Recently a story was published with a rape scene.
The story was tagged “explicit content.” Beyond that, the story unfolded logically and gave plenty of notice to the reader that a rape would occur. Further, the story was written by an author who writes femdom stories and has published them here for two decades.
I wouldn’t have read the story if the controversy had not occurred and been chronicled in other blogs. I assume several other readers read the story for the same reason.
However, that story has drawn over 2,200 hits while a story posted right next to it by Emme Tate has drawn only 1,100. You could counter by saying that the rape story only got 42 kudos and Emma’s story received 100. But I would argue that the large number of hits for this kind of story is par for the course for this site. I would also argue that these stories normally draw fewer comments and kudos. They are this site’s guilty pleasure.
I’ve posted well over one hundred stories here. Those stories that have explicit content nearly always draw about double the number of hits. The 175 that didn’t include the explicit content warning averaged about 4,450 hits and the four that did -- averaged about 8,150 hits.
I have never been physically raped. . .other than in proxy. I can understand how these stories can trigger strong emotions. I would never downplay the hurt these stories can cause. It’s real.
However . . . BC has been a home for these stories for years. Only occasionally have these stories crossed lines. This story, in my opinion, did not.
Human beings are complex. The protagonist’s Stockholm Syndrome response to being raped was authentic within the context of the story and should be seen for what it was. I do not agree that the rape was glorified. The protagonist’s decisions were clearly wrong and continue to be wrong. It unfolded like a Coen Brothers’ movie.
The rape scene was not gratuitous and fit into the context of the story.
I don’t usually read this author’s stories. I don’t care for them. However, her technique is good. Her characters are well-drawn. It’s obvious she works at her craft. This story didn’t change my mind about reading her future stories. They’re not my favorite and there are too many stories here that do directly appeal to me that I can’t find the time to read.
Complaining about explicit content stories on BC is a little like going to Golden Corral and stuffing yourself with what you think was a delicious meal. On the way out you grab a comment card and complain about the baked fish and broccoli. You don’t like baked fish and broccoli. It’s about the only thing in the entire smorgasbord that you don’t like. You didn’t eat them but were offended by their existence.
Stroke fiction is a fact of life. To each their own.
Big Closet has a mission to provide a friendly atmosphere for writers of transgendered fiction.
If a story offends you, stop reading.
If a story isn’t properly tagged, report your findings to Erin.
Above all . . . if you aren’t liking the story trends on BC, be part of the solution. Write and post the stories you like.
I understand the legal issues Mel and Erin are grappling with. That’s a much different (very complex) matter.
Jill
Comments
‘I May Disapprove Of What You Say, ...
Voltaire is quoted as saying, "I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
That's my feeling as well. So long as the author uses the appropriate tags and cautions so that no reader is blindsided by the content, then I have no valid objection to them posting their story.
But like the other blog writer, I do find it disturbing that there seems to be an upsurge in the number of stories posted that I disapprove of the content. Like you, I simply choose not to read them.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Talking about Trauma
I'm told that writing about horrific incidents can help one heal from them. That has been my experience.
Gwen
Writing about the trauma
One - It is best to only write one's own trauma if the intent is to proceess same.
Two - Be aware that the brain often if not always processes the trauma s it is able. Counselors will remind a survivor that memories frequently are rsisitent ro recollection; they arise as the brain is ready, and reisitant if it is not. The very real neurological response to trauma is also what regulates recovery.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumati...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181836/
This is not to dissuade writing, but rather to understand that personal exploration is what is recommended regarding recovery. Writing what one already has prcessed rather than using writing to urge the process forward.
Love, Andrea Lena
No Country for Old Men
You hit the nail on the head with the Coen Brothers analogy. I appreciated the maker’s art in that film, even if in retrospect I wish I hadn’t seen it.
I’ve also read things I wish I hadn’t. Some was fiction. Some of that fiction was here. But for the most part, BC feels safe, insofar any place can. A story’s labels, my opinion of a writer’s past works, and what is foreshadowed, all affect if I start, and if I finish, reading a story.
Having said that, on the question of whether there is more disturbing content here now, I can’t say, because I seldom get far into something offensive to me. So I conclude this still is a friendly place for readers as well as writers.
Part of what keeps it friendly though is that we have these discussions. Offensive scenes in fiction can help us process an offensive world. I’ve driven past car crashes with my wide-eyed child, been within a few miles of a mass shooting, had a dear friend lose her child to a tragic accident, and heard one of the most compassionate persons I knew (so I thought) refer to a “fucking pre-op granny” [DYAC]. I’m not complaining about the world, because it can’t listen.
But we can complain about fiction, because writers can listen, they mostly care about how they are reaching readers, and a writer’s response to criticism informs how we approach whatever else they may write and post.
Well Said
As always.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Unpleasant scenes
I very, very rarely write sex scenes, partly because I find they make me cringe. I usually avoid reading them, for much the same reason. They come into my stories when necessary--the sex scenes in 'Playtime' were a key part of the plot.
I DO write unpleasant scenes, and they have included rape and child abuse. Once again, those are key parts of the plot, and my focus is mostly on the effects on the victims, in the emotional damage rather than the physical. What I do offer, in almost every story, is a sort of compensation. Almost every thing I have written is about finding friendship, love, support, even in the darkest of times.
I can't write honestly about lightness without darkness with which to contrast it. According to my account details, I have been here fourteen and a half years, and writing here for thirteen.
I would guess that most people are now familiar with my style, and can work out when to avoid it.
Writing the darkness.
“I can’t write honestly about lightness without darkness . . . .” Agreed. I’ve used this quote from Ursula LeGuin often, but only because it hits me so deeply.
Emma
I Support
A couple of more specific labels on the Headlines, such as "rape" and "child abuse". There may be others that should be considered but I don't know what pushes the buttons of others so I make no further suggestions. Other than such warnings I do not support any other restrictions on content unless legally required.
In 15 years of reading here I have found the current warning headings to be more than adequate and if I have become uncomfortable reading a particular story there has always been the facility to stop; my decision.