You are very right. Thank you.
Suggestions and ideas
- Thread starter big soft moose
- Start date
I think they said they can't tell who voted and neither can the site because votes are anon. Otherwise, that would satisfy @Rigor Mortis parental guilt suggestion
I know this won't be the norm, as this month's short story contest is an open theme, and there's plenty of enthusiasm for the new site, but jesus christ. We're already at like 30,000 words. I ain't readin' all that 
That's too much of a commitment for even a judging system, never mind voluntary voting. I think what I'll do is read the first several paragraphs of each entry and see if I'm sucked in enough to continue. If not, sorry, maybe I'm missing out on a slow burn masterpiece, but them's the breaks.
Good gravy, I hope the intros aren't ALL compelling
That's too much of a commitment for even a judging system, never mind voluntary voting. I think what I'll do is read the first several paragraphs of each entry and see if I'm sucked in enough to continue. If not, sorry, maybe I'm missing out on a slow burn masterpiece, but them's the breaks.
Good gravy, I hope the intros aren't ALL compelling
I hear you. I've been reading the short stories as they come in so when it's time to vote I'll just have to scan and remind myself of them all before I vote. Currently I have 2 front runners. I haven't read the one that was just posted yet though so who knows.I know this won't be the norm, as this month's short story contest is an open theme, and there's plenty of enthusiasm for the new site, but jesus christ. We're already at like 30,000 words. I ain't readin' all that
That's too much of a commitment for even a judging system, never mind voluntary voting. I think what I'll do is read the first several paragraphs of each entry and see if I'm sucked in enough to continue. If not, sorry, maybe I'm missing out on a slow burn masterpiece, but them's the breaks.
Good gravy, I hope the intros aren't ALL compelling
That’s generally what I do, you’re looking for the best one after all… if it doesnt grab or I lose interest quickly then it’s not likely one I want to vote for.
It’s not something I’m keen on tbh , the erotica section on the IG was a nightmare to moderate attracting a constant stream of skeazy creeps who had to be banned and deleted
The same would be true for graphic gore , if we have a section like that it will be hours of that before we are having to delete torture porn
Okay, fair. Thanks for letting me know. I understand it was a pain to moderate. Although, I do have one idea. What if the section was banned to new members? Only seniors could access it or you had to have mod permission? Just a thought.
I think the only way that might work would be if it were like they do on for com an invite only spsce that people have to ask to join
If there is a strong appetite for it we could do that
If there is a strong appetite for it we could do that
I don't know about others, but I would very very much appreciate that.
I would need some clarity as to why it's needed and what would be in it. We're not doing age restrictions, for example. I'm not policing that or opening up any potential liability by including a "must be 18" disclaimer or anything. Erotica aside, which we aren't doing, what would be so graphic that would require age restrictions but NOT venture into torture porn?
Thank you! An invite only space would be perfect. I also think @Trish would make a good Minimod for the area. It is also possible that the area is only for senior members as it would keep trolls at bay, mostly.
Thoughts?
Okay, I have some reasons to concider:
1. Having an 18+ audience read a work that has darker/controversial topics is better than having it be a free-for-all in some cases. Because an older audience is more able to contextualize story elements and not just yell at the author for 'writing something problematic'. I think it would benefit authors who know their work isn't for under 18s or don't want to have their work misinterpreted by people who may not understand the nuance of a story.
2. Some content is not for al ages. My own stories have opened with suicides, fictional school shootings, characters with a lot of mental disorders, murder, etc. (All is fictional, by the way!) Not to mention at 1 chapter at a time, it makes it hard for a reader to see the whole picture and be able to give a fair review. Also, some of my stories have historical/mythological incest, etc. So, that's why I was thinking maybe having an 18+ might be useful so not only the readers know the work is for adults, but also writers feel more comfortable sharing stories with more adult themes.
I get that. But 18+ plus determined how? Checking IDs? They don't do that at bookstores or anywhere else in the literary world that I'm aware. We could slap some "must be 18" disclaimer wherever but that doesn't ensure anything. No different than porn hub.
I like the idea of invite only, or by request that @Luxuria suggested. That way we know that they're reasonable people who we have a feel for. Maybe a 100 post minimum, active member requirement, whatever. If needs must you can have a little box they have to check where they verify they're over 18 which will give you extra legal protection.
I also just want to say - I'm so sorry you guys had such a hard time with the erotica forum. I don't know when it changed. When I started at the OG there were requirements to be admitted to it. While it was moderated very well, primarily by Cog and Wrey, there were rarely problems. So many genres can include open door and it was a very valuable forum for many members, even those who weren't considered erotica writers.
I understand why you don't want it, but it does make me sad.
That's fair. I was wondering that, too. I think though, maybe having an 18+ tag for the workshop could fix this. Just so people know it's an adult work? Like, I'm not putting warnings on anything, but I do think having one saying this is an adult work is needed. Because I don't want the wrong audience reading it and complaining.
Going back to internet pornography, how many minors didn't click on the site because it said 18+? Seems to me to best way to get an inappropriate audience is not advertise that it's inappropriate. Slap all the tags and warnings you want on it, kids are still going to click. I don't care from a legal sense because there's nothing legal to care about it, but if you have a general concern about your writing reaching the wrong audience, the best way to guarantee that is to tell kids they can't do it.
I should clarify that I don't believe that suicide, school shootings, sex, or anything like that needs a special area. That's a regular day for a human being. You can walk into a bookstore or log in to Amazon right now and purchase as much of that as you want.
That's fair. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.
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