A Letter to Readers of To Fulfill a Prophesy
First, a sincere "thank you" to those of you who responded to my request for your opinion about the propriety and effect of mild Domination and Discipline scenes in this story.
Final tally (as of Aug. 22): Rewrite (no D&D) - 6 Leave as is - 28 Mixed feelings - 5
On the "rewrite" side I have been told everything from I was supporting ongoing slavery in the world to a comparison of one partner killing the other during sexual activity. I guess some people feel it is appropriate to exceed the matter at hand if it justifies their view. I just found the comparisons offensive.
My job as a writer is to stimulate a reader `s imagination and thinking as well as to entertain. If I can do that, and apparently this whole exercise shows I can, then I have succeeded. If you feel joy, sorrow, sympathy, attachment, horror, or sometimes even disgust, if I can evoke emotional response in you without going beyond the limits of my own conscience, then I have done my job.
Sometimes a reader, because of his experience, bias, absolutes, opinions, or mood of the day or moment, is not prepared to be stimulated or challenged in the way an author has chosen. I personally read everything on Nifty although I do not necessarily finish everything I start to read. I exercise my choice, if an author warrants it, whether to be challenged or not. Either I attempt to see the point the author is making or I read something else. After I have read 3 or 4 sections of a lengthy story, I have definitely decided if an author warrants my trust or not in where he might lead me. If I don't have that confidence in his work, I shouldn't be reading his material.
I could talk here about the use of contrast of characters and situations in fiction to bring out elements of a story, but the responses I've received indicate that the majority of my readers are of sufficient intelligent not to need a lesson in writing style.
The "leave it as is" proponents have made some very interesting points, ranging from the right of an author to tell a story without interference, to observations of how "mild" the D&D in the story has been. One of the responses I received, reflected beautifully my understanding of the situation. His comments follow: "D&D is unattractive to me, in my own sensibilities. I am fiercely independent and would not submit easily. I also have no desire to dominate in general, and sexually in particular. Temper your understanding of this, though, with knowledge that I am an American male, 58, single and sexually solo.
Separately, domination and discipline have some unrelated and divergent meanings. Together they can mean a relationship of controlling guidance that enables the guided to learn. Such disciples often teach their dominators in this process, too, but the emphasis is on control by one who knows how to make this process successful.
What makes or breaks a story for me is their definition of that success. If their purpose is to develop their ability to bring mutual gratification in a loving relationship, I am all for it. If the discipline serves to correct the servant/slave, to overcome faults and to develop self-control, to build love in a relationship, it can be good. If, on the other hand, the discipline punishes by corporal or emotional pain and anguish, denigrating the person or diminishing their health, abusing with imperious indifference, it becomes antithetical to love. Some disciples will learn best from masters who forcefully guide them through and beyond their reluctance or dependence, often when these are based in feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.
You seem to have presented Dale to us as a benevolent teacher. If you continue to have him use D&D in benevolence, I will have no problem with it. I expect that he could teach Digger and the others how to use it to mutual advantage." My special thanks for his very astute observations. Often there is more than one use for things, depending on how someone chooses to use them.
As with most things, one shoe does not fit all. The story goes on, as is. I am sorry those who sensibilities are offended must, by their own choice, miss out on the rest of the adventure, but find I personally wonder if they are so badly put off by what I have presented, how they in fact get through an average day of normal life.
A couple of my associates have suggested I send Section 31 directly to those who have been kind enough to respond to my request for guidance and make anyone else who reads TFAP (and did not answer) wait awhile to see what happens to Denny. That would be just plain mean, wouldn't it ? We'll have to see.
Best regards to all, LJB