I have no doubt this will be touchy subject for people. \u00a0So before we even get started lets get one thing straight. \u00a0I will not tolerate flaming, rudeness, or attacks on anyone who comments on this blog. \u00a0We’re all adults which means we’ll disagree on variety of things. \u00a0And as adults we can have rational discussions without lowering ourselves to name calling.<\/p>\n
Now that we have the ‘Warning’ out of the way… *grins*<\/p>\n
Warnings<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I actually personal despise these things. \u00a0As a writer and a reader. \u00a0Why? Because the idea of a story whether it’s told via film, tv, book etc… is to entertain. \u00a0Not to be warned that something may upset me. \u00a0If it does the writer did their job – they made me feel and think. \u00a0 It doesn’t matter the emotion – the writer got a reaction out of me – they did their job.<\/p>\n Now before you already go off screaming.<\/p>\n Ratings are not Warnings.<\/p>\n If I see the standard Ratings I can expect certain things. \u00a0If it’s rated G – I’m not expecting anything that is shocking. \u00a0PG – I can expect some language. Pg-13 – some\u00a0violence\u00a0and some sexual situations. \u00a0R – language, violence and sex. Nc-17 – all that in technicolor. \u00a0These 5 Ratings already gives a viewer some heads up of what they will expect. \u00a0If you walk into a PG and get graphic torture and rape scene \u00a0you’ll be shocked cause wait what? \u00a0If you’re watching R and it’s more a kids film you’re also going to be shocked.<\/p>\n These Ratings have been standard in the movie, tv, video game industry for over 50 years. \u00a0We use a version of these ratings for fanfic – giving the reader a quick reference of what to expect.<\/p>\n So why Warnings?<\/p>\n There are no warnings on a TV show, Movie, and Video Game \u00a0The Rating system is your warning. \u00a0If you walk into a NC-17 movie you can’t be surprised by the\u00a0violence,\u00a0 sex or combination there of… it’s NC-17 which means the Movie Industry has deemed this not\u00a0view-able\u00a0by anyone under 17. \u00a0 If you pick up a game and it says Mature – you shouldn’t be shocked when your ‘Assassin’ starts killing people and blood cascades onto the walls.<\/p>\n Now Books don’t even get a Rating System. \u00a0When you pick it up, check the summary on the back, flip through a few pages and decided to buy it you’re taking the chance that there is things in it that may shock you. \u00a0There may be sex, violence, rape, torture, and you really have no idea of the character you fall for will survive the book. \u00a0You can get ideas of what to expect from the book you’ve picked up by its Genre. \u00a0If it’s Murder\/Mystery you can expect some type of violent act. \u00a0It’s in the Gay\/Lesbian section – you can expect their to be a same-sex couple somewhere in the story. \u00a0Romance is likely to have vivid sex scenes. \u00a0True Crimes – could have bloody details of deaths. \u00a0Kids section not expecting much\u00a0violence\/sex.<\/p>\n So if we accept Ratings for Movies, TV Shows and Video Games, and Genres for books to give us a clue on what to expect.<\/p>\n Why? Why? Why is fanfiction so rabid on Warnings.<\/p>\n My God I’ve never seen so many fights\/wars\/viscous\u00a0attacks on authors over a simple warning or lack of one. \u00a0 You walk into a movie, sit down for a tv show, pick up a book having no clue where the story will take you. \u00a0You are letting the writer\/showrunner\/director tell you the story. \u00a0You didn’t sit at the end of Sixth Sense and go OMG M. Night Shyamalan\u00a0should have warned us that he was already dead! \u00a0You didn’t scream at\u00a0Tolkien\u00a0and demanded that he warn us that Boromir was going to die in the FIRST BOOK! *though I still haven’t forgiven him for that :D*<\/p>\n Yet you will reply to an author and scream\/rant\/rave at them for not warning you that *this will happen in this story*. \u00a0 Yet won’t reply to an author to tell them you enjoyed their story – But that is a whole different discussion.<\/p>\n I have a standard warning on the opening screen for the Sylum Archive. \u00a0You could possibly find any of these things in this series.<\/p>\n And I hate it.<\/p>\n Why?<\/p>\n Because my job is to make you laugh, cry, throw things, stare at the computer in shock and call me every name in the book but a child of god. \u00a0My job is to surprise you, make sure you didn’t see that coming, fall in love with the characters, look beyond your\u00a0expectations, and hopefully you’ll walk away with new perspectives. \u00a0But mostly my job is to entertain – to lure you into the story to the point that hours go by and you have no clue.<\/p>\n My job is not to hold your hand in case something you read upsets you.<\/p>\n Warning for Death<\/span><\/p>\n I admit who wants to see their favorite character die – hence fanfic in general – Let alone Sylum *pointedly looks at Speed* But at the same time why limit yourself to what you are willing to read. \u00a0Some of the best stuff I’ve read have revolved around a characters death. \u00a0Though I still hate\u00a0Tolkien\u00a0for killing Boromir – that scene in the book is amazing to read and I choke up each time.<\/p>\n Another good example: Transformers 3 – I sat there in shock watching my beloved Ironhide die. \u00a0I was like wait what… then promptly called Bay every name in the book. \u00a0But I didn’t demand my money back or demand that he warn us that Ironhide was going to die. \u00a0Can you imagine for a second: \u00a0Opening Credits ready to role – then before we get to see Optimus…<\/p>\n Warning: This story may upset you as I’ve killed off Ironhide.<\/p>\n Sounds ridiculous right?<\/p>\n So why do you make a fanfic author write that exact thing?<\/p>\n Warning for words that are non PC<\/span><\/p>\n I’m not even having the discussion on the idea of how society as gotten to PC over the past years. \u00a0Sometimes you really just need to call an idiot an idiot. \u00a0Anyway moving on.<\/p>\n Words are powerful. \u00a0Seeing hate filled words hurts. \u00a0I’m not going to deny that. \u00a0It’s uncomfortable to see\u00a0derogatory\u00a0words used by characters we love and even by those we don’t love. \u00a0I’ve already discussed how you need to take the modern thinking out historical characters. But you also need to look at the characters and their\u00a0position\u00a0in life.<\/p>\n So why am I as a writer warning you that a racists, sexists asshole character is not going to speak PC? \u00a0And why are you as the reader yelling at me for using the words? \u00a0It’s not me it’s the character… A KKK card caring member is not going to use the words African American or Mexican American. \u00a0 He doesn’t in real life and he sure as hell not going to do it in a fic. \u00a0Yeah it’s shocking can even make you stop and go what? Why does it do that? Because you aren’t a KKK Card Caring Member… but don’t assume that because the author wrote it – they are.<\/p>\n Warning for Sex<\/span><\/p>\n If my fic is R and Nc-17 – be shocked if there isn’t sex. \u00a0I’m not going to warn for sex. \u00a0Now if you list pairings: Horatio\/Timothy – that should indicate it’s going to be Gay Sex. \u00a0And if it says Indiana\/Lara – that should indicate Het Sex.<\/p>\n Now yes when you walk into a book store and pick up\u00a0Harlequin\u00a0Romance you would probably be shocked if there is a gay couple – I would hope at some point this won’t be shocking but we’ve got a while to go on that. \u00a0If you walk into the gay\/lesbian section – the gay sex shouldn’t be shocking.<\/p>\n Hopefully when you read the summary and it says Tom is a lawyer new to Chicago and his life takes a turn when he meets Brian the Barista at Starbucks. \u00a0Does the author really need to warn you that – gay sex may pop up?<\/p>\n Oh and just because your favorite character doesn’t end up with the one you want them to – doesn’t mean the author has to warn you. \u00a0Now I’ll admit I’ve read that story – it was my favorite pairing – even listed as it – at the end they both where with someone else … I was like wait what? \u00a0Oh they got ripped to shreds. \u00a0The key here is not that they should have warned for it – they should have stated a different option in the pairing listing… So that isn’t a warning – its making sure you label your story right.<\/p>\n Next is even more difficult thing to discuss.<\/p>\n Warning for Triggers<\/span><\/p>\n I’m lucky. I’m going to say that upfront. \u00a0I’ve not had major traumatic experiences that watching\/reading something could trigger a flashback. \u00a0And I honestly can’t imagine going through something like that and dealing with the emotional,\u00a0psychological, and \u00a0physical\u00a0ramifications. \u00a0I do understand that aspects of stories can trigger memories. \u00a0I will not deny that. \u00a0But then everyday things can trigger memories – from smell, a touch, sound.<\/p>\n But why is it my\u00a0responsibility\u00a0to make sure you don’t get triggered? I’m being honest here.<\/p>\n My fic is NC-17 \u00a0its a strong\u00a0possibility\u00a0there will be graphic violence and\/or sex. \u00a0I get yelled at for triggering them…<\/p>\n My fic is Pg – there is no graphic violence and\/or sex but I still get yelled at for triggering them\u00a0because\u00a0there as a line that reminded them of ….<\/p>\n In the end I can’t win. \u00a0 I can’t write a fic with the idea that a word, sentence, scene, will trigger someone.<\/p>\n So here are some questions for thought:<\/p>\n Your brother was killed in an accident – you blame\u00a0Tolkien\u00a0for triggering those memories when Boromir dies?<\/p>\n You walk by someone who has the same cologne as your ex – it flashbacks to the memories of fights and the breakup – do you blame the stranger walking by?<\/p>\n I know these are simple examples and there are lot more horrific moments in life – but the question is do you blame the person who\u00a0inadvertently\u00a0triggered them?<\/p>\n For some yes they do – they blame the fanfic author – Cause how dare they not warn that there could be something in their fic that could upset them. \u00a0 I’ve heard the argument I shouldn’t have to read about Rape or Child abuse and its shocking when it shows up in my fanfic. \u00a0It’s also shocking when it shows up on your tv show\/movie\/book. \u00a0 The problem is that the author does not know exactly what can trigger someone – a person could be triggered by variety of ways a rape scene can be written, someone may react to a cop talking to a kid about being abused, while someone else flinches when the main character is slapped because they were abused.<\/p>\n I’m not taking away that these moments have \u00a0impact on people. \u00a0But what I’m pointing out – an author can write the same scene different ways and styles – detailed not detailed and still end up triggering someone.<\/p>\n That’s why you need to put a warning on it!! \u00a0So the reader doesn’t get triggered!!<\/p>\n Okay. \u00a0So when do you add the warning? \u00a0When \u00a0Rape or Child Abuse is just mentioned? Or when it’s\u00a0graphically\u00a0detailed? \u00a0The Author starts to get antsy on what to warn for – either warns to much and gives the story away or not enough and gets yelled at. \u00a0 Which leads back to the original question – why is my job to warn you? \u00a0If you walk into a bookstore buy a book or sit down for a TV Show\/Movie and something happens to trigger you – what do you do?<\/p>\n – Keep reading\/watching?<\/p>\n – Put it down\/turn it off?<\/p>\n Do you contact the bookstore\/studio, publishing house\/cable channel, author\/director and yell at them for not warning you?<\/p>\n So why do you contact a fanfic author and do just that?<\/p>\n \u00a0***<\/p>\n Now I’m pretty sure I’ve either pissed you off or have you nodding your head in agreement. \u00a0Either way I’m hoping a rational discussion can come about on the subject.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have no doubt this will be touchy subject for people. \u00a0So before we even get started lets get one thing straight. \u00a0I will not tolerate flaming, rudeness, or attacks on anyone who comments on this blog. \u00a0We’re all adults which means we’ll disagree on variety of things. \u00a0And as …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[148],"tags":[4,484],"class_list":["post-1113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sylum-articles","tag-admin-posts","tag-sylum-essay-series"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Da1M-hX","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16507,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/seven-days-of-summer-2020-day-four\/","url_meta":{"origin":1113,"position":0},"title":"Seven Days of Summer 2020: Day Four","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"July 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Birthday Gift Author: Gil Grissom Pairing: Dom\/Brian\/Han Rating: PG Warning: Discussion of Child death and suicide. Summary: Dom and Han\u2019s surprise doesn\u2019t go exactly how they expected, but it turned out to be what Brian needed. Sylum Timeline: 2001 Link to Archive","rel":"","context":"In "Seven Days of Summer: 2020"","block_context":{"text":"Seven Days of Summer: 2020","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/seven-days-of-summer-2020\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_BirthdayGift.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11888,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/welcome-new-sylum-archive\/","url_meta":{"origin":1113,"position":1},"title":"Welcome: New Sylum Archive","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"October 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This is it! \u00a0This is the day the new Sylum Archive opens! Why are we moving to a new Archive? A) The old one was no longer supported by the developers and was starting to fail. \u00a0Coding wasn't working, skins were failing, and you might have noticed it didn't like\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Archive"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Archive","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-archive\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_archiveNEW-manor-800x267.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_archiveNEW-manor-800x267.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_archiveNEW-manor-800x267.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2350,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-december-27th-snippets-from-upcoming-sylum-stories\/","url_meta":{"origin":1113,"position":2},"title":"Sylum Advent – December 27th: Snippets from Upcoming Sylum Stories","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 27, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"December 27th \u00a0 Title:\u00a0Snippets from Upcoming Sylum Stories Author:\u00a0BJ Jones, Timothy Quinn, Gil Grissom, Jack Sparrow, John Sheppard, and Taibhrigh Summary: Snippets of upcoming stories for Sylum - including a snippet for each of the teaser trailers that's already been shown. \u00a0 Link to Sylum Advent","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Advent: 2013"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Advent: 2013","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/sylum-advent-2013\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"banner_advent2013","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/banner_advent2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2391,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-reaction-post\/","url_meta":{"origin":1113,"position":3},"title":"Sylum Advent – Reaction Post","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"January 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 And we've finished another Advent! *WOOHOO* I hope everyone enjoyed the stories, art, and videos. \u00a0Please take a moment to comment either on the stories or this post - Sylum Author's do not get paid and leaving a comment to let them know you enjoyed their work goes a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Advent: 2013"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Advent: 2013","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/sylum-advent-2013\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"banner_advent2013","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/banner_advent2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1161,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-fics-archived\/","url_meta":{"origin":1113,"position":4},"title":"Sylum Advent Fics – Archived","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"April 25, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a list of Sylum Advent Stories that have been Archived to the Sylum Archive on the main website. To find out which stories have been Archived look for Tag 'Archived'. \u00a0The link on that post would have been changed from 'Sylum Advent' to 'Sylum Archive'. 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