I’m not even sure what to name the topic, honestly. Basically I’m in search of a community that would be interested in reading an epic fantasy story I’ve had brewing in my head for years. Around November/December is the only time I bother writing seriously, or at least start writing projects in earnest, so now’s the time to strike the iron.
However, I don’t have any interest in writing erotic fiction in a void. I need an audience that would at least enjoy the premise or genre of the story itself.
The main idea is an epic fantasy novel, somewhat slightly inspired by the novels I’ve read recently, particularly Eye of the World, which had not a small degree of homoerotic teasing. When thinking of the “kinks” in the story, I’ve always found myself attracted to semi-consensual slavery, for some reason, and even military slavery, both of which I hold in indescribable contempt in real life, beyond what words can convey.
But for erotica, especially for anime/hentai artwork themed stuff, I love it. Mostly because it is a story, not anything according to real life. The more I toyed with the idea, though, the more I found that my real kink in the story is more rightly described as an Arranged marriage scenario, rather than straight up sexual slavery, as there’s more consent than not. It was originally seen as a coming of age story, thought it doesn’t not have to be. And of course, it is violent. But therein lies the problem.
I’ve not found any sites with any activity to them always have some kind of issue or stipulation or problem with something. For a fantasy novel, for instance, there’s going to be blood and gore. Especially in a war scenario. But most porn sites very explicitly prohibit any of those and basically are saying there is to be no violence. If there is violence… the onlyl violent stories I tend to really hold in respect are those written by real military who make a point NOT to censure warfare to make it “enjoyable.” War is not fun. It is not something to be desired. Especially when people see it for what it IS.
The violence may not be the point, but if someone is going to be struck by a magic fireball, just what are readers to expect? I read the Eragon books as a young teenager, and those are FULL of explicit gore, and this was school age reading.
I hope my point is clear. If I were to write a fantasy novel, would it even be allowed? What exactly is the gore tolerance for readers? What if it was a medical story? for the sake of providing another perspective to my question. With surgery? That gets VERY squeemish, very fast. but not for “violent” or harmful purposes! Yet sometimes feels worse to me.
As for the rest, I guess the debate for age of consent is and will always be unreasonable. I’m glad this site allows stories of young adults actually using their sexual organs, as most people try to pretend their children don’t have them even after becoming biologically reproducing adults. To say nothing that the actual age is not 18, it is 16 in many places, but such laws are outright not honored at all, with puritan cries of rage.
The age of the characters in the story, however, not the point or fetish of the plot, merely a consequence of it, and likely the main characters could be quite a bit older. But in my mind, I don’t see it realistically, or believably not including ages 16 or older. Thoughts on this? I am quite interested to hear opinions on this.
At the same time, the main fetish or kink featured in the story is a kind of cliche. One I haven’t see to often of late. In short, the magic of the fantasy story can be attained quickly by creating gay harems, called “circles” around a central harem master. The master, or “circle master” is a mage, and grants the power to his mates. This creates a symbiotic relationship, where all their magic scales and builds off each other, depending on how many are in the circle.
The way it works is kind of like a military conscription in some instances. The original draft of the story was of an invasion by two opposing armies, and the local militia just went and grabbed all the young men of military age (which realistically in real life has always been 16, or even younger, given the direness of the circumstances), mostly from 16 to 23 (married individuals couldn’t be chosen) and had them face precious little alternative. The harems were chosen based on magical affinity, which powers worked well together from a military perspective. I think incest was possible as a result.
That version failed from a narrative perspective due to character bloat. And could be corrected only through extreme and judicious use of character death.
The new theme I had going is much reduced in scope and scale, and focuses mainly on three young men caught up in the struggle to save their dying world from its ending days. They are straight, presumably, but are forced to form a mage circle due to the chaos of the times invading their peaceful corner of the world. The ages in this chapter are a bit older, around 19 or maybe 20, due to the smaller cast and need for self-sufficiency very quickly.
It could be a fanfic, which it would HAVE to be to end up with a readership on the likes of Archive of Our Own, or similar sites. But those featuring original fiction are nonexistent, especially fiction that focuses on the fantasy and combat elements.
What are the forum writers thoughts on this story and its elements? Would it be worth writing at all? Would it find a home here? Or elsewhere? And if the latter, where, exactly would or should that be?