Authors - Researching Topics?

I’ve recently written some stories on cucking and BDSM. In both cases, I know I deviated from some norms.

I am now starting a Swingers story. I have zero experience with wife swapping, swinging, or the lifestyle.

I know some of you have done historical pieces which have required significant research. I get that. But when you tackle a category, topic, kink, or fetish that you know nothing about personally, where do you start? Google? Your favorite AI chatbot (cringe)? Somewhere else? Or do you just wing it and go with the idea that it’s a fictional story and it is okay if it deviates from reality.

Why not ask your questions of the experts on Lush?

Mr Paddling, if I need to research a kink I’ve not experienced, I google “psychology of (kink)”. Often get the Psychology Today site and it gives me things like types of people who enjoy that and motivations for engaging in it which really helps tell a more layered story. I’d suggest starting there. And I read the Recommended Reads and Editor's Picks for that category, too.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

the Psychology Today site

Just watch out for those clickbait ads; apparently, if you take any of the quizzes, you'll find out you're a wreck.

Quote by paddlingincognito

I’ve recently written some stories on cucking and BDSM. In both cases, I know I deviated from some norms.

I am now starting a Swingers story. I have zero experience with wife swapping, swinging, or the lifestyle.

I know some of you have done historical pieces which have required significant research. I get that. But when you tackle a category, topic, kink, or fetish that you know nothing about personally, where do you start? Google? Your favorite AI chatbot (cringe)? Somewhere else? Or do you just wing it and go with the idea that it’s a fictional story and it is okay if it deviates from reality.

i write a lot of 1980's stuff. my go to are movies and TV shows. Especially Miami Vice when it comes to clothing, Also, music videos. Between Don johnson and madonna you got the 80's styles down

I try to write what I know or at least can reasonably guess at. Seems more authentic than going out of my way to write about a subject I have no experience with. I don't do much research apart from maybe a quick google search to get a fact straight. And if facts get in the way, I'm not above just making up some wild fantastical bullshit, which I think is often far more entertaining than over-doing the whole 'realism' thing. Get creative and don't stress too much about it.