-D
If not, then post your fragment with a warning.
Something like...
Title: My Story
No. of Words: 2500
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Warning: Contains adult situations and some strong language
--------
13 Lines...
If the opening contains something that people might have a problem with, just post the title, word count, genre and warning. Ask for volunteers. If the first few lines are "clean" (so to speak), post a few to let people have a taste of the writing style before jumping in.
Since coming to Hatrack, I've read things that normally I might not. I'm not averse to adult content, as long as it serves an important role in the story. As long as I know what I'm in for, I'm prepared to read it. Once or twice I got a little ambushed because the opening sounded like one thing, then the story was something else completely. This put me off a bit.
As long as you are upfront with potential critiquers, a little nitty-gritty and a little profanity will probably be tolerated.
Of course, that's just my opinion.
Violence and sex that isn't gratuitous is acceptable in any story. If "gratuitous" is an unclear term, it means that if it isn't necessary to the story, it shouldn't be there. That's true of most anything put into a story. But you have to consider your audiences.
If you're writing a story about the underground sex trade business, well... we're going to expect a lot nitty-gritty and foul language.
If you're writing a children's story, well, it should be obvious that we won't expect such things.
Just clearly state your audience and give a brief heads up. People can make up their minds whether to read your story or pass on it.
None of that silly lettering system the US has created (I'm American, by the way...) G, PG, PG-13 (we'll it's got an age), R, NC-17 (another age, yay for us), X, and XXX (and is there an XX rating out there? I've always wondered.), and of course the aptly named: NR (not rated). Did I miss any?
I'm still waiting for the the rating: NSFA, or Not Suitable for Anyone (which would apply to many movies that should never have been made.)
I'd also like to see this rating: WOM, or Waste of Money. Or this one: WDVD, or Wait for the DVD.
Of course, my suggestions would still require an age tacked on to the end of them. Nevertheless, I like to be an informed consumer. These recommended labels would help.
Anyway, as to the question...there isn't a line. I mean, if what you're writing is unacceptable for the genre you're aiming at, we'll tell you. Content is part of that. So is presentation of the content. But as long as you don't seem like you're deliberately trying to morally corrupt us (and it's been a long time since anyone thought our morals were worth corrupting) we'll simply treat transgressions as mistakes.
I mean, come on. Most of us here have read Card's writing and asked for more.
As for the board itself, just follow the guidelines.
Wow... we are such two different people...
HSO:
We do age and letters for our TV... TV-Y (kid shows), TV-14, TV-MA (17+), plus the letters that display the reasoning for the rating and stuff...
But since most people completely ignore the ratings anyways and still complain about their content… it's all insignificant…
"XX rating out there?"
Yes there is... but I don't watch enough porn to give you an example...
Debbborra:
Yea... just read the board's rules and use your best judgment... I personally don't have that much spare time in my life to be so easily offended...
Okay, I'm taking your title under advisement and not reading it. I'm not sure if it's because of "Madame" or "Orpahanage" or the combination of the two. But the title doesn't compel me, despite the promise of adult content.
[This message has been edited by franc li (edited May 03, 2005).]
NR means "we know that you know what XXX really means, and we respect your intelligence...?" Okay, maybe it just means NR.
NC-17 means X, except that you are not allowed to award it to your own film. So it means "yes, we actually paid the fee to have a commitee of experts look this over and they determined that it was dirty." Probably it is supposed to reassure the audience that you haven't skimped on the budget anywhere.
And that's your American porn rating 101 for today...
But the modern system is much better, if you ask me: U, PG, 12, 15 or 18.