A question about warning
Jun. 21st, 2011 10:15 pmIn the story I'm working on, a character says a v. offensive word. I warn heavily, boldly, repeatedly for it in my disclaimer. The word is said by a jerk, and it's meant to reinforce his jerkiness. The problem is, the word is countered by the well-meaning protagonist but the counter is equally offensive. It's one of those situations where someone doesn't think they're being hurtful, but I as writer, and likely many, many others as readers see the wrongness in the word. It feels true to the character, and it reveals a turning point in the story.
How should I warn for that? Right now, my disclaimer lists the actual word followed by "...prolonged, unkind, ableist discussion." I'm not looking for absolution via disclaimer. I just want to adequately warn readers who don't want to see words/situations like that at all.
How should I warn for that? Right now, my disclaimer lists the actual word followed by "...prolonged, unkind, ableist discussion." I'm not looking for absolution via disclaimer. I just want to adequately warn readers who don't want to see words/situations like that at all.