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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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."