As I continue to write books about people being murdered (that sounds worse than saying ‘I’m a mystery writer’ but so it is) I turn my attention to content ratings. Content warnings play a role as well but I think balance is needed. While there are similarities, they don’t mean the same thing.
A content rating gives the reader an idea of the sort of story they’re embarking on, like the spice level. A content warning is more for cases where there are strong and obvious triggers. Things could seriously bother a large segment of potential readers.
I’ve briefly mentioned trigger warnings before when I stumbled upon a sadly fettered and paralyzingly itemized book review site. It was excessive to the point of basically warning people off of nearly every book. It was like watching a movie with that friend that hates movies…and then they decide to write a blog about it. All in all, it was a weird and unenjoyable experience.
Anyway, since I write more along the line of cozy thrillers – a bit more blood and deeper storylines than a typical cozy – and as I’ve branched out into publishing fantasy romance, I started thinking about content ratings.
The Content Rating Conundrum
This was all brought to mind by a sci-fi romance series I’ve been reading that has trigger warnings listed at the beginning of each book. Ironically, I didn’t realize the warnings were even there until I was 10 or 12 books into the series because my app skips straight to the first chapter and bypasses them.
I skipped back looking for something else, possibly a look at the cover, not sure now, and there it was. A little paragraph rattling off some random things that might upset people. It made me think that maybe I should take a look at how I would describe the content of my own books as well as those written by others.
The problem with content ratings is that they vary WIDELY depending on the sensibilities of the one offering them up. And the lists and definitions are seemingly endless. I looked up one site that rated spice levels and, no joke, there were over a dozen levels of spice listed.
I can only judge and advise according to my own standards, that’s all anyone can really do, but it’s easy enough to construct a rough framework. So, here I present a content classification guide. This will likely be a growing and changing set of definitions but it’s a start. I will be making two lists, one for sexual content and one for violence/language. Let’s go.
Content Rating – Sex
Closed Door:
No sexual situations on page or graphically alluded to. There is typically no extensive physical contact. We’re talking holding hands, maybe a hug, maybe a sparsely described kiss. Some would refer to these sorts of stories as ‘Sweet’ or ‘Wholesome’.
Personally, I don’t like to refer to sex-free stories as ‘Clean’ because that suggests that any amount of sex is intrinsically ‘dirty’, which it is not. But many people in the dry-sheet brigade recognize the term as a promise of nothing tingle-inducing. So, while flawed and inaccurate, ‘Clean’ is synonymous with sex-free.
Sexy/Romantic:
Kissing and touching of a distinctly sexual nature. A bit more detailed without being overly graphic or openly depicting any sexual act. Sexual encounters may be referenced and implied but not explicitly described. (My Maiden Harlow mystery books live in this neck of the woods.)
Steamy:
Sexual situations are more openly discussed, arousal and sexual acts are tastefully depicted. There is a strong emphasis on the emotional aspect as it intersects with the physical. Love scenes rather than sex scenes. (My romantasy books are what I consider ‘Steamy’.)
Spicy:
A step or two further than Steamy, Spicy books are more sexually charged and sex plays a prominent role in the narrative. The emotional component of the story may revolve predominantly around sexual tension. There are typically more sex scenes and they may be fairly graphic.
Erotica:
No one is here for anyone’s sparkling personality or sense of humor, put it that way. Erotic stories might be little more than graphic, heavy sex scenes stuck together with a veneer of plot. Others may delve a bit deeper but full-on sex will always be prominently featured. Many fetishes find a platform in this category.
Content Rating – Language/Violence
Mild:
No swearing or OMGs. No violence or graphic references to past violence.
Moderate:
Minor swears like hell and damn. No f-bombs. Some violence but predominantly off page. Think murder mysteries; some blood and some violent deaths but usually not depicted in the act. (My mystery books are usually hereabouts, although I do throw in slightly spicier language when called for, but no f-bombs ever. I have had on page deaths as well, but nothing terribly graphic.)
Heavy:
Lots of swearing, including the big F. Graphic violence, lots of blood. Self-harm, descriptive references to abuse, drug use, etc.
Explicit/Traumatic:
Trigger-town! Extensive swearing and vile language. Sexual violence, very graphic violence, graphic abuse. Things that scar, or shock, or leave you feeling a bit sick to your stomach. The stuff that readers especially need to be warned about!
Content Rating Limitations
Obviously, this list is very subjective. But, as I mentioned, every list like this will be because we’re all sensitive to different things. There are people out there that simply do not want a hint of sex in the stories they read, while others find closed door boring. What one finds excessive another will find tame.
That’s why classification has to be broad. While that certainly presents challenges, it still gives enough of a heads up that most readers can steer clear of the elements that don’t appeal or would deeply disturb them.
As for writers that dabble in the heavy and traumatic stuff, they do themselves a favor by letting readers know that ahead of time. Not only will they attract the consumers that will appreciate what they’ve crafted, but they will avoid unleashing the wrath of readers that feel blindsided by traumatic elements. That is pretty much begging for some angry 1-star reviews. So, maybe save everyone the heartache and put some trigger warnings where they will be easily seen.
Final thoughts
Content ratings and trigger warnings are important, but there is the potential for them to be overused. I read a trigger warning list that included ‘parental abandonment’ and couldn’t help thinking how many people that would encompass. Of course, not everyone would be triggered by that even if they’ve gone through it.
It’s funny, I found myself deliberately avoiding the trigger warnings of that sci-fi romance series after reading a couple of them. Not because I didn’t want to be warned, but because I’d already read enough of the series to know that the author didn’t dabble in the really nasty stuff. At that point, the warnings she included felt, in my opinion only, excessive and contained significant spoilers.
Spoilers! Hiss and boo!
Yes, it’s a fine line to walk. Some of the warnings she gave, such as parental abandonment and survivor guilt, completely gave away the core motivations and inhibitions of the main characters. There was no build-up or tension generated because you were told before the first page what everyone’s problems were.
Every reader’s tolerances are different, but I think we need to be reasonable about what we’re flagging. I’ll update and refine as needed, but hopefully this guide is helpful.
Whatever your favorite genre and comfort level, happy reading!
Have a thought to share?