1. para_noir

    para_noir New Member

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    Suicidal Characters

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by para_noir, May 2, 2008.

    Hello....

    Well the title says it all i guess...one of my characters is suicidal. And there is a scene where I describe her trying to kill herself....

    I hope to get this book published some day...so will it be turned down because of this? Since suicide is a very tender subject....and its looked down upon. So will i get rejected because of this? :eek:

    Also, are there any other subjects/areas I should stay away from when writing?
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Suicide is often written about, and published. Subjects taboo for publishers may depend on the publisher (a Christian publishing house would likely refuse to publish a book featuring cannabalism), the country in which the publisher resides (a book glorifying kiddie porn would be unlikely to find a mainstream publisher in North America), and how you cast the subject (a comedy based on racial stereotyping would have a hard time selling in most markets).
     
  3. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    I wouldn't say steer clear of any subject really- just pay close attention to how you deal with the more controversial ones. As long as you handle things with a close eye on morality and taste, then you won't have a real problem. And as Cogito said, suicide is written about frequently enough.
     
  4. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
    Aldous Huxley's Brave New World
    Susanna Kaysen's Girl, Interrupted

    Just to name three off the top of my head
     
  5. bamXkasey

    bamXkasey New Member

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    I love that book. :) & the movie.
     
  6. MumblingSage

    MumblingSage New Member

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    Yeah, it's pretty much just a matter of being tasteful and sensitive when dealing with contraversial issues. I've read stories that made me pity child rapists (granted, I didn't find out they were pedophiles until near the end of the book, but still...), so I see the current publishing market as very openminded.
     
  7. Heather Louise

    Heather Louise Contributor Contributor

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    that book is amazing. Another one to read along those lines is called Buyt Inside I'm screaming, by Eizabeth Flock I think.

    and as for writing about suicide, jst appraoch it with a little bit of sesitvity and it will be allright
     
  8. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Actually, my first short story posted on this site was about suicide and consequences.
     

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