On Fic Warnings

[herongale]

Comments

[mikkeneko]

It would be helpful if more writers didn't treat the relationship with readers as an antagonistic one

This is so true.

[maypirate]

What concerns/confuses me, and has as I've watched people on my flist weigh in on this issue, is that some things that apparently one should "warn" for are not things I would consider...you know, warn-y.

For example, it never once occurred to me in House to warn for anything medical - I read somewhere that extreme medical stuff should be noted in a warning. Maybe it's because I assumed that anyone looking for House stuff would be familiar with the show, and therefore okay with medical messes and tendons flying everywhere, but now I'm sort of unsure as to what I should warn for when.

I'm more prone towards erring on the side of caution, but do I have to warn for my Bones (the show, not the hotass) fic because it has strange and potentially disturbing imagery?

I'm so puzzled.

[militsa]

[vikki]

Remember: All House fic is really about House and whats-his-name being gay for each other.

[vikki]

brava, brava! An excellent post. I struggle with summaries as well, but the fastest turnoff for me is reading a fic with a summary that says 'I suck at summaries, please read anyway!' The idea is to just give me a small taste of what's inside, so don't apologize - just put it out there! You'll be surprised what people will read (and love).

[anat_astarte]

The fact of the matter is that writers who WANT to attract readers have responsibilities to properly advertise their fics.

So true. Great post!