[ SECRET POST #4066 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #4066 ⌋

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

01.



__________________________________________________



02.


__________________________________________________



03.


__________________________________________________



04.


__________________________________________________



05.


__________________________________________________



06.


__________________________________________________



07.


__________________________________________________



08.











Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 26 secrets from Secret Submission Post #582.
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.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

It is not just about warnings. If you do not tell people what elements are in your fic by tagging as many things as possible, then they may not read it because they are unable to actually find it. As discussed in the previous discussion, sometimes readers search for stories via tags, not because they're trying to avoid something but because they're LOOKING for something specific. Tags aren't just a warning system, they're an advertisement.

If you'd rather not overanalyze your story in order to come up with as many tags as possible, that's fine. No one is actually forcing you, so maybe quit whining like someone is trying to force you. But more tags=wider reach=higher hit count=potentially more kudos and comments.

In 2018, our main two places for posting fic are websites which use tagging systems (Tumblr and Ao3). This is how we do it now.

(btw, I've also been writing fanfic for 20 years, and we've always used warnings, we just used to have to type out every.single.one. individually instead of having premade tags to pick from a drop down menu. That was certainly motivation to be a bit more spare about fic notes. But everyone please quit acting like we didn't use warnings before)

[(Anonymous)]

I think you might be confusing two different arguments about tagging?

There was one argument about someone saying that they don't tag at all, which I think is where a lot of the arguments about tagging being advertising came into it, and then the other was (IIRC) a very long and involved argument about when it was appropriate to use the Choose Not To Warn tag. And I think the latter is where the conversation OP is talking about happened.

[liz_marcs]

Hmmm, okay. This is a point. I was thinking tagging specific warnings, as opposed to tagging specific story elements as advertising.

I'm approaching it from a warning perspective like the AYRT.

But you're definitely right. In systems where you need to tag just to be seen I've certainly tagged freely and widely about pairing, story type, etc., using the drop-down tags.

[(Anonymous)]

To me, tags as advertisements is actually an argument for tagging more sparingly/judiciously. When I'm searching tags it's because I want stories that prominently feature those tags, and it's really annoying when people tag for mentions of the tag as a warning, because it means the fic is less likely to contain what I wanted to read about. If a fic has an A+ Parenting Tag I expect it will be a fic about a character dealing with having a toxic parent, not an otherwise unrelated fic with a one line mention of a parent fandom often headcanons as abusive.

[liz_marcs]

That depends, I guess. I see a lot of people making up their own tags that are just...

Well, they're kind of nonsensical, aren't they? Also, hella unsearchable.

I think if you stick with pre-made drop-down tags, that means enough people know what that specific thing is that it's more likely to be found. So maybe my idea of "freely and widely" tagging is more in line with your judiciously tagging.

[(Anonymous)]

If people aren't complaining about their fic not getting enough hits, maybe they don't care.

Not every author is trying to write for the masses or to hoard kudos - and those authors are probably the same ones to be weirded out a little if someone brings up the idea that it's a fandom expectation that they be available for reader questions, because they're the type that writes out some plot bunny because they felt like it and drops it off for people to enjoy - or not, no skin off their back.

I understand that some things are conveniences for readers. The authors that are interested in hits and kudos are happy to be convenient to readers. Some just aren't, though. And for someone to complain that an author isn't making their fic convenient for them can come off entitled.

[(Anonymous)]

I guarantee you, no one is unaware of the fact that some people exclusively read fiction featuring unicorn blowjobs, or whatever it is you think must be tagged for so you personally have an easier time finding it.

What you're not getting is that someone who isn't interested in handholding their potential readers through an itemized list of everything that appears or might be construed as appearing in their fic isn't interested in handholding their potential readers through an itemized list of everything that appears or might be construed as appearing in their fic. It doesn't matter it those potential readers want to find something or avoid it.

[(Anonymous)]

I wrote fanfic 15-20 years ago and didn't tag, nor did anyone else in my fandom. Perhaps it depended on which fandom you were in.