How to show stories to family members or relatives?

[osho]

I often write stories and they are at times of somewhat obscene topics which I can privately or on forums like this discuss but or with some close friends. There may be an erotic episode and some characters may behave obscenely and using improper terms by fictionalizing certain affairs that will be unpalatable to certain social spectrums. For example we can come across such stories even in profound literary writings like in D. H. Lawrence’s stories. Or some lesbians or gays acting in peculiar ways ordinarily indigestible in some civil societies.

[cafolini]

I often write stories and they are at times of somewhat obscene topics which I can privately or on forums like this discuss but or with some close friends. There may be an erotic episode and some characters may behave obscenely and using improper terms by fictionalizing certain affairs that will be unpalatable to certain social spectrums. For example we can come across such stories even in profound literary writings like in D. H. Lawrence’s stories. Or some lesbians or gays acting in peculiar ways ordinarily indigestible in some civil societies.

What makes you assume that most families don't see a story for what it is? What makes you assume that they need second-hand analysis from you or anyone so condescending and delusional.

[stlukesguild]

Osho... this is an example of what I have told you before: not all art is for all people. Most of my family and my in-laws have little appreciation for the arts. I wouldn't think of inviting many of my relatives to see my paintings. They simply aren't the audience that the work is for.

[Jack of Hearts]

Agreed with stlukes. A lot of your work would most likely be greeted with no interest or non-response, depending on the temperament of your family. But then again, it's in a different context when you hand a loved one your story and say read this. That might be inviting a level of intimacy that a modern familial relationship couldn't survive. From this readers' experience, that sort of thing just makes you feel worse, and your work in some way starts to look like a wedge, firmly placing you in one world that can't always be appreciated, and your loved one in another world altogether.

It's the same things for sharing things you love dearly. These things, these little truths, quirks or talents about yourself and the things that speak to you-- they'll draw you to your spiritual/intellectual/emotional kinships for sure, but the cost of that is perhaps separating you away from certain other relationships that don't resonate with these same elements.




tldr Wouldn't try it if in your shoes.






J

[Yaur]

I started writing earlier this year and when my ex-wife found out that I was writing about divorce she flipped out and started talking about getting a lawyer. I calmed her down, but that experience has completely soured me on the idea of telling family members that there is even a book in the works. Instead I have close friends that I share my writing with.

How do you know which ones are safe to show the erotic material to? Have them read Lolita, Cabot Wright Begins, or Tropic of Cancer. The ones that are squicked out or refuse their "serious literature" assignment because they already know those books are obscene don't get to see the dirty stuff. If your stuff is dirtier than those perhaps the test is The 120 Days of Sodom(which I haven't read) instead. If it's dirtier than than de Sade... get help.

[Delta40]

My family are not the least bit interested in my work. Even my brother who is a songwriter pats me on the head and thinks its nice that I have a little hobby. Good thing since I can be as explicit as I like about the family dynamic because they will never read any of it.

[cacian]

Osho... this is an example of what I have told you before: not all art is for all people. Most of my family and my in-laws have little appreciation for the arts. I wouldn't think of inviting many of my relatives to see my paintings. They simply aren't the audience that the work is for.

why not? shouldn't art be for everyone? it would make more sense if it was for everyone.
education is for everyone why not art?

[Yaur]

why not? shouldn't art be for everyone? it would make more sense if it was for everyone.
education is for everyone why not art?
“You can please some of the people some of the time all of the people some of the time some of the people all of the time but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
This is why. Some art can be for everyone (though this kind of art strikes me as dull most of the time) but all art can't be for everyone because we have different tastes.