Betty solicits your opinions!

[brown_betty]

I like subtext. It's fun! I like ambiguous situations, which lend themselves to multiple readings. I like to think my writing works without me telling people *how* to read it, and if people sometimes get less from my writing than I hoped, sometimes they get more than I intended, and that rocks pretty hard

Comments

[maelithil]

I like it when a story gives me the pairing, simply because it makes it easier to find.

I see no need for rating, actually, but that's just because I see no ratings in bookstores, and that's just fine with me. I'm all for warning for content, but the warnings need not be specific.

My rule of thumb is, when writing warnings priority goes to the story and not to the reader. Back buttons exist, and it's always awful to be spoiled for the fic you were about to read because the author was overly cautious and warned for every damn thing. Character death!!! is the most annoying of all, dammit.

I think we should just... trust our readers a little more. If someone gets all offended, well, I shudder to think what would happen to them in a library were they to pick up, say, the Iliad.

To summarize: Pairing is nice for convenience purposes. Certainly not necessary. I don't warn for slash. It shouldn't need a warning. "Content some readers may find disturbing" is still your best bet, I feel. But you should not feel obligated to warn for specific content, prioritize the fic!