I'm a little flabbergasted that this was even an issue.
I'm very lucky in that I don't have to pay much attention to warnings; while there are definite things I'd prefer not to read, I don't have to fear being "triggered." I respect that it's a very real possibility for some people...
...and as far as I can tell, you've always respected that as well, since I've found your stories very clearly labeled. And as for condoning various behavior? Just... no. Is there exploration of issues? Different reactions and feelings and sides presented? Yes. But actually condoning these behaviors? Presenting them as desireable or right? I just don't see it.
Case in point: your most recent story (which I now realize I read and reread without yet leaving a comment--my apologies) had behavior I consider extremely troubling. It upset me that Kurt saw self-injury as a means of "beautification." It was able to upset me because the way you wrote his thought process in the story, I could see how he would see the cutting as a positive. I never once got that you were cheering him on. Clearly, I don't know what your critic said, or how they felt. But I do know that as an outside reader, I feel you write thought-provoking fics, and label them appropriately.
One last note: I had wandered over to your fic list not too long ago to reread some fic, and was panicked to see some of them struck through. I'm so relieved that that (1. you're okay and (2. you're not going to second-guess the work you produce. You may have had a vocal detractor, but you have many fans.
I wasn't expecting it to be an issue, either, but since I started posting the occasional comment comes up.
If I don't read warnings it's my choice, either because I'm going into something hoping to have the emotional jerk that comes from not expecting something, or because I've just overlooked the warning. I would never have thought to blame the author. :/
<3 <3
And I really must thank you for mentioning the fic list -- I had forgotten about changing the status of some of my fics, and when I read your comment I ran (lol okay, figuratively ran) to change that.
I'm very lucky in that I don't have to pay much attention to warnings; while there are definite things I'd prefer not to read, I don't have to fear being "triggered." I respect that it's a very real possibility for some people...
...and as far as I can tell, you've always respected that as well, since I've found your stories very clearly labeled. And as for condoning various behavior? Just... no. Is there exploration of issues? Different reactions and feelings and sides presented? Yes. But actually condoning these behaviors? Presenting them as desireable or right? I just don't see it.
Case in point: your most recent story (which I now realize I read and reread without yet leaving a comment--my apologies) had behavior I consider extremely troubling. It upset me that Kurt saw self-injury as a means of "beautification." It was able to upset me because the way you wrote his thought process in the story, I could see how he would see the cutting as a positive. I never once got that you were cheering him on. Clearly, I don't know what your critic said, or how they felt. But I do know that as an outside reader, I feel you write thought-provoking fics, and label them appropriately.
One last note: I had wandered over to your fic list not too long ago to reread some fic, and was panicked to see some of them struck through. I'm so relieved that that (1. you're okay and (2. you're not going to second-guess the work you produce. You may have had a vocal detractor, but you have many fans.
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If I don't read warnings it's my choice, either because I'm going into something hoping to have the emotional jerk that comes from not expecting something, or because I've just overlooked the warning. I would never have thought to blame the author. :/
<3 <3
And I really must thank you for mentioning the fic list -- I had forgotten about changing the status of some of my fics, and when I read your comment I ran (lol okay, figuratively ran) to change that.
♥
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