The Hobbit Imagines IV

Something I want to talk about

Adult topics. Warning for graphic language about rape.

But also important for teens to read.

There is something that I want to talk about.

Something that I have noticed a lot on Tumblr (especially there), at AO3 and sometimes here on Wattpad. And that is fan fiction writers who make it appear as if rape is okay in some situations. "Because it isn't rape if I write it like this or when I add this."

Let me show you what I mean by two small stories that I wrote just to illustrate what I mean;

"No" she said, pushing her hands against his chest. He didn't stop coming though.

"You know I love you. Don't you love me back? Just let me love you. Why are you resisting our love?" he said as he pushed himself in. She cried but he paid it no attention. She was his and his only. It was his right to take her.

(Skip to the end of the fic)

He leaned over her to kiss her on the cheek. "You made me feel so good babe. This is what true love feels like. I love you so much."

It hurt as she moved to kiss him. She wouldn't be able to walk for days. But she did know that he loved her. And that made it alright. That made the pain bearable.

And now the other version of this;

"No" she said, pushing her hands against his chest. He stopped. Moved to her side.

"Are you alright?" he asked. He looked her straight in the eyes. He was looking for something.

She looked down, looking away from him. "I-I am not sure if i a ready for this." He put a finger under his chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Then we are not going to make love tonight." He kissed her. "Not until you are ready. Are you alright with cuddling? It is alright if you are not."

She smiled. "I would love to cuddle" she said. She pressed herself close to his chest and let his arms take her away to a far-off place.

I shouldn't have to say this, but story 1 is not an alright situation.

There seems to be this believe among some fan fiction writers that, as long as you make your male character say that he loves the reader at the end, he is allowed to do whatever he wants. Even when the other character says 'no'.

No means no though. In fan fiction, in other genres of stories and in real life. There is no difference.

The reason why I want to talk about this is because there are more and more stories going up that have their stories built this way. And in my opinion it is the wrong way to go.

There are actual real life people reading your stories. You, as an author and in my opinion, have a platform of readers who read your stories. And you should be aware of what you send out there. Especially because we all know that the main demographic for fan fiction are 13-18 year old teens.

But this also goes for older readers.

It is not alright to romanticize rape.

And if you, as a writer with a lot of followers, decide to write a story that romanticizes is... then I think you're going down the wrong path.

We as authors have a responsibility. At least that is how I see it.

Of course I also write sex stories and even though I put the 'don't read if you are underage' thingy above the chapter, I know that teens will read the stories too. And I know that there are people of age who read it and have certain thoughts about certain topics.