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    Eden Anderson replied to the topic Murderous Monsters…AKA Fiction Writers. in the forum General Writing Discussions 7 years, 10 months ago

    @scarletimmortalized

    Most of my stories are Historical Fiction centering around WW2 and Vietnam.

    These time periods/wars were very violent and I think it would take away from the story to exempt all violence…that wouldn’t be telling a true story anyway. I think it’s about balance and how you portray violence.

    When writing his-fic, especially his-fic, I think it’s very important that you write/portray history accurately. I think that if you downplay the violence and horror of a time period (the Holocaust for example) it can actually be damaging to the audience, because you arn’t portraying it accurately. Of course you don’t have to show everything down to the smallest detail, but you can’t just ignore it because it’s too “gory” or “sensitive”.  I think this is where balance comes in.

    When violence drowns out the actual story its too much. However there are times when violence is necessary to the story. But that violence must have a point.

    Well put. 👏

    Ohh, I love your last paragraph! So true! Especially the part about finding hope in the midst of pain and hate and violence. We as Christians have hope beyond all that and it’s extremely important for us to bring that out in our writing!

    (I love finding small stories of hope and joy in the darkness of history…especially in extremely dark time periods. When everything seems lost, I think it makes human courage and people’s abilities to hang onto hope all the more amazing. Your stories sound really interesting…if you ever need a beta reader. *raises hand* Pick me!!! 😀 Or are they already published?)

    @sara-inkdragon

    Yes, you are the indomitable Inkredible! 😉 *salutes*

    And honestly, I love your rants…they are highly informative and entertaining all at the same time. (I think I should call you Professor Inkredible.)

    @the-fledgling-artist

    Maybe how much violence you focus on does have a lot to do with what message you wish to convey. With someone like Sarah who wants to specifically write about war and violence, it would make sense to actually include more related details.

    Yes, exactly! That’s how I see it anyway.

    I think at this point I’m not against violence at all, but my goal is to use it as sparingly as possible without sacrificing any thematic impact.

    I think that’s a worthy goal. All the best wishes my friend! 😀

    @seekjustice

    But, for me, its about the intent. Are you writing the violence to present a fact or to specially cater to those readers, or viewers, that crave violent content?

    Hmmm, that’s a REALLY good point! But I think that would also tie in with your focus as well…or maybe it’s the same thing.

    So, to recap, I don’t mind showing us the wound or the violence, but when it moves from presenting a medical fact to describing or showing wounds in ridiculous details, then I get uncomfortable and either skim or look away.

    Here’s where I would disagree…I don’t think it’s wrong to describe or show wounds. Not at all! I think the amount of description and showing depends on your audience, your intent and if it moves your plot forward.

    (Your a first aid officer!! SO COOL!! *salutes*😀)

    @andrew

    Vellabein, this cruel werewolf-like person, has all the sudden gone rogue and is out for blood, so I need to take care of him before any of my other character’s fall to his hands. XD

    Yes, please go take care of those poor characters! Vellabein sounds perfectly dreadful!! 😉

    @ericawordsmith

    I think the last thing an author wants to do is offend their readers. Well, actually I think the last thing I would want to do is tell a lie or turn my readers away from truth…offending them comes after those two.

    Sometimes it’s higher writing to make it less in your face, and more dignified (like LOTR) without having to describe every detail to be disgusting.

    Hmmm, interesting take on violence…but I think I agree. Yes, that’s a good thought.

    I for one try to sound like I’m at least a couple decades older when I write my books.

    Done that myself before. 😉

    @everybody

    Thank you so much for all your input…this has helped me sort out my thoughts immensely! This discussion is awesome!

     

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