I wouldn't write horror, because I have terrible nightmares and generally steer clear of anything that would cause those. I also tend to stay away from thrillers. They don't really interest me so I can't see myself writing one.
Too controversial to write about? Are there any topics in which you are afraid to write about, specifically? For example, for a great time after the Virginia Tech Shooting, I debated writing about a fictional school shooting. But of course, bringing that up to a few of my mates, it was well rejected as 'distasteful'. What would you think about a plot such as a school shooting for a fictional story, and are there any other specific topics you'd be afraid to touch?
Jodi Piccoult tackled a school shooting and wrote it extremely well in her book Nineteen Minutes. I think as writers we should take on whatever subject we feel strongly about. Look at all the great novels. Most of them are great because the author wrote about something they really cared about. I believe most subjects can be written about in a way that will still sell. But I think that attempting not to offend everyone is a pointless exercise; everything will offend someone. It's about putting down on paper something that you really care about, even if it might be considered controversial. If it is really well-written, has a strong story and characters, and captures the reader's attention, it will probably sell.
Personally, I don't think your idea was distasteful at all. It's not like it's some disgusting mockery of the incident--a fictional story about the characters' lives being effected in different ways by an incident like this occurring in their lives would have been very effective. Sure, there are things that I'd be too intimated to write about. It's very courageous to write about "touchy subjects" like these, especially when they're based on true events. I wouldn't call it distasteful at all. When people make remarks or comments about controversial subjects, we can say that these remarks are "distasteful". Fiction writing is a whoooole 'nother story. Fiction, to me, can be theraputic for the reader. The reader is supposed to identify with the characters or situation. And a novel about a controversial situation, in my opinion, can be compelling and beautiful.
Certain topics are only deemed "out of bounds" because individual's minds haven't expanded enough to envelope them within the realm of acceptance. Taboo subjects show only close-mindedness.
A couple things I can think of that you shouldn't write about: Your friend's and family's secrets that you promised to keep. Your social security number. A non-fiction story about you doing the illegal things you do. Similar things like that. Other than those kinds of things though, write about whatever you want.
I think we already had this thread, "what won't you write about?" Nothing to me is too controversial, or too taboo to write about. And for the most part, most subjects have been written about already, so what's the big deal? Write. If it's too taboo or controversial it won't sell to a publisher. Oh, well. At least you wrote about something you felt passionate about. And if all else fails, put it online for others to read for free and have some ads on your page, at least you'll be getting a few cents.
There is nothing I wont write about. There are things I will probably never or rarely write, but I don't view any subject off limits. I have even considered a story about a school shooting. Well not really the shooting but a bunch of old friends sorta reunite by chance and to pass time reflect on their friendships and why they broke up. Which also slowly reveals who the shooter actually is. Actually I did write a short story on a school shooting. Based loosely on the Urban Legend surrounding Columbine. But if its something you feel strongly about or want to write about. Then I say write it.
Actually, I'm currently reading an old Harlen Ellison book, a non-fiction about illegal things he did joining a street gang--and he did it all as research because he wanted to write a book about it.
- horror (except Victorian ghost stories) - holocaust theme - anything modern-era in general - porn - pink fluffy romance trash for girls / women -
I like this answer, it is the sort of thing I would have said if I had not posted the question. However, the question was what you wouldn't write not what you couldn't. Of course we are limited by what we know, and we can only write what we know. I will never write a book in japanese. But this is more because of my limited knowledge. The question posed is more as you replied, but I assumed people would accept this as a given. Its more a question of 'if given the opportunity, to write it, would you?'
Given the opportunity, I'd learn everything and write about everything. This would ensure immortal life. Limited time forces me to make choices. I choose what I like the most. The biggest reason for me not to write about any particular topic is that I'm already writing about a whole bunch of other topics I'm passionate about, and have a whole bunch more ideas on the back burner... not that those other topics aren't wonderful, but alas, I have only so many hours to write. Charlie
Well, there are a few things I wouldn't write about, mostly because I'm not mature enough and I worry it's tasteless. 1) Set in Ancient Greece (I did think of setting it in pre-Civil War South, but that would probably be too touchy of a subject). A wealthy nobleman's son wonders what it's like to be a slave and smuggles himself into slavery. At the beginning, he treats the whole thing like a lighthearted adventure where he's trying to disguise himself from everyone. 2) An alternate ending of WWII. In the last days in Hitler's bunker, someone manages to smuggle the Goebbel children out just in time before their parents kill them. The Russians take hold of them and decide to seperate them. The story is about them trying to reunite and come to terms with the horrors their parents got themselves involved in. That's all I can think up of for now.
True. But for right now, I'm gonna leave it up to a more experienced writer. Or until I've matured enough to write them myself. EDIT: I think I can do the former scenario now, if I set it in ancient times. Plus, I do love Ancient Greece.
Vampire Romances. Me too. Or anything that I did not feel passionate about, and/or did not want to research.
I'd like to think there isn't, but then I'd be kidding myself. Truth is whenever I write anything involving extreme criminal acts - rape, mass murder, that sort of material - I find my getting nervous, especially when writing form the perpetrators point of view and do often find myself cutting back on details and relying more on the power of suggestion. Come to think of it this probably isn't a bad thing, if I enjoyed writing that kind of stuff there really would be cause for concern. I notice a lot of people have mentioned vampire romances as something they wouldn't do. Personally I couldn't imagine doing a vampire story without some kind of romance aspect. Sexuality is such a big part of the mythos after all. Hell, even Salems Lot which focuses mainly on a bloodsucking aspect has a character whose lust drives him to join the ranks of the undead.
Nothing really, because I've learned that different attempts at writing give you things you never expected. At the university we were asked to write everything from poetry and short stories to articles and screenplays. I was also asked to write a libell of my favourite book, which I enjoyed immensly. I didn't become an expert in any of those, but I have a taste of the techniques. Of course this may be part of writing training, so to speak, but I know better now than to say "no way". That's in terms of genres. In terms of themes it's the same, with the possible exeption of something like children abuse and death. That freaks me out.
I personally would never write anything that had to do with sodomizing a person (child) under the age of consent. I recall a line from Stephen king, I think the novel was "It". Where he wrote about one of the main characters' father "Slathering his c*** with lard" in a reference to sodomy. I found it to be highly disgusting, and I was pretty much done the whole book just from that one line.
I think I can confidently say that there is nothing I wouldn't write. Whether I would be any good at writing it is another matter. I suppose that means that I really have to ask myself if the material I write is good enough for release and then, because I might not be the best person to judge, find someone who can tell me if I am right.
@ Kayliss= Gross. :x Yah, I'll never write that. I'm also never gonna write about anything regarding to sex or private parts. I think you can write a book without that. I also don't want to write a book where a child or animal is being harmed by sadistic people. Especially if animals are harmed. I'm sorry, but I just can't go through those scenes without wanting violent, painful retribution or am overwhelmed by grief.
Well, I don't write tragedies, or anything too depressing. Some drama is okay, but I absolutely don't do sad endings. I also try to avoid having horror elements in my stories. Last time I tried to include scary stuff it got to me to the point were I couldn't sleep well.
Hahaha - ZING! Self-insert fanfiction where gutless puppets who wear nametags sporting popular character's names on them fawn of the self-insert forever and ever and ever. Oh and "slice of life" stuff like The Diary of Adrian Mole
