What are your thoughts on including a trigger warning inside a book? I am working on a story, fiction but based on actual events. It begins with a shocking scene. It was traumatic to experience. At the begining, while describing the event, the character sacasticly warns the reader.
But then I started thinking about that. Honestly I am writing the story for theraputic reasons. It is a horror tale, and I thought that kind of explosive beginning would help the reader understand the state of mind of the character. Yet, if I was traumatized by it, then reading about it might do the same thing to another person.
On the other hand, it is a dramatic horror work, so horrific things should be expected right? Isn't it the readers responsibility to know what type of book they are choosing? When did we start having this labling system? I was reading an article about Tipper Gore and how she started the parental guidence warnings on ablums. Kinda funny, but not because she was angry about a song by my favorite artist.
If you would like to read the article, here is the link: Wikipedia https://w.wiki/93iF
I think it is a good idea. I think it is appropriate for me to put a little warning at the beginning. It is a difficult story to write, and even in a fictional setting, it could effect people. I get effected by books I read... But on that other hand, it almost feels like a kind of censoring. For some stories maybe? I just have this thought that if you are going to buy that CD or read that story in a genre like that, you should be responsible for your choice.
What are your thoughts? Particularly on books.
Thanks for the read!
Kerry~
Opinion:
I think it's a judgment call, and depends on the work, the anticipated audience, and the author.
Obviously, I grew up in an era without "triggers"... sure, they existed, but, the general public browsing through the library was not aware of such things. Personally, I never had a "trigger" until an event occurred when I was 40 years old.
Although being taken back to that moment CAN shake me and color my thoughts for a while, I'm one of those who has moved on from the event and even a "trigger" is, to me, a nuisance and not much more.
I don't like being reminded of it, or having those feelings return, but, it is a fact of life that they do, and will.
Still there are some who are affected a lot more than I am. So, I am not qualified to say do or do not, but, I still believe it's a judgment call, and there's probably not a right or wrong to it.