In any case, I would love it if you'd humor me and take a minute to participate in the poll I've placed underneath the cut. LJ limits you to a certain number of choices for each question, so in some cases, I ran out of space. I didn't have room for "erection," for example.
Feel free to leave notes, clarification, or questions in the comment section of this post. In fact, I'd love it if you did so. And if you're shy, do it anonymously. I promise you this isn't a joke or some bizarre attempt to get off; I'm genuinely interested your thoughts. What are writers, after all, but people who pick and choose words?
ETA: If you know anyone else who'd be willing to participate, please nudge them over here. Doesn't matter if I know them, if they could care less about Bones, or if they'll only participate anonymously. This isn't scientific, but I'm looking for data.
Which of the following words for male genitalia do you prefer in fiction?
Penis
0(0.0%)
Cock
1(2.4%)
Dick
0(0.0%)
Hardness
0(0.0%)
Himself
0(0.0%)
Arousal
0(0.0%)
Member
0(0.0%)
Length
0(0.0%)
Testicles
0(0.0%)
Balls
0(0.0%)
Sac
0(0.0%)
All of the above
3(7.1%)
Something else (Please type the word(s) in the text entry box or in the comments section.)
0(0.0%)
Genitalia? What is this genitalia of which you speak?
0(0.0%)
It all depends on the story and the point of view character.
2(4.8%)
I prefer the following words for male genitalia in fiction (Please type the words into the box below or leave a note in the comment section):
Which of the following words for female genitalia do you prefer in fiction?
Vagina
0(0.0%)
Cunt
0(0.0%)
Pussy
0(0.0%)
Wetness
0(0.0%)
Folds
0(0.0%)
Inside her
1(2.4%)
Between her legs
0(0.0%)
Juncture of her thighs
0(0.0%)
Where she needed him/her most
0(0.0%)
Most secret place
0(0.0%)
Clit
0(0.0%)
All of the above
1(2.4%)
Something else (Please type the word(s) in the text entry box or in the comments section.)
0(0.0%)
Genitalia? What is this genitalia of which you speak?
0(0.0%)
It all depends on the story and the point of view character.
5(12.2%)
I prefer the following words for female genitalia in fiction (Please type the words into the box below or leave a note in the comment section):
Breasts aren't genitals, but they can be sexualized. So, what words do you prefer to see used to refer to breasts in fiction?
Breasts
16(39.0%)
Chest
0(0.0%)
Tits
0(0.0%)
All of the above
4(9.8%)
Something else (Please type the word(s) in the text entry box or in the comments section.)
0(0.0%)
Breasts? What are these breasts of which you speak?
0(0.0%)
It all depends on the story and the point of view character.
2(4.9%)
I prefer the following words for breasts in fiction (Please type the words into the box below or leave a note in the comment section):
