What won't you write?

[Interference]

Originally Posted by Ökuþórr

Also with the sex thing, there is always the thought at the back of my mind; if I get published, is my mum gonna read this?
I think I'd die.

There's that as well

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Hex

I would love to write or to read a well-written childbirth scene.

So would I. So often, those who argue that graphic violence makes a story more realistic because in a historical setting violence would be so common, would cringe at a graphic childbirth scene. Which, I am reliably informed, is an experience that is pretty common down through the ages.

I doubt I could write a really dramatic childbirth scene, though, because my experiences were boringly quick and easy.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Ökuþórr

Incest strangely enough is quite a normal thing in my writing (dont run away, i have a reason, honest).

Now I'm wondering about your mind! Is your POV character someone involved with the incest though, or does it just happen around them?

I could write it happening in a story if the story called for it. I couldn't, wouldn't, write it as the PoV character doing it.

Originally Posted by Perpetual Man

What a good question Mouse.

Why thank you, Perp!

Originally Posted by chrispenycate

Oh, there are a lot of things I can't write yet, either due to a lack of information or an excess of it, usually. But I'n not not writing them for moral reasons, but lack of skill.

That's the other thing, isn't it! I would write childbirth from the POV of the woman giving birth. If I knew what it was like.

Originally Posted by Anne Lyle

Not every woman is a ditz who thinks about nothing but shoes and soap operas...

Exactly.

Anya, apart from your child-murderer (!) were the other things you mention there committed by a PoV character while you were writing in their PoV?

That's what I'm talking about.

[Christian Nash]

Originally Posted by Anne Lyle

Ahem - I think many of us understand ourselves perfectly well, and have a good handle on the other 50% of the planet to boot.

Not every woman is a ditz who thinks about nothing but shoes and soap operas...

You forgot bags

Maybe you're right, and maybe it's me who has the problem understanding...

Back to topic, I don't think I could write about something that wasn't interesting or a passion of mine. Writing is hard enough as it is, but to then throw in something that didn't interest you? ewe

[Ökuþórr]

Originally Posted by allmywires

Made the mistake once of letting my mother read a book I wrote with (ahem) somewhat copious m/m sex (or at least sexual references). Not sure she looks at me the same way any more...

I couldn't do that. Mum, you can read this, but if you love me, you'll skip page 22.

Originally Posted by Interference

There's that as well

Its a scary thought.

[springs]

Originally Posted by Interference

There's that as well

My Mum has. I hid, she survived, but she's fairly open minded.
The hardest thing for me to do was a male rape scene, and I tried every way to get away from it, but the situation was such (and the damage done to the character) that not to show it, and hopefully show it sympathetically and not as a quick fix, would have made what else happened farcical. ie the situation they were in, it was hard to believe it wouldn't happen.

That's what I meant by I would attempt nearly anything IF i thought it was needed, if it was researched and if it didn't demean the subject matter and any damage done to those it happens to. I mightn't enjoy it - actually, I know I wouldn't - but I would attempt it. And some of the most powerful literature out there deals with these subjects - Hex mentioned Lolita, but The Colour Purple is up there, The Woman who walked into doors is excellent, but most are written from the pov of the victim, not the antagonist.

As a pov character, I'd struggle with all of them....

ps@ inter, if you need that ghost writer..... (joking!)

[AnyaKimlin]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Anya, apart from your child-murderer (!) were the other things you mention there committed by a PoV character while you were writing in their PoV?

That's what I'm talking about.

Well the BDSM stuff yeah it was. (I won't detail it)

The cannibalism and other depravity of my mad possessed reverend although he didn't actually commit them I wrote them as though he did.

The male rape happened to my POV character.

My POV character was the Dad at the childbirth scene. He didn't do the rest but he did execute a general at point blank range and 'murder' his grandfather in an exorcism scene when they were in birdform (my beta readers got me to tone that down).

I've done the POV characters having sex it seemed unnatural not to when they got back from their civil partnership.

I also have a vigilante character that does POV.

[allmywires]

Originally Posted by Ökuþórr

I couldn't do that. Mum, you can read this, but if you love me, you'll skip page 22.

I was but young. I was so pleased I'd finished something I sort of forgot the...er...other stuff.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by AnyaKimlin

The male rape happened to my POV character.

My POV character was the Dad at the childbirth scene. He didn't do the rest but he did execute a general at point blank range and 'murder' his grandfather in an exorcism scene when they were in birdform (my beta readers got me to tone that down).

But it's different, isn't it? Writing about something while you're not in that character's head. You can distance yourself from it.

[Anne Lyle]

Originally Posted by Christian Nash

You forgot bags

Maybe you're right, and maybe it's me who has the problem understanding...

It's not just you - I find the stereotypical female somewhat incomprehensible too. I mean, I like a nice pair of shoes (or boots), but I choose handbags for practicality (lots of pocketses) and I prefer to rave about my tech toys. Each to his or her own, and all that...

[springs]

It definitely is. I've tried it from the torturer's head, and couldn't get the pathos in there. What I do have is a pov character who is deeply involved in not undertaking, but enabling torture, but he is so morally challenged by it, he walks away from it. Interestingly, he tends to get more positive feedback than most of my other pov characters. But, his pov is told at the point of torture, briefly.

[Bowler1]

Mouse, what a question, a question that has given me pause.

I'd like to think that I can sell my stuff in the future so shock factor for the reader, if done right can have impact. I would never be able to do pedo stuff, the thought of that is too much to bear. But my current WIP will have a toddler kidnapped and held against her fathers good behaviour. Thats bad.....

That I think, is my limit. Little Lizzie does live, I thought about knocking her off but in the end that was too far even for me.

We all write to grab the readers attentions, where that leads us - well - I don't know.
Mouse you're right - this is something I should think about.

[AnyaKimlin]

Originally Posted by Mouse

But it's different, isn't it? Writing about something while you're not in that character's head. You can distance yourself from it.

I found it much harder writing the reactions to the rape from Tim's POV than I would've done writing his rapist. I didn't even write the rape itself. He was a character I'd written two other stories with and had a particularly strong bond with, but it made sense it was him. Joe had, had his sister try to murder him in the previous one and they kind of take it in turns to be tied up and scream (not in a BDSM sense).

[allmywires]

Originally Posted by Anne Lyle

It's not just you - I find the stereotypical female somewhat incomprehensible too. I mean, I like a nice pair of shoes (or boots), but I choose handbags for practicality (lots of pocketses) and I prefer to rave about my tech toys. Each to his or her own, and all that...

I like shoes (never too many etc) and I'm a mad football fan. I love dressing up purty but equally love spending days playing computer games. So, you know, balancing it out.

Unfortunately I've met too many 'stereotypical' women I find their existence sadly indisputable.

[Ökuþórr]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Now I'm wondering about your mind! Is your POV character someone involved with the incest though, or does it just happen around them?

I could write it happening in a story if the story called for it. I couldn't, wouldn't, write it as the PoV character doing it.

For the sake of your sanity, avoid my mind.

Not in my current WIP (first person). There are two main characters, but the POV character's friend was once in a relationship with his sister. Its actually an important plot point near the end of the book. It explains quite a bit about why the character is the way he is and why he did alot of the things he did in his past. Brother and sister are not human btw.

EDIT: Also sets things up for the next one.