Need info about life as a stripper
Hello,
I am writing my first novel and my story involves a young girl who takes a job as a stripper in a Chicago club. In order to write my story I need some information. Normally I would take on the roll or position to learn all I could but well I am not too fit since having my daughter and I've never set foot in a topless or nude club (male or female) so I am really pretty clueless aside from what I've seen in movies. I am hoping some of the ladies would be willing to help me out. Here is what I need to know.
What is the process for a girl to get hired in a club as a dancer?
Do dancers work the floor or dance on a catwalk or extended stage?
What is a lap dance? (I told you i'm clueless)
Does any dancer do lap dances or is it your choice?
What are some common themes that a dancer might take on for her routine?
Say a smaller scale club-
How close do dancers know the owner or manager? Bouncers?
What sort of relationship does a dancer have with the other girls?
Is there any animosity between dancers and servers?
Do small clubs rotate the same dancers or are they ever changing?
On a typical evening how would it work? How many dances on stage? how long do they last? How many lap dances or private dances?
Do some clubs allow contact from customers during lap dances or private dances?
etc, etc, etc....
Anything else I havent asked but that you might think I should know would be most helpful.. Thank you all for your time!
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
umm, not to burst your bubble, but without direct experiance and or working with someone with direct experiance, how do you think you can write a believable story? It wont come with mearly an interview. Anyone see "Striptease?"
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I agree with Scorpio. Besides that, you might want to go to a bunch of different clubs..... see for yourself!!!
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I agree wtih Bambi adn Scorpio... check out your local clubs...
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Write what you know, I'm sure you've heard that one.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Good luck Rodeo. I agree with Scorpio,Bambi, and Gynger. I'd suggest visiting a few clubs...I don't suggest watching blockbuster hits that think they are accurately portaying strip clubs (they aren't).
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I have a better idea! Go to some local clubs, and pay a few girls as if they were giving you lap dances, only have them answer your general 'life as a stripper' questions instead. You'll get your research, and they'll get the money and a break from dancing for a bit! Don't ask them about their personal lives, though.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Quote:
Originally Posted by HBS link=board=25;threadid=6917;start=msg78248#msg7824 8 date=1077839961
I have a better idea! Go to some local clubs, and pay a few girls as if they were giving you lap dances, only have them answer your general 'life as a stripper' questions instead. You'll get your research, and they'll get the money and a break from dancing for a bit! Don't ask them about their personal lives, though.
Excellent idea, HBS. :10:
I too agree with everyone else. The only way you'll truly get the best information is to actually talk in person to a stripper. Going into a club (as a customer, of course), is an excellent way to start. There is simply too much to the business to give you the complete answers here online.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I agree also, go to some local clubs and talk to the girls there. Most will probably be willing to talk, but im curious as to why you would choose to write a whole book on something you are totally unfamiliar with, and im not sure if I am speaking for myself here but people who have never danced have no idea what it is about. I dont think that you could get it right without ever having been a dancer yourself, no matter how many hours you spend talking with people. I have seen so many people with so many different notions as to what this business is like including me before I started dancing, but the truth is everything I pictured it to be like was completely wrong. Whenever a non dancer writes about or even talks about stripping, it is either to over glamourize it, or to paint the picture of the poor taken advantage of drug addicted loose moraled girl. The truth is dancers are everyday people they arent a stereotype, i think you should stick to what you know, but best of luck with the book : )
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Rodeo, are you really writing a book? Or are you just asking the questions for you, as your other thread mentions AGE and how one can get away with not being of legal age?
Im just curious cause it all doesnt sound right.
Thats like if I decide to write a book on being a trapeze artist....Ive never done it, so it will not work. But if you do your info right, and ask REAL dancers and get REAL interviews, then its a different story.
Hope you get all your info, listen to what these girls said!
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I appreciate the bluntness of everyone's responses. To answer your question; Yes I am writing a book but the "misconception" is that the whole book is regarding stripping. Less than one chapter involves it, strictly the prologue to address the "holes" as to why the main character ends up where she does. It's not about the every day stuff so much as a brief "glance" at that particular time period. While writing what you know is great and 95% of what my story involves such things, there needed to be a bit more added for the "adventure" My grandfather is a published writer so I am not too concerned with my skills at writing. Thank you for your time.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Rodeo, I think the resisitance you are getting is because many of the people who know absolutley nothing about stripping and strippers are the ones who assume we are abused, drug-addled whores. No self-respecting stripper wants to help an author write a book that paints strippers in such a stereotypically negative light. The truth is that many of us are strong, intelligent women. I think all the answers to the questions you have are here on this board. Use the search feature to find specifics.
PS My grandfather was a farmer so I'm not too concerned with my skills at farming. ROTFLAMO
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodeo link=board=25;threadid=6917;start=msg78381#msg7838 1 date=1077855391
I appreciate the bluntness of everyone's responses. To answer your question; Yes I am writing a book but the "misconception" is that the whole book is regarding stripping. Less than one chapter involves it, strictly the prologue to address the "holes" as to why the main character ends up where she does. It's not about the every day stuff so much as a brief "glance" at that particular time period. While writing what you know is great and 95% of what my story involves such things, there needed to be a bit more added for the "adventure" My grandfather is a published writer so I am not too concerned with my skills at writing. Thank you for your time.
And what kinds of "Holes" does the main character end up in? Please dotn say something MORE negative that would make us look even more so degraded than already. Say it isnt so,Rodeo, SAY IT ISNT SO!!!! ::)
btw, if your grandfather was a great writer, that already makes you one too? Damn, I guess I wont have to worry about managing a bank, and thats what my grandfather did for years!!!!
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Ok, backing off the sarcasm, I would just do what most of the girls said. Visit clubs, talk to the dancers, tell them about the book and compensate them for their time.
Getting to know these girls would be your best bet, because I know if I had tried to write a book about dancing before, it wouldnt be nearly as good as if I wrote one now (with experiences, etc) Atleast getting to know some of the dancers and getting some information from them would probably make it easier for you.
Also remember to talk to a WIDE variety of girls because if you only talk to a few and most have crazy stories then it will only reinforce the negative view everyone has of dancers.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I agree with HBS...except you NEED to know about the strippers personal life past. Why did she decide to become a stripper...etc, etc.
For your information...I had a pretty calm past. I am in a steady, loving relationship and have a baby daughter (well toddler, now). I wanted to make the most money I could, with the least amount of hours (so I could stay home with baby), and enjoy what I do. That's how I started dancing. I love dancing...it's good money (usually) and it only requires 16 hours a week...at night.
Not every girl who becomes a stripper has a horrible story to tell.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I don't necessarily agree that you have to be a stripper to write accurately about BEING a stripper. Stephen King's not a muderer. Good writers do the research and write accurate accounts of the lives of others all the time. Of course, bad writers also f*ck it up all the time too, so....
The life of a stripper isn't necessarily more difficult to write about than the life of someone in any other profession. You just have to do the research. I will say, though, you can't do it on an internet forum. You HAVE to go talk, face to face, with the people who live it.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodeo link=board=25;threadid=6917;start=msg78381#msg7838 1 date=1077855391
I appreciate the bluntness of everyone's responses. To answer your question; Yes I am writing a book but the "misconception" is that the whole book is regarding stripping. Less than one chapter involves it, strictly the prologue to address the "holes" as to why the main character ends up where she does. It's not about the every day stuff so much as a brief "glance" at that particular time period. While writing what you know is great and 95% of what my story involves such things, there needed to be a bit more added for the "adventure" My grandfather is a published writer so I am not too concerned with my skills at writing. Thank you for your time.
No offense, but are you an idiot? My grandmother is a skilled cook, but that doesn't mean that I am going to go open a restaurant because I would be concerned with my ability to do so.... Maybe you should feel the same!!
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodeo link=board=25;threadid=6917;start=msg78381#msg7838 1 date=1077855391
I appreciate the bluntness of everyone's responses. To answer your question; Yes I am writing a book but the "misconception" is that the whole book is regarding stripping. Less than one chapter involves it, strictly the prologue to address the "holes" as to why the main character ends up where she does. It's not about the every day stuff so much as a brief "glance" at that particular time period. While writing what you know is great and 95% of what my story involves such things, there needed to be a bit more added for the "adventure" My grandfather is a published writer so I am not too concerned with my skills at writing. Thank you for your time.
Holes??? WTF? Does that mean the typical stereo type of drug addict, dirt bag boyfriend, needs saving and my all time favorite.. you must be living in your car because you are a stripper???? Quite honestly, (and I’m not saying that you aren’t a writer) but, just because your grandfather is a publisher doesn’t necessarily mean anything, and I’m so sick of hearing the same crap over and over again from people who "THINK" that they know anything about this profession. I’m getting on my soap box here because if you want your character to be "real" then I firmly suggest that you (if you are a female) go and audition, and see for yourself to get that "real-ness" about your character, and if you are a guy.. then you will never be able to relate because men just simply can not relate to this profession-PERIOD. I’m sorry if this post seems a bit bitchy, but really, keep in mind that just because we do this does not mean we all fit the mold that Hollywood has made about us. We are mothers, daughters, students, wives and sisters.. and to be in this profession takes a special kind of person. Check out your local clubs. BTW... my grandfather was a skilled leather craftsman, however, I know nothing about making my own leather pants.
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Ever read that book strip city? terrible! :shrug: terrible! Read that one and don't write one like it. Before going on the road I tried to read it to get inspiration...please. Was she even a dancer? In what lifetime? If anyone enjoyed her book I'm sorry...I didn't think it was realistic.
Pick 3 dancers...the college girl, (the I have the world by the balls role) the I left my job because this is financially better and I have to support my family (survival role) and then the stereo type (prostitute/drug role)
Actually find these 3 types...interview them...write from a 3 party perspective...have them keep journals...put it in their own words...tell a story. triumph, sadness, desperation, success....nevermind maybe I'll do it hehehe I have the experience...anyone wanna write a book with me? :seesaw:
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
Just another post agreeing with everyone else. You cannot make a book believeable if you know NOTHING about the subject. Why don't you try dancing for a while yourself and learn what it is about. I, too, had many misconceptions about it before I started. We each have our own unique tales to tell. Why do people think that we have to have had lurid lives before dancing?
Re:Need info about life as a stripper
I think some people come here and read about us, and get interested in our "dancing lives." That's normal. There is ALOT of information on this board both good and bad about stripping.
I have had friends who wrote novels, (very small, none published, but still great reading, not about stripping) i was highly interested in trying one myself, but just don't have it in me. Too much damn work.
BUT....writing about stripping has to be real. You have to have the good, and there is alot of good, on the flip side alot of bad. Many dancers can't dance unles they have a few drinks, you have your dancers who are drug addicted, and you have your dancers who perform illegal practices all the time! I can go o and on about the bad, but we all know it's there.
Yep lots of bad in the clubs, and if you danced long enough you will see it. Also good dancers too, they work and go home, cause no trouble for anyone just want the money.
One of the problems lie with the clubs.....A dancer does not need an education to dance, and lots of "slum" clubs will take in any female for the sake of quantity, not quality. That hurts the "real" dancers out here.
You really think anyone on this board is going to tell you they take customers home, or perform extras.....NO, we are all good girls here. But we know better. There is just too much shit going on in clubs today. I feel for the newbies, or the ladies bouncing from club to club, it's not what it was 10 years ago, i promise you that, it IS worse.
I had to be very blunt and open. I know a couple maybe more now on this board, that i have SEEN with my own eyes, doing the 'nasty' in the club.
However....There still remain good dancers, many! I don't believe it's equal though, no way. I may get nailed for this post, and that is fine, but dancers today seem to be changing with the times, i HATED watching the "extras" perform while i danced. SO.....i got out of the clubs.
Pamela