Question for the masses...

[raijahn]

Okay, when it comes to fic where one of the main characters is a hooker or rentboy, what characteristics or plot points do you generally look for or like to see? Outside of the sex, of course, since that's a given. I'm genuinely curious because, right now, all I can see is the sex and the dancing in the club and I know there should be more than that. And it's driving me nuts trying to figure it out. So...help?

Comments

[kitkat3979.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'm a romantic at heart, so I like seeing how two people go from hooker and john, to lovers. Because that's how I like my rentboy fics to end.

Of course if this isn't the way you want to go with the fic then I've been no help.

I'm quite happy to discuss rentboys, particularly if the boy in question is Clark or Lex. Catch me on AIM if you want.

*snuggles*

[obsidian-rai.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. That would be interesting, if Lex was the john. *grins* I'll catch you on AIM later, I'm sure. *snugs*

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Why they're doing it. Do they need money, or are they emotionally wounded, or - what reason.

Putting a MAJOR difference between "work" and "sex with loved ones", and when the lines blur, being highly upset.

You know. The less nice sides of it. Not many nice sides to it in the first place, are there.

[obsidian-rai.livejournal.com]

*nods* Ah, yes, of course. I already have an idea in my head for how to show the difference. Right now I just don't know why he's doing it. Though I think playing the emotionally wounded card would be good for me right now. Purging through writing and all that. Thanks, hon. *kisses*

[sadiethenymph.livejournal.com]

Well, I like to see the difference between work sex and romantic sex.

I like to see the real life behind the facade - of both the rentboy and the richboy.

And the little details are awesome, like in 'LA Confidential' when KB shows RC her real room. And in 'Trading Places' where JLC knows all the ghetto people in the neighborhood and is safe there and has her apartment decorated with Christmas stuff.

[obsidian-rai.livejournal.com]

*grins* Oooh, I could definitely do that. Show their real lives. Well, at least one of them. This fic's only going to have one pov, so... *hugs* Thanks, honey.

[coneyislandbaby]

I think the why is important. When Mark was doing it, it was because his self-esteem was so low. When Luke and Bobby were, it was about survival. There are other reasons, of course. Hooked on drugs, a pimp leading them into it (that also happened with Mark) and a lot of other reasons.

[obsidian-rai.livejournal.com]

*nods* I think with Clark it's a mixture of self-esteem probs and survival. I got through eleven pages last night before I realized he's almost human now. Something happened to take away all his powers, so he's just as vulnerable as humans, only more so because his body, at the cellular level, is still distinctly *not* human. Interesting, no?