Opinion Question

[lyriel]

Greetings, everyone. Hope this question is appropriate for this comm; if not then feel free to delete.

I would like to hear people's feelings on the following issue. I know it's subjective, so there's no "right answer", probably:

How would you handle warning/tagging for a fic where it *seems* like a major character has died, but it later turns out that he didn't? Think of a Sherlock Holmes type of situation where someone disappears, is presumed dead, then comes back a few years later.

Would you use the "Major Character Death" warning on AO3? How can I warn/tag this story properly without giving away the plot twist? Would you feel disturbed/squicked/annoyed if you read a story like this and there was no specific warning for "major character death"?

Can I get away with using a vague warning like "dark themes"?


Assume that the death is not graphically described, and this is a canon where death and violence are not common occurrences.

Thanks in advance; this one has been puzzling me.

Comments

[lunabee34]

For that story, I would choose not to warn and then put the relevant information in the author's note at the end of the story with directions to look there if you want to be spoiled in the summary.

For stories in which character death just happens or is the point of the story, I use the character death warning and relevant tags. But for a story in which the point is that you think a character is dead and then they aren't, having that info staring you in the face just ruins the surprise IMHO.

[agilebrit]

"Author chose not to use warnings" is a lovely catch-all for all kinds of things.

[lyriel]

"For that story, I would choose not to warn and then put the relevant information in the author's note at the end of the story with directions to look there if you want to be spoiled in the summary."

That's a good idea.

[lunabee34]

:)

[ayumidah]

I only ever warn for slash, but that's already clearly stated in the tags, so... I guess I'm just mean that way, heh.

[perfectworry]

You warn for slash? Why? Do you warn for het, also?

I've never understood slash warnings, so I'm genuinely curious.

[ayumidah]

I only do it because I know how some people get about things, and it's not really a warning, I'll just say at the top "This is a slash fic" sometimes. I've begun slacking on that lately, though.

[lyriel]

Most places, like AO3 and FF.net, have you name the pairing. Most LJ communities do, too. You put "Bob/Steve" in your header. You shouldn't have to warn for slash, if you simply name the pairing.

Just a thought.

[serria]

Yeah, to be totally fair, a lot of "warnings" should more accurately be called... I don't know, "tags" or just "labels"? I mean, I'd be the type to specifically look for something labeled slash. A lot of people specifically look for things that might be "triggers" to other people - non-con, or specific kinks, for example. And a lot of "non-triggers" might be essentially warnings to other people - I'd probably avoid a fic labeled "fluff", for example. :P

[ayumidah]

Yeah, I'm a pretty... safe writer, I think, for the most part, but it's so hard to tell what could trigger some people, you'd have to warn or label for basically everything if you start going too far down that road.

[inevitableentresol]

From the writer's side, I would choose not to warn. Don't give away the plot twist.

From the reader's side: In a way, if you don't use the Major Character Death tag, or you do use it, you're spoiling the story either way. Half way through, the reader is going to figure out what's up if you don't use it.

Choose not to warn, but perhaps explain in the header notes that the character(s) deal with a death during the fic? That's nicely non-specific. As a reader, I'd want the mourning warned for more than the death itself.

[lyriel]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[perfectworry]

I think using the "Major Character Death" tag would actually make the twist bigger, but you could also just choose not to warn.

Interesting that you used Sherlock Holmes as an example, because when the story was written, he was supposed to stay dead.

[lyriel]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[serria]

I usually use "choose not to warn" or "dark themes", and I think that's appropriate in your case. I mean, I personally hate spoiler tags - but for the sake of people who are careful about what they read, I'd think "dark themes" is a fair warning that people with triggers should avoid or proceed with caution. But especially since you said it's not a graphic depiction, and the character isn't even dead... I wouldn't worry about it. There's a chance someone might complain, but you've got nothing to be sorry for if you said "dark themes" or "choose not to warn."

[lyriel]

"There's a chance someone might complain, but you've got nothing to be sorry for if you said "dark themes" or "choose not to warn."

Yeah, I figure that if someone is sensitive to various issues, or easily offended, and they see a "Choose not to warn" but they go ahead and read it anyway, then that's on their head, not mine.

I try very hard to provide adequate warnings, but sometimes there's no telling what could be upsetting to someone. Themes that one person loves, another finds highly disturbing. It's all very subjective.