Is hinting at SA done to child too much?

[c37]

Is hinting or including a scene where it is implied that a child has gone through it or is going through it too much? I am writing a dark fantasy novel, and I want to know how much is too much?

 

[tiaf]

Descriptions of the act itself: no go

Mentioning the act has happened and connoted as a crime: yes

readers can perfectly fine fill in the details themselves

 

[IWILLDEFYTHEHEAVENS]

It is illegal to be written like you do with adults.

Check out the laws involving that to avoid getting in trouble.

 

[AliceMoonvale]

If you need to ask...


I'll trust the readers and let them decide how I would finish that sentence.

 

[c37]

It is illegal to be written like you do with adults.

Check out the laws involving that to avoid getting in trouble.

I wouldn't describe the act itself or the actions that happened. I want to refer to the fact that it happened through vague physical discomfort(after effects) and dialogues that hint at it.

 

[LuoirM]

Too vague of question, write it and put it in spoilers here with context, subtext, and relevance/impact on story babe

 

[c37]

Too vague of question, write it and put it in spoilers here with context, subtext, and relevance/impact on story babe

Spoiler: A draft of how i want to refer to it.

Ninety-four silver, six more, and I won’t be dragged back by the collar tonight.

He remembered the last night as his thighs still burned.

Aegis, a young cambion with four horns, walked down a stone road. Gray-black buildings passed as his lean figure moved forward. His burning red pupils followed the pouch in his hand.

CLANK.

Coins clanked as Aegis tossed the pouch into the air. It was small —Too small to matter to anyone but him. A low whistle slipped past his lips as the pouch landed neatly in his palm.

This is definitely not the final version.

 

[LuoirM]

You are approved, proceed.

 

[Makimaam]

Spoiler: A draft of how i want to refer to it.

Ninety-four

Mate, no

 

[LuoirM]

Mate, no

You don't approve 96?

 

[c37]

Mate, no

Ofc i am not gonna add it to that particular ch, I just used it as an example to show how I would refer to it in future.

 

[Eldoria]

Honestly, some readers might feel uncomfortable if you give SA background for children.

 

[c37]

Honestly, some readers might feel uncomfortable if you give SA background for children.

I feel betraying my world if I completely ignore that topic itself.

Mate, no

Or you want me to not include it at all?

 

[Eldoria]

I feel betraying my world if I completely ignore that topic itself.

Then why do you ask this question... if you stick to your artistic vision then don't listen to readers' opinions.

 

[c37]

Then why do you ask this question... if you stick to your artistic vision then don't listen to readers' opinions.

I want to hear different perspectives before making my own decisions. Also i wanted to know how much is too much.

 

[Makimaam]

1. The worst placement is at the start of your opening chapter, especially when done to your MC.

2. Most readers hate endless suffering, even if they like grimdark. Unless Aegis turns into a face slapping, ass kicking young master by the end of the chapter, they won’t buy it.

3. It’s good that you’re giving him a tragic background but he also needs a win. Small victories. Piling tragedy upon tragedy isn’t ideal, and definitely not all at once, in the first chapter. Hint at it much later, then ideally follow with face slapping.

 

[c37]

1. The worst placement is at the start of your opening chapter, especially when done to your MC.

2. Most readers hate endless suffering, even if they like grimdark. Unless Aegis turns into a face slapping, ass kicking young master by the end of the chapter, they won’t buy it.

3. It’s good that you’re giving him a tragic background but he also needs a win. Small victories. Piling tragedy upon tragedy isn’t ideal, and definitely not all at once, in the first chapter. Hint at it much later, then ideally follow with face slapping.

so its better to refer to it when he is taking revenge on his abusers (much, much later)? @Eldoria, this is definitely why I asked this question.

 

[Makimaam]

so its better to refer to it when he is taking revenge on his abusers (much, much later)? @Eldoria, this is definitely why I asked this question.

Sprinkle vague hints but don’t be explicit. Keep readers guessing. Introducing a red herring is ideal. Then, during the fight, reveal it. It is much more impactful.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Yes, change it before I read it. P.S. I won't read it.

 

[c37]

Sprinkle vague hints but don’t be explicit. Keep readers guessing. Introducing a red herring is ideal. Then, during the fight, reveal it. It is much more impactful.

Thank you, this sounds much better than what I initially envisioned.

Yes, change it before I read it. P.S. I won't read it.

Don't worry, I didn't include it in my published chapter.