Don't get your wand_in_a_knot

[birdsofshore]

I am SO EXCITED about the new Harry Potter 24 hour porn challenge!wand_in_a_knot is a multi-shipping comm, inspired by similar challenges in other fandoms and I'm so glad that the fabulous writcraft and vaysh are holding one for HP. Participants get tagged on a random day during the month and have 24 hours to create an R or NC-17 rated fanwork. If you can't manage to complete the challenge in 24 hours, the baton just passes to another participant and there are no penalties, so although it's fast and exciting, it's also hopefully low-stress. And will provide the fandom with lots of super-speedy smut. ♥


(don't get your) wand_in_a_knot –
the 24 Hours Harry Potter Porn Tag Challenge!
– Sign-ups start Sunday, May 1 –



I'm really hoping to get a spot when sign ups open tomorrow. Will you be signing up? Considering it? Nervous? Excited? Please join up anyway! Most of us are entirely new to this sort of challenge, so we can all muddle through in a big flail of nerves and squee together!

Even if you're not signing up, please watch the comm so you can enjoy the fun during May. \o/

I also saw some discussion on kerrilee75's LJ about ratings, and I thought it might be interesting to talk about, both in general, and specifically for wand_in_a_knot where all submissions have to be R or NC-17.

The MPAA ratings wiki has some clear guidance on content for different ratings.

The thing I find hardest to rate is when there is sex but it isn't very explicit. However, my simplest answer to this is to ONLY write explicit sex, heh. But in general, I think if it's clear sex is taking place but there's only some undressing or light groping with a fade to black or a sort of euphemistic description such as "they found release together", I would think that was probably a PG-13. I would say in art this was the equivalent of bodies under the bedclothes. If the sex is described more clearly, eg some mention of what act occurred, some mention of hard cocks, etc, I would say it's an R. In art I would imagine the bedcovers are now off, and you can tell what's occurring, but not explicitly see erect cocks or vaginas or arseholes or a blow job or cunnilingus or whatever is happening. If however there's a description of a cock or a vagina (rather than a brief mention), a description of ejaculation, a description of penetration, or rimming, or oral sex, or whatever sex act, and these contain any details, I would say that's a NC-17. In art, if you can SEE erect penises, or vaginas, or penetration, or ejaculation, or oral sex, etc, and it's not obscured by a hand or a body position or artful hair placement etc, I think that's NC-17.

So, to give an example using wanking (I wrote these examples for this purpose, please don't point and laugh :D):

Harry felt quite hot and bothered after seeing Malfoy's pale arse in the showers. When he got into bed that night, he didn't keep his hands above the covers.

In my opinion, that is PG-13. We all know what's happening, but nothing is explicitly described. Draco is naked, but it's not described in detail and he's showering, not in a sexual situation. However:

Harry's trousers suddenly seemed far too tight as he watched Malfoy smooth soap lovingly over the curves of his arse. Back in the dorm, Harry Summoned lube and quickly brought himself off.

I would say that's an R. There's an erection now, Malfoy's nudity is more sexually-oriented, and there's no doubt that Harry masturbates.

PURELY FOR SCIENCE, I wrote an NC-17 version as well.

Harry's cock throbbed, trapped against the zip of his jeans as he watched Malfoy run a soapy finger along the cleft of his arse. That night, lights out couldn't come soon enough. Harry let out a low groan of pleasure as his slick hand grasped the hot length of his cock, stroking slow and firm until he came to a juddering climax all over the sheets.

I feel FAIRLY SURE that's NC-17. But maybe I should continue? Just to be sure. ;)

Those are my opinions. What do you think? Is the MPAA guide useful? And what on earth should happen if there's a kink or other taboo acts involved? Does that change the rating? I look forward to hearing your thoughts, even if you don't agree with me.

Comments

[torino10154]

I'm ... tempted. I may sit back for the first 24 hours and see if it fills up. If it does, then it wasn't meant to be.

Also, I pretty much agree with you as far as ratings go and your examples illustrate the point perfectly. *wipes drool*

I do occasionally err on the side of caution when dealing with particular kinks, though usually more when it's in the realm of dub- or non-con, underage, etc. I think you can have an R rated erotic asphyxiation fic, for example, if the details are minimal. If I wrote Snape the pedo priest (which I have done), I'd likely make it R regardless of sexual content.

There are times I utilize Soft R and Hard R as well. Soft R is when I feel more like a 15-16 year old would be OK with it, but 13 seems young and yet it's not truly enough to make it R (those people would be disappointed in the content LOL). And Hard R would sometimes be less than explicit but pretty intense (and again, someone expecting NC-17 would be disappointed LOL). In both these cases, at AO3, I do just rate them the higher rating but here on LJ I can leave it this way.

[divertazsc.livejournal.com]

Birds....I love your "science". If I had teachers like you, I would be working for NASA.

😝

Can't wait to see what this little challenge can produce from our ever talented group of writers.

[vaysh]

Aw, thanks for the pimp, darling. :)

I think your snippets of Harry masturbating on Draco pretty much show what the ratings entail.

It's interesting how the MPAA are all about child and youth protection (with the three areas of nudity & sex, language, and drugs & alcohol), whereas fandom uses ratings practically as a guide whether to read or not, depending on your personal preferences in regards to explicit sex scenes. Warnings, I think, are much more important for fandom when it comes to "protection"/self-protection. And yes, warnings are also often reading incentives. I prefer the term "Content Notes" than "Warnings", actually.

How will we handle it at wand_in_a_knot?
The challenge is self-posting, and participants themselves either give their entry an R or NC-17 rating. Writ and me will not check or police that. If an entry deserves only a G or PG rating, we may ask the participant to rev it up. It's up to the participant then what they want to do. But I don't think that will be a problem. ;) Though just from my experience with the similar challenge in Sherlock fandom, depending on your story idea, the tough part can be to actually reach the R rating. ;)

[lightofdaye]

I'm so conflicted. Want to write but the 24 hour deadline stuff...

[torino10154]

I prefer the term "Content Notes" than "Warnings", actually.

Ditto. That way it's warnings or enticements depending on your POV.

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

Oooooooh!! Gah, I should really not sign up for more things....

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

Oh wait, I missed half of this post LOL. Yeah ratings guide is great!! I'm always winging it, and I figure with art it's....easier to be like 'if it's NSFW then it's a high rating' but I dunno. I rated Harry's cock out as being higher than Draco's arse, as Harry was wanking and Draco was just posing. And that time I drew Draco fucking Albus, I rated it high as you could sort of see...penetration haha.

In short: I don't know what I'm doing, and cheers. But I must say I'm still unclear, and will need some further development of these snippets you are writing.... for very academic reasons.

[capitu]

I'm very excited about this! I'm going to sit back and enjoy. :D So happy you're considering. *prods* It'll be great!

The Science of Birdsofshore™ LOL I love your examples. I want to finish with "yes please" but I don't even know what I'm saying now. LOL

[themightyflynn]

Yes, please do continue. For science! *nods*

Honestly, being Australian, the American ratings system confused the hell out of me the first time I saw it! The age ranges seem like such a random selection to someone who grew up with: G (general), PG (parental guidance recommended for those under 15), M (not recommended for those under 15), MA (restricted, 15+), R (restricted, 18+), and X (strictly adults only and only available in two territories these days.) I much prefer the Ao3 ratings, because it's a little hard to mistake an explicit rating for anything but what it says on the box. But yes, I tend to do what you do and only write explicit sex scenes so I know what to rate it.

The new comm sounds like so much fun, but I may sit this one out and see how it goes the first time. I know for a fact that there's others out there who are much better than me at coming up with random smut in a 24 hour period!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_melodic_/]

Oooo yes I am very interested in joining! We will see if I can make the sign-ups in time. I do so love the idea of writing and reading a ton of rushed smut, hah!

Ahhhh, I love how you gave such great examples for your rating discussion! Well, let's just say I really enjoyed reading them~ ;]

But actually it really is rather helpful because I sometimes struggle with rating certain works. I am in the same boat as you, and like to be explicit as often as possible, but for some stories it just doesn't work and then I am left with: "huh, is this PG-13 or R?" If there is any foul language my beta will often urge me to use an R rating... I guess just in case! Your guide is super useful, but I do also wonderful about kinks or taboo acts... I suppose it also depends on what someone considers taboo as everyone has a different limit. In those cases, just stating the certain taboo or kink the content/warnings seems the best way to go and base the rating on the explicitness of the sex.

[torino10154]

Butting in, my apologies in advance, but the way I look at it, AO3 ratings are basically parallel to the American ones. General Audience=G/PG, Teen=PG-13, Mature=R, and Explicit=N-17.

For movies themselves I actually look at IMDB where you can see what a film is rated in other countries. That's where the difference between sex and violence is usually the most apparent.

I must say I think it's interesting that 15 is sort of the big cut-off age for Australia and that any age under that is somewhat equal.

[lq-traintracks.livejournal.com]

I'm seriously considering signing up, too! On the one hand, school's not over until May 10th and I'm ungodly busy until then. But after that, I'm free and clear! It's a bit nervewracking. But it sounds SO FUN!!!

Also, I NEED MORE EXAMPLES. MORE SCIENCE. ;-P

[amorette.livejournal.com]

LOL I THINK YOU SHOULD CONTINUE.

But yeah this is interesting! I am generally with you on how you define the ratings, I think; but yes it is so nuanced.

This is what I tend to do (whether or not it's a good way to rate Idk lol!) (also this is just sexual rating not like, how disturbing the content is otherwise, but I think that's what your post focuses on anyways)

G/PG - crushing and love are okay, nothing sexual
PG-13 - kissing is the extent of how sexual it gets
R - mentions of sexual organs but no direct showing or contact
NC-17 - direct contact with or descriptions of sexual organs or activities

BUT WHO REALLY KNOWS?! :D

Oh this does make me think about Tropes and how we require an R min rating. I think I go by the above for that. Maybe we should spell it out in the com rules, maybe that would be more fair for participants? Usually it's just how sexual I feel it is, and its all very subjective.

Wand in a Knot sounds super fun.

[alisanne.livejournal.com]

Oh good, you're here. :)
Re: Wand in a Knot. I meant to ask, if for some reason you do have to pass on your turn, does it return to you again later in the month so you still have an opportunity to create something?

[alisanne.livejournal.com]

I plan to try for wand in a knot, and pray that I don't get selected on an on call day, or a day I'm away from my computer for 18 hours and so don't know I was picked. *wibbles*

I'd say you summed up the ratings system I use about right. When I'm in doubt I poke Torino and ask her opinion. *shrugs*
Although, I think your examples were a bit...brief. Maybe you could expand on them a bit, especially that last one. You know, so things are crystal clear. *nods*
:D

[birdsofshore]

Ah, torino, you'd be amazing at wand_in_a_knot! I really really hope you sign up.

I see what you're saying about the content affecting the rating, and the nuances of it. I find it a pretty interesting subject! On a related topic, I often find myself amazed at what gets into a U (G) rated film! I thought the idea was that a U film would contain nothing unsuitable for even very young children, but mine have often been scared over the years. :(( Maybe the problem is that they are massive wimps like their mother!

[birdsofshore]

Hehehe, Professor Birds and her Science of Smut course. I think my examples were highly educational for us all ;)

I'm so excited to read wand_in_a_knot! A new, short and smutty fic to read every day for a month sounds like heaven to me.

[birdsofshore]

depending on your story idea, the tough part can be to actually reach the R rating. ;)

This... is not a problem I have encountered myself. My difficulty is trying to find enough of an excuse for a plot on which to hang the smut :DD

It's a pleasure to promote the fest. Thank you so much for organising it for us all. ♥

[birdsofshore]

You know, you can 'pass' if it's not convenient, without any stress? That's very reassuring to me, because otherwise, I don't think I could do it.

I hope you decide to join in! I always enjoy your stories.

[birdsofshore]

What's this nonsense? Of COURSE you should :DDDDDD

♥

[birdsofshore]

I'm not just considering - I'm going to do my best to join in! But why aren't you, my dearest Toaster creator? *prods you back*

I'm so glad you liked my Science. It was tough work, but someone had to do it. *adjusts glasses and lab coat*

[birdsofshore]

I think your ratings made a lot of sense. I think none of us know QUITE what we're doing, so, going forwards, we need to engage in some more scientific explorations. Your turn ;))

[birdsofshore]

I don't know if anyone IS better at random speed smut! I bet you'd be great at it!

The ratings systems are definitely confusing... Here in the UK, we have U, PG, PG-12 (I think??), 15 and 18. But even within that system, there are things that IMO make no sense. You can see multiple people getting their heads blown off, but not two naked people being loving and sensual together.

[birdsofshore]

Hehe, thank you for your appreciation of my very scientific examples ;)

I think your beta is right about the language... I think I read that if the word 'fuck' is used more than once in a film, it automatically receives an R rating. But it's certainly a complex subject. I don't envy the people who have to rate the actual films we see in cinemas!

And that's wonderful that you're signing up for WIAK.

[birdsofshore]

Oh do join, dear Lumey! It will be such fun! If you get tagged on a day when you're busy, you can just pass. But we all know you write the most GLORIOUS fucking smut at speed. SCIENCE NEEDS YOU!