DTH question

[kerrilee]

So, a DTH submission doesn't have to actually contain any sex at all? So isn't it just a H/D story then if there isn't anyone doing anything toppy?! Or is there something else non-sexual that is also considered topping? Help me out here.

Comments

[eidheann_writes]

Sometimes toppy/dommy/bossy behavior. But really the rule for top/bottom fests is "if there is intercourse, it must be X topping. Otherwise it's just a prompt fest"

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

Got it. I knew I could probably find the rules if I looked but I figured someone could tell me just as easily. Thanks!

I guess I forget that not everyone likes explicit sex!

[eidheann_writes]

Much better to read than to write XD ♥

And I think the rule is informal. I've only heard of one fest that required an explicit rating (tropes I think? One of hers did.) and if there is no E/NC17, then it's kinda moot.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

I love a nice plot and slow build as much as I do the PWP, but in a fest that is very concerned with who puts it in who, I figured that penetration was a given. Silly kerrilee!

[eidheann_writes]

Well. In some fic they discuss it. So that still applies without bumping the rating up. But yeah XD not entirely logical I'll admit.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

I have another question...you said "one of hers did." Does that mean the moderator? And does the mod set the rules and all that? I hope I don't sound like I'm challenging things. You're just helping me learn a bit more about how fests work.

[eidheann_writes]

Oh no problem. I've modded bottom Draco, as well as mpreg so that's my perspective.

Rules are set by a combination of moderator and fest creator. (the her I was speaking of was kedavranox but I don't remember which of her fests had that rule and I'm gonna plead "on my phone" and not look it up, sorry XD)

For established fests (smooch, fanfair etc) the rules were pretty set from the beginning and I think will stay the same until mods are no longer running them. And they may be tweaked as mods change, (not that those have had a lot of mod change ups, but erised has a completely new mod team from who started it) but they're pretty set for the most part.

But when you create a new fest, you ofc get to make the rules. Most fests tend to be pretty universal in their rules though.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

That makes sense.

You were right about HD Tropes. It's minimum rating of R, which means I next need to understand ratings, I guess. Are those posted somewhere where I can find them? Thank you for schooling me.

[eidheann_writes]

Mostly subjective.

The difference between an m/r and an e/NC17 can kinda be a your mileage may vary thing.

I've see (for example) penis-in-vagina/anus us e, but blowjob, handjob, frotting, everything else no matter how explicit, is r/m

I've seen explicit penetrative sex of any kind be e/NC17 and euphemism/implications being r/m (at sometimes pg13/t)

It's... Hard. XD

[eidheann_writes]

Personally, for my writing, if it's overtly stated what goes where and the process on the path of an orgasm is spelled out, it's NC17. If it's a wank where it's short (sentence or two), cock in hand is mentioned and an orgasm is mentioned but not described, it's t/m

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

I think I get it now. Thanks Marianne.

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

This is great - I always pull my ratings right out my bum on some weird kind of system, and have always wondered if I should actually know what I'm doing (it's going ok so far LOL)

<33

[eidheann_writes]

God. We all do the same. XD

[birdsofshore]

I must admit, I think the fact that a whole fest exists which is all about Draco sticking it to Harry is quite funny. But, gawd, I love it. The fact that there are fics in this fest where NO-ONE GETS LAID is also quite entertaining to me. But then I do realise that nearly everything we do in fandom is batshit crazy :DD

Raitala had a great discussion about DTH once on her LJ. I'll try to dig it out later.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

I've had lots of bad (naughty) influences in my life here on LJ apparently because I'm pretty much in the camp that there better eventually be some sex. So I thought I was the BSC one!

Please do, f you think that thread will help me cope with Draco not topping at all in his own bumming Harry extravaganza!!

[birdsofshore]

Haha, I don't think anyone can console you about poor Draco not ravaging Harry's arse, but it's an interesting discussion about topping / bottoming preferences and what that often translates to in terms of characterisation in fests dedicated to one or the other. It's this entry here:
http://raitala.livejournal.com/104473.html
(I think it's unflocked?) and then the following entry on raitala's lj is a follow up post on the same subject.

It made me laugh reading it actually because I personally posted something along the lines that I didn't care who topped or bottomed but i seemed to write top!Draco a smidge more often. HA! HA! The innocence of me. I have a massive kink for Draco topping (although what I really go for is the associated power dynamic and character traits that often gets written with topping).

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That was very eye-opening. I think I do tend to prefer Top!Draco maybe a little bit more because I like slutty bottom!Harry soooo much. But in my mind they always end up being a switching couple when it's all said and done.

I loved this quote from Faithwood "but in fanfic world, bottoming is like the bestest, tastiest cookie and I want all my favorite characters to get it. So when I see a top!Draco fest or a top!Harry fest, I see it as "no cookies for Draco, ever" fest and "no cookies for Harry, ever" fest and that just makes me sad."