Writer's Guide 101 (Wattpad Edition)

LXXXIX. My Thoughts On Erotica/NSFW (R-18+)

Disclaimer:

Just a quick heads up! I am aware this is going to be a rather divisive topic and will try my best to tackle it in a very nuanced manner (and also still use generalized terms so I don't end up pissing off the Wattpad overlords).
   You are within your right to disagree or skip this one if you're uncomfortable with it. Please, I swear to God, DO NOT JUST FALSE REPORT ME!
   I would also like to kindly ask the minors to click away as this topic may explore mature s3xu@l content which might not be suitable for young readers under 18.
Let's all keep the comments civil, ok? We're all adults here! This is meant to be informative and also, please refrain from twisting it into something it's not and spreading misinformation.
   
Without further ado, let's begin!

•••

If there's anything the Internet has taught me, humans are curious beings by nature! We love to explore things even the most taboo ones. I bet most of you have your fair share of naughty online experiences where you try visiting those shady adult sites when your parents aren't looking.
    It is disturbing and inappropriate, I know. At the same time, you just can't seem to look away. It's kind of like bright-colored eye candy that is constantly feeding off your desires.
  Whether you're into furry BDSM (bondage) or alien monster erotica, nobody should shame you for it! It is not a crime to explore your s3xu@lity through spicy art or writing.
    Growing up in a very strict conservative household, it is quite baffling to me that while there are people who think s*x is a huge sin and anyone that happens to be into it are immoral creatures, but at the same time you also get called a prude for either disliking it or not having any idea what it's actually about.
    Freedom of expression also includes dealing with uncomfortable stuff that challenges your worldview and allowing them to exist. It is subjective. What you think is too much and highly inappropriate might not seem that way to everybody else.
    Why can't people just let someone be themselves and enjoy hobbies without being unfairly judged? Why can't others be allowed to discuss their neutral thoughts on the matter without being called a dumb naive prude?
    Because I don't want it to just be "Just shut up and let people have their toxic yaoi!" and "You're allowed to write whatever you want".
    This is also why it's so important for parents to have mature open conversations with your kids and allow them to express their s*xu@lity in a responsible manner. Teach them how to deal with uncomfortable stuff instead of shielding them from it because they're eventually gonna find out once they got older.
Heck, some were able to process their trauma and learn more about themselves thanks to writing erotic fics and comics.
    I can understand why others may not be a fan of seeing s*xu@l content and how those things aren't exactly wholesome, but trying to ban NSFW content altogether because you dislike them is just as bad.
Like it shouldn't have to be a platform's sole responsibility to curate whatever they're allowed to share on the platform when it is clear that five-year-old Timmy is too young to be on that site in the first place. That's what parental controls and passwords are for! Don't like what you saw on AO3? Use those goddamn filters!
    People deserve their own little corner on the Internet where they can express their raw thoughts. It certainly is not fair to mock and insult others for not being into s*xu@l stuff as much as you either.
    If you ask me, it's only wrong if said erotic content starts promoting toxic relationships and s*xu@liz!ng non-consenting people (e.g. minors or real-life celebrities who may not be onboard with it).
It's especially wrong if you sell questionable content to kids or spam someone who might not be comfortable with it.
    Does anyone remember the p**n ban that happened on Tumblr way back in 2018? Well, it's happening again as these big companies such as MasterCard and Visa are cracking down on everything that is remotely suggestive and may contain nudity.
Imagine banning any references to nudity (including the artistic ones), horror, amateur wrestling, swimsuits, role playing and words like "catgirl" or "puppy."
Imagine enforcing their standards on other foreign sites like Pixiv, which is like DeviantArt in Japan where all sorts of content are widely accepted, for the sake of making it advertiser-friendly. To those wondering, Japan tends to have different laws on what's acceptable.
As someone who grew up with manga, I would just prefer they draw black rectangular bars or pixels over the naughty parts instead! I would rather see the "fade to black" tropes to imply some hot scene took place than remove them altogether. Again, this is just my personal preference just so you know!
The reason why people tend to be wary of these bans is instead of actually punishing bad actors for promoting toxic and abusive content, they end up being an excuse to punish people for having the "wrong thoughts" according to certain society standards.
   It ends up punishing the ones who are deemed to be undesirable (a.k.a. the skeptics, the queer kids, the social outcasts who don't fit into a certain mold). There is a difference between artistic nudity versus just some sick perverted fantasy with zero substance!
Next time you happen to stumble upon some suggestive content, try asking yourself:

1) What's the context? Is it a vent piece or another creative expression?

2) To whom is it made for?
3) What is it about this content in particular that makes me upset and why?

As for those who think anyone who doesn't like the same stuff as they do and agree with their views, you also need to meet them halfway and understand where they're coming from.
   Get to know them first in terms of their background, preferences, age, gender and even the community they regularly interact with.
    Because immediately shutting them down makes you just as bad as the pro-censorship crowds on the Internet. Whatever you think about erotica is gonna be influenced by your upbringing, beliefs, preferences and the community or platform they're part of.