Genfic: Post on AFF, Or Not?

[Helluin]

I have an odd problem.

I've been merrily writing erotica for a couple years, learning the ropes. (ahem.)

Then I get blindsided by a serial genfic. Same pairing I usually write, but it's attracted all these subplots, and is really more of a cast story that happens to have a few couples in it. There are chapters few and far between where the couples have an intimate moment, but it's not masturbatory material, unlike most of what I post on AFF. It's just part of the story. And it doesn't make sense to have a story that was an epic adventure suddenly turn into erotica (fwap reading), so it fades to black or is vague during the squiffy bits.

Sure, I can post it over on That Place.

But I'm an AFF writer. And you know, there's this disused category in my fandom called GENERAL which everyone uses instead of posting under the appropriate Het, Yaoi Yuri or Threesome/Moresome categories. That implies that, in theory, thre's nothing wrong with posting an epic serial on AFF, which involves action, swear words, violence that may be getting up into the NC-17 range, and the occasional nookie.

The question is, does anyone actually come to AFF to read something like that?

Who's going to read an epic adventure story, no matter how well-written, when they're looking for bedtime smut?

Possibly it varies by archive and fandom, but most of the stuff in my fandom is erotica, well-written or otherwise.

[marley_station]

I have an odd problem.

I've been merrily writing erotica for a couple years, learning the ropes. (ahem.)

Then I get blindsided by a serial genfic. Same pairing I usually write, but it's attracted all these subplots, and is really more of a cast story that happens to have a few couples in it. There are chapters few and far between where the couples have an intimate moment, but it's not masturbatory material, unlike most of what I post on AFF. It's just part of the story. And it doesn't make sense to have a story that was an epic adventure suddenly turn into erotica (fwap reading), so it fades to black or is vague during the squiffy bits.

Sure, I can post it over on That Place.

But I'm an AFF writer. And you know, there's this disused category in my fandom called GENERAL which everyone uses instead of posting under the appropriate Het, Yaoi Yuri or Threesome/Moresome categories. That implies that, in theory, thre's nothing wrong with posting an epic serial on AFF, which involves action, swear words, violence that may be getting up into the NC-17 range, and the occasional nookie.

The question is, does anyone actually come to AFF to read something like that?

Who's going to read an epic adventure story, no matter how well-written, when they're looking for bedtime smut?

Possibly it varies by archive and fandom, but most of the stuff in my fandom is erotica, well-written or otherwise.

Before I can give you an answer I have to ask a question of my own. What exactly do you mean when you state "I'm an AFF writer"?

[Helluin]

Before I can give you an answer I have to ask a question of my own. What exactly do you mean when you state "I'm an AFF writer"?

Primarily, it means I identify myself as an established writer on AFF, have posted stories here for years, and have at least some people checking my account to see if I've posted anything on AFF lately. This is where I post my stuff.

It means I write a lot of adult fanfiction -- erotica -- and that even my genfic may have sensual, intimate moments.

Secondarily, it means that I am an older writer than is the norm (at least in my fandom) on fanfiction.net, and that my writing style tends to be written by and for an adult perspective: folks who have experienced the pitfalls of life, who (probably) have had sex, who may be mentors or parents or teachers, and may have a sense of distance from the young heroes common to many fandoms. JK Rowling loves her HP world, but she and other adults look at HP from a different perspective than teenagers going through their own school and growing-up adventures.

Not to say that my writing doesn't work for younger readers, or that I am a mature adult chock-full of wisdom and all that-- noooo way, José-- but my preferences, style and tropes have evolved since I first started writing fanfic 25+ years ago, and may appeal to more older fans than 14-18 year olds.

[Jyet]

I have an odd problem.

I've been merrily writing erotica for a couple years, learning the ropes. (ahem.)

Then I get blindsided by a serial genfic. Same pairing I usually write, but it's attracted all these subplots, and is really more of a cast story that happens to have a few couples in it. There are chapters few and far between where the couples have an intimate moment, but it's not masturbatory material, unlike most of what I post on AFF. It's just part of the story. And it doesn't make sense to have a story that was an epic adventure suddenly turn into erotica (fwap reading), so it fades to black or is vague during the squiffy bits.

Well, first of all, I don't think that it's necessarily a problem to have graphic sex scenes in a story that's primarily adventure, or non-erotica. But that's a choice for you to make.

Sure, I can post it over on That Place.

But I'm an AFF writer. And you know, there's this disused category in my fandom called GENERAL which everyone uses instead of posting under the appropriate Het, Yaoi Yuri or Threesome/Moresome categories. That implies that, in theory, thre's nothing wrong with posting an epic serial on AFF, which involves action, swear words, violence that may be getting up into the NC-17 range, and the occasional nookie.

The question is, does anyone actually come to AFF to read something like that?

Who's going to read an epic adventure story, no matter how well-written, when they're looking for bedtime smut?

Possibly it varies by archive and fandom, but most of the stuff in my fandom is erotica, well-written or otherwise.

Your regular readers will certainly take a look at any new story you put up, and if it's well-written, compelling, etc., it'll probably be a success. Sure, someone browsing through the archives or latest stories looking for a one-shot to get off on will probably pass.

But AFF also has some talented writers who happen to write stories featuring graphic sex, and people come to the site to find their material as well as the smut (not that I'm bashing the latter, in fact it's almost entirely what I write). Personally, I'm not turned on by guy-on-guy stuff, but it seems that some of the best authors here write yaoi, so I'll read their stories and just kind of skim over the bedroom scenes. For the people who come to AFF to read interesting, well-written material (and they do exist), erotica's kind of a bonus, not a requirement.

[Helluin]

Well, first of all, I don't think that it's necessarily a problem to have graphic sex scenes in a story that's primarily adventure, or non-erotica. But that's a choice for you to make.

I agree, but there seemed no need for it in this story. Yet. There is a moment later on where a good gripping sex scene may be the culmination of Our Heroes' long trials and sorrows (think Aragorn and Arwen's wedding night, if Tolkien hadn't been a prude), but it might seem gratuitous.

But AFF also has some talented writers who happen to write stories featuring graphic sex, and people come to the site to find their material as well as the smut...

I had to think about what you meant by that-- my brain is slow tonight! ("Wait, what's the difference between stories featuring graphic sex, and smut?")

I've written one other longer fic-- 17 chapters -- that was an adventure which just happened to include a couple sex scenes. So yes, I see what you mean.

(I'm with you on the yaoi. Not my kink, but when there's good writing, I'll sometimes read an M/M story anyway.)

But I'm getting OT.

I guess the answer is: "There's no harm in posting genfic here, but it's not what people are looking for, and one shouldn't expect as many hits, readers or reviews."

[Jyet]

("Wait, what's the difference between stories featuring graphic sex, and smut?")

"PWP" probably would have been a better term to use than "smut" - what I meant was stories that wouldn't really have a reason to exist if not for the graphic sex, compared to stories where the sex scenes could be reduced to a sentence or two and there would still be a meaningful plot.

I guess the answer is: "There's no harm in posting genfic here, but it's not what people are looking for, and one shouldn't expect as many hits, readers or reviews."

Sort of. I'd say you'll lose the people just looking for porn, but pick up the folks looking for a nice meaty story to read. It probably boils down to less hits, more ratings and reviews.

[megadeth425]

I'd say that, all in all, you may actually pick up some people.

I'm in the same boat; I've been a PWP writer for a long time, but recently I wrote something focusing on the actual story; five chapters in with no sex where before a sexless chapter was a chapter unwritten. I don't think that anyone stumbling across the story who's a fan of your work will necessarily hate it for not being what you like, and if you see yourself writing more sex-oriented stuff in the future in addition to this stuff, I think you'll find that you may in the end gain followers; possibly two completely different groups of them who stay on other sides of the content fence, but if you show flexibility as a writer, that's for the better, I think.

[Keith Inc.]

Write what you wanna write, and post it here.

That's what i like about the site. Anyplace else i've ever posted, there's the likelihood that one or another of my stories will be off topic, or flagrantly anti-topic or violate one or another rules.

Plenty of my stuff doesn't have any sex at all, some's PWP.

I would say that you shouldn't post something under erotica that doesn't have a lot of erotic content, but that's just because readers have an expectation for that sort of thing.

Put in a few warnings about 'not my usual stuff' or 'graphic sex is rare' or 'little to no pron,' and see what happens.

As someone said, maybe you'll expand your reader base.

I gained a few fans for my shrinking stories by posting a xenophilia story, so who knows.

[Guest sylvir]

Write what you wanna write, and post it here.

That's what i like about the site. Anyplace else i've ever posted, there's the likelihood that one or another of my stories will be off topic, or flagrantly anti-topic or violate one or another rules.

Plenty of my stuff doesn't have any sex at all, some's PWP.

I would say that you shouldn't post something under erotica that doesn't have a lot of erotic content, but that's just because readers have an expectation for that sort of thing.

Put in a few warnings about 'not my usual stuff' or 'graphic sex is rare' or 'little to no pron,' and see what happens.

As someone said, maybe you'll expand your reader base.

I gained a few fans for my shrinking stories by posting a xenophilia story, so who knows.

I completely agree with Keith. Write what you want and post it if you want.

There are people, myself included, who love to read. If the story is compelling and the characters are interesting then someone will read it.

Most people think just because the word adult is in the title of this web site it means that everything has to be lemon flavored. I like to think that as an adult website it is a place for serious people to post work that is more sophisticated. (and yes hardcore sex too.) Personally I've read quite a few stories on this site that were quite long but contained mayby one sex scene if any.

[DodgeSuperBee]

Acceptable to post it here? Sure!

While AFF might not have the sheer number of site visitors that other sites do, if you've established a base of loyal readers and you inform them this story's a bit different for its lack of sexual content I suspect many of them will still read and enjoy it, unless they really were just looking for porn and nothing beyond that.

It depends on the nature of your fandom, too. If I wrote for a huge fandom with many readers I guess I'd want to post it where the biggest general audience of all ages was going to find it, but if your fandom is smaller and already loyal to AFF then I'd keep it here with your other fics.

[Supersonic Bitch]

Well, I haven't written much completely gen but I think that my policy of what I post here has still quite a lot to do with the subject. So: it's only my NC-17 material. There's a direct link to my LiveJournal in my profile, my fanfiction is not friends-only and if people are interested in reading my R-rated material (okay, I have even one hard PG-13 crack!fic), it is there.

[WarlordEnfilade]

Nobody seems to have been bothered that my Halo story "Cross Blades" was 9 chapters of unresolved sexual tension, two chapters of sex, three chapters of relationship problems AND military problems, another chapter with sex, and six chapters of trying to get out of a situation alive, preferably with the relationship intact.

In fact, it's gotten the most, and the best, reviews of all my stories.

So I say yeah, go for the epic. Mine's at home here, yours should be too