I have a story breakthrough, but it's not...

[SEVERUSMAX]

...Lit appropriate for a number of reasons. Naturally, I can't compromise the story, which means that this part of it can't be submitted to Lit, sadly.

It is certainly a much darker and more grisly direction than I initially planned in this tale, which is part of a collection of stories set in an alternate America populated by ancient Greek colonists.

Mind you, this is a violent parallel world, anyway, which I always knew. But I think that part of my brain wasn't ready for this breakthrough until I finally accepted that this story required a very morbid and sinister twist.

There are several quite horrific crimes committed in the plot of this particular chapter/story in that chronicle.

Have you ever dealt with a breakthrough like this, which took you in a very dark and disturbing path, but you knew that it was necessary for the integrity of the plot?

Perhaps it is best that I finally leave my usual comfort zone, after all. There is a time and place for making exceptions to long-standing rules, or even amending them when they no longer prove the best guidelines.

 

[DeeZire]

I'm submitting something for halloween, but I have no idea if it will get through the gatekeepers. It was fun writing it, exploring the dynamic between the hunter and the hunted.

It seems odd to me that people like Stephen King can have mainstream success with some pretty grisly stuff, but if it's not coming from him, it's not acceptable. Perhaps there are sites like LIT around that cater to the horror crowd? Not that I'd spend much time there, but there is something quite charming about a sexy broad in peril, especially if her clothes get ripped off while she's still alive. Or dead. What the hell, I'm open minded.

 

[scheherazade_79]

Have you ever dealt with a breakthrough like this, which took you in a very dark and disturbing path, but you knew that it was necessary for the integrity of the plot?

Perhaps it is best that I finally leave my usual comfort zone, after all. There is a time and place for making exceptions to long-standing rules, or even amending them when they no longer prove the best guidelines.

Yes, and until I read your post I was always too scared to write it.

Thank you

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Yes, and until I read your post I was always too scared to write it.

Thank you

You're welcome. I must say that this wasn't the easiest story to write, especially as one who feels disgust at even the idea of this particular crime. What especially scares me is the idea that someone might get aroused by the part which frightened me so much. The idea of someone rooting for the villain or identifying with them in this case is quite unnerving.

It's a crime that fits well with the historical context, as I'm sure that it happened a lot in ancient history (and more recent history, sad to say). So, as I said, it was necessary to the plot. But it certainly was the hardest thing I've ever written in my life. I had the villain pictured as completely wicked as it was, but not even I planned him to be this abominable. He just emerged that way, as an even worse character than I previously contemplated. With this one act, written as needed into the story that was once blocked, I have turned him from mere murderer to an absolutely irredeemable monster.

Little wonder that I'm chilled to the bone about my creation.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Perhaps it's because I've had sufficient experience to RL violence of various kinds that I'm immunized but the answer to your question is "no". Violence is messy and painful. I don't like pain and prefer neatness.

 

[glynndah]

Perhaps it's because I've had sufficient experience to RL violence of various kinds that I'm immunized but the answer to your question is "no". Violence is messy and painful. I don't like pain and prefer neatness.

I'm with the bear on this one. I write "pretty". Nobody ever dies, or gets hurt, or even gets their feelings hurt. Well, except for that one little vampire attack...

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've recently had a kinda opposite experience; I wanted to write an irretreivably reprobate anti-hero for my protagonist. The idea waas that she does good in spite of herself and out of protest. i can still do that part.

But in the character arc, the most perfect growth plot made itself inescapably clear-- and I just do NOT want her to go that way, I don't want her to make peace with herself, I don't want her to find a Good Woman and settle down.

So I've put the whole thing on hold.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Well, it's written (though, again, not on Lit- there are rules here that this story would plainly violate). Now, I just await the inevitable attacks and one-bombs.

But I'm still proud of myself for writing a realistic scene, no matter how despicable the crime committed in it might be. That's part of ancient history, too. It wasn't all glory and mythical heroes, after all.