who was abducted in the first iteration and hypnotized in the second was disallowed even though no non-consensual sex occurred. I thought I stayed within the guidelines by leaving that character untouched, but that turned out not to be the case.
Abduction and hypnotism are not allowed.
Many of the people here on Lush have strong feelings about this type of behavior.
And since we're discussing this at all, I've also been playing with the idea of writing a story where an established couple acts out a fantasy. The fact that it's a roleplay (and consent has been given) will be clearly emphasized at the beginning of the story, but the sex will be incredibly rough and demeaning to the submissive. Moreover, no safe word will be used-- and this is a mutual decision by both characters-- so the sex will, for all intents and purposes, come across as . It just, y'know, won't be, and at the end the couple will be fine.
Will I be allowed to submit something like that?
Reading the posts, I agree that the guidelines are at best "soft", there is no clear list of no/yes in sexual behavior, frankly, all BDSM can be dangerous if the Dom. is an idiot. Unprotected sex is dangerous if one party has an STD....
Incest storoes are wildly popular, and allowed, even though the psychologiacl implications of such acts are WAY beyond "Dangerous".
I have had a few stories rejected, and been threatened with bahishment if I again break the rules, even though there are no apparent CLEAR rules for "Dangerous behavior". Why not a check list?
A type sex- no
B type sex-Yes,
Easy, No?
That way everyone is on the same page.
I know that the moderators try their best, but there does not seem to be even a uniform application of rules from one to another... rule by committee never works.
I would love to help come up with a cohesive list and set of rules, if I can assist.
Bobbi Jo
"When its too kinky for everybody else, its just gettin' good for me."
(Kinky Freedman)
When writing a reluctance or BDSM story, remember that what the characters are thinking is at least as important as what they are saying in dialog. Consent can be given with a thought and a subtle motion with of the body even while she is still saying no. A fantasy is far less likely to be pulled if she is being driven mad with lust in her thoughts, despite her cries and pleas to be freed.
It's all about the emotions you attempt to convey. If you are trying to build excitement through the use of dark fantasy and you show us how much she is aroused and secretly wants it, you likely won't have a problem. She still has to communicate it in some way to her attacker, but it can be quite subtle and she can still protest. As long as its arousal and excitement that she is feeling.
On the other hand, if your intent is to depict fear, terror, pain, duress or any other negative emotion that creates a feeling that she is feeling compelled by the possibility of death or bodily harm, then you are going to have a problem getting it verified. The intent of the guidelines is that stories are about arousal and pleasure, not fear and anger, and your concern as a writer should be to instill those emotions in the reader as part of the characters, journey, not at the expense of the the characters sanity and sense of self.
