Forum: Author Hangout

So I need some thoughts. I have a story idea I really want to write, and I think it's really good, but I'm not sure it's appropriate for Storiesonline. All of my books are no sex (or at least all of them for the last few years), and this would be that too, but my concern is the tone and age of the characters.

It's a mystical fiction where the main character and main supporting characters are 7. The mystical element only involves a fairy, who is either imaginary or real, it's up to the reader to decide, and it explores themes of childhood trauma (not sexual, physical and emotional abuse).

I plan on writing it in a whimsical manner (the narrator is somewhat like that of the narrator in pushing daisy's, if anyone's seen that), but the themes are serious and the stories a little dark. It's not a children's book by any means, the characters are just children.

My concern are 1) A story with a young children as the protagonist on a site dominated by erotica's and 2) it's a pretty wild deviation from the normal types of stories told her.

I think my idea for the stories really good and if I can pull it off I think it will be the best thing I ever write, and I really want to share it, but I'm not sure if I should share it here.

Should I limit it to just Finestories, or post it to Finestories AND Storiesonline?

There is no problem with posting No Sex stories to SOL. SOL is open to all sorts of plots, as long as the content does not violate the under age restriction relevant to sexual acts. Since Finestories does not permit sexual content, the under age restriction applicable to SOL content would not be a problem, if the story is suitable to Finestories.

I don't see a problem with posting to either or both sites.

A couple of quite quotes you may find helpful:

A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.
C.S. Lewis

and my favorite:

You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.
Madeleine L'Engle

There's really no need to 'dumb' stories down for children, though you do need to be careful about how to phrase them. Children of all ages are fascinated by dark and scary thoughts, though it's generally wise by tempering them with positive, life-affirming resolutions. Most of all, watch the voice of your characters, to ensure they actually sound like children. Children can be wise, but unlike most learned people, they speak the truth as it needs to be spoken, simply, clearly and to the point.

Personally, I vote to posting it first to Fine Stories, then later to SOL. After all, SOL is not just for sex stories, it's just that SOL allows sexual stories while most sites won't. But as I always say, people come to SOL for the sex, but once here, they gravitate to the more serious stories, which balances the site out. After all, no matter one's inclinations, one can't live by sex alone!

I've written a couple of fantasy stories aimed at children, including one that directly addresses (indirectly) familial sexual abuse of children, and despite the subjects of most of my stories, I've published every single one with a "14+" age rating (since kids are naturally drawn to the stories they're not supposed to read.

or post it to Finestories AND Storiesonline?

I vote for both. I don't see any problem with a story about children and the site would be the better for more of them. There are some good precedents - BarBar's SOL classic 'Bec' series and Vincent Berg's 'The Holes Binding Us Together'.

AJ