Sophinisba Solis (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sophinisba) wrote2005-08-03 03:42 pm
sophinisba) wrote2005-08-03 03:42 pm
warnings
What are your feelings about warning labels on fics?
How specific do you think they should be? Do you ever get to resenting them as spoilers, feel that the warning is giving away something about the fic that, as an author or as a reader, you would rather keep a surprise? Have you ever had readers complain that there was something in a fic that they weren't prepared for? Have you ever felt that way yourself and resented the author for not having warned you?
Heh, and have you noticed that I tend to ask these questions without giving my own thoughts on the matter? I'm not sure if this is more something intentional like not wanting to shape other people's thoughts too much or make them reluctant to disagree, or if it's more just me being a wimp.
I have mixed feelings about it all. When I started reading fanfic I thought it was a helpful and considerate idea, and sometimes even made it easier to find the things that I wanted. (I don't think most people here will hate me if I say that sometimes, yeah, I'm in the mood for a story with some violence, or a character death, or for something unusually kinky or a PWP.) Also, there aren't many warning labels that will keep me from trying out a fic, but sometimes I'm glad to know the disturbing thing is coming, to be more prepared for it. I don't think I squick all that easily and the things that could really bug me are probably too specific for me to expect authors to put up labels about them.
I should also say though that some of my favorite fics, including monster WIPs which I've spent many, many hours reading, come with no warnings at all, or only something as vague as "potentially disturbing elements" or "lots of angst". And nothing in these fics has made me wish I hadn't read them, but I can see how other people could get upset.
Do I worry too much?
How specific do you think they should be? Do you ever get to resenting them as spoilers, feel that the warning is giving away something about the fic that, as an author or as a reader, you would rather keep a surprise? Have you ever had readers complain that there was something in a fic that they weren't prepared for? Have you ever felt that way yourself and resented the author for not having warned you?
Heh, and have you noticed that I tend to ask these questions without giving my own thoughts on the matter? I'm not sure if this is more something intentional like not wanting to shape other people's thoughts too much or make them reluctant to disagree, or if it's more just me being a wimp.
I have mixed feelings about it all. When I started reading fanfic I thought it was a helpful and considerate idea, and sometimes even made it easier to find the things that I wanted. (I don't think most people here will hate me if I say that sometimes, yeah, I'm in the mood for a story with some violence, or a character death, or for something unusually kinky or a PWP.) Also, there aren't many warning labels that will keep me from trying out a fic, but sometimes I'm glad to know the disturbing thing is coming, to be more prepared for it. I don't think I squick all that easily and the things that could really bug me are probably too specific for me to expect authors to put up labels about them.
I should also say though that some of my favorite fics, including monster WIPs which I've spent many, many hours reading, come with no warnings at all, or only something as vague as "potentially disturbing elements" or "lots of angst". And nothing in these fics has made me wish I hadn't read them, but I can see how other people could get upset.
Do I worry too much?
Re: Surprise me
I wonder whether it would work to simply put the warnings under the cut or, here's an idea, have a link to a post that gives the warnings. Obviously though, a lot of people wouldn't bother with reading the fic that way - too much effort for unknown return.
Re: Surprise me
I don't know though. It doesn't seem like a lot of effort to me, but some people want their warnings in flashing lights. Hmmm.