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Why read 'Depressing' Books?
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Subject of Walking over Eggshells is not much fun,- a mother with a personality disorder, but I didn't want to be a depressing book, so added lots of humour to balance it out.
I only get time to read at bedtime, so I don't want anything that's going to send me to sleep feeling gloomy. I feel the same way about watching movies just before going to bed. If I want depressing, horror or sad, there's plenty to read in the newspapers. For me, reading means a joyful experience :) Just MHO.
I don't know why we read depressing books, maybe subconciously we are somehow drawn to pain?
Mohan wrote: "I am always seeking books that give a ‘glimpse’ of life; and sometimes the glimpses are gloomy, morbid or depressing."That's it for me, exactly. Life is not always happy and fun. I don't like to read / write stories that are always happy and fun. Even humor should have at least a little tragedy in it. I wouldn't find stories that are nothing but depressing to be interesting, just as I wouldn't be interested in something that is nothing but joyous. A blend of both is good.
In my search for entertainment (books, music, movies, etc.) I try to avoid depressing material as well, preferring to be uplifted or simply "escape" for a while. When I started writing my first novel, I kept to that same formula, knowing I wouldn't want to invest so many hours (years, in fact!) to a task that would be depressing. I suspect I wouldn't have been able to complete the task if I couldn't look forward to an enjoyable ending... not that I'm the "happily ever after" type either, but I certainly want my stories to end un-depressingly.
For my part, I write books dealing with heroic, inspiring topics (air rescue, military service, and the like) -- so you can be assured my books are anything BUT depressing!
I write dark depressing disturbed stories. not that I'm depressed now but when I crafted my works 10 15 20 years ago I was. I'm just cleaning them up now and publishing them all. I still read dark stories and novels about disturbed or mentally ill characters because they are a challenge to write and I don't care for happy sunshine rainbow glitter fluff. because life isn't like that and stories of that caliber only depresses me instead. so instead of escaping into a world that's perfect I'd rather escape into a world where I know the characters won't die from whatever they're suffering from and become stronger in the end from it.
I hate things that make me cry and I avoid them. I know some people feel the opposite. Just on FB alone, all the posts I see that say things like, This one will make you cry, or Warning: Tear Jerker. I pass them up more than fast, so I don't get it.
I don't consider crying in any way cleansing. It drags me down. So I avoid depressing books. I'd never willingly read any.
There is medical evidence (can't remember where I read it) that your body doesn't know the difference between real emotions and those experienced through reading or watching movies (who hasn't got up during a horror movie to check that the doors are locked?) and your body will respond accordingly (that's why they give sperm donors something 'interesting' to read or look at lol). Deepak Chopra says, "Wherever a thought goes, a chemical goes with it." I try to have happy thoughts - although that's not always possible when reading reviews!
When a reviewer commented that one of my books was depressing I agreed that it could be, and I changed the ending.
My book, Carnal Abuse by Deceit, is depressing. I not only admit it, but I also warn the reader in my book's description. It specifically states, "this is not light entertainment!" The purpose of writing a depressing book is to enlighten and change people's perspective on important issues. My book helped to inspire a recent law on Sexual Assault by Fraud that was submitted in the NJ Assembly, and will protect people from an insidious crime!
On a lighter note, I've also created a new holiday called "Truth in Romance Day!" I hope to raise awareness on the importance of being truthful in romantic relationships. In particular, the amount of dating hoaxes have increased with the advent of internet dating. Truth in Romance Day will give people an opportunity to come clean on any distortions they've told and even exchange ID if they're newly involved in a relationship.
You can learn more on my website at http://www.StopRapeByFraud.com
Jan wrote: "When a reviewer commented that one of my books was depressing I agreed that it could be, and I changed the ending."Seriously? Wow. I've had people comment that one of my stories is "depressing" even though it's not meant to be. I won't change a story for a reviewer. It'd be like giving your kid a facelift 'cause some blind man said he's ugly.
Steelwhisper wrote: "I don't consider crying in any way cleansing. It drags me down. So I avoid depressing books. I'd never willingly read any."Ditto.
Dwayne wrote: "Jan wrote: "When a reviewer commented that one of my books was depressing I agreed that it could be, and I changed the ending."Seriously? Wow. I've had people comment that one of my stories is "d..."
Mine wasn't meant to be depressing, but I do listen to reviewers and it didn't take a lot of work to make some changes - so why not? :) I've never heard anyone complain about a book having a happy ending lol.
Happy endings are a requirement in my current genre. Depressing, sad, trouble, angst are all ok as long as you end on a good note.Maybe that is the key for me when I do stumble on things that make me feel like crying. If you're going to drag me through the rough spots, leave me feeling stronger for the experience--with hope.
S. Jackson wrote: "Depressing, sad, trouble, angst are all ok as long as you end on a good note."This makes a lot of sense to me. Even though not all my stories end on a "happy" or "good" note, but I can at least understand this. Avoiding all that is sad or depressing for an entire story seems like dull writing to me. A happy family does happy things and has a happy ending. Where is the growth? What do they gain? How do you create conflict with nothing that could be depressing? Isn't a happy ending more rewarding to the character if they have to struggle a bit and go through some rough times?
Jan wrote: "so why not? "Well, every writer is different. We all put on our shoes in a different way and certainly do not wear the same shoes. For me, I can think of a lot of reasons "why not". Changing stories due to a reviewer is not fair to my characters. It's not fair to readers that have already purchased the story. It would be a headache, no a migraine, to change the story every time a reviewer gave a mild or less review. With my writing, to change the ending would mean changing the entire story. Lastly, and maybe this is just a pride thing, it's not fair to myself. To let a reviewer dictate how my story should go is to admit that reviewer knows my worlds and my characters better than I. If that were true, there's no reason for me to keep writing. Let them do it.
"...and they lived happily ever after" may be appropriate for a fairy tale, but stories, based upon real-life scenarios, should be realistic and believable. If that requires occasionally delving into the depressing or even the morbid side of life, so be it.I also agree with Dwayne's comment pertaining to reviews. Since a review is nothing more than a personal opinion, it is subjective. An author's personal philosophy and attitude is reflected in his work. Therefore, I don't believe the author should allow a reader's opinion to dissuade him from following his gut instinct when creating characters or a story line.
Jim wrote: "Therefore, I don't believe the author should allow a reader's opinion to dissuade him from following his gut instinct when creating characters or a story line."Exactly. I try very hard not to ever, ever tell other writers what to do, what is right or wrong, but this is one situation I'm very close to it. I just can't imagine ever letting someone dictate how my stories should go. If my stories depress, and a couple of them do, so be it. Like you said, depressing stuff happens in life. Why avoid it in stories?
I have a story I want to write eventually when I get some things off my plate. Damn right it will be depressing, but it should help raise awareness and understanding about brain injury sufferers. Some subjects are good for sunshine, kittens and roses writing, some are not.
heh if I listened to reviewers and changed my stories to fit their perceptions I'd lose my mind. I get a lot of complaints that my works are too dark too sad or my characters are tools or dicks or I never have happy endings. so I tell them to write one to their preference because it's my vision not theirs. the whole HEA and never sad type writing has its place sure but there's shadows in light you know. dont be afraid to dip your toe into something uncomfortable. otherwise you can't really grow as a writer. for the record I have written happy nonviolent stories even without profanity (!!!). challenging yes but doable...
Different stokes for different folks. No matter what you write, I'm sure there is someone who will read it and it will strike some cord. That is why there are so many genres and subjects, etc. I personally don't like stuff that depresses me or makes me want to cry, but that doesn't mean there aren't people who do. My motto is to write from my heart. If I try to write based on anything else than I feel committed to, how do I defend against critics?? If I write what is in my heart, no matter how unflattering or inflammatory criticism may get, I won't let it get to me--too much--or as much as I would if I wrote something just because I was trying to appease something other than me. If ya'll write for the same reasons I do--well that's just what makes this hobby/job/pursuit worth it. Right?
S. Jackson wrote: "If I write what is in my heart, no matter how unflattering or inflammatory criticism may get, I won't let it get to me--too much--"Reviews by those that dislike our works do sting sometimes, but one must remember that no writer has ever pleased all readers or reviewers. So this one didn't like your story. Maybe the next one will. Stay true to the vision, stay true to the craft. Reviews have their place for writers, yes. If several are pointing out a weakness in the story, it's good to watch whatever it is next time around. But, reviews are primarily written for readers and writers should take them with a grain of salt. Even a so-called negative review can help you sell more units, after all. Just because this reviewer didn't like some things in the story, maybe they're complaining about the exact thing a potential buyer is looking for.
Dwayne wrote: "S. Jackson wrote: "If I write what is in my heart, no matter how unflattering or inflammatory criticism may get, I won't let it get to me--too much--"Reviews by those that dislike our works do st..."
Well said.
I'm really confused by Jim and Dwayne's comments in response to Jan. It sounded like a reviewer's comment informed her that her ending was coming across differently than the way that she intended, so she changed it.Isn't that a good response?
If something I've written is taken in a way differently than I intended, it means I probably didn't communicate the story very well, which means a revision is probably in order.
If a reviewer doesn't like the ending, that's one thing. But, if they are interpreting what I wrote wrong, that's usually on me, not them.
People will interpret different things from the same story. I had a lot of folks come away with their interpretations of my works. only a few people understood my vision and what I was trying get to convey. don't worry about it. if you have a unique voice then only a few "will get" your artistry. but if you're aiming for mainstream then yeah it makes sense to follow the tropes so that most will not end up scratching their heads in utter confusion.
Brian wrote: "I'm really confused by Jim and Dwayne's comments in response to Jan. It sounded like a reviewer's comment informed her that her ending was coming across differently than the way that she intended,..."When we're talking about one person's opinion of a story, no. I don't see the point of changing it just because they found it to be what we didn't intend. Reviewers are just people. People are flawed. People bring their own expectations, their own fears, ideas, hopes, beliefs, interpretations, etc. into a story. If one reviewer takes something from a story that is not intended, there's not enough reason to believe the story is flawed.
One of my short stories gets varied reactions to the end. Some find it depressing. Some find it funny. Some find it brilliant. What do I take from that? Simply this: Humans will react to things differently because we're all different. I didn't intend for it to be depressing, but if it comes across that way to some, I'm okay with it.
K.P. wrote: "if you have a unique voice then only a few "will get" your artistry."There is a great deal of truth to that! Some of my work is a bit out there and not everyone will understand it. I'm okay with that.
I don't like depressing books, but I do appreciate books that take me through a full range of emotions and thoughts. I read nonfiction books, sometimes on topics that aren't fun to think about, but I gain insight from them. Example: Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them FreeI like both light fiction and serious or thought-provoking fiction. Despite the quality of the prose, I found The Goldfinch more depressing than enlightening, and depressing isn't the same as cathartic. A Shakespeare tragedy like King Lear is not "depressing." It's bigger than that. I have no idea if I have explained the difference between what I think of as books and plays with painful or difficult material in them that lead to insight and emotional catharsis--it does us good, by the way, to go through that experience of fear and compassion and relief--and those that are only depressing. I expect the reaction to a book as being depressing or not is highly personal.
Dwayne wrote: "Brian wrote: "I'm really confused by Jim and Dwayne's comments in response to Jan. It sounded like a reviewer's comment informed her that her ending was coming across differently than the way that..."Regardless of the source of feedback, I always ask myself, "Is it valid?" Sometimes it isn't. A lot of times it is.
Brian wrote: "Regardless of the source of feedback, I always ask myself, "Is it valid?" Sometimes it isn't. A lot of times it is. "Well, to each his own, I guess.
It just seems that one would want to make sure all major problems and most minor ones with the book would be ironed out before publishing. This is what alpha and beta readers are for. This is what rewrites are for. This is what editing and proofing are to resolve. If one reviewer is misunderstanding the story after all one has done to it, then it is likely the reviewer that is at fault, not the writer.
Keep in mind that if you're putting work out there that isn't ready for publication and hoping a reviewer will find your mistakes and point them out to you, you're just asking for a lot of negative reviews and your audience will not be happy about buying a book that wasn't ready.
Depressing books can be beautiful, but the mentally ill like myself need to tread lightly.
Dwayne wrote: "Brian wrote: "Regardless of the source of feedback, I always ask myself, "Is it valid?" Sometimes it isn't. A lot of times it is. "Well, to each his own, I guess.
It just seems that one would w..."
In an ideal world, everything would be perfect, but mistakes happen.
Writing is taking the images, events, characters, and emotions that are running around in your head and using words to translate that into someone else's head.
That's not an easy thing to do no matter how many people - editors included - look at it. If 9 out of 10 people read it one way, should we disregard the other 10%? Of should we say, "Is there a way I can make all people understand it?"
I think it's my responsibility as an author to get the translation right. If someone is misinterpreting what I wrote, I should take a look and make sure that there's not a reason.
That being said - obviously some people just don't read it correctly. I had one commenter say something like, "How did they see in the cave with no light?" Well, maybe they used the torch they lit two paragraphs above?
Brian wrote: ""Is there a way I can make all people understand it?" ... "How did they see in the cave with no light?""Okay, but we're not talking about torches and caves, we're talking emotional responses. A writer should definitely have the story ready before publication so readers are not confused as to how someone can see in a cave. I agree there. I also agree that mistakes happen and it's impossible to catch them all. I was reading yesterday and found a misspelled word in a book written in the sixties and this was a reprint from the 2000s. So, yes, sometimes little errors still get through.
But, we were talking about how stories make people feel. If you can find a way to write a story in which everyone that reads it will have the exact emotional response to it that you are trying for, you'll be a very rich man soon.
Like I said, to each his own. You do what you feel you need to do. I just feel I wouldn't be being true to my stories, myself or the readers that already bought them (especially the ones that loved them the way they were) if I keep changing them around every time someone says they didn't care for it for some reason.
Shari wrote: ""People are going to hate it. It doesn't have a traditional happy ending." And I knew she was right, but by that time, the story was complete in my head and begging to be written."Good for you! Writers should trust their gut above all else. If the story feels right, write it the way you see it, not the way your editor, your mailman or your Uncle Herbert thinks it should be written. Let them write their own stories.
As for people weeping when they wrote to you - some might focus on the "negative" of that and think "oh, dear. I made readers cry." But, the positive side is that you made your readers care about your characters. They cared enough to be upset with you when you did whatever dastardly thing you did to them.
Just so long as Annie Wilkes doesn't read your story, I'd say well done!
Stories need conflict otherwise they are not stories. I read for an enjoyable break from real life that's going to make me feel good at the end of the story - and that's what I would like for my readers.
I want my readers to feel like they've been violated emotionally.Dwayne wrote: "But, the positive side is that you made your readers care about your characters."
I agree with this, even when it backfires on you. I've known people that stopped reading books when their favorite characters died. They were genuinely upset and swore venomously that they would never read another book in the series or by the author.
That's the kind of author I want to be. Get mad, get hurt, get emotional.
K.P. wrote: "I write dark depressing disturbed stories. not that I'm depressed now but when I crafted my works 10 15 20 years ago I was. I'm just cleaning them up now and publishing them all. I still read da..."Hello K.P. I am with you. My stories are dark and gloomy but they will leave you WONDERING AND THINKING rather than depressed. ANd I agree with Charles too.
Make my readers emotional.
Jan wrote: "I read for an enjoyable break from real life that's going to make me feel good at the end of the story - and that's what I would like for my readers. "Sweet. There readers out there that want that kind of story. Writers like you are necessary, then.
I'm kind of between writers like you and writers like K.P., Charles and Paromita. I like happy stories, sometimes. I like tragic, sad stories sometimes. I'm working on one today that's got me bawling like a baby and I love it.
But, you said you need a break from real life. I've seen and heard people say they like happy stories for "escape". I wonder - Personally, I am content with my life. I love my job, I love my wife. I'm quite happy. Maybe, then, I don't feel the need for stories to help me escape or give me a bit of happiness. I just want them to make me think and feel - something - anything. So, that's what I go for in my writing. I just want the reader to feel anything but bored.
Paromita that's my goal when I publish my works to get folks thinking and wondering once I drag their feels in the grinder. I'm an evil God over my characters lolz and though not a lot of folks like that a few who understand my vision always makes my day. I might not pay the rent (my phone bill maybe) but hey mission accomplished :) #cookie
I write nonfiction and in the case of my most recent book, I write memoir. Tales From The Family Crypt is about my bizarre dysfunctional family. It is depressing in that some of them are pretty despicable characters but I wanted to tell the story well and that's who they are. Is it sad? Yes, but it has a happy ending. Is it for the reader who just wants a feel good read? Nope. But life isn't all feel good, is it? I agree with others who said they want to read things that make them think and feel. I do too, although I'll take a light beach read too.
You're so right! It didn't hurt its sales, did it? :)
W.E. wrote: "In my opinion, 
is extremely depressing."So is this.
And this.
And this.
So, yes, depressing books have their place and can be extremely important.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Notebook (other topics)The Diary of Anne Frank (other topics)
1984 (other topics)
Lord of the Flies (other topics)
The Notebook (other topics)
More...
I didn’t go looking for a “depressing” book when I picked these up. And to be fair, a scan of the blurb warned me. So, why did I read them? I can relate to Laurie Uttich’s comment “I want a book that has the potential to change my life in a series of small, important ways.” I am always seeking books that give a ‘glimpse’ of life; and sometimes the glimpses are gloomy, morbid or depressing.
My two cents in my blog post on the topic