#reader descriptions

[whiskeynwriting]

I just wanted to let you know that you and your stories seem to be very fatphobic. As a plus sized person who has a myriad of mental health issues as well as an Ed I don’t think that is an excuse to not be inclusive. If you want to make the love interest have special traits, that’s fine but please don’t advertise that as a reader insert. Not every person who reads your stories, or any stories really, are small women. I don’t want to be a mean person, but I see this happen so often that I wanted to bring attention to this issue. I really don’t want you to think that I have I’ll intent with this, I just want you to be aware of what your words and actions. I know that for some it can be very hurtful to someone who wants to read about their favorite characters, only to have an author exclude, even if it’s unintentional. I don’t want you to be discouraged, just informed. Thank you for listening.

Hi there, I appreciate you sending this in. I want everyone to be comfortable communicating their feelings with me, including any negative ones. I will always listen to what you all have to say. I acknowledge and respect these emotions, and I'm very sorry to have caused you and anyone else any upset.

That being said, with the nature of this ask, the words that have been used, and the accusations you've posed toward me, I do somewhat feel the need to defend myself.

I try my best to be as inclusive as possible to all of my readers, going as far as to make my Reader-Specific Writing section for one of my recent follower celebrations. I have pieces with female readers, gender neutral readers, curvy readers, and have had requests for plus-sized readers that are currently being written (and are stated on my Reader-Specific Writing post). One of my Sintober pieces (Gluttony) even includes the description of "curvy" for the reader. Regardless of skin color, body type, gender, etc., I want everyone to be able to picture themselves when they read my work.

In general, if I have a piece written with the descriptions of small/big, tall/short, etc., I will put "size kink" in the warnings if the piece is sexual. If those descriptions aren't in the piece, then I won't put that warning in there.

If there is any information I am missing, I'd love it if we could speak through direct message to sort it out. Maybe you could give me an example and I could use it to fix any issue in the future. Please don't hesitate to reach out.

[sofreddie]

Constructive Criticism: Ask

Constructive Criticism Exercise

For the constructive criticism exercise: nothing will make me stop reading a fic faster if I feel like I’m not physically included in the readers description. I’m not a fan of seeing white reader faces in aesthetics/headers when xReader fics are intended to be diverse and inclusive (if writers use white women as reader faces, those works should be tagged as white!reader). The same goes for describing hair textures, skin tones, etc.

I know that this can be a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. But I’m going to start by saying I appreciate this Ask.

I identify as a white female. When I write, I try to make my Reader character vague in their description so that it is more inclusive. But I am reading posts, examining my writing, and trying to find ways to improve.

Please feel free to offer ways of improvement in these areas. (Constructive Criticism 😉)

Furthermore, as a white female, I have a couple questions regarding your Ask. I hope it will help to educate myself and others:

Is it appropriate for me (and others) to write POC fics or fics outside of our own ‘identifying group’?

What are good/appropriate descriptive words to describe different POCs?

What are ways that fic writers like myself can write fics to support/include other groups of people?

What types of ‘Reader’ Characters do you wish you saw more of?

I think the only dumb questions are the ones we don’t ask. It’s important to know and admit when you don’t know something. And it’s important to know that you are allowed to ask. But ALWAYS be respectful. And be open to learning, to being educated.

[agent-absinthe]

HEY GIRL HEYYY I saw the ask thingy and thought it'd be fun. I'm 5'2 and curvy, kinda built like a viking woman?? I seem super shy to everyone except my friends who know that I'm a kinky, sassy bitch that doesn't take anyone's crap. But I'm still a kind person I'd like to think. I love animals and books, and I do boxing and judo with my grandpa. Sskdjkshdksj I think that's it? I really really love your work and I think Honeyed is my favorite thing ever. WHEN WILL PART 6 BE OUT? Xoxo

(I had to really think about this one because I absolutely adore you and knew you deserved something amazing so I hope you like it!!!!)

Agent Merlot was a fitting handle for the role that you play for Statesman. Something to be brought up out of the dark and served with pride in an intimate setting that hoped to lead to something more. Then again, teaching newly recruited, snickering, and bashful agents the game of seduction and how to win at it could be exhausting.

Interpersonal Interogations was your official role, a role you nearly designed yourself after listening to Handlers complain about excruciatingly embarrassing encounters they had to get their agent out of. So instead of finishing the recruitment process for field agent you were pulled and instead began training for an instructor position. You run a tight ship with your classes which range from reading body language and gauging responses all the way to perfecting dirty talk and eating out. Most of the time after the class (or refresher course for seasoned agents looking for a little more spice) the students do wonderful in their social relations...but there have been certain honeypot missions that could use your expertise.

Which is how you came across the very seemingly straight laced techie from the Kingsman branch who would be in your ear as a guiding voice. Merlin seemed too fun not to make squirm and it became evident during the mission that the target might be who you were in front of, but all the dirty none sense was meant for the quartermaster sweating underneath his cardigan. The bait worked and he'd been wrapped around your finger ever since.

[agent-absinthe]

Send me a description of you or let me go through your blog and I'll tell you what position I think you'd be in Kingsman/Statesman and who I ship you with 👌🏻😏

[agent-absinthe]

Hey guys! I'll be answering the rest of the placement/shipping ask tomorrow! So don't worry I have not forgotten about you!