Crossing that Line…

Last week, I mentioned that I follow John Fox’s YouTube channel: BookFox. He’s a writing teacher, editor, and it seems to me, also a coach. Whatever your skill level, his channel and website are full of helpful material for any writer.

In my last blog post, we watched his video titled 9 Craft Questions Every Wrier Should be Able to Answer.

If you have watched it, take fifteen minutes and watch it. Don’t worry, I’ll still be here when you’re finished.

Previously, we went over the first two questions posited in the video. Now we’ll do the next two.

As a reminder, here are all nine questions:

Do you prefer language as trance or as entertainment? Or both?Do you take advantage of the novel’s inherent advantages as a communication medium (as opposed to films): interiority, time fluctuations, & point-of-view (POV) variation?What should you never show? Do you show everything (i.e. no topic is off the table)? Where do you draw the line? Do you have a line?Should you always write round characters? Or flat characters? Or both?Is your novel or writing moral or amoral?Should you include coincidence in your fiction? (If you do, make sure it is at the beginning and not end.)Anticipation or suspense? Which do you prefer to write? Or a bit of both?Should you use brand names in your fictions? This will time-stamp your work.Should you create themes in your story? Or allow them to emerge organically from the work?

If you want to read my answers to the first two questions, read this blog post. Otherwise, let’s explore questions three and four.

3. What would you never show? Where do you draw the Line? Do you have a line?

By line, the Bookfox is referring to what subject would you just not ever–ever–in your lifetime consider putting in your fiction writing.

For example, there are some writers who refuse to use certain swear words. They just don’t. They’ll come up with alternatives or describe the swearing in such a way that the reader can allude to what is said.

Another example, could be specific subject or action. Take for instance, animal cruelty. Would you write a scene where a character beats a dog? Or otherwise harm a pet? What about a child?

This is a heavy subject. And one you should think about. Do you want to me known as that writer? The one too timid to write about sex? Or so vulgar you offend half your potential audience?

We all like to think we are artists and will go where ever our muse takes us or where the story demands. And my imagination has indeed taken me to some dark places. I’ve written about subjects I hadn’t even known were on my radar. The words vomited onto the page and there they sat, glistening. (shudder)

But while the first draft may get the full brunt of my (damaged) psyche, I tend to edit the worst stuff out.

I won’t use the c-word. Animals may get killed, but I don’t allow them to suffer. But I’ll happily chop off someone’s head. And I’m just not interested in writing erotica for the sake of (ahem!) eliciting a specific response in a reader. Just… no.

What about you? Is there a subject so taboo you don’t write about? Or, maybe, won’t share?

4. Should you always write round or flat characters? Or both?

Phew! Back to safer ground. This is a craft question. And many may not even consider this question at all because, of course, you would write well-rounded, fully realized characters.

But does every story demand that? And do all characters in your story need to be fully fleshed out?

The Bookfox provided some excellent examples in his video that I hadn’t even thought of, and illuminates that indeed, the default to completely inundate the reader with rounded characters may not be necessary or serve the story you’re telling.

It’s been drummed into me over and over to have characters with a complete background story, but maybe that’s not always needed. In the future, I’ll examine this question when I embark on a new project.

How about you? Are your characters flat, not fully described, allowing the reader to determine their own idea about the character’s actions? Or are they so well-rounded that as soon as we meet them, we have an idea of what they’ll be having for lunch?

That’s it for today. I’ll expound on the remaining questions in my next post.

Until then, write like you know what type of writer you are.

Nila