fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2737 ]

[ SECRET POST #2737 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2737 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

__________________________________________________

02.

__________________________________________________

03.

__________________________________________________

04.

__________________________________________________

05.

__________________________________________________

06.

__________________________________________________

07.

__________________________________________________

08.

__________________________________________________

09.

__________________________________________________

10.

Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 041 secrets from Secret Submission Post #391.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

ie: Would you rather things be spelled out for you or more subtle?

Here's a specific example: I recently (thanks to an anon here) wrote a scene for a fic sequel where Javier, who formerly thought he was straight but has settled into a relationship with his best friend, who he learned was bi in the previous fic. Javier wants to give his first blowjob, but he's nervous. There's some light tied-to-the-bedpost bondage and he asks Kevin not to watch and wants him to wear a blindfold.

Now, the psychology of it all is that even though they've largely been equals in the bedroom, this is the one act that Javier has been hesitant about. Now he wants to do it for Kevin, but he needs to be in complete control to feel comfortable doing it. I sum it up with

He looked at Kevin, so patient and willing to be with him however he wanted. He hated asking for anything more from him after everything they'd done. But he had to.

“Could you...could you not look?” Kevin nodded. He understood. Javier could see it in eyes.

I've recently been told that it would be better if I expand on and insert all that 'Javier wants to be in control' information into the narrative. And IDK. I've read stories that do that, but I always feel like those scenes feel so...clinical. Less organic to the story and more like...I don't know how to say it, exactly, but like, an airing of personal stuff via fic.

Does that make sense? What do you guys prefer, either for this example, others, or in general.

You can expand on it without explicitly spelling it out. For example, do another subtle hint that conveys the same meaning in a different way (using a character reaction that is different than the one you already have about looking) to reinforce the message, so that people who might miss the first hint will be more likely to catch the second one.

I prefer your way over the more detailed way in most cases, so I would go with what you have already written and not explain it any more.

Is this a Castle fic?! I've been feeling some Rysposito fic lately, so if this is that, and there's a Part One, point me to it! Also, I'm a big fan of subtext in this type of situation. Far too often stories that go in the "make your angst text!" direction read like regurgitated counseling pamphlets.

I'm more a fan of subtext.

I like both.

1. For subtext, I like that anyone can interpret whatever they want. Nothing is definite and anything is possible.

2. I like text because apparently I'm blind to subtext. I keep going to discussions and people talking about all the subtext of certain things and I'm left confused because I don't notice at all, and I take things as they are spelled out.

I much prefer subtext, but subtext that doesn't only show up in one scene. Like, readers should already have been able to figure out from previous subtextual implications why Javier wouldn't want Kevin to look while he's giving the blowjob. If I can't piece things together from hints given in other parts of the story, then the subtext in one scene might not be enough; but if I can, then I enjoy it much more than being told anything outright.

One of my favorite trilogies is basically loads of subtext, pretty much nothing is spoonfed in the narrative, and having to sift through the unspoken layers of character behavior is a pleasure for me. EDIT: Oh, I forgot to add, in one part of the story, one character flatly refuses to give a blowjob during his first time with another character, and it's clear from previous hints in the text that it's likely because he was abused as a child by his uncle. We're never once told this, but the suggestion is everywhere, and his partner has most likely caught on by now. So because of this, the sex scene doesn't have to grind to a halt to explain anything.

Edited 2014-07-02 01:59 (UTC)

If we already know about, uh...Javier's issues with control and whatnot, then this is fine and is, in fact, more than enough and quite good.

If we haven't heard anything about that until now, you might need to add a little something.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ SECRET POST #2737 ]

Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?

Re: Text or Subtext?