Is it possible to include underage characters and comply with the guidelines?

Quote by laminar_flow
I am looking forward to submitting my first story, but need advice on a major character problem. As written, I believe my story violates the site guidelines and would be rejected. Two of the four main characters are underage. They do not have sexual contact with anyone, but the narrator clearly has fantasies about them; their appearance and clothing are described in detail; and they play a major role in bringing together the two adult characters (the girl's mother and a college-age male). The obvious solution would be to make them older, but I'm not convinced it would be believable. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-old girls would generally have a different level of maturity and emotional motivation than twelve- or fourteen-year-old girls. Also, they would be so close to the age of the narrator as to make the plot unlikely.
Should I scrap the whole concept and start over? Any creative suggestions appreciated!

Quote by laminar_flow
I am looking forward to submitting my first story, but need advice on a major character problem. As written, I believe my story violates the site guidelines and would be rejected. Two of the four main characters are underage. They do not have sexual contact with anyone, but the narrator clearly has fantasies about them; their appearance and clothing are described in detail; and they play a major role in bringing together the two adult characters (the girl's mother and a college-age male). The obvious solution would be to make them older, but I'm not convinced it would be believable. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-old girls would generally have a different level of maturity and emotional motivation than twelve- or fourteen-year-old girls. Also, they would be so close to the age of the narrator as to make the plot unlikely.
Should I scrap the whole concept and start over? Any creative suggestions appreciated!

Quote by laminar_flow
Thank you for the responses. Although sdsioux's idea briefly gave me hope, I understand and fully support the rule, so will reluctantly shelve the story.

Quote by freakinthesheets21
I don't see why it is an issue if they are just part of a fantasy. It's not that they are actually doing it for real. But I guess it depends if some people are prude and stuffed up and won't even let that be part of it.

Quote by laminar_flow
I am looking forward to submitting my first story, but need advice on a major character problem. As written, I believe my story violates the site guidelines and would be rejected. Two of the four main characters are underage. They do not have sexual contact with anyone, but the narrator clearly has fantasies about them; their appearance and clothing are described in detail; and they play a major role in bringing together the two adult characters (the girl's mother and a college-age male). The obvious solution would be to make them older, but I'm not convinced it would be believable. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-old girls would generally have a different level of maturity and emotional motivation than twelve- or fourteen-year-old girls. Also, they would be so close to the age of the narrator as to make the plot unlikely.
Should I scrap the whole concept and start over? Any creative suggestions appreciated!

I couldn’t even have my 15-year-old daughter knocking on the door and interrupting a quickie. That apparently made her part of the sex act. It’s BS reasoning, but whatever. 

Quote by ChumbaPoxwally
I think the fun is in complying with the rules, but bending them to your will! Follow the rules, of course, but have some fun teasing the rules, caressing them. You are the submissive that must follow the rules of the dom, but you also want to get off. Good luck.

Quote by laminar_flow

I agree completely. As it turns out, I could not abandon the story. A much-revised version is now waiting for the moderator's blessing. I keep checking every day, but no verdict yet...

I have had several stories rejected for underage content.

The only approach I have found that works is to blatantly state that your characters are 16 - check out my stories 'Professor Lola G-spot and Alia' or 'Mums and Daughters On Holiday' .

Quote by laminar_flow

Quote by ChumbaPoxwally
I think the fun is in complying with the rules, but bending them to your will! Follow the rules, of course, but have some fun teasing the rules, caressing them. You are the submissive that must follow the rules of the dom, but you also want to get off. Good luck.

I agree completely. As it turns out, I could not abandon the story. A much-revised version is now waiting for the moderator's blessing. I keep checking every day, but no verdict yet...

Seeker's note is correct; due to some remaining bugs, a number of us are unable to access the stories awaiting approval, and the queue has grown quite long as a result, so don't hold your breath. We'll be tackling it full-bore once things are worked out.

Chumba's advice, while well-meaning, is best ignored. Trying to flaunt the rules, constantly tug at the edges, or somehow get around them is a good way to find yourself receiving a warning or suspension - or, if continued, even have your membership revoked. 

The mods all have more than enough to keep up with without having to ride herd on a bunch of adults acting like 6th graders that think it's fun to try to get away with something. There are a million ways to write a story without breaking a few very clear and simple site rules - why is that so difficult?

I began writing the first of what I was planning as a series but thinking about its premise I asked an admin (Curvy) for advice. It started off with a crime of passion in which a loving husband discovers his wife in bed with another man and in his grief and rage kills them both. The series would have dealt with his life after this and in particular how he turns into an abuser and user of women. I had to agree that it probably would not be Lush friendly material, my solution is that I will expand it into a full novel and publish it as a Kindle book some time next year, maybe making it a crime thriller dealing with revenge and perhaps redemption.

Quote by Stormdog

Quote by laminar_flow

Quote by ChumbaPoxwally
I think the fun is in complying with the rules, but bending them to your will! Follow the rules, of course, but have some fun teasing the rules, caressing them. You are the submissive that must follow the rules of the dom, but you also want to get off. Good luck.

I agree completely. As it turns out, I could not abandon the story. A much-revised version is now waiting for the moderator's blessing. I keep checking every day, but no verdict yet...

Seeker's note is correct; due to some remaining bugs, a number of us are unable to access the stories awaiting approval, and the queue has grown quite long as a result, so don't hold your breath. We'll be tackling it full-bore once things are worked out.

Chumba's advice, while well-meaning, is best ignored. Trying to flaunt the rules, constantly tug at the edges, or somehow get around them is a good way to find yourself receiving a warning or suspension - or, if continued, even have your membership revoked. 

The mods all have more than enough to keep up with without having to ride herd on a bunch of adults acting like 6th graders that think it's fun to try to get away with something. There are a million ways to write a story without breaking a few very clear and simple site rules - why is that so difficult?

And I won’t rehash the underage character thing again. But if the standard is NO CHARACTERS UNDER 16, it needs to be absolute and universal. If it’s no sexual characters under 16, define the parameters of what applies. How does an underage character interrupting sex without seeing anything make them a sexual character?

Quote by Lurker411

Quote by Stormdog

Quote by laminar_flow

Quote by ChumbaPoxwally
I think the fun is in complying with the rules, but bending them to your will! Follow the rules, of course, but have some fun teasing the rules, caressing them. You are the submissive that must follow the rules of the dom, but you also want to get off. Good luck.

I agree completely. As it turns out, I could not abandon the story. A much-revised version is now waiting for the moderator's blessing. I keep checking every day, but no verdict yet...

Seeker's note is correct; due to some remaining bugs, a number of us are unable to access the stories awaiting approval, and the queue has grown quite long as a result, so don't hold your breath. We'll be tackling it full-bore once things are worked out.

Chumba's advice, while well-meaning, is best ignored. Trying to flaunt the rules, constantly tug at the edges, or somehow get around them is a good way to find yourself receiving a warning or suspension - or, if continued, even have your membership revoked. 

The mods all have more than enough to keep up with without having to ride herd on a bunch of adults acting like 6th graders that think it's fun to try to get away with something. There are a million ways to write a story without breaking a few very clear and simple site rules - why is that so difficult?

But that’s my whole point. WHAT ARE THE RULES? My piece was rejected as “not being a love poem.” What does that mean? It was about meeting a person online, getting to know them, falling in lust, and having it change my life. It was not sexual, so didn’t fit in erotic poems or flash erotica. It was short, so it’s not a love story. It was true, so it’s not microfiction. She said to make it longer and pick a category. I thought the mod’s job was to look for errors and violations, not form and style.

And I won’t rehash the underage character thing again. But if the standard is NO CHARACTERS UNDER 16, it needs to be absolute and universal. If it’s no sexual characters under 16, define the parameters of what applies. How does an underage character interrupting sex without seeing anything make them a sexual character?

Feel free to PM me the poem and I'll let you know what the issues were. No point in asking people on a forum who haven't read it.

Re the underage characters, the rules are pretty absolute. Don't have underage characters in sexual situations, either their own or someone else's. If you don't like that rule, fine. Post your stories somewhere else. But moaning about it over and over isn't going to make us change the rules. Thanks.

Just submit, you will be surprised how helpful the moderators can be. I learnt a lot from Tamara - I had thought that incest was merely immoral, not actually unlawful in the UK. Although not entirely sure about mother/daughter sex. I've included Molly (18, Domme) and her sub mum Justine in loads of my stories.

Quote by davepornwriter

Just submit, you will be surprised how helpful the moderators can be. I learnt a lot from Tamara - I had thought that incest was merely immoral, not actually unlawful in the UK. Although not entirely sure about mother/daughter sex. I've included Molly (18, Domme) and her sub mum Justine in loads of my stories.

Quote by Lurker411

Quote by davepornwriter

Just submit, you will be surprised how helpful the moderators can be. I learnt a lot from Tamara - I had thought that incest was merely immoral, not actually unlawful in the UK. Although not entirely sure about mother/daughter sex. I've included Molly (18, Domme) and her sub mum Justine in loads of my stories.

That’s just it, I have sent messages to 3 different mods and gotten no responses. I get that they’re busy with the data migration. But ignoring the users that support the site with memberships is horrible customer service. I wish that I had known about the transition so I wouldn’t have WASTED an upgrade from Bronze to Gold 6 months early. What good is a literature site if nothing by new is getting posted, and new authors can’t get any help with their questions?

Jen is a moderator, she has responded to you above. 

Quote by Lurker411

But that’s my whole point. WHAT ARE THE RULES? My piece was rejected as “not being a love poem.” What does that mean? It was about meeting a person online, getting to know them, falling in lust, and having it change my life. It was not sexual, so didn’t fit in erotic poems or flash erotica. It was short, so it’s not a love story. It was true, so it’s not microfiction. She said to make it longer and pick a category. I thought the mod’s job was to look for errors and violations, not form and style. 

Hi Lurker411

Sorry to hear that your latest piece has been rejected. Don’t feel down about it I’ve had poems returned for similar reasons as to this. To me what you’ve written doesn’t sound like a love poem but more of a love story. 

Love poems requirements are either need to be of romantic nature/ sensual feel or need to passionate.

The moderator that returned the poem will have explained to you why it returned. Giving you options as what to do if you still want it published. You can post it in the poets corner section of the forums. Or give it a rewrite and turn in to a love story which only requires a minimum of a 1000words

Let's take a hypothetical example. I write a story in which a husband and wife are role-playing. She dresses and acts like a young girl as part of their fantasy. This is pretty common in real life. Since there is no actual underage character, does it follow the guidelines? Or is it the concept that's objectionable? I am definitely NOT trying to change or circumvent any rules; just to understand them.

Quote by laminar_flow

Let's take a hypothetical example. I write a story in which a husband and wife are role-playing. She dresses and acts like a young girl as part of their fantasy. This is pretty common in real life. Since there is no actual underage character, does it follow the guidelines? Or is it the concept that's objectionable? I am definitely NOT trying to change or circumvent any rules; just to understand them.

We allow DD/LG roleplay so long as it's clear that it's adults playing and the characters have adult attributes.

We don't allow stories where, for example, there is one line at the start saying everyone is of age, then the rest of the story is written like the characters are underage.

We need people to stick to the spirit of the rule, as well as the letter. This also applies to characters who are supposedly 16+ throughout a story, but consistently act in a much younger manner, or the physical descriptions of them are more commonly associated with younger people.

We have unfortunately seen too many examples of people basically trying to write underage material and bend the rules to get it published. We do not want those stories here. There are other sites that will publish them, but we won't. 

It's difficult to give one definitive long list of rules. We used to have that and every time someone submitted something that wasn't on the list, we had to add to the list. It was getting out of control, so we simplified the acceptable content guide.

There will always be instances when we discuss stories and make a collective decision on what is allowed and what isn't. That's just the nature of it.

Quote by laminar_flow

Let's take a hypothetical example. I write a story in which a husband and wife are role-playing. She dresses and acts like a young girl as part of their fantasy. This is pretty common in real life. Since there is no actual underage character, does it follow the guidelines? Or is it the concept that's objectionable? I am definitely NOT trying to change or circumvent any rules; just to understand them.

Do you have contact details for any of these people for whom it's 'pretty common'? They sound fascinating.

As for all this kerfuffle on what is considered "underage", I've watched a similar thread go on and on into the sunset at another site.  IMHO, websites and moderators have their rules and we should abide.  This is NOT a democracy, and we're able to join and participate in this site with the permission of the owners.  One small difference, the other site's age limit is 18, while it appears this site's is 16.  Still, I think we can ALL write some sexy goddamn stories and stay within the stated parameters.  I'm working on mine right now 😉.

Quote by nightwaves

As for all this kerfuffle on what is considered "underage", I've watched a similar thread go on and on into the sunset at another site.  IMHO, websites and moderators have their rules and we should abide.  This is NOT a democracy, and we're able to join and participate in this site with the permission of the owners.  One small difference, the other site's age limit is 18, while it appears this site's is 16.  Still, I think we can ALL write some sexy goddamn stories and stay within the stated parameters.  I'm working on mine right now 😉.

And I know nobody understands why I’m hammering away at this. My story had my teenage daughter knocking on our locked hotel room door and interrupting us. For some reason, the mod says that makes her part of the sex, which blows my mind. Anyway, I wrote her as 15-years-old, because it was a TRUE story. The mod changed it to 16, which makes it FICTION. I was not given the chance to change the category before it was published. I was also given zero chance to discuss my reasoning or get clarification.

The same is true with my second story being rejected twice now. Zero feedback and zero clarification. I guess we are supposed to be mind readers about what to fix. 

Quote by Lurker411

I guess we are supposed to be mind readers about what to fix. 

Quote by Ensorceled

Quote by Lurker411

I guess we are supposed to be mind readers about what to fix. 

About two hundred people have told you it's the underage girl on the far side of a door where sex is going on. You don't need to be a mind reader. A reader of words would suffice.

And again, you miss the point. It’s not even so much about the underage character anymore. Age 15 is TRUE, age 16 is FICTION. It was published in the TRUE category with FICTIONAL information. And yes, it matters that much to me!!

Mods shouldn’t send the story back with changes made and have it already published before the author can get feedback. At least change the story category for the author if you are going to change factual information. Some people care if an autobiographical story has lies in it. 

Quote by Lurker411

Quote by Ensorceled

Quote by Lurker411

And again, you miss the point. It’s not even so much about the underage character anymore. Age 15 is TRUE, age 16 is FICTION. It was published in the TRUE category with FICTIONAL information. And yes, it matters that much to me!!

Hey, I'm no mod. And I get it - I once had a true story get turned down about a kid (me) who discovered a Playboy left on an airplane, presumably by someone who'd been reading it. Not only did Lush say no, but Magical Felix made fun of me. Do you know what I did? I wrote the story anyway. Do you know what I did with the story? Nothing. Because is wasn't a very good story. TRUE doesn't alway mean GOOD.

Write it with fifteen in the text. Then search-and-replace fifteen with sixteen. YOU"LL know the character is fifteen. But you won't break the TOS you've already agreed to.