This is all procrastination from writing, you realize. Somebody should kick me.

[antennapedia]

I was thinking (a dangerous yet fortunately rare occurrence) about the recent fandom go-round about warnings, which is iteration #392 in what is likely an endless culture clash. If you want to catch up on the thrash, check out metafandom's warnings tag. In this post I share the evolution of my own thinking about warnings, and a decision I've taken

Comments

::warns for kicking::

[nwhepcat]

Get back to work!!

No, actually. I just wanted to say I accidentally triggered a good friend by writing about night terrors. So you just don't know, but it's good to be thinking of these things. I should provide more warnings; you make a good case. (Of course, in the midst of a WIP I never know what might happen...)

Re: ::warns for kicking::

[antennapedia]

I don't think I've ever triggered anybody, at least not that anybody's told me. That would be distressing. The most upset I've ever caused a reader from a story (that I know about) wasn't about anything I'd ever think to warn for, but instead because the story's character issues touched home.

(icon edit)

[seldomifever]

But at least it's interesting procrastination. I just fold clothes.

I've been thinking about warnings a lot lately, because nearly all of my WIPs involve high school Buffy. My husband keeps telling me to just rewrite the stories - as if the seasons are interchangeable. But I think part of what attracts me to them is that they're dirtybadwrong.

[antennapedia]

Warn for it, and write on. Something drives us to write. There's something we chase. Just chase it. (Besides which, I like it too. As you know, Bob.)

[snickfic]

I will change my current habits to add "warnings: none" to fics that don't need warnings, to set expectations properly.

I think that right there is a fabulous idea, and not just for setting expectations. As a reader, I have a longer list than some of the things that I'm just not interested in reading. However, it is much easier to search for fics with Kink/Trigger #1 than it is to search for fics without Kink/Trigger #1. After all, who labels their fic "does not contain Kink/Trigger #1"? You do (or you will here soon). Hurrah for you!

[antennapedia]

I solve the problem differently on my fic archive than I do here on LJ. There I go nuts and tag the fic with all the content indicators I can think of. If you're looking for my time travel stories they're easy to find. The problem is that I've put the tags lists for stories at the bottom of the story page itself. Not as easy to use for browsing. I am pondering a minor information redesign to make the tags more prominent. This will let you do what you want to do more easily.

Here on LJ, with this dual-purpose journal, I have to use the headers to do this job. Sloppier. But it does work.

This solves the problem for my stuff but not for all the rest of the world. Oh well. At least I can get my own ducks lined up.

[fuzzyboo03]

Abuse doesn't have to be limited to the physical, either. Verbal can be just as devastating, and need the warning. It comes up more in HP fic, given Harry's background, but it can happen with Xander as well as other in Buffy.

Of course, as a reader with triggers, I have to know that there are times when I can deal with my triggers, and times that I can't, and read appropriately.

[antennapedia]

Yeah, the responsibility for self-protection does eventually rest on you. Though I, as your friend, will help as I can. For instance, remembering to warn for verbal abuse if I ever write a fic that goes deep into it.

[wickedfox]

I've always hated having to put warnings on my fics. Heck, my very first (and horrible) BtVS fic was one of those stories which should have a huge warning on it and I'm sure I turned off readers for ages with not having done so. But many of my stories depend on shock value or twists which I feel some warnings might hint at. I guess there is a balance. I appreciate warnings at times. I tend to avoid "fluffy" stories but folks rarely warn about such things. Chances are, the warnings will be what get me to read something since I tend to enjoy the darker stuff. I give vague warnings now, mostly of the nature "angst whore" or "pwp" to alert folks to possible questionable content.

[antennapedia]

Yeah, this is the whole thing about how most of the time, warnings are content labels. For some readers, the phrase "angst whore" isa big neon sign saying "read me!" and for others it's a sign that says "go somewhere else for the schmoop you're wanting right now". Sometimes I want vamp!Giles. Sometimes I want angel!Giles.

Hey. Wait. I don't know of any angel!Giles stories at all.