1. If you have problems distinguishing between what you've actually written and what you think you've written, you need beta readers and editors. This is a common thing. Kit Whitfield calls it "overhead projector syndrome" - you're seeing what you think you've put on the page because you're over-familiar with the ideas you have and the text, and you're conflating them. YOU NEED AN EDITOR.
2. It's not the audience's fault they can't correctly fill in the blanks you've left by not writing what you intended to write. It doesn't make us "haters" to ask questions about characters we care about or to seek clarification on situations that were uncomfortable, inexplicable, or confusing. Likewise, it isn't your editor's fault that they can't read your mind.
3. Consent is an ongoing issue. Because Anita has consented to sex in the past (under duress, I'd argue), doesn't mean she has auto-consented to all sex in the future. The shower scene in NiC shows her (very explicitly, I'd say) being manipulated by both Micah and Jean-Claude. If dub-con is your kink, great. I like dub-con. But don't pretend it's not dub-con and then get angry when people have questions about Micah's actions or Anita's reactions. Don't paint yourself as the Mistress of Edgy Envelope Pushing Fiction, then backtrack when people want to discuss that with you and pretend it was all totally legit, consensual sex all the time.
4. Stop telling me that Micah has personality characteristics beyond the ability to stick his head up Anita's arse. It doesn't make it so.
If one reader contacts you and says "hey, this scene was a bit rapey, what do you say to that?", you can feel free to think they're an anomaly and carry on. If SCADS of readers are all saying, "hey, this was a bit rapey, what gives?" THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. And the problem IS NOT YOUR READERS.
no subject
1. If you have problems distinguishing between what you've actually written and what you think you've written, you need beta readers and editors. This is a common thing. Kit Whitfield calls it "overhead projector syndrome" - you're seeing what you think you've put on the page because you're over-familiar with the ideas you have and the text, and you're conflating them. YOU NEED AN EDITOR.
2. It's not the audience's fault they can't correctly fill in the blanks you've left by not writing what you intended to write. It doesn't make us "haters" to ask questions about characters we care about or to seek clarification on situations that were uncomfortable, inexplicable, or confusing. Likewise, it isn't your editor's fault that they can't read your mind.
3. Consent is an ongoing issue. Because Anita has consented to sex in the past (under duress, I'd argue), doesn't mean she has auto-consented to all sex in the future. The shower scene in NiC shows her (very explicitly, I'd say) being manipulated by both Micah and Jean-Claude. If dub-con is your kink, great. I like dub-con. But don't pretend it's not dub-con and then get angry when people have questions about Micah's actions or Anita's reactions. Don't paint yourself as the Mistress of Edgy Envelope Pushing Fiction, then backtrack when people want to discuss that with you and pretend it was all totally legit, consensual sex all the time.
4. Stop telling me that Micah has personality characteristics beyond the ability to stick his head up Anita's arse. It doesn't make it so.
If one reader contacts you and says "hey, this scene was a bit rapey, what do you say to that?", you can feel free to think they're an anomaly and carry on. If SCADS of readers are all saying, "hey, this was a bit rapey, what gives?" THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. And the problem IS NOT YOUR READERS.