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I'm writing a story for Endmaster's prompt contest, and I'd like to include a bit of graphic body horror. I'm not sure what to place the maturity rating at because it's practically only that one scene, everything else is pretty tame, and I don't want people to think I have a big head about any of the rest of my writing being 'scary' even when I know it's not. So far I've come up with two solutions:

1. Do more graphic horror scenes to justify higher rating. Pros: I like writing graphic stuff. Cons: May intervene with the story's flow.

2. Cut the body horror scene out. Pros: Easy to rate for maturity. Cons: I really want to keep that scene, and it adds to the overall descent into insanity that my story is going for.

I figured veterans on the site may have a good idea on how to handle this, and I'd appreciate the help.

Fuck em kids, put it at 1 and go crazy

Might as well put it in the Family section too.

Damn good idea

Just write what you planned to write.

It's not hurting your chance of readership anyway if you want to put it higher than you think it strictly needs, actual kids ignore that stuff. Only Mormons in their 30s who use a filter to block swearing will care.

Definitely don't change your plot splitting hairs over this anyway.

My opinion: If it makes the story better, put it in. If it makes the story worse, don't. If it's necessary for the plot or character development, you have to put it in, even if it "messes with the flow." In that case, change the story, the "flow," or the graphic scene so that it enhances the flow instead (easier said than done, I know). Anyway hope this additional insignificant opinion helps.

I mean my latest "works" have some graphic stuff. You start out strangling a fairy and can tear her limb from limb and eat her alive in Fey Light. (I recommend not doing it, though. No need to be more of a bad guy than the protagonist already is)