The ambiguous [Dark] tag · 3:25pm Apr 16th, 2013
So it occurs to me that the [Dark] category is a bit vague when it comes to defining just what a story with this tag entails. It seems as if it can cover a wide array of topics, from a slightly grittier and more "realistic" world (read: ponies are more likely to behave like selfish jackasses and whatnot) to extreme bloodsoaked rampages, sexual assault and whatnot. Although the extra tags such as [Gore] and the rating system (Everyone, Teen, Mature) can help to narrow it down a little, it still seems to vary a great deal on an author-by-author basis.
Some stories get around the ambiguity of the tag by explicitly stating what it refers to in the story's description entry. As an example, in one of Bookplayer's stories called To Tell the Truth, it is made very clear that the [Dark] tag is there because the story deals with the ugly subject of child abuse and is not an indication of the overall direction of the story. And that note is probably there for a good reason, too; based on some of the stories I've seen around FimFic, some people might be tempted, at a glance, to assume that all [Dark]-tagged Mature stories contain enough bloodsplatter to make the cheesiest sorority slasher movie blush.
The reason I bring this up is that my upcoming story (let's just codename it Sand for now) contains events that are sufficiently gloomy that I feel I would be remiss not to tag it [Dark], in addition to which I assume Teen would be the closest rating. However, at the same time, I don't really want to alienate potential readers who might discard the story because they assume there will just be pointless violence for the sake of it (there won't be) or similar.
If you care to comment, I'd be interested to hear how you as readers approach [Dark]-tagged stories. Do you look at the rating (Everyone, Teen, Mature rating) as a guideline, or do you look for clues in the story description? Do you assume they are merely gritty in nature unless slapped with the explicit [Gore] tag as well? Do you avoid stories with the tag altogether and block it during your browsing? If you have any thoughts, please leave a note in the section below while I continue to wrack my brain trying to figure out how to deal with this.
I am not scared off by a dark tag, but tragedy or sad can be a dealbreaker. I need some assurance that the story will end happily somehow.
1012446
Yeah, I guess [Sad] and [Tragedy] make it more obvious that you're in for a gut-punch in the feels, and you'll often be well aware of what you're stepping into as soon as you see those tags. [Tragedy] for sure makes it very clear that the story is going to have a sad or bittersweet ending, unless the author has grossly misunderstood the genre's meaning.
Seeing as I mostly stay away of mature tagged stories(providing they were mature to begin with) I can't really say anything in the venue of comparing age levels. I don't even look at them, to be honest.
Everywhere and teen are not a distinction to me.
As for dark tag... well, I try and guess the overall theme from the description and cover art. Though it might be misleading, as I often times missed amazing works of art because of that. Now I at least try and give the fic a chance by reading one or two chapters. Or, rather, by putting it in read later, which seeing my over 190 count on those is understandable, I suppose.
Other than that, I kind of instinctively shy away from tagged like that, though I've been working hard on quelling that instinct. It is a disservice to many great authors and their amazing stories.
Now gore... well that might mean many things, raging from a realistic amount of blood from quite nasty wound, to a bloodbath that makes no sense, volumetrically speaking.
I do remember a fic without gore and dark designations that explicitly stated the feeling and thought process after having ones own leg ripped off the body... that was one of the more questionable lack of those tags I've seen but it wasn't that glaring. Alas, I am apparently used to that...
Having to make an autopsy on a still warm lab-rat makes you quite immune to those things... those were interesting times...
Anyway, I am unsure. It depends on the level of 'darkness' you are putting in. 'Sufficiently gloomy events' is a bit vague a description.
And anyhow, from what I understand, the tags are supposed to tell us the direction of the story as a whole. Which would mean that as long as those events are not the main foundation and backbone of the story and/or they are not a constant reminder put in to create tension and uneasiness, then they don't warrant said tag.
That's just me, though.
Just refreshed and yeah, sad and tragedy. Don't really mind them, though again, I shy away from tragedies (looking at his own favourites and biting his tongue hard. Oh well, it's less than three pages anyway...). Then again, some stories are tagged as such but only have some elements of tragedy. As in, the main character is not going to die/fail horribly at their end, which is how I understand those tags. Apparently people use them to signify personal tragedies of background/minor/sometimes major characters that shaped the story into what it is. Seeing as tragedy depicts the characters trying their best and ultimately failing in their attempts, usually loosing something precious to them (notably lives) in the process... yes, some authors don't understand that genre.
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As far as I understand, the Everyone, Teen and Mature ratings respectively signify whether the story is something that could realistically fit into the show itself, whether it is dancing around with some more "daring" subjects compared to the show (a bit of overt relationship, a little fisticuffs and harsh language there, some more weighty subjects of life), or whether it has full-on detailed physical intimacy, brutal violence, etc.
Your legless example is one of the reasons I feel it would be important to tag the story appropriately. Stuff like that popping up without at least a bit of warning is likely to piss some people off, at least if it takes place in, say, a [Slice of Life]/[Comedy] story rated Everyone.
Regarding the lab-rat story, it makes me think of you as a mad scientist. A crazy-mad scientist.
And yeah, I suppose I am being somewhat unhelpfully vague on just what I intend to include. I guess I just want to avoid giving too much away before I've actually put the story down on paper. Spoilerific and all that jazz.
1012602
I can rein myself in like that sometimes.
Mad scientist? Nah, it was just a physiology class at university... and while it wasn't difficult for me, I was never really pleased with the whole idea.
Never thought about this interpretation of age rating. Thank you for your view.
That story wasn't neccesarily tagged as everyone-comedy. More like teen-sad-adventure and that leg was saved too. Still it somewhat came out of the blue.
Good on being vague. I don't take spoilers well.
Still hope I was even a little help. Or at least entertaining.
Such simple sentences... derp today, I am...
I look at the story description and the picture more than anything else. Sometimes, I don't even look at the genre tags, though I do know to avoid a story if I see a sex or gore warning, and I know to avoid sad stories if I'm feeling depressed. I hardly ever glance at the character tags.
One thing that bugs me is when authors spend more space in their story description justifying their tags than giving us a summary of the story. Talking about tags doesn't do much to encourage me to read a story, and spending too much space talking about them can make you look indecisive.
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It does seem like a fair number of story descriptions are one-third actual description and two-thirds justification/apologizing for other things about the story (tags, content, first story or not, and so on), but then again, descriptions can be pretty darn hard to do right. It's a bit difficult to find that balance between revealing enough to entice the potential reader, and not revealing so much that you spoil some or all of the story.