What is the opinion of authors and readers of the usage of capitals in d/s stories? (or is that D/s?)
I've noticed some authors make a point of capitalising every pronoun referring to the dom/me in the story, for example:
"... while she had not been looking for a Master but she had certainly found Him ..."
Personally, as a nit-picking pedant and grammar nazi, it grates on me and disrupts the flow of the story but I'd be interested to know if others find it important or helps with engaging a reader. Do you use this style in your writing? Is it conscious or simply convention?
Warning: The opinions above are those of an anonymous individual on the internet. They are opinions, unless they're facts. They may be ill-informed, out of touch with reality or just plain stupid. They may contain traces of irony. If reading these opinions causes you to be become outraged or you start displaying the symptoms of outrage, stop reading them immediately. If symptoms persist, consult a psychiatrist.
Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber I have been told by many Masters when using the word Dom or Master in that context it must be capitalized. When using the word sub it should never be capitalized. But I've also been told it is how deep you are in to the BDSM and how much you are honoring the true intention of it. Just like in most Dom/sub relationships the sub is never allowed to make eye contact.
I guess it doesn't grate on me because, as HotMama mentioned, people within that subculture prefer to capitalize. To me, this is similar to the capitalization of "Mister" or "Sir", or "Doctor": an addressed title.
It's second nature for me to capitalize Sir, Master, Him etc. It drives me insane to see it not done properly whether it be in chat or a book. It's a sign of complete resepct for your Dom/me and is something that should always be done. Its not a matter of one being respected more over the other because a true D/s relationship should contain a deep mutual respect on both sides. Its more of honoring the relationship one has with their Dom/me and according them with the respect you feel for them.
For me, yes it helps engage me when I am reading a story. To see it not done properly disrupts the flow for me. Proper grammar and spelling are things I need as well otherwise I am just not interested in reading. That holds true for chat as well. As for the convention or concious issue, I guess for me its just natural.
@LadyX I can't resolve that argument - I'd use uppercase Doctor when referring to someone instead of their name but not when when referring to what they do
eg: "What's your prognosis, Doctor?" but "He had been the family doctor for twenty years"
For me "I always obey Mistress" is fine but "I always obey my Mistress" is not. The change of use from proper noun changes the necessity for the capital in standard prose.
@Ravyn
What constitutes "not done properly"? Is it more a general feeling or are there hard and fast rules?
Should you also lowercase references to the sub at the start of a sentence? Should a story written in first person from the sub's perspective lowercase the "I" personal pronoun? Should "who" and "whose" also be capitalised when referring to the dom?
I have a feeling this is probably just a sub-topic in a larger debate on writing style in d/s stories: First person v third person, by subs to be read by subs, by doms to be read by subs (and all other permutations).
Warning: The opinions above are those of an anonymous individual on the internet. They are opinions, unless they're facts. They may be ill-informed, out of touch with reality or just plain stupid. They may contain traces of irony. If reading these opinions causes you to be become outraged or you start displaying the symptoms of outrage, stop reading them immediately. If symptoms persist, consult a psychiatrist.
Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber As for my comment on done properly, I personally am a stickler for correct grammar and etc. Yes, we all make mistakes but on certain things such as this topic, it should be taught and learned. I have learned it and it is now second nature to me when I am using those words. You would have to get the thoughts from those who have been in the lifestyle longer then I have as to the general feeling vs. hard and fast rule. It is the way it is and each Dom/me teaches their sub this basic thing.
As for the story aspect and correctness in all the beginning of sentences and so forth, you will have to consult someone more versed in this then I. I am a novice writer at best and I have yet to do a BDSM story. I am sorry I can not shed light on this part but it is out of my realm.
It would seem to me that every genre of story would have its own conventions. I believe that the convention should be followed. If it gets on your nerves then try another genre. The BDSM convention is to capitalize Dom and not sub. Simple rule. Simple to follow.
As a story verifier, I have been known to approve stories either way. The key (in my never to be humble opinion) is consistency throughout the story. If an author submits a story that inconsistent in capitalization, I will default to standard grammar (i.e.) lowercase throughout, except when beginning a sentence, or used as a proper noun.
(e.g.) My mistress is very good for me. Mistress never pushes my boundaries beyond what I need, or can handle, despite my fears to the contrary. And Mistress always knows just what those limitations are. Isn't that true, Mistress?
"There's only three tempos: slow, medium and fast. When you get between in the cracks, ain't nuthin' happenin'." Ben Webster
do whatever feels right for you. if it bugs someone else, oh well, either way, someone is going to think it 'looks wrong'.
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've written stories both ways. When I write in the first-person -- from the perspective of the submissive -- then sometimes I like to use uppercase letters. I feel it can be more dramatic. When the writing is in third-person, then I always prefer lowercase. It seems more correct that way since the narrator is not a character in the story.
Mr Overtheknee, I do agree with you. After posting a couple stories elsewhere I received some rather "loud and shouty" feedback about pronoun-capitalization, and felt brow-beaten into painstakingly editing every bloody pronoun, just to please the slaves of the world. It seems most Masters could care less, and many like yourself wish it would disappear altogether.
Somehow I think this "protocol" was thrust upon us courtesy of Goran Lifestyle as the ultimate express of "more humble than thou" sort of social competion. Every time I ask "Does your master make you write like this?" - same results. eyes rolling, impatient sigh, and "Well how else do you show HIM how humble you are?"
Si vos postulo me, sed non vis me, oportet me manere.
Sed si vis me, sed non vos postulo me, oportet me abire.
To each H/his or H/her own. There are a lot of people who don't like the King James Bible because of the thee's and thou's too. I like using capitals when talking about Dominants or Myself. And I know a lot of other people do also. If it grates on you so much, then perhaps My stories aren't your cup of tea. I can't please everyone and am not trying to. I am relating My own story on what My life with pet is like. You are either interested or not. Simple as that. I failed creative writing in school becaause the teacher tried to get Me to write things I didn't want to write about. I don't like being made to write to certain standards - which is why I don't do poetry. But this is My story and I tell it like I live it. Sorry if My writing style upsets you.
I think Dom's and subs alike should give the respect to the Dom in the relationship. I tend to only do it to MY Master. When I have one. I don't see the point always towards ones who aren't. In my stories if it's BDSM based the He's Him's Sir's Master's are all capitalized. If it's not your thing or it breaks your flow, I'm sorry. But they are in fact MY stories and write them how I want and think they should be. I try to write to where everyone can enjoy them but in the end I write off in real experiences. That's just how I do things. : )
If your not in the lifestyle, then I don't think you should have to bother but be respectful to those who are!
No one is disrespecting anyone or anything, just trying to figure out why some members of this lifestyle like to use the capitals all the time but others don't.
Had a dream I was king, I woke up still king!!
NaughtyMagician, the writing style is an individual choice, some people use the capital letters and some don't. There really isn't much more to it than that. I've seen lots of stories written both ways. I happen to like using the capital letters. Some of My readers like this and some don't. Everyone has their own tastes in writing style and in subject matter.
As I have said before, in my role as a story verifier, I will probably insist that capitalization follow standard rules of grammar. If anyone has a problem with this, they need to take it up with a senior moderater, not try to get a consensus of opinion by posting about it on this or any other forum.
"There's only three tempos: slow, medium and fast. When you get between in the cracks, ain't nuthin' happenin'." Ben Webster
Ok this seems to be a source of irritation to many people and I am not inflexible. So I will write my next couple stories in "traditional" grammar rules of capitalization and see if my readership grows.
As a writer, it is necessary for me to write so that my stories are easily read by others so if that means that my capitalization change then we will see how it goes.
I've always thought that Master should be capitalized when it's referring to a specific person. "I told Master that I'd be home by six." If you put the word my in front of it, capitalizing doesn't seem necessary. "I told my master I'd be home by six." I had never really given it much thought though. The words master and sir are used differently than the names Master and Sir, at least by me. I was hoping for more of a consensus.
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just some thoughts. 