This began as a part of my review of The Love Boat by Ann Douglas.  I 
did not want to take away from my review and so decided to post this 
separately.

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One reason why I do not like some of the stories posted to ASSM is 
because they are lacking a dilemma.

A dilemma does not mean having to decide whether or not you should fuck
your wife up the ass or have her suck your cock when you know she likes
it both ways.  A dilemma does involve some thought and reflection on 
one's personal sense of identity or on how someone else that one cares 
about may react to certain suggestions.

Am I the sort of person who does these things?
Why would I want to do these things?
Will Ann think this is too out of line?

If there is no evidence of this questioning process then there really 
is no dilemma.  It should be noted that the evidence can take many 
forms.  It is not necessary that the questioning be done at a conscious
level, but it does have to occur for there to be a real dilemma.  The 
dilemma does not have to be the crux of the story, but it does have to 
be in there.

Am I asking too much?

Look, this is just my opinion.  Nobody gets paid to publish here.  
There are no repercussions if you disagree with me.  I do hope this 
gives writers a better idea of what I am looking for in a story.  I 
also would be interested in hearing all of y'alls comments, both 
readers and writers, on the ideas I have just expounded on.

-- Lee Vine (santiago@switchboardmail.com)