New/Foreign authors, please ease up on the disclaimers

[Britva415]

Dune isn't a true story? ...

Dune was. Not Dune 2 tho'

 

[alohadave]

I'm not staking a position one way or the other on the subject of disclaimers, except to pointedly ask, is that one?

No, it's not. It's part of the story. It's a storytelling technique. A bit of a weird one for the medium of film, but it's not a disclaimer.

It's an infodump.

 

[THBGato]

No, it's not. It's part of the story. It's a storytelling technique. A bit of a weird one for the medium of film, but it's not a disclaimer.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." It's the equivalent of "This is a work of fiction" like Rob_Royale states above. Less that what it says, it's the fact that the words actually appear: that breaks diegesis - it acknowledges that there is a reading audience. (Also, the fact that each intro recaps the events of the previous film.)

I don't have a problem with it at all, by the way. I love those beginnings (well, on the original trilogy at least).

Also, I could argue that they are part of the story in the same way my author's notes are part of the story. I am not THBGato: the author who writes the intros is as much as constructed character as the characters in my stories. Just as the Stars Wars intro constructs a narrator's voice for viewers, so do my author's notes construct an overarching narrative voice that links together my stories.

I could argue that, but I won't as it sounds unbearably wanky and like the kind of thing somebody who has read far too much Barthes and likes to drop the word "signifier" into everyday conversation would say.

As you were.

 

[KeithD]

The disclaimers aren’t needed. No one who reads your story is going to say, “oh I thought he was a racist, but look right here, the disclaimer says he isn’t.” If you’re not a native English speaker, we’ll pick that up in the writing pretty easily. And, if it’s not apparent, then good job!

I think this is key. Disclaimers aren't true just because they are provided. What they usually do is highlight uncertainty whether the author has gone over the lines and identify a naive author who thinks he/she can satisfy every reader's interest and/or, as already noted, is writing primarily for vanity scores and stroking.

 

[Rob_Royale]

My thought is that, even when a bug zapper is working, sometimes the bugs explode wetly, as in this case.

Sorry, I'm not getting the reference.

 

[Bamagan]

Sorry, I'm not getting the reference.

It was more of an analogy than a reference. One person got angry enough to pop and leave a mess, instead of minding their own business and moving along with their life, as would a person who found they disliked the content of the introductory statements (as opposed to their mere existence). And their 'feedback' regarding how to make them (and their hypothetical ilk) happier with you serves as a good incentive not to bother.

 

[Devinter]

Despite your public service announcement, I will continue to add disclaimers and author's notes at the start of my stories. I look at it as doing my fans a favour. Not all of my stories will appeal to the same audience - far from it. I write all kinds of things, from romantic lovestories to horror; realistic pieces and stuff full of supernatural shenanigans. Therefore, by making it very upfront what kind of story it is - and that a story might be containing disturbing fetish elements for instance - I don't waste anyone's time. If you disagree with that, fine - you are entitled to your own opinion - but I find it strange that you go around telling others how they should handle their own uploads.

I also use all 10 tags. Some authors think that tags reveal something about the story, and that they are therefore a negative aspect to the website. Others find it extremely helpful that they can use the tags as a tool to warn potential readers of disturbing elements, and also highlight fetishes that may either appeal or disgust someone. If you use tags but not disclaimers; what makes one better than the other?

Also as a reader, I appreciate both disclaimers and tags. So in direction contradiction to this thread, I'd instead encourage everyone to use them as much as possible. That way I don't have to find out that the story I'm reading is all about a foot fetish on page four. Thank you for respecting my time.

 

[Voboy]

I find it strange that you go around telling others how they should handle their own uploads.

You're not the only one.

Live and let live, I say.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

I often add author's notes to my stories to highlight that they're entries for challenges/contests.

Otherwise, I added my first ever disclaimer in my entry to the Heroism challenge, because although the story and characters are completely fictional, it's possible a reader might think it's based on a real person and I wanted to make it crystal clear that it wasn't (and it wasn't a kind of Celebrity story re-written with changed names). We'll see if it works.

 

[StillStunned]

I think this is key. Disclaimers aren't true just because they are provided. What they usually do is highlight uncertainty whether the author has gone over the lines and identify a naive author who thinks he/she can satisfy every reader's interest and/or, as already noted, is writing primarily for vanity scores and stroking.

Or perhaps the author is aware that not everyone will like the subject matter. Is that uncertainty or naivety? And I think you're more likely to encounter a disclaimer on a story that isn't all about scores and stroking - there are plenty of warnings about "this chapter doesn't contain any sex", for instance.

Also, and let me get annoyed for a moment, since when is it a bad thing for authors to write stroke stories? Are non-strokers morally superior? Artistically? Closer to the intended purpose of the site? This is Literotica, a website dedicated to sex stories. You might prefer "erotica", but face it, a story without the sex element belongs in a dedicated category: "non-erotic". People don't come here because it's renowned for the literary merit of its stories, they come for the sex.

So go ahead and write what you want, but let's stop this sneering at people who write and/or read strokers, as if they're inferior in some way just for that. Plenty of people want to read or write about sex, not plots, or people, or whatever else supposedly elevates a story above "stroker" material.

 

[Yarglenurp]

Or perhaps the author is aware that not everyone will like the subject matter. Is that uncertainty or naivety? And I think you're more likely to encounter a disclaimer on a story that isn't all about scores and stroking - there are plenty of warnings about "this chapter doesn't contain any sex", for instance.

Also, and let me get annoyed for a moment, since when is it a bad thing for authors to write stroke stories? Are non-strokers morally superior? Artistically? Closer to the intended purpose of the site? This is Literotica, a website dedicated to sex stories. You might prefer "erotica", but face it, without a story without the sex element belongs in a dedicated category: "non-erotic". People don't come here because it's renowned for the literary merit of its stories, they come for the sex.

So go ahead and write what you want, but let's stop this sneering at people who write and/or read strokers, as if they're inferior in some way just for that. Plenty of people want to read or write about sex, not plots, or people, or whatever else supposedly elevates a story above "stroker" material.

If people aren’t jerking off to it, is it even literature?

 

[Britva415]

that breaks diegesis

No it doesn't, "framing" is a legit diegesis.

the words actually appear: that breaks diegesis - it acknowledges that there is a reading audience

Breaking the fourth wall is also a story technique. It isn't the same as disclaiming.

each intro recaps the events of the previous film

The first one didn't. (Read "first" in whatever way you like. It could apply to either Episode I or Episode IV.)

Besides, "framing" still is part of story telling. I feel like I'm being gaslighted into questioning whether the scrolls were compared to non-narrative disclaimers.

*goes and checks* Yes, yes they were. Not by you, though, so, mea culpa.

 

[Britva415]

I'm surprised nobody has pointed out the near-complete futility of this topic. The proportion of people publishing these (ostensibly objectionable) disclaimers who aren't AH visitors is pretty near 100%.

 

[TheLobster]

If people aren’t jerking off to it, is it even literature?

Sufficiently sophisticated literary criticism is indistinguishable from vainglorious circlejerk.

 

[THBGato]

Besides, "framing" still is part of story telling.

Yes, I totally agree. My point was that the author's note can be seen as part of the framing. It's like Huckleberry Finn starting with:

“Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.
BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR
per
G.G., CHIEF OF ORDNANCE”​

Is that part of the story or just the framing? Can it not be both?

No it doesn't, "framing" is a legit diegesis.

I always thought that diegesis was only things experienced by both the audience and the characters? (Hence soundtracks usually being considered non-diegetic sound.) Surely, the scrolling text in Stars Wars is not experienced by the characters?

Happy to be wrong on this if I am.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

It was more of an analogy than a reference. One person got angry enough to pop and leave a mess, instead of minding their own business and moving along with their life, as would a person who found they disliked the content of the introductory statements (as opposed to their mere existence). And their 'feedback' regarding how to make them (and their hypothetical ilk) happier with you serves as a good incentive not to bother.

The question was asked. I answered it. if you don't like the answer, cry all you want. Boo fucking hoo.

And by the way, could you please just post in the regular font that everybody else does? It's really really annoying.

The proportion of people publishing these (ostensibly objectionable) disclaimers who aren't AH visitors is pretty near 100%.

Huh? There are plenty of AH regulars who use them and have even admitted so in this thread.

 

[AG31]

I have a story that's nearly finished that will include a disclaimer. The reason is that it isn't really a story: it's just a pair of sex scenes that I began as a sequel to an earlier instalment, and then abandoned because that's all they were. Now I've decided to publish them anyway - perhaps like a recording artist putting out a collection of unreleased material - as something of a thank-you to my readers for nearly half a million views on the series.

There are a few things in there that pave the way for what will perhaps be a later instalment, and that tie up some loose ends. Also, the sex is pretty hot.

The reason why I'm adding a disclaimer is to warn the readers not to expect a complete story with a beginning, a middle and an end. I feel that's only fair towards them, even if a couple of people here in the Hangout disagree.

I'm intrigued. Could this be an example of "simple erotica??????" Will you let us know here when it's published.

 

[Bamagan]

If people aren’t jerking off to it, is it even literature?

I for one cannot imagine any of the Brontë sisters typing with both hands at the same time.

 

[StillStunned]

I'm intrigued. Could this be an example of "simple erotica??????" Will you let us know here when it's published.

If that's your definition of simple erotica, then about half my stories qualify.

 

[Trionyx]

"All characters in this story are age 18+ and all sexual acts are fully consensual." ~ Are we not going to be able to tell by the narrative itself? wtf??

Not always. I recently published a story in which a woman around 30 was nude in front of a “younger” guy, he spoke no English, she spoke no Spanish and she thought he would be a great toyboy. I wanted to make sure nobody thought he was under 18 and put in the disclaimer.

 

[RejectReality]

Or perhaps the author is aware that not everyone will like the subject matter. Is that uncertainty or naivety? And I think you're more likely to encounter a disclaimer on a story that isn't all about scores and stroking - there are plenty of warnings about "this chapter doesn't contain any sex", for instance.

Also, and let me get annoyed for a moment, since when is it a bad thing for authors to write stroke stories? Are non-strokers morally superior? Artistically? Closer to the intended purpose of the site? This is Literotica, a website dedicated to sex stories. You might prefer "erotica", but face it, a story without the sex element belongs in a dedicated category: "non-erotic". People don't come here because it's renowned for the literary merit of its stories, they come for the sex.

So go ahead and write what you want, but let's stop this sneering at people who write and/or read strokers, as if they're inferior in some way just for that. Plenty of people want to read or write about sex, not plots, or people, or whatever else supposedly elevates a story above "stroker" material.

I'm fairly certain he wasn't using "stroking" in reference to stroke vs. erotica material, but rather as shorthand for "ego stroking" or something similar. I've never once heard Keith disparage writing stroke fiction that I can recall.

 

[StillStunned]

I'm fairly certain he wasn't using "stroking" in reference to stroke vs. erotica material, but rather as shorthand for "ego stroking" or something similar. I've never once heard Keith disparage writing stroke fiction that I can recall.

Fair enough, that sounds more plausible. Another of those misunderstandings that could only happen on Lit.

 

[Bamagan]

Fair enough, that sounds more plausible. Another of those misunderstandings that could only happen on Lit.

Or possibly on a rowing/crew team.

 

[AG31]

If that's your definition of simple erotica, then about half my stories qualify.

Love to have you join in on the discussion of my definition of simple erotica.
Part 1
Part 2

 

[StillStunned]

Love to have you join in on the discussion of my definition of simple erotica.
Part 1
Part 2

I'm already there, post #38 in Part 1. (And post #70 as well, but that probably didn't contribute much to the discussion.)