Hmmm.

[vr_trakowski]

If you read Löyli, would you be willing to give me an opinion on a possibly touchy issue? 


It has been brought to my attention that the scenario I created in Löyli could be considered sexual assault. 

I am not in possession of details, so I'm not sure to which part the objection refers--Tony hugging Pepper during their argument, or the encounter afterwards.  It could be both, I suppose, though I thought I was making it clear that Pepper was entirely willing for at least the latter part. 

In my head, Tony's hug, while unwelcome, isn't sexual in nature; it's a product of his epiphany, and he doesn't let her go at first because he's too caught up in that to pay attention to her anger.  But I may not have made that clear enough.  It could also be that some definitions of sexual assault are more stringent than mine. 

Opinions?  I'd really like to know what you think; you are, after all, the people for whom these stories are written.  Did I go too far?  Did I break character?  Am I doing the characters, or the fandom, a disservice? 

Thank you. 

ETA: Wow.  I wasn't anticipating quite this response, but I'm glad to see it!  Thank you all for your honesty, and for your courtesy.  And if you came from somewhere outside the fandom, welcome, feel free to join in. 

I fully intend to respond to the new replies, but if I don't get some sleep I'm going to start hallucinating, so I'll be back tomorrow.  Please, carry on meanwhile if you are so moved; just stay courteous. 

Comments

[aspidites.livejournal.com]

I really liked the story, and didn't read it as verging on sexual assault, because you wrote from both Tony and Pepper's POVs. If the story had been told from, say, Jarvis' POV (I just know he's got "eyes" everywhere!), it would have read a lot differently, as it might for people who didn't understand the characters.

While I'm sure you don't want to upset any of your readers accidentally, I would hate to see you start second-guessing yourself on storylines, or self-censoring. I think it would adversely impact your stories, not to mention make you crazy. JMO, and I could be wrong :-)

[4persephone.livejournal.com]

I agree with aspidites on this one...while it is wonderful to grow as a writer and improve your craft it's also important to remember that with every story you tell you expand your overall repetoire and that sometimes the price of that is things go in directions you or your audience may not be expecting. You may have intended to tell one story and told some peopel another, but what you intended still has intrinsic meaning...

That said, I assume you are writing fanfiction for fun not money, and your readers are sampling your craft for their amusement, not shelling out cash for something at the bookstore. You write as best you can about things that move you and assume that like an open writers group your audience will hopefully love you for your good, and not hold any perceived slip ups against you long. :) I don't know about you, but I love the fanfic universe in part because I can get feedback that helps me grow as an author, but at the same time, I know that a fair number of people get real enjoyment of my 'growth in progress.'

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, exactly, and sometimes people say things about a story that make me go "huh?" because they see things I never even imagined.

I know exactly what you mean about the growth, too, yep. :D I've been posting stuff online for nine years and it's been quite a journey!

And I for one can't wait to see your next bit of growth. ;)

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Heh, I figure Jarvis has mikes in there if not cameras--wow, that's an interesting idea, telling one entirely from his viewpoint. Bad proto-bunny, no carrot!

Well, that's part of the reason I asked the original question--to see how this one in particular was perceived, which might change what I write in future. But I won't second-guess. This isn't my usual sort of story and the issue is a relatively small part of the whole. Thanks though!

[mona-lisa303.livejournal.com]

You know, I've been second guessing my (*humble*) little story, "Inadequate", since you made this discussion public. I didn't realize it at the time but, looking back, I guess there are parts that some might view as inappropriate. The next part is finally ready to post, but now, I wonder if I should. It's amazing how differently people can interpret the written word when the author's intent is so black and white in his/her mind.

You, VR, write on such a mature level (and I'm not talking about a mature/NC rating) and your character development is extraordinary. I hope the discussion here doesn't keep you from writing more Tony/Pepper in the way that you see them. Please!

I also think readers need to take ownership. If someone chooses to read a story with a "mature" rating they need to be prepared that the subject matter might make them uncomfortable. Although, again, I don't see "Loyli" as being inappropriate in any way.

[4persephone.livejournal.com]

mona - as someone who has read Inadequate since the beginning and enjoyed it I just wanted to provide a little encouragement - if you don't LIKE what you wrote that's one thing, but don't feel as if you have to have every reader's approval or praise before it's worth sharing with other people. Those who have issue can ALWAYS choose to not read it!

Writing is always a challenge, and some subjects especially can be a little difficult or delicate, because they bring on strong opinions from all camps. That said strong issues are strong issues because they have intrinsic meaning and deserve to be explored. The person who never writes about anything controversial writes very little, and certainly gets only occasional chance to hone their talents. :) No writer is ever going to produce perfection all the time. That doesn't however mean they should not write. :)