Hi All. I hope this finds you well and enjoying your day no matter where you are.
Recently I was asked about whether or not I added trigger warnings to my novel and I’ll tell you, I didn’t. It honestly never crossed my mind. 🤦🏻♀️
If I remember correctly, I may have put a disclaimer at the end of the description on Amazon, but the book is already described as a psychological, twisty, suspense, domestic thriller… Or, something like that–so is that not warning enough?
To me, if I’m going to read a thriller, or a book described as a psychological read, then I’m immediately going to assume that there are a lot of unsavory and whacko stuff (and people) that make up the narrative.
It doesn’t even cross my mind as I’m reading to think…
oh, gee this character’s behavior reminds me of a time in my life when I was upset… or whatever…Oh no…eek… this book/story/author has triggered me and now I hate the world.
I say this rather tongue in cheek, but also want everyone to be aware of what can happen. Some people seriously react to situations that activate a part of their psyche and cause unwanted behavior/thoughts/memories.
The question is, who’s responsibility is it to deal with that?
As a reader, I make a choice to either continue to read or toss the book and move on.
As a writer, I’m in the head of the character and am not necessarily aware of the reader… It’s my job to put up the story and characters, not edit to a point of no return so as not to offend or trigger.
Couldn’t a trigger warning, in and of itself, cause a psyche to spin? idk.
I think unless something is classified as ‘clean fiction’ and you have a clear definition of what that means, then anything and everything could act as a trigger.
For instance, I know someone who’s triggered by doors… yes, doors. Whether they be creaky, slammed, or ajar… trigger city.
How would a writer ever know that? Right?
I want to know what you do.
Do trigger warnings stop you from reading a book? Maybe proceed with more caution? Or throw caution to the wind and dive right in?
Are there some behaviors/words/conditions that you think are essential to being added as a trigger warning?
Here’s a list of BOOK TRIGGER WARNINGS
Some of them feel quite reasonable and others a bit … well, too too.
And here’s another list from TUMBLr
As I reading through this one, I was fine until I got to the letter V. Sorry, but both of those go into almost everything I write! lol.
Ahhhh Heavy Sigh….
I have no answers today. Just questions.
Please let me know your thoughts. Oh, and I’m really shocked not to see cheeseburgers🍔 on either list cause dammit those trigger me!! 😉
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my post. I really like having you here. Make sure you subscribe to my newsletters so you don’t miss anything important. Have a wonderful week.
Dear Faye: I’m deeply shocked you would use an offensive word like ‘vomit’ in your writing. Such an ugly word. I prefer to say barf or puke. Those words aren’t on the trigger list. OMG, is everything on the trigger list? Sorry, but I don’t feel responsible for protecting the sensibilities of readers. As you say, your book description should be sufficient warning about content. Don’t give in to the pickiness of the Word Police.
Hey Aggie. I totally agree. It just gets a bit ridiculous doesn’t it? Can’t say this. Can’t say that. Personally I know my triggers and simply don’t read that crap… err I mean crafted writing stuff. lol. Thanks for dropping by Aggie. xo
You made me look! Went to Tumblr to see what the two V words were. Not where my mind went first. LOL.
But it’s a good question. I don’t read books that look like they aren’t for me – which is why blurbs are so important. In general, I try not to read a book where the dog dies. And right now I’m in a headspace where I can’t read about a particular topic. But that’s my responsibility. If I start reading about it, I just stop.
lol…Yes, the V words… they’re so lovely and I try to include them in all. I hear ya about certain things… Years ago, after having my son, I couldn’t read or watch anything that had anything to do with child abduction… Its sent me into a tail spin so I avoided it. Now… I can pretty much read anything but a dying dog… hmm.. Yeah that would be difficult. Thanks for stopping by Cheryl. It’s been too long. xo
Well … I guess some things might be triggering to people … you know, “trauma” things like suicide or murder or racism or whatever, especially if they are major parts of the book … but mostly I think that when readers look at the cover illustration, read the title, read the back cover blurb, etc., they usually have a pretty clear idea of what’s coming …
On the other hand, maybe listing possible triggers (esp. the big ones) might make some potential readers more curious and want to read the book. I was just reading that book sales and library requests for a lot of the “banned books” in the US (and parts of Canada….) are actually increasing the readership for those books! So there’s that …
Hmmm….
Hey Norma. I completely agree. Big traumas etc… look at the book cover and blurb and exercise some common sense. Too many are ready to blame others for triggering them… ugh. I also agree that such warnings can make others want to read them… The whole banned book thing… I’ve probably read them all. People get curious and want to make up their own minds. Yay. Thanks for stopping by Norma. xo
I read a book until it is not worth it for me to read it any longer. For whatever reason. I don’t need trigger warnings. I am an adult. As a writer, I have to be free to write however the piece needs to be written without the reader breathing down my neck. To the reader I say, “This is me. You’re free to read it or not. Your choice.”
Hi Nancy. I completely agree with you. I do the same thing. If it’s getting stupid or way off from what I thought then I move on. Telling others is not the way to do it. Norma brought up an interesting observation about banned books. Which comes first the trigger or the ?? Anyway, keep writing and I think we all just need to do “us” … xo
I just ignore trigger warnings. I am okay with most things in literature & don’t want spoilers. I can see why another person might need them, though, to feel psychologically safe, as good writing often has a twist or surprise that is intended to shock or create big feelings that could be too much for a person who has suffered in a particular way.
I don’t think it’s the author’s responsibility to provide trigger warnings. If a person has specific triggers, though, these can usually be found on Goodreads/book reviews (not my book reviews, but there’s usually an easily-found conscientious reader/reviewer).
Hi Isobel. Thanks for stopping by. You are def in the majority of people who say trigger warnings don’t make them change what they read or write. I’m with you too cuz I can’t be worrying about where to put a comma if I have to also worry that someone is gonna be upset cuz I dropped the F-Bomb. It’s not the writers responsibility to provide anything but a product/story/novel/creation and people will either accept or not. Phew… Have a good one Isobel.
I don’t think so you need trigger warnings because I think your writing at the back of the book is self-explanatory.
Hi Heather!! I completely agree! First thing I look at is the cover and then the back. By then I’ve got all I need 🤓.