Hot and gripey

[kaethe]

So, like, here we go again on the warnings fuss. Here's a thought: as an author, you know what happens in the story. You can't be spoiled. Only the reader can be spoiled. So why is it that some writers insist on deciding for the reader whether or not they should be spoiled? For crying out loud, if there's something in your fic that you think would be seriously disturbing to a reasonable number of your readers, based not on your own likelihood of being disturbed but on your observations of what, in general, tends to be disturbing to people in your area of fandom, then either *say* it's in there, put it behind a cut/link, or suggest people email you to find out what it is if they're easily disturbed. Why? How about, why not? A better question is, why do some writers think they need to dictate how a reader approaches a story? Once the story is posted, the writer's approach to the story is pretty much over; the reader is now the one doing the approaching. Why not allow them to approach it on their own terms, or alternatively, do them the courtesy of allowing them to avoid it if they feel the need?

*sigh*

Or, you know, be so insistent on getting a reaction from your story that your reader's very real trauma becomes something you scoff at because it's not "your responsibility." Because it's all about you, after all.

Man, heat makes me pissy. Apparently Prison Break fandom is having an incest wank. Maybe I should share my thoughts on that subject next. Heheheh.