Is there any audience among my readerbase for NSFW? (Poll in post) · 2:59am Jan 26th, 2023
I'm looking for opinions, so I just put that right in the title so people will look at this.
I've been on the pony fiction scene for close to twelve years now, and on fimfiction for eleven. In that time I've written a couple comedic short stories, and a handful of novels that meant a lot both to me and to some of the people who read them. Though my writing schedule is sporadic (to put it mildly, I did vanish for three years in there somewhere), I've still got ideas and plan to keep writing for the foreseeable future.
Problem is, when you do something one way for twelve years, you sorta establish a precedent, whether you meant to or not. After THIS long I'm sure most people just assume I'm a SFW fiction author.
...When really it's more just that I didn't get around to writing anything for the "other side" of the fandom. Which I'd be lying if I claimed I didn't also enjoy.
Currently, everyone following me on this site is following me for the SFW stories I've written, since that's all I've posted here, so gauging my audience's interest and reaction if I were to write something on the other side of the SFW/NSFW line is difficult. Are a lot of my readers only interested in SFW fanfics? Or are many of them like me and love adventure and comedy and heartfelt emotional stuff but ALSO enjoy the less wholesome (and yes, I mean explicitly lewd) stuff here and there? It doesn't do me much good to publish something NSFW if no one's interested, you know what I mean?
So, that's what this post is for. Would you want to read a nsfw story, probably featuring some of the (adult) characters in my existing stories? Or do you think things here should stay SFW with more of the usual adventure/slice-of-life fics? (Keep in mind that the usual SFW content will continue, regardless of whether or not any NSFW gets posted.) If this isn't something you want to weigh-in on in public comments, there's a poll link below for you to anonymously give your opinion. I just need a frame of reference on how well, or poorly, received such a story would be.
Here's a link to a poll that I really hope works, I've never used this poll site before: POLL
~PRB
P.S. In case there was any concern, nothing NSFW will ever be included in the ongoing "Anecdotes of Heart". That anthology is rated Teen and will remain so forever. This would be posted as its own separate, appropriately-rated story or stories.
Personally I am not a fan of most stories where that is the focus. That being said, if it is an exciting narrative with moments of more explicit 'action,' I'll keep reading and usually not just skip that section.
Is it possible for you to link a poll to your post so you aren't trying to figure it out for the comments alone?
5710664
That's a good idea. I tried making one on the fly, I hope it works right. I'll edit it into the post.
...And also... well, it might be considered nsfw for the sake of nsfw. There will BE a story there, and any characters that appeared in my SFW stories will remain in character, personality-wise, but the reason said story would exist is the lewd stuff. And if that's not your thing, that's fine! That's what this blog is for. I'll continue to fill my SFW works with my best narratives as always.
To be honest, I don't care one way or the other, just that it's a good story overall. I also personally suspect that quite a lot of authors who established a reputation for writing clean have an alt where they don't.
5710675
Yeah the problem with that plan is I wanna write about the OC's from my existing fics, so hiding under an alt name wouldn't do much in that case.
Speaking as someone with an NSFW alt, just write what you want to, whatever that may be. Forcing yourself to do something is work, this is supposed to be a fun hobby for all of us.
5710680
This^
But you already know my opinion.
I generally try to stay on the SFW side for the most part. The other side is a source of deep trouble in my life, and I would like to stay away from it. I am getting better, but it's hard. If you do pursue it, perhaps do so under a second account? So that the people interested can find it, but there will be negligible crossover from people like me, who want to steer clear.
NSFW without a storyline - no, thats not interesting...
NSFW and some storyline in it - yes, I can read this
I enjoy reading both styles of stories. Just because a story is lewd doesn’t make it less interesting. For me, it’s the way the story is told and how well it is written. A well done NSFW piece can be just as pleasurable to read as an SFW story of similar quality.
You should also write whatever stories you wish to tell and explore your creativity. If a follower doesn’t want to read a more mature story, they can choose not to do so. I don’t think anyone who has enjoyed your previous works will be put off by a more adult story.
5710697
This. The site is flooded with clop, and unless you're doing some niche fetish thing, it'd just be "hey, clop by this author I know from non-clop stuff".
Actual story which happens to contain NSFW, even as a large element? Sure.
NSFW with an excuse-story at best? Not really.
5710676
Making an alt doesn't need to be about hiding, it can just be a way to very firmly segment your works since the sites 'Mature' toggle doesn't have granular settings.
I'm personally not bothered by an author expanding or changing their focus and read (or skip) on a story by story basis.
Speaking as a fan, always happy to see more of your writing whatever it is.
Speaking as another SFW author who dipped into NSFW a few times - Just, quietly, browse the porn category for the last year, search by 'top rated', and scan the first few pages of results. Never has a genre been so oversaturated and so underserved.
It's fun, though. If you enjoy writing the fluffy parts of shipping a lot, it's taking that to its end conclusion and letting you get really indulgent with it.
5710876
Oh, I know just how oversaturated NSFW is here. I'm not looking to write it to create some powerful or innovative fiction. I just wanna do it cause it's fun.
5710877
Can't stress enough, here, the importance of 'underserved' as the second half of that. I more meant to emphasize that it's a genre crying out for good work. Very interested in seeing where you take it, you do great interpersonal dynamics for the feelings.
And yeah, it definitely is fun. I'm guessing you're a bit nervous about it, since you're polling over it? Anything in particular?
5710883
Just worried about alienating people. Have you ever taken a look at the comments on Magic of the Heart? They're full of people talking about how that story is a master class in character development, or how it changed their life or got them through a dark time. People have waxed poetic about the meaning of art and love and all sorts of heavy concepts. More than one person called it "among the best on fimfiction."
...So the fact that I'm considering taking those SAME characters and using them in what is essentially porn is something im worried won't go over well with some people.
My commenter base has dwindled to very few, and since those commenters are all on my sfw works, I had no idea what their opinions on this were.
I don't care about likes and followers, I need comments to keep me motivated to keep writing, so I don't want to inadvertently drive those people away.
5710908
Completely get it. It's incredible to still have an audience for this some eleven, twelve years on, but - yeah. Can't go back to how it used to be. Really look forward to seeing your take - I'll be sure to comment when I see it in my feed.