So, I'm kind of embarassed to ask this, but...

[bluegeek]

Where do you draw the line when determining whether a fic is R or NC-17 as far as sex goes?

Comments

[rhipowered.livejournal.com]

The level of explicitness in language and description. It's...hard to explain, I suppose.

[exiled-mind.livejournal.com]

That's what I figured. I kind of assumed that I would just "know" because exposure to reading other fic, but when it comes time to determine the rating for my own writing I can't seem to decide.

Thanks

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

*I* think R is like an R-rated movie. There might be a mention of breasts, of "arousal," of people "tumbling to the bed and making passionate love until sweat prickled their skin."

NC-17 is PORN. (LOL!) Turgid nipples and throbbing cocks, detailed blow jobs.

[exiled-mind.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I get the difference in that I know what to expect when I click on links with these ratings, but for some reason when it comes time to rate my own stuff I start second and third guessing myself.

Thanks!

[froda-baggins.livejournal.com]

There is no hard-and-fast rule. (lol, twelve)

Personally, as the other commenters have mentioned, I pretty much go by how explicit the language is, especially regarding anatomy. If it would be a softcore kind of "they made love all night" etc, that's an R. If it's more anatomically specific, like mentions of "cocks" and stuff, that's NC-17.

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

*agrees*

[exiled-mind.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think I have a decent idea of the distiction but I have a habit of second guessing myself...