Sex, Ratings, and Fanfic

[majestamoniet]

I would like to discuss reader/author expectations regarding sex in Twilight fanfiction. I know that different hosting sites have different rating systems and even sites that do use the same ratings, have different allownces for each tier of maturity. But this is how I tend to convert things:

K = G
K+ = PG
T = PG-13
M = R
MA = NC-17

I'm bringing up this

Comments

[audreyii_fic]

I think that both Twilighted and FF.net have a really messy approach to fanfic ratings, approaches that don't really match with what we (Americans, anyway) are used to with regards to rating systems. Twilighted is really, really conservative in their ratings -- their R is really more like a PG-13 by movie standards. FF.net, on the other hand, has a "ban" on explicit sexuality that is obviously not really enforced (unless someone reports it, at which point they can't turn a blind eye). So the M there is really just code for sex

[majestamoniet]

FF.net is still the major driving force in fanfiction protocol.

Which, really, is unfortunate because there's hardly any oversight to make sure the protocol being set is valuable.

I'd rate Zenith at PG-13

Yeah, if I was rating based solely on sexuality, I would give the story a T rating on FFnet. Leah's mouth had me bump it up to M even though there are no lemons (which I imagine I'll eventually get crap for once the chapters over there are all caught up). I should probably add an AN about that...

Yes, Twilighted is VERY conservative. I follow their rules because I want the story to get validated, but I really didn't like having to give "Thunder Cake"--which doesn't have a single sexual reference--an NC-17 rating because of references to underage drinking. :/

[sowrong180]

First, I think your reviewer was rude. I am amazed at the self-entitlement that I have encountered in the FF word. Second, yes, I think a lot of the readers are only out for sex. lol.

On FF.net, I think a rated "M" story implies sexual content and on Twilighted I think it differs. NC-17 is sexual content while "M" is for language. When I was writing my story, I changed mine from "T" to "M" on ff.net because of the language and immediately the readers began asking for a lemon. It was funny because I had never intended on going there. I eventually gave in.

I think you rate it as you see fit, and that may mean rating it differently on different sites, depending on their own system. But like movie ratings, it always ends up being subjective in the end. But I would love it if there was a drop box next to the rating where you checked off why you gave it that rating (language, sexual situation, explicit sex, etc...)

[majestamoniet]

But I would love it if there was a drop box next to the rating where you checked off why you gave it that rating (language, sexual situation, explicit sex, etc...)

That's actually brilliant. Hey, FFnet spies, are you seeing this???? ;)

[likexaxdove]

Honestly I don't even glance at the rating on a fic these days. I mean, if I'm searching for a nice lemon then yeah, I'll obviously go for the fics that are rated M. But otherwise I just read based on how interesting the plot looks. Unless sex is mentioned in the summary then I don't necessarily expect it.

This reviewer is a moron, because Zenith is rated R for things outside of sexuality. Aren't those things included in a warning anyway? It might only be HarryPotterFanFiction that does that. I know that Unimpressed is rated M here on LJ because of the extremely rough language and innuendoes, but I gave it a T rating on FF.net.

[majestamoniet]

First...icon love! Those two had so much chemistry. le sigh.

I know that Unimpressed is rated M here on LJ because of the extremely rough language and innuendoes, but I gave it a T rating on FF.net.

Yes, I was considering doing something similar to Zenith on FFnet, but I couldn't bring myself to give it just a T when I considered Leah's sailor-esque mouth. (plus, if you go by the "official"--*snort*--rating guidelines, M stories aren't supposed to have explicit sex) But in the end I'll probably regret going against convention and not rating it lower when people start to complain. lol.

[likexaxdove]

I just finished up the Avatar series a couple of days ago and Zuko/Katara are my new OTP <3. Although I don't get all the hate for Aang in the Zutara fandom. He's adorable and Aang/Katara had their cute moments in the series as well.

[majestamoniet]

I haven't really spent much time in the fandom, but the series was HILARIOUS. I watched it with my brothers and they were great commentators. I don't have anything against Aang either, despite my Zutara leanings. He was funny/cute.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I really want to. (Even though it will be absent of Toph's epic blind humor.) :)

[ysar]

My favorite is "Rated M for a reason."

I'm pretty sure it's a new game. If I guess the reason correctly, do I get a prize? If so, my guess is Rated M because it's really MA, and the author is either ignoring or unaware of what Rated M actually means.

[majestamoniet]

*snickers*

[runningsissors]

stupid review is stupid.

ratings are always a tricky thing, because what one person might find more offensive, other people won't. I, personally have never really had a struggle on rating things based on a sexual manner (mainly because I'm far to squirmy to ever write something like that) but I have struggled with rating based on language. I say if your story is filled with course language it deserves an R rating, but if not, a PG-13 warning is fine. Same goes for violence.

One thing I've noticed as a multifandom writer is that ratings really varies within each community.

[majestamoniet]

One thing I've noticed as a multifandom writer is that ratings really varies within each community.

Yes! Since I've recently started reading Merlin fics, I've discovered that "smut" does not always mean explicit sex. It's interesting how each fandom redefines common terms/ratings for its own purposes.

[runningsissors]

I've noticed that as well, within the Merlin fandom. I see the R rating on fics simply because they deal with dark natures like death and spiritual notions.

Everything is just so pretty in Merlin!