Masturbation
| Tropes and genres | |
|---|---|
| Synonym(s) | Self-pleasure, autoerotica, solo kink |
| Related tropes/genres | Selfcest, autoerotic asphyxiation, voyeurism, sexually explicit fanworks |
| See also | Wank |
| Related articles on Fanlore. | |
In explicit fanworks, the depiction of masturbation is common. It can be a solitary act (often involving fantasies as a result of pining or UST), a shared experience (mutual masturbation, performance, voyeurism), or a setup to paired sex when a character is interrupted in the act.
There are over 160,000 works tagged "masturbation" on Archive of Our Own as of 2023. The top fandoms that use the tag are Harry Potter, Boku no Hero Academia, Original Work, BTS, and Supernatural.
Sometimes, it can be a small part of the fic, other times it'll be the focus.
As a Plot Device
I think it goes back to vulnerability. Masturbation appeals to me as a subject for smut because it's so self-centered and self-referential and I can really see [Mulder and Scully] both (particularly Mulder) using it as a crutch to keep them from having to experience the fears that are inherent in any personal relationship. They don't want to expose themselves to the other person.Which is the perfect metaphorical set-up for a fic. Scully masturbates to avoid showing her sexual self to Mulder, Mulder sees it anyway, they deal with the aftermath. That's why the "caught in the act" set-up is so popular. Masturbation is us at our most selfish and sensual and uninhibited. Then when you throw in another person and the "exposure" of this side of ourselves, it makes for great drama.
Example Fanworks
Zines
- One Handed Frisky: "The special masturbation issue of Frisky Business, the multimedia slash zine." (1998)
Fics
- Dipper Goes To Taco Bell (Aug 2012) by MASTAofTehcitrusFruits - infamous Gravity Falls shockfic involving, amongst other things, masturbation.
- Truth is a Nail of Iron (1984) by Vivian Gates - Spirk
- Couldn't Believe her Fucking Luck (Aug 2023) by OMAWSmutFics - Harlivy based fic focused on Harley Quinn.
Fanwork Challenges
- Merry Month of Masturbation Challenge (multifandom, 2006–present)
- The Merlin Wankfest (Merlin, 2010–2011)
- Supernatural Masturbation Fic-A-Thon (Supernatural, 2007)
- covenites' Solitary Soliloquy challenge (Harry Potter, 2004)
Recs and Themed Lists
- Masturbation slash fic masterlist at Foe-Glass Reflections (Harry Potter, 2002)
- Themed list: autoerotic HP fiction by painless_j, includes "masturbation without dreams of anybody else" (Harry Potter, 2008)
External Links
- Masturbation tag on Archive of Our Own
- Mutual Masturbation tag on AO3
- Public Masturbation tag on AO3
- Masturbation Interruptus tag on AO3
- Solo Kink tag on AO3
- theme: masturbation tag on Daily Deviant (Harry Potter)