Although the list of nine probably covers 99% of all spanking stories, I disagree to the extent it's meant to be an exhaustive list. I think that imaginative authors can (and have) create stories that don't readily fit into these categories. (There was a time where I would have produced a list from among my own stories to make this point.). Nevertheless, I think Rollin has done an admirable job of defining the most common plots.

Rick Marlowe

There are quite a few more, but I think Rollin covered the good points, so I tend to agree with you, njrick.

B

I also agree with njrick that there are many more plots which authors can use to create good spanking fiction, but Rollin has done a great job of outlining some of the most commonly used scenarios. A very wise move to write this article Rollin...as it enabled you to promote many of your fine works! hehe! ;-P

"This Group Was Made for Spanking"--Involving an organization that employs corporal chastisement as part of its social activities and/or for genuinely disciplinary purposes, mostly obviously sororities and fraternities but also adult or even children's groups centered on spanking activity.

"You Bet Your Ass"--Involving spanking-oriented wagers, commonly on either spectator sports or participation ones, would also (IMHO) include any games set up to include spanking penalties. I wouldn't include these in the category that Rollin does ("I've Always Wanted To Be Spanked") unless they also involved a character's first spanking. (Smeple wrote a serial story with this title which is a good example of wagering for spanks, although it could also fit into Category #1 based on its plotline.)

"Babysitters"--Whether they're spanking or being spanked (or both), I'd consider this a separate category. (Grace Brackenridge's top specialty, I'd figure.)

"What Goes Around, Comes Around"--Spanking as retribution/revenge, whether 'in kind' or otherwise, but involving the planning and executing of a strategy for the deserving malefactor(s) to receive his/her(their) well-earned corporal comeuppance. (More than merely complaining to Mom and/or Dad, I mean.)

Just some ideas that struck me... --C.K.

I think the trick is to try and keep the concept fresh.

I think CK has hit on something with "You Bet Your Ass". Unless there are other elements tying it to another story type this could well be number 10. It appears to be unique to spanking fiction---the idea that there is a wager with a spanking forfeit for the loser. Not really #3 or #4 because of a lack of a clear authoritarian in a power position and not really #8 unless the bet was entered with this as an objective. It requires a willing acceptance of a consequence. The spanking organization though, is a variant of #5 which I should have made more inclusive.

Thank you - a very handy reference list for when the ideas stop coming! It's interesting that many of the plot types are also, basically, settings.

Maybe also a #11 - spanking as an erotic or sensual pursuit. Obviously there are stories where this emerges from one of the other types, but it can also be stand-alone.

Another plotline, related to "What Goes Around, Comes Around", is a theme I'd like to call " The Hand Of Fate". The person to be spanked is guilty of some crime, or is just one of those persons the reader would agree is somewhat of a villain, and desperately needs some form of karmic adjustment, like a spanking, humiliation, or a happy combination of both. A situation develops where that situation is made to take place; by design by a victim or some other proxy, Or just a delightfully apt sequence of events that makes the punishment possible. Bonus points if it is brought about by some machinations of the
villain, like an unforeseen consequence for some perceived crime, or personal sight to a victim.

So, the bully, the mean girl, the horrible boss, the backstabbing friend, the bratty kid abusing the babysitter, then the parents come home and get the report, and then allows the babysitter to watch the punishment. Anyone who has a wheelbarrow full of karma waiting for the universe to address and balance in a way very gratifying to the reader.

Of couse you know that every spanking story eventually arrives at the inevitable spanking, how awful if it didn't.

Being new to writing, I personally enjoy seeing where my creatiivity and imaginaion takes me.

I don't think your list is exhaustve. I think it's nice to see spanking being used to enhance a loving relationsip adding realism to the story.

It’s a delightful job to read a list and try to classify one's writings to see in which category they will fall.

But then I found something that caught my attention. Your categories were meant for spanking stories, and they fit quite smugly, taking into account of course the previous commenters opinions. But they not necessarily apply to stories with spankings. A plot of a story with spanking in it could be almost anything. It’s just that the author threw a spanking or a spanking reference inside. Arguably they could fit in one of the categories of course, they are broad enough, but as well they could be something completely different.

As an example I tried to fit two of my stories in the categories and couldn’t: “The Red Room” and “The House on the Right”.

Interesting article, Rollin but I too would question the small number. I would say there are more likely 99 plots rather than 9!! Just don't ask me to name them all. Take the school for instance, that isn't one plot that is goodness knows how many. You have consensual, non consensual even semi consensual. Then you have plots where someone is not entitled to administer corporal punishment but administers it. You have choice plots where the erring pupil is asked what punishment they prefer. Blackmail plots. For the good of the school the individual must suffer plots. You even have almost no plot where the crime is unknown but punishment is described. Sent to the head for punishment plots....etc!! I could go on but I am running out of space... Sorry that is not a plot!!

This is an interesting analysis. As with Hollywood's seven plots, I agree that not all plots can be jammed into these categories, but it's true they all do recur. I agree that "What goes around, comes around" (odd phrase, but never mind) deserves to be a category and this could include those situations where the spanker (or (s)he threatening to spank) becomes the spankee. One, two and three are really the same plot applied to different environments, but a variant of each is where the spankee actually didn't do what he/she is accused of. It may be the spanker just doesn't listen, or the spankee has interesting reasons for not explaining the truth.

In catergory #5. 'the family that spanks, stays together. I would add one more person, that deserves to have their bare bottom warmed. This being the mother. Yes, this very important female member of the family has at times failed to carry out her duties, and has needed a good spanked naked rear end.

Interesting, Rollin, that you came up with 9 for the # of spanking plots. 9 is perhaps the most powerful numbers we have (e.g., the 9 circles of Hell), and the strangest (multiply any natural # by nine, and the sum of the digits, when reduced to one # is ... 9: 2254 x 9 = 20,286; 2+0+2+8+6 = 18; 1+8=9!). A coincidence that you chose 9 plots? I don't think so!

Most any classification essay is at once an over simplification and an under simplification. In the case of spanking fiction, one could logically make the case that it all shares the same basic plot; somebody earns a spanking and then receives said spanking. From there all the author need do is describe the reason for the spanking and then detail the event itself. I don't think that one would get far with the LSF gang using that line of reasoning though.

On the other hand, we could also think of spanking fiction as a huge filing cabinet. The cabinet might have Rollin's 9 drawers, or perhaps more. Each drawer would have multiple dividers for sub-plots, and each divider would hold multiple folders for sub-genres. Each folder would be filled with stories, or perhaps with even more folders to further classify stories. Even then, our librarians would have difficulty finding appropriate folders in which to file certain of our author's creations, because there is no classification method that can possibly cope with the creativity of hundreds of writers working over decades of time.

Well, if sixofthebest is insisting on adding the mother to the family members subject to being spanked for irresponsibility (among other things), you can be damned sure that I'm nominating 'Dear Old Dad' as well.

That's "sauce for the gander," obviously... --C.K.

I would have to agree that this group of 9 covers the great majority of situations. As we all know the details in a particular story make all the difference. Some of us are quite interested in the clothing and how it is taken off and by whom. Others are interested in a description of the implement being used. Others are interested in the actual spanking of the bottom and the responses which follow.
As readers we sometimes like the same old themes as seen by different authors. Then, too, we sometimes like what seems like new and different,
original approaches. I have to admit as a reader I am often pleasantly surprised with story lines that occasionally pop up.
Sorry, I can't give any specific examples at the moment, but I do try to convey my thoughts to the authors on an individual basis.
So, Rollin, I think your categories are fine. Thanks.

Interesting essay, but in which category would you say my story "Double Down Spanking" fits?

Yet again you found a thought provoking subject. I think your list pretty much hits the right spots. But for me the best part was searching out the story examples you gave, and in doing so finding some great authors!

Loved the catagories. Thank you for the reading list!

JT.

A very interesting list. I must say that most of the stories I remember right now, fit into these categories. CK adds a few more, where "The Bet" in particular would be hard to fit into any of the nine.

When it comes to family spankings. Mother's can be naughty too. So I see no reason, why at a family gathering, a husband could spank his wife. Plus a teen-age son, called upon to spank his mother. Yes, for bare bottom spanks.

I found the list to be fascinating -but also found my mind wondering whether there are an infinitesimal amount of spanker/spankees as characters. I especially enjoy the Virgin/Inexperienced spanker( Joyce in Rollin's "thrice burned". In addition the "it hurts me more than it hurts you"-my favourite being kfr 965's spanking mum in "Fledgling.

I have to say, I generally avoid "rationales" for spanking (both in fiction and r/l) for just this reason, we already know how the unpaid parking ticket/overspent credit card/overdue library book is going to go.

I know its contrived, and my characters do too . . . most of the time they spank or get spanked just because its what they like

Interesting analysis nearly fell off my chair when I saw Bangkok Punishment has a mention as an example of one of the plots!

An insightful post by an accomplished and talented writer. . .how Rollin fleshes out the details of these plot points is what sets him apart. Even using the "same" platforms as other writers doesn't slow him down. . .well done.

I think this is a very infirmative and interesting list - and very accurate. Now I will be able to reference this story for a story in any of those categories you have losted. Well done.

I think that covers most of them, with subcategories possible.

I don't think that you missed anything. Wait, there might be one or two other categories.

What about a situation when a fun or sexy spanking actually turns into a real hard tearjerker one because the spanker realizes something that the spankee has done that warrants one. And it can cover all or any of the sex gender combinations.

Has realism been mentioned? It seems some authors pump out stories by the handful but they usually are all pretty well the same with this plot or that plot going down a one way street. I appreciate stories where it appears someone is telling on him/herself and what each are truly fantasizing from the heart. Yes, perhaps even where someone has blurbed something when in the throes of orgasm but managed to finish the story anyway. I feel sure I have read some of these type tales and they have affected me similarly if not greatly. Just depends upon the venue with me, of course. Great thread.