How to change rating on fanfiction
Fanfiction.net is a popular website forum that allows aspiring writers to share their creative interpretations of various original works. One of the features provided by Fanfiction.net is the ability for authors to assign ratings to their stories. The rating is an effective way for writers to give their readers an idea of what to expect in terms of content. In this article, we will examine several aspects of how an author can change the rating of their posted fanfictions and why this could be beneficial.
Understanding Ratings Basics
Before diving into the how-tos of changing ratings, it is essential to have a basic understanding of what each rating means and represents. Fanfiction.net follows the rating system that ranges from 'K' for Kids to 'MA' for Mature Adults. Knowing how these ratings are defined can help you set the appropriate one for your story.
A 'K' rating implies the content is suitable for most ages, absent of any adult themes. 'K+' means the content is generally suitable but might have mild violence or less explicit mature themes, whereas 'T' rating suggests that the story includes some degree of adult themes, including mild sexual content and moderate violence. A 'M' rating denotes explicit adult content, violence, or strong language. The final 'MA' category is intended for only mature adults due to its potential to contain explicit adult content.
How to Change the Rating
Once you have familiarized yourself with the basic rating system, changing your story's rating is relatively straightforward. Navigate to your story manager and click on the specific story you want to edit. In the properties section, you'll find the option to toggle between different ratings. Make sure to save your changes for them to take effect.
Note that the process might take a while to reflect on the website, so don't panic if the changes don't occur immediately. Also, ensure you're logged into your creative account before attempting any changes.
Why Change Ratings?
Changing ratings might be essential for several reasons. First, your story's content might have evolved over time. As your story progresses, you might find it straying into more adult themes that weren't initially anticipated, thus requiring an upgrade in rating. Alternatively, you might decide to remove adult content and wish to make it suitable for a younger audience.
Secondly, this could be due to feedback from your readers. Readers could suggest a different rating based on their interpretation of your work, and you might decide to heed to their advice. After all, feedback can provide a different perspective and understanding of your work.
Impact of Changing Ratings
Before changing your fanfiction's rating, it's crucial to realize the impact it can have on your readership. If you upgrade to a mature rating, you might lose younger readers or those who prefer less explicit content. On the other hand, if you downgrade your rating, you might lose those readers looking for more mature content.
Maintaining a balance and knowing your target audience can, thus, be vital. It's beneficial to keep your readers informed about significant changes to avoid sudden shocks, negative backlash, or loss of readership.
Appropriate Use of Ratings
Ratings are not merely custom choices; they serve a regulatory function. Misleading ratings, especially those underselling the explicitness of the content, can lead to backlash from readers expecting something different. Maintaining an appropriate rating not only ensures reader satisfaction but also adheres to the guidelines and rules of fanfiction.net.
Overusing mature ratings can also be detrimental. Not all adult themes require a 'M' or 'MA' rating. Misuse of such ratings can lead to your work being overlooked by those who are unnecessarily cautious about mature content.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I alter the rating multiple times?
Yes, you can change the rating as many times as necessary. However, constant fluctuations might signify indecisiveness and could disorient your readers.
2. How frequently should I adjust my rating?
This entirely depends on how often your content's maturity changes significantly. However, excessively frequent changes are discouraged.
3. Can changing the rating affect my story's visibility?
Yes. Higher-rated stories are less visible to younger audiences due to the content restriction mechanisms in place.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice of the rating lies in the hands of the author. It's essential to understand the core themes of the content and assign an appropriate rating accordingly. The guidelines provided in this article will hopefully clarify the steps and aspects to consider when changing your fanfiction's rating.
References:
1. Fanfiction.net Writer's Guide. (n.d.).
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