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As an example, say there's a story of six chapters, and there's only sex in chapters three and six. Where do you put the CAUTION: Sex / Sexual Scenes tag?
Does it go on the organizer page? At the top of each chapter? Even on the chapters with no sex at all?
On the one hand, I try to err on the side of CAUTION, so that no reader will be unnecessarily shocked or disturbed by reading something they'd rather avoid.
On the other hand, I realize that some readers might be looking for exactly that tag, and be disappointed when the advertised sexual content isn't there.
A couple questions to think about.
How well does the story read if the reader skips chapters three and six?(as per your example)
What happens when the reader who would avoid stories with sex reaches these chapters?
Good points
Yes, and your comment meshes well with Patricia's comment below.
thanks,
- io
Personal preference (my not so humble opinion)
My person preference is that it should go at the very beginning. I find it highly frustrating to get involved in a story and then find it contains a sex scene that is erotic in nature. The only thing worse is for the sex to show up without a caution anywhere.
As for sex in stories; if the sex is integral to the story line, then by all means include it. However, I really don't think that it's necessary to give us a detailed description of the act unless you are intending to write erotica. In which case then the more sex the better, but do us all a favor... warn us that the story is erotic in nature.
I may be a prude, but I'm not prudish enough to say that no one should ever read or write such stories but I'm enough of a prude to want it advertised as such so that we can make an informed decision as to whether we want to read it or not.
If you are including a detailed sex scene, then along with the tags, I think you should also put a short disclaimer at the beginning, such as: Warning: this story contains graphic depictions of sex!
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
I agree, and it's not about being prudish or not
Thanks -- you and Hypatia have settled it for me. I have been putting the warnings at the start, and I'll keep it that way. I don't want to give people unwelcome surprises, or throw up a sudden roadblock in the midst of a story.
I appreciate the advice!
- io
Caution Tag
I tend to put one on every chapter because I'm prone to swearing ALL the time in pretty much EVERYTHING I write LOL.
Yes, the language one is my staple too
Yes, it's like getting a license to let loose.
Thanks,
- io