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

[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. ;)