Cut the Crap

[neonlyte]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7667499.stm

Euk... it has always astonished me the number of men who use public toilets and refuse to wash their hands, it's a bugger trying to get out without touching the door handle.

The Welcome Trust has just announced a £25,000 annual prize for novels featuring 'illness' - the link might be an appropriate theme for an epidemic.

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2008/WTX050983.htm < link to literary award

 

[Vermilion]

It's interesting that you should mention this. For many years - almost since I got ill - I have contemplated writing a story concerning illness. Generally that's my illness, but sometimes chronic illnesses that have affected friends of mine. Each time, almost as soon as I start trying to plot a storyline, I find myself stymied and have to give up. I honestly can;t see a way of approaching this topic without sounding morbid, or self-indulgent, or self-pitying or any one of a number of unattractive qualities that I would hate to display in person or in my writing.

Perhaps if I approached it with humour it would work better but, unlike Marshy, I find it difficult to inject humour into my writing and when it does happen it's mild, ironic and in small doses only.

I've also considered writing about an illness that hasn;t affected me or someone I know very well - eg - cancer - but there, again, I am stymied by lack of knowledge and sensitivity to the feelings of people who have been affected by it - what right do I have to invent what it must be like to have cancer or deal with it when I have no personal experience - it just seems...well, like bloody cheek really.
x
V

 

[Just-Legal]

I've considred writing from a carer's perspective but I find myself floundering for similar reasons to you V.

 

[neonlyte]

I'm planning out a story involving illness, and whilst the illness is devastating it has a purpose within the story in that the protagonist elected for surgery to prolong her career. Difficult subject. I was intending to write the draft during this years NaNo but I'm not sure I'm ready.

I may finish off a story I began three years ago about a blind guy and see if I can polish that enough to send out. Having said that, my footnote score still reads 12/0 - that is about to change, work is going out to agents in the next few days.

I'm also posting again on STORY - link in sig - it needs a kick start!

 

[christabelll]

Varians' "HURT" covers writing about illness in one of your characters outstandingly well.

I have started a story about my own journey through ill health. At times it feels very self indulgent and at others its very cathartic to realize that all those feelings have been stuffed away and needed airing. Luckily no one will be subjected to it as its far too personal to share anywhere near here.

Good Lucks Folks...

 

[gauchecritic]

I have a story about illness that's been going on for about two or three years and I started entirely so that I could kill off the main character at the end.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I don't think I could make a story erotic that had illness in it. I've never read a story that had illness in it that managed to be erotic for me, only tragic. I guess I'm kind of immature that way.

Illness to me is about betrayal of the body, and that means it's about the betrayal of sexuality. It makes the truths of sex into lies or illusions, and that bothers me profoundly.

Could sex be true while the body's lying? I don't know. But then I suppose it depends on the kind of illness. I immediately think of something fatal, and that just ruins everything. I could see, in the case of a non-fatal illness, where sex could positively redemptive, if that's what you're talking about.

 

[CharleyH]

I don't think I could make a story erotic that had illness in it. I've never read a story that had illness in it that managed to be erotic for me, only tragic. I guess I'm kind of immature that way.

Illness to me is about betrayal of the body, and that means it's about the betrayal of sexuality. It makes the truths of sex into lies or illusions, and that bothers me profoundly.

Could sex be true while the body's lying? I don't know. But then I suppose it depends on the kind of illness. I immediately think of something fatal, and that just ruins everything. I could see, in the case of a non-fatal illness, where sex could positively redemptive, if that's what you're talking about.

I agree with you Doc, sort of. A story with illness is harsh and emotional already, but trying to paint an exciting sex picture out of illness and death? Harder! Still, I must admit vampire enthusiasts have made a killing out illness and death since Bram Stoker.